An Evening Note To My Friend

In your blue eyes are sparks of love, like I felt that chilly morning of 22nd January 2005.
Your presence is sweeter than the fragrance of my best cologne; of course brighter than a bunch of hibiscus.
Your arms so protective, shielding me from the cares of this world, and the worries of the future.
Your words are soft like a fountain of water in the desert…
Let me always be the….
Friend
Partner
Mother
Wife
Daughter
…you prayed for.
Do not be afraid of me even on money matters…because I mean well for you.
Do not hide your love from me…show me some care.
Do not compare me; I am the best for you.
Appreciate me; for that is the food of my love.
Fight this battle (health) with me; for our victory is near.
What more can I ask for my friend?
You’re the best thing that can happen to any woman on planet earth….

- Desire.

Who says a brother cannot use some re-assurances? Those were the thoughts of my wife last night before dinner. You bet we had a great night.

THE DROPOUT ECONOMY

The future of work looks a lot like unemployment. 3 out of 10 American students dropped out of high school as recently as 2006, and less than a third of young people have finished College… But what if the millions of so-called dropouts are onto something? As conventional high schools and colleges prepare the next generation for jobs that wont exist, the US (and the world) is on the cusp of a dropout revolution, one that will spark an era of experimentation in new ways to learn and new ways to live.

People who feel obsolete in today’s information economy will be joined by millions more in emerging post-information economy, in which routine professional work and even some high-end services will be more cheaply performed overseas or by machines. This doesn’t mean that work will vanish. It does mean, however, that it will take a new and unfamiliar form.

Work and life will be remixed, as old-style jobs, with long commutes and long hours spent starring at blinking computer screens, vanish thanks to ever increasing productivity levels. New jobs that we can scarcely imagine will take their place, only they’ll tend to be home-based, thus restoring life to bedroom suburbs that today are ghost towns from 9 – 5. Private homes will increasingly give way to co-housing communities…. Whether this future sounds like a nightmare or a dream come true, it is coming. – [TIME Magazine, Annual Special Issue, March 22 2010]

I suppose that this revolution will de-emphasize office hours, office space or designation. It will cause a cultural insurrection of some sort – where homes are offices; and family-life more intimately co-exist and conflict with office-life. The young adults will not be in a hurry to get their apartments, since they can work from home. Taxes might be much easier to evade; as we make and spend digital currencies more difficult to restrict in denominations and locations. We will no longer be citizens of Nigeria, but of the world – a world without borders.

True wealth will flow in the direction of individuals with ideas – the information resource that will change the world. I know that every digital information has a fiscal charge. What ideas do you have and what is the economic value to the world?

NATIONAL INTEREST

Five minutes ago, I listened to the 'Acting President' give an 'acceptance speech' after the National Assembly passed a resolution for Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to become 'Acting President'. It is about 3 weeks since we (SaveNigeriaGroup) marched from Arch-Bishop Vining Memorial (Ikeja-GRA) to Lagos state Government House in Alausa, to demand a resolution of the Leadership crisis in Nigeria.

Jan 21 will be a memorable day. The day I did more than just praying... I worked and prayed...actually WALKED and prayed to 'Save Nigeria' from the unrepentant cabal of evil men. Now I know freedom is cheap... it only cost me "2 Hours N200". Two hours of absence from work (not to worry, I have repaid my employer by working... on the Strategy Slides the next Saturday) and N200 to bike from Govt House, Alausa to my office: Ikeja-GRA.

I declined the advice of my Snr.Professor in Swaziland and plea of my concerned sister in P/Harcourt...and was true to my spirit. The generation of my Father WATCHED...My own generation PRAY (used to PRAY!) but I chose to act. The walk was long...the pain was much but the gain is Promising....
For one, I got over the cramps from the last Saturday match i played. I saw grey-haired women who chose this path of honour..old men who abandoned the comforts of their estates...while some young-guys stayed on their jobs... thank God they still have one.

Our demands were clear: *Make our leaders accountable (so much half-truths from Foreign Minister, PDP, BBC) *We dont want any 'Voice-over recording' from President Yar'adua... let him return home to lead or 'return' power to another. *Resolution of energy crisis (electricity n fuel),Passage of FOI Bill,Stoppage of the crazy-loot etc
Apparently, nothing has been (neither will be) won until the life of the average Nigerian is dignified. Join the budding 'critical mass' of active participants in rebuilding this entity called Nigeria. Long live the People in Nigeria!!!

IDENTITY IS RELATIONAL

The American News channel: ABC News, recently interviewed Rick Warren on the success of his best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life”. It has been discovered that it is the most-sold book ever-written with additional monthly sales of a million copies (till date). It is commendable to note that he has not bought a new home or car from the revenue of the book-sales. He has simply committed the profits to various foundations, charities and church work. In his words: “if I got the blessing from being what I am now – why change it?”

From the Scriptures’ standpoint – it is clear that ‘what you do will never be as important as who you are’. It is also a foundational truth that we are human-beings and not human-doings, which underscores the need to give attention to our state of being. However, this state is better evaluated in relation to other beings.

Your identity – “who you are” is often defined in relation to your family, work, sport, country of residence, professional discipline, marital status, to mention a few. For example, Mrs. B.K. Akinrin could be identified as a widowed-mother of three or Head teacher of Jamat-islamiyya, Michael Jordan is often identified as an all-time NBA Megastar. A Nigerian student would be referred to as an international student while in the United Kingdom for his postgraduate study or identified as an investment strategist, if he so chooses the professional discipline. These identities do not exactly define who you are but give hints to what and who you closely relate with and by extension, give you an identity.

This association clearly underscores the need for you to give adequate attention to the inter-relating factors at work, home, sport or country of residence. These factors would be indispensable to your later-success in life. ‘Relationships’ not just know-how will determine the amount of success you enjoy later in life – so watch out! If everyone you hope to meet in life is just four persons away from you – you will do well to nurture your immediate contacts because you might just need them in later life.

A Software Developer can make his first N100,000 as a savvy whiz-kid. An architect can make his first million Dollars with great designs but he will get the $100million job only by relationship. You can get your first break in career and business by what you know, but to build an enterprise and sustain it – the final word is ‘who do you know?’

As you move on in life, get something from each day rather than just going through it! Do not over-concentrate on past experiences or future possibilities; make each day count at work, home, sport and country, because you will need it to build your empire in the future. Your identity is redefined as you gain more experience. Never forget that future success is not rational, and success may not proceed in a rational manner from your good performance. If identity is relational – Manage your identity!

BRIEF RETIREMENT

“Akinola, Congratulations! I know it is well. I have gone for Apara’s daughter’s wedding and will be back on Saturday evening. Stay blessed! – B.K. Akinrin”

She believes in my dream more than I do, or so it seems. She wanted me to complete my Masters programme, get a PhD almost immediately and explore opportunities in the UK. Without doubt, she admonished ‘Make sure you invite Bisola overseas and get married – once you realize you’ll be staying over a year. I don’t want an oyinbo daughter-in-law’.

I have always believed that career is selfish and man must pursue his goal without recourse to what people think or feel, but she gave me a rethink. Perhaps there is something in it for her (just as there is something for God and humanity in my success). I was dazed when she handed me 4 sets of kampala, saying ‘you must represent a true African in the white man’s land’. She also got some Nigerian staples, secretly announced my departure to all who care to listen and silently boasted to be the mum of a daring adventurer.

She was going to sacrifice her late husband’s estate for a worthy course and in so doing – she earned an everlasting memorial from me. My mother just became immortalized and a Foundation has been initiated in her memory while she lives. Wouldn’t you do the same for a woman left with 42 kobo (Nigerian equivalent of $0.42) in 1984, paltry salary as a primary school teacher and 3 kids? Now, she has successfully raised me, another budding careerist in NYSC Camp at Delta State and a first-class IT undergraduate in a Nigerian private university. You can appreciate her plight when her son was refused UK Visa to undertake an MSc study in Mgt & Investment Strategy. She was heart-broken, so was I.

I realized that the pain of defeat we often feel is not so much about the defeat, but the pain of what others feel or think about our disappointments. It can hurt to have quit a good employment in anticipation of a secured Masters degree. Although the deed is done – yet I’m at peace with Akinola! There is no wisdom in expending energy on a defeated course. I suddenly realized that underemployment is better than unemployment and for every major project in my life – I will have an exit strategy (or a Plan B). I have learnt that success is best achieved when you are clear about your goals but flexible on how to achieve them. Nonetheless, my experience was a soul-searching one for which I harbor no regrets!

My ‘brief retirement’ afforded me the opportunity to devote quality time to my espoused lady-friend. We had a record-breaking 4-meets-in-a-month and that had some emotional profit. I have judged that I am no longer motivated by what to eat and drink (as most employees are) but by a higher purpose to live and be alive!
Suddenly I realized that I have made my first million by 28 (what a revelation?) and could deploy my banking experience to create multiplier effect. My inability to go for my Masters this September has turned on the possibility of corporate funding for my academic venture. Moreover, I just realized how free my Spirit is. You will never be free until you take your risks! And I am so glad – there’s gonna be another day. Today!

This is a footing, you are bound for a beachhead, keep flying.

"Knowing a great deal is not the same as being smart; intelligence is not information alone but also judgment, the manner in which information is collected and used"

Dr. Carl Sagan quotes (American Astronomer, Writer and Scientist, 1934-1996)