Opinion

Seeds of Greatness By Henry Ukazu

Published

6 years ago

October 19, 2018

Eric

Greetings my esteemed friends. It’s always a pleasure sharing any little information at my disposal. I will like to say that I’m not smarter than anyone, rather I’m smart by association in addition to having a burning desire to share something that’s inside of me. You may be wondering what I have inside of me. If you care to know, I have a motivational and inspirational seed to inspire and empower humanity. It is this seed that inspires me every week to share with my esteemed tribe any topic of interest that comes to my mind. Everyone has a seed waiting to be explored. It is quite unfortunate that many of us don’t allow this seed to germinate and even when we do, we do not take the time to nurture it very well. It is this seed that I call seeds of greatness.

It is an unassailable fact that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step in the right direction. Every great achievement in business, academic, family and government started with a single decision or choice to do the right thing. It is that single decision that gives birth to other success that may come afterwards. Seeds are the most powerful and potent force in life if properly nurtured. A single seed can metamorphose into a tree, and that tree can also metamorphose into a forest. I likened seeds to a sperm. A single sperm is capable of giving birth to a full fledge human being and from there it can multiply to form a family or generation as the case maybe. For a better society to thrive, we need to look back to the family. The family is a vital component of the society. When a child is properly trained in the family, the society lives by dictates of decency and integrity. Therefore, it will be fair to say that the family is the seed for a better society.

Each and every one of us is blessed to have a seed in us, but it’s quite unfortunate a lot us die without producing or utilizing or maximizing this seed. These seeds are like packages which needs to be opened and explored. These seeds are like batteries in a radio that is never played and therefore may die. We all have seeds in us. This seeds can be ideas, songs, vision, dreams, art works, skills, talents, or whatever you may have. But many of us fail into look inwards to see how we can develop ourselves. When you know what seed you have inside of you, you won’t be bothered by what other people say or think about you. The Book of life says in 1 John 4:4 “He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world”. According to Myles Munroe in his book “Living with Purpose”, “It is a tragedy to know that with over five billion people on this planet today, only a minute percentage will experience a significant fraction of their potential”. To understand the true potential of a seed, if you are given a seed and asked what do you hold in your hand? You may say a seed, but an insightful mind with vision will say, I have a forest in my hand. This is because in every seed, there is a tree, and in every tree there is a fruit with seeds in them. And these seeds have trees that have fruit that have seeds in them. We all have potentials of success in us and the key to maximizing this potentials is to discover our purpose and work hard to nurture it. Once you conceive an idea, you should be able to bring it to a fruitful end. According to Napoleon Hill in his book “Think and Grow Rich” he said, whatsoever the mind can conceive, believe it can achieve it. It’s not enough to think about it, you must take the bold step to bring your thoughts, ideas and imagination into reality. It should be noted that your potential is not determined by your size, what you look like, what people think about you, your degrees, or the school you attended, neither is it determined by amount of money in your bank account, your family name, or any association you belong. Your potential is determined by what you have in your hands, your creativity and your ability to visualize and conceptualize a great idea, imagination, or innovation with little or nothing.

Every human being is uniquely created by God and we have inherent abilities deposited in us, for some people, it takes an outside influence to prod or help us to discover our capabilities. “To buttress this point, let’s see the “Parable of the Talents”. “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away”. This story illustrates that the servant who produce more money with what he was given is a shrewd businessman. Sometimes we complain of not having money, opportunities, etc forgetting that what we have internally is more than what we don’t have.

Your seed is what lives in you. Your seed is your identity, your DNA and your brand. To inspire the world you must know your seed. Your seed is your secret to the world. That is why Aristotle Onassis said, “The secret of business is knowing something that nobody else knows”. Therefore, to make a change in the world, you really need to know what you are good at, you need to know that thing that gives you joy just by mere thinking about it. Quick question: What is that one thing you can do which others find difficult? If you find it, that is your potential seed for success.

With the little knowledge and understanding of the legal profession, we have a latin saying Nemo dat quod non heabet (You cannot give what you don’t have). Same theory is applicable for fruits, a mango tree cannot produce orange neither can rice produce corn. Your seed is not based on Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Quotient is what people think about you, for example, your degree of intelligence can be based on some test you take. These test measure your skills, your thinking ability, and assimilative ability. It is based on this test you might be graded as an A or E student. That is the perception people have about you, but is that who you are? You may agree with me there are thousands of people in the world today who were put off and cast out as misfits, later they turned out to be some of the worlds greatest leaders. A great example is Oprah Winfrey. Your seed and potential is based on your on what you have inside of you and the belief you have about yourself. Let me share a story with you. You may have read or heard about Kelvin Doe from Sierra Leone who was born in October 26 1996. He had no formal knowledge in engineering training. He started scavenging for fragments of electronic parts that he would eventually use one day for his invention. At age 18, he invented a broadcast radio machine. He was also able to create a mixer and amplifier to run a successful radio station where he became known as DJ Focus. Another of his innovation is battery to light up homes in his neighborhood. Because of his many innovations, Kelvin Doe has had the rare opportunity of speaking at various conferences. He was a speaker at Google Conference held in Tel Avi, Israel. In 2013 he was a speaker at USAID Powering Agriculture in Washington D.C., USA. The following year he addressed over 20,000 delegates in a business software conference in Orlando, United States. It was at that conference he revealed his plan to build a shoe charging device. It is interesting to note that this young man has had the opportunity of meeting with former US president Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea Clinton. He has also lectured undergraduate engineering students at Harvard College. This is a typical example of what a seed can do if you believe in your innate ability. The moral of this exposition is that Your seed is your intuitive knowledge.

In the pursuit of success, you might experience some challenges, but then your desire to succeed should always outweigh your fear for failure. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail when you are chasing your passion, dream or vision. Always remember, passion is stronger than power. When you fail, don’t give up, try and try again, the only time you should stop trying is when you succeed. You must always have the gut to pursue your dreams. Nobody will do it for you. According to Ruth Gordon “Courage is very important, like a muscle, it must be strengthened by use and the strength you need to accomplish this is perseverance”. Julie Andrews defined perseverance as “failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth”.

So my question to you today is, what is your seed? What voice are you listening to you? The only voice you should be listening to is your spirit because it can never deceive you. Once you have a great thought or idea that has been sown in your mind, don’t allow it to perish. Don’t even share it to the world because we have destiny killers who can either discourage you, kill your dreams or even steal your ideas and reprogram it for their own use. That is why it’s always better to share your ideas with like- minded beings.

Dreams come to us in different style and this dream can be seeds that is being planted in our mind. What you do with yours is up to you. I will conclude this article with two great quotes from Harriet Tubam and Frank Outlaw: Per Harriet Tubam “ Every great dream begins with a dreamer, always remember you have within, the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach the starts to change the world”. Per Franks Outlaw Watch your thoughts; for they become words. Watch your words; for they become actions. Watch your actions; for they become habits. Watch your habits; for they become character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny.

Again I ask you, what seed do you have in your hands?

Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He can be reached via henrous@gmail.com

Opinion

Masquerade of Excellence: Celebrating Prof Mike Ozekhome’s Remarkable Journey @ 67

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2024

Eric

By CDS Omon-Irabor Esq

Chief Prof. Dr. Mike A.A. Ozekhome SAN,
the only masquerade that dances in the farm without cutting a single reed of the yam tendrils.

The Gadfly is climbing the 67th rung on the ladder. From the hills of Agenebode down to the plains of the Iviukwe, the celestials, the principalities and the gods of Weppa and Wano Kingdoms are celebrating this colossus, who came in disguise as a little rough village boy; but very comely and handsome, his divine intelligence surpasses those of his peers.

Taking a sudden flight through primary and secondary schools casaded him into the land of Oduduwa. He anchored his life voyage at the ancestral home of the Yorubas, Ile-ife. Here his projenitors believed to have a temporary abode before sending the last born of the Ogisos Ile-ife (I ran and I became rich, Benin translation). Omonoyan (wrongly called Oromiyan) was sent to go to the land of Igodomigodo where today Chief Mike Ozekhome holds the title of Enobakhare of Benin Kingdom.

This great man had all his trappings, equipped himself and became a lawyer, taking abode in the Delphic Oracle (that is what we called the Chambers of Chief Gani Fawehim). There he became the Aristostle, tampering with the Apologia left at the eye of euroba.

He journeyed on, for no destiny, no chance, no faith, nor circumstance could hinder, control or circumvent the firm resolve of a determined soul in Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome as epitomised or postulated.

The great learned Senior Advocate of the masses grudges on, defending the most vulnerable and giving voice to the voiceless and muscle to the powerless.

The Okporokpo of Oleh kingdom, Delta State; the Aimotekpe of Okpeland, the Agbamofin of Ijanikinland, Lagos; the Ohamadike1 of Obibi Ochasi, Imo State; the Ada Idaha of Efik land and the great Akpakpa Vighi Vighi of Edo Land, the land of my ancestors, I salute you for it is morning yet.

There is no space here,for my ink is running dry; but before I drop, I remember your words to me while I was in the dock of the Warri High Court on the 12th day of July, 2013, “Omon, you look worried; mind you, those who think that they can cover the shinning sun with their palms will soon find the heat unbearable”.

Those who stopped you from becoming our Governor in 2003 indirectly made you Governor of all Governors.

In all these odyssey you traversed, behind the dìm unknown standeth God, watching over you, His own.

Obokhian, amonghon, iyare iyare, mooooooh.

CDS Omon-Irabor Esq writes from the hill and the cave of Ebudinland

Opinion

Mr. President: Affordable Fuel is Possible at Zero Subsidy

Published

4 weeks ago

October 12, 2024

Eric

By Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde

Yesterday evening, I listened attentively to a panel of experts and stakeholders on the BBC program Ra’ayi Riga, anchored by Umaima Sani Abdulmumin. The program ended with a big doubt in my mind regarding a matter purported to be a provision of OPEC and crucial to the price of petrol in Nigeria.

Tyranny

I could not fathom how particularly the representatives of NNPC and IPMAN stressed that Nigerians will be at the mercy of two variables: the international market and the price of the US Dollar in Nigeria. They said OPEC agreement compels member countries to sell allocated domestic crude at international rate even if refined locally. One of them even said the Iran-Israel conflict can cause domestic price of petrol in Nigeria to rise.

So we should expect higher fuel prices anytime the rate of the dollar appreciates in Nigeria and also when, for any reason, there is a rise in the cost of crude in the international market. It is the rule, according to them. Our fate, they claim, is sealed, regardless of our OPEC membership and Dangote refinery. Nigerians will no longer have a stable fuel price.

Trust me, in Nigeria, the equation will be simultaneous. At any given moment, a reason will be found to use either or both parameters to increase pump price. The target of government is to extract more revenue from citizens while the businessmen in Dangote, Major Marketers, NNPCL and IPMAN continue to feed their greed for endless profit with our blood.

One would wonder why OPEC would be so oppressive in inflicting such tyranny on the citizens of its members. Senator Ndume, who was in the panel, said if he cannot understand why, how would they expect a commoner sitting under the tree to do so?

The truth

The truth is that there is no provision like that in OPEC agreements. In fact, the very idea of domestic crude quota arose in realization that citizens of member countries may need to enjoy cheaper oil than the international market price. That is why those citizens have been enjoying cheaper fuel for the past five decades in different countries. Many still do. Why not Nigerians?

If you ask ChatGPT whether OPEC agreement compels member countries to sell crude for domestic consumption at international market price only, this is the answer you get:

“OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) does not directly compel member countries to sell crude oil for domestic consumption at international market prices. OPEC’s primary role is to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries to stabilize oil markets and secure a steady supply of oil.

“However, OPEC’s production quotas, agreements on output levels, and policies can indirectly influence domestic oil pricing. In practice, many OPEC members choose to sell crude oil domestically at subsidized rates or prices lower than the international market. This decision is made at the discretion of individual member countries, often as part of national energy policies aimed at supporting domestic economies and industries. Nonetheless, these policies may vary from one member country to another depending on domestic priorities and economic strategies.

“There is no formal OPEC rule that requires domestic sales to match international prices, though it can be influenced by international agreements and market pressures.”

The Truth

The truth is that the President and Minister of Petroleum can sell our 445,000 barrels a day to Dangote at even N50,000/barrel after taking into consideration the cost of extraction and OPEC will not raise any eyebrow. Dangote can charge the cost of refining, add his profit and sell to NNPCL and IPMAN at, say, N300/litre. On their part the marketers will add their cost of transportation, storage, profit, etc., and sell it to Nigerians at N400/litre. And—boom—we all will be happy.

It is entirely the discretion of the President and his government. So whoever wants to sell our locally produced fuel by that simultaneous equation is on his own. There is no OPEC in the equation.

The Squeeze

Also, among those who would fight against Nigerians enjoying affordable fuel rates are the IMF, World Bank and the West generally. They want the government to squeeze us the more such that we can service our debts and collect more loans from the Shylock. The age long philosophy is: our poverty, their wealth; our pain, their joy.

Added to these are local liberal economists who believe in high taxation, claiming that the blood money will be used to develop our infrastructure, health, education, etc. It is just the same old bunkum selling since 1986 at the debut of Naira devaluation while our infrastructure, hospitals and schools continue to deteriorate in rebuttal of that thesis.

A Call

I call on the President to consider the low income status of our citizen. Only affordable fuel price will hold together our social fabric, ensure our prosperity and guarantee our security. It is zero subsidy because we are not buying it from anyone. It is our oil.

The President must keep in mind that the IMF and oil magnates are not his partners in 2027. He is on his own. They will be there to outlive him and work with the next President. Let this sink into his psyche. Tam!

Opinion

Happy 64th Independence Day!

Published

4 weeks ago

October 12, 2024

Eric

By Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya

From July 2011 to May 2015, it was my honour to serve the government and people of Lagos State as General Counsel to His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN CON, the Governor of Lagos State. As one of my tasks, I had the honour of being the Governor’s speechwriter, and early this morning, as the clock chimed midnight, ushering in yet another October 1, I found myself reflecting on how far we have come as a nation. “Does our progress reflect our age?”, I asked myself. I really don’t know. My thoughts then turned to 10 years ago and I remembered the Governor’s 54th Independence Day speech, the 1st draft of which I was privileged to pen. The Governor’s words on October 1, 2014, ring as true today as they did then and I thought it was worth sharing excerpts from his speech. Happy reading!

“…Today, October 1, 2014, we are once again celebrating the anniversary of our independence from British colonial rule. Today marks 54 years since Nigeria became an independent sovereign nation, following the germination of a seed that had been sown seven years earlier, when in 1953, Anthony Eromosele Enahoro introduced a private member’s bill demanding self-government. When the British “Union Jack” flag was lowered for the last time and the green-white-green Nigerian flag was hoisted in its stead, the crowd went wild with jubilation, filled with high expectations of a greater tomorrow.

We can only imagine the exultant joy felt by our first Prime Minister. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, when he mounted the podium on October 1, 1960. In his first Independence Day Speech he said:-

“This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us… when we had so nearly reached our goal.”

Indeed he mirrored the views of millions of Nigerians and echoed their thoughts. Independence Day soon became easily the most significant day in our national life, accorded a pride of place that was difficult to surpass. Independence day became synonymous with sights of the President and the State Governors in open-top vehicles inspecting Guards of Honour, of beautiful parades, exciting fireworks and National Day Award ceremonies. October 1 also became the day on which political batons changed, and elected officials handed over to their successors. A day for inspiring speeches and sober reflection on our growth as a nation.

As a school boy, I remember struggling hard to get selected to march for my school in the National Day Parade, the endless rehearsals, and the keen anticipation of waiting to see if I would be picked. There was no prize given and none was expected. It was enough that your school had participated.

“Left, Right, Left, Right, Eeeyes Right!” And on the sidelines, children cheering us on with their own rhymes – “dem dey look una, make yanga, dem dey look una, make yanga, Left Right, Left Right!

Filled with excitement, we would add more ‘yanga’, trying hard, but not quite suceeding, to match the synchronisation of the armed forces. After it all, bursting with pride, those of us fortunate enough to have been selected to march for our school would milk our success for weeks afterwards, wearing our school uniform with pride, basking in the recognition as we went to and from school in public transportation and displaying a sense of superiority over our “less fortunate” schoolmates. Such was the depth of our civic pride.

Today, sadly, the excitement has waned. October 1 appears to have now become a hollow ritual and regrettably, no more than just another work and school-free day. The flame of our national pride seems to flicker. This is not how it should be.

What is the importance of a day like this? What does it mean to you? What should it mean to you? All over the world, Independence Day anniversaries are celebrated with great fanfare, splendour, respect for the nation and a deep sense of patriotism.bln some countries, festivities leading up to Independence Day start up to three weeks earlier. Some hold Independence Day beauty pageants; some re-enact their independence, others play the National Anthem on the dot of midnight on all radio and TV stations. All put country before self, at least for that day. We should not be any different.

In that historic Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa also said:

“Words cannot adequately express my joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged to accept from Her Royal Highness, these Constitutional Instruments which are the symbols of Nigeria’s independence. It is a unique privilege, which I shall remember forever, and it gives me strength and courage as I dedicate my life to the service of our country.”

Noble words indeed, and the words upon which the foundation of our nation was built. It seems to me that there is no better time to rekindle the flame of Nigeria’s promise than now. We should reflect on Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa’s words and re-dedicate ourselves to the service of Nigeria. In other words, we ought to see October 1 as a day to rekindle our national pride.

Let us patriotically reaffirm in our hearts that, Christian or Muslim, we are one nation under God; that North or South, we are one indivisible people; that whatever our political affiliations, we are all Nigerians, and that what binds us together far outweighs what little divides us.

We will yet attain those great lofty heights we sing so gustily about in the second stanza of our National Anthem. And I pray it will happen in my lifetime.

So help us God.”

Happy 64th Indepencence Day anniversary, dear colleagues. Please spare a prayer for Nigeria on her 64th birthday post independence. May God help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed so that with peace and plenty, Nigeria may be blessed. Amen.

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, FCIArb,
was General Counsel to the Governor of
Lagos State from July 2011 to May 2015.