One of the things that has continued to marvel me about Dubai, is how it has made use of nationals of other countries to sell properties that do not currently exist. Yeah, you read that right, many developers and property brokers in Dubai, make a living by selling properties that do not currently exist.
If you go around town like I do… like a hunting dog looking for the next rabbit..lol, you are likely to see opportunities all over Dubai. Everywhere you turn, there is a signpost about business and investment opportunities, and curiosity always gets the better side of me, so I ask. One scene that never ceases to amaze me is the one I’m about to describe now, it would have been fantastic, if it happened just once, but over and over again with different people? It’s awesome.
Here I am standing in front of an Indian who has spent over 15yrs of his life in Dubai, he grabs a map, and begins to passionately describe to me the buildings, structures and projects that will be on particular spots of the map in 2-5yrs. He shows you where disney land Dubai will be, where the biggest shopping mall in the world will be situated, the rail tracks, the Arabian city, the artificial islands e.t.c. He goes into details, showing you how the road network will give access to other parts of Dubai, and how the building that hasn’t even started let alone get completed until 2009 is a good deal. In the midst of this passionate discussion, which I have encountered several times, I wonder in my mind, the gravity of work that must have gone into making this Indian chap, understand the things to come! Vision is not just the statement on the wall, it’s the leaders thoughts and ideas translated into action, and imprinted in the minds and eyes of everyone that qualifies as its people!
One of the outstanding things responsible for the current success of Dubai, is vision. They have been blessed with visionary leaders who were able to create in the minds of the inhabitants of Dubai, the picture of things to come. As far back as the 1930′s, they have had one visionary project after the other! Dubai did not have it’s first export of oil until 1969, but as far back as the early 20th century, Dubai had positioned itself as a centre of commerce by enacting policies on duty and tax free commerce.
While touring the Museum with my wife today, I was humbled about how they have turned a small city of less then 10,000 inhabitants in the early 1900s into a city to reckon with in the 21st century. As I speak, the tallest building in the world is under construction: it’s expected to be 1.5km tall, the biggest mall in the world is in planning, it’s expected to take you 3 days to see it all, The 8th Wonder of the world, Palm Jumeirah island, the biggest man made island in the world is not fully built, but is fully sold out! The World project: An Island the shape of the world map is also in planning, Disney Land is being replicated in dubai, the biggest airport in the world with 6 runways in both directions is on the way… and lots more. Why? Because the vision is not only within the confines of leadership meetings, it is written boldly on the minds and hearts of the people. I’m barely 4 days in Dubai, and even I can tell you what is to come. Vision is contagious, and trust me, vision sells.
Great buildings are not built on rough sketches, they are build on clear visions and detailed plans. The winds do not blow to favour the movement of ships without direction, winds blow as they like, the captain of the ship sets the sails of the ship in the direction he desires it to move. Countries don’t just get lucky, neither do individuals, we gravitate towards what we obsess ourselves with. There are many excuses we can give as a nation, size, demographics, tribal differences and so on, but if we can provide a vision for this nation, and get people to buy into it, we are halfway there. I’m not talking about the once in a while vision broadcasted on NTA news, I’m talking vision clear enough, and broken down enough that the average man can plot the future of the nation on a common map. If Nigeria is too big, then let’s break it down state by state, city by city or local government by local government.
Here are some basic lessons I’m learning about Vision from Dubai as casestudy.
1. The quality of the people that will work with you, is not a function of your personality, it’s a function of the size of your vision. The best Architects in the world, today currently work on Dubai building projects. Ivana Trump, wife of Donald Trump, reputed to be one of the world’s best architects is very active as an architect for one of the developers in Dubai. If your vision is big enough, nobody is too big to work for you.
2. No matter how simple your vision it, if it is consistent, it’s powerful. Dubai wanted to be a center of commerce and tourism, all their projects were centered around these. Constructing bridges, roads, tourist attractions, hotels, e.t.c. They also worked on making their policies people friendly. Once the policies are consistent, the private sector could collaborate to create visions applicable to different aspects. If you are consistent about the theme of your vision, you’ll enjoy tremendous support from all around.
3. The world steps aside for the man that knows where he’s going. Nothing can stop a visionary person, everything and everyone steps aside. Dubai is a desert land spotted with an oasis of water. The weather at this time of the year is hot (40-52 degrees Centigrade), they have had challenges with water, they don’t have enough land, the little they have is desert. They have the odds stacked against them. Today, those odds are the basis for their creativity. There are areas in Dubai, where anything less than 50 stories is not authorized. They have been dredging and sand filling for as long as they can remember. Your problem is not your problem, your real problem is lack of vision. The reason we complain about Nigeria being a different case, is because we haven’t set our eyes on our vision and burnt our bridges.
4. Vision Unites. I’ve met Pakistans, Indians, Chinese, Japanese Europeans, Africans and all sorts here in Dubai. Dubai is certainly an expatrait city! These are not only people of different languages and cultures coexisting, they are also people with different backgrounds and points of views. They have however dwelt together peacefully working on a common course. Language and culture ceases to be a barrier, when you share a common vision or objective. Imagine a house burning with 200 Nigerian tribes locked indoors, would it matter that they are not from the same tribe? Everybody will collaborate to get out of the heat, people will cuddle together, not mind their body odours, will bother less about manners, will focus on the corporate objective. Vision Unites.
We all need to take position and begin to set direction over areas of our nation over which we have influence. We can together begin to create the nation our children will grow up to meet. Let’s begin to communicate the future we desire for our nation… not only our nation… even our individual lives. The synergy of our individual achievements, can move our nation forward.
“America’s abundance was not created by public sacrifices to “the common good”, but by the productive genius of free men who pursued their own personal interests and the making of their own private fortunes” – Ayn Rand
I’m still putting all the pictures together… you’ll get them…Идея за подарък
A lot of times, I ask the question … Can Nigeria ever get there????? Someone please tell me how and when ….
Sometimes, I wonder if it is a problem with the black race …
Take a look at Haiti … they are at the centre of civilization … very close to the United States yet they are worse off than so many African countries.
I was discussing with a friend yesterday who said he thinks there are some particular demons that operate in the black race that make sure things don’t work … Is this really true? I wonder .. . I just wonder …….
Chairman, thanks. That is the power of vision. May the LORD help us all to be people of and with vision.
Happy Holiday!!!
cant wait for you to get back for serious de-briefing ….
the gist go full pot!
deolu, i hope u re enjoying ur hols? i dont even need to ask cos i feel your excitement from your discoveries. just make sure u re resting and come back vibrant and ready to fly very high. we anxiously await ur return.
@all, thanks for ur concern. im already waiting on the Lord for the next miracleeeeeeeeeee.
thanks
I think the leaders are a reflection of the majority.We should ask ourselves what we have done with the little opportuinities given to us everyday to be leaders in different situations.
Do we lead others honourably for the good of all or just for our own selfish reasons?
We can make the desired change in every situation and in this country by being a beacon for others to follow.
Nothing happens by chance.
hope our beloved country nigeria will one day be able to do things the right way and at the right time.
Can someone tell me what happened to the vision 2020 or was it 2010?! where intelligent Nigerians got together to chart us a course!
Whatever happened to that document. Man! this reminds me of a sick joke about how God told the Americans and Europeans not to worry, about the abundance of gifts he was burying in Nigeria, because ‘ He knows the type of people He’d put there’.
Do we seriously have any reason not to be in the top 5 countries of the world in positive things?
Let’s ask for the document again PLEASE!
Baba a a,
I must be sincere that it’s quite a while that I have read a touching piece as this.
Good food for thought for anyone who still believes in the new Nigeria project.
Cant wait to see the pictures.
Deolu,
Another good one. Wonder if you are really on break. It’s however expected from a great mind being challenged by the wonders of dubai, even while relishing the vistas of a transformed desert. I am expecting the next course.
Rest your mind, too. Just try.
i think we have that vision in nigreria its just that those who championed it are no more (awolowo, zik,tafawa balawa etc). those they kind of handed it over to misplaced it (obj,abacha,ibb etc) and we are trying to find it and work on it (our generation).
it not the first time am reading of countries faced with challenges years back and turning those challenges into stepping stones. same happened japan,singapore,malaysia etc and even ghana is swiming out of it.
we can take hold of it once we find it and turn it around. it starts with empowerment. once that is there am sure we will agree on a common direction to follow.
deolu nice there. tap as much as you can.
@ Richard
I do not believe the black race is jinxed because am part of the black race (lol). On a more serious note, it is a complex diffusion…culture, language, mindset, … very scary sometimes, but we will get there. Do we have any other option?
Deolu,
It just keeps getting better in here.
Like I said in Part 1 of this post, there wouldn’t be enough words to describe the “Dubai” we are talking about.
There are just too many things you will literally die to see with your eyes…
So, plzzz bring those pix quickly.
So much investments have gone into Dubai that, it would take more than a bull-doze of critics to turn back the hands of time.
Think of Investments, …think Dubai!!!
I love it over there, its like my 2nd home.
If there’s one place to watch in the next couple of years, Dubai is about to EXPLODE!!! Men, they have everything “ready”…as in “rea-dy”
Enjoy your trip my friend, and come home soon oh!
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Chairman,
I can wait to see the pictures.You have given a true account of what I have read about Dubai.Infact am really hungry to get there.Waiting for the pix.
Regards to Madam.
Ahhhhhhhhh, what more needs to be said. Vision is all that takes one to the promise land. I have said it in my post yesterday that the time is almost here when we will need to come together and start sensitizing our people on the gains of having personal values and vision. Your going to Dubail will greatly impact us all and please to forget to keep full tabs of all events. We will be waiting for your diary and all the pictures.
Regards to the mama. Have a swell time man. Cheers.
Deolu,
We can make it,we can do it ,we can get there,it is possible,when there is a will there is always a way.If we put our heart to it we can get there,if we have the can do mindset and run with our vision we will be there together.
Deolu, you’re obviously having fun in Dubai. Apparently you’re not on vacation, you’re there learning and doing “research”. I share your thoughts about vision being an integral part of development, and I know vision doesn’t need to start from the highest position. All great men had their visions defined long before they entered the limelight. I believe we should all start by defining our visions right now. There’s a vision for the journey, and another for the destination. Vision will take us there, and will keep us there. I know Nigeria has a great future, and we shall all define it together. We shall get there, sooner than we expect.
This is really hot…… its great that you are a Nigerian. I can only imagine what great nation ours will be if everyone is as empowered as you are.
Well… that’s a vision that’s achievable. To make Nigeria the oasis of knowledge and Insight.
Enjoy the rest of your investment research.
God bless you
We won’t get visionary leader through the barrel of a gun and we won’t get it by electing incompetent people to run our government, we also won’t get it by folding our hands refusing to vote on election day, we won’t get it if we refused to join a political party through which we can canvass for change; we are not going to have visionary leaders by electing an Hair-dresser that only has primary six elementary education to be the first female speaker from Africa. It is one thing to have a female speaker as a reference point; It is another matter to elect an Hair-dresser with a diploma in Beautician and major in Hair dressing.
The certificate was accepted just because she graduated from a shop in England.
Not that Hair beautician were not intelligent, many of them were highly intelligent in their profession, I knew a lady that currently paid the schoo fees of her husband in United States by continuing her work as an Hair-Dresser. I know many hair-dresser in Epe, Lagos State who also had their diploma (formerly called Freedom Certificate), I also know they are not foolish enough to use #232 million naira only to renovate a standing building, and they won’t be so gullible to allocate more than 330 million for the purchase of twelve jeeps.
The question I’m asking is that do we share the same vision with our Madam Speaker? If not what is the Nigeria of our dream?
i can see that you are really catching fun and studying the atmosphere in dubai.pls i want to know how they reckon with people who are builders.project managers who also have the mind of investing in dubai.i pray that God almighty will give you unequalled wisdom and fortify you to continue your good deed in which you had beed using to liberate people from darkness to light.stay blessed and i can eait to get those pics .pls you can attached to our mails we will appreciate it.my regards to your jewel of inestimatible value.
Hello chairman,
Welldone oh.
I feel you as i was reading this writeup and the only thing that came to my mind was that we need to continue praying to God almighty to raise us His own visionary who will take us to this destination of ours.
I believe we’ll get there, it’s just a matter of time.
Eku enjoyment o.
My contibution to this piece is this, how soon can we the youth of today and already emerging leaders of the country in the nearest future, come together to foster a growth lead organisation or company which will get the political and business class to take a good look at what we are likely to miss as a Nation if we do not advocate for a blueprint VISION?
I know my generation has started birthing great dreams and huge dreams make a Nation great. As loose as we all are, how can we advocate for a accountable VISION for and to our leaders while mandating them to keep innovating for the challenges ahead of us as a Nation.
House, over to you…..
THE CHAIR,
THIS HOLIDAY IS A BIZ RECOINASANCE VISIT.IT IS PARTLY HOLLIDAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE LEFT OUR SHORES.SOAK IN ALL THEIR MARKETING SKILLS,VISIONARY SKILLS, PASSION,CREATIVITY AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS ALL THE GOOD SKILLS EVEN PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT WAYS SO WE CAN COPY THEM.
IN MY LAST RESPONSE I SUGGESTED UNIVERSAL EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD UP TO SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL AS FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR GETTING NIGERIA OUT OF THE ROT WE ARE IN.
MY NEXT SUGGESTION IS C-O-P-Y-I-N-G!
BABIES TALK BY COPYING ADULTS.WE MUST COPY GOOD THINGS,EVEN IMPROVE ON THEM.MY COMPANY WAS COPYING MANY MACHINES BEFORE THE CHINEESE TOOK OVER AND STARTED HAVING PRODUCTION ADVANTAGE.I LATER STATED IMPORTING THESE SAME MACHINES FROM CHINA.
I WAS IN CHINA LAST YEAR.IT IS NOW THE PRODUCTION FACTORY FOR NIGERIA NAY THE WHOLE WORLD.
BRAZIL,RUSSIA,INDIA,CHINA(BRIC COUNTRIES) INCLUDING MASTER JAPAN ALL WITHOUT CONTROVERTION DEVELOPED BY COPYING EVERY THING GOOD AND DIMINISHING BAD THINGS.(CHECK THEIR HISTORIES)
TO ACHIEVE THE VISION WE MUST GATHER ALL WHO BELIEVE IN THE MISSION AND START TAKING ACTIONS.
I AM WATCHING YARADUA;IT SEEMS HE HAS A VISION NEVER MIND HOW HE GOT THE JOB.
Leadership,
That has been the cancer worm eating deep into the sustainability of this great Nation Nigeria…We need good leaders that have great vision,void of the slave mentality, and the ability to think freely.
We need leaders with a heart, with visions, with ideas that can take us from now to the next Level…most of the Nigeria youths of today are already taking the wrong lead, but i stand here today to say I am on the right track..
If everyone on this blog can do thesame, then we are a step closer to a new Nigeria.
deolu i thank God 4 ur life for this forum. leadership is a product of followership if u understand what i mean. our so called leaders dont come from the moon. they all come from same bad system and i think over time we have become bad people reason we are going through bad times as a nation. solution is we honestly and sincerely need to retrace our steps and go back to God through Christ Jesus. am sure we all have lessons to learn from this journey like the israelites took a forty days trip for forty years. bless u all.
Deolu,
Na Enjoyment Galore you dey O!!
Once again, another thought-provoking piece.
This statement ignited and trigerred something in me: “The world steps aside for the man that knows where he’s going. Nothing can stop a visionary person, everything and everyone steps aside”
Have a Wonderful Week Everyone!!!!
skybaba
DEOLU, THANKS FOR THIS PIECE, HONESTLY I TRIP FOR YOUR DESCRIPTION OF VISION, SIMPLE AND THOUGHT PROVOKING.- (Vision is not just the statement on the wall, it’s the leaders thoughts and ideas translated into action, and imprinted in the minds and eyes of everyone that qualifies as its people!)
i CAN CALL MYSELF A LEADER IN MY LITTLE SPHERE OF CONTACT AND WITH THIS DEFINITION, I AM STIRRED UP TO SEE THE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF GETTING MY PEOPLES’ BUY-IN INTO MY VISION.
tHANKS FOR BEING A BLESSING. i LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THOSE DUBAI PICS.
These are deep words.
“The quality of the people that will work with you, is not a function of your personality, it’s a function of the size of your vision.”
“No matter how simple your vision is, if it is consistent, it is powerful.”
“The world steps aside for the man that knows where he’s going.”
“Vision unites”
i have never been to dubai but all the stories i have read about the city speaks of excellence.and excellence has its roots in a clear cut vision. men and women who are so consumed by theirpassion and drive for excellence. i love all i am hearing about the city and jope to visit there very soon.