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Opinion: The Secret Of Listening

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By Henry Ukazu
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply”
Stephen R. Covey
Greetings Friends,
Today’s article will take a different route because it will be structured to empower any rational mind to
think out of the box. One of the greatest force in life is love. There’s an imaginary strength that comes
when we truly love. If you have truly loved, you’ll agree with me that you’ll truly listen to what your
other partner, friend, family have to say even how they feel. I once read a book by Gary Chapman “The
five love language Love language” where the author beautifully wrote about the five love languages
(Words affirmation, physical touch, gift, services and time). When you truly care, you’ll apply all this
love languages to your partner, friend, work or whatever you are doing. I choose to use love to buttress
the important of listening because in whatever you do in life, if you don’t love, you wont give in your
time to it and listening is one of the components of loving .
There are so many things we are stand to gain when we listen to people. One of the greatest things you
can do for anyone is to listen to them. It should be noted that listening comes with respect. Whether you
are in the cooperate world, self employed (entrepreneur), Non Government Cooperation or even in the
faith based organization, you are bound to listen to your audience because that is the best way to
communicate with them while serving them.
Listening is a choice, you decide to listen to what you like. It is really hard sitting or even standing up
listening to people you don’t value. When you listen to podcast or programs of interest, you select music,
talks or even comedy of interest that appeals to you. In this digital age, experience has taught me to pay
attention to what we truly matters to me. In fact, unless I am sacrificing my time for a worthy cause, if it’s
not taking me to the next level and if it doesn’t involve money, it doesn’t worth my time.
In any industry you are in, you need to practice good listening skills. Are you seeking for a job, or are you
currently working, you need a good listening skill to succeed in a job environment. With this skill, you
can navigate the politics of the job environment. Even a leader needs this skill the most. I have always
opine that one of the great art of a leader is the ability to learn. This is because you get more ideas when
you listen to your followers. Listening gives you ability to hear (feedback) what others feel about your
work. According to Bill Gates “your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning”.
During the course of this article, we shall be discussing the different styles of listening and how we can
use effective listening to enhance our business or opportunity of interest.
1. Practice active listening: The most important thing you can give to a public speaker is your
ears. When you listen to someone you are not only giving the person your time, you are also
learning more about the person. There’s a saying you can learn more about a person by he what
he/she does than what he/she says. Practicing active listening to is a very good way to learn and
be engaged. In communication, what is important is not what is being said, but what is not being said, therein, lies the message. When you practice active listening you hear the unspoken
language from the other person in addition to being engaged. According to G.K. Chesterton
“there’s a lot of difference between hearing and listening.” This is because hearing isn’t
necessarily listening, nor is it necessarily listening well. This is because you can hear someone
but not present at the same time. Active listening makes you to be present. You may have heard
of the saying, the joy of life is not happy you are, but how happy someone can because of you.
Everyone loves to be listened and loved. In my book Design Your Destiny Actualizing Your
Birthright To Success, specifically on page 111, I wrote about the four levels of gratitude
(Appreciation, administration, approval and attention). In order to understand this teachings you
must practice active listening to understand the unspoken words inherent in such deeds.
2. Eye Contact: A great communicator uses eye contact to deliver his/her message. One of the most
valuable ways a public speaker uses to communicate with his/she audience is by using eye
contact. With eye contact, you can tell if your audience is listening or feeling bored. Sometimes
you hear what the person is saying when you look directly in the eyes of the person, sometimes,
maintaining a visible presence by looking over the head audience gives them the desired space
they need. This is because some people don’t feel comfortable when they have direct eye contact.
Eye contact also goes with the body language of the speaker. In communication, sometimes,
somethings are better felt than spoken.
3. Don’t interrupt the speaker: A good way to know a great speaker is by looking how he/she
pitches his/point or message. Interrupting a speaker can ruin the flow of information. That is why
sometimes, it is good to reserve the questions towards the end of any presentation.
4. Listen without judgment: –: In communication, most times, people listen with the intent to
respond as opposed to understanding. This normally plays out most times in marriage. In law, a
good to way to apply justice is by listening to the other side. In applying this knowledge, the
judge normally use Audi alteram partem, a Latin phrase meaning “listen to the other side”, or “let
the other side be heard as well”. It is the principle that no person should be judged without a fair
hearing in which each party is given the opportunity to respond to the evidence against them.
5. Meditation: Mediation is a form of listening. According to Thomas Carlyle, “Silence is the
element in which great things fashion themselves together”. Meditation is truly a great form of
listening. According to Wayne Dyer, an inspirational author, meditation is simply the act of being
quiet with yourself and shutting the constant monologue that fills the inner space. Meditation
helps in self discovering. You learn more about yourself when you listen to your inner self as
opposed to what other people think of you. There are many benefits that comes with meditation.
Examples include, it reduces stress, helps you to focus very well, it reduces anxiety, and it gives
you better memory and enhances creativity.
In conclusion, a good listening skill if properly utilized will set you on a good path that will set you
before leaders, kings and Heads of Industries if properly applied.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with New York City Department of Correction as the
legal Coordinator. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your
Birthright To Success.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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FG Announces Nine Individuals, Six BDCs Financing Terrorism

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The Federal Government says it has uncovered the identity of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in terrorism financing.

Details of the development were revealed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, in an email seen by The Punch on Tuesday night, entitled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024.”

The document revealed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met on March 18, 2024, where specific individuals and entities were recommended for sanction following their involvement in terrorism financing.

“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, has thereupon designated the following individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List,” the document read in part.

Among the individuals named in the document was a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

According to the document, Mamu “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments over the sum of $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”

The document said one of the individuals is “the suspected attacker of the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State on June 5, 2022 and the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja on July 5, 2022.”

Another was described as “a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, the group is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

 “The subject was trained and served under Muktar Belmokhtar, aka One Eyed Out, led Al-Murabtoun Katibat of AQIM in Algeria and Mali.”

The NFIU said the individual “specialises in designing terrorist clandestine communication code and he is also Improvised Explosive Device expert.

“The subject was also a gate keeper to ANSARU leader, Mohammed Usman aka Khalid Al-Bamawi. Equally, he was a courier and travel guide to AQIM Katibat in the desert of Algeria and Mali. He is into carpentry. Subject fled Kuje correctional centre on July 5, 2022. He is currently at large.”

Another was identified as “a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province Okene.”

The agency said, the individual “came into limelight in 2012 as North Central wing of Boko Haram.

“The group is suspected of the attacks carried out around Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone, including the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.”

Another was described as “a financial courier to ISWAP Okene. She is responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group.”

According to the document, another of the individuals “in 2015, transferred N60m to terrorism convicts.”

He was also said to have “received a sum of N189m  between 2016 and 2018.”

The same person is said to “own entities and business reported in the UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.”

Another individual was said to have “received a total of N57m from between 2014 and 2017.”

Another was said to have “had a total inflow of N61.4 bn and a total outflow of N51.7bn from his accounts.”

The document further revealed that, in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, institutions and individuals are required to:

“(a) immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities in your possession and report same to the Sanctions Committee;

“(b) report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements.

“(c) immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and

“(d) report as a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this List. ”

It said the “The freezing obligation required above shall extend to

“(a) all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing;

“(b) those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities;

“(c) the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and

“(d) funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities.”

The Punch

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