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Moderator can help to move this message to an appropriate section and I hope this generation of ours can be inspired while reading and learning one or two things from a piece like this.

Cc: Lalasticlala
Mynd44

I find this nice piece worthy of sharing on here, moderator can as well move it to the appropriate section. May you be inspired as you're reading.

MAY YOUR ROAD BE ROUGH
By Tai Solarin, Jan. 1, 1964

Tai Solarin (1922-1994) was one of Nigeria’s foremost social activists his legacy includes the famous Mayflower School, Ikenne and was principal of Molusi College Ijebu-Igbo.

As Principal of Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo, in western Nigeria, in 1954, Solarin angered the school's Board of Governors when he ordered that it was no longer compulsory for students to attend church services. He ordered copies of the Songs of Praise used by the students to be confiscated. If the students could not compose their own songs, then there would be no more singing in school. The students thus created the Melodious Molusian, an unorthodox hymn book.

Though Solarin's unorthodox style endeared him to the students, who discarded Christian songs that called on God to save them, instead of working hard, the Board was horrified and forced Solarin to resign in January 1955. Undaunted, he established his own school, the Mayflower School, Ikenne, a year later. The early days of the new school were tough, and he and his English wife Sheila, whom he married while he was a student in Manchester, slept inside mud huts wondering if parents would be brave enough to bring their children to Mayflower, which had by then gained notoriety. It had been blacklisted by the Christian Council of Nigeria and the Camerouns.

Much to their surprise, 1,115 application forms came from prospective candidates from all over Nigeria. Out of these, 70 were admitted as pioneer students.

Today, The College still stand, and the old Ogun State college of Education, has been Upgraded into a University named after the Icon, Dr Tai Solarin.

He wrote this very controversial piece on January 1st, 1964. A beautiful mix of Prose and Poetry, upon which words are rendered unto prophesy, Didactic and Poignant.
Words that live on after encountering them are the very lingering spices and not Curry and Thyme — Though such are Timeless..
Enjoy this Great piece from 54 years ago, a glimpse of the Brilliance and Honor into early times of Social Activism...

May Your Road Be Rough!

"I am not cursing you; I am wishing you what I wish myself every year. I therefore repeat, may you have a hard time this year, may there be plenty of troubles for you this year! If you are not so sure what you should say back, why not just say, ‘Same to you’? I ask for no more.

Our successes are conditioned by the amount of risk we are ready to take. Earlier on today I visited a local farmer about three miles from where I live. He could not have been more than fifty-five, but he said he was already too old to farm vigorously. He still suffered, he said, from the physical energy he displayed as a farmer in his younger days. Around his hut were two pepper bushes. There were kokoyams growing round him. There were snail shells which had given him meat. There must have been more around the banana trees I saw. He hardly ever went to town to buy things. He was self-sufficient. The car or the bus, the television or the telephone, the newspaper, Vietnam or Red China were nothing to him. He had no ambitions whatsoever, he told me.
I am not sure if you are already envious of him, but were we all to revert to such a life, we would be practically driven back to cave dwelling.

On the other hand, try to put yourself into the position of the Russian or the America astronaut. Any moment now the count, 3, 2, 1, is going to go, and you are going to be shot into the atmosphere and soon you will be whirling round our earth at the speed of six miles per second. If you get so fired into the atmosphere and you forget what to do to ensure return to earth, one of the things that might happen to you is that you could become forever satellite, going round the earth until you die of starvation and even then your body would continue the gyration!
When, therefore, you are being dressed up and padded to be shot into the sky, you know only too well that you are going on the roughest road man had ever trodden.

The Americans and Russians who have gone were armed with the great belief that they would come back. But I cannot believe that they did not have some slight foreboding on the contingency of their non-return. It is their courage for going in spite of these apprehensions that makes the world hail them so loudly today.
The big fish is never caught in shallow waters. You have to go into the open sea for it. The biggest businessmen make decisions with lighting speed and carry them out with equal celerity. They do not dare delay or dally. Time would pass them by if they did.

The biggest successes are preceded by the greatest of heart-burnings. You should read the stories of the bomber pilots of World War II. The Russian pilot, the German pilot, the American or the British pilot suffered exactly the same physical and mental tension the night before a raid on enemy territory. There were no alternative routes for those who most genuinely believed in victory for their side.

You cannot make omelettes without breaking eggs, throughout the world, there is no paean without pain. Jawaharlal Nehru has put it so well. I am paraphrasing him. He wants to meet his troubles in a frontal attack. He wants to see himself tossed into the aperture between the two horns of the bull. Being there, he determines he is going to win and, therefore, such a fight requires all his faculties.

When my sisters and I were young and we slept on our small mats round our mother, she always woke up at 6a.m. for morning prayers. She always said prayers on our behalf but always ended with something like this: ‘May we not enter into any dangers or get into any difficulties this day.’ It took me almost thirty years to dislodge the canker-worm in our mother’s sentiments. I found, by hard experience, that all that is noble and laudable was to be achieved only through difficulties and trials and tears and dangers. There are no other roads.

If I was born into a royal family and should one day become a constitutional king, I am inclined to think I should go crazy. How could I, from day to day, go on smiling and nodding approval at somebody else’s successes for an entire lifetime? When Edward the Eighth (now Duke of Windsor) was a young, sprightly Prince of Wales, he went to Canada and shook so many hands that his right arm nearly got pulled out of its socket. It went into a sling and he shook hands thenceforth with his left hand. It would appear he was trying his utmost to make a serious job out of downright sinecurism.
Life, if it is going to be abundant, must have plenty of hills and vales. It must have plenty of sunshine and rough weather. It must be rich in obfuscation and perspicacity. It must be packed with days of danger and of apprehension.

When I walk into the dry but certainly cool morning air of every January 1st, I wish myself plenty of tears and of laughter, plenty of happiness and unhappiness, plenty of failures and successes. Plenty of abuse and praise. It is impossible to win ultimately without a rich measure of intermixture in such a menu. Life would be worthless without the lot. We do not achieve much in this country because we are all so scared of taking risks. We all want the smooth and well-paved roads. While the reason the Americans and others succeeded so well is that they took such great risks.
If, therefore, you are out in this New Year 1964, to win any target you have set for yourself, please accept my prayers and your elixir.
May your road be rough!"

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10214957133344456&id=1312322576

InvestorsMind:
Can I see a nice 4 bedroom duplex with good title like C of O in Lagos buy between 10-15 million naira ?

As a nigerian in diaspora i am thinking of buying a house in nigeria something like holiday house, at least for me and my family to have where to stay instead of wasting money on hotel whenever we visit nigeria. Not sure if 15million can buy a 4 bed duplex house in lagos?. I really love duplex but not sure which one is better between duplex, bungalow or block of flats?

Hello Sir, I present an "AMEN ESTATE" to you Sir.
You can search online for that Top Notch Estate, it perfectly fit to suit your preference and strategically located in prime area of Ibeju-Lekki. Lagos.

Though #15m can not get you 4 bed room duplex in that Estate as well, but from #18m upwards you will definitely get meaningful apartment and great value for your money from their phase 2, most importantly it's a service Estate that perfectly suit your preference.

"Amen Estate" has C of o already.

"Amen Estate" safe & secure.

Another good thing about this wonderful Estate is that, there are flexible payment options.

Call or whatsapp: 08062342001

Nice article.

It's been an emotional year for me personally, when I left Arsenal Ladies in the UK, many said my career would be gone but I told myself I can do it & here I am today. To the young ones out there let no one down you, you can do it."- Asisat Oshoala.


This statement up there from Asisat Oshoala was similar to that of "Kanu Nwawako" and I quote

"I remember when I was told you're not going to play foot ball again; I wept and all hope was lost, but I prayed and I came back to win trophies" Kanu Nwankwo"

Great minds.

Top Notch Estate, with flexible payment options. "Amen Estate" safe & secure.

Will chat you up.

Do you have any property within your reach at good location in Ibadan and suitable for commercial purpose stated above?

Contact: 08062342001

Request: Open

Direct brief request of a property for hospitality / hotel purposes within viable environment in Ibadan

Options:

An existing hotel with minimum of 10 rooms all ensuite.

A good bungalow (not compulsory) with parking space that can easily be converted for the same purposes within good location.

Budget: #14m

Call or whatsapp: 08062342001

*GRACIAS COURTS SCHEME 2 IBEJU LEKKI*
____________

Looking for Plots of Land with C of O within the New Economic Centre of Lagos State? Gracias Courts, Ibeju Lekki offers you the opportunity to own real estate in strategic locations where there is Opportunity to Multiply Wealth & Increase Your Investment.

At Gracias Courts Scheme 2, we guarantee our occupants a comfortable living with a 21st century estate facilities which stand out among the best.

LOCATION: Sharing boundary with the Dangote Refinery
TITLE: Epe Lagoon Global C of O
SIZE 600sqm
PRICE: NGN 5,500,000

*WHY YOU MUST BUY INTO GRACIAS COURTS SCHEME 2*

• The estate is strategically located beside the Dangote refinery
• It will appreciate very fast
• Excellent facilities
• Good title (C of O)
• Free from any known Government acquisition

*NEIGHBOURHOOD:*

• Amen Estate
• Dangote Refinery
• Deep sea port
• Dangote Jetty
• Pan African University
• La Campagne Tropicana Resort
• Several Gated estates.

For Payment details and inspection call 08062342001

*GRACIAS COURTS SCHEME 2 IBEJU LEKKI*
____________

Looking for Plots of Land with C of O within the New Economic Centre of Lagos State? Gracias Courts, Ibeju Lekki offers you the opportunity to own real estate in strategic locations where there is Opportunity to Multiply Wealth & Increase Your Investment.

At Gracias Courts Scheme 2, we guarantee our occupants a comfortable living with a 21st century estate facilities which stand out among the best.

LOCATION: Sharing boundary with the Dangote Refinery
TITLE: Epe Lagoon Global C of O
SIZE 600sqm
PRICE: NGN 5,500,000

*WHY YOU MUST BUY INTO GRACIAS COURTS SCHEME 2*

• The estate is strategically located beside the Dangote refinery
• It will appreciate very fast
• Excellent facilities
• Good title (C of O)
• Free from any known Government acquisition

*NEIGHBOURHOOD:*

• Amen Estate
• Dangote Refinery
• Deep sea port
• Dangote Jetty
• Pan African University
• La Campagne Tropicana Resort
• Several Gated estates.

For Payment details and inspection call 08062342001

2018 shall be a year of new beginning, full of testimonies and abundance blessing.

Happy New Year

2018 shall be a year of new beginning, full of testimonies and abundance blessing.

Happy New Year

2018 shall be a year of new beginning, full of testimonies and abundance blessing.

Happy New Year

yeyerolling:
nope. Intend to do business with dem this coming year tho. Dey look legit

Definitely Sir, kindly reach me Sir. 08062342001.

For any of their Estates, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, mowe or Abuja.

I'm at your service Sir. You can beep me tonight Sir.

yeyerolling:
yes. Dont even know if its real anyways . Maybe i wud verify it someday

You don't have any issue then, is the company Revolution Plus?

yeyerolling:
just got papers 2 weeks o. Physical allocation has not been done

Though I don't know which of the real estate company sold to you, but did paper given to you include Deed of assignment and the Survey Document which carry the details of your own portion of the plot; like plot number and the block?

yeyerolling:
land wey i buy for ibeju lekki last year, na stories the company dey tell me till now. i just tire o. abeg when una see any thing "in progress" in their ads or documents, please flee. "excision in progress" since last year. my money o

Are you saying your portion has not been allocated since last year?

As 2017 is running out fast, I find this nice piece worthy of sharing on here for as many that has burning desire for success in the pursuit of excellence. I hope we find one or two things to learn from it, then get inspired and fully ready to make our 2018 count. We shall succeed.


10 Small Business Success Secrets of Aliko Dangote

1. Manufacture; don’t just trade

Aliko Dangote started business as a trader of commodities; he gathered business confidence and experience as he grew. In an interview granted, he openly admits that one of his greatest business moves was moving from being a trader to being a manufacturer. He summed it up by saying,

“Manufacture, don’t just trade. There is money in manufacturing even though it is capital intensive. To achieve a big breakthrough, I had to start manufacturing the same product I was trading on; which is commodities.”

I am an advocate of manufacturing because it does not only improve your business status, it also helps you give back to your community and country; with respect to job creation and economic development.

2. Build a brand, and don’t destroy it

This is the second small business success secrets of Aliko Dangote. Aliko Dangote is one of the firm believers of the “Brand Power” and this is what he has to say about it:

“To succeed in business, you must build a brand and never destroy it. One competitive advantage I had when I ventured into manufacturing was my brand “Dangote,” which I diligently built in the course of my trading commodities.” – Aliko Dangote

Sometime ago, Coca Cola’s assets were estimated to be worth $3billion but the brand name alone “Coca Cola” was valued at over $80billion. That’s the power of a brand. So why not start building a brand today? Your brand could be your saving grace in hard times; it could also turn out to be a very strong competitive advantage for your small business.

3. Sell cheap, give quality and don’t kill the competition

To build a successful business, Aliko Dangote emphasizes the importance of selling quality products at affordable price. Selling quality products at an affordable price helps in increasing customer’s loyalty. With respect to competition, Dangote has this to say;

“Don’t kill the competition. Competition is healthy for businesses. It keeps you the entrepreneur on your toes.” – Aliko Dangote

“There is one rule for the industrialist and that is: make the best quality goods possible at the lowest price possible, paying the highest wage possible.” – Henry Ford

4. Start small but dream big

“I built a conglomerate and emerged the richest black man in the world in 2008 but it didn’t happen overnight. It took me thirty years to get to where I am today. Youths of today aspire to be like me but they want to achieve it overnight. It’s not going to work. To build a successful business, you must start small and dream big. In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.” – Aliko Dangote

5. Have connections and pray for a big break

The next small business success secret is business connections. Aliko Dangote is respected for his strong network of business and political connections. You can build your connections and strengthen your network in the business world by increasing your corporate social responsibility, signing joint ventures and partnership deals, forming strategic alliances, attending business events and parties, making political donations and paying courtesy visits to those at the helm of affairs.

To survive in business, you must strengthen your business connections and network. And most importantly, you must pray for a big break. Big breaks are very vital to entrepreneurial survival. In fact, I can hardly point to any successful entrepreneur that wasn’t thrust upwards by a big breakthrough.

. Bill Gates had his big break when he negotiated and signed a deal with IBM.

. Aliko Dangote had his big break when he secured a license to import cement. Oprah Winfrey had hers when she started Harpo Studios Productions and acquired the full rights to her shows; “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

. Li Ka Shing had his during a riot period and he began buying properties at rock bottom prices.

. Larry Ellison had his when he secured a deal to build database software for the CIA. The list goes on and on.

So if you really want to take a giant stride in business, you must not only pray for a big break; you must seek it out and be prepared for it when it comes.

6. Believe there is money to be made in your country

Dangote believes one of the main prerequisite to building a successful business and ultimately becoming rich is developing a firm belief in your country. Dangote is a firm believer in his country Nigeria. He believes opportunities abound everywhere but it just takes a smart eye to see them. He encourages everyone to seek opportunities in their own country instead of seeking greener pastures in other countries.

7. All work and less play makes Jack a rich man

A popular saying goes “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” but billionaire Dangote believes that all work and less play makes Jack a rich man. Hear him:

“I enjoy myself a lot but I derive more joy in working. I believe in hard work and one of my business success secrets is hard work. It’s hard to see a youth that will go to bed by 2am and wake up by 5am. I don’t rest until I achieve something.” – Aliko Dangote

My mentor has said it all but I want to add something crucial and that thing is this; “working hard alone doesn’t guarantee success, you must also work smart.“

8. Give back to those who made you

I hope you are conversant with the saying that goes “no man is an island.” You can never get rich alone. There have to be contributing factors and individuals you will need to leverage upon. Dangote believes in the principle of “give and it shall be given unto you.” Just as stated above, one of the small business success secrets is this; you must give back to those who made you.

“No man becomes rich without himself enriching others.” – Andrew Carnegie

Now who are those who made you? These are individuals or entities you leveraged upon to get to the status you are now. They are those who gave you a helping hand when you needed it most. They could be those who gave you business contacts, connections and encouragement. They could be business associates, political associates, investors, loyal customers, good suppliers, political associates, your employees, business team, business partners and so on.

9. Obey the laws of the land

“Why risk going to jail by engaging in illegal businesses when it is easier to make money legally? – Rich dad

Dangote advises entrepreneurs to be law abiding citizens. He encourages everyone to do business as outline by the regulatory bodies. Obeying the laws of the land also entails keeping your credit and tax record clean. Nothing hurts more than striving to build a business empire only to have your assets impounded or frozen by the authorities. So do the right thing.

10. Business must flow in your blood

Lastly, Aliko Dangote revealed that you must have business flowing in your blood if you really want to make it big as an entrepreneur. I solely agree with him. Look at all successful entrepreneurs, they seem to possess a different kind of spirit. That’s the entrepreneurial spirit.

To success in business, everything around you must smell business. That is to say you must think business, dream business and live for business. It’s all about the entrepreneurial spirit.

If the report is true, nice one and fantastic.

The only issue I'm having with the report is credibility of CNN these days, going by what Donald Trump said, even America president don't believe in CNN.

Buy land and wait, you can't never go wrong.