This I am thankful for.

Today is my birthday and I’m alive. It is a luxury that if I had all the resources of the presidency, I still can’t buy it. This I am Thankful for.

I studied Microbiology in school. After deciding hospitals and test-tubes were not the way to go, all hell broke loose. Today, I do something I enjoy and I have no regrets. This I am thankful for.

At the height of all hell breaking loose, I sat down under a tree depressed.  two ladies approached me and thanked me for talking to them in JSS2 six years ago. It was one moment I’ll never forget. I was re-fired to continue to do well. This I am thankful for

I made many decisions last year. For every door I dared to knock last year, they opened. When not qualified, I outclassed. Even ones I bungled I got a second chance. It’s a good feeling, God can we do this again? This I am thankful for.

I had traveled to Benin for a meeting but was running late. The bus broke down around 11pm on Benin-Ore expressway. We slept in the rain praying we won’t be preyed upon by thieves. We got another bus and got to Benin. This I am thankful for

Thank you for giving me Damilola. Relationships require smart work and a balance of love, passion and commitment. I didn’t need to be sweating in hard labour to build this one. Over the years I thank you. This I am thankful for

One thing I have never lacked in my entire journey- The support of people who believed and encouraged me, especially at those times when I found it hard to believe in my self. I have in turn helped many to find encouragement on their pathways in life. This I am thankful for

Last Sunday, I couldn’t drive to Church so I took a bike. 15 minutes later, the bike man skidded under a 911 truck while I stood watching. I later saved the bike man from being crushed by the vehicle. I later went on my way. This I am thankful for

This coming year is starting and I know I have to begin to thank God for successes I have recorded in it. When I thank God the earth and everything will respond to me. This I am thankful for

Thank you to everyone who made last year a glorious one. I have been embarassed by text messages, wall posts,  cals , thanks all…. this I am thankful for

Pens up!

The effect of the Global Economic Crises is closing in on Nigeria gradually. A recent report predicted that 18 percent of Nigerians would further be classified as being poor in 2009. That mean the gap between the poor and the rich will get wider still. But then, it is said that if the riches of the world were shared between the rich and the poor, in 30 years, those rich would still be rich and the poor would have returned to their normal position. Apparently, the poor and the rich seem to have habits that consistently make them remain in the same position. These habits would be analysed based on assets and liabilities. What is an asset? An asset is whatever you acquire that gives you money to maintain you and your purpose on earth, while liabilities are things you have that require more money to maintain them.

Those called rich are the people whose assets are more than their liabilities, while poor people have more liabilities than assets. What do the poor do so exceptionally well?

1. Value liabilities more than assets.

If you value liabilities more than assets, it is likely you would be poor if you are not already. If all you seek or aspire to have are all liabilities instead of assets, you are most likely poor. It is notable that more students and poor people use more good looking phones than rich people. Cars, clothes, phones are all liabilities and these are things most poor people aspire to have as a status of being rich.

2. Acquire liabilities with income.

Supposing you use your hard earned cash to purchase a car, don’t doubt it- a car is a liability, if we follow our previous definition above- except if you have a mobile shop. If income is directed at obtaining liabilities which requires more money to maintain them, then you have just bought a pipe through which all your hard-earned income would be drained. The issue with rich people is that they earn faster than they spend.

3. Spend income maintaining liabilities.

Definitely once the money is spent on acquiring liabilities, you would require more money to maintain or continue to use them. Poor people spend a large part of their earning maintaining the liabilities they have. Imagine having four cars, it requires more money to maintain the four cars, while assets make more money for you.

4. Spend and try to save leftover.

The spending pattern of the poor is also evident in the fact that once they earn some money they spend them on liabilities and save the left over. After expending all the money on liabilities, the little money saved would be used to settle the debts or costs incurred on maintaining the liabilities they have bought.

5. Save to expend on liabilities.

Poor people may have excellent saving culture, but they may spend it on liabilities. Imagine spending time and life going to work, and saving only to buy a car to use to go to work. A car may not be bad when you have assets in excess of the money you earn in a year.

When saving towards anything, be sure it is towards an asset that may bring more money into your pocket, rather than a liability that would take more from you.

6. Play today, pay tomorrow.

The mindset of delaying gratification is only found in the dictionary of the rich. A poor man/woman would prefer to enjoy the pleasantries of life as soon as some cash enters into their pocket, only for them to regret those decisions in years to come.

If you find a seventy year old woman begging on the streets, what readily comes to mind is to ask what she has been doing? There are too many cases of “have beens” in the earth, who are worth nothing today.

7. Their children inherit debt.

The thirst to acquire more and more might even drive some people to take loans from banks. Other people love to admire such; flashy cars, houses, glamorous clothes and accessories only for them to die and put their children in line for paying back debts owed or for credit card abuse

This is intended to x-ray our behaviours as we position ourselves on the way to the future. We should look at our habits and choices and have no doubt where we hope to end up.

There is no doubt that the poaching crises between Cool FM and Inspiration FM, where the rumoured deportation of Inspiration FM’s Dan Foster became news have helped Wazobia FM significantly.

The radio station has tipped significantly gathering a large mass of followers from the bus conductor and drivers to executive businessmen. I posted previously on wazobia, on wazobia FM na wah, click here

I was even surprised one day when I heard on radio, one business man who said, “My driver no dey listen, he don put me inside hold-up, help me break bottle for him head!”. I busted out laughing. No doubt, the ‘medicine’ of Lagos traffic has come to stay.

My main issue is to identify who is the best presenter on the station. It was a major issue of contention as I discussed among some friends last week. For me, it is Diplomatic OBJ!

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Ekiti people have proven once again they are the fountain of knowledge, (I jokingly call it – state of emergency). I see the dramatic events of those days being a message written to every other state, the electorates, contestants and particularly for the coming 2011 elections for which so many governors had previously abandoned governance to campaign for.

I would like to share lessons in form of messages, which the Ekiti re-run has taught us all.

One confession: after the euphoria of the Indian movie revolution in the early eighties, when we were kids; watching the “Shole”, “Shakti”, “MARD”, “Yer van dera”e.t.c. I lost the Indian movie appeal. American movies top my collection list now, forget those Nigerian movies- never a fan. Especially when I have a multimedia project to work on, I love a movie playing in the background, as a result of this, there’s hardly any series movie I’ve not watched.

The staggering accumulation of 6 Oscar awards by the film, Slum Dog Millionaire caught my attention. It was about the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who was one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” When the show took a break from the episode, the anchor got the police to was promptly arrested arrested and interrogated on why a boy from the slums was so “brilliant” as to be able to answer the most difficult ones but could not answer the basic simple questions posed to him on the hot seat.

Jamil takes his interrogators through the maze of his live, from living and playing in the midst of the squalor where he lived along with his mother and brother, and how his various experiences exposed him to the solutions coincidentally being asked on the hot seat. The plot gradually unfolded itself into a story of love and betrayal, which included his brother and Latika, the young girl he loved and lost at various stages of his life.

Your background does not mean your back must be on the ground

Anyone pricing Jamil like the child traffickers did when they caught him, his brother and Latika, are sure to under price him. Anyone looking at another’s past and judging him is sure to look foolish unless the person accepts their verdict. You may not have control of your past; your place of birth, your parents, your siblings, the kind of education you received, but then, the future has no right to catch you by surprise. It was important to note the persistence of Jamil and his brother. They made do with what they had, lived on what they could glean, and took every opportunity available for them to change their fortunes.

Though the road was tough, their condition never became the verdict.

Love may not be well dressed

Who could have thought they were going to be together after years of incidences that threw them apart. Even from when they were about four and in the midst of abject poverty and an uncertain future, they never hid their friendly love. Most of us have checklists for whom we want and how we want them to look, so if the packaging of the person is not right we won’t go for it. The best opportunities in life might come in work clothes. They may not look too nice today. The job might be frustrating, but be patient.

The pains of today might be pregnant with tomorrow’s joy.

God is the scriptwriter, we are the actors

As if he was being deliberately prepared for the moment, all things were working for him. It was almost unbelievable how his life experiences prepared him for the questions that were being asked on the show. Just like that, our lives are weaved around our personal experiences and challenges such that, how we responded to those challenges may be our saving grace tomorrow. I’ve seen great achievers tell their stories and they seem like they were in a movie. Some truth, God is the scriptwriter; we are the actors.

I remember the sign-off of the Nigerian movie super story, Super Story- we are but pencils in the hand of the creator.

Whatever you are doing today, pay day comes.

It is wrong to write anyone off, it’s wrong to maltreat others because there’s always a pay day. The people who love writing people off are cheaply escorted out of the game of life. What happens if the boy you maltreated yesterday is now in a position to determine your fate? Life cannot just be life without repercussions. Our life is divided into two faces, one consisting our sowing, the other is to receive the benefits or punishments for what we did in the first half.

In all the film was good, considering most Oscar winning awards can barely be classified as entertaining.

orange academy

My week is going to be very interesting. I am in the final week after going through the war room 11 of Orange Academy’s School of Brand Advertising. It’s been four weeks of fun and work excitement. I am presently working on our final presentations for the final battle with the other mock advertising agency.
The school, though two years old, is one institution that has done a lot in stamping it’s presence into the heart of Brand and Advertising Industry in Nigeria. Bespectacled Kenny Badmus, who initially struck me as a nerd is one great guy full of expressions and fun. For someone responsible for the new generation of orange diplomats in various industries, he did not fail to prove his stuff.  He took us round the world of copy, strategic planning, brand innovation and management.

The programme was structured like a practical reality show, though without hidden and spy cameras. We were organised into two advertising agencies- BAD and ACE. These two agencies have been given the task of branding a health drink which should be in the market in the next few months. I must confess, ACE agency has done a lot more talking than working; not because I’m in BAD agency, it because I know the rules of engagement. But whichever team wins on Sunday, I must say I’ve worked with a great team altogether.
Despite BAD consisting of people from different  sectors of the Nigeria industry, we did not fail to exude synergy.From our meetings at night to the groups’ mails, calls and to our brandishing of idea daggers, verbal postures and compromise, I’ve had a lot of fun. But then, the intense work before Sunday remains.
Sunday represents the final pitch day and the 2nd anniversary of the Academy. I finally decided today to be one of the presenters for my group- that means more work. So I would be one of people telling ACE where their PLACE is- at the BASE!

For a school with so much achieved at 2,

I say congratulations to the entire Orange Academy Team.

If you were to ask in a general business meeting, Church, mosque or in any gathering that how many people have ideas, you will be amazed with what you get to see as a response.

One of the things you quickly discover is that you are not the only one with great and sound ideas; neither are you the only one who needs funding. Most people will, rather than developing the idea into a plan and strategy, they jump out looking for funds to finance the business. They then begin to complain that people or banks are not interested in thelping businesses . I once watched a TV programme where people came with ideas for funding and you wonder how they got to the TV. It was obvious that God was doing them a favour by not giving them money for the business in the first place. Today will be dealing with what investors look for, what Banks, funding agencies, partners look out for in your business before committing their funds into your idea or business.

Capital:

How much is required from them? Most times, most of us look out for huge amounts of money TO START the business whereas we do not need that huge amount of money; we only want to start the business from the top. Imagine a man who wants to start business of producing soyamilk in bottles, and needs 3 million naira, but the only experience he’s had has been to prepare the soyamilk for 10 people! Investors will also want to know how much you are willing to put into the business, especially if you do not have a cogent excuse to be indigent. Nobody will invest in an idea you are not willing to invest heavily in yourself.

Condition:

For funding organizations, it is important to know themarket, the competition and the conditions under which your business is being launched. An already saturated market will require a risk-taking investor, if you need someone to fund your organizations. It is generally known that banks are reluctant to fund agriculturally related projects mainly because of the high risk involved in the farming process.

Some other factors include; industry- size; target audience, competitors and players, season- cyclical. The partner or bank will also like to know you are willing to bear the risk associated with going on with the business and the ne essary risk mitigation startegies you have in place.

Capacity to repay:

This is the primary intrest for most institutions that may require interest on your pating back terms. How long it will take for to recoup money invested is also a consideration. Is the commodity one that the money will just be a once time investment and recoup such as supply and delivery of goods amd services, or one such that it will require gradual

Character:

This is most comonly called virtual capital. Your character is the capital that you have that guarantees that you can get cash even on the viability of your word. It is possible to conduct business, collect goods based on this tremendous goodwill you enjoyed or are enjoying. An investor who saw that at one time you borrowed money and have repaid within the specified time, assures the investor that he is safe.

I get money in credit and return within the experience in handling the area/field of work is also part of your character when it comes to looking for finances.

Collateral:

Collateral is one factor that chases people out of banks. a collateral is an asset that you have put down as a guarantee to pay the money. Of course, if the time lapses and the money is not yet paid, after a while, the Investor may beging to look for a way to recoup his money by impounding and selling your assets. I know one way of going around this is to have a guarantor (you character- virtual capital)who can vouch for your  integrity.

It also may be reassuring that most Micro Finanace Banks can  grant up to N500,000 without collateral and after fufilling some minimal  requirements.

But then, remember money is not the most important thing you need to start your business. it may be needed to grow it but it is not mandatory you have lots of money. All the best.

Most times, the common complain    with people who have ideas is the problem of finances. Most peoples’ dreams eventually die because they are waiting for and expecting one big money to land on their laps so that they can pursue their passions- that only happens in movies.

There are numerous ways by which you can raise funds for your business, if you are hungry enough to pursue it. But firstly, you need to have a plan; the month of April will be dedicated to developing a business plan.

1. SELF FINANCING:

I call this self financing as a way to raising funds for your business on the premise that you understand you are different from the business. What happens when you bring money out of your savings or save money towards starting your business is that you are borrowing the business some money or investing in the business to start.

To self finance, you could deternmine when you want to leave paid employment, i.e. if you have a job or when you want to start and then begin to save gradually towards it. Self financing is the most common methods, but then lots of people get into trouble when using this system because the feel they own the business and the money and as soon as the first signs of money begins to roll in, they eat it up. But it remains the safest method.

2. INVESTMENT: sales & liabilities

This is like the first where you sell what you have to secure what you want to achieve. There are times when money may not be available but we have investmens or liabilities stored somewhere. If you are truly passionate about your dreams, one of the things that will test your commitment is what you are willing to give up for it. I know people who went into businesses and gave up cars, lands, which could be an asset or a liability depending on the expense and cost. But if you see farther ahead of the present assets and enjoyment, nothing will be too small to give up for the business.

3. PARTNERSHIP :

This occurs when you usually realise the dream may be bigger than your funding which is usually the case. But then a note of warning; sharing your idea exposes it to duplication or poaching, but then if you want your vision to grow, you’ve got to share it. Partnership is the coming together under agreed terms on the various issues; roles and functions, funding and profit sharing.

When your dream is bigger than you, or your interests, partnership might be the next thing on your mind. You might want to engane the services of a stronger company, or some one with a lot more cash than you presently have.

But then like I said, be careful of sharing your ideas with poachers, in further editions we will be discussing protecting your intellectual property.

4. FRIENDS & FAMILY:

Another avenue is to leverage on family leanings and relationships to develop the amount you need to start your business. This is using other people’s money (OPM) to finane your ideas. There are friends and family members who have the cash you need to start your business. if your plan is convinding enough, and very viable, it is sure to receive the amount of resources needed.

5. HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUALS

This is using other people’s money (OPM) to finane your ideas. There are high net worth individuals who have the money and are looking for people who have ideas and need funding. These people are willing to look at your ideas and help you fund it, some may seek to partner with you on the business, while some have funding companies as part of their own ways to giving back to their communities.

6. INSTITUTIONAL SPONSORS

This includes investment banks, venture capital companies, SME funding organizations and Microfinance Institutions. There are numerous institutions, even supported by the Federal Government that have been empowered to support growing businesses at reasonable interest rates that even banks will naturally not want to provide. There are lists of microfinance banks and SME companies on the internet and in the press.

In all, the gratrest asset asset for your business is yourself. what you need to do immediately about your business,make your business suceed.  All the best.

But then, I have never ceased to give kudos to the producers and owners of WAZOBIA FM. They have definitely carved a niche for themselves given the manner in which the have used pidgin to float and successfully run a radio station. Whenever I get to board a bus, and it gets too dark to read, i look around and I’m always amazed at the number of people laughing and listening to the discussions of the presenters, from “MC Yaw and Omotunde” in the morning, to “diplomatic OBJ and Akas baba” in the evening.. With the water pouring, bottle breaking, gunshots and whiplashes – they have become every commuter’s relief.
For a brand I didn’t give too much a chance, especially considering what they are doing to our wobbly English it is has become exceedingly successful.

welldone guys

It is important to know and recognize the vital signs of a relationship’s potential. When I meet people and we talk about whether a relationship should continue or die, I quickly discover that relationship don’t break suddenly, the danger signal begins blinking long before a break up is imminent but the people were not watching out for them. Those times were actually opportunities to restructure and recognize those threats before they threaten your marriage or relationship.

I am not a fan of broken relationships and I will never be a fan of divorce. But then there are some courtships, dating or love relationships that will have too drastic an effect. The greatest tragedy of a broken relationship is not the loss of the intimate relationship, it’s a broken heart. When we break up, we leave behind parts of us thereby entering into another relationship defective. It is therefore important to know when to hang in or work on it, and when to move on, to understand when conflict is healthy and when it is destructive.

Caveat! It is crucial to know there are no absolutes, especially when dealing with human behaviour. These are some of the vital signs I thought about, you are free to add yours to it. There might be trouble;

1. If God tells you it is wrong. There are times when we enter into relationships even though we know we know it is wrong, even when our friends tell us we are making a mistake, especially when it seems the person it too good to be true- it probably is. Somehow, those things come back to hang us by the wrists.
2. If there is no one, no value, and no being to which you both submit to. There might be fire on the mountain. It is essentially proven that for any relationship to succeed, the two individuals should not be the center of attention of the relationship, something else, you both value and that will not get tired- God, vision, value could be in the center.
3. If you aren’t thinking of the future together. Have you ever thought about the future without imagining him/her there? You you plan your lives independelndependently of each other? Does he/she ever tell you about her /his plan without thinking of you? It’s probably because you are not in the picture yet.
4. If you are relating from the position of need. If you need the relationship to survive. If you need to be in the relationship. Is is a dangerous thing if you enter a relationship because the lady/man is filling a particular emptyness in your life.it is really not a good sign if your happiness depends on another person. It makes your happiness dependent of the actions and inactions of another person. Also goes to the paerson who enters a relationship because he feels he needs to fix the other persons life. Remember, a relationship or marriage is not a tool for evangelism, neither is it a tool to change the other person. When the contract between the fixer and the fixed is finished or cannot work out, they will look for another challenge.
5. If there’s no Chemistry: chemistry or passion is what makes a friendship (commitment, intimacy) graduate into a love relationship. No relationship will last long if the love and passion in the relationship is one-sided. The giver one day will be tired of putting so much into the relationship without receiving love. Every strong relationship is built on mutual strength, companion friendships and support. There is also
6. If you lose nothing if you end the relationship, it’s probably not worth much to you. Your partner should serve as an important source of encouragement, strength and support. At every slight disagreement, if you think of leaving and can readily think of getting another guy/girl, you may probably do that soon. It is an indication that no value is being added in the relationship.
7. If you have not learnt to fight successfully. Fighting successfully means the ability to fight and take corrections, the ability to disagree and not allow that to destroy the fabric of your relationship. Most couples in the heat of argument say things they never meant and that signals the end of a wonderful relationship. Times and moments of anger brings out the hidden person within, and if the two people have not mastered the art of coping with that person, an end might be imminent too.
8. If you are not open to change and growth. Relationships bring about new challenges and there may be need to constantly become accustomed to attitudes, mindsets, thought patterns and people we never thought we could never thought we could never cope with. More importantly, we will need to change and grow, but if we are comfortable and rigid about our mindsets, perceptions and attitudes, you may soon have to create a relationship with them! Long lasting relationships are built on the ability to complement and adapt to each other and the situations as they come around.
9. If the person exhibits a behaviour that makes the relationship difficult to stay. There are behaviours and attitudes such as fits of rage, stubbornness, smoking,one partners’ undue submission to external influence. Or if your partner sees himself incapable of changing.