Opinion

Seeds of Greatness By Henry Ukazu

Published

5 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

The Oracle: Disputes Between States and the Federation: Examining the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Pt. 2)

Published

14 hours ago

September 29, 2023

Eric

By Mike Ozekhome

INTRODUCTION

The first part of this piece was foundational: it discussed the import and legal bases of jurisdiction as an incident of judicial power; how it is determined and the highest institutional source of its expression – the Supreme Court. We analysed the composition of the court and factors which affect its jurisdiction.

In this piece, we go deeper into the constitution of the apex court in terms of its membership and how it impinges on its jurisdiction. We then move on to a discussion of how the subject matter of a case determines a court’s jurisdiction and the conditions precedent to assumption of jurisdiction by a court.

We then dwell, in ever greater detail, with the constitution of the apex court, before going on to define ‘controversy’ and ‘dispute’; the latter, first generally, before concluding with its meaning for the purpose of invoking its original jurisdiction. Enjoy.

THE CONSTITUTION OF A COURT AND THE QUALIFICATION OF ITS MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP JURISDICTION

Where a court is not duly constituted as to the number and qualification of the judges or justices to sit in adjudication over a matter, the court is robbed of jurisdiction to adjudicate on that matter. For instance, the number of Justices required to sit at the Supreme Court to hear a case to hear a case that borders on its original jurisdiction is seven (7). Thus, where five (5) Justices sit and adjudicate over a matter, the court will clearly be without jurisdiction due to improper constitution. Again, assuming a seven-man panel sits on the matter and one of the Justices is only thirteen (13) years post-call at the Bar, the entire panel is disqualified and any exercise it carries out will fail, as no amount of beauty in its adjudication can save it.

SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION

For a court to assume jurisdiction, the subject matter must be within its jurisdiction. The Constitution or statute that creates the court prescribes the subject matter to be adjudicated upon. Consequently, where a matter falls within the subject matter of a court, the court is said to have a subject matter or substantive jurisdiction; but where it falls outside the subject matter, the court is said not to have jurisdiction. Any exercise thereto in such a case shall be rendered in futility, as its decision shall be quashed on appeal. For instance, a dispute between two States, or between a State and the Federation is within the subject matter of the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. Consequently, where a Supreme Court that involve parties other than these, any exercise thereto shall be rendered in futility, and any decision emanating from it shall also be quashed. The scenario plays, out where a dispute which involves parties, over before which the apex court has jurisdiction is filed before any other court.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ASSUMPTION OF JURISDICTION

For a court to properly assume jurisdiction, “due process” must have been followed in initiating the same. However, we must bear in mind that there could be a mere unsubstantial technicality that does not affect the competence of the court, and a substantial technicality which affects the competence of the action and robs the court of its jurisdiction. In the case of CITY ENG. (NIG) LTD V. NAA,the court held that there is a distinction between mere or unsubstantial technicality in proceedings that are competent and within the jurisdiction of a trial court, and a substantial technicality which amounts to a condition precedent to the commencement of an action and which renders the proceedings incompetent and manifestly or incurably defective. Interestingly, while the former may be waived, the latter, as a general rule, may not be waived because acquiescence does not and cannot confer jurisdiction to a court. For instance, while a procedural rule of courts may be waived where it does not occasion a miscarriage of justice, statutory provisions containing condition precedent to the commencement of an action cannot be so waived.

To further appreciate this position, some examples of conditions precedent which, if not complied with, may render proceedings incompetent and rob the court of jurisdiction are, amongst others, as follows:

Giving Pre-action Notice
Limitation Act
Where there is no service of the court process
Locus Standi
Geographical Territory
Financial Limit.

THE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA

The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Nigeria is provided in Section 232 of the Constitution and the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act, 2002. The jurisdiction may original/exclusive, appellate or supervisory. However, this discourse focuses on the original/exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and the same is limited only to disputes between States and the Federation. For purposes of clarity, it is necessary to reproduce the provisions of the law – verbatim ad literatim.

Section 232 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended provides thus:

“The Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Federation and a State or between States if and in so far as that dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

(2) In addition to the jurisdiction conferred upon it by subsection (1) of this section, the Supreme Court shall have such original jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by any Act of the National Assembly. Provided that no original jurisdiction shall be conferred upon the Supreme Court with respect to any criminal matter.”

In A.G. OF THE FEDERATION V. A.G, OF ABIA STATE & 35 ORS, Belgore, J.S.C (rtd); examined the provisions of Section 232(1) of the 1999 Constitution and held that:

The sub-section presupposes that there must a dispute either between the Federation and States or between States; and

The disputes must pertain to the existence of a legal right or its extent; it must also relate to a question of law or a fact or both.

Section (1) and (2) of the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act, 2002, provides thus:

“In addition to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Supreme Court of Nigeria by section 232 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, the Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute between–
the National Assembly and the President;
the National Assembly and any State House of Assembly; and
the National Assembly and the State of the Federation,

In so far as that dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as conferring original jurisdiction upon the Supreme Court with respect to any criminal matter.”

DEFINITION OF TERMS

“DISPUTE”

This takes us to the meaning of “dispute” generally. The word “dispute” is not defined in our Constitution. However, the Courts have had cause to pronounce on its meaning. In Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary (unabridged); the term “dispute” is defined as being synonymous with controversy. It defines it as “an attempt to prove and maintain one’s own opinions, argument or claims of another, controversy in words.” The Black’s Law Dictionary, (5^th Edition), define ‘dispute’ as: “A conflict or controversy; a conflict of claims or rights; an assertion of a right, claim or demand on one side, met by contrary claims or allegation on the other. The subject of litigation is the matter for which a suit is brought and upon which issue is joined…”

“CONTROVERSY”

A dispute under Section 232(1) of the Constitution (the section dealing with the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court) must be one that is appropriate for judicial determination. It includes suits of civil nature and must raise an issue or question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. It must be real and substantial. It must be definite and concrete. The word “controversy” was considered in the case of AETNA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF HARTFORD, CONN V HARWORTH. In that case, Chief Justice Hughes said: “a controversy in this sense must be one that is appropriate for judicial determination. A justiciable controversy is thus distinguished from a difference or dispute of a hypothetical or abstract character, from one that is academic or moot. … It must be a real and substantial controversy admitting of specific relief through a decree of a conclusive character, as distinguished from an opinion advising what the law would be upon a hypothetical state of facts.”

In A.G. OF THE FEDERATION V. A.G, OF ABIA STATE & 35 ORS, the word ‘dispute’ was defined by my Lord S.M.A. Belgore, J.S.C., C.J.N. (as he then was), as follows: “To my mind, a dispute involves acts of argument, controversy, debate, claims as to rights, whether in law or fact, varying opinions, whether passive or violent or any disagreement that can lead to public anxiety or disquiet. I will not close the category of disputes.” A dispute is a conflict of claims or rights or demands on one side met by contrary allegations on the other side.

“DISPUTE” FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVOKING THE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT

In A.G ABIA v. A.G FEDERATION, Tabai, J.S.C. held thus: “With respect to the construction given to the word “dispute”, the opinion of the Court (Per Belgore, J.S.C. as he then was) is quite apposite in determining the issue of this Court’s jurisdiction in this case. On page 701 he said of “dispute” thus: ‘…A dispute is a dispute whether apparent or lingering. It is remarkable that in the counter-claims to the suit some States have admitted there is a dispute. This Court in Attorney- General of Bendel State V. Attorney-General of The Federation; Attorney-General of The Federation V. Attorney-General of Imo State, set out clearly what is a dispute to the extent of using authoritative English dictionary. To my mind, a dispute involves acts of arguments, controversy, debate, and claims as to rights whether in law or fact, varying opinions, whether passive or violent or any disagreement that can lead to public anxiety or disquiet.’”

The same Belgore, J.S.C. (as he then was) had earlier in A.G, OF THE FEDERATION v. A.G OF ABIA STATE, & 35 ORS held, inter alia, that the term dispute as used in section 232(1) of the 1999 Constitution “…Involves acts of arguments, controversy, debate, claims as to rights whether in law or fact, varying opinions, whether passive or violent or any disagreement that can lead to public anxiety or disquiet.”

To be continued…

Opinion

Voice of Emancipation: Yoruba National Day: Lessons from the Kiriji War

Published

7 days ago

September 23, 2023

Eric

By Kayode Emola

As we Yoruba descendants all over the world celebrate today the end of the Kiriji war that happened on this day in 1886, we remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we all enjoy today. Many people in our generation may not appreciate the sacrifice our ancestors paid to give us the freedom, liberty, and peace we enjoy today. Many of them back then did not live to see the peace and freedom they fought for, nor did they know they were going to pay the ultimate price, however, that did not deter them from pursuing freedom with all that they had including their lives.

As we celebrate 137 years to the end of the Kiriji war today, I would like to dedicate this column to those who paid the ultimate price for the freedom we Yoruba have enjoyed so far. Although the war brought freedom to the entire Yorubaland and its people; especially those towns and villages that were under Oyo rule, the end of the war brought in a new master (the British overlords) over our affairs.

Shortly after the war ended, the British capitalised on our frailty and war fatigue to gradually colonise our land and take our inheritance by stealth. We did not suspect the actions of the new colonisers because we thought they had our best interest at heart. The rest they say is left to the history books and the journey to freedom continues.

Those who fought to see us free would be mad in their graves to see that the freedom they fought to gain from Oyo who is their neighbour was eventually lost to the British colonisers. They would be asking those of us around this day what we are doing to liberate Yorubaland from the corruption of Nigeria passed down by the British colonisers, since that was what led them to fight the Oyo rulers.

I do not believe that we have an excuse today not to stand up for Yorubaland and her over 50 million population who are being subjected to Nigeria’s misrule. The Yoruba people never signed any document anywhere with her eastern and northern neighbours on becoming one country, therefore we have no business being in Nigeria.

For some people who say that a Yoruba man is now the president of Nigeria, therefore we have the upper hand in directing its affairs. I will say being the president of Nigeria does not translate to development in Yoruba land. This is because Nigeria as a broken nation has gone beyond repair and cannot be mended. Not especially with the disoriented system of government that it currently practices.

Just like Slovenia and Croatia left Yugoslavia before they started reaping the benefits of nationhood. Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or any other nationality in Nigeria cannot enjoy the goodness of a nation unless the people come together to decide their future. It would be better if this were to happen sooner rather than later to avoid the impeding danger the country may face.

We all know that Nigeria is living on borrowed time and those still behaving like they have a country to call home are just living in fools’ paradise. The only solution for Nigeria is complete dissolution, and any outcome short of this is just applying a sticking plaster to a gushing wound.

As we celebrate the peace we enjoy in Yorubaland today, may I use this opportunity to appreciate those who have kept the flames of peace burning bright. I also want to thank those individuals who have organised this year’s celebration and those who have volunteered their time and resources to see that the event is celebrated in style.

I also thank many of our diasporan Yoruba who are visiting Yorubaland, especially for the first time from places like South and Latin American countries, and elsewhere around the world. We appreciate your efforts in coming down to the homeland to celebrate this year’s event. May the peace of God be with us all and deliver the total freedom and liberty we all desire and grant to us our independent Yoruba nation sooner rather than later.

Opinion

Soliloquy: Between Big Brother Naija and Tastee Spelling Bee Competition

Published

7 days ago

September 23, 2023

Eric

By Michael Effiong

This past Thursday, I was privileged and honoured to attend the Tastee Spelling Bee Competition organized to commemorate the 10th Remembrance anniversary of Mr Oluwabunmi Adedayo, who we used to fondly called gentle giant.

Oluwabunmi who was the Executive Director of the famous quick service restaurant, Tastee Fired Chicken (TFC) made quite an impact while on earth. He was warm and humble, and always willing to help others, little wonder that his dear parents: Pamela and Kunle Adedayo decided to turn their personal tragedy to a force for good by establishing the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation.

As I sat down to watch the primary school pupils wow us with their knowledge of English pronunciation and spelling, my mind wondered to my days as member of the St Joseph’s Boys High School, Surulere Literary and Debating Society, and a smile spread across my face.

Then my mind again meandered to the video of the quiz competition that occurred at the Big Brother Naija House which has since gone viral, my reaction this time was that of disgust.

In case you missed it, in the said video, the contestants were asked a pot pourri of questions ranging from mathematics to current affairs. What really caught many people’s attention was the scandalous answers that emanated from theses “celebrity” contestants.

One was asked who was Nigeria’s first president, the contestant did not know! How embarrassing was that.

Another was asked what was the meaning of CAC. She went : ” CAC (she pronounced it kak), CAC”, she looked so shocked as if she had been asked to climb Mount Everest and then blurted some gibberish as answer. All they wanted her to say was CAC is the acronym of Corporate Affairs Commission. How difficult can that be?

It was, therefore, a huge paradox and heart-warming to see these pupils, including a contestant from Pacelli School for the Blind, show their proficiency in the English language.

They lapped up their questions with effortless ease, in fact, some of them were spelling words that I, with my over 30 years’ experience in journalism, was encountering for the first time.I was really impressed.

When one juxtaposes the wondrous performance of these kids to the woeful performance of the Big Brother Naija Housemates, it is not hard to see why our country is where we are at the moment.

When I expressed my angst to an older friend on the Big Brother Housemates show of shame, he laughed and asked me what I had expected

He went on to explain to me that the criteria to be a housemate and win over 100 million naira, juicy prices and endorsement deals did not require any intellectual rigor.You are not expected to be intelligent or take any aptitude test. Just fill out a form, upload a video saying something about yourself and a photo!

Then, you must be articulate, interesting and willing to share your must private thoughts in an open forum to strangers and also be ready to cavort ceaselessly! That’s all!

He therefore affirmed that expecting any seriousness from the Big Brother Naija housemates was like Waiting for Godot.

I believe it is time for us to begin to change our mindset for the betterment of our country. What exactly is our priority as a nation? What are the things that interest us? What are the things that we spend our money on and what are the things that we spend our time on?

In contrast to the huge advertising and sponsorship that is poured on big brother naija, knowledge-based shows like the Spelling Bee, debate shows and quiz compettions never get any traction or attention by Nigerians. Winners hardly are appreciated with the kind of cool cash and media frenzy associated with big brother.

This kind of mentality has to change. If we are to turnaround the fortunes of our country, we have to change our attitude to knowledge and education in general.

It is time for corporate Nigeria to stop paying lip service to talent shows that are intellectually-focused, yes, not everyone has to be educated, but the large number of a country should rank up on that index especially even if to just showcase your talent, if Nigeria wants to take its rightful place at the top table of world prominence.

It is said that “Ideas rule the world” and that soft power is the new gold. How can we compete if we do not invest in our kids and youths like the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation.

Indeed, BAF has taken education as its focus. It has been in the forefront of training teachers and improving the learning experience of pupils.

According to the Foundation “It’s not about building schools, it’s also about building teaching and learning. That’s how communities flourish. They’re agent of change”

The Foundation is devoted to changing lives of children, by innovatively improving the quality of teaching and learning in Nigerian public primary schools.

The Foundation has so far organized 103 trainings, intervened in 1300 plus schools, built one state-of-the-art library, upgraded 5,200 plus teachers, donated one 40-seat ICT laboratory, worked in 56 plus Local Government Education Areas and impacted 15,000 plus pupils.

There is no doubt that we have to catch them young, feed them with the right ideals and ideas that will build them into worthy citizens.

On the day of the spelling Bee, which was won by my name sake, Michael Ofiemum, with Toluwani Toluwani and Janet Oseni taking second and third respectively, the Adedayo’s again showed that their milk of human kindness never runs dry when they extended full scholarship to six pupils of Navy Primary School.

Just like the Spelling Bee winners, contestants and their teachers went home with many prizes, gifts and loads of joy, the smile on the faces of the parents and relations of the scholarship recipients was indescribable.

There is no doubt that the impact of the Spelling Bee Competition and Scholarships by the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation will be etched on the hearts of these pupils and many years later, they will grow up to discuss how this rare opportunity shaped their lives and trust me, at that time, no one will be talking about who won Big Brother Naija 2023.

Let us all decide to invest wisely today by touching lives one child at a time!