LIMITATIONS

The Academic Staff Union of Universities just went on an indefinite strike and students were leaving the school environment. One-month strike turned into two months and at this point we concluded it was the end of our educational system. I was in year 1 and we were preparing for our second semester examination in 2012 before the strike commenced. My dad insisted I returned to Kano state because there was no need of me remaining in school.

I got home and was lazy. I needed to do something.

Prior to that day, one of my notes was stolen from me. The note contained all the formulae in secondary school physics textbook. It was an exercise given to me in O’Level. Our physics teacher told us to write down all the formulae to enable us study properly for our exams and I lent someone the notebook at the university for a few minutes and the young man didn’t return it to me. I searched for him but couldn’t recognised his face.

During my stay at home, I decided to do something similar. I got a new notebook and copied all the definitions from my physics textbook and all the formulae. I separated the project into 3 parts. Part 1 was for all the definition and formulae in SS1, and the other two parts were for topics in SS2 and SS3 respectively. I did that exercise for days and finally I was done.

Who would I give?
Who would publish it?
Who would I sell it to?


All my secondary school classmates were in higher institution.

Who would want to buy a 17-year-old boy’s work? Besides it was just definitions and formulae. Nothing special.
I wasn’t having any special goal or target. I just wanted to write something.

One faithful day I got a call from one of my junior colleagues in school. I told him about my work and he was interested. He said he would buy the work for his younger brother who was preparing for his WAEC.

There was no branding in my work. No special effect. Just hand written piece of work.

We made a copy of the work and I was paid. It took a lot of negotiation.
My first work even though it was just “copy and paste”. But it was a solution to a major problem. Instead of going to the library with your textbooks, you could have a quick revision with my work. Just scan through the definitions of terms and the formulae in each topic. It was a quick reference book for secondary school students.

Now, guess how many more copies I sold of that work.
20? 30?...

Stop guessing. That was the only cop y I sold.
Just 1.

After all the stress and effort I put into the work, I could sell just one copy. No one wanted to buy it. It was naked with no “packaging”.
All I had were excuses and excuses don’t pay bills.

The strike was called off and I return to school.

I noticed something in my university. There was no official textbook attached to a particular course and it was a compulsory course for Engineering students, Physical science students, part of Life science students and Agricultural students. It was MTH123. The course covered Vectors, Statistics and Trigonometry. An Agric. student made a material for this course. Another student from Physical sciences made a material too. But there was no material from Engineering. This period I was already an engineering student. The course lecturer taught us from his note and we bought materials from the student at physical science.

During the holidays, I had an idea. What about I write a material on that same course and sell to my junior colleagues in engineering? They would want to buy my material because they would trust me more than other students from other faculties and besides the course does not have an official textbook.

There was no computer at my possession to type the work and I didn’t want to make the same mistake I made with my previous work.

No laptop but I had a tablet.

“It is not what you don’t have that limits you. It is what you have and don’t know how to use”. - Steve Harris.

I got different materials and textbooks as reference and wrote my course material for MTH123. I used my tablet to design the cover page and typed the work. When it came to diagrams, I’d draw on a paper and snap and attached the picture to the work.

I was creative in my work. I made the work interesting. I added exercises to every chapter and added jokes to my work.
When I returned to school, I printed 50 copies. I was scared actually. My first business had failed and here I was doing another.
Remember, in the university, your customers are everywhere. That was what kept me moving.

In less than two weeks, I’d sold everything.
It was difficult convincing people to buy a material written by a year 2 student. I can remember trying to sell to a young boy and he asked who the writer was. When he found out it was me, he returned the work and said he would not buy a material written by an amateur.

I felt bad.
But just because one person rejected my work, doesn’t mean others would.
I printed 50 more copies and sold them too.

At the end of the semester, I had sold about 170 copies and each copy cost ₦200. The cost of production was ₦90 and I was making profit of ₦110 from each sales.

At the beginning of the next session, I got calls from students of how my material had helped them during the last examination and they had good results.

This was the same material written by an “amateur” and it yielded positive results.

IT IS NOT WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE THAT LIMITS YOU. IT IS WHAT YOU HAVE AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE. – Steve Harris.

What others feel is useless can be useful if only you apply creativity.
My first material was written with pen and paper and I sold only 1 copy.
My second material was written with a phone and I sold 170 copies.
Limitations will always come; it is our reactions that matters.

You are where you are not because of lack of opportunities but because of lack of creativity. – Livingstone Imonitie.

FIRST JOB

The class was filled with students. Some standing at the back and some sitting on the floor. The classroom was small and couldn’t contain the over 700 newly admitted Agricultural students.

I had just gotten admission to study Agriculture though I applied to study medicine and surgery but my score wasn’t high enough to get me into the school of medicine. The school thought it wise to offer me admission into the faculty of agriculture. There were other departments. Microbiology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Science laboratory technology- these were perfect options for the University of Benin but they decided Agriculture was best for me.

That faithful day was election day. We were to nominate and elect our faculty and departmental representatives. I was quiet in class. I’d always been a quiet and shy person. I spoke when I had something reasonable to say.

Other departments nominated their representatives and when it got to my department- Agricultural Economics and Extension Service, no one came out. After some minutes, a lady came out from my department to represent us. Immediately, I turned to a boy sitting by my side and said to him, “I want to lead this class”.

I got up and joined the others standing in front. Others joined too but that lady’s action was the force that pushed me to nominate myself. I would have sat there and allowed the genius in me die.

We did the election and I won. My first victory at the university. I was to represent my department. The lady was runner up and became my assistant.
After school hours, I’d go for tutorials at Quintessence tutorials. I didn’t understand some of the teachings in class and needed extra help. Quintessence tutorial was the place to be.


George Uneze was my favourite tutor. He taught Inorganic chemistry and I understood everything he taught. I was close to him because of my activeness during his class.

One day he came to my faculty to advertise the “Q Pack”- A collection of past questions and answers for all the courses we were to offer. After speaking, he approached me and asked if I could help sell the pack for him since I was a class representative and was always with the students. The book cost ₦1,500. I was to sell at that price but when remitting the money, I would give him ₦1,400. I would make ₦100 from each book I sold. It was a fair deal and I accepted it. That was how I got my first job.

George wasn’t interested in the fact that I was a quiet person, shy and had no idea about marketing. He saw something in me. I didn’t know what it was but I just followed him.

Selling the book wasn’t difficult. I had my customers where I needed them – in class. I’d go to class like a regular students and when a lecturer leaves the class, I would announce to my colleagues about the book and interested students would come to buy. I had customers to my left and right. I could sell 10-15 copies daily.

I wasn’t paying for anything. I only paid to be a student and my dad paid for that, not me. George would bring the books in the morning and return later in the day for the cash.

I was making ₦1,000-₦1,500 daily for just going to class and talking.
Soon enough everyone in class stopped calling me by my name and started calling me “Quintessence”. Even when I felt like not going to class, the idea of making ₦1,500 daily would push me out of the bed.

I was making ₦5,000-₦7,500 weekly and ₦25,000-₦30,000 monthly outside my monthly allowance from my parents.
I was in year 1 and I was already a big boy. I wasn’t having a girlfriend to spend the money on or a business to invest into so I spent my money on good food. I had enough food stuffs and provisions.

When I was “broke”, I had ₦10,000 in my account and I’d call my parents for more money. I realised that if I don’t ask them for money, they will suspect something. I wanted my little riches to be on the low. When my dad called to ask if I needed money, my answer was always YES. No one had to know I was earning in school.

Quintessence competitors saw I was making sales for Quintessence tutorial and gave me same offer to market for them. I didn’t reject the offer. I accepted it. Moreover, some students wanted those other books and not Quintessence but I never allowed George to find out.
I was still making more sales from Quintessence pack but I sold from the competitors too. At that point, I was making ₦10,000 weekly and ₦40,000 monthly still in year 1.

I was in school to read agriculture but I was learning certain skills without knowing. My colleagues called me “The book seller”, others called me “Quintessence”. Unknown to them I was learning communication skills, marketing skills, social skills, public speaking and building my self-confidence. These are qualities faculty of agriculture did not teach me. Medicine would not have taught me either. George didn’t teach me but he saw something in me.

I was making money and learning skills at the same time.

The next year I moved to a new Faculty-Engineering. That’s a story for another day.

At Engineering, Quintessence noticed me and increased my commission. I was to get ₦200 from every copy I sold and also I was made the general secretary of the tutorial and my salary was ₦6,000 monthly. I was to work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. This was my first job that had a salary attached to it. All thanks to George for recommending me. The previous one was on commission and this was on salary base.

I didn’t stop selling the Quintessence books. I continued and was selling 15 packs daily making ₦3,000. I was earning ₦60,000 from selling books monthly and extra ₦6,000 for working as a secretary.

My parents never knew about this. I was still calling home for allowance. Remember, if they found out I was earning while in school, they’d be angry because my aim of going to school was to study and not sell books. All these happened in my year 1 in Engineering.
In year 2, I quit as the secretary because I needed to spend more time with my books. I stopped selling the books but paid people to sell for me. I applied the principle George taught me without knowing. I gave other students the books to sell and I paid them ₦100 for every book they sold and got ₦100 for myself. At this point, I had 2 years working experience as a marketer and sales rep.

I spent 7 years at the university and every year I did things outside my academic pursuit to improve myself. I did business and politics. As a fresh graduate, I already have 7 years working experience.

George saw something me in. I am who I am today because he called me that day.

My parents still don’t know I worked and payed all my school fees myself while in school and still collected school fees money from them and invested the money in something else.

KANO RIOT
It was a beautiful morning. A Friday morning to be precise. We had just got back from break in primary school. I was in Primary 1. I wasn’t a fan of school and I had no decision of my own. My parents felt education was good for me but I knew watching cartoons was the key to my future. I learnt more by watching cartoons than going to school. The teachers in school always flogged me. I wasn’t stubborn but they just derived joy from flogging me. I wonder where they are today.
They flogged my behind like they had no respect for God’s creation. I was only trying to be creative when I tore my friend’s notebook. Yet I was flogged for damage of property. What business does creativity have with destruction?
The teachers never understood me. They only knew how to flog.
Few minutes after break time, I was told to take my books and bag. I saw my sister coming from her class. She held my hand and we went down stairs together.
Why is she always in my stories? That girl hates me.
If you think your sister is wicked, then you haven’t seen anything.
Multiply your sister’s wickedness by 100, you have mine. If there was an award, she’d win “Most Wicked Sister Alive”.
We got down stairs and saw our dad waiting for us. It wasn’t closing time yet. Why was he there? At that point I tried to recall the evil I’d done that day to warrant his presence in my primary school.
I’d been a good boy. So, I took a step backwards and allowed my sister to take the lead. If there would be a whipping, she’d get it first.
Dad took us to the car and we drove to mum’s shop. I didn’t know what was going on. Who cares? No one tells me shit in my house.
Mum locked her shop, got into the car and dad drove us all home.
There was panic everywhere. It turns out there was a riot in town and people were being killed.
We got home, locked everywhere and waited for a miracle. The riot wasn’t my concern. My concern was the fact that my sister had the courage to switch off the TV and I was watching my favourite cartoon. Was she sent from hell to torment my little life?
Then we heard a loud knock on the gate. I was so scared that I ran to my sister. I wanted her to be my shield. Someone had to protect me and she was the best person to do that.
The knocking continued and when my dad inquired. It was our neighbour. He had come to advise us to run away. The rioters were coming towards our house and they would kill anyone they met on the way.
Dad came in and told all of us to get into the car- my uncle, my sister, and my two younger brothers.
Dad drove to the next street. We met some friends and begged we stayed with them but they refused. They shut their doors at us. Everyone was scared.
We were able to find our way into a friend’s compound whose house had boundary with ours. Unfortunately, they were not at home. The house was locked.
We heard my mum screaming. I thought I was hearing voices in my head. Wasn’t she with us when dad instructed us all to get into the car?
She wasn’t with us and none of us noticed on time. We had left her at home. We were so concerned about our own lives that we forgot the woman that gave us life.
“What can we do?”
She was alone with men who had no value for human life.
I could hear her still screaming.
“Help me! Help me! Help me!”
“They want to kill me!”
There was a ladder lying around. Dad climbed it and saw my mum lying in her own pool of blood.
“Was this the end?”
The house was on fire. The rioters stabbed her with their dagger and had left her to die.
“She’s gone.” He must have said to himself.
“Wait! She just moved her hand”.
She was still conscious. Dad and my uncle jumped over to help her up and brought her to our location over the fence.
We could hear hundreds of people matching towards us. We knew it would be a matter of time before they got to our location and kill us all.
Dad and Uncle Ehis broke the window of the house we were in and we got in.
“If we must die, we die as a family”.
We were inside the house. The noise grew nearer and at this point we knew the rioters were in the compound. The crazy thing is that my baby brother whose hobby and special skill was to cry and disturb the universe kept quiet. He was as gentle as a dove. He wasn’t asleep. He saw what was happening to us but did not cry. It was a miracle.
We were there for hours. The hand of time suddenly stopped counting. Five minutes felt like five hours.
Then the noise reduced. Gun shots everywhere. People screaming. Mothers looking for their kids. Fathers looking for their wives. And I was looking at my mum.
“Was this the end of us all?”
“Imonitie!!!” A voice called from outside.
Only a handful of people could pronounce our name.
“Imonitie!!!” The voice called again.
It turns out it was my dad’s friend in the military that came to our rescue. Dad had called him earlier on.
Then we were rushed to the hospital.
A lot of people lost their lives and properties in the 2004 Kano Riot.
Days after days, I’d ask my dad the whereabouts of my mum. “She’s coming” was always the reply.
“Was she dead?”
“Did she survive?”
“Who would protect me from my evil sister?”
Few weeks later, I saw my dad coming in with a woman.
“Has he gotten another wife so soon?”
“Can’t you recognise me Livingstone?” the woman asked.
It was my mother. She had survived. She was alive but she was different.

What do we say to the god of DEATH?
NOT TODAY.
My mum is still alive and fine till today and my sister is no longer evil.

My First Crush

My dad dropped me off at the school gate that morning but I couldn’t let go. I guess I loved him more than my teachers. I just couldn’t. I held him tight crying.

‘No No No!!! Don’t leave me here. They will beat me’ I said to him.
‘Don’t worry Livingstone. I’ll be back. I just want to get something’.

Lies. He lied to me. I really don’t know why parents have to lie to make us stop crying. I was little, maybe 4 or 5 years old, I really can’t remember. But I trusted him. I kept quiet and allowed the teacher take me. There my father left me and into the hands of a stranger I found myself in an environment called ‘Nursery school’.

The process continued every morning. I cried at the school gate and he deceives me and ends up leaving. It was as if he enjoyed the game. I made a fool of myself every morning and no one told me the truth.
But this didn’t last long. In primary 1, something kept pushing me to go to school. I was excited when it was Monday and felt sad when it was Friday.
I wasn’t going to school because of the teachers or because I wanted to learn. I was excited about school because of someone.
A human. A being. A girl.

Ladi was her name. Beautiful she was. She walked like a princess. She was gentle, kind and spotless. Everyone wanted to be her friend.
I wasn’t close to her but I was filled with joy seeing her every day. She was my distraction in class. I was little and didn’t know what this feeling meant but I knew I had to be in school every day to see her.

I wasn’t her friend. I can’t remember if she knew my name. I was an introvert and a shy person. There was no boldness in me. So I kept my thoughts to myself. But these thoughts kept me moving. School was fun not because of the teachers but because of this one being that made me speechless.

I can’t remember any of my friends’ name in Primary 1 but I can’t forget her name.
Ladi- my first crush.

PEACE IN NIGERIA by Livingstone Imonitie

The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
Their labour was to build a nation where Peace and Justice shall reign.
These are the lines from our National Anthem.
But with the way things are going,
It looks we've failed our heroes past.

This wasn't the Nigeria they envisioned.
This wasn't the dream they had for the country.
Selfishness, Hatred and Love for money have eaten deep down into us.
We have become inhuman and have failed our country.

We fight one another because of different backgrounds, race, class and religious beliefs.
Yet we complain of racism in the world,
Forgetting that we are racists in our own world.
He is not your brother if he doesn't speak your language.
She is not your sister if she doesn't have same faith with you.
We kill ourselves and pray for peace.

We love our children and ignore the ones on the street.
We protect our parents and we tell the market woman to go kill herself.
We have become inhuman and self centered.

Peace will reign if we act as one.
Treat one another as family irrespective of the colour of the skin, race or religious beliefs.
Let us love our neighbours as ourselves.
Show love to your enemies, for Love conquers all.

Let's live above hate and build this country together.
Let's stop dreaming for a better tomorrow and start manifesting love for a better today.
Let's hold hands together and build this nation.
For we are stronger when we act as one.

Let's serve Nigeria with all our strength
And uphold her honour and glory.
We are Nigerians.
Do not remove the ancient landmark.
Peace is possible if we act as one.

SELLING OF VOTES by Livingstone Imonitie

You sell your voice for coins,
Even my girlfriend won't take that from me.
Just like Esau who sold his birthright for food,
You've sold your future to some fools.

Do not complain when situations get tougher.
You no longer have a say on this matter. You betrayed your conscience and right
When you took that money without thinking twice.

They manipulate you with their manifestos,
Deceived you with fancy words,
Yet no manifestation of promised made.
They tell you that you are the leaders of tomorrow,
And they never allow your tomorrow to arrive.

This is a Clarion call to my kind.
Stand your ground and do not be intimidated.
Indeed the temptation is high,
But this is the sacrifice we must make for a better tomorrow.

Do not take their change.
Do not listen to their lies.
Change is constant and it takes time.
However, we must be the change we want to see.

Before you sell your vote, think of the consequences.
Before you take that money, thing of the next four years.
Before you make that decision, think of your future.
Before you bend the knee, think of the results.
Then ask yourself, "Is it worth it?"

ELECTION VIOLENCE by Livingstone Imonitie

He sits at home dictating what you should do.
His children abroad, away from the fire.
Yet you pick up your gun and fight one another.
At the end, you face the consequences
And he's safe at home, fulfilled in his desire.

His children do not steal or fight on the street.
His corrupt acts he wants you to clean.
You have been blinded and deceived for long.
It's time to wake up from the slumber you've been all along.

Think of your future.
Think of the person you plan to harm.
Think of your children.
Think of the consequences of your actions.

Why continue to live in deception?
Why continue to be the pawn?
Why disrupt the peace of the nation?
Why allow yourself to be used for selfish interest?

They rejoice over your ignorance.
They laugh at your short sightedness.
They fill their stomach with our resources
And you loose your life without resources.

Just like fallen soldiers,
We allow them prey on our weakness. Controlling our emotions like we gat no owners.
We forget the National Anthem and the Pledge we made to this country
Now ignorance has become our God,
For he sits on the throne.

Remember, if your die today,
It's Game Over.
No second chance,
Just CHECK MATE.

HATE SPEECHES by Livingstone Imonitie

Speak the truth at all time.
We will decide who holds the mantle.
Leading us to the promised Land,
With love and never with HATE.

They tell you what they want you to hear.
You spread the news without verifying.
Breeding hate inside of you,
Seeing the other as a virus without giving a listening ear.

Man against Man.
Children against Children.
Party against party.
The youth moving without vision.
We remain in insecurity,
And they promised you utmost security.

They tell you what the other person did wrong.
Hiding behind a fake smile which is also wrong.
They paint the other bad to you,
Yet you forget the corrupt act he did to you.

If you don't like me, I apologise.
But that doesn't mean I'm unwise.
I don't have grey hair,
But I speak with wisdom.
I will not stop to reveal the truth,
Hate Speeches just isn't right.

Why tarnish the image of another?
I thought we were trying to build a better nation together.
Hating one another will not solve the problem.
Until we fight for a common goal,
We will remain in this problem.

MY PASTOR IMPREGNATED ME

I grew up in a polygamous home. My Dad had two other wives that lived in other parts of the country. I was the first child of my mum, I had five other siblings. I had just one brother who was the last child.

We lived in a two room apartment in a remote village in Kaduna State. My Dad was a retired soldier and mum, a trader. Dad got a job as a security personnel in a manufacturing company after his retirement.
Life was not that fair to us. Mum suggested we go stay with relatives to relieve her of the burden of training us all because Dad was not supportive at all. Dad was a drunk and a smoker. Most times when he comes home drunk, he beats my mum.

My immediate younger sister who was twenty years old when she was forced to go stay with a relative, dropped out of school when she was twelve. After one year of staying with this relative of ours got pregnant for their security guard. The security guard eventually stopped working for them when she told him about the pregnancy. She took her child(a girl) to stay with her mum. Three years later, she got pregnant for another man, when she gave birth, our relative told her to go stay with my mum. She had to learn tailoring to make ends meet.

I said I won't allow my younger sister's story discourage me from studying. I got admission into a college of education. My performance was average. I was someone that loved serving God. Before I graduated from school, I was close to my Pastor in fellowship. He was glad I was zealous with the things of God. He was already a graduate waiting to to go for NYSC. We were very close to each other. I saw him as a brother and a spiritual mentor. He taught me many things about God. My spiritual growth was rapid. I never visited him though I knew about the location of his residence.

One fateful day, I heard he was sick so I decided to visit him. I went with fruits and food. When I got there, he was feeling a little bit better. We conversed for long. He pleaded with me to just spend the night with him that nothing was going to happen. I was scared but I told myself that he is a pastor and that he cannot rape me, besides we are friends. I spent the night there and nothing happened.

The day I graduated, my pastor told me he would be leaving going for NYSC camp the next day. So I decided to visit him again. He welcomed me warmly. He prepared spaghetti for dinner. We ate together and I decided to pass the night there because it was already late. I took my bath and slept on his bed. When he was done reading the Bible, he came to join me on the bed. After some minutes his hands started caressing the sensitive parts of my body. I had not felt that way with a man before. We had great romance. He deflowered me and we both enjoyed what followed.

The next morning, I freshened up and saw him off to the park. I also moved out of school and travelled home to see my family. I never told anyone what happened between my pastor and I.

Threw months after what happened at Pastor's house, I observed that my menstrual flow ceased. I decided to open up to my Pastor about what happened. He was angry at the news, he said i should abort the child and never call him again. I felt humiliated and shattered. I told my mum what happened, she rained all sort of abusive words on me. I began to question God. I was depressed for a while but I told myself I was not going to abort the baby. So I got a job as a cleaner in a school because no organisation was willing to employ a pregnant woman.

I gave birth to my baby few months later. I got a better job in an audit firm. Six years later, I got married to a Chartered accountant. We were married for five years but still remained barren. I decided to bring my daughter who was already eleven years old to come stay with us. My husband was comfortable with the idea of my daughter coming over to stay with us. A year after her stay, I caught him at night harassing my daughter sexually. I passed out.

When I recovered I decided to rent a comfortable apartment my daughter and I. My husbdand impregnated a colleague of his at work after few months of our separation.
I told myself I will never have anything to do with a man. I began to have doubts in the existence of God. I made sure I helped my daughter recover from the emotional trauma of the sexual harassment she had with my ex husband.

I built a house for my parents and helped my younger ones that were already leading wayward lifestyles. I decided to turn my pain into gain. My belief in God was restored. I became the CEO of an NGO that aids single mothers financially, emotionally and spiritually.

One day, after counselling a woman I smiled and said "Indeed God is faithful".

#Nonfiction
#Endy
#SignificantBillionaire

IN LOVE WITH MY EX by Endurance Victor

He waited for a year for me because I was still in a relationship with my first love. I told him everything about my relationship because I saw him as a friend. My first love cheated on me with two ladies and I decided to end the relationship. We became very close and he officially asked me out one evening.

Our relationship became the talk of the town. There was never a time we had a fight that wasn't resolved. Our family members knew about our relationship. Our communication was fabulous. We just understood each other like the back of our palms. I respected the fact that this guy honoured my decision of keeping myself until the wedding night.

I got admission into school and things changed. I felt the distance between us would be difficult for him to handle. I decided to end the relationship so it won't be a distraction to my academics. It was painful for me and him. He cried for days and I was sad too.

I graduated from school two years the break up. I met many guys in school but they were basically after the "cookie" which I wasn't ready to offer. Some called me naive, some others saw me as not exposed. I was jovial, a spiritual fellow, I was serious with my academics but I had no guy to call my boyfriend.

My ex and I started communicating again and memories we once shared together started flooding our minds. We decided to hang out and we enjoyed ourselves.

This guy is just one in a billion. He understands me like no other. I feel so comfortable with him. It's a mutual feeling. He asked me out again and I said yes.

We got married a year after and I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Our marriage became a model to many homes. I became a relationship expert. And he was enjoying his job as an international fashion designer.

I have no regret falling in love with my ex over again.

#Fiction
#Endy
#SignificantBillionaire
11/12/18

BROKEN SPIRIT

I told him of my relationship,
How I'm happy with my boyfriend,
How I love him for being him,
How he ran to reach the deepest part of my heart
and he lifted my love as a trophy he won.

You're my dear friend,
though I'm aware of your love,
Calling me every now and then,
Texting me all sweet and pleasing words
I won't deceive myself that I love you,
But, i'm taken and I want to remain taken.

Curse that day,
the day you invited me over.
I knew you could act funny,
but I was willing to trust you.
Maybe trust all you've said,
To put your hands in your pocket.
I never knew I was being foolish.

I dressed to be myself,
But the thought roaming your mind,
Made you see the long gown as a short skirt.
You bounced on me and
buried me in the middle of your bed.
I struggled and struggled,
But the beast in you weakened my strength.
And you eventually had your way.
You raped my virginity and my trust.
You took my pride and left me shattered and scattered.

I called you a monster, yes.
A beast is all you are.
I ran out of your room
And almost ran out of my world.
I got knocked down by your action
Before I got knocked dead by a speeding car.
Though my body is whole,
But my spirit is broken into pieces.

I died by my decision,
By your action,
By the moving car.
My decision saw me to grave's edge.
Your action pushed me in,
And the car finally buried me.



Writer: Stylo (Ibikunle Olakunle Abdulganiyy)
A loyal and pertinent writer.

Editor: Stone (Livingstone Imonitie)

THE MONSTER WITHIN

She told me she had a boyfriend
And it was her first relationship.
She told me she loved him so much
And does not want to hurt him.
But I liked her.

I didn’t care if she was with someone else.
I wanted her for myself.
I was ready to fight to get her.
I called her day and night,
I texted her every single minute.
I was always there for her.

She told me to stop several times
that I was making her fall in love with me.
She was taken and couldn’t betray her love.
That was what I wanted,
I wanted to be her distraction.
I was selfish and wanted what wasn’t mine.
I didn’t care of the consequences.
I wasn’t thinking straight,
I just wanted her.

I invited her to my place,
I wanted to tell her how I felt.
I was dying within me.
I promised her that my hands would remain in my pockets.
She trusted me and came over.
She came to have a peaceful and productive conversation.
I was dazzled when I saw her.
She was sexy, just like fresh bread from the bakery.

My heartrate increased.
The devil within me came out.
I forced myself on her.
Yes, I raped her.
She was a virgin,
I could see the blood on my bed.

I didn’t know what came over me.
I thought it was love
But clearly my actions proved otherwise.
She sat on the corner crying,
She was covered in her tears and blood.
She called me “a monster” and ran away.

I was confused.
I felt bitter.
I couldn’t ask God for forgiveness.
I had sinned against her and God.

I ran after her but when I got outside she was gone.
She was knocked down by a car
As she was about crossing the road.
She rested not in peace but in pieces.

I can’t forgive myself.
This was all my fault.
I am a monster indeed.
I have killed a human being.
I have become the very thing I hated;
A Monster.
A Rapist.
A Killer.

Please forgive me,
And help me fight this monster within.

IN LOVE WITH A STRANGER (PART 2) by Endurance Victor
She went home that evening after their first meeting,thinking about all that happened. Lying down comfortably on her well laid bed, she smiled and asked herself this question "could this be love?"

The next day, she got a text from him informing her that he won't be coming to see her the next day as planned because of an assignment he had to work on throughout the week. She felt quite bad. She thought, I can't believe I won't see him throughout the week. He couldn't even be sacrificial enough to make out time to come see her.

Guess what! He didn't dash her hopes. Something happened that altered his plans. He called her and informed her that he would still be coming around to see her. She quickly wore her wig and did a light make up.

She walked majestically to where he was seated. He couldn't take his eyes off her. They exchanged pleasantries. He complimented her dress sense,she smiled and said "thank you".

They talked about a lot. He said he was going to help her publish her write up on various sites with her consent which she gave. He wanted her to kiss him but she said she doesn't kiss in public. He still said it doesn't matter as people will always talk.

He accompanied her to go see a friend. When they got to the stairs,he carried her up in his arms until they got to the third floor. They were both were laughing as he planted a kiss on her lips and dropped down her gently. He requested for a kiss which she gave him before going in to see her friend.
Her friend was no where to be found so they had to go to the market to get foodstuffs to make dinner.

As they trekked down back to her residence,he met friends which he never failed to introduce her to. She responded smiling.

She just whispered to herself, "This guy is a celebrity, everyone seem to know him".

She got to her residence to keep the foodstuffs she bought. She told her roommate that she went out with the stranger she met two days back. Her roommate was so excited that she wanted to follow her to see the handsome guy. But she refused,she said she needed to see him off quickly because it was about raining.

So they kept on talking as she accompanied him. He said "Subsequently you might hear things that would make you leave me and things that would draw you closer to me,I wonder how you're going to handle it". She smiled as usual and replied "I've made up my mind that no matter what I hear I would still remain your close friend". He was surprised at her reply.

When they got to a considerable distance,she hugged him tightly and he whispered the three magical words in her ears "I love you". She looked him in the eyes and replied "I love you more". He still asked her for a goodbye kiss but she said she doesn't kiss in public. They laughed and bade each other goodbye.

#Endy
06/11/18

IN LOVE WITH A STRANGER by Endurance Victor.
He welcomed her with a warm smile and she smiled too wondering who this cute guy could be.

When he was asked to introduce himself he replied with so much eloquence that thrilled her "I'm an Engineer and I solve problems".
She uttered these words quietly under her breathe "who ask this one whether he sabi solve problems? Well-done problem solver"

When it was time for the outreach, the ladies were asked to pick guys they would love to be paired with. She wished she would be paired with this eloquent guy and guess what! It happened. She held his hands and he said "Ma, you see she wanted to be paired with me".

They spoke so well to the persons they met and positive feedback followed afterwards. They talked about their residence and discovered they both stay in the North. She knew most of his friends. They attended the same fellowship. This made their conversation sweeter.

They discussed about their past relationships as they ate and drank their malt drink and snack(gala). She felt so comfortable talking to him about anything. This made some team members kind of jealous. What was probably going on in their minds was; "what are these guys talking about for a long time now?"

On their way home,he held her hand closely as they trekked down to board a bus. He did something so sweet and amazing that she loved and enjoyed. He carried her up in his arms as they both laughed,walked cherishing the moment. He pecked her twice on her cheeks and right hand. This ignited a likeness for him in her. They boarded a bus down to their destination. It was raining so they remained in the bus. He almost kissed her in the bus but she said she was not comfortable with it and he respected that though he said he could do it as long as the other person watching is not harmed in any way.

It stopped raining, so they alighted from the bus. He agreed to walk her down to her hostel. He attempted to still kiss her on their way but she resisted at first but succumbed after much persistence from him. And trust me,she enjoyed every bit of it.

He adored her body. Set in between her thighs ablaze. She couldn't help but moan sweetly as he explored her body. He made the experience one that she could not forget in a lifetime.

Has she fallen in love with this guy? Would she friend zone him? Can she handle the fact that he is a ladies man? Is he a philanderer? Is he just playing with her emotions? Would she date him? Is she in love with a stranger?
These questions we would find answers to as time goes on.

#Endy
#SignificantBillionaire
04/11/18

HALF BAKED GRADUATE, WHOSE FAULT?

Every year, higher institutions in Nigeria produce over 300,000 graduates from all course of studies to the labour market and these graduates are to compete for the limited jobs available. And when these few companies employ these young and fresh graduates, they get disappointed because most of these graduates tend not to perform to expectation on the field. They graduate with good results such as First Class and Second Class Upper division, yet they cannot perform or practice what they studied in school which makes the society to wonder if they actually went to the higher institutions they claimed to have gone.

There are many factors involved in young graduates not being able to deliver well in the labour market making them “half-baked graduates”.

The Government, the Education System and the Students all have a quarter to play in this unpleasant cancer that has continued to eat up on our young graduates but the students will carry the greater blame because it is their life and only they can control it.

Yes, we agreed that the education system in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. The Government have turned deaf ears to the cry of the average Nigerian students. They prefer to feed themselves and allow the poor students get low quality education. The education system is messed up as students are still being taught ancient things to compete in a modern world. The textbooks in our library are outdated. Books written by dead authors with outdated information is what is being taught in higher institutions today and when these young students graduate with this outdated information, they tend not to be informed of the new and latest trend around them.

But the students will be blamed if they graduate without making good use of their time as students. Complaining about the Government or Education System will not solve anything or change the fact that the students have a greater role to play in learning and developing themselves.

As an undergraduate in one of Nigerian higher institutions, I was opportune to attend a seminar where I asked one of my lecturers why the education system was messed up. Graduates have to be trained for months after getting a job making it looked like they have wasted all their years in school as undergraduates. They cannot apply what they have learned in school as new technologies and machines are being used in the industry. The lecturer answered me and said that the education system was not to be blamed, rather the students are to be blamed. He said students are expected to study more and know about the latest technology and techniques in their field of study as the school cannot give them everything they need to succeed in life. And besides, most lecturers do not know everything.

The students should go and get latest information about what is happening in other parts of the world. The internet has made it so easy that students can get information around the world right from their bedroom. Videos are available on YouTube. Students in Nigeria can have access to videos from top institutions abroad and attend lectures overseas. Now the students have no excuse not to be updated of the recent happenings in his field of study.

Also, students should try and develop themselves while in school. They should learn skills like leadership skills, management skills and digital skills. They should learn things even out of their curriculum. These are things most industries are looking for in their employees and these things are not being taught in our institutions. It is now left for the students to learn these things themselves. They can take online courses on these areas. Students should try and learn soft-wares relating to their course of study as this will make them stand out among their peers.

The students should not allow the four walls of their classroom to limit them. They should not allow their outdated textbooks limit them. They should go out and get information themselves. These are the kind of graduates industries are looking for and at the end the company will be proud of them and the school they graduated from will be proud of them too.

The students can go for interns during the holiday and work with various industries. There are no much requirement for internship in Nigeria and anybody can benefit from this opportunity. The companies might not pay the students but the knowledge the students will get is priceless. This can also be used to boost their Curriculum Vitae.

And finally, the success of the Nigerian graduates is directly proportional to their smart work. No one can help them unless they help themselves. They should stop lazing around complaining and get to work and study. The students have the master key to greatness. They should not allow the education system decide their future. Their future is in their hands and when they graduate, companies will be looking for them because they know what others do not. A lot of students have succeeded under this education system; why can’t others do same?

The students should create the change they want to see in themselves.

Written by Livingstone Imonitie.
livingstoneimonitie@gmail.com
+234 810 606 8693

HOW TO INCREASE CREATIVITY AMONG STUDENTS

Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections between phenomena, and to generate solutions.
However, the education system has continued to kill the creativity in students. Every other aspect of life is changing and evolving -the automobile industry, the medical field, the engineering field, the banking sector-. These sectors have new innovations daily but the education sector keeps lacking behind. The way our students were taught in the 60’s is the same way they are being taught in the 21st century. Most schools in Nigeria do not encourage creativity among students rather they encourage the students to read their school textbooks, prepare for exams and are rewarded for their ability to remember what they read.

This cycle –Read, Write examination, Reward (the Grade) will not increase the creativity among our students. There is more and I am here to share with you how to increase creativity among students in your school.
First of all, increasing creativity in students starts from the attitude of the teachers. It is the responsibility of a teacher to increase the creativity of her students. The reason for teaching should not be to make money alone but also to impact and transform young minds. If our teachers can make it their responsibility to transform the lives of students and not just feed them with letters and numbers, then we will help the students beyond our imagination.

How It Works…
1) INTERGRATE MORE HANDS-ON LEARNING
Students tend to forget 75% of what they are taught after sometime but will always remember what they did with their own hands. The memory will stick to them. So, while teaching Mathematics, English, History or Biology, encourage the students to do something. Let them solve questions on the board, let them read passages, let them design on the computer. Encourage them to do something.
A teacher can bring a ball, a die, a kite, a toy car or anything to class to teach the students. Let them feel things. They should not just read from books, they should make things, touch things too.

2) INTRODUCE MORE OF GROUP WORKS
Students see themselves as one big family. Teachers should reduce individual assignments and introduce group assignments. Give them assignments that will encourage working together and thinking. Give them a puzzle to solve and while grouping them, group the weaker ones with the more brilliant ones. When the weaker students work more with the stronger students, they will start showing some attributes of intelligence. They will want to be involved in the group work too and make contributions.

3) ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION
Let me share with you mistakes most teachers do while teaching; they come to class, dictate lecture notes to students, explain the notes and leave. Some try to answer questions from one or two students. This process is wrong. Teachers should encourage discussion in class, talk to the students, have an open discussion with them and let everyone make contributions.
Students feel comfortable when they are discussing with their teachers without fear. Everyone in class should be carried along, both the weaker and intelligent students.

4) GIVE STUDENTS PROJECT TO DO
This is a combination of point 1 and point 2.
In fine and creative art, technical drawing, agricultural science, economics, etc… students should be given projects to do. Assignments should not just be written, students should be given assignments that will make them think and research.
These students will be proud doing things themselves and teachers should encourage it.

5) INCORPORATE HUMOUR INTO CLASSROOMS
Why do you think students sleep in class while a teacher is teaching?
Is it because they are tired or the class is boring?
Students won’t sleep in a class that is lively. Teachers should to smile when teaching and tell a joke. Make the students laugh, have fun teaching them. Let everyone be happy. Don’t be in class to kill joy rather be there to create joy, teach, make fun and learn.
Let students have a reason to return to school the next day. They should expect more from teachers. Make learning fun for them.

6) REWARD THE STUDENTS TO MOTIVATE THEM
Humans always want to be rewarded for a job well done. I believe students should be rewarded too. Teachers can take a package of sweet to class and give any students that answer a question correctly. This will make students con tribute in class because they want a reward. Teachers can also give golden stars to students for being innovative. Every student will look forward to having a golden star attached to his/her name.
A student can be given a golden star for helping others in class, for leadership skills, for being neatly dress and well behaved.


7) PIN UP MOTIVATIONAL POSTERS IN CLASSROOMS
When someone fails in life, the only way they can move on is by encouraging them to try again. Same principle should be taught in a classroom; when a student fails in class, he should be encouraged to try again and not give up. This poster is a great way to encourage students to unleash their creative potentials.
Use quotes like, “Sometimes you WIN, sometimes you LEARN”, “If you are making MISTAKES, it means you are out there DOING SOMETHING”, “Discover your POTENTIALS”…
This will make students do more for themselves.
Teachers have more work to do and consistency is what will make this process work effectively.

WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL MANAGEMENT?
Yes, school management also have a role to play in increasing the creativity among students.
• INVITE PROFESSIONALS TO CHAT WITH THE STUDENTS
Schools should invite professionals such as Engineers, Dentists, Medical Doctors, Pilots, Bankers, Architects, Artistes, etc to come speak to the students. The students should start thinking about their future from their tender age. Hearing a professional speak will make the students think about their health and future.

• ENCOURAGE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extra-curricular activities should in encourage in schools. This will increase their creativity. Games such as chess and scrabble should be introduced into fun time.
Clubs, competition among students, debate etc should be incorporated into extra-curricular activities.

• LET STUDENTS SET THEIR OWN GOALS
Students should be encouraged to set their own goals and achieve that goal. It gives them a sense of responsibility in life.
Okay, I will stop here. Contact me if you want more.

Written by Livingstone Imonitie
livingstoneimonitie@gmail.com
(+234 810 606 8693)

HOW NOT TO BE NERVOUS WHEN PUBLIC SPEAKING

The reason most people are scared of public speaking is mainly due to fear. Fear of making mistakes on stage or fear of being embarrassed on stage. Most of these things are in the mind, we just have to overcome our nervousness and speak to the audience.

First of all you should know why you want to speak. Are you speaking to inform, persuade or entertain? If you got information to pass to the next generation or a group of people, then you should not be scared to speak, just let it flow from within.

A friend of mine was sharing her experience with me on how she wanted to speak to a group of people and when she climbed on stage, her heart rate increased, her hands became sweaty, her legs were shaking and words were no longer in her mouth. She stood on stage for about five minutes without saying a word and left hating herself. She had a message to pass but she was nervous and she allowed that take control.

I am here to share with you on how not to be nervous when public speaking, how to control your nervousness and be awesome in public speaking. So ride with me guys.

1) PRACTICE:
Guys, please make sure you practice your speech before going on stage. As a public speaker, I always practice my speeches. After practicing, you gain confidence in yourself. Do not go on stage without rehearsing back stage or hours before arriving at the venue. Practice, Practice and Practice. That is the key.

2) TRANSFORM NERVOUS ENERGY INTO ENTHUSIASM:
It’s normal to be nervous, in fact that’s what makes us human but as I wrote earlier, do not allow that nervousness take control. Be the master of your own body. Use the energy to inform others, that energy to impact others, to teach others, use that as the driving force.

If the faces of the audience scare you, then do not look at their faces, look at the top of their heads. Have fun on stage, enjoy yourself. When you make mistakes, don’t stop, keep talking. No one notices your mistakes unless you let them. So, keep speaking.

3) ATTEND OTHER SPEECHES:
No man is an island of knowledge. If you want to be a professional in your art, then you must stand on the shoulders of those that have gone before you. Attend other people’s speeches, listen to other people speak. Learn from others. Recognise their mistakes and learn from it so you don’t make the same mistakes. Go on YouTube, watch videos and be updated.

4) PREPARE YOUR MATERIAL:
If you are told to give a speech, don’t assume you know everything. Learn to prepare your material. Make researches; get new information on the subject matter. Public speakers are not dull people, they are readers. If you want to speak from your slides, then prepare it. Do not bore your audience with too many words; be brief and straight to the point. Use bullets on your slides and arrange your material.

5) ARRIVE EARLY:
Never go late to a meeting where you will be speaking. Going late will disorganise you. You need to be in the right frame of mind while speaking. So arrive early, settle in, prepare yourself and when you are called to speak, just flow like the river.

6) ADJUST TO YOUR SURROUNDING:
Last week Sunday, I was informed that I would be giving a talk on HARDWORK to some orphans. I prepared myself thinking I would be speaking to teenagers and I was ready to do what I love doing best but on getting to the venue I noticed my audience were little children, I had to quickly change the structure of my message. I brought it down to the level those kids would understand. Let your speech go in line with your audience. The way you speak to youths should be different from the way you speak to old men and women. The energy will be different. You have to adjust to the surrounding.

Click here to read full article
https://imonitielivingstone./2018/04/02/how-not-to-be-nervous-when-public-speaking-by-livingstone-imonitie/

TRUE IDENTITY
(WHO ARE YOU)

A lot of people go through life without knowing their purpose or why they were created. To them, life is a cycle, doing the same thing over and over again but there is more to that. They want to go to college, graduate with good grades, get a job, get a house, get married, have kids, retire and die. This is not why you are created; this is not your purpose in life. There is more to this cycle of living.

Do not live a normal life. Do not settle for less when you are meant to do more. God did not create you to be average; He created you to become someone great on earth.

ACCEPT YOUR PURPOSE

Every man has a purpose for living. The question you should ask yourself is if you have discovered your purpose. Do you know why you were born?

Some of us have rejected our purpose in life because we want what our friends have, we want to do what others are doing, and we try to copy them. We try to be like others when we are meant to stand out and be unique.

Before thinking of accepting your purpose, first you need to discover your purpose. What you need is to look within you and search for that particular thing God wants you to do in life. If you cannot find it, then ask Him. He created you and gave you the assignment, talk with your Creator and he will reveal your purpose to you. He did that with Abraham in the Bible, with Moses, with Paul and others. He told them their purpose in life and they accepted it.

After you must have discovered your purpose, the next step is to accept it. You need to accept who you are. Whether you are meant to be a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, a musician, a leader, a dancer, a programmer, a writer or anything at all, you have to accept it. You have to accept who you are created to be and what you are created to do.

Accepting your purpose is like accepting responsibilities. You become responsible for something or someone.

DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIALS

You will not be given an assignment without tools. These tools are your potentials or gifts in fulfilling your purpose. Your potentials are in you, go get them.

Sometimes, we get to know our potentials before knowing our purpose. Peter Parker who became Spiderman got his gifts first before he discovered his purpose which is to protect his town from the bad guys. Same thing happened to Barry Allen who became the Flash (fastest man alive). He got his gift by accident, and then he discovered his purpose which is to protect the people and town he loves.

When Chimamanda Adichie discovered that she loved writing, she then found purpose and focused all her attention there. Abraham Lincoln, Graham Bell, Mother Teresa, Socrates, all these men and women knew what they were capable of doing, they discovered their strength and found purpose with it.

Do not let your environment or fears limit your potentials. Always remember that you are created to do more. Do not limit yourself.

ACHIEVE GREATNESS

After accepting your purpose and discovering your potentials, the last step is to take action. Go out and become what you are created to be, do what you are meant to do, take action. Let your purpose be your fuel for action, let it be the reason you wake up every day and sometimes, let it be the reason you don’t sleep at all.

Let your purpose in life push you to do the extraordinary. Do not settle for less or average or normal, be MORE.

God did not give you that dream to be average. No, He gave you the dream to be the best. Go for it and do not stop, do not rest, do not die, until you have fulfilled your purpose in life.

Run with your purpose, be proud of what you are doing, make use of your potentials and DIE EMPTY.

Discover your True Identity.

Written by Livingstone Imonitie
(livingstoneimonitie@gmail.com)
Powered by IMONITIE EMPIRE

MY HEARTBEAT by Livingstone Imonitie

I made a promise never to fall in love again
after what I have passed through.
Little did I know that I was lying to myself.
Yes, I saw another one.

Beautiful as an Angel,
Gentle as a Dove,
Her Heart pure as Gold.
She is the spring of joy to me,
She is my Heartbeat.

My encounter with her was divinely arranged by God.
She makes me normal again.
I became the man I was created to be.
She completes my being.
She's not perfect,
but together we are perfection.
Yes, she changed me.

My heart stops every time she calls my name.
Her voice so sweet like strawberry mixed with vanilla.
She makes my heart beat faster and slower the same time.
She gave light to my soul,
and helped me to be whole again.
Yes, she is my heartbeat.

I can't let this one slip by like the others.
She's too awesome to remain in my "Friend Zone".
Days turned into weeks,
Weeks turned into months,
Yet she remained not only on my screensaver,
But also in my heart.
My love for her grew stronger with every passing day.

Other girls had to go,
and this one must stay.
I love her, not only for what she is,
But what I am when I am with her.
I lose count of time when I am with her.
When I look into her eyes,
I saw US together.
The sweet glances from her eyes,
So mysterious and deep.

Without her, I feel empty.
Then I decided to finally open up to her.
For all these had been in my head,
And she never knew.
I took that bold step like a soldier ready for war.
Poured my heart to her,
Told her how I felt,
Told her that I love her.

I became scared as she stared into my eyes,
The smile on her thin lips,
Made my heart to spin.
I needed her response,
Then she said in a low tone,
"Stony, I know you love me,
I have always knew,
But I take you as a friend.
You are my best friend".

Her words pierced through my heart
Like a two edged sword.
My heart was unable to withstand the pain.
It was bleeding inside of me.
It happened again
Another Heartbreak from my Heartbeat.

WILL CAPITAL PUNISHMENT STOP CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA?

Nigeria is a country made up of over 186 Million inhabitants and the rate of corruption has increased dramatically over the years. Corruption has become a norm and a regular practice in the lives of the people. How then can Nigerians stop corruption?

Will capital punishment stop corruption in Nigeria? Let’s find out together.

Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority often to acquire personal benefits. Corruption may include many activities such as bribery, embezzlement, unfair judgement, fraud, blackmail, extortion, favouritism. There are various types of corruption such as petty corruption which occurs in smaller scale, family corruption, academic corruption, grand corruption which occurs in the highest level of government.

However Capital Punishment is also known as the death penalty. It is a government sanctioned practice whereby a person is put to death by the state as punishment for a crime. Crimes that are punishable by death are known as Captial Crimes or Capital Offences and they include murder, treason, war crime, genocide, terrorism, crime against humanity. These are the offences that require capital punishment and the methods for the execution include shooting, beheading, electrocution, hanging, gas inhalation or lethal injection.

I ask again, “Does Nigeria need capital punishment law to deter the menace of corruption?”

Capital punishment is a punishment for capital crimes or offences but corruption is not to my knowledge a capital offence. Corruption is not only practiced among top government officials but corruption is now a general practice. There is corruption in our judiciary sector, academic sector, and political sector even down to our family.

First and foremost, there is a general moratorium on capital punishment in the world as a whole. About 102 countries have completely abolished the capital punishment for all crimes and 6 countries have abolished it for ordinary crimes. However 56 countries in the world retain capital punishment. Such countries include North Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, etc. yet corruption is still high in these countries. Countries are moving away from capital punishment, why should Nigeria adopt it to deter the menace of corruption?

Death penalty is inhumane. Killing people for their corrupt acts is not the wisest thing to do. Corruption as said earlier is in all aspects of our society; both old and young are now involved in the corrupt act. Should we kill the young lady who didn't obey the traffic light? Should we kill the young students who engaged in examination malpractice? Should we kill the father who has favouritism for his children as against others?

We should not conclude that only our political leaders are corrupt because corruption started from the home and killing parents and children for engaging in corruption is creating more problems in the society than the already existing ones.

Few weeks ago, I read on the newspaper that the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gave an order to the World Bank to focus their resources in the Northern part of the country. Such an act is favouritism and do you suggest the president be killed?

Capital punishment is injustice to some. People should be persecuted base on the level of their crimes. Giving death penalty to anyone who engages in corruption is not justice in a democratic country like Nigeria. Why should a student who engages in an examination malpractice be given death sentence? A man steals ₦1,000 and another steals ₦10 billion but the court orders both men to be executed. Here I ask, where is the justice in that? All crimes are not equal, why then should capital punishment be the punishment for all corrupt practices? ‘This injustice is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf’.
Click here to read full article https://imonitielivingstone./2017/12/01/will-capital-punishment-stop-corruption-in-nigeria/

HOW SHOULD I READ AS A STUDENT?

While I was having an online lecture with some students about “Online Opportunities”, someone asked, “How can I read as a Student?” His question wasn’t in relation to the topic I was discussing on but I took out time to explain it to him and that is what I will be doing today.

Some students find reading as stressful and not fun. Whenever they open their books to read, they find their selves dozing off. So I will share with you some techniques and teach you how to read and understand as a student.

Please keep an open mind as you go through the following points and have fun while reading.

#1) KNOW WHAT WORKS FOR YOU:

We are all different beings with different strength. What works for Isaac might not work for John, which is why we need to discover ourselves. Socrates said, “Man Know thyself”. You need to know what works for you.

Some prefer to read in the library, some prefer to read in their hostels while others prefer to read in class. They know that’s how they will understand things and you shouldn’t just follow them blindly. You need to discover what works for you.

Do you understand more when you read at night or during the day? Do you understand more when you read in groups or when you read alone?
These are the questions to ask yourself.

I really don’t like reading in a library because it’s too quiet and everyone is too serious. I prefer reading in a place where I could shout if I get an answer to a question or dance a little after reading a chapter from a book. I love my freedom when I read and that I cannot achieve in the library so I read in my room. I enjoy every single moment of it because I have discovered what works for me. You too should do the same.

#2) CHEW SOMETHING:

It’s really helpful to chew something while reading, something like gum. Gum is an effective booster of mental performance. When you chew gum while reading, it keeps the brain active. The gum enhances performance due to “Mastication-induced arousal”. The act of chewing, in other words, wakes you up, ensuring that you are fully focused on the task at hand.

Next time you are planning to read, make sure you have a gum in your pocket.

#3) TAKE CHOCOLATE:

Chocolate is a typical sweet, usually brown food preparation of Theobroma Cacao seeds, roasted and ground. Chocolate helps prevent memory decline and it helps you remember things you’ve read. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA) which encourages the brain to release endorphins. This help to relieve pain and induce feelings of pleasure so while you read, you feel good about yourself.

#4) EAT BEFORE READING:

Before you pick up your books to read, make sure you must have eaten something. A light food will be preferable because the brain uses energy while you read. You should not read on an empty stomach.
Most students skip food because they are preparing for a test or an exam but unknowing to them skipping food is actually endangering their health. How will you
understand what you’ve read on an empty stomach?

The same way you need that knowledge, that’s the same way you need food. You need the glucose to give you enough energy.

#5) READ WITH WATER:

I always take a bottle of water along with me anytime I decide to read because I get easily dehydrated. Not just me but all of us. Always drink water while you read because reading can make you thirsty. Water is life and you should have it close to you while you read.

#6) TAKE A BREAK:

When I hear students saying they can read for 18 hours straight without break, I’m always amazed. You need to take a break. 30 minutes break is enough, walk around, talk with friends. Don’t just read through out. Your brain is like a machine and needs to rest to be 100% effective. Always have a break when reading; it’s good for your health.

Go to www.imonitielivingstone. for the full article

Do not limit yourself

As humans there are so much qualities we possess within but we tend to limit ourselves. We give excuses and reasons why things should not be done. God has given us all we need to be great in life, Now it's left to us to decide what we want.

If you don't have a particular tool for a project, improvise; use something else to achieve your goal. Don't kill your dreams because of the limitations around you. Look beyond your limitations.

Look for a way even when there is no way. Start your week by looking beyond your limitations and get to your goal.

Good morning friends.
Always remember that...
[Your SUCCESS in life is directly proportional to your SMART WORK]


Livingstone Imonitie
Writer and Public Speaker
(Always Ready to Serve)

Powered by ImonitieEmpire
www.imonitielivingstone.

Contact us on:
+234 810 606 8693
Imonitieempire@gmail.com

GIVE TO PEOPLE

Giving is one principle that is being taught in almost all religion if not all but only a few persons practice it. Maybe they think if they give, they will lack….but I don’t think that true, no one has ever become poor by giving.

Giving is sowing seeds into someone’s life and with time it will germinate and produce fruits. Giving should be done with a joyful heart and should be part of you. You should see giving as an avenue to bless someone.

I have studied some great men and I discovered that one of the reasons they remain at the top is because they understood the principle of giving. Bill Gates, the Co-founder of Microsoft is one of the richest men in the World and he gives to the poor regularly. Bill and his wife Melinda Gates founded a private foundation called ‘Bill and Melinda Foundation’ (or the Gates Foundation, abbreviated as BMGF). It was launched in 2000 and is said to be the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world. The primary aims of the foundation are, globally to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty. As of May 16, 2013, Bill Gates has donated US$28 billion to the foundation and he is still a Billionaire.

As of 2015 Priscilla Chan and her husband Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook donated $1.6 billion to charities. Isn’t that the net worth of some Billionaires today?

Aliko Dangote, the CEO of Dangote Groups and the richest man in Africa also founded Dangote Foundation. The foundation has contributed over $25 million in charitable funds to several causes in Nigeria and Africa over the past four years. The activities of the foundation revolve around the four pillars of health, economic empowerment, education and disaster relief.

All these great men are using their wealth to help other people; they give and get back in 100 folds.

Now, what if you are not yet a Billionaire like me, how then can we help others?

You can involve yourself in community service, send gifts to the orphanages, volunteer or go for exchange and help out in other countries, help that old woman cross the busy road, help those school children cross the road, etc. There are many ways to help out, just look for what you can do and help out.

Giving is not restricted to just money, you can give your services, material things like clothes, shoes, your time, your smile, your hug, your advice or anything that can be of help to someone in need. Do not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be gotten, but people need your hearts to love them. So spread your love to everyone and everywhere you go.

Paul Bloom said, “We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our long term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community.”

Cynthia was a young girl who recently got admission to study medicine in the university but with the economic recession, there was no money to pay her school fees. She called all her relations but they all gave her one excuse or the other. She cried day and night wondering where her parents would get the money from, for they were just farmers.

One day, on her way back from selling pineapples, she was almost knocked down by a car. The driver stopped and with anger asked her if she was blind and why she tried crossing the road without looking. She apologized and began to cry. Her tears touched the heart of the man, and then he asked what the problem was. Cynthia explained everything to him, how she got admission and has been looking for money to pay her school fees which her parents couldn’t afford the money because of the recession and she really wanted to go to school.

The man felt sorry for her. He went to his car and brought out some money and handed it over to her but she refused out of fear.
Click here for more

https://imonitielivingstone./2017/09/24/give-to-people/