whats with New Orleans?

what a man can do, a woman can do, and even better.

what a man can do, a woman can do, and even better.

HI NLs,

I just made a new friend(Jamaican dad and Nigerian mom) and he has natural dreadlocks, now, I was hearing some kin story from another friend of mine about such people - relating to their spiritual matters/spirituality or whatever, which I count to be all superstitions. I have come across a lot of dreads before, but my thoughts never reached the level of information I just received.

Yoruba people call it - i think they are called DADA.

Whats the whole point, story, history, belief or whatever, as far as such kids, boys/men are concerned in the Nigerian/African perspective - just for my own information. Please fill me in.

How about women Dadas? I dont know if there are

please shoot

I thot this topic was dead.

None of the above.

@poster

U are no where near being born again.

Have you read your Bible up to the point where "old things pass away, "

what actually came to my mind when i saw the pictures:

do unto others as you would want them to do unto you?

or perhaps the other way around.

19-year-old Okoye poised to join NFL[center][/center]

By JOHN ZENOR<, AP Sports Writer
January 24, 2007

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye wants to be a top 5 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, help his team to the Super Bowl as a rookie and do a good job managing all that money.

Being able to legally grab a beer with his teammates will have to wait a couple of years.

ADVERTISEMENT


The 19-year-old Okoye will become the youngest player to compete in the Senior Bowl, a showcase for senior NFL prospects set for Saturday.

"This is where I'm supposed to be," he said. "It's nothing new to me."

Besides, Okoye is hardly an unproven commodity. He signed with Louisville's Bobby Petrino as a 15-year-old in Huntsville, Ala., and grew into a muscular 6-foot-2, 312 pounds.

His resume reads more like a high-tech prodigy than a football player: College at 16. Degree in 3 1/2 years. Job interviews with a couple of dozen prospective employers.

He started school at age 2 1/2 , skipped sixth grade and entered high school in Huntsville at 12 after his family moved from Nigeria.

And now on to the NFL, where he'll be facing offensive linemen who were playing high school ball before he was born.

"I'm ready for it," said Okoye, a second-team AP All-American. "It's going to be a challenge. Every time a challenge has been put before me, I've always been ready to accept the challenge and just go out there and do the best I can do.

"It's a lot of money for a 19-year-old. But that was my whole motivation last year. I wanted to be a 19-year-old millionaire. Hopefully I'll be that."

Okoye is projected as a likely first-round pick, and some NFL mock drafts have him going in the top 10.

It only took one Senior Bowl practice for Okoye to make an impression on North coach Jon Gruden.

"It's really unbelievable. He went out there and was knocking people around. He didn't look like he was 19," said Gruden, coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "I've just got a tremendous amount of respect for him and how he's been raised. He's obviously a very smart guy to accelerate his academics the way he has. He may be young, but he is not lacking any physical attributes at this point."

Even with his hat turned backward and a somewhat skimpy goatee, the massive Okoye doesn't look 19. But given his age, teams are also going to gauge his mental maturity along with those physical skills.

"When you look at the tape, the guy's an explosive football player," Gruden said. "He really has a chance to play. You just worry about what he's going to do at night, 10 o'clock with no bed check. That's what I worry about with a 19-year-old kid. I worry about that more than anything else."

Teenagers with fat paychecks have been far more common in the NBA and pro baseball.

Okoye, however, points out a significant difference. Those guys either are fresh out of high school or have minimal college experience. He has been playing college ball since his first year out of high school and has a degree in psychology.

"I think college is something everybody should go through," Okoye said. "I learned a lot in college. I learned a lot about life, and I grew."

"He's very mature," said running back Kolby Smith, a Louisville and Senior Bowl teammate. "He's aware of everything that's going on around him. Like they say, he's wise beyond his years."

Okoye has big ambitions. He's "shooting for the first five" draft picks. He would love to follow in the New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush's footsteps and play for a winning team as a rookie.

"I'm sure he definitely enjoyed his first year going to the NFC championship game," Okoye said. "Maybe I can do something like that and maybe go even further than that, to the Super Bowl."

He's used to people wondering if he'll be able to handle a big leap in competition and pressures at such a young age.

Okoye said that when Petrino was asked about his youngest signee four years ago, the coach "said he was going to wait until I started shaving before he played me.

"I went out there and showed him my capabilities and my talent, and he told them he went out and bought me a razor."

He played in all 13 games as a freshman. But he also showed glimpses of his potential upside with a breakout senior season.

Okoye had 23 tackles and half a sack as a junior. Those numbers jumped to 55 and eight last season, earning him unanimous selection as first-team All-Big East Conference.

Okoye wouldn't mind rejoining Petrino and position coach Kevin Wolthausen, both now with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have the 10th overall pick.

"(Petrino) helped me out with a lot of things and I helped him out with a lot of things," Okoye said. "I think we have a pretty good relationship. My old position coach is here, too. I saw him this week.

"Seeing him kind of brought a smile to my face."



Updated on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 3:12 pm EST
---------------
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-seniorbowl-okoye&prov=ap&type=lgns

more!!!

more

Kashmiri Shia Muslims flagellating themselves during a Moharram procession in Srinagar January 27, 2007. Muslims all over the world mourn the slaying of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, during the first ten days of the Islamic month of Moharram. Imam Hussein was killed by his political rivals along with 72 companions in Iraq some 1,300 years ago. REUTERS/Fayaz Kabli (INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR)

its like we might soon be having a row of words btwn davidylan and fellow.

i hereby volunteer to be a referee

heres the bottom line:

Girls are always head over hills whenever they come across

[size=18pt]CONFIDENT MEN.[/size]

what is an APM terminal?

what are the specs of the laptops u have.

at what cost.

Ok guys, lets vote:

Obama or Hillary.

I believe understanding and love (where understanding comes first) is the key to a successful marriage. I can marry an actress as long as her roles will not be detrimental to our marriage. She must understand that its God first, and her family(our kids and I) are second. Every other thing comes after. But yes, no nudity or even 1% nudity.

as long as its plain and simple acting, no probs. The truth is: 'plain and simple' acting will be hard to define, so I believe we would really sit down and talk.

davidylan:

this is merely just one more reason it is becoming clear that Nigeria is NOT respected anywhere in the world!

Singapore would NEVER have hung a US citizen!

I feel pity for our man, but honestly, if we wont do justice to our own citizens, let other countries do it. Is what he did right? Who told you that Singapore would never hang a US citizen. Let one of them go carry drugs and lets see. Even if he's not hanged, he would be extradicted back to America where he'll face the law. If the Tochi guy is extradicted back to Nigeria, he will walk away from the airport. He would fund policemen to avert the law, yet the same policemen will crucify someone that stole pure-water.

Do you know that the largest congregation of Nigerian prisoners in the world is in Thailand - all for drugs. Is it a shame. They are so many that they consitute a major force in Thai prisons.

Its like what the oldies use to say: a child that doesnt receive home-training at home will receive it by force outside, and with repercussions.

I agree with what PKRIX is trying to say.

Not necessarily a theory, I would say that applying the rules of logic, this observation is most-times true.

Ofcourse, God is no respecter of persons, neither do I believe that anyone is ugly. My stand is that fingers are not equal. The truth is that girls who might not be so physically attractive usually strive harder, like the poster said to excel in other areas of life. (Note: this is not a 1+1=2 fact, but in most cases, observing situations closely, its true.) In the University for example, its true. Mind u, there are beautiful rich-dad girls who strive hard also, but,

take also for example a working place. The most beautiful people usually dont end up standing out. Its usually some lady who was not so initially attractive, that remains focused, works hard and she gets to the top, and then suddenly shes the hero,

one of my Univ teachers called it :
[size=18pt]Legalized fornication.[/size]

Playing house: to the women who agree to such, its a 60-40 bargain and they(girls) are on the 40 percent side.

Ive seen cases of guys finding a new beau while they were living in with a girlfriend(with whom they had been sleeping with). At the end of the day, 'moving out' and feeling used and abused were feelings too heavy to handle and too hard to express. Usually, the only person available to console such ladies were themselves.

soulpatrol:

most men are pretty much prostitutes themselves, only diff is they don't pay to sleep around. why do women always have to be labelled? what crock! men, you get away with so much bullcrap you know. you screw around all your life with other people's daughters and then at the end of the day you want to marry a "virtuous" woman. hiss!! 

hmmm!!!

And this idea of REPENTED PROSTITUTE,

although thats not the topic at hand, but i think even if there is a lady who was a former prostitute and now, shes REPENTED and trying to do something good with her life, why label her as a REPENTED PROSTITUTE. If God has forgiven such, if she has the testimony of forgiveness, who are we to label her as a REPENTED PROSTITUTE.

Why should we call ourselves Christians. Would it be better for everyone to be a REPENTED SINNER?.

If old things have passed away and all have become new as far as she and God is concerned, then forget her past life, move on and let her move on in peace.

ima1:

i can give you 2 more,

you don't have to go through menstration, or give birth to a baby, .

i believe you should be clapping for yourselves right about now.

do men give birth to babies?, as in give birth

thinking about it this way: maybe Nigeria is changing afterall - before it was secret wedding, so that no one will know, now its all about publicity.

Ive come across such websites even for weddings holding here in Nigeria, so its not only Nigerians in America who love to publicize themselves.

1. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
2. Movie nudity is virtually always female.
3. You know stuff about tanks.
4. A five day vacation requires only one suitcase.
5. Monday Nite Football.
6. You don't have to monitor your friends' sex lives.
7. Your bathroom lines are 80% shorter.
8. You can open all your own jars.
9. Old friends don't give you crap if you've lost or gained weight.
10. Dry cleaners and haircutters don't rob you blind.
11. When clicking through the channels, you don't have to stall on every shot of someone crying.
12. Your ass is never a factor in a job interview.
13. All your orgasms are real.
14. A beer gut does not make you invisible to the opposite sex.
15. Guys in hockey masks don't attack you.
16. You don't have to lug a bag of useful stuff around everywhere you go.
17. You understand why Stripes is funny.
18. You can go to the bathroom without a support group.
19. Your last name stays put.
20. You can leave a hotel bed unmade.
21. When your work is criticized, you don't have to panic that everyone secretly hates you.
22. You can kill your own food.
23. The garage is all yours.
24. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
25. You see the humor in Terms of Endearment.
26. Nobody secretly wonders if you swallow.
27. You never have to clean the toilet.
28. You can be showered and ready in 10 minutes.
29. Sex means never worrying about your reputation.
30. Wedding plans take care of themselves.
31. If someone forgets to invite you to something, he or she can still be your friend.
32. Your underwear is $10 for a three pack.
33. The National College Cheerleading Championship
34. None of your co-workers have the power to make you cry.
35. You don't have to shave below your neck.
36. You don't have to curl up next to a hairy ass every nite.
37. If your 34 and single nobody notices.
38. You can write your name in the snow.
39. You can get into a nontrivial pissing contest.
40. Everything on your face stays its original color.
41. Chocolate is just another snack.
42. You can be president.
43. You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger seat.
44. Flowers fix everything.
45. You never have to worry about other people's feelings.
46. You get to think about sex 90% of your waking hours.
47. You can wear a white shirt to a water park.
48. Three pair of shoes are more than enough.
49. You can eat a banana in a hardware store.
50. You can say anything and not worry about what people think.
51. pre-intimacy is optional.
52. Michael Bolton doesn't live in your universe.
53. Nobody stops telling a good dirty joke when you walk into the room.
54. You can whip your shirt off on a hot day.
55. You don't have to clean your apartment if the meter reader is coming by.
56. You never feel compelled to stop a pal from getting laid.
57. Car mechanics tell you the truth.
58. You don't give a rat's ass if someone notices your new haircut.
59. You can watch a game in silence with you buddy for hours without ever thinking "He must be mad at me."
60. The world is your urinal.
61. You never misconstrue innocuous statements to mean your lover is about to leave you.
62. You get to jump up and slap stuff.
63. Hot wax never comes near you pubic area.
64. One mood, all the time.
65. You can admire Clint Eastwood without starving yourself to look like him.
66. You never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just too skeevy.
67. You know at least 20 ways to open a beer bottle.
68. You can sit with your knees apart no matter what you are wearing.
69. Same work, more pay.
70. Gray hair and wrinkles add character.
71. You don't have to leave the room to make an emergency crotch adjustment.
72. Wedding Dress $2000; Tux rental $100.
73. You don't care if someone is talking about you behind your back.
74. With 400 million sperm per shot, you could double the earth's population in 15 tries, at least in theory.
75. You don't mooch off others' desserts.
76. If you retain water, it's in a canteen.
77. The remote is yours and yours alone.
78. People never glance at your chest when you're talking to them.
79. ESPN SportsCenter.
80. You can drop by to see a friend without bringing a little gift.
81. Bachelor parties whomp ass over bridal showers.
82. You have a normal and healthy relationship with your mother.
83. You can buy condoms without the shopkeeper imagining you naked.
84. You needn't pretend you're "freshening up" to go to the bathroom.
85. If you don't call your buddy when you say you will, he won't tell your friends you've changed.
86. Someday you'll be a dirty old man.
87. You can rationalize any behavior with the handy phrase "F*#k it!"
88. If an other guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become lifelong buddies.
89. Princess Di's death was almost just another obituary.
90. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
91. You never have to miss a sexual opportunity because you're not in the mood.
92. You think the idea of punting a small dog is funny.
93. If something mechanical didn't work, you can bash it with a hammer and throw it across the room.
94. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
95. Porn movies are designed with your mind in mind.
96. You don't have to remember everyone's birthdays and anniversaries.
97. Not liking a person does not preclude having great sex with them.
98. Your pals can be trusted never to trap you with: "So, notice anything different?"
99. Baywatch
100. There is always a game on somewhere.

Nkemehule Karl Omebere-Iyari left Nigeria at 16 and lunched himself into a different environment at a tender and perilous age when parental guidance and supervision was a necessary ingredient for shaping a child’s future.

But father and mother were confident that their child’s focus would not swing in spite of the obvious, glittering inducement and unfettered freedom available across the Atlantic.

As fate would have it, the boy never betrayed that confidence. He kept the train on its rail, giving a soothing confirmation to his father and maternal grandfather’s firm belief that “my own will not be lost”, a literary meaning of his first name, Nkemehule which they both gave him at birth despite the fact that both were hundreds of miles away from each other and no prior consultation. Nkem’s success is a fruit of determination, luck and belief in God. He was able to know so early in life that the higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. And so, between September 1999 and June 2000, Nkem left the comfort and charm of his father’s home in Lekki Pennisular, an eye-brow area of Lagos for a one-room apartment of one of his relations at Shogunle, a choking suburb of the city. This was to enable him get to school fast and also to keep him away from unavoidable distractions from his siblings so as to prepare hard for his A-level exams. That singular decision marked the beginning of his journey to success. He got As in all three subjects he sat for in June 2000. By September of that year, he was on his way to the University of Nottingham to study chemical engineering. Before then, he had had his JAMB results cancelled alongside many others, prompting his parents to decide fast on whether to send him abroad or not.

Three years later, Nkem came out in flying colours with a first class. With this outstanding performance, the University wasted no time giving him a scholarship to pursue his Ph.D. By the time he finished the programme after three years, the university had expended 51,000 pounds (about N12million) on the Nigerian-born Nkem of no British heritage. And this without any conditions attached. That explains why he could walk away from the school to take up a plump job at a subsidiary of Halliburton company over there in the UK. Though he has elected to carry out researches over the next three or so years with the university as a way of giving back something.

Despite the hardwork and determination, Nkem is fully cognizant of the hand of God in his success story.

“To be honest, I am marveled at how much God has blessed me, so soon. He put me in an amazing family and all I did was work hard and keep my focus”.

Indeed, Nkem has been focused. At 22, he is just beginning to explore the possibility of a relationship with the opposite sex. While the girl is his first, he is also her first. And from all indications, both of them are green in bed act. When asked who will teach who when the need arises, Nkem says: “Nature will take its course at the right time”.

Employing the opportunity of modern-day technology, Glitterati engaged Nkem in an electronic interactive discourse from his London base.

Below is a minimally edited chat with MOSES JOLAYEMI on how the wiz kid of Owanta in Ika local government area of Delta State, embarked on a journey that may soon put his name on the world map.

Hi Nkem Hello Moses how are you Are you there? I’m very well, thanks, after a busy day

I’m sure the same goes for you

Cant you see me

Ok I think you can

I can see you now

Ok, so lets get going

Ok, I'm ready

I presume you’d introduce the format first of all? This is to be published on Saturday?

There is no format as such its a question and answer thing

Ok

I'm not very fast at typing so bear with me

I understand

You just bagged a Ph.D at a tender age of 22. This is seen as a feat, do you see it as such?

When will this be published?

The interview has started Nkem

Firstly, I'm grateful to God for everything he has helped me achieve

Ok

Being able to complete a Ph.D at any age is special, I really don’t dwell on my age that much as all honour must be attributed to God

Were there others of your age or younger who graduated with Ph.D from that University?

Not to my knowledge. All my peers and colleagues were much older than I was. Some were even married with kids in some cases. But the interesting thing is only my friends and close colleagues were aware of my age

How come? Don’t you look your age?

I’m sure I look close enough to it. In most cases, however, I was judged by the quality of my work and the maturity I displayed.

What sort of comments were you getting from your colleagues? How did they relate to you?

My supervisor didn’t even realise until he needed my details for an invitation letter to Norway. He was really surprised, I get teased once in a while but my friendships were very mutual

In view of the quality of your work and the maturity you said you displayed, how did your classmates take it considering the fact that the person making such waves is one black man from Africa?

It made them very interested in my background, country and cultural orientation, I used this as an opportunity to educate my non-African friends on the real values of Africa.

Nigeria, for instance, gets negative and wrong publicity outside its shores

Thats true

I now have a Greek friend looking forward to visiting Nigeria with me soon.

Are you saying in all honesty that neither your colleagues nor supervisor felt any odd that a black boy was performing such feat and none of them showed any reaction negatively towards you?

If what you mean is racism, then no. I believe racism is usually the product of ignorance and illiteracy. My good performances in my work raised interest in my person but this was only positive.

Like in every human activity, there are challenges. I believe you must have faced some in the course of climbing this ladder, can you recount them?

Oh yes! There have been several. Leaving home at such a young age, without my parents and brothers near to me was difficult

Was that all?

I know it sounds ironic, when you are abroad but it really helps to be close to one's family. There are more

Ok

The winter I spent in Norway was a real challenge. Temperatures reached -30C, and the hours of daylight were diminished. You can understand the enormity of this if you consider that I had to perform outdoor experiments.

What were you doing in Norway, your School was in London isnt it?

I do but what were you doing in Norway?

I was in Norway as part of my research in Nottingham(UK)

Ok. I see

Also, the 10 month period for my A-levels needed tenacity and discipline.

At what age did you leave Nigeria?

16 years old

Ok. I presume you only did ur O levels here b4 leaving for the UK. Is that correct?

Yes it is, I completed my secondary education at King's College, Lagos I also went on to do my A/Levels at Oxbridge college, Ikeja.

So why did you spend another 10 months for your A levels there?

British Universities require A/levels for entry to full degree programmes

So you did two A levels?

I think this 10 month period was the most important in my life so far. I did three A/level subjects: Mathematics, physics and chemistry

Did you obtain it here or in the UK?

I sat for the exams in Lagos (administered by the British Council)

What were your school days like in Nigeria and what actually prompted you to go and study in the UK instead of Nigeria?

I attribute this to the foresight of my parents.

What made you leave Nigeria to study in the UK?

My parents were impressed with my hardwork and focus. Also because of the quality of British education.

UK universities are well respected and their standards are high

I intend to use my skills and experience to enrich Nigeria and Nigerians in future .

Before we go into that there was this story of your JAMB result being cancelled and all that. You don’t seem to remember all that? Was this not one of the things that made you go to the UK?

No, not really, I’d explain

Ok go on

I sat for university entrance exams for Nigeria, the UK and the US not withstanding the cancellation. My parents obviously considered Nigerian Universities but they kept an open mind. You might say ironically the cancellation made the decision a bit easier to make but it wasn't a main reason

Immediately u finish answering a question let me know please. So we can move faster

(I think the internet connection is slow).

Ok! Having Schooled in both Nigeria and the UK, how would you describe the two countries in terms of academic quality, work environment and commitment of lecturers to ensure the success of their students?

Nigerian lecturers are very talented but lack the requisite resources and facilities to fulfill the potentials present in many Nigerian students. The conducive learning environment in the UK makes it easy for students to succeed and therefore continue the development of their society.

When you say conducive environment what and what are you talking about?

This encompasses several factors.

You left Nigeria at a time you were like a child, you were obviously a minor. How were you able to stay focused at such age despite obvious temptations, glittering, rocking environment, peer pressures and all?

Academic staff are well remunerated Resources (books, computers, lab equipment) aid effective learning. You don’t get strikes that cripple the system over here. The system is based on meritocracy.

You left Nigeria at a time you were like a child, you were obviously a minor. How were you able to stay focused at such an age despite obvious temptations, glittering, rocking environment, peer pressure and all?

My upbringing was very important I come from a Christian home and all through my life I learnt invaluable biblical principles.

What was in it that was significantly different from others?

My mum always said to me "Please don't do anything that will bring your family to shame” I always kept her saying in focus (please elaborate on your last question).

Oh let me explain. What I meant was that having left the country so young without being under your parents’ guidance, the tendency was there for you to give in to influences from friends and the nice environment too. And you were so free to do whatever you wanted without anyone breathing down your neck and there are clubs, recreation centres of all sorts over there. All these could dissuade a young lad like you and you could have gone astray.

(Ok I understand, here goes my answer). Yes they could but they didn't. It was very difficult not to take what always seemed the easier option but I was determined to make the most of my opportunity, I have always been incredibly focused and I wanted to reward my parents for their unbelievable trust. I cannot say this enough, but the Christian principles I grew up with particularly at Ikoyi Baptist Church have stayed with me.

Having performed so well and considering the age long adage that success has many fathers, I reckon that a lot of people will want to associate with you, is that correct?

Yes that's true. I find myself mentoring, inspiring and encouraging loads of people on the benefits of hardwork and focus. (Replace benefits with importance)

Loads of people? Did this include the opposite sex as well?

Oh yes! I have male and female friends in equal measure.

So how well are you doing in the female department?

I’m not sure how you measure success in this area, but I'm still a bachelor, if that's what you mean.

How free are you with the opposite sex that's what I meant

I’m equally friendly to both sexes.

Are you in a relationship right now?

(Hold on for a minute please) (this lasted for several minutes)

Laughs, Wouldn’t you want to wait till a certain ‘big’ day? (answered)

Not answered o!

The ultimate relationship that matters in God's eyes is marriage, so on that basis, no.Answered)

I can wait for the certain big day but since words come before blows and relationships come before the so called certain big day?, I'll like to know if you are in a relationship right now so we know that the big day is certain and will not be too long in coming.

We need to round off in about 5 minutes so please act fast. My house is very far from the office.

(Ok, I understand), I’m certainly not engaged to marry yet, so any big day is still some way off! Answered (next question) (I think my answer is appropriate).

Not exactly in this one. But then let me ask you this, have you ever been in a relationship with any girl either here in Nigeria or over there in the UK?

I certainly appreciate the interest but I'd have to say that will have to remain private (answered).

The paper I edit and in which this will be published is a human interest paper. We publish soft issues that are a little departure from the hard, hard stories. But the presentation is in fine, elevated language. Not the run-of-the-mill kind of gossip paper.

Ok)

It celebrates achievements and honours excellence. Talking about such soft issues will not cause any harm to anyone. It will only add to the beauty of the celebrant which is you in this case.

So I don't see why you have to parry that important question. It's absolutely harmless.

Ok. Yes, I do have someone dear to me, living in the UK.

A Nigerian? I won't ask for her name, ok? Except you so wish to disclose it.

Ok

A Nigerian you said?

She is Nigerian. She is of Igala origin.

How long have you been dating and is she your first?

(No answer)

How long have you guys been dating and is she your first girl?

We’ve been dating for over two years now and yes she is my first true love. W’ve been friends for much longer though.

Oh first true love, that means one or two had been on the sides, ok fine. But then are you her first too?

Oh yes!

Interesting that means both of you are actually operating on the same pedestal, who is going to be the "student" and who will be the teacher when the time comes?

Nature will take its course at the right time.

So how old is this dear damsel of yours?

(No response)

Tell us a little more about her. How old is she? What is she doing? How academically sound is she?

(I do not wish to discuss any more personal details about her)

She is educated to a very good level too. She’s close to completing a master's degree.

Ok. Fine, but what was it that attracted you to her, her beauty, her intellectual prowess, her parental background, what exactly?

I am attracted to her Christian values, beauty, humility and kindness.

Ok! What are those things that motivate you in life?

I believe that there is a purpose for every human life on earth. I'm motivated to ensure that my life will provide inspiration for others when I'm long gone.

Who are your heroes?

My ultimate hero is Jesus Christ. For someone that we can all relate to, I am inspired by Nelson Mandela. He fought and suffered for the mother of all oppressions and presided over arguably the biggest transformation of any society in the 20th century.

In one word, what was that thing that has guided you so far in the pursuit of your ambition ? And talking about ambition, is what you are today what you actually planned to be?

Integrity.

To be honest, I am marveled at how much God has blessed me, so soon. He put me in an amazing family and all I did was work hard and keep my focus.

One would have expected you to simply walk into the University to lecture but you have decided to take all you have to a private company. What is the drive here-money?

Money is not and has never being my motivation. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be financially secure and by God's grace that will happen but my choice of a career is driven by other factors. I have chosen a job that will give me invaluable experience in the international oil and gas industry. At the right time, I hope to apply these skills to the success of Nigeria. In my spare time, I write scientific papers for International Journals and Conferences based on my PhD. This keeps me in touch with academia and research. I also have plans with some friends to establish an Educational Foundation in Lagos in the long term as a way of giving something back.

Again, one would have expected such a talented person like you to be in a hurry home to come and impact that knowledge in your fellow compatriots or use it to develop the relevant industry here. What is keeping you away from here? What are those things that will lure you into coming back here to help in the project of nation-building?

I am as patriotic as they come and I look forward to contributing towards a rejuvenated Nigeria. A good example is the former Finance Minister, who reached the pinnacle of a global body and came back to serve her Fatherland to great effect. I'm not saying what I must have is a ministerial position, but I'm still learning about life and developing myself and when an opportunity where I can have the most impact comes up, I want to make sure I will be ready to serve.

You only spoke about your mother and what she had been telling you that eventually helped in shaping your life, how close are you to your dad? Are there aspects of his life that you copied that also helped in building you?

My dad has had an incredible influence on my life. Together with my mum, they make huge sacrifices to give us (their children) a standard of education that belies their status. I've learnt from my dad that it is better to empower people to achieve long-term independence than bestow ephemeral financial gifts. His humility and down-to-earth nature are qualities I've tried to emulate.

Your dad got married quite early or he had you quite early, at a time some of his peers were not yet confident enough to ask a girl out (especially those from the village like me). Are you likely to tow your father's line in this aspect?

I’m not in a race to get married but at the right time and as God wills, It shall come to pass. I'd definitely like to get married much before I'm 30 as I want to be a 'cool' dad and be in touch with my children's interests.

To every coin, there is another side, what are your regrets in life generally? Does Nigeria and the world represent your dream?

I regret that Nigeria could not offer me the standard of education that the UK has. I regret that a country richly blessed in natural and human resources has not achieved its undoubted potential.

You may well know that the age at which you have reached the pinnacle of your academic career is same age many are still battling to pass their JAMB or just going into higher institutions. What words of encouragements do have for them?

Work hard, keep your focus and don't you ever give up.

Imagine yourself a lecturer (which I thought you were) standing in front of a large audience of young people within your age bracket what experiences will you like to share with them, what are those inspirational words?

Sometimes in life to achieve great things you need to make certain sacrifices. One experience springs to mind. When I was to begin my A/levels in Ikeja in September 2000, I had two choices: the stressful daily commute from a relatively comfortable family bungalow or living with an Uncle in a face-me-I-face-you room at Shogunle, which was 15mins walk from School. I chose the latter despite a huge reduction in my living standards but that decision is probably the most important one in my life so far.

Finally what is your overriding philosophy?

What is worth doing is worth doing well.

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heres the URL:
http://odili.net/news/source/2007/jan/7/200.html