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Travel / Re: Canadian Express Entry/federal Skilled Workers Program - Connect Here Part 10 by obiZEAL(m): 10:51pm On Oct 04, 2021
Good evening guys

Please is using a microfinance bank for your POF advisable?
Have anyone here used it before?
Business / Re: International Funds Transfer: Flutterwave Teams Up With PayPal by obiZEAL(m): 1:38pm On Mar 16, 2021
Cool
Computers / Cloud Based Learning Management Software by obiZEAL(m): 5:14pm On Jul 21, 2020
The restriction of movement and shutdown of schools that resulted due to the global pandemic has led most educators across educational institutions, training institutions and corporates to halt the teaching and learning process.

Some educators are struggling to adapt to this new reality, using available instant messaging and video conferencing applications to teach their students. This has so far appeared to have numerous limitations as it has proven difficult for the students to follow and has made tracking progress and carrying out assessments strenuous.

In a bid to ease the process and enable seamless virtual teaching and learning, The LearnDeck, a Learning Management System has been launched. The platform allows educators to customize, deploy and track curriculum, assess their students learning and monitor their development. It allows for multimedia content, all without geographical limitations.

In a chat with the press, The LearnDeck Product manager, Emmanuella Ladipo said that the platform was aimed at “Changing the idea that learning and teaching must be in a classroom setting, held at a particular time frame, requiring a physical presence, tedious routines, and easily truncated by lack of infrastructures like school buildings, desks, crowd and a pandemic or otherwise, that hinders physical gatherings”

“The features of the Learn Deck also include Course Management, Streamlined Learning Path, Inbuilt Assessment Tools, Community Integration, Reports, Analytics and a unique opportunity that enables entrepreneurs/educators create, market, sell, and deliver their online courses” he added.
The LearnDeck which can be assessed on www.thelearndeck.com is available to Educators across Universities, Polytechnics and colleges of education, Secondary and Primary Schools, Entrepreneurs, Online Course Tutors, Formal Organizations, Government and Non-Governmental Organizations.

LearnDeck is a cloud-based learning management system that allows Educators to customize, deploy and track online training courses/programs without geographical limitations. LearnDeck helps you to create courses in a few clicks on a platform suitable for both sophisticated and aspiring trainers. The platform is easy to navigate as users do not need to be tech-savvy to find their way.

Education / The Learndeck, A Nigerian Learning Management System Goes Live by obiZEAL(m): 4:54pm On Jul 21, 2020
In a bid to enable seamless virtual learning and ensure the continuation of education, The LearnDeck, a Learning Management System, has launched into the Nigerian market. The platform which provides a virtual structure for primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, also enables educators/entrepreneurs to create, market and sell their online courses. The launch was announced in a press statement by the founders of the platform recently in Lagos Nigeria.

The restriction of movement and shutdown of schools that resulted due to the global pandemic has led most educators across educational institutions, training institutions to halt the teaching and learning process in Nigeria and most parts of the world. Some educators are struggling to adapt to this new reality, using available instant messaging and video conferencing applications to teach their students. This has had numerous limitations as it has proven difficult for the students to follow and has made tracking progress and carrying out assessments strenuous.

The newly launched platform, The LearnDeck, seems to have erased all these limitations as it allows Educators to customize, deploy and track curriculum, assess their students learning and monitor their development, it also allows for multimedia content including video, text, mp3 and other learning content format, all without geographical limitations.

In a chat with the press, The LearnDeck Product manager, Emmanuella Ladipo said that the platform was aimed at “Changing the idea that learning and teaching must be in a classroom setting, held at a particular time frame, requiring physical presence, tedious routines, and easily truncated by lack of infrastructures like school buildings, desks, crowd and a pandemic or otherwise, that hinders physical gatherings”
“The features of the Learn Deck also include course management, streamlined learning path, Inbuilt Assessment Tools, Community Integration, Reports, Analytics and a unique opportunity that enables entrepreneurs/educators create, market, sell, and deliver their own online courses” she added.

Also commenting on the educational platform, George Onigbinde, the Principal of SmartFleet International Schools in Lagos said “This kind of platform will help us grow, we will be able to track every single student and monitor their progress on the system even though our doors are locked. It will also reduce the workload on our teachers and help them prepare their lessons.”

LearnDeck is a smartly integrated learning management system that allows educators, entrepreneurs and online course creators to customize, deploy and track online courses/programs, making learning easy and limitless. It helps users to create courses in a few clicks on a platform suitable for both sophisticated and aspiring trainers. The platform is easy to navigate as users do not need to be tech-savvy to find their way.

The LearnDeck which can be assessed on www.thelearndeck.com is available to Educators across Universities, Polytechnics and colleges of education, Secondary and Primary Schools, Entrepreneurs, Tutors of online courses, Formal Organizations, Government and Non-Governmental Organizations.

Romance / Re: My 14-Year-Old Sister Plans To Send Nude Pictures To 27-Year-Old Facebook Friend by obiZEAL(m): 11:21am On Jan 04, 2020
smat101:
I Am Planing To Seriously Beat My Kid Sister 2moro Morning

What I was scared of is finally happening...
I've a lot to say but let me try to be brief...

It's been 4years+ since I last went home to see my mum and siblings. I really love my kid sister so much even more than my mum.

There is a lot to say but to cut the long story short, when I came back she had already developed breast but she is just 14 years.
Just today I talked to her about sex, boyfriends, pornography relationship, sex, everything in that area.

Recently she was using my phone for Facebook, then I asked her consent to read some of her messages which she agreed. As I was reading through she dragged the phone from my hand when I wanted to click a particular chat. I became inquisitive but respected her privacy. I then asked her to log out when she is done...

Just this night I wanted to login to my Facebook then I clicked the Facebook icon her account was still logged in... What I saw broke my heart, she was planning to send nudes to a guy and the guy was planning to have sex with her this weekend, she kept on telling him that she was afraid, but he kept on telling her he will use condom, that she should not be afraid...

My problem is that she is a minor and this guy is 27...

So this is what I plan to do, Flog her thoroughly very early tomorrow, then later talk to her again...
Then that bastard beat him up in the evening with two other guys...

I really love this girl and Want the best for her pls parents preferably how should I handle this matter .

Hope the plan to Bleep the fool up later today has been finalized?
As for your sister, just talk to her.
Flogging her will not help.
Romance / Re: Beautiful Pre-wedding Pictures Of Nicholai (slimchase) & Chiamaka by obiZEAL(m): 5:49pm On Aug 04, 2019
Slimchase heed this
NwaAmaikpe:
shocked



Thanks for that photo in front of Enugu hall.
We are honoured by that.

Congrats on finding the mature lady worthy to be a bride.
Congrats on the baby bump too.
Congrats on a successful photo session.
A few of the photos give you away as a nouveaux riche dude with a fierce temperament.

Please you'd not be needing some of those in marriage....
Tone down on them; your necklace and pendants too.
Your bride must also not invest any further on the type of hair she is wearing so that you won't be sent back to the village before it is retirement time.

Nice photos in all.

But remember,
If marriages were judged by the perfection of pre-wedding photoshoots,
Ubi and Lilian would still be married today.
Celebrities / Re: Alexreports Set To Wed Esther Eze: Ned Nwoko, Zainab Bagudu, Tony Nwulu React by obiZEAL(m): 9:12pm On Jul 27, 2019
Lol...this guy is soo ill
NwaAmaikpe:
shocked



Congrats Alex NwaOjadili.

Praise-singing has made you pretty popular amongst Abuja underperformers who want their butts licked..
Paying that brideprice and surmounting the marriage list must have been no biggie for you considering how much you've made from selling awards.

I am happy you have finally taken the bull by its preek.
I wish you a very happy union and thanks for marrying a fellow nwaafor.

Just remember that the success of a union is not in the number of influential people you know or how colourful the event is but in the determination to make it work.

Congrats once again but biko get rid of those funny beards maka herpes mgbe I ga na-asacha efele.
My warmest regards to Esther.

1 Like

Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 11:00pm On May 02, 2019
Desanta:

Impossicant.

Very possible man. I can show you my investment letter.
Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 10:59pm On May 02, 2019
amjustme2:
In this Nigeria?

Please tell me the bank that pays this.

Possibly a link to the source of this info.

Else you should delete this post. You could be deceiving a lot of people.


Very possible sir. Check www.vfdgroup.com
Iook at the group's subsidiaries. You can get 12.5% per annum with 100k.
Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 10:57pm On May 02, 2019
OgogoroFreak:
You must be living in a fools paradise.
That interest rate is per annum. You can google VFD group Plc. Or i can show you my investment letter.

2 Likes

Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 10:28am On Apr 28, 2019
ClitRaider:

The profit ain't worth it.
I gave up on TBills.

Try fixed deposits, you get between 12.5% to 19%. Depending on amount and tenure.
Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 11:05pm On Apr 22, 2019
Hi,
Yes I am.
Are you still interested?
ClitRaider:


Hello bro,
Are you still in TBills?!
I want to invest.

1 Like

Jobs/Vacancies / VFD Group Is Recruiting For Multiple Positions by obiZEAL(m): 10:24am On Dec 29, 2018
VFD Group is a financial services focused proprietary investment company that creates value by working within Nigeria’s informal financial sector to create innovative products and solutions that are accessible to the everyday Nigerian citizen and entrepreneur. Founded on the values of integrity and good governance, and built on the strength of innovation and network, the goal of VFD Group is to establish a firm foothold in various ecosystems on the continent through our subsidiary companies.


In line with this desire, we are currently seeking to hire enthusiastic and exceptional individuals to fill the following positions within our subsidiaries:

Head of operations
Finance Officers
Research and Business Intelligence Analysts
Investor relation analyst
Graphic designer
Brand and Stakeholder Managers

Closing date for application is 4th January, 2019.

Follow this link for more info

https://vfdgroup.com/opportunities/


Cc: uboma
Davide470
Lalasticlala

Politics / Re: APC To Nigerians: This Is Your Last Christmas In Bondage by obiZEAL(m): 10:04pm On Dec 26, 2018
UnchangeableGod:
Which 'guy' are you referring to Sir?
Buhari now....abi ur not in this country
Politics / Re: APC To Nigerians: This Is Your Last Christmas In Bondage by obiZEAL(m): 11:49pm On Dec 25, 2018
UnchangeableGod:
How far has he done that four years down the line? I expect blame game as usual.

Been apologizing since December of 2016...it was a life time mistake supporting that guy.
Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 8:17pm On Nov 05, 2018
Enyinne:
grin no private messaging.I'm here ,U can explain it here
Lol...no need for pm if you don't want to, I'm here, you can ask me anything you want to know
Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 7:31am On Nov 05, 2018
Enyinne:
Pls which bank hv this rate

Its VFD Bridge...you can google it
Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 10:27pm On Nov 03, 2018
Mfunkynation:

mbok, this is an open forum.... kindly all information here for me and others to benefit from it.

ozymes:
Please, no need for DM make it plain here

Aii....

Its called VFD Bridge ...they give those rates I mentioned above...you can google them or you can still DM for any thing sha...

1 Like

Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 1:51pm On Nov 03, 2018
Mfunkynation:

kindly explain ur picture. thanks

The picture just shows tenor, amount and rates.

You can invest 100k and above for 30 days and get 13% per annum (higher than T.bills rate)....the longer the tenor the higher the rate.

The joy is that the rates increases with tenor and amount.
For example if you invest 100k for 30 days you get 13% p.a, if you make it 181 days you get 14% p.a.

If you invest 1M for 30 days you get 14% p.a and if you make it 181 days you get as much as 15% p.a.
You can even gat as much as 19% p.a on your investments! Its flexible, you can liquidate at any time and you can rollover capital+interest at the end of the tenor.

You can DM if you are interested... Or u need more clarification...
Investment / Re: Treasury Bills In Nigeria by obiZEAL(m): 12:37pm On Nov 03, 2018
You can get this rates...and liquidate at ANYTIME...and you can also rollover principal and interest.

1 Like 1 Share

Jobs/Vacancies / Re: Wema Bank Plc Nationwide Graduate Trainee Recruitment 2018 by obiZEAL(m): 8:40pm On Aug 22, 2018
Kunlenoni:



I finished general ability section and logged out because it's not going again

Can I still log in and continue?
I don't really know....I did mine at a stretch, u fit stee log in check or send them mail
Jobs/Vacancies / Re: Wema Bank Plc Nationwide Graduate Trainee Recruitment 2018 by obiZEAL(m): 8:38pm On Aug 22, 2018
Surftwurk:

Bros no vex abeg, in the verbal section did you see anything like (true,false and uncertain type,,,, synonyms like rare,exceptional,unique) while in the quantitative section stuff like charts and elementary maths show?.. I am too good when it comes to pattern

Those true false type show. For the quantitative I no see those charts just some kind word problems and some elementary maths

1 Like

Jobs/Vacancies / Re: Wema Bank Plc Nationwide Graduate Trainee Recruitment 2018 by obiZEAL(m): 6:37pm On Aug 22, 2018
beteco99:


Pls. Its seems you have written the test pls

Can i use a phone?
And can you pause the test after one section?
Thanks

I used my phone, u can use urs too. there are breaks in between the various sections where instructions for the next section will be outlined, so I don't think there is any need to pause.
Jobs/Vacancies / Re: Wema Bank Plc Nationwide Graduate Trainee Recruitment 2018 by obiZEAL(m): 4:45pm On Aug 22, 2018
dsmicah4:
Please can someone help with a detailed information about the test.
How many questions in each section
And time frame
Nature of the numerical test.
Please

Its 60 questions and 3 sections.
Section one is abstract reasoning or so, all about recognising patterns. 20 questions in 15 minutes
Section 2 is verbal, 20 questions in 20 minutes
Section 3 is quantitative, 20 questions in 25 minutes.

3 Likes 1 Share

Politics / Re: Plateau Killings: Handle Miyetti Allah Same Way As IPOB – Nigerians Tell Buhari by obiZEAL(m): 11:35am On Jun 26, 2018
sarrki:


N so shall it be for you and your generation yet unborn
Yea, me and my generation are feeling ours in Plateau now, yours will come.

1 Like

Career / Re: Corporate Affairs Commission Staff Queried Over Facebook Post On Buhari, Fulani by obiZEAL(m): 10:41am On Jun 26, 2018
Mynd44:
You cannot work for a company and bash the same company.

Hell, you cannot work for a company whose major client is government and bash the government because they can complain and withdraw their patronage which will affect your company.

Employees have a responsibility not to bring the company to disrepute

I know you sit in 'safety' thinking that this won't get to you, don't worry, there is enough injustice to round. When you see your loved ones die and your voice silenced I hope you still repeat the words you just posted up there to yourself.

3 Likes

Politics / Re: Plateau Killings: Handle Miyetti Allah Same Way As IPOB – Nigerians Tell Buhari by obiZEAL(m): 10:22am On Jun 26, 2018
sarrki:
Enough of you silence Mr president

We voted you to change the pattern of governance if you can’t

We will find another one

The killings is too much

From Zamfara to kaduna, Taraba, Benue, plateau and Adamawa

Who knows which state is next?

Why not visit them personally the way you did to Azare Bauchi state on the fire disaster?

Why always send Osinbajo

Why not send him to Bauchi too

Enough Mr President

I saw you call the killings fake news on another thread. Don't even pretend, continue supporting Buhari, but I promise you, this pain we feel now, you and all the mindless supporters of this evil will feel it in a hundred folds. One day.

1 Like

Politics / Re: Razat Village Near Gana Ropp, Plateau State Is Under Heavy Attack by obiZEAL(m): 3:52pm On Jun 24, 2018
sarrki:


Please stop spreading fake news
You call this fake news? I live in Jos, if you know anyone living in Jos just give the person a call. Politics have blinded you. I hope you feel this kind of pain in your life, you people will be slaughtered, u will cry for help it will not come and people will accuse u of spreading fake new. I am so heartbroken right now.

6 Likes 1 Share

Politics / Re: Fulani Herdsmen Kill 7 In Plateau State(photos) by obiZEAL(m): 3:37pm On Jun 24, 2018
The situation in Plateau state is not getting enough media attention, this weekend have been soo bloody. The killings have gone well over a hundred.
Sadly, nobody cares, not even the state Governor or the MOS.

2 Likes

Sports / Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by obiZEAL(m): 5:23pm On Jun 18, 2018
joseph1013:
I'VE GOT SOME THINGS TO SAY
by Romelu Lukaku


remember the exact moment I knew we were broke. I can still picture my mum at the refrigerator and the look on her face.

I was six years old, and I came home for lunch during our break at school. My mum had the same thing on the menu every single day: Bread and milk. When you’re a kid, you don’t even think about it. But I guess that’s what we could afford.

Then this one day I came home, and I walked into the kitchen, and I saw my mum at the refrigerator with the box of milk, like normal. But this time she was mixing something in with it. She was shaking it all up, you know? I didn’t understand what was going on. Then she brought my lunch over to me, and she was smiling like everything was cool. But I realized right away what was going on.

She was mixing water in with the milk. We didn’t have enough money to make it last the whole week. We were broke. Not just poor, but broke.

My father had been a pro footballer, but he was at the end of his career and the money was all gone. The first thing to go was the cable TV. No more football. No more Match of the Day. No signal.

Then I’d come home at night and the lights would be shut off. No electricity for two, three weeks at a time.

Then I’d want to take a bath, and there would be no hot water. My mum would heat up a kettle on the stove, and I’d stand in the shower splashing the warm water on top of my head with a cup.

There were even times when my mum had to “borrow” bread from the bakery down the street. The bakers knew me and my little brother, so they’d let her take a loaf of bread on Monday and pay them back on Friday.

I knew we were struggling. But when she was mixing in water with the milk, I realized it was over, you know what I mean? This was our life.



I didn’t say a word. I didn’t want her to stress. I just ate my lunch. But I swear to God, I made a promise to myself that day. It was like somebody snapped their fingers and woke me up. I knew exactly what I had to do, and what I was going to do.

I couldn’t see my mother living like that. Nah, nah, nah. I couldn’t have that.

People in football love to talk about mental strength. Well, I’m the strongest dude you’re ever going to meet. Because I remember sitting in the dark with my brother and my mom, saying our prayers, and thinking, believing, knowing … it’s going to happen.

I kept my promise to myself for a while. But then some days I’d come home from school and find my mum crying. So I finally told her one day, “Mum, it’s gonna change. You’ll see. I’m going to play football for Anderlecht, and it’s going to happen soon. We’ll be good. You won’t have to worry anymore.”

I was six.

I asked my father, “When can you start playing professional football?”

He said, “Sixteen.”

I said, “O.K., sixteen then.”

It was going to happen. Period.

Let me tell you something — every game I ever played was a Final. When I played in the park, it was a Final. When I played during break in kindergarten, it was a Final. I’m dead-ass serious. I used to try to tear the cover off the ball every time I shot it. Full power. We weren’t hitting R1, bro. No finesse shot. I didn’t have the new FIFA. I didn’t have a Playstation. I wasn’t playing around. I was trying to kill you.

When I started growing taller, some of the teachers and the parents would be stressing me. I’ll never forget the first time I heard one of the adults say, “Hey, how old are you? What year were you born?”

I’m like, What? Are you serious?

When I was 11 years old, I was playing for the Lièrse youth team, and one of the parents from the other team literally tried to stop me from going on the pitch. He was like, “How old is this kid? Where is his I.D.? Where is he from?”

I thought, Where am I from? What? I was born in Antwerp. I’m from Belgium.

My dad wasn’t there, because he didn’t have a car to drive to my away games. I was all alone, and I had to stand up for myself. I went and got my I.D. from my bag and showed it to all the parents, and they were passing it around inspecting it, and I remember the blood just rushing through me … and I thought, “Oh, I’m gonna kill your son even more now. I was already going to kill him, but now I’m gonna destroy him. You’re gonna drive the boy home crying now.”

I wanted to be the best footballer in Belgian history. That was my goal. Not good. Not great. The best. I played with so much anger, because of a lot of things … because of the rats running around in our apartment … because I couldn’t watch the Champions League … because of how the other parents used to look at me.

I was on a mission.

When I was 12, I scored 76 goals in 34 games.

I scored them all wearing my dad’s shoes. Once our feet got to be the same size, we used to share.

One day I called up my grandfather — my mum’s dad. He was one of the most important people in my life. He was my connection back to Congo, where my mum and dad are from. So I was on the phone with him one day, and I said, “Yeah, I’m doing really well. I scored 76 goals, and we won the league. The big teams are noticing me.”

And usually, he always wanted to hear about my football. But this time it was strange. He said, “Yeah, Rom. Yeah, that’s great. But can you do me a favor?”

I said, “Yeah, what is it?”

He said, “Can you look after my daughter, please?”

I remember being so confused. Like, what’s Grandad on about?

I said, “Mum? Yeah, we’re cool. We’re O.K.”

He said, “No, promise me. Can you promise me? Just look after my daughter. Just look after her for me, O.K.?”

I said, “Yeah, Granddad. I got it. I promise you.”

Five days later he passed away. And then I understood what he really meant.

It makes me so sad to think about, because I just wish that he could have lived another four years to see me play for Anderlecht. To see that I kept my promise, you know? To see that everything was going to be O.K.

I told my mum that I would make it at 16.

I was late by 11 days.

May 24, 2009.

The playoff final. Anderlecht vs. Standard Liège.



That was the craziest day of my life. But we have to back up for a minute. Because at the start of the season, I was barely playing for the Anderlecht U-19s. The coach had me coming off the bench. I’m like, “How the hell am I going to sign a pro contract on my 16th birthday if I’m still on the bench for the U-19s?”

So I made a bet with our coach.

I told him, “I’ll guarantee you something. If you actually play me, I’m going to score 25 goals by December.”

He laughed. He literally laughed at me.

I said, “Let’s make a bet then.”

He said, “O.K., but if you don’t score 25 by December, you’re going to the bench.”

I said, “Fine, but if I win, you’re going to clean all the minivans that take the players home from training.”

He said, “O.K., it’s a deal.”

I said, “And one more thing. You have to make pancakes for us every day.”

He said, “O.K., fine.”

That was the dumbest bet that man ever made.

I had 25 by November. We were eating pancakes before Christmas, bro.

Let that be a lesson. You don’t play around with a boy who’s hungry!

I signed my pro contract with Anderlecht on my birthday, May 13. Went straight out and bought the new FIFA and a cable package. It was already the end of the season, so I was at home chilling. But the Belgian league was crazy that year, because Anderlecht and Standard Liege had finished tied on points. So there was a two-leg playoff to decide the title.

During the first leg, I’m at home watching on TV like a fan.

Then the day before the second leg, I get a phone call from the coach of the reserves.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Rom. What are you doing?”

“About to go play football in the park.”

“No, no, no, no, no. Pack your bags. Right now.”

“What? What did I do?”

“No, no, no. You need to get to the stadium right now. The first team wants you now.”

“Yo …. What?! Me?!”

“Yeah, you. Come now.”

I literally sprinted into my dad’s bedroom and was like, “Yo! Get your ass up right now! We gotta go, man!”

He’s like, “Huh? What? Go where?”

I’m like, “ANDERLECHT, MAN.”

I’ll never forget, I showed up to the stadium, and I like pretty much ran into the dressing room and the kitman said, “O.K., kid, what number do you want?”

And I said, “Give me number 10.”

Hahahaha! I don’t know. I was too young to be scared I guess.

He was like, “Academy players have to take 30 and above.”

I said, “O.K., well, three plus six equals nine, and that’s a cool number, so give me 36.”

That night at the hotel, the senior players made me sing a song for them at dinner. I can’t even remember what I picked. My head was spinning.

The next morning, my friend literally knocked on the door of my house to see if I wanted to play football and my mum was like, “He’s out playing.”

My friend said, “Playing where?”

She said, “The final.”

We got off the bus at the stadium, and every single player walked in wearing a cool suit. Except me. I came off the bus wearing a terrible tracksuit, and all the TV cameras were right in my face. The walk to the locker room was like 300 meters. Maybe a three-minute walk. As soon as I put my foot in the locker room, my phone starts blowing up. Everybody had seen me on TV. I had 25 messages in three minutes. My friends were going crazy.

“Bro?! WHY ARE YOU AT THE GAME?!”

“Rom, what is happening? WHY ARE YOU ON TV?”

The only person I texted back was my best friend. I said, “Bro, I don’t know if I’m gonna play. I don’t know what’s going on. But just keep watching the TV.”

In the 63rd minute, the manager subbed me on.

I ran out onto the field for Anderlecht at 16 years and 11 days old.

We lost the final that day, but I was already in heaven. I made good on my promise to my mother and to my grandad. That was the moment I knew we were gonna be O.K.



The next season, I was still finishing up my last year of high school and playing in the Europa League at the same time. I used to have to take a big bag to school so I could catch a flight in the afternoon. We won the league by a mile, and I finished second for African Player of the Year. It was just … crazy.

I actually expected all that to happen, but maybe not so fast. All of sudden, the media was building me up, and putting all these expectations on me. Especially with the national team. For whatever reason, I just wasn’t playing well for Belgium. It wasn’t working out.

But, yo — come on. I was 17! 18! 19!

When things were going well, I was reading newspapers articles and they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker.

When things weren’t going well, they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker of Congolese descent.

If you don’t like the way I play, that’s fine. But I was born here. I grew up in Antwerp, and Liège and Brussels. I dreamed of playing for Anderlecht. I dreamed of being Vincent Kompany. I’ll start a sentence in French and finish it in Dutch, and I’ll throw in some Spanish or Portuguese or Lingala, depending on what neighborhood we’re in.

I’m Belgian.

We’re all Belgian. That’s what makes this country cool, right?

I don’t know why some people in my own country want to see me fail. I really don’t. When I went to Chelsea and I wasn’t playing, I heard them laughing at me. When I got loaned out to West Brom, I heard them laughing at me.

But it’s cool. Those people weren’t with me when we were pouring water in our cereal. If you weren’t with me when I had nothing, then you can’t really understand me.

You know what’s funny? I missed 10 years of Champions League football when I was a kid. We never could afford it. I would come into school and all the kids would be talking about the final, and I’d have no idea what happened. I remember back in 2002, when Madrid played Leverkusen, everybody was like, “The volley! Oh my God, the volley!”

I had to pretend like I knew what they were talking about.

Two weeks later, we were sitting in computer class, and one of my friends downloaded the video off the Internet, and I finally saw Zidane smash it into the top corner with his left.

That summer, I went over to his house so I could watch Ronaldo Fenomeno in the World Cup Final. Everything else from that tournament is just a story I heard from the kids at school.

Ha! I remember I had holes in my shoes in 2002. Big holes.

Twelve years later, I was playing in the World Cup.

Now I’m about to play in another World Cup, and my brother is playing with me this time. Two kids from the same house, the same situation, who made it out. You know what? I’m going to remember to have fun this time. Life is too short for the stress and the drama. People can say whatever they want about our team, and about me.



Man, listen — when we were kids, we couldn’t even afford to watch Thierry Henry on Match of the Day! Now we’re learning from him every day with the national team. I’m standing with the legend, in the flesh, and he’s telling me all about how to run into space like he used to do. Thierry might be the only guy in the world who watches more football than me. We debate everything. We’re sitting around and having debates about German second division football.

I’m like, “Thierry, have you seen the Fortuna Düsseldorf setup, though?”

He’s like, “Don’t be silly. Yes, of course.”

That’s the coolest thing in the world, to me.

I just really, really wish my grandad was around to witness this.

I’m not talking about the Premier League.

Not Manchester United.

Not the Champions League.

Not the World Cups.

That’s not what I mean. I just wish he was around to see the life we have now. I wish I could have one more phone call with him, and I could let him know …

“See? I told you. Your daughter is OK. No more rats in the apartment. No more sleeping on the floor. No more stress. We’re good now. We’re good …

… They don’t have to check the I.D. any more. They know our name.”


Romelu Lukaku
BELGIUM
Read this while watching Lukaku play...goosebumps

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