Monthly Archives: October 2006

Adeolu Akinyemi
October 31, 2006

A Certain Way to Getting Rich


I am of the opinion that poverty is directly responsible for most of the problems we see, not only in this country, but in the world at large. If you’ve not read the preceding article you’ll find it an interesting read.

While poverty seems a problem, it amuses me at how much time we spend talking about poverty vs. finding solutions to it. A friend of mine actually informed me yesterday that in his Msc Economics programme with title developmental economics, they spent so much time talking about poverty and its roots, and none talking about wealth creation. I believe strongly however that the solution to poverty is not a job, neither is it an investment or a lucky break. The solution to poverty is information. Even the good book says that while the captives are set free, and the hungry are fed, and the broken hearted are comforted, the poor will have good information shared with them.

Just last week I discovered some information that if adhered to by all who care to be rich, is a certain way of becoming rich. I have read many books on this topic, but of all, this one really had a powerful effect on me, which is why I am sharing. It is true, that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
October 31, 2006

Why we miss opportunities


In the latter half of the 1800s, when the telegraph was still “high tech,” a young man in Baltimore, Maryland, woke up one summer morning giddy with excitement. In fact, it had taken him half the night to get to sleep at all.

Today was the day he’d apply for his first job! But what was really exciting was that, if he were lucky enough to be chosen for the position, he’d actually be getting PAID for something that absolutely enthralled him. He’d be a real, bona fide telegraph operator!

His mind was so filled with wonderful pictures of himself sending and receiving important messages, communicating with people miles away — even clear across the country — that the possibility of NOT getting the job couldn’t get a foot in the door.

He didn’t even mind wearing a stiff collar and tie. After all, this was an important job, and he liked the idea of looking the part. Giving his shoes one last buffing, he dashed out the door and raced downtown to the telegraph office.

Inside, the office was already bustling with activity and noise, including the sound of the telegraph clattering away in the background. Several other applicants were seated in the waiting area, hunched over paperwork. Our young man saw a stack of job applications with a sign instructing candidates to take one, fill it out, and then wait to be called into the Director’s office for an interview. So he eagerly grabbed one and sat down.

The form itself took only a few minutes to complete, and as he finished and started to look around at the other job hopefuls in the room …

… the young man suddenly jumped from his chair and with his paperwork in hand, marched over to the Director’s office door and went right in without even knocking! Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
October 30, 2006

Proudly, Made in Nigeria!


Just yesterday I made an interesting discovery. I was studying the profiles of some of my role models. I decided to go into the details of the person of Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili. I was awed at her accomplishments, I kept scrolling down to see achievements, believe me, I kept scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. This woman has bagged over 260 awards! I went through them one by one and believe me, they were all inspiring. She had won most of the awards between 2003 and 2006, but she had won awards from way back in secondary school. I was certainly impressed that doing the right things can get one so much attention. It certainly fires my passion to continue to render selfless service to all around me. What however amazed me the most where not the awards… Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
October 29, 2006

Making the Most of Education’s Reforms


I got two calls yesterday morning, both from people who had sensed my passion for education and wanted me to hear a live broadcast on the educational reform agenda for Nigeria. One of them even informed me that he would have been willing to listen to the broadcast and prepare a documented summary for me, if wasn’t scheduled to travel. Before I go on to share my thoughts on this programme (Presidential forum on Education) which I watched till the end, I’ll like to remind the readers on this forum of the importance of having a vision, and making your passions clear. People will remember you when opportunities come in the line of your vision. If you didn’t watch this broadcast, you better read this, and if you did, you need to comment. Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
October 27, 2006

Beyonce Vs Bill Gates


If you had an opportunity to choose one of these two characters to spend an evening with, and ask any questions, who will it be? and Why? Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
October 27, 2006

Society’s Priorities!


I read an article today that I feel you should read, it was sent to me by a friend -Bolaji Osinuga, as an article from Dr. Tony Rapu. It touched my heart, and I think it will touch yours to. To imagine that at the same time ThisDay music festival was happening and clinging all the publicity, Bill Gates was also in Nigeria for a different agenda with next to no publicity. Apart from what was obvious in this jamboree, I understand that some other things went under that shouldn’t be publicized for shame. Some perspectives have been shared by many including, Grandiose Parlor, All Africa ( I understand that student unions were able to negotiate NGN10,000 fee for the first 1000 students. These are the same students that riot when school fees move from NGN500 to N2500. Do we need to complain about any government?), and many others. I shudder at our misplaced priorities. Why?…I think the article speaks for itself, and your comments also are welcome.


“ThisDay newspaper has been hailing its recent music festival as the biggest entertainment event ever to hit our shores. Internationally renowned artistes Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and others were paraded with local artistes also featuring somewhere in the shadows. For fun-lovers, it was to be a rare opportunity to see the superstars of MTV and Channel O in the flesh. Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
October 27, 2006

Information, Poverty or Something Else?


At times when thinking about the challenges Nigeria presently faces, it looks like a catch-22 situation, where you wonder if it was the egg that came first or the chicken. You wonder at times if poverty is the problem, lack of information or corruption or something else.

Many people have however offered insight into solutions to the problems facing the country. Many people have spoken, those who have earned the right to speak and those who just speak anyway. You ask yourself why do people hide/steal away so much money? Is it because they have lived too long in abject poverty and they want to store up for the days ahead? Is it because they are corrupt and don’t see anything wrong with it? Or is it because they are lacking in the knowledge of how to make credible income, or are hidden from the fact that wealth gotten by sharp means will leave at quick speeds? Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
October 25, 2006

180 degrees in OOU, Ago Iwoye


180 degrees seminar is holding in Ago Iwoye on November 11, 2006. This event will be featuring Pat Utomi, Gbenga Sesan and my humble self. Just click on the links above, they will open in another page :)

Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University will be witnessing an opportunity to turn things 180 degrees around in the next few days. On their behalf, I am excited already. The 180 degrees vision is growing and gradually reaching around Nigeria. We are already putting plans in place to advance to Sokoto and Maiduguri hopefully before January. Continue reading →

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