YOU CAN LEAD THE CHANGE

I am very optimistic that the “New Nigeria Project-Dream” as we call it, is a reality. Don’t crucify me yet if you feel that the problematic leadership situation in the country would never allow the realization of such dream. The fact remains that a dream goes through processes which, in most cases, are quite unpleasant especially where the dreamer is not strong-willed enough to get to the end of the processes. But be that as it may, I am confident that what is happening in this nation is a phase in the processes, and we are getting over it soon.

My confidence stems from the fact that Nigeria still has some credible leaders who are willing to serve the nation selflessly. Such leaders have demonstrated over time that their character and fortitude are unadulterated and indisputable. The Minister of Communication and Information, Professor Dora Akunyili is a handy example. Starting with her tenure as the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) she has exhibited an unflinching spirit of patriotism and doggedness.

At NAFDAC, she escaped several assassination attempts but this has not deterred her from providing selfless and first-grade service to her nation. And her stance during the recent saga of the ailing president as it concerns the interest of the nation further buttresses her selfless approach to leadership. No doubt, her courageous intervention roused other members of the Federal Executive Council from their slumber. Today, the country is on the move again under the leadership of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

I must say here that leadership is about being able to tow a different path from others when it matters most. Indeed, it is not easy to take a stand that will bring about a positive change when you are surrounded by people who share a different view. Leadership is not just about being in power or enjoying the benefits attached to the position, it is a responsibility that comes with accountability.

This is why I insist that the dream is a reality because we only need few people like Akunyili to get to the critical number of people that can take this great country to where it deserves to be. If you can take a stand today against corruption and other social vices, whether in public service or private business then the change that we crave for is here. We don’t need too many people.

The panacea we need for change is simply that of promotion of the consciousness of the common good over the consciousness of self or personal gains. If I may ask, how many leaders in this generation are ready to give up their prejudices, personal comfort and self-indulgence just to serve their fathers’ land? Are there men who will risk their lives just for the good of the people of their nation without thinking about personal gain or glory? George Washington, the first American president provides a very good example of a leader who laid the foundation of greatness for his country through selfless service.

The 1^st United States Congress voted to pay Washington a salary of $25,000 a year - a large sum in 1789. Washington, already wealthy, declined the salary, to demonstrate that he valued his image as a selfless public servant. At the urging of Congress, however, he ultimately accepted the payment to avoid setting a precedent whereby the presidency would be perceived as limited only to independently wealthy individuals who could serve without any salary. Washington attended carefully to the pomp and ceremony of office. He made sure that the titles and trappings were suitably republican and never emulated European royal courts. To that end, he preferred the title of "Mr. President" to other more majestic names that were suggested.

Washington proved an able administrator. An excellent judge of talent and character, he held regular cabinet meetings to debate issues before making a final decision. In handling routine tasks, he was "systematic, orderly, energetic, and solicitous of the opinion of others but decisive, intent upon general goals and the consistency of particular actions with them.

Washington reluctantly served a second term as president. He refused to run for a third, establishing the customary policy of a maximum of two terms for a president which later became law in the 22^nd amendment to the American constitution. George Washington saw leadership as a responsibility to selflessly serve the public and not a permanent position to siphon public wealth.

Why is he officially honoured in his country as the “Father of the nation” and why is his October 2 birthday commemorated in his country as a national holiday and worldwide as the International day of non-violence? It is because he inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. I am talking about Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi of India. In a bid to ease poverty, expand women's rights, build religious and ethnic amity, and increase economic self-reliance and above all, achieve the independence of India from foreign domination; Gandhi spent a number of years in jail in both South Africa and India. He was a learned fellow who felt that the best thing he could do for his people and posterity was to stand for the truth and the freedom of his people. And denying himself of so much comfort just to achieve these was the best option.

He has inspired several leaders and social reformers by his selfless service in India, leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama etc drew inspiration from Gandhi. We are all aware of the impact the above leaders made/make in their respective countries just to bring about change that has inspired the world.

Imagine this post (online) on our ailing president which I came across some days ago. The exasperated commentator who is obviously a Nigerian wrote - “How does a country change when everybody is a thief and a liar? And I mean from top to bottom. Not one single person living in Nigeria keeps their word. There is no hope.” My take on this is that the comment lacks merit. I totally disagree with those statements, first because there is hope for this nation and because we still have God-fearing people who keep to their word, value integrity and see themselves as custodians of Nigeria. A custodian is considered as someone in whose care something important is entrusted for a specific time.

There is hope because no matter how appalling the state of affairs in the energy and power sector or other sectors of the economy may seem at the moment, it is all a phase in the processes to greatness. Let me also state here that the responsibility of bringing about the desired change does not solely rest on those occupying one leadership position or the other. And if each of us can resolve to uphold integrity as an integral part of principles that guide our daily lives, we are sure close to the change we desire.

As much as we look up to those in positions of authority to make a positive leadership impact, we also have the responsibility of championing positive change wherever we find ourselves. It was Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America who, in his inaugural speech said that “Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task".

And I put it this way - the panacea we need for change in this nation is within each of us. All we need is the recognition on the part of every Nigerian that we have duties not just to ourselves alone, but to our nation and the world - duties that we seize gladly when we see ourselves beyond mere citizens but custodians who are ready to do everything within our powers to ensure that this nation reaches the height it is destined to reach.

We can achieve so much when we put Nigeria’s interest first at all times, keep to our word – integrity. Do the right thing irrespective of who is doing the wrong thing and be a solution to a problem and not a problem to solutions. You too can make a difference no matter how little it may seem; it would go a long way. You can lead the change.

Lead D Change!

Favour Erebosi

WHAT ARE YOU LEAVING BEHIND?

Hi Friends

Happy new month, hope the long weekend was a great one...

We live in a world full of people with unimaginable life ambition, drive and craze for success and wealth. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a life ambition to be successful in any endeavour you may find yourself. There is also nothing wrong in working smart or hard as some put it, to put food on the table, shelter and take care of your family. There are basic necessities of life that every human being craves for.

But while we are engrossed with the drive to make it happen in life, I would not want us to loose sight of what is really important. And I want to call it Legacy. My Encarta dictionary defines Legacy as something that is handed down or remains from a previous generation or time.

The mistake we make most times is to think that we must attain a particular position in life before we can leave a legacy, absolutely wrong. Funny enough, some of our past heroes and living legends whose legacies are hyped all over the world are and were people who set out to add value to the lives of others, whose priorities were to positively touch the lives of people thereby making a difference in their generation. It had and has absolutely nothing to do with position, origin or status.

You need to make a conscious effort and decision to impact the lives around you, focus on bringing value to the world around you. To your work. To your loved ones. To all of the communities in which you are involved. Nelson Mandela never one day desired to have his face on the tabloid or CNN. That was not his dream, his dream and passion was to see the freedom of his people and he gave all there was, his personal freedom and comfort were traded for the freedom of his people. He was after adding value to other lives. I assume we know the rest of the story… but today, Mandela is a living legend, he does not have to pay some media house to come and cover his shows so they could splash his face on TV and Newspapers. He has a quality life brand that was built on a selfless foundation.

Mother Teresa is celebrated all over the world today because; she had a place in her heart for the poor, her life brand stands tall and strong till date. Rosa parks, the African- American woman from Alabama, USA. Who stood against racial discrimination is celebrated today because she had a strong sense of purpose. Little did she know that today, Presidents, Congress men would stand in her honour and celebrate her as a symbol of courage against injustice.

I could go on and on, Martin Luther King Jr. is well known by everyone, he is remembered as well as a true symbol of courage against social injustice. History has it that one of the people who motivated him was Mahatma Gandhi of India. This man also facilitated Indian freedom from foreign domination. He swore to speak the truth and advocated that others do the same. The history of India will never be complete without the mention of Gandhi.

Do you want to know what worked for these people? There was no “Me first” attitude in them. Everything they did, their dream and vision was built on a selfless foundation. For these people, fulfillment and success could only come from adding value to people’s lives.

One thing is very important, if we must make a difference in our generation, we must have passion, crave and hunger to better the lives of others. In this we will find fulfillment and subtly build a life brand that will endure with a legacy.

Always remember that “You won’t be remembered for what you took out of this world; you will be remembered for what you left behind”.

Take Charge!

Significance of Easter

Happy Easter to you all, hope you had a great celebration and holiday?
I bet most of us got Easter goodwill messages from friends and loved ones. We also sent few to reciprocate. All fantastic gestures, in the spirit of the season I suppose. But let me ask, what are the true significances of the season? Is it just about having few days off work, visit the Cinemas, friends, movies, sleep, eat and drink for those who drink? What exactly do you make of the season…?

If I were you I will not only see this season as a time to make merry but leverage on the following:
• A time to reflect on my relationship with the one who died for my sins on the Cross of Calvary,
• A time to reclaim all that the devil has stolen from me
• A time to re-dedicate my life to Him who first loved me.
• A time to maximize the power that resurrected Christ from dead by calling to life every dead aspect of my life, remember, grave could not hold him back, so nothing should hold you back from shining forth His light and His Glory.
• A time to proclaim the word of God to those who are in dire need of it- one of the major reasons He came in the first place.
• A time to look the devil in the face and tell him you are reclaiming all that he has stolen from you, because Christ was manifested that He may destroy the works of the enemy in your life.
• A time to bask in the euphoria of assured abundance of life- for the thief cometh not but to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus Christ came that you and I may have life in abundance.

• It should be a time to understand your place and authority in Christ Jesus. He was wounded for your transgressions, bruised for your iniquities, the chastisement of your peace was upon Him and by His stripes you’ve been healed. Healed of any form of illnesses; be it Financial, Marital, Spiritual, Career, name it. Your healing is assured. But it does not end here.

There is a place for reflection. I personally don’t get involved in any event without having a relatively good understanding of what it is I am celebrating. On this note, I would like for us to take time and reflect on what Easter signifies. If you come to a better knowledge of the significance of Easter and key into what it offers, your life will definitely be better for it.

It is my prayer for you that the REASON for the SEASON will SEASON your life with lots of celebration this SEASON and BEYOND.

HAPPY EASTER!

Happiness Is a Choice!

Hi friends!

I wonder where i was all through the month of February that i couldn't blog... I don't seem to have a cogent reason, but it's all good to be around today. Guess i am Happy! I should be, do i have a choice? Yes i do, but i have chosen to look at the positive side of every seemingly negative happening around.

We are often surrounded by events, circumstances, environment, even people who are always poised to make us unhappy. But happiness they say is a choice. Its either you choose to make the most of that situation and be happy or allow it take a negative toll on you.

From the country's political quagmire, economic, environmental, family and work stress, we sure have one thousand and one reasons to be unhappy. We are atimes prone to this mood when our plans and goals do not materialize when we expected. But the truth is, if you are not complacent about your future and things are still not working out as planned, it could just be that you are going through the "Law of Process" as John Maxwell rightly puts it.

One more thing, in case you are disturbed by the political and sectarian crisis this great nation is experiencing, believe me, it's just a phase, we will get over it soon. But you have a part to play: Love more, Pray more and sacrifice more, strive to always do the right thing... "It's a process" We will scale through it.

Everything will be fine! Just be happy and as much as you can, enjoy the process, cause it's a phase that might not repeat itself again. Make the most of that situation and process. Experience they say, is not what happens to us, but what we make of what happens to us. (Positive Learning)

Don't worry, be happy!

Take Charge!

Favour.

BUILDING CASTLE IN THE AIR.

Hello!

Its good to be alive, not just being alive but coming to share few thoughts with each other this new year. I strongly believe that this year is going to be our best year ever. if you believe that say AMEN (Lol) So shall it be! Welcome to the year our King! I just want to share a few thoughts with you today on building castle in the air.

While growing up (Still growing though) we used to dream big, some of us wanted to be Doctors, Presidents, own big houses, drive lovely cars, get married to a beautiful wife and a handsome and caring husband, have lovely children and all of that. We fantasized as they call it. What happened to those dreams of yours? We all thought those dreams were possible then, because we obviously would have seen people live in big houses, drive lovely cars, become President, renowned Engineers, Doctors and so on.

I ask, what happened to your dreams, did you ever fantasize? Dreamt of doing or becoming something many years ago or even recently? Were you told by your parents and friends that you were building castle in the air? What has been your response to those cynics who told you that your dreams were impossible, who discouraged you from dreaming big, who told you don’t have all it takes to be that which you have always dreamt of becoming?

It is quite interesting to know that cynics are everywhere; they are there to see that those dreams of yours do not see the light of the day. But more interesting is the fact that, life is basically what you make of it and the choices we make. If you choose to believe them, you obviously will become what you believe. You can as well share Henry David Thoreau’s thought with them. An American author, poet, and development critic, he said, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”

If you have dreamt of achieving something very big this year of our King, all you need to do is put foundation under them. What are these foundations: Prayer, self development, good association-This can make or mar your dream depending on how you manage it. Another one is excellence-stand out in the little you are into now, be eager to learn. Babatunde Oladele, a good friend and a mentor of mine said in one of his notes on facebook titled: Keys to personal growth that our watchword should always be MORE. We should always strive to be MORE, know MORE, do MORE, give MORE, ask MORE and pray MORE… It’s all about wanting to BE MORE in this year of our king.

Who says you can’t achieve everything, I am a living testimony to the fact that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

THOSE DREAMS OF YOURS AND MINE ARE ALL POSSIBLE. JUST DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP PRESSING ON, YOU ARE CLOSER THAN YOU WERE YESTERDAY.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TAKE CHARGE!

How would you describe 2009?

Hi friends!

Good to be back after a long unavoidable break. When you work for someone, you don't have the life of your own, you are at his beck and call, you want to do everything you are assigned to do just to prove your ability and capability on the job. (We pray for independence ASAP)

I had an official mandate to travel to one the states in the northern part of Nigeria in November. It was an experience, and i intend to share some with you when we return from the holiday. Why not today? you might be wondering, anyway, i needed to file in my report and put together my financial reconciliation, being an all expense paid trip. So it took some time to cross my T's and dot my I's, be it as it may, come January, we will share so many things together.

Back to the crux of the matter, i asked a question: What has the passing year been like? What was the whole experience of being alive since the inception of the year like? were you able to accomplish all your dreams and aspirations? were you able to abide by those new year resolution you made when the supposedly old year was still fresh? are there things you really wish you could have done or achieved but they never came through? the list is endless, but never mind.

It is a normal thing to sit and think through what you have and have not done or achieved as the year comes to a close. Are you getting discouraged that you did not achieve as much as you planned? Don't worry, it could just be for some reasons like not applying the complete principles of success or imbibing success habits, mind you, nobody knows it all. Check through my previous topic on Success habits, it might just be of help! It could be for some other reasons.

If there is something you need to remember as you make entry into the glorious 2010, it is that we are all responsible for our lives and whatever happened or happens to us.

But more importantly, if His presence does not go with us, there is really no point at all. Make God the focal point this year and He will make you His focal point and you know what it means, when you become God's focal point.

In conclusion, don't wallow in despair, the coming year is filled with so many wonderful promises from God, all you need to do is be wise and cash in on them and you will be singing a new song as we draw another curtain on 2010.

Touch a life this season, bring about the change and make the needed difference!

I want to wish everyone one of you a wonderful Christmas and a Miracle filled 2010.

Take Charge!

Favour Erebosi.

LEAD D CHANGE (2)

I am still perusing one my mentor’s book- Winning with people -John Maxwell. As I read through I came across something that resonates with me. He said that if I want to win with people, make a difference, that I need to examine myself first-the first person I must change is my self.

“If I ever think I’ve finished growing, then I’m in trouble” Maxwell wrote. Anyways one remarkable story he shared in the book reads:

In the crypts of Westminster Abbey, the following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican bishop who lived in the eleventh century:

“When I was young and free my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew in my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realized: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows; I may have even changed my world.”

The bottom line here is that change begins with us. If you become a better you, you will then be able to encourage someone out there to become a better person as well, and it grows that way. We are naturally quick at judging people around without examining ourselves first. If you must make a difference in this world, you must take responsibility.

I was tempted to throw a used recharge card on the road few days back, but on a second thought, I felt I would be contravening what I have always preached against, I thought that if I throw this on the road or by the road, and some other person does that and another person does the same thing, everywhere will be obviously littered with dirt. I would have contributed to the nuisance we all are trying to curb. So I decided to keep the used card and trashed it on getting home.

Don’t think that, that seemingly little good you are doing to keep our environment clean by not littering the environment with dirt is insignificant, if everybody will do the little within our powers we will achieve much and by so doing we would have made a significant impact in the lives of people and our country as well.

Don't stop doing good because some persons are not. You can choose to be different!

CHANGE BEGINS WITH YOU!

Take Charge!

Favour Erebosi