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Dear Laycon,

Excuse my decision not to say Congratulations. I have said it severally, more than I should even before you were announced the winner.


Therefore, I would only sound wishy-washy or abuse the word by saying it again, and again.


I must say you were more than lucky. How you ferried from an underestimated fellow to the most feted and tremendously loved is mystifying as well as jarring when one carefully thinks of it.


Your sheer humility and plucky nature caught the attention of the people, and rapidly stirred up their interest in you. It wasn't out of pity unlike what most half-witted people would say.


For me, you were too agreeable, witty and meek for a man in his right sense to show contempt towards you. If he does, then it is out of envy, or he must have an incurable bipolar disorder.



However, don't be too overwhelmed by the intrigue of your fame. Never covet the extravaganza lifestyle of your new class of friends.

Guard yourself against pride and listen to good counsel. While many charming and classic girls would woo you, try as much as you can not to fall.

To do this, you must grow a thick skin against a licentious habit and focus on one woman. A lot of men who became millionaires overnight went broke before the next fall, owing to this flirtatious lifestyle.

I can go on and on, but I will like to retire my pen at this point. Good luck!

Yours sincerely,

Corporal Mark Jnr.

When the British raj was ousted by our heroes of the past 6 decades ago, there was a thrill of hope hovering over the cloud as Nigerians stepped out in thousands and celebrated our swift escape from the follies of imperialism.



On this day in October 1st, 1960, there was a loud blast of African music steaming the radios of every home and cheers of cacophonous voices hitting the streets ceaselessly. Freedom was a hot commodity then, and one without it was flung into a sober mood.



So it wasn't at all a surprise seeing every citizen in this high spirit of jollity when the news of independence was announced.



Moreover, that was the day the grim feeling of slavery, which has stung the black race and lasted for several decades vanished in us. The general idea was that our bedeviling masters are the only obstacle, and the only time we can live nobly is when they are out of the way.



Well, this is 60 years after Independence and all we could see is a feverish State of lost souls and dreams -- dying hope and faith. As it is, Nigeria is losing its position as a home, as its citizens depart from it in barges to foreign nations.



Now, there is a ravaging hunger and a news of sheer general collapse when you pay careful attention, and such can force a man to go to bed early with the hope not to wake up the next day and realise that he is in Nigeria. Yes, it is a complete mess; Nigeria has been reduced to a suburb where people are slaughtered in hundreds, and in which a man can't sleep with his two eyes closed.



More so, even those who sang of its praises just yesterday are sourly regretting that they are part of this history, and oftentimes lost in the volleying thought of how Nigeria got here as a country.



Perhaps we should go back to the days before independence and rest in the cold arms of colonialism, if that is the only option. For it seems we are wearing away by the day without any hope of recovery.



Obviously, Nigeria would be clocking 60 years tomorrow and there would be a wild celebration where the President would recount the uncommon achievements of his regime.



Unfortunately, there is nothing worth celebrating about the country. The leaders are hoggish and treat the people with a reckless abandon as though they are tramps.



The celebration you would see tomorrow is only an artful show to defend the indefensible and convince a man that he is fine when he is only 2 metres away from his grave.


If Nigeria is anything today, it is nothing more than a bed wetting giant at 60.


By Corporal Mark Jnr.

There is a bipolar episode of Fani Kayode and his fourth wife, leading to him throwing her out.


The news making rounds is that he is fond of beating her like men whose youthful waywardness has trailed them into old age.



Well, those who think with the head wouldn't just give credence to the news considering the fact that the population of those who survive by trading loose tongue is rising with the speed of light.


They would rather sit and carefully watch the flying signal and powerful tussle between the millennia media boys, who would walk into doom just to save the master's face before dropping a comment.



Of course, we are in a country where on your way to the house, someone in the bus would, with a reassuring tone, break the news that it is so, but getting to the house, you will surprisingly realise that it is not a reality even in the newspapers.



Now having watched this drama concerning FFK for days, I would like to ask FFK these two questions. First is, why is it that FFK can't endure or keep a woman, and is moving from one to the next?



Secondly, if he is not that lucky with marriage, why can't he think of just keeping a girlfriend or concubine, or run some miles away from marriage?



I know that it is not my duty to question FFK just as it is very difficult to defend him realising that this particular union is his fourth marriage.



Because to me, a man who changes wives like mere clothes should be rehabilitated in a psychiatric centre for a redemption of his soul and stabilization of his mind.


I don't know whether FFK needs this liberation, although I think he should do a proper self assessment before he dives into the next one.


Sometimes, a problem we think is foreign to us has already formed an insurmountable and fearful monster within us.


Corporal Mark Jnr. .

I went to Reno Omokiri's Facebook wall and felt like never departing from it. It was festooned with thought provoking messages and nuggets. There is hardly a sparked up fuss even when he gambols into politics.



If he had a gun, I'm certain he would never miss a target in sight when he aims. This is conceivable when you assiduously mirror his prejudice free style of criticism, although mostly in affairs outside the sycophantic and heart throbbing Nigerian politics.




I admire his steadiness in character and remediating admonitions. They are priceless. After swimming in his bottomless pool of inestimable wisdom, I can only manage to think of him as a staid, civil and delicate fellow.



I have not seen him in person, but there is a thrusting feeling in me that he is a type of man I would definitely like to share a dinner table with; for a time well spent with him might turn the odds in my favor.



Corporal Mark Jnr

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The video is doctored. You will notice this when you pay a careful attention while watching

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Dear Genevieve,


I'm one among the many men whose obsession with you has gone agog and brought them to their knees. I'm writing in awe that I pause every minute to think.





Yes, because I'm to reveal an age -long secret which I have kept to myself for more than one and a half a decade. Besides, I don't know what people in this Topsy-Turvy world would think of me.



It is commonplace for them to call me a delusional vagabond. Well, I don't care what runs through their insipid heart anymore, for it is better I say it now than come to regret in later years that I never said it.



However, before I say anything, I need to slide through the groove that leads to my far misty past; it is from this past that this fiery and melodramatic connection with you began.



It all started in 1999 when I, in a high-spirited manner, watched the movie titled IJELE on a white and black colored TV screen.



Seeing you then, I was stunned by your raw beauty and completely disarmed by the glistening innocence with which your face was naturally manicured.



And from that day I became a prisoner of yours that you didn't know about. I made you the heroine of my heart, and nurtured the false feeling that I will someday wrap you in my arms as though we just freshly fell in love.



Of course, you may say this feeling was prompted by a light juvenile fantasy. But it followed me into my sleep that I caught the flashes of you neatly dressed in a white garment - the type angels wear in Hollywood.




Many a time I tried to kill that feeling. But it died today and resurrected the next day. So I accepted it as something I could not escape from.



Deep into the night when all were fast asleep and those who snore defiled the silence, I turned on the TV to watch your movies alone in the sitting room.


Whenever you make a solemn love confession to your partner in the movie, I quickly put myself in his place and assume it was me you said them to.



Unnatural and crazy as the act may seem, those words belted my pulse and soul, and from them I felt a thrill of hope that sustained me while I watched till the end.



Any time I heard that you are still single, my hope multiplied, and the wish to be with you clumsily solidified, too. Perhaps I felt my ancestors, bayonets in their hands, were fighting for me.



But after some years of not realising this dream, I began to think with my head. The fact that we are of different worlds became glaring. You were a phenomenal star, while I was an incredulously naive chap.



And as soon as this resounding thought sank into my head, and settled fairly as an irrecoverable insight, I retired from this fatiguing journey and became your fan for life.



Now, as one of your die-hard fans, I no longer feel weary or panic when I take a seat in the Genesis Cinema, with a cup full of porncorn and coke in hand, watching a movie which you are featured in.


Sincerely yours, Corporal Mark Jr.

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

When I was serving in Calabar, the stipend of the N.Y.S.C corps member was never enough, if one should leave like a grown up who wants to keep in shape. So I was among the thousands of corps members who dreamed that it should be increased and protested within, alongside fellow members who the sound of gun from mile away can raise their blood pressure.



Yes, I said dreamed, because I observed I wasn't spotted carrying a placard which reads "increase or resign" or seen with wild crowd made up of men courageous enough to snatch a pistol from a policeman.



Well, it is like I slept throughout my service year, because the dream never came to pass and I can't remember showing any sentiment regarding the subject. I took it with good faith, a type of attitude our misguided politicians see as patriotic, or may be respect and loyalty. But that isn't what it is at all.



Now 5 years after passing out from the scheme, news is making the rounds that the stipend of corps members has been increased. Hearing it, I was startled, happy but not as I would if it happened when I was a member ( otondo, as we were often addressed then by military men).


So, I commended who ever did it, be it the devil himself. But it worries me, like when you hear about the death of a friend, that a lot of people are criticising this deed, in fact calling it something of absolute nonsense.


Going by their words, irritating as they sounded, I ask:


Is it wrong that the monthly stipend of youth corps members was increased to 33k?


Would it have been better if it was left at 19k?


Would a serving member be worse off considering this increase?


Not having a straight or slightly sensible answers from those who condemn this impeccable act, I concluded that there are people you can never satisfy, no matter what you do - even when you take your own life for their sake.


Hence, live your life and affect as many people you can positively, and care not about what they think of you after then. Because it is almost normal that among them, there are those who would speak ill of you and those that would commend you.


I'm corporal Mark

Big brother Naija gives you fame, put you in the memory of those obsessed with the show but one crazy thing is that just a month after the show, your reign begins to die away. Every thing becomes silent like when a dead player is honored before the kick off in a football match.


While in the last Big brother's - "pepper dem" edition as the news put it was on, there is one name - Tacha, if this is the correct spelling of it, that was always in the lip of those who made the show a concern. Then, I think she was more famous than Wizkid and the country's president for a reason I still didn't know. People fought and quarreled for her sake; people forgot their food on the gas for gist about her, as reported by different persons.

In the kitchen it was Tacha, in buses still Tacha; on road its Tacha. Even on the phone. But after the show, it was different. I don't hear of her anymore, although there isn't a news that she is dead.

Where is she? Oh, what about, Efe? C.C nko? T boss? Debbie rise?

I'm Corporeal Mark

"Year of winning"

I was at the hospital when he walked in alongside Ben Murray Bruce. He was very fit. He lied saying they admitted him. The time he spent was too diminutive for him to make such disquieting claim

He was paid by Governor Seriaki Dickson to act; and like usual, he outstandingly played his role. No one should be deceived. This was only a gimmicks to credit the Restoration government of Bayelsa state. Doctors in the said hospital re quacks.

Sometimes we get bored with the affairs of knotting a tie and want to be flexible yet retain the corporate style or look. In moments like this, trying out a tuxedo is the best recommendation you can reach. Trust me, there is no other perfect alternative to save yourself in case you think there is.


Tuxedo never goes out of style---it is evergreen. Every gentle man should at least have a pair of it in his closet, as dinner invitations are sure to slide into his hands. Basically, wearing it would attract lusty, delightful and romantic stare from those sitting before or next to you. But never mind them, they could only wish to replicate your breathtaking style.



Modern tuxedo has met new innovations and creativity, although it still retains the unassailable verve that separates it from the conventional suits. Unlike before where it was just a classic black and white look, it now comes in different color variety from which you can flaunt your style. Gray, navy blue, tan and red are amongst the new color choices.



These days, the satin details on tuxedo have been reduced to a thin trim on the lapels and a tiny stripe down the pant leg. Well, such changes in details have only added more style and spark to it. It blends perfectly with white shirts that have wing collar or turndown collar. Black patent shoes are always excellent complement for it. Believe me when I say it doesn't take a great deal of mining to dig out an exclusive set of tuxedo accessories in a store for corporate wears. Just shuttle down to one along the street and place an order.



Well, going for high quality tux could be quite expensive anyway. However, with the sum of $400 you could afford a nice one. Oh!Some would pause and take a deep breathe knowing this sum is two or three times the country's minimum wage. Or, "No it's too expensive so I can't go for it" we hear. But as we know, it is the sum with which you can get a perfectly tailored one to storm that friend's wedding as a best man. "You can save for it" is all that dear friend cares to know.



Again one styled in a tuxedo spends more time smiling before the mirror and pretentiously adjust the bow tie that needs no further tweaking. It is a crazy style culture of any one that puts it on. Of course, wearing it brings back the memory of James bond in his fluffy black dinner jacket and bow tie. Well, where as not all who rock it can appear as sexy, dapper and handsome as him, tuxedo has found its way into top celebrity preference in fashion and style.


I shall tread the hills amongst mountains just to get one.



By Corporal Mark

I used to believe a weak notion that Bayelsa is as hopeless as a slum and that majority of those inhabiting it are halfwits, who settle for a crumb. This was a perception that gained its ground by records of the many foul plays of Bayelsan leaders and the sheer timidness tossed into the heads of some followers.



But speaking with Mr Keniebi Okoko yesterday, I wished I had not given up entirely on the State and regretted regarding majority of its citizens as handicaps before now. At least I would have sought for solutions as a citizen and not otherwise. Now my cupid face is covered under shame, while my mouth is whispering out regrets of having falsely judged a people and almost reduced them to nothing.



I can't forget the warmness and hope that accompanied the words of Mr Keniebi Okoko when he aired his view about Bayelsa state and the clear possibility of it becoming a mega city, rising to per and standing distinct amongst the 36 States in Nigeria, if every citizen of it would think in his direction and sing loudly the anthem of investment in the land.



In his comforting words, which are like those of the saints, " let's not abandon the building of the state to Government alone. Let's build it with patriotic might into an inviting home , a tourist site and a booming commercial outlet by sacrificing in our little ways. The building of LEKKI had a little beginning but today it has risen into an adorable island upon which the noble of men die to dwell. Its glory is almost sang by every eye witness of its magnificent glow.



Their is always a story of economic horror in the account of every place. It precedes the glory days of sunshine. A Chinese man is aware of this fact; a German does but more aware is the south African man whose past is ruffled by apartheid. But these three men understand the language of revolution, overcame the unwanted circumstances before them and turned their regions into a place of great promises.



We Bayelsans must not be made with steel to take up such cause. Blood runs in us as it flows in the veins of these three men; and again our lands are more preciously endowed by nature than even theirs.



Therefore, if the citizens ( home and abroad) of the state are determined to sacrificially invest in the land like they desirously do else where, we just might become fortunate to have places here in years to come that would rival LEKKI and BANANA ISLAND in every ground.



Not that this would be achieved overnight but the fact remains that we must start somewhere. We must crawl before we walk and must walk before we run."


I waited a bit as to absorb fully the thought provoking message of Keniebi Okoko. But a third party whose curiosity has reached its limit interrupted him with a strange gusto.



"Sir, do you mean Bayelsa can attain the level of Lagos in housing, trade and infrastructure?". He said this with an intent to mock Mr Keniebi Okoko, implying that such hope would never come alive.



Mr Keniebi Okoko was never suppressed by this show but rather he maintained his spirited believe and enthusiasm towards his dream to see Bayelsa evolve into a jewel in the future. He retorted to this third party with an usual calmness.



" I cant say, in the area of development that Bayelsa can overtake Lagos. But we would wrath in the worst of places when we think that such is an impossible expedition. We are not in competition with any state but trying to improve in every aspect of our cause forces us into a competition with many.



Therefore, we are all in a race for development, and if we must win, then we need to think of those on the track with us as competitors and think of speeding pass states with fractured foot in the process." He addressed.



While the third party pointlessly presented reasons why Bayelsa can't roll out of industrial barrenness, I became captivated by the standpoint of Mr Keniebi Okoko whose logic and mannerism placed him above the prime, above the rank of this third party. And I became ready to follow Mr Keniebi Okoko to the end of where ever his astute thought leads.



I inquired from him, " sir, so how do we start in making this development miracle?"



He giggled a little and said, " Mark, miracle you say?" and smiled for a moment, fixing his eyes into mine. On his twitching eye balls rested a familiar alacrity that proved his sincerity.



He complemented me and spoke of my good sense of humour. Well, I was wrong not to tell him i was considering to make him a role model because he is a man of practical faith, with guts and balls, who can't be bent by the ceaseless troubles of life. In fact, I was momentarily turned on to think that he is a man with the magic wand to deliver the people of Bayelsa from the dire sufferings.



Finally, he answered my question. But before he did, the third party was becoming aware of his own ignorant that Bayelsa is hopeless. He was quiet and nodded to the points made by Mr Keniebi Okoko. He looked like one who had just been baptized by a catholic priest----he appeared cold and humble. But I didn't feel a bit pity for him, for I was engrossed to what Mr Keniebi Okoko had to say.



Mr Keniebi Okoko cleared his throat and we his audience-----myself and the third party, flapped our eyes and paid more attention. He said, " do you know an investment in Lagos promotes commerce and trade, feeds people of its residence with employment opportunities and make people migrate from other states to settle permanently in it?



Well, this is the trend in Nigeria as we have watched Lagos grow to a level where some now think it is only a nightmare for one to dream that any other state in Nigeria can attain that height. But no dream is too big to be achieved if the tower of Babel could be built in months----not certain of this however, as history holds not much detail to clarify the claim.



The point I am trying to sell is that Lagos has just one advantage over the rest states, which is its status of commercial excellence that owes all appreciation to the number of investors in the land. Lagos could be worse than Bayelsa with the absence of investors, and its citizens would cry and migrate to other regions for greener pasture like our people, who squeeze themselves into night buses every day just to have a sight of Lagos.



I am sure there is no harm in copying what is worth replicating. So, let's copy Lagos by making our state a site of economic attraction through thinking wittingly, and investing consciously in our state. Let's harness the areas with which we have an absolute trade advantage over other states. Nothing should stand in the way of this move.



For instance, if I have established a movie academy, let the next person set up an oil mill and convince his neighbors into building fashion/make up institutions. Buy as much fishing trawler as you can and supply fishes to those who demand for it. Learning a craft should be of essence because it strangles every spirit of idleness.

Tell someone out loud that this is a revolution all must take part. He or she must be involved actively in this dauntless march into the heart of investing. Or seduce a colleague with the success of your business and arose his interest in opening a business of his.



I told a friend to venture into the printing business last year and he felt elated now that he is reaping so much from heeding to my advise. Build a bakery, build an estate, factory, malls, fish pond e.t.c are the things we should say and consider.



Perhaps, we can say to our teenagers, 'learn a trade while you re in school, build an empire before you leave the campus and abolish the psychopathic impression that Lagos and abroad are the only destination of success. Invest! INVEST IN THE LAND should be our motto or theme under which we live.


This would solve the problem of why we have been static in growth and revamp the cells of the private sector, which has greatly suffered damnation in time past. It would relieve the government of some responsibilities and register smiles in the faces of citizens. Under such social and economic order, we can have a duplicate of LEKKI, Banana island, IKOYI and the likes here In Bayelsa."



Listening to this, I could only imagine how many men from Bayelsa can so much distinguish themselves from the multitude and muster the courage to see through a periscopic lens like Keniebi Okoko. I wished I met him earlier in life because he has furnished my brain with tremendous knowledge in just an hour conversation, which i am not sure of getting reading a thousand pages of an author who trades in motivation.


Even when Keniebi Okoko had left I felt the presence of him crouched in the words he left me with. An entirely new perception was established from them. We re responsible for our predicament in all intercourse. Therefore, if Bayelsa is a dead end, we are responsible. If it is ruined morally and abandoned economically, we re also responsible.


My advise is, let us all be responsible, rise to our fore and make our home a jewel of the Niger. It is possible!


"Just don't think Lagos became profoundly eminent because its inhabitants are super humans or alien who re programmed by nature to excel over the rest." Was the last thing he said while he rushed out to meet up a service holding every Thursday in SALVATION MINISTRIES.



By Corporal Mark

Attired in a regalia of grace, I was transported with a speed propelled by divine acquaintance with the finery of God's words, to a world where righteousness seems to be the only occupation known by its inhabitants. Sprouting on the walls of the world are gleaming lights, dangling to and fro to ensure that those in it know no darkness. If there was one thing clear to the arithmetics of my ears, it was the classical flutes played, along with golden voices that sang hymns, which I had not known while on earth. More beautiful, and slightly superior are the creatures here; for on their shoulders were impeccable wings which mark the difference between them and humans.



like birds they flap their wings and flew in a majestic fashion that induced into me an absurd feeling, that one had a better chance had he been a descendant of this race. Above all, is their piquant style of fellowship to exalt One on whose head was a golden crown, glittering in all directions. To him they all bow in unison, and if I should judge from such spectacle, I would frankly admit that He is a God. This, had in no time, arose a suspicion in me that he is Christ, for the lyrics of the hymn they sang, which was in tune and standard superior to what the best choir in the world could offer, was similar to what I have stumbled on while on earth. But His appearance dumped me in a confused state of dilemma when I realized he neither looked like, as opposed to majority of Christians, the pictures on the pamphlet, rosary and banners of the church armies.



I have fallen short of words to paint an accurate picture of him, therefore qualifying him as white, black, Jewish or Mongolian would only connote that I am guilty of prejudice, a fiendish act that attracts a wrath to the one who had perpetrated it. His appearance to me is a mystery which after I had woke up from this premonition of mine, which the world, following its usual trend, is set to term a myth, I had failed in my attempt to decipher. He is black to the eyes that finds beauty and contentment in the creation design of the black man; and he is white to one who is obsessed and dashes into the act of eulogizing the white race. To this man he is as white as snow and if such man agrees with evolution theory of Charles Darwin, he would further submit a claim that He is the final stage of evolution.



Of course anyone that come in contact with such discoveries would not cease to announce that this perfect creature is Christ but he is at the same time led into bewilderment, knowing this Christ is not the person on the picture the Christian Nation is deifying, aggrandizing and worshipping.Well, by this I mean the picture and artistic drawings used to represent Him are questionable to anyone that had shared this vision. To him it becomes disquieting just as I feel now when ever my eyes by chance establish contact with a rosary or sculpture that Christians bow before.



It is obvious that some had even plunged into worshiping the image of the one who played a lead role in the movie (Passion of Christ) but one who tries to scold them becomes an hypocrite who would excuse for himself what he would ferociously reprimand if found in his neighbor. Like all variables are manipulated when simplifying an algebraic expressions, so all Christians had once upon a time been affected by this, therefore has no prerogative to condemn another who had, in a higher degree done the same.


At this point, which the wise would find the most critical, I daresay as one whose eyes have seen beyond the physical realms, whose ears have heard celestial tunes reserved for the righteous amongst men, that is if not more, half of the Christian population in the world are hero and idol worshipers. They are quite ignorant of this fact but would in a haste cast a stone upon one who had call their attention to it. Yes, I have brought this to your notice, counting on the trueness of my vision, which has​ a trait of coming to pass as though it was a prophecy of the bald head prophet, who we have all come to know as Elijah. Now you can cast your stones and send me to gallow, for I have blasphemed just to the retarded majority, who follow a course for its charming colours and flamboyancy, and care less about the end it leads them to.



But consider yourself a Pharisee if you are counted among those who cast the stones, for no matter the persecution i suffer, my position on the subject will never change. I repeat, the image on the walls of churches, flyers, synergies and museum, shouldn't be regarded as Christ, therefore​ shouldn't be​ worshipped. The gap in resemblance between the one, who my vision has presented as Christ and the image the world has condescend to accept as Christ is too enormous and therefore, one who is exposed to the truth and decides to say it as it is, which is contrary to the believe of the majority, would end up in consternation and become a recipient of criticism from those religious braggarts who ignorance has blinded from the truth.


If you can, which I am quite convinced it is only possible out of a rational premise, how do you defend the act of bowing and praying to crucifix, sketches of some Hollywood actors, and sculpture as not idol worshipping and yet qualify rituals of a traditionalist to appease his god, which had been carved out of woods by his ancestors as idol worshipping? Obviously, this is the most awkward and preposterous thing one should think of to do, for one who foolishly tries this had only managed to reveal his or her feeble-minded nature, or status as not a true Christian.


Heaven is real, and this premonition of mine strongly supports it, but it is astounding to mention that its Candidates are those who had found true salvation, and not men who exaggerate in all inclination by deifying artifacts, or fictitious painting that re conferred with the name Jesus. like I know, the latter re product of ignorance and they occupy massive space in the Christian setting.



I would leave you at this stage, to choose for yourself what is imperative among the opposing standpoints, so if this​ revelation of mine turns out to be true or false, you won't slur me to death with curses from your mouth.


By Mark Godswill

In solicitude I had engaged my thought in an inspiring subject, which seems monotonous at the infant stage of it. But since surrendering to a course I have by myself started would have me regret that I hadn't lived the life of a man, I jerkily moved side by side with the subject to see what the end offers.


You might have anticipated something rare that deserves a column in an academic journal, no, what I present to you today is "Failing to plan for tomorrow".



Well, before we proceed to the main discourse let's refresh our memories with thought provoking quotes from at least, two geniuses in the world we have come so far to admire for what they stand for.

A goal without a plan is just a wish.
---Antoine de Saint.Exupéry

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
--Benjamin Franklin



Before I forget, let me quickly share with us the meaning of planning. Of course, you need not to protest that I am doing too much recapping because you already know what planning means. I had only intended to share this meaning, so no one would lose track of the subject ( Failing to plan tomorrow) or go out of its context.


Now in short, planning is a drawing board on which you sketch the future---how your tomorrow would turn out. This makes you an architect of your future. So, if you had colourfully painted on the board, then colourfully your future appears.


*Although the reverse is the case when the board is left blank or made to host a careless drawing.


Anyways, as not to incur the wrath of taking too much of your time,I would indulge you to pay a careful attention to my discoveries after investing so much time in liasing​ with my flexible mind on this subject of failing to plan.


*Discoveries*

*One who fails to plan is bound to remain poor and accuse the government for his low life status*


*He becomes​ a critique of wealthy people; everything about them offends him*


*He attends all the miracle programs of different churches, yet still remains poor*



*There is always a tendency for him to call his grandparents witches and wizards*


*He becomes a certified dream killer since he dreams, but can't set a strategic plan to achieve it*

*He turns out to be a renowned procastinator*


*He is the last to be contacted in the family for a function*


*He becomes a burden to his friends who are focused and ready to change the world with their dreams*


*He threatens to deal with his uncles who had refused to give him money because of how prodigal he is*




*He talks of wishes wishes but run from the stress of bringing them to life.*

* *He turns into a slave to those who give him peanut.*


*He is fond of reciting " my time will come" even when he is above 50 and has no plan, thinking life is about luck.*


*He gradually grows into a human with low self- esteem​*


In conclusion, don't get it wrong by thinking the writer is indispensable to the plague of failing to plan. He had only written from the perspective of a ghost expert, as to remind himself and others of the dangers of not planning towards tomorrow.

By Mark Godswill

The brightness of today metaphorically connotes success, which I quite believe is paramount in the life of every human. Therefore, I have resolved to start today with the secrets of how to become successful.




Well,it is probably a propaganda for me to assume that success is a precious jasmine that all would want to embark on a 100,000 metres marathon race, or a sit-up drill to reach for it. Yes, I would appear omniscient to present a claim that I know everyone's​ position when the issue of success is raised--I don't.





However,it is only astounding that I take a step further to inquire from you if you belong to the party that craves at the success and could endure the rigours of walking a long distance during a turbulent winter to grasp it, or the opposite party that perceives success as a thing not as worthy as the former had made it seem.
Hence I ask, do you want to succeed and wave a fair well to poverty?


Yes! Yes!



Never mind answering the question because I just impersonated and did answer it for you. In fact, call me a silly nerd and megalomaniac for answering for you. But I am certain this grave crime of mine would be forgiven when you find out I had answered for all because of the fear that some might say no. And I cant swallow the disappointment in hearing that. You must succeed, Period!




But before you send that heavy punch of yours to disfigure my face, find below secrets to help you succeed exceedingly, which I gathered after a long voyage in reading bestselling authors in motivational and "how to be successful" writings.



The greatest secret of success as I have learnt is only an irony that there are no secrets. I know how disappointed you feel about this muse, after reading to this point without finding any secrets, which is enough for you to pour out my brains with a pistol. But it is the fact and you should learn to live with it because one only succeeds when he has a positive believe system and mental attitude that endures the long period of failing trial, which I suppose shouldn't be called a secret. Virtually all the successful authorities in the world have this trait of not giving up a dream.




As I have always repeatedly said, one can easily submit that success is a product of hard work, great ideas and strategic and executable patterns of bringing these ideas​to life. Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Ted Turner are just the best case study for you.



So if you have not succeeded in achieving your goals, it only means that it is not yet time, or you easily surrender when the storm is blowing heavily through the path that leads to achieving your dreams.Your ship can capsid many times, but as the pilot, never say never. I will leave you all in the hands of Napoleon Hill.




"Before success comes in any man’s life, he’s sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That’s exactly what the majority of men do”. – Napoleon Hill


# be focus and work hard ( smart) to be successful#



By Mark Godswill ( CEO AT CON10TH SKY)

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Nice one comrade

Cultivate the habit of reading is a frequent statement that discharges out of the mouth of my head mistress. But my adolescent age and sense took them for granted because of what I call modern age distractions. My Facebook and yahoo chat were priority so there was no room to ponder and deduce something positive from her axiom. My scale of preference was decorated with irrelevant plays at its top: watching movies, gossiping with pals, facebooking and breaking school rules. They were the keys that unlock the pleasures of my carnal mind but there neccesities to my future relevance I never bordered to know. I feel accident free moment of a donkey rider growing in this lame lane, not knowing it is devoid of the building blocks of a fulfilled life.

My contempt for scanning through books towered high while the strokes of my father's cane made me conceal it. 100 words composition became a sleeping peel when I make attempt to read; even when the content is literally rich. I was like night while reading was day; we never meet. Forcefully I had books on my shelve but forcefully, knowledge was not gained.

After some years of lingering in thoughtlesness, pressures from my late father and caricature from those I run to for solving my assignment because of my self induced weakness, the words of my head mistress fired back at me, shots of repentance to embrace reading habit. In commanding voice she would say, "the secret of the world is embedded in books. Who don't read is deprived of that secret which is precious than gold and silver." These words became magical,broke the spell and hence marked the beginning of my journey to endless reading.

In this journey, I discovered reading keeps me warm, sound and proactive. It shapes one into a model where great minds spot felicity and communicates with you in the absence of nobody. What a perfect monologue actor it makes one become."reading is a wheel that drives you into the treasure base of life" Abijima Abdul

Thus, Erace the thought that classifies book as binded papers with hectic contents and start cultivating the habit of reading because it pays more than you could hardly imagine.
If this appeals to you as one who aspires to be remembered in history, make reading books a culture.

By Mark Godswill

By Mark Godswill Olali

I tag my NYSC days as a bridge between the four walls of campus and labor market where retrenchment policy doubles the plight of Nigerian
graduates---a one year adventure that awarded me a certificate I thought would strip open doors of high-profile job opportunities. But the contrary is the case not just for me: for over a million Nigerians who have once upon a time obeyed the clarion call.

This prevalent harsh reality has prompted a controversial debate if the one year service is prime to the system or not. My attempt to find a suitable answer to these questions has always driven me to the path of forming a paradox that fires high more confusion in me as I listen to different minds proving their points on this subject--some I idolized for hitting their points through a logical ground while some left me disappointed with misguided and shoddily presented ones.

According to a colleague in whose stand point I spot Felicity, NYSC scheme has outlived its purpose of eroding regional prejudice in Nigeria so should be scrapped. Narrating his viewpoints in an article he posted on Nairaland where he received over 100comments applauding authenticity of his points, I was more than beguiled realizing the long awaited answer has arrived.

But as I was flipping through the comments which is one regular habit I find hard to let go off, I saw a comment throwing a counter jab against the article my friend had written. Who ever aired such a constructive criticism my intuition identified as the mouth piece of an opposing school of thought.This opposing point was spanned from the severe unemployment problem in the country and was built around questions that appeared rhetoric in nature . My memory may not be too keen to give a snap copy of the comment but I will try to use my words to represent it without altering its meaning.

"we lament of unemployment and yet subconsciously become agents igniting the problem. you want the government to layoff thousands of workers because the scheme has failed in that aspect of reducing regional prejudice? do you have a job for them? do you know the welfare of thousands of Nigerians are dependent on there income? when the unemployment rate climbs to 80℅ you will be first to sharpen your mouth-sword and blab about incompetency of the government in creating jobs. or let's say your dad was working in such a scheme and the government decides to take such an action. What would be your reaction? your reaction would conflict with your current position I guess."

As a fan of the Former (article), after reading the comment I was struck to the end of finding a shield for defense but I was too open-minded to reach for any as I fell under the captive of the latter ( comment). it almost succeeded in discrediting the piece of my friend, which conviction and precision had me in its pocket as well.

Finding myself lingering in the midst of two opposing forces fighting to take charge of me, with none ready to retreat nor surrender, the meaning of dilemma became clearer to me because it best described the shoes I was in.

At this point, I became indifferent to Which is superior. To some, my being indifferent in this case underscore my intelligence For not spotting the difference between the two, Or by not placing one above the other. Trust me, both arguments hit the mark of appraisal and are projected towards enlightening the public. From them, I have learned to see from more than one perception before diving into an ocean of conclusion on what I think is right or wrong.

Don't judge me!

We live in a world where consumers are presented with multiple products to choose from. Their choices are however determined by the distinctive position a brand occupies in their minds. But how to find a window in their mind for the acceptance of your product is a fundamental question every manufacturer has to answer before launching a product into the market. From experience, strategic brand positioning laced with psychological basics is the answer you need for your brand to own a mental space in their heart.

Getting an answer to this question is probably relieving but not enough for your brand to succeed without you having a clear insight of the term (brand positioning). This is because, most literatures flooding the internet today use this term interchangeably with concept like product packaging, which is a misinterpretation that limits its importance.
Here I will try to strip the concept open for the benefit of marketers and business owners who before now have been mistaking it for something else.

To simply put, brand positioning is the summation of all the marketing processes associated with shaping the value proposition of your brand to improve customers’ experience as well as making it stand out of the crowd. One can say, in its purest form, it is the process of positioning a brand in customers’ mind.

Positioning is the way you want your product to be perceived by your customers. It is responsible for how customers react when they come in contact with your product by dealing directly their emotions.

Again, it is important to note that brand positioning is not narrow in scope as most think. Rather, it is deep and essential to the survival of every business in this age; a science and psychology combined to pave a way for your business to triumph.

Brand positioning as a marketing mix creates long lasting impression and serves as a wing through which promotional messages (features and benefit) of a brand are ideally communicated to the target audience with the aim of transforming them into bunch of loyal customers.
How consumers relate to your product is determined by how appealing it appears and the voice through which its features and benefits are communicated to them----and this solely depends on your brand positioning tactics.

If your brand positioning strategy is built upon a solid foundation, consumers are likely to make favorable buying decisions and become voluntary ambassadors of your business. For example, a company like Nike has registered its imprint in the minds of its target audience consistently through various brand positioning channels ranging from their name, logo, adverts, product design, stake holder’s input, packaging and many more.

Coca-Cola is another example of a company who have hit the mark of success overtime by adopting a dynamic and sound brand positioning strategy.

There is no magic behind why some business fail while some forge over the years to become industry giant. The difference between the two is that the former were ignorant of undertaking research on how best to project their brand’s image while the latter did the reverse.
Having touch-lighted few points on why strategic brand positioning is ultimate, before launching a new product into the market, embark on a detailed research and develop a sound brand positioning model.

By Mark Godswill

Prophetic activisit of the Niger Delta State; Ken Sarowiwa


The prophecies of Sariwo against the bigoted system is looming over the air that we breadth as the oneNigeria awaits hazardous missiles of war in the hope of fragmenting into pieces of sovereign parts. His words of patriotism during the trial after which he was untimely sent into an asylum of no return are manifesting through revolutionary path where the fate of the nation remaining as one is now hanging on a thread made of frail wool--resource control as the only option to avert the break up.

I wish he was still in his mortal days to witness his protegees in the delta paddling on his wheel of objective to end up the prolonged marginalization of a people in possession of the land that feeds the entire nation. From where his redemptive inspiration springs forth no one is aware but as I know, he is one genius in history whose pen and papers are more deadly than explosives of contemporary age. Even at the verge of deing he wrote, penned and inked about the travails targeted on the Deltans by the Government of Nigeria; and dauntlessly exercised his fundamental human right in attempt to liberate his people from a fiendish spell that has impaired our tongues and spirit from confronting the enemies who flag under the guise of brotherhood.

Even as he was unjustly branded by the then goliath(General Sani Abacha) as a fellenious fellow, he gave no chance for compromise but rather renewed his spur and passion in his srtide to speak for the voiceless and hopeless syndrome of the region.

Everyone one knows Abacha as one whose wrath travels with speed of light to witch haunt anyone deemed a traitor under his regime but Sarowiwa was never detered nor flinched from saying the truth, knowing these stakes could spark up the flame of his own death. He heroically accepted the fate of deing for what he beleived was worth deing for--freedom.

Unlike the puppeteers and cowards who represent us at the state level, he shall be remembered for greatness as long as history speaks of the liberation of the oppressed minority.

Prophetic activisit of the Niger Delta State; Ken Sarowiwa

By Mark Godswill

The prophecies of Sariwo against the bigoted system is looming over the air that we breadth as the oneNigeria awaits hazardous missiles of war in the hope of fragmenting into pieces of sovereign parts. His words of patriotism during the trial after which he was untimely sent into an asylum of no return are manifesting through revolutionary path where the fate of the nation remaining as one is now hanging on a thread made of frail wool--resource control as the only option to avert the break up.


I wish he was still in his mortal days to witness his protegees in the delta paddling on his wheel of objective to end up the prolonged marginalization of a people in possession of the land that feeds the entire nation. From where his redemptive inspiration springs forth no one is aware but as I know, he is one genius in history whose pen and papers are more deadly than explosives of contemporary age. Even at the verge of deing he wrote, penned and inked about the travails targeted on the Deltans by the Government of Nigeria; and dauntlessly exercised his fundamental human right in attempt to liberate his people from a fiendish spell that has impaired our tongues and spirit from confronting the enemies who flag under the guise of brotherhood.


Even as he was unjustly branded by the then goliath(General Sani Abacha) as a fellenious fellow, he gave no chance for compromise but rather renewed his spur and passion in his srtide to speak for the voiceless and hopeless syndrome of the region.


Everyone one knows Abacha as one whose wrath travels with speed of light to witch haunt anyone deemed a traitor under his regime but Sarowiwa was never detered nor flinched from saying the truth, knowing these stakes could spark up the flame of his own death. He heroically accepted the fate of deing for what he beleived was worth deing for--freedom.


Unlike the puppeteers and cowards who represent us at the state level, he shall be remembered for greatness as long as history speaks of the liberation of the oppressed minority.

I am freelance writer and you notice is appealing to me.

Do you have a passion for writing entertaining, informative and educative articles? Are you a writer with creative content? Do you think you are fit for our magazine?PEARL INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE is giving the Public an opportunity to contribute articles to its 3rd Edition.

We invite submissions on topics ranging from (but not limited to):Relationship, Health, Lifestyles, Fashion, Culture, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Fashion and fiction.

submission for the 3rdedition must reach us before 15thJanuary, 2016. However, for subsequent editions, submissions would be accepted throughout the year.

We publish a variety of work on our web site and would love to feature yours too. Send us links to previously published work if available (or a writing sample)!

If this opportunity appeals to you, here is how to get started: Please send a mail to pearlmagazineng@gmail.com, with the subject line “Article Submission Pearl Int. Magazine + Author name”

For More information please visit our website:http://pearlmagazineng.com/pearl/blog/call-for-writers/;https://web.facebook.com/pearlmagazineng

--Text should be written in Microsoft word, it may contain pictures.
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We look forward to receiving yours

The dawn of a new political atmosphere dominated by victors from the All Progressive Congress (APC) has spontaneously presented a newly coined concept “trekking gimmicks”. It is an inter-state trekking embarked upon by self acclaimed patriots to pay an unscheduled congratulatory visit to the victors of the recently concluded elections for monetary endorsements, possible employment and instant fame to mention but a few. Thus, such act is deemed as a weird parade and intrusion by most public opinion.

According to reliable news report, the first few who ventured into such act with motives unknown to the public were fortunate to have a gracious and generous reception from representatives. But others that followed became victims of circumstance propelled by this act (trekking gimmick) as they were brutalized, tortured and humiliated by security personnel.
This has poised a contention in our society whether condemning of such strives by individuals to congratulate representatives without a formal invitation is justified or if denunciation against such act is inhuman and misanthropic.

However, it is a pity what has befallen the victims of ‘trekking gimmicks’ regardless of the motives behind their drive to carry out such act. Believe me, I will present to you few sound and pragmatic reasons why such an act is a threat to the system;
Firstly, we are living in a capitalist driven society where profit maximization is the navigator of the assiduousness of individuals for greatness. Therefore, the endorsements earned by few fortunate individuals would trigger a rapid flow of the masses venturing into such act; capitalizing on it as an outlet for prosperity-even may become more lucrative than oil dealings if it persists. This in the short run would impact negatively on the system because the more public representatives are trying to be generous by endorsing gimmick trekkers, the more public funds would be diverted for self gloriousness and therefore derailing economic growth.

Secondly, it is obvious to all that the country has undergone a severe problem of insecurity in recent time to date. The insurgency in the northern region is a menace that calls for security cautiousness in the life of Nigerians. Since the perpetrators of the bombings have not been identified to the public, one needs to be extremely careful about anything perceived as an unscrupulous element around there residence. This brings us to questions such as; who is a suicide bomber? Who is a threat to my safety?
These questions will transport minds to ponder on how to put necessary measures to assure its individual safety and for this reason, may likely act as most representatives acted towards gimmick trekkers.

For as noted above, the perpetrators of bombings are generally unknown and could quite easily exploit this medium to disguise and carry out their ungodly acts. Therefore, embarrassed gimmick trekkers are nothing but victims of circumstance.
I share the sentiments held by apologists of gimmick trekker; it’s unjustifiable to humiliate a fellow citizen who is only exercising his basic rights and perceived “civic responsibility” at a critical time where the problem of insecurity is at its peak.

Mark Godswill Olali

The soaring rate of poor accountability and executive carelessness reflecting in the administrative procedures of the NYSC scheme especially in cross state is becoming severe and unbearable to some corps Members posted to the state. Yesterday it occurred to batch b stream two (2014) corps Members, who have severally been assured by esteemed and reverent NYSC personnel that our discharge certificate would be issued to us immediately after the passing out parade (POP), are not sure of getting their certificate till time indefinite because of absurd reasons.

From what I deduced from the remorseful statement our (ELI) made at Calabar municipality yesterday (18th June, 20150), the registration files and forms containing the profiles of the stream two corps Members are nowhere to be found, so our letters are not yet ready. According to her, our colleagues who are fortunate not to be victim of the circumstance should sympathize and pray for us because the situation is critical with no hope of remedy within now till passing out parade. This saddened all stream two corps Members who were exercising great excitement like slaves about to be freed from a tyrannical master prior to the period the announcement was made.
In her reaction towards the bitterness that clouded the atmosphere, she said, ‘we are putting strategic measures on how to rectify the problem, so calm down and be optimistic’. She immediately distributed forms, same type we filled on arriving Calabar from our various state of redeployment, to all affected members.

But the hilarious thing about the story is that the department responsible for the safe keeping of our files didn’t raise alarm concerning missing item until yesterday----close to our passing out parade. This implies that staffs in the above mentioned department are fund of the act of truancy and ignorance. And I could remember vividly that no fire outbreak at secretariat where most of these vital files are kept was allegedly reported for them to justify their incompetency. Or, in this age of rapid technological advancement, how would a national scheme be so backward to an extent of not having a solidified data base system for safe record of corps members’ information.


I could remember how stressful it was in the registration process, which files have been misplaced by same staffs who scolded us with no atom of respect, but like primary school children who know not their left from their right; flaunting with the mandate of inculcating into corps Members habitual features that befit the civil society.

The most annoying thing is that the flaw of incompetent staffs is creating a circumstance victimizing corps Members but no action is taken against the culprit whose under their custody those files were kept.

The outcome of this has raised a strong conviction within me that the objective of the scheme is tailored towards monetary acquisition.

PASSENGERS PLIGHT IN CALABAR AND A SOLUTION
The bell of the national youth service corps rang with a providential tune and granted me the opportunity to have glimpse at a host city of the Africa’s biggest street party; and also to witness how partially-regulatory transport system of calabar is structured in favor of drivers at the expense of passengers comfort.Passengers are bundled and muffled into back sits of taxis like mediocre cargoes about to be shipped through the pacific.

An employee who has not yet joined the league of car owners due to low earning status go through traumas as he leaves his house with high laundry-budget,cooperate and magnificent outfit to fulfill ethical requirements of the organization, and to boost self-esteem, arrives the office looking like one who was chased by a lion in the jungle. He or she frowns, lament, and sometimes become aggressive and gruff to colleagues who are fortunate to have cars throughout working hours.


Sometimes I don’t totally blame them for exhibiting such irritable characters; in the cab they must have ventured into argument with fellow passenger because of space management. These discords are most times inevitable when greed of the driver has played a critical role by carrying four hefty passengers at the back of the taxi without proffering solution on how space meant for three would be managed by these oversize passengers.

Let me share this experience I had at carnival commission: my place of primary assignment. I and other corps. Members posted to the commission drew a conclusion I later falsified about a worker who most times frowns, growls and rudely answers our greetings. Months in the commission disclosed to me the real and humane image of him and why he was acting uncanny.It was because of the hell of frustration he undergoes in taxis on his way to the office.

Sundays are when the impact of these dreadful policies by drivers is mostly felt. This is because so many celebrations are scheduled for this day. This is a day where church brothers indulge into laundry activities in the church; trying to redeem the straightness of their attire after rough-squeeze game in which they participated in taxi they boded to church. This further distracts their attention from the pastor’s message.
A ceremony attendee without a car suffers the same thing. I and few of my colleagues are living testimony.

SOLUTION
From what we have deduced from effective principles of business, the life span of a business relies on how customers perceive its services. This implies that collective complains of buyers reflects in the policies of the service supplier indirectly---meaning you have a say as a customer. But the hypocritical nature of most Nigerians makes this not to hold in most cases any way.
This problem can be resolved with the use of common sense and being patient. If you stop a taxi with passengers equivalent to the number of sits it has, give it a journey well wave and stop the next one. Continue this way till you find the one with convenient space for you.
If all passengers persist in the quest with no compromise, then the drivers will be left with no choice but to get use to the new situation.

MarkGodswill Olali