Self-Motivation, Personal Growth and Entrepreneurship Development on DeoluAkinyemi.com

It’s one of those days when I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad that as a nation, it’s been 49 years since we have been free! Where we are, and where we could have been by now is such a big gully apart that if we really knew any better we would not find so many things so funny.  Imagine for example that we are the darkest nation on earth, and parallel that with the fact that we are one of the wealthiest nations on earth in all the elements that can be used to generate power. We became independent 49yrs ago, but can we truly lay claim to freedom? In 49 years  Nigerians have willfully submitted to the recycled leadership of the same set of people. It would have been exciting if those people were actually our brightest and fairest, but it is appalling to consider that we averagely agree that our leadership is not representative of our intelligence, values and good naturedness. Year in year out however, the strongest arm of government – the people, silently reneges it’s powers to those whose voices ought be be subject to theirs, and for 49yrs we have allowed the tail to wag the dog!

It’s bad, but thank God, this is our year of  Jubilee! Without going into detailed biblical references and deep exhortations on the origin of Jubilee and the concept, let me quickly summarize. God is very structured and very detailed, and uses numbers quite well (I’ve written a number of articles on numbers). On the 7th day of creation, God rested. He then appointed the 7th day for man as a day to be separated from all labours to rest. It is meant to be a day of freedom, a day of liberty, a day when you just stay off all work and rest. For the slaves in captivity in Egypt back then, rest was a luxury indeed. God then established a number of events characterised by this number 7. After 7 sets of 7 days.. meaning 7weeks, there was the celebration of a week of weeks, same for years. The 49th year is the end of the 7 sets of 7years, and marks the beginning of a year of years. The actual Jubilee is on the clock of 50, but the proclamation of it starts from the 49th year. It is a year when two key things are guaranteed –  1. Freedom! 2. A repossession of inheritance! Nigeria, welcome to your year of Jubilee! Continue Reading »

“The Future Started yesterday, we are already late” – John Legend

At the political round table meeting yesterday, my confidence was multiplied by 100 on the fact that come 2011 we can actually ensure that our preferred candidates win more than 60% of all the political offices in Nigeria including the very important positions. I had been motivated by optimism and passion in the past, but now I know behond doubt that we can make change happen in Nigeria! I used to think that if we fight, we may lose, but if we don’t we have already lost. Now however, I know with confidence in my heart that we actually have a good chance of not only fighting, but winning!

I am not a political strategist, I’m a patriotic and visionary Nigerian who had always prefered to be neutral, be non political and not partisan. Just face my business and leave governance and government to those who have nothing more important to do with their lives. All that started changing recently, when I began to get serious nudgings on a regular basis that -”if it is to be, it is up to me”. I discovered very quickly that all the efforts we mustered in education, empowerment, community development, enlightement, re-orientation, sponsorships and scholarships involved too much struggle, too much effort and very little lasting effects. I and a few compatriots discovered, that to make significant difference and progress, we must be involved in the leadership of Nigeria. We must be involved in more than merely voting, we must ensure that we have a voice before the elections, and ensure that our voices cannot be silenced. Knowing all these, I was still motivated by optimistic faith and the youthful passionate belief that all things are possible. Yesterday however, our movement took on a new turn as we had a political strategist with 33yrs experience join our team. This man’s experience was inspiring, haven led two presidential candidate campaigns successfully, led a few State government campaigns and delivered several local governments to power. From yesterday, we ceased operating on zeal, belief, energy and thoughts, our gears have shifted to practical strategies, reapplication of things that have worked in the past, an indept understanding of the current systems and the only ways to beat them. Continue Reading »

Today, I really want to welcome you into the second half of the year 2009. The match started January 1 this year and it was you vs 2009. It’s a great time to ask yourself what the scores are, and what your strategy for the next half should be. It’s a good time to do your life audit, and a good time to seek Gods face afresh for direction, for grace and for help! While this is something I’ll like to write about very well, I’m sorry that today I must write about something else that really bothers my heart – Nigeria!

I’m sure you read the title and wondered what was going on, I’ll like you to join me in this video I’m about to paint with words. Sorry, I could have done it on You-Tube, but our link in Nigeria is not strong enough to allow most people to watch it, it’s even going to be difficult for me to upload. So bear with me, and use your minds eye to follow me in this journey of our imagination!

Imagine with me if you can, that Pastor E.A. Adeboye indicates interest in becoming the president of Nigeria. What do you think will happen? Let me tell you what I think. First of all he’ll likely win, I do not attend the Redeem Christian Church of God, but I know many people from different churches and religions who will gladly and passionately vote for him. We’ll have the largest voters turn out in the history of Nigeria’s voting. I know many churches that will align, I know many people from diaspora that will fly in if voting was restricted to Nigerian soils. I know that many things will shift, peoples attitude to participating in Nationhood will dramatically change, Nigerians will know that something different was in the air.  All our dreams and aspirations for a New Nigeria would all of a sudden seem possible to millions of Nigerians who believe in this man of God.  All these if he indicates interest in becoming president, now imagine what is possible if/when he wins. In case you don’t know who Pastor Adeboye is, he’s the General Overseer of the Redeem Christian Church of God, and Newsweek ranked 49th most influential man in the world and 1st most influential person in Nigeria. Continue Reading »

I had two great meetings yesterday, one was the Future Movement’s steering committee meeting, and the other one was a  New Nigeria Club Online Conference. I’m so thrilled at the key issues we were able to trash out in both meetings yesterday. I’m particularly impressed with how much we are achieving with the online conferences, technology is sure making things easier.

There was an interesting eye opener during the NNC online conference though, and I think it’s an idea I should quickly bring back on board and re-communicate. With so many great heads brainstorming together, we were able to obtain a good variation of personalizing our issues with our leaders’ name concept. I was thrilled with the additions and have decided to capture it as Rebranding Nigeria, Reloaded! Rather than sound abusive or use words that might ultimately lead us nowhere, we have decided to add an interesting positive tweak to the personifications. Here are the thoughts. Continue Reading »

I’m sorry if I’m digressing from the better life gist a little. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel really really moved when I think about Nigeria. Do you? I know I am not alone, I certainly am not. I’m not even the first to feel this way, but I feel so strongly that I must contribute my quota into transforming Nigeria into the future I know it has.  We might be divided in our past, but we are united in our future. We might have diverse tribes and languages, but we can aspire to one vision. My destiny and if you think about it, yours as well, is tied to this country! When we pray for the peace of our Jerusalem, we are qualified to prosper in it!

I’ve had an opportunity to attend a few brainstorming sessions recently with Fela Durotoye and a number of other passionate change agents in Nigeria, and I know that the cloud is gathering, and the rain will fall! I have had the opportunity also of speaking with accomplished Nigerian business leaders, and the question I find on the lips of the ones with the right values is, “after we have made all this money what next, what legacy will we leave to generations unborn, is this our best as a country?” Continue Reading »

On Death

“Zec 11:2 “Howl fir tree, for the cedar is fallen.”

Unrest hits the forest when all of a sudden the crashing sound of a mighty tree is heard. For them, it announces the presense of the woodman, and each is aware once again of it’s unbreakable appointment with the edge of the axe. Each remembers that it’s marked for death and there is an end to it’s journey in this frame of existence. All mortals must like the fir tree, howl and not scorn at the events that remind us of the temporary nature of life on earth. Death is the weightiest of all of life’s events, and he who does not prepare for death is worse than an ordinary fool. Continue Reading »

One of the most annoying sites I see littered around Nigeria or even diaspora these days, is two Nigerians or more, gathering together to complain about Nigeria. It’s so easy to make friends these days, just talking rubbish about our country.

Nigerians are so intelligent, we know how to conjure words together to aptly describe the failings of our leaders, the uselessness of government and the insecurity of our environment. None of us alludes to being corrupt, but our leaders are suddenly all corrupt. We complain and talk like people whose leaders were forced on them rather than through a process. If it is indeed true that people get the type of leaders that symbolize their constitution, does it not say something about us? Rather than focus on the issues we all have as individuals however, we are taken over by finger pointing, complaining, bitterness, and gossiping. We badmouth the government, crucify our leaders, defame our business men. And don’t look far away to cast this blame… you have been a part of the complaining culture as well, but tell me today, has complaining ever created anything good? Continue Reading »

The BIT Session and NNC Launch in the UK went well. It was refreshing to see people outside the shores of Nigeria benefiting from what is going on back home – we had fun, laughed out loudly, and shared wealth creating opportunities that are currently open to NNC members. Being in the UK has also provided it’s own set of learning opportunities, I’m getting to better understand the system here – transport and financial. How things work, what works, what doesn’t, and the best ways to make the most of this environment. Having said that, I’ll be coming back to the UK for another BIT session on the 27th of September, 2008. And thought the first was good, the second is going to be better!

While I was in the airport in Nigeria, I got a brainwave I have been nursing since then. With every passing day, the idea has developed a little more flesh and a little more flesh. Right now, I believe I have a great idea, that will put smiles on the faces of thousands of Nigerians, and the Nation at large. The idea is hot and sizzling, and you can’t afford not to be part of the first set of people to hear it. One thing I can guarantee though is that no one present for this meeting will regret it, in fact, many will be forever grateful they made the date. Continue Reading »

 

Based on the New NNC Structure, we’ll want people to volounteer to take leadership positions for NNC in each state for now, we intend that we will break into chapters in the coming months, so that we can begin to actively participate in Nation Building together. Also we’ll be able to profile the results that the club has achieved from different states and different chapters. If you are willing to be NNC Representative from any of the states in Nigeria and you are already a member, please send me an email notifying me of your interest. The New Club Structure and system is at the NNC website.

Hello all Nigerian patriots, friends of Nigeria, visitors to www.deoluakinyemi.com and especially registered members of NNC  residing in UK. The goodnews is here, NNC UK chapter is kicking off.

We understand that Nigeria is not just a geographical location, it’s a people. We believe as part of our vision and strategy to undo the bad that has been done to our image internationally (by multiplying our good deeds), NNC will like to make its initiatives far reaching and engage Nigerians in Diaspora, to this end NNC UK chapter will be starting.

NNC is focused on adding value to the live of all its members by empowering members with knowledge and information, boost their financial power, increase the number of Nigerians that know how to make money legitimately.  We believe this is fundamental to achieving our bigger vision of nation building. Our campaign in UK is taking off with monthly BIT trainings which will initially be Free for participants, courtesy of our sponsors.

The first BIT training is slated for 30 August 2008, 20 participants will win places on the training selected by merit from an essay competition.

The topic of the Essay is ‘’ Creating the Nigeria of your Dreams’’

What can you do to shape the city of your dreams?

Please answer all three questions below:

1) Think about Nigeria. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for people living there?

2) What needs to be done to transform Nigeria into the country of your dreams?

3) What could be your role, working together with your peers, in shaping the Nigeria of your dreams? Please focus on one or two points you mentioned in question 2).

You may use some of the points below to structure your answer:

If you have been personally involved in concrete initiatives you are welcome to write specifically about your experience and if you don’t have practical experience, write specifically about your ideas of how you would work with your peers to shape the Nigeria of your dreams? How can other youth replicate your experience?

Please send all your answers via email to ukreplies@newnigeriaclub.net

For more details about the Essay rules please go here

For all Nigerians in UK who believe in the New Nigerian Dream, let us come together to make it real.

If you are also interested in sponsoring this event, please send email for more information to : rhoda@eventsandthings.co.uk

For all other enquiries and information on how to join the NNC, please send an email to: ukinfo@newnigeriaclub.net

or you can  call these mobile numbers:

Peter : 07939285611

Rhoda: 07506957387

Up NNC! Up Nigeria!!

BIT Poster

Sponsorship

One of the core things that the New Nigeria Club seeks to address is the question of identity. Not just image, but identity. In this classification, image is how you are perceived while perception is how you see yourself. True sustainable image is one that is projected directly from one’s sense of personal identity. If what I am projecting as who I am is not who I really am, it’s only a matter of time before all my projections break down.

There was a question I was asked yesterday, I’ll like to ask you too. What makes someone a Nigerian. What is our unique selling point? What differentiates us, for what course are we willing to die. Who is a Nigerian? What are our values? What do we believe in? What binds us together? For the Americans it’s easy, it’s freedom. The free spirit has been branded the American spirit. Many American’s have died for Freedom, they have a statue of Liberty that is a National Icon, they believe in freedom of speech, of e.t.c. America is synonymous to freedom! When you think Singapore, you think cleanliness. They are so crazy about keeping the town beautiful and clean that they go to almost any length. As far as ensuring their citizens or visitors don’t chew gum, for fear they might not find where to stick it . For Germany it’s commitment, e.t.c. There are some other countries like these, some known for fashion, some known for machines, some known for their technology, some for their piracy e.t.c. What is Nigeria known for, what what makes us Nigerian, and what should it rather be? Continue Reading »