TOMORROW IS SEPTEMBER 7! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALABI OLAMIDE VICTOR!

TOMORROW IS  SEPTEMBER 7! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALABI OLAMIDE VICTOR!
I have been counting the hours and it is exactly 15 hours to tick the 7th of September 2013 (as at the time i started writing this piece). A Saturday it will be, and if you ask me what I wish for this Saturday-I have always wished it will be the day I tie the nuptial knot with ‘the lady’ that (who) promised to marry me. ‘She’, I will tell you soon.
Fortunately, it is not happening yet, owing to some reasons that are so personal that requires you to get personal with me and be ‘my personal person’ to know them. That’s a by the way though.
If you ask me why September 7 ticks in my head, it will sound to me as rhetoric, ‘because it is only special days that hold a man’s heart with such intensity. For me, I have never had such a pressing moment like this that clouds, lavishes and overwhelms my thoughts so much that I have had to start counting my birth date from the inception of the year. Really, it does not usually ‘tingle’ me to ‘celebrate’ my birthdays, although I am always excited about it.
Whitebird has made me so think of September 7 that it does seem to me more special than it does (it is as special as it seems though). Same with Graceful, my elder sister- while writing this note, Serah Jacobs (unknowingly) had called me to ask how I am going to celebrate September 7- I almost wanted to tell her that I will be writing, editing and also painting.
Lest I forget, she advised me to enjoy it with Whitebird, I hope too if I have to (I mean will, lest I be flogged). Can I ask that you do not bother about knowing the age? Young though I am, but my father will always say, ‘if people tell you how young you are, they are also telling you how old you are’. It took me time to understand his paradoxical statement, but, forsooth, it was worth the lesson.
Reminiscing, 'like I am in a state of déjàvu', those days when my mind and age was a little between a lot younger than this. I had always wished that I was older, that sometimes I had to add to my age- ‘Yorubas’, well trained with the use of pun will muse, ‘if he who is being lied to does not know he is being lied to, the liar knows’. Then, I knew…
And today, as I count my days, I earnestly wish I am younger than this. My heart sings the song, ‘forever young, I wanna be forever young....’ just got to know it was Jay Z and Mr Hudson that did the song. Didn’t know they did up on till now when I asked google.
Life, runs like a flash in the garb of a shadow, faintly strolling away like a disappearing angel.
For those who do not set their hearts to count their days, then...
Like a , prophet, as I sit to cogitate and peep into tomorrow, I know it will just be one of my normal days, save that something in my heart holds my attention to tomorrow, assuring me of the un-expected in the normal- giving me a faith that as long as I have a birthday to celebrate ahead of me, there is then a reality of me, locked faintly in the shadows of my today's dreams to be birthed in the-morrow of my dream.
You know, for me, most times, when I reflect on my birthdays, something in my heart ’s corridor whispers to me that, of all the days in my 365 days, God deliberately gave me September 7 as part of my portion in the days that He gave me to spend here on earth. it is like saying '(God speaking) Victor, September 7 is yours, whatever you do that day you will not be held accountable for it' (just joking).
Rachael Akinola, you celebrate tomorrow with me, and  I owe myself the duty of telling you before anyone, 'Happy Birthday', same for Pauline Ezeka, yours though is 7 days ahead, yet a Saturday.
Poetry has kissed the poet in me and he is arosed already to scribble words for these two belle(s).
As I reflect on September 7, my mind flashes back to September 1, a Sunday it was and I had to share God's Word with the students of one of fellowships in the Osun State polytechnic, Iree (for those who do not know, that is the school from which my communication knowledge was taught, from there I earned my certification and affirmation as a journalist)with a theme phrased from Psalm 90 verse 12, one of prophet Moses writings.
Weeks before then, I have had to meditate and share my thoughts on this verse with God and myself-and it was already turned to music in the melodies of my heart.
While sharing the Word with this mammoth saints, my heart yearned that they all can as well from their hearts like Moses declaimed on behalf of the people he led and for himself:
'...teach us to number our days that we may incline our hearts unto wisdom'
Like a prayer answered, it was not the 'altar call', it was a call to men and women who wants God to teach them to number their days, who desire to live a life that is larger than life, a life immeresed into purpose. a 'purpose call', a 'wisdom call', to numbering your days. and like a response to the call to kiss Jesus' feet and hug is love again, so it happened. it is a deep calling beyond the 'altar call' to answering the call for which they were saved.
For  what is the joy in celebrating a life without a purpose? What is the joy in living a life that one cannot proudly account for?
As I wait for tomorrow my earnest cry today is,
 'O Lord, please teach me to number my days, that I may incline my heart unto wisdom!' 

Lest i forget, Blessing, I have not forgotten the birthday gift you gave me some years ago, it was a Bible, can I still ask for another? And she, who asked that the birthday host gives her a gift and not her for the birthday host, this is my gift to you- that, God teaches you to number your days that your heart can as well knit to wisdom.
Happy Birthday,

from Asirvo Olaoluwa (me)

to Alabi Olamide Victor (me) 

MY DIARY OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE (SERIES I)

Don’t think you don’t need to read this, because you will be surprised how much you mean to me and I just can’t hide it! Sometimes you don’t have to wait till you can’t see the people you hold dear before you tell them that. It hurts when you wish you had said something earlier and you know you can’t say it again. And that’s why…

I can’t wait anymore to tell you how dear I hold these people in my life:

My father, whose profundity of wisdom and knowledge turned me into an avid reader, desirous for knowledge and wisdom. His words have been inspiration whose degree of impact in my life is more than the thermometer’s.

My mother, whose zest to see the best in me has caused her to invest all her all, like Paul would say, ‘she spends and has been spent for me’.

The Renewal Team, the crew has been the platform and hands through which my wings for speaking, impacting and growing have been carved.

My siblings, they have become the mirrors through which I define, beautiful… rare breeds of excellence.

David Adeoye (my pastor), it was through the mission in your vision that I found purpose. To succinctly state, your vision gave me purpose, broadened my horizon and made me want to live a life that’s more. Something about you makes me love you Sir.

Bright Edada (resident pastor, House on the Rock, Ebonyi State), I just walked up to him, told him my intention, and he just bought my dream. To me that was a miracle (he wrote the foreword of my last book, ‘Defining Sex and You’). Your homely way of teaching made me love the pastoral work (although, it is not that I want to become one-I just admire the ‘have-been-there’ message), and your wife sir, she is such a wealth of resources. (I just hope on this note I can envy my pastor? (Forgive my words sir). Your impact during my stay in Ebonyi is immense.

Sarah Imoukhuede, who called me daddy even when I was a friend.

Yomo, ‘la noir un’, who helped me understand more, the value of having a friend that believes in your dreams and can work assiduously to help you achieve it.

NCCF Drama Department, you brought beauty into my leadership and you made me love acting and leadership in such a way that only the heart can explain.

Yemi Success, a friend who knows your worst, flaws and faults and still believes in you.

Serah Olude Jacobs, allow me call you what you know, ‘driimbird’, khikhi’s girl, whose heart I kept in mine.

Ahonsi Samuel, whose loss of appetite some and most of the times fed my hunger (not that I like food o!).

Nelson Bukola, ‘Mama Chelsea’, one of the strongest and firm ladies I have ever known (I hope I still have your daughter betrothed to…?)

Femi Adeleke (we belong to the Rachael’s clan-na u understand) you are a quintessence of artistic and professional perfection. I hope to one day be like you. You are a leader, a teacher, a friend, a brother that I hope to be like.

Ifiok Etuk, (‘omo iran ologo’, meaning, ‘son of the glorious vision’) you made love music more than I can explain and in such a way that dazes me… you are one of my inspiration. Thank you for doing some of my songs.

Ajibola Dada, whose crave for excellence makes me find no reason to be a mediocre.

Napoleon, (HOD, Agape Theatre) who made me love acting, one more time.

Oluwatayo Kehinde Grace, your thoughts fill my mind with ellipsis that only you can write. I can’t stop being me to you.

Ayeobasanmi, your undying spirit to dust of the behind and rise arouses mine. You are an inspiration.

TD Jakes, a man have not physically met, but a mirror of my future. I feel we both know that we have known each other from somewhere that we just connect. Your words, written and spoken are like Brother Paul in the Bible speaking to me. In-fact, as I type now, I am listening to you, in your song, ‘He-motions’

John C. Maxwell, whose leadership teaching, style, and the live-up-to-what –you-preach way of life you live makes me see you more like a tutor that reaches into the spirit of my purpose.

Abdul, of the Midnight Crew, something about you in music is like a part of me that is yet to come out. I wasn’t two-faced when I to you how much I like you and your music.

Deaconess Adedapo, my most treasured Sunday School teacher, you taught me how to love God, you made me love God. Though I don’t know where you are presently, but I hold you so dear Ma (in my heart).

Taiwo Rachael Oluwatayo, whitebird… you of all knows my heart, so? Take all that’s there and give no one, ‘cause I am doing same with you. Believe me.

Reverend Moses Alabi, you know how you made us read, pray and fast each time you return from school then. Thank you for putting me on the right path.

Pauline Ezeka (Pastor) don’t know why since 1997 something still draws your thoughts to me. You inspire me. (don’t ask me why or how ‘cause I don’t know either).

Olayinka Salami, words can say this well, but read the lines and get the message, ‘thank you’.

I don’t have to wait till when I can’t see these people before I tell them how much I cherish them. This can’t wait another  day , and I am writing this to celebrate today, World Parents Day and equally remind my Mum and Dad, Engineer and Mrs Olatunji Alabi that I know I can’t find anyone to replace them in my life and I am not intending to find. Dad and Mum, you are my greatest treasures. I love you.

(I have so many others to write but I chose these dear people today to celebrate today, wait for me as I write the Series II. Thank you)

Alabi Olamide Victor

Senator Ashafa says The Nigerian Construction Industry is the No 1 Industry in Nigeria

The Construction Industry is the No 1 Industry in Nigeria

-Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing & Urban Development

The Senate Vice Chairman on Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Senator Gbenga Ashafa recently stated that the construction industry is the No 1 industry in Nigeria.  He made this statement while delivering his speech at the stakeholders meeting and the 57^th Annual General Meeting and Exhibition of the Federation of Construction Industry at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.

He pressed on stating that the industry is a business-driven sector that all should invest in. On this note, he said there have been moves on how to totally involve and indulge both the private sector, young entrepreneurs and the government to buy into developing Nigeria’s infrastructure.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, a lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber added that the construction industry opens opportunities to all and it is an industry that allows ‘for-all’ profit, as it permits other professions to benefit from it.

In his words, he said ‘we can bail our country through this sector, as it provides opportunities for employment. He also told the built sector stakeholders that the Legislative house has been considering the social housing bill, which is now at the second reading stage. He assured the house that the bill will definitely be passed. He added that they believe this is going to be a way out for Nigeria’s housing problem as it will include a heavily subsidized housing policy.

He congratulated the organisers of the event and implored them not to be discouraged even while looking at the performance of their GDP, which is around 3.2. He furthered his statement, saying it is not as a result of their non-performance, but the Nigerian economy. He praised the members of the Federation of Construction Industry that they even got to that level because of the efforts they have put in.

The event which lasted for three days took place on the 25^th of June to 27th of June 2013 and had in attendance dignitaries and personalities from notable industries.

HAVE A TASTE OF ONE OF THE CHAPTERS OF MY FIRST BOOK AS YOU AWAIT THE SECOND ONE

EPILOGUE

…THOUGHT ARISTOTLE WAS AN ARISTO

I was not dazed when at a time in my life time I heard someone call some few ladies, ‘Aristos’. I believed it was a term used for learned ladies or female genius (‘geniuses or genii’ if you will call them that.)

It is not that I was not contemporarily inclined, or conventional. At least, to an extent, I am presumably versatile, as I believe. However, my notion of ‘Aristo’ was that, it is a term coined from the name of a Greek philosopher called Aristotle, and used in describing individuals that are brilliant and smart. I therefore as a result assumed the name ‘Aristo’ is just an antonomasia, much like the quintessence of Aristotle. Literature students will very much agree with me that Aristotle is a genius of a kind. This is what actually influenced my inference.

The fault however is mine. I had to learn my lesson the hard way. As a result of this, I realized that you should not reach a summary or inference on premises from the surface without properly weighing the two sides of logic. Thinking it was a coined word, I registered the word in my conscious mind, and I thought it pleasing to use it for one of my female friends. No strings were attached, except that I wanted to extend a little bit of courtesy to her… I choose Rachael Taiwo Oluwatayo. She was one of my dearest friends, and being who she is, I concluded she deserved that much… since she was the brilliant type and my ‘kinda-woo-man’. I am sure you would scorn me as a tertiary student (then), who did not know what the word ‘Aristo’ meant, since young students in secondary schools know what the word means.

I actually didn’t want to use the word verbally. So I picked my pen, and wrote her a short note. The intention? There was no other motive save that I wanted her to be the first of all the ladies I know to feel my dexterity. I started with a charming phrase…

‘Charming Aristo’

That was it! I had presumed that she would see me on campus, and lavish me with some smiles, hugs and maybe some kisses, or something like that…

Sighting her, I chose a charming smile to welcome her. I was so full of myself that I assumed she was coming to hug her priest of words… her prince charming, but all she did was come over with a frown and say,

“Victor, laye laye e, ma ko iru oro yen si mi mo…” (Victor, do not in your life ever write that kind of thing to me again!).

She spoke in Yoruba, being an Ibadan girl. Still trying to play wits with her, I said another thing wrong, I asked her, ‘aren’t you an Aristo?’ And that was it! I had done it! It was a slap that ended it, and she locked me up angrily, saving me few breaths.

Brother? Ignorance is a dreadful disease. I couldn’t explain to her that I just wrote it from a pure intention, that I was only trying to flatter her and write my name on her heart…  I mean, in her heart…

That’s by the way.  Aristo is a coined word for ladies who engage in relationships with adults that are far above their ages, with the intention of getting ‘goodies’ or money from them. Some do it to create a social reputation for themselves on campuses. Whichever the reason, it is wrong. The specific is this; it is common in tertiary institutions to find young ladies who should be wrapped-up in their academic engaging in this act.

If we truly can sit down to meditate, and find our truest definition; our real self, we will find in the midst of our definitions that we have an essence that is beyond such immoral act, and that engaging in it undermines the reality of our true self. We have a definition that is larger than being an Aristo; that is larger that life. There are better social activities that we can engage in that will better our true essence; our true making; the reality of what we were patterned and intended to be.

A recent research revealed that ‘nearly three out of every ten ladies on campus are probably involved in the act; two out of ten might have engaged in it, and there are possibilities that five out of ten ladies will. This research however is based on various prevalent factors such as peer groups, societal-make-up and pressures, inferiority complex, financial challenges and the cravings to be heard.

The society has made it so worse by keeping quiet about it. Students even applaud it, because in ranking some social ladies in most of these tertiary institutions, being an Aristo serves as a criterion amongst other criteria to justify that you are really in vogue. Our society should bow its head in shame at this. Aren’t there better ways to be in vogue? Are there no better means of making a show of our ladies? Are there no better reflections of these daughters of Eve?

The fact is that as a student, you must truly be in vogue; you must be heard, known, and worshiped, even adored. Our deepest cravings; our truest nature earnestly yearns for this; it craves recognition and acceptance. But we don’t become good by being evil in all moral standards, being an Aristo is a wrong concept; a wrong life; a wrong definition of you, and a false definition of your true self.

Denying the fact that there are repercussions is another folly; a grave foolishness from our part. Surely the repercussions are always grave. Issues like unwanted pregnancies and the likes will ultimately and inevitably evolve. If you are a “smart lady” so to say, you would opt for abortion. But, this does not define a true lady. Your not knowing the real you, the purpose of your making ultimately makes you abuse yourself. This reflects the law of cause and effect. A lady who aborts a child after her sexual escapades should realize that if she had not engaged in the ‘Aristo Profession’ (Cause), there would not have been a reason for abortion (effect). Thus, she inadvertently causes a ripple effect on the heart of the nation both economically, intellectually, and of course morally! Yes! This affects every aspect of our existence.

.

Now, I should leave you to brood on my words, and always bear in mind that everything that I write is all about you, I love you…

Later now…

           

Note: the incidence in this epilogue is a fiction employed by the author as a medium to drive home the author’s thoughts.

www.armstrongconsult.bolgspot.com

INSURING YOUR INVESTMENT

Insuring Investments

I had said earlier in this book that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Why? It is simply an eternal and proven law of life. It is like every other law you know, like the law of gravitational force or the law of motion. The people’s law states that, ‘nobody can succeed in isolation’.

Check through the pages of history, events, people and life, no man has ever progressed without the aid of another man. Life was designed for us to depend on ourselves. To actualize your dreams, visions and purposes, you need men; else your dreams will just end in the corridors of your mind. It is one thing to be able to properly translate your dreams to people, it is another thing to win their hearts and get them betrothed to your dreams

People will only follow you and help you achieve your dream in life when they know that you are not just picking on them to make your personal visions happen but that you are also interested in their dreams.

While I was writing my first book, I met with some wonderful people in my life that took up the vision like it was theirs. They got so married to it that sometimes I sat and asked myself if I was actually the one writing the book or them. I have never had such committed people in my life. They were so committed to my dreams that any outsider will assume it was theirs. After the launching, I was speaking with Renewed Yemi Success, the Chief Executive Officer of The Renewal Team International during an informal meeting with him. He was planning to start a library centre, where youths can read books for free. I remembered I was relating to him how I got the book published and I mentioned two wonderful people to him that I met during my youth service year.

In fact, the book came to reality because of the unwavering commitment of these people. Sometimes I had sat myself down and asked how I met those people that point in time and why they were so committed to the dream.

I remembered that even before I discussed the dream of the book with them, and yes, there have been times that they needed me in their lives and I was available. My point, ‘the people investment is the most insured investment in life’. We must step out of the confines of our selfish natures and develop a heart that cares for people. A heart that shows we really care and that we can care without expecting something in return.

Why do you think the best companies in the world survive and maintain overwhelming sales consistently over the years? The idea is, ‘the people come first’. Any individual or organization that places profits or personal benefits before people or customers run down too fast and too soon. The best insurance you can have for your future, for your life and even for your children is sowing eternal seeds in the lives of people. We therefore must be careful of what eternal impressions we leave in the hearts of people.

The challenge however is that, at times, organizations have good plans and strategies towards serving their customers, they set up modem in place to achieve this, but often times, these plans are left on the table of deliberations and files of the future, un-implemented, and as a result, such companies fizzle out too early.

It is important either as an organization, government, individual that people’s interest comes first in our plans. Profit should and must always come last. The reason some countries, organizations and individuals will never have loyal and patriotic workers or friends is because, the people have also come to realize that you do not have their interest at heart. There should be a way through which we can connect to not just the feelings of people by pushing them to work either on the basis of duress, sanction or monetary reward, we should be able to connect to thier souls so much that they can be patriotic to us even when we don’t have monetary or instant reward. Most times, this is only developed by creating a relationship beyond the artificial, but a natural wanting to care, to be involved in people’s lives.

Some countries will never have patriotic citizens until they start setting up the interest of the people as their first hand budget. So true are the words of Socrates when he mused: ‘a state exists because of the people and it will continue to exist because of the people’. If a citizen does not see any sign of care from the government to him, he will equally see no reason to be patriotic to such government.

I remembered sometime during my final days as a corps-member in Ebonyi State, a female friend of mine, Ajibola Dada, who was then passing out with me was speaking at a gathering of corps-members in a fellowship meeting. I cannot precisely remember the topic of her speech but I remembered that she was talking on human connection and networking. She emphasized so much on developing good relationships with people and she made an illustration that will forever be written in my heart.

She told us all to hold our hands, saying if she needs to get to the last person in the church row, she only needs to know the first person in the church row. She said ‘once I tell the person on the front row that I need to meet the person on the last row, I will ultimately get to the person on the last row’. Why? Because, the first person knows the person that knows another person, who knows someone that knows the person on the last row. But, you may not get to meet such until you have developed good relationship with people and setting first in your heart the interest of others.

Often times, what stands between you and a business or contract that will change the future of your company and give you the future you desire is just a person and once you know that person you can hit it.

That day, she left something in my heart that has made me value people, relationships and networking. It wasn’t that I did not value people before but her words re-impressed these facts in my heart making them indelible. She kept reiterating these words: ‘If I do not leave Ebonyi State with a dime, I am glad I am leaving Ebonyi with a solid relationship that I have with Victor’.

I wouldn’t lie to you, that day; I really blushed, because the case study she used for her speech was me. All through the speech she kept mentioning Victor. What was the reason? I was genuinely available for her and I wasn’t surprised when she took up my book launch like hers. It is important that we leave good and indelible impressions in the lives of people.

In life relationship, good relationship is the most important. Let me wind off with an experience that I had with my mentor (who equally is my pastor) after I launched my book. I returned to Lagos to give him some copies of my books and I remembered that day, it was on the 22^nd of March 2012, it was a Thursday evening in his office, he prayed for me with a pen and he had collected from his mentor. After he prayed for me, he narrated how he got the pen and how his mentor had declared an anointing to write on him through the pen. Surprisingly, he was working on ten books to be published soon.

And for me, the prayer was so too timely, it was during a time that I desired inspiration to write but I just couldn’t. It was the first time in my life that I will earnestly desire to write bit I could not write anything. I had burdens in my heart and mind that I wanted to pen into words but I just couldn’t find the expressions to write them.

Today, you are reading this book because of a contact I made with the prayer of my mentor. My point? Relationship is not solely for materials gain or immediate rewards. They may not matter at first or during a particular time but when the need arises you will value it better.

This is an excerpt from Alabi Olamide Victor’s new book (yet to be published)

You can read more on his blog: www.asavodepoet.blogspot.com

Twitter: @asavodepoet1

Facebook: Asirvo Olaoluwa

Alabi Olamide (Asirvo) runs a training programme for budding writers and he is equally a profound public speaker