Slavery: A Story of the Past or Present?

What is a nation without her history? What is the present without the past? The action of time does not allow for such gaps. Nigeria, as we know it now is not what it used to be centuries ago. The country has undergone massive changes in all spheres of life. The rate of population growth has increased exponentially alongside the rate of crime. The world of technology is gaining more recognition even as some brains are responding positively to the law of diminishing returns. It seems as if there’s a negative reaction for every positive action but it is all a matter of the state of one’s mind.

Nevertheless, the world stood still on that day, October 1st, 1960, when Nigeria gained her independence and waved her flag of freedom proudly with a wink to the British government. Finally, we’d have our own indigenous rulers. We would have the chance to tell our story in our own words and our language. Of course, freedom is good but what good is freedom when slavery still roams the streets? Are we still slaves? No, we’re not- to the British government. Still, slavery thrives in a free land. You want proof? Then, you are not far from the truth, citizen. Read on.

Bandits abduct students, kill villagers- ring any bells? It should. This is one of the stories in the news you won’t miss each week. How did bandits gain so much control? When did they become such notorious celebrities? This is bad news for the country whose anthem’s line goes thus: “Help our youth the truth to know”. I suppose you’ll be making youth like machines or importing them like AK-47 after all of them have been abducted. I wonder where you’ll get a supply of future leaders. Even if there are youth in the affected parts, they will be half baked because no parent would want to send their child(ren) to school with their hearts in their mouths as to whether they would return home safely. These people are forced to live in fear and these children have little or no education. Education, they say, is enlightenment. If they are not educated, they will have to submit to slavery, especially slavery of the mind.

Thunder strikes but some unions strike better. Nigerian students, you’ve not been forgotten. I believe every citizen has the right to education-I don’t think this line works around here anymore. Every year, we always have one or two strike actions in the education sector to add a finishing touch to the year. If negotiations can be made with armed robbers or kidnappers in a matter of minutes or days, then I’m sure the government can negotiate peacefully and quickly with unions to avoid unnecessary delay in the academic journeys of students. It doesn’t speak too well on our integrities for us to lie when we fill forms asking us for the year of our graduation. I think it will be quite nice to have a definite picture of yourself as a Nigerian student in some years without thinking of extra school years, thanks to strike actions. 

I have one last proof to show you that the behind-the-scenes of the pre-independence time are coming back with more sass and jazz. 20-10-20: Do you remember? Were you there? Was your brother hurt? Was your sister murdered? For me, it’s a yes. My brothers and sisters were hurt and murdered. They were injured while fighting for freedom. I see the fights and the struggles of our fathers coming back like part two of Black Panther. The #EndSars protest rocked the country in ways we could never have imagined. Our eyes were opened to see the silent sufferings of Nigerians. Why should we live in fear of those who are supposed to protect us? Sounds to me like slavery, alright. To think that our lives are at the mercy of some armed men and women- that is unacceptable. We didn’t gain independence to wake up to another hello from slavery. 

Do you remember those brave men and women who fought for our independence- standing firm like the ìrókò tree rooted deep in the Nigerian soil? They knew what they were trying to chase away; they understood that the umbrella of slavery was an illusion- it was not the real deal. So, they laboured with hopes that it wouldn’t be in vain, according to the national anthem. It is quite a pity that slavery was only abolished on paper. These are my thoughts and this is my country.

THIS 'KUNG FU' UNION NEEDS REFORMS by Jigan

The most powerful nation in the world isn't America after all, but imagination- Zig Ziglar.

Not one or two persons I've said that I'm too idealistic. That I fail to see the true picture of things. That most times what ought to is not what is. Well, while I won't disparage these assertions, my reply has always been that I'm a 'way-forwardist'. That my brain is wired to immediately trace the rot in any society I find myself, after which I immediately set out to tackle these issues. I hardly rant. Name calling and tantrum throwing is not my thing. I just want progress!

The events of the preceding weeks and in fact days have further entrenched our position as  a 'gidigbo' and a 'Kung Fu' Union. The latest uprising was incited by a President, who in a flagrant disregard for Congressmen, put an abrupt end to the most powerful gathering of Great Ife Students. Dr. Ibk, in an ostensive display of dictatorial tendencies, decided to prematurely kill a promising Congress, and of course students got irate. Students got mad, the same way a husband will get mad at a wife who suddenly says no more to love making after clothes have been done away with.

It is clear that mob actions don't necessarily bring way forwards and as such they should not be encouraged in any form or manner. I must however say that the mob culture is a culture ingrained deeply into the OAU Culture. A last resort that has obviously brought no tangible result for a while now.

My opinion of the Union was formed right from my early days as an active participant in her dealings. It was clear to me from inception that that our Union needs reforms. It is clear that both constitutional and cultural reforms are salient if this union is to stand the test of relevance. It is conspicuous that so many salient proceedings that have no constitutional provisions have left much to the question, hence the intrusion of constant mob attacks. If the constitution we so cite and uphold  was drafted by Students like us some thirty seven years ago, what are we bequeathing to the incoming generation of Unionists? Imagine if we had a constitution with express provisions that "a President shall not moderate a Congress if the Congress is to deliberate on matters pertaining to allegations against him in the performance of his official duties"

One must not however forget that people make up institutions, and that institutions are as strong as the people want them to be. It is apposite to state that mob actions won't stop if Union leaders keep defying and flagrantly disobeying the express wishes of the people. Truth is only people can strengthen institutions. 

Lastly, I want to adduce that an orderly society is possible. A society of progress propelled by strong institutions is possible. A seamless Union where constituent parts know their functions  and carry them out to the latter is possible. But then, the underlying question is, are we ready to reform this Union, make up to date laws and strengthen our institutions? Or are we content to rant, and rant, and keep fighting 'gidigbo' and 'kung fu'?

Jigan

Parliamentarian representing the Faculty of Law

Obafemi  Awolowo University

08107232208

I Wrote my Entry 5 days to the Deadline - Lois Nguveren Ugbu

Lois Nguveren Ugbu won the Prose category in 2022's edition of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest hosted by The New Man Movement. In this exclusive interview, she shares her writing journey, creative process and how she pulled off writing an award winning  story in five days.

 

NELOC News: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Lois Nguveren Ugbu a 200 level student of the European Studies Department, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo state. I am a Christian with an amazing passion to communicate Christ in words and letters and I am an omnivorous reader. I am also from Benue state and I am Tiv by tribe. 

 

 

NELOC News: You recently won the 2022 edition of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest. How did you feel when you were announced as a category winner in theGospel Writing Contest?

Guest: I was so excited. I didn't see it coming at all.

 

 

NELOC News: What are your writing aspirations for the future?

Guest: I want to be able to do a lot of writings to tell the world about Jesus especially prose and any creative piece. I don't look towards being famous, I just want the works to reach thousands of people. I hope to meet people affected by the power of God through my works and communicate with them too.

 

 

NELOC News: What other things do you do apart from writing?

Guest: When I'm not writing, I'm volunteering or teaching. I love to add value every time through volunteering and I love to teach,. At other times, I get to learn what I love to learn most - languages.

 

 

NELOC News: As regards your dreams and aspirations, what is/are your greatest fear(s)?

Guest: My greatest fear sometimes is that I might have a bigger or different assignment and might have to abandon my dreams totally especially the dream of traveling the world.

 

NELOC News: What and Who inspires your writing?

Guest: I love to read my work to myself and just look at the creativity and smile and I love the smiles and reflection I see on others too. It keeps me writing. Also, many people motivate me to write. I'd just pick out Jackie Hill Perry (Gay girl, Good God) and Adegbola Goodness (Complete).

 

 

NELOC News: When did you start writing? Can you give us a background story?

Guest: I started writing sometime in secondary school, but because of laziness, I never placed a finger on it. It was a casual thing I did. I just wrote a piece on every of my birthdays and saved it up, maybe for an anthology, I'm not sure. The New man Gospel writing contest is my first official work actually.

NELOC News: How did you know about the New Man Gospel Writing Contest?

Guest: I got to know about the New Man Gospel writing contest from Mr Philip Vincent who happens to be the head of Publicity at the New Man Movement. I saw the information about the writing contest on his Whatsapp status.

NELOC News: As a Writer, what is your creative process like?

Guest: Because I'm a fictional writer, my creative process is mainly inspired by my immediate environment and issues that drop into my spirit. Whenever I get an idea, I simply pray over it and then it builds into a story. From that point, I start to write and scriptures start to come together and make the work whole.

NELOC News: What are your thoughts about the Christian fiction writing industry today? 

Guest: I think the Christian fiction writing Industry has really grown and it's now so creative and powerful. My life has been affected by a lot of Christian fiction positively and the creativity always left me amazed and spurred me to write better.

NELOC News: How do you think Christians can write compelling stories to promote the gospel?

Guest: 4. Christians can write compelling stories that promote the gospel by always pointing people to the cross, to Jesus. Make sure your writing always draws attention to "HIM" and not your creativity. Of course your creativity will make people want to read but the whole point must be Jesus. Jesus + Creativity = a whole article or story.

NELOC News: As a result of the contest, how has the New Man Movement impacted your writing journey?

Guest:  New man movement boosted my confidence. Having to get reviews from people made me so happy. I felt like I could actually write then I started writing and submitting writings at different places.

New man was a starting point and a push for me.

I needed it. Thanks to the New Man Movement, God bless the whole team and move the work forward.

 

 

NELOC News: What would you love to say to encourage other writers?

Guest: I'd love to tell other writers to keep at it. No matter the genre of writing you are involved in, keep writing, don't stop. Writing sometimes seems really difficult even when you know what to say, but don't stop, stay at it, you'll come out just fine.

 

 

NELOC News: What do you think about the New Man Gospel Writing Contest? 

Guest: I think the Writing contest was such a great one for me. I had to do alot of praying, reading my Bible, calling people, running around. I wrote 5 days to the deadline. I was so scattered but it was an exciting and educative experience. The measures taken were fair and simple. God bless the New Man movement.

 

 

NELOC News: What new things do you hope to see in subsequent editions?

Guest: I hope that it becomes bigger and better. I hope contestants get to meet physically too. Maybe just the winners and they present their piece to a crowd and if possible constructive criticism comes after. It will be a beautiful experience really.

Biography of DJ Cuppy

Born on 11th November, 1992 Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola who is popularly known as DJ Cuppy is a Nigerian Disc

 

 

DJ Cuppy is active on social media. You can connect with her via her official handles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also follow her music releases via her official website here

 

Biography of Elijah Oluwagbemiga Adeboye

Elijah Oluwagbemiga Adeboye who was popularly called Gbenga Adeboye, was born on the 30th of September 1959 at Odeomu, Osun State of Southwestern Nigeria.

FG Declares May 2, 3 Public Holidays for Workers’ Day, Sallah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May 2022 as Public Holidays to mark this year's Workers' Day and EIdul-Fitr Celebrations.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday night in Abuja.

He said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

The statement congratulated workers across the country on this year's celebration.

"Ogbeni Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

"Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working" , the statement added.

The minister enjoined workers to imbibe the culture of productivity, saying "the end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to the satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is, therefore, the path to national and individual prosperity".

He urged workers to raise the bar of their trade-in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration's drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all Nigerians derive maximum benefit from the nation.

"The Minister also congratulates all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

Ogbeni Aregbesola calls on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

"The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper", the minister advised all Muslims.

Alongside, the minister expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all around.

He assured Nigerians that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners alike.

Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola Celebrates 118th Posthumous Birthday

Joseph Ayo Babalola who was born on 25th April 1904 and died on the 26th of July 1959 was the founder of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called Aladura in Nigeria. He was credited with special healing powers and the anointing of the Holyspirit.

In 1930 Faith Tabernacle affiliated with the British Apostolic Church. Then following a schism in the Apostolic Church about 1940, Bablola went with a new independent church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued his healing and revivalistic activities until his death. The CAC regards Babalola as an apostle and his revival ministry as the beginning of the church. A CAC retreat center was built at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State where Babalola was first called in 1928.

The Christ Apostolic Church has not died along with Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in 1959. In fact it has grown rapidly over the years, with many churches under the Christ Apostolic Church name but each church with a specific branch name. The Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) a private Nigerian university located in Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, established by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide is named after him, located at the place where he says he was called by God in 1928.

He was the first prophet God used to lead a great revival in Nigeria after the raising of a 10 years old boy in 1930.

He was the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, a church that metamorphosed from a prayer group popularly called Egbe Aladura in Nigeria.

The Aladura Movement nucleated at Ijebu-Ode in 1918. Babalola was endowed with healing powers.

Joseph Ayodele Babalola was born of Yoruba parents, David Rotimi and Madam Marta Talabi on April 25, 1904 who belonged to the Anglican Church. The family lived at Odo-Owa, a small town about ninety kilometres from Ilorin in Kwara State, Nigeria. His father was the Ba ba Ijo (“church father”) of the C.M.S. Church at Odo-Owa.On January 18, 1914, young Babalola was taken by his brother M. 0. Rotimi, a Sunday school teacher in the C.M.S. Church at Ilofa, who later took him to Osogbo.
Babalola started school at Ilofa and got as far as standard five at All Saints’ School, Osogbo. However, he quit school when he decided to learn a trade and became a motor mechanic apprentice. Again, he did not continue long in this vocation before joining the Public Works Department (PWD). He was among the road workers who constructed the road from Igbara-Oke to Ilesa, working as a steam roller driver.

Babalola’s was a specific and personal call. Babalola’s strange experience started on the night of September 25th, 1928 when he suddenly became restless and could not sleep. This went on for a week and he had no inkling of the causes of such a strange experience. The climax came one day when he was, as usual, working on the Ilesa-Igbara-Oke road. Suddenly the steam roller’s engine stopped to his utter amazement. There was no visible mechanical problem, and Joseph became confused and perplexed. He was in this state of confusion when a great voice “like the sound of many waters” called him three times. The voice was loud and clear and it told him that he would die if he refused to heed the divine call to go into the world and preach. Babalola did not want to listen to this voice and he responded like many of the Biblical prophets, who, when they were called out by Yahweh as prophets, did not normally yield to the first call. So, Babalola gave in only after he had received the assurance of divine guidance.

To answer the call, he had to resign his appointment with the Public Works Department. Mr. Fergusson, the head of his unit, tried to dissuade him from resigning but the young man was bent on going on the Lord’s mission. The same voice came to Joseph a second time asking him to fast for seven days. The experience led him to a personal retreat in the home of Joseph Fapounda a Christian leader in Christ Missionary Society in Ipetu Ijesa in Ogun State Nigeria.

In a vision he had, Jesus appeared to him in a white robe along with a very tall man who revealed that it was this Jesus who asked me to speak with you. The man in a dazzling robe spoke at length about the mission he was to embark upon. The man also told him of the persecutions he would face and at the same time assured him of God’s protection and victory. A hand prayer bell was given to Babalola as a symbol. He was told that the sound of the bell would always drive away evil spirits. He was also given a bottle of “life- giving water” to heal all manners of sickness. Consequently, wherever and whenever he prayed into water for therapeutic purposes, effective healing was procured for those who drank the water. Thus, Babalola became a prophet and a man with extraordinary powers.

   

Kerux Academic Institute Hosts 2023 Academic Seminar

Kerux Academic Institute (KAI), a nonprofit mentorship program for teenagers/young people is committed to mentoring the next generation of young African/Global Leaders in all spheres of influence. KAI is the brain child of Mr Godspower Oyubu, who is currently working as a Lecturer in the Department of Integrated Science, Delta State College of Education, Mosogar, Nigeria. Mr Godspower Oyubu is a multi-gifted Preacher, Motivational Speaker, Mentor, Life Coach, Prolific Writer, Editor, Project Manager and Human Resource Expert.

Group picture at 2023 KAI Academic Seminar

The 2023 Edition of the KAI Academic Seminar was held on Saturday, 15th of April, 2023 at Avwerosuoghene Ministry Inc. Mosogar, Delta State, Nigeria.

 Theme: The Turning Point: Rediscovering The Path To A New Nigeria.

 During the welcome address presented by the Director of KAI, Mr Godspower Oyubu, he charged every teenager to take responsibility for their lives and actions. Encouraging every young person present, he said: You are not a product of your locality, you are a product of your mentality! You are not who you are because of where you are, you are who you are because of how you think! He believes the turning point towards building a new Nigeria will begin by rediscovering the true value and worth of education, understanding the significance of building a healthy relationship, and redefining the concept of faith beyond mere religious term. He told the teenagers that faith remains one of the tested and proven attributes that will move them from where they are to where they desire to be.

The key speaker for the Seminar, Dr D.E. Kpomah, the Head of Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, Nigeria spoke on the topic: The Principles of Success. He encouraged the teenagers to first discover who they are, what they are good at and then, learn to set time bound goals followed up with rigorous self discipline.

A brief interview session was conducted with a pioneer student of KAI, Miss Claris Oki, an undergraduate student of the department of Journalism and Media Studies, Delta State University of Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria. She passionately shared with everyone present how KAI Mentorship helped her in her first year in the University coming up with a 4.5 GPA in her first semester result in 100L! She accredited her remarkable success to KAI Mentorship and encouraged every young person to join KAI.

Interview session

Interview Session with Miss Claris Oki, a pioneer KAI student

Dr D.E. Kpomah delivering a powerful lecture to teenagers on The Principles of Success

Mr Godspower Oyubu listening attentively during the Session with Dr D.E. Kpomah

KAI Director, Mr Godspower Oyubu and 2023 KAI Representative, Miss Angel Davidson

Miss Angel Davidson sharing her experience at KAI Mentorship during 2023 Academic Seminar

Miss Angel Davidson, who represented the 2023 KAI Students spoke eloquently on the impact of KAI on her own life and that of other teenagers within the last few months. She shared with all present how a friend told her about KAI Mentorship, how she resumed in March and the palpable impact in her life in less than two months. She affirmed the spontaneous turnaround in her academic performance and the professional training she had received also from KAI. Miss Angel concluded her speech by encouraging every young person within Mosogar and outside Mosogar to get involved in KAI as the next generation of local, national and global leaders are sure to arise from Kerux Academic Institute (KAI).

KAI Vision: Mentoring Teenagers/Young People Academically, Professionally and Spiritually

Many students and teenagers confirmed the impact of the Academic Seminar on their perspectives about life! Many are beginning to approach life with optimism and great faith believing they have a quota to contribute to national development and global transformation

Group Picture with Dr D.E

Welcome Note by Mr Godspower Oyubu, KAI Director at 2023 Academic Seminar

Barr Onitayo Joseph Felicitates with Christians on this Year’s Easter Celebrations

The Aspiring Youth Leader for the Osun State Executive Position of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Onitayo Joseph felicitates with Christian faith to be in the right standing with God as they celebrate this Year's Easter.

Speaking with News Men in Osogbo on Thursday, he charged Christians to emulate the virtues of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace, and patience which were attributes and practices of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by His ministry on earth.

 

Read: Everything You Should Know about Female Genital Mutilation

Recalling the essence of Easter, Barr. Onitayo noted that God sent His only begotten son to lay down his life, to save humanity from everlasting condemnation. He thus admonished the Christian community to ensure that the chord of brotherhood is never broken. In his words, "let us remember that the Peace and Development of the state lies in the unity and love we show to one another."

He further urged the Youths and all PDP members to see his ambition as a Clarion Call to liberate the Youth and build a desirable future. He noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke is God sent to the state and he needs a viable candidate like him to promote Youth Agenda.

He is confident that his emergence will bring about Progress to the State at large.

New Man Movement Opens Portal for Gospel Writing Contest Submissions

In an official release which was published in the early hours of Tuesday, 24th January, 2022, on the New Man Movement's website, the gospel organisation announced that it is set to host its annual Gospel Writing Contest.

The New Man Gospel Writing Contest is a yearly project organised by the New Man Movement. According to the release, the writing contest evolved to recognise the efforts and excellence of Christian writers and creatives, show them to the world and ultimately preach the gospel of Christ through creative writing.

 

 

In our chat with Mr. Nelson Vincent Ayomitunde, he explained that the 2023 edition of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest is a strategic assignment in line with the ministry's vision to birth new men by bringing them to Christ. 

 

To participate in the New Man Writing Contest 2023, kindly follow the instructions below.

Theme

The theme of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest 2023 is "Unashamed of the Gospel" (Romans 1:16). All entries must be creatively written in line with the general theme. However, your entries can be in form of:

• Prose/Short Story (maximum of 5000 words)
  
• Poetry (minimum of 30 lines)
  
• Drama (maximum of 5000 words)
• Essay/Article Writing (maximum of 2000 words)
  

These four make up the categories of this writing contest and our top winners will be selected from each of these categories. 

Eligibility

Every Christian and true believer in Christ is eligible to participate in the New Man Gospel Writing Contest. All participants must be creative in expression of thoughts, ideas and grammar as our judges will look out for these qualities in your entries. Each participant is also entitled to submit a maximum of two entries ONLY. These entries can be in any of the aforementioned categories

Submission Guidelines

All entries must be properly typed in Microsoft Word ONLY. Any submission in an other formats will not be considered. We receive a handful of entries each year and we advise that you follow these guidelines to ensure that your submission is valid. To submit your entry into the New Man Gospel Writing Contest 2023, simply visit our submissions portal here to upload your entry.

Submission Deadline

Entries into the New Man writing contest opens from 31st January, 2023 and runs through till 13th March, 2023. All entries must be submitted on or before 11:59pm on March 13th, 2023. There will be no extension of this deadline.

Entry Judgement and Voting

The entries will be judged by our competent team of judges which will be announced before the close of submissions. There will also be a voting stage where our readers, friends and family members of the participants are allowed to vote their winning entries. The judgement phase takes a total of 70 points while the voting stage takes 30 points. As such, both phases are important for winning this contest.

Prizes

The total prize value to be won this year is #200,000 ($500). This prize value includes:

• Cash prizes worth #20,000 for each category
  
• Book and Website Publishing packages
• Brand Souvenirs
• Gift Items from Sponsors
  
• Certificate of participation for all entries and much more.

Partners and Sponsors

Our official partners and sponsors range from individual to corporates, brands and organisations. For our 2023 media partners, we are particularly grateful to DailyReport NG All About Christ.Net, NELOC News, Campus Verve and Chriative Minds Royal Concepts among diverse blogs and media platforms for offering to publish details about the writing contest on their websites.

 

Winners will be recognised at a special award giving programme to be announced upon completion of the writing contest.

For sponsorship and further enquiries about the New Man Writing Contest, you can send us a message through our contact page or directly chat with a representative by clicking here

 

 

If You Can't Build an Online Business, Build Your Business Online - Clement Oyinlola - Head of Operations, Terabyte

If you do not believe the popular saying that running a business without doing advertisement is like winking at a girl in the dark (you know what you are doing but the lady does not), Clement Oyinlola in this interview will convince you. Read his interview with NNI below.

NNI: Can we meet you sir?

Guest: My name is Clement Oyinlola, born on the 18th of February, 1995. I'm a graduate of OAU from the department of Economics after spending my first three years in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, lol. I'm an entrepreneur and a business owner, currently working as the Head of Operations of The Tera Brand (Africa's number one and fastest growing advertisment, marketing and consulting firm). I'm a firm believer and currently serving as the Point Man Delegate of David City Tabernacle (DCT Church), Ile-Ife.

NNI: How has the digital entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: Well, it has been a bumpy ride, full of lessons and lots of down-moments. I started business fully in 2015 and failed in my first 2-3 years. I started another business late 2017 and failed just about 12 months after. Then in July 2019, I started the business that's thriving today, The Tera Brand. Of course, I'm prepared for more failures, but I am certain I won't quit until I hit my goals, no matter how long it might take.

NNI: To you, what is the relevance of digital marketing and how can individuals leverage them for growth?

Guest: The world has evolved. Everything can now be done on the internet. My usual saying is if you can't build an online business, build your business online. Either ways, make sure you are leveraging the digital space. Business has never been this easier with the tons of available courses and training videos available online, much more, you can automate your entire business process down to payment and sales tracking. Not to now talk of the deep blue sea called digital marketing where you can access limitless amount of potential customers. The relevance cannot just be overemphasized. Individuals who really wanna gain presence and visibility have no choice but to use the digital space. WhatsApp is part of digital marketing, so if you're posting on WhatsApp status, you're part of the game.

NNI: What digital media lessons have you learnt from establishing a PR Firm like Terabyte?

Guest: When you are true to your values, people will respect you and seek you out. There are lot of copycats and fake people everywhere. Everyone is going about the fake it till you make it. I'm against this phrase, why fake what you don't have? Don't give the impression of who you are not. Be true to your word. I've learnt this practically from clients who request for metrics especially from WhatsApp views. And I always tell myself that if I promise 100k views and I deliver 70k views, I'm not true to my word. I recently underestimated our current reach with The Terabytes to 70k views across 15 campuses but in the real sense, we have about 100k reach. I won't tell customers 100k reach because of whipsaws. So, I'd rather underpromise and overdeliver. When I do this, customers are wowed and they become repeat loyal customers. I'm not out there to impress anyone. I'm out there to deliver value!!!

Clement Oyinlola

NNI: How does startup branding affect the future of digital revolution?

Guest: Your branding is the personality of your business. And your personality is what makes you different from the next person living next door. You are permitted to overlook branding when you're just starting, but you're not permitted to keep overlooking your branding. Apple is where they are because of their branding. They have given themselves that class and others are trying to be like them. Same with Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Coca-Cola, Nike, Disney and many others including Tera (winks). We guys (you know, I'm now sitting in the class of Apple), we guys are revolutionaries. We don't follow the conventional branding strategies, we are enforcing a new strategy that you already know subconsciously. It's called emotional branding. Lemme stop there!

NNI:  What do you think of data rates? How do they affect your businesses online? 

Guest: There's nothing we can do about that. Just factor it in as part of your operational cost. It's like when you're trying to have an office and you're saying you don't need a generator, remember, this is Nigeria!

NNI: What is your experience so far in the Forex Industry?

Guest: Hmm... I started my Forex journey in early 2017 and it has been full of ups and downs. But in the last one year, it has been consistent ups as a result of the many lessons I've not just learnt but adopted. I'm a learner, in every single thing you can think about. I just wanna keep learning and much more teach as well. I started my personal brand (ClementOyinlola.com) and it's my way to teach individuals on the different ways of earning from the Forex Market and also on marketing, branding and sales. It's still at the starting phase, it's all still rough, but in a matter of 30-60 days, you'll start seeing it everywhere. So, for all Forex traders or aspiring Forex traders, relax, there's legit money in the Forex market, the question is, *are you ready and patient enough* to master how to pick the coins from the mouth of the crocodile?

NNI: Many have results to prove that digital skills do not yield actual conversions. Is there anything they are doing wrong leading to these results?

Guest: Permit me to smile here...lol... Everyone is looking for the magic beans for instant result. Truth is you can manipulate the results you get from the digital space. Remember anything digital can be hacked. Also, some people don't have the concrete understanding of how digital conversion works. For example, you ran an ad on Facebook and Facebook metrics showed you that your ad reached 5,647 people. Those 5000+ people that saw your ad are Facebook's leads. If out of them, only 60 messaged you or clicked your link, those 60 people are Facebook's conversion. At that level, Facebook has done her job and has converted 60 people to you. Now, those 60 people are now your own lead which is your sole responsibility to convert them. If you are able to convert 10, good and if you are able to convert none, it's all on you. Facebook already done her job. So, when you're working as a digital marketer, you need to understand how different leads and conversions actually work. I was forced to come up with a disclaimer for our clients last month that we are an advertisement company, we do not promise that you will make sale, we only promise that we'll show your ad to as many people as possible who are your potential customers. Those who reach out to you (which I'm certain people will), it is your responsibility to convert them to sales.

NNI: Is advertising always a worthy investment?

Guest: There's this popular saying that running a business without doing advertisement is like winking at a girl in the dark, you know what you are doing but the lady does not. So also is advertisement. As long as you're not doing your business just for yourself, you need to reach out to people outside your circle. I'm not the social in quote kind of person, but I realised that I can't be running a social media business and not be social, so I learnt it. I currently have over 800 students in our organization across 15 campuses in Nigeria and 4 African countries (which will be launching soon). That's not even the goal, that's just our introduction into the market...lol... So, back to the question, advertisement, if done well and right, is a worthy investment. And about doing it well and right, we have the best and smartest brains on our team for that. We don't just want you to run your ad because we want your money, we want your advert to be effective and get you leads.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth as regards the digital world? 

Guest: Like I already mentioned, the Digital world has made all those easier. You can attend a summit via teleconferencing and so, there's a positive correlation between global youth development and digital world. Just yesterday, I dropped an idea with my team that we would be working on soon across the entire African continent, it's called THE AFRICAN FACE, we are yet to have the full structure but it's sure going to be a creative strategy for all African youths to connect with each other using the most basic platform.

NNI: What's your believe as regards interconnected growth? Is it absolutely possible for a brand to develop in isolation and without partnerships? 

Guest: For the past 11 months, our partners have been our customers and potential clients. We are currently at the stage where we are raising funds for growth through external investors. Our company registration is currently ongoing and so once it's done, we'll be partnering with external investors for our brand growth and development. Apart from business, there's no self-made person, success is not really a lone wolf journey as we have been made to believe. You only need to find the right set of people to be your best set of people. I am partnering with over 800 Nigerian students to deliver value through Tera and I'm also on the lookout for investors to partner with for our growth and development. There's need to connect and partner for growth. You just need to find the right set of people to connect and partner with. Even at that, you'll still meet some Judas (permit me to use that name). I know of people who started with us in some schools and felt like they could also do same. They left the team and started their own brand. It's quite painful but it's expected. The sky is wide enough for anyone and everyone to soar. I'm a keen believer in loyalty and trust and it gives me joy that my managers are loyal and trustworthy. In short, I have the best team and partners.

NNI: Demand is making price for digital skill courses increase. This is fast becoming a problem and turning back potential students. From experience, how can this be solved?  

Guest: We stick to the basics. Simple. I was discussing with a friend, you might know her, she's Toluwakemi, the WhatsApp Queen. She was talking about how a particular investment program fee is high and I was like, very soon, yours will be high too, that it's only a matter of time. Same discussion ensued with the co-founder of Tera, and he was also telling me that very soon, we'll become expensive. Inasmuch as I love expensive cause it gives you a class of your own, we should not forget that there's something they call volume and depth. When you're expensive alone, you have depth, that's Apple. But Microsoft leveraged both volume and depth. They are expensive, yet affordable for the masses. You can combine both volume and depth. Segment your packages but make sure each package is valuable enough and allow you to afford the next package. Lemme explain... Assuming I have a community and monthly subscription is $29, I can also have a package for $9 for those who can't afford the $29 such that if you by my $9 package, I'll be able to equip you enough so that you can afford my $29 package. That's value. Not just about me making money, but about making your life better. So, there's a way trainers or tutors can adopt this strategy and it will also build trust in your students and you can easily keep them forever. I mentioned something like this briefly in the last part of my eBook, The Forex Scam (which you can pre-order for $19 against the regular price of $49). So, the more the demand, the more valuable the product is, and the more you can leverage on volume while also building depth.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My fellow young individuals, let's prove to the world that we are not lazy. Let's prove to the world that not all Nigerian youths are scammers or fraudsters. Let's prove to the world that we can achieve our dreams legit. That we can put our hands to work and get the results we are proud of. That we are not ready to fail and that we are ready to keep pushing and digging till we find the diamond. That we are ready to wait and endure the growth process and be proud of the person we are becoming. That we are ready to fight our Goliath, walk on water and rise again from the dead.

NNI: What new heights do you hope to scale in the near future?

Guest:  I will be launching the V100 project soon. It stands for The Vision 100. The goal is to establish my presence and brand presence (The Tera Brand) in 54 African Countries, 100 Campuses each with nothing less than 200 Active Ambassadors in each campus. The project should last for the next 5 years, so watch out for 2025! There are many other heights I hope to scale, like be featured in Forbes 30 under 30 (well, who doesn't). This has been a goal for me many years back even before I knew what kind of business to do. Also, this may sound funny, but I wish to be appointed as the CBN governor before I clock 40 and before I'm 50, I wish to be on the board of directors for the World Bank.

NNI: Thank you very much for your time sir.

Guest: Thank you for taking your time to follow me! I'm open to new and valuable friends.

   

The Speciality of Womankind

This article seeks to mirror the SPECIALTY OF WOMANKIND


Who is fragile like a bud, yet strong like an iron rod?

Who is beautiful and yet destroys all beasts?


International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8TH of March recognizing and appreciating women’s political, economic and social achievements over the decades. Women’s Day was first observed in 1909 in the United States and it is only in 1977 that the United Nations officially declared International Women’s Day celebration on March 8. An event which started as a political affair has evolved over the years and is now celebrated by gifting flowers, greeting cards and gifts to women in most regions. International Women’s Day is also an official holiday in several countries like Belarus, Armenia, Albania, Brazil, and Cameroon.


I am Ananwureyi Ohine Joy and I'm a growing woman.
The world does not know the power a woman possesses.

Muhammad Ali once said:
"There are two powers in the world, one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women".


The theme of this year's IWD is PRESS FOR PROGRESS.
In our course of moving forward, let us endeavor to lift each other up. Let's leave no woman behind in our press for progress.

That reminds me the words of Phylicia Rashad:
"Anytime women come together with a collective intention, it is a powerful thing. Whether it is sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party; when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens".

The more we show and use the strength of our collective courage, the more it will get beautified.
No one has the power to make you feel inferior. (In marriage, submission doesn't define inferiority).
It's amazing how God made man, and so beautiful how he made woman.
You were not taken from a man's feet to be under him, nor were you taken from his head to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be a helpmeet.
You are not a lesser being
You are a co-creator
You are the only specie not from dust but made from the strong purpose driven man.

No matter how much men are strong from outside, they will always remain less strong than women when it comes to emotional strength (We have such influence
Never think you are any less than others.

Aunty Orifunke Lawal said, "It's time to stop looking at everything and everyone that's against you and start looking at everything and everyone that's for you".
You can simultaneously perform all your duties (no wonder research states we have the power to multitask )
In the worst conditions, you stand tall
Hats off to your spirit and power to fight.


On this day, let's honour every woman of the world for they are special, powerful and unique.
On this IWD, every woman should remember that all life springs from her. So, look at the world and smile, for without you, there would be no life.


We are cute daughters.
We are adorable mothers
We are sweet sisters
We are lovely lovers
We are darling wives
We are source of strength
We are WOMEN
Women are exceptional and a natural brand that cannot be pirated.


#RiseAndShineWomen
#PressForProgress
#InternationalWomenDay
#IWD
On this occasion, we should endeavor building a better world where men and women live harmoniously, free of violence and discrimination.
Cheers to the whole female fraternity
Cheers to you and your immeasurable power

 

Celebrating International Women's Day 2023

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance.

Balance is not a women issue. It's a world issue.The fact is things should be changing . Its never about which gender is better, but it is more about dismantling patriarchal systems, changing mindset, unlearning misogyny.

Stereotypes are being challenged and more diverse representation of women is more evident. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balanced of employees, more gender- balanced in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage , a gender- balanced world. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.
Collective action and shared responsibility for driving a gender-balanced world is key. Everyone has a part to play- everywhere, every time.
Some key targets of the 2030 Agenda  includes

By 2030, ensuring  that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.
By 2030, ensuring that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.

Ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

Eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking, sexual and other types of exploitation.

Eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

We've indeed come a long way. From International women's day theme 2015 "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity" Picture it!, to time is up and 2019 theme being balance for better.
There is still a continuing need worldwide for more progressive mindsets and inclusive behaviors to be forged. We've indeed come a long way but still have mountain to climb. To all the strong women, heroine, Icons, and girl child. There's still more to do than breathing. Continue breaking barrier, shattering glasses and going beyond the status quo. Here's  to the exciting future of building a gender balanced world.  Better the world, better the balance.

International Women's Day

Opinion: Do You Still Give out Your Trust?

Who do you trust? 

 

If you ask me this question, I would reel out a lot of secrets to you and leave you to deduce the answer yourself. I actually find it hard to trust people myself; I mean my feelings or even my things, my integrity and whatever concerns me. If I trust you, it has to be that you have earned it based on what you have done or been through and I know what you are capable of doing. However, I hear some trust people based on their confessions; I mean what they say they are capable of doing. Well, mine is not so. For me to trust you, I must have my evidence. Don’t judge me, it’s my opinion. 

 

Some people say I am a difficult person and that I will find it hard to get in a relationship because I find it hard to trust people. However, my belief is that relationships are built on trust and that any relationship void of trust in the participants will crumble.

 

My attitude towards trust is as a result of my past experience. I have trusted people with my deepest thoughts, thoughts that made me cry, thoughts that make me feel down casted. I have trusted people and really, a trial has convinced me.

 

I had a hard time in my third year in school; things were so bad that money was a very scarce commodity. It was the time Nigeria was going through a serious economic recession with huge debts of school fees to pay. I could tell no one of the difficulties I was going through. I tried a lot of things I thought could help but all was futile with. Then, I found someone I could call a friend. He claimed to have been through my predicament while he was in school. His own experience was even worse than mine that I began pitying. Then and there did I conclude that I was better off than some people while some are better than me; this is the Irony of life.

 

My so called friend has been a leader for years and also stood in the position of counseling young undergraduate students while he was in school. He was highly revered and recommended to be capable of holding any leadership post. All these summed up the bases for my judgment that he could be trusted. The fact that he had experienced my present situation added to my trust in him.

 

I reeled out my problems to him with the hope that I could lean on him for advice. I told him of the difficulties I had only for Him to spill out my secrets in public. He was the first to accuse me of my inabilities which was due to my financial in capabilities. I had little to finance my daily needs and was left with little to fund other needs and he made me a scapegoat publicly. I felt betrayed and disappointed. I looked into his eyes and all I could see was betrayal. I could not say anything against him because he already knew my secrets to the marrow. I blamed myself for telling him too much about me. I could not say anything for I had broken down my entire defence with my hands.

 

Trust, an abstract which you develop in someone or something based on an evidence of what they have done or is capable of doing is built overtime.

My trust in people has been breached overtime that giving it out to people require a lot of thinking. Someone once told me that I might find it hard to fall in love, well I don't know yet but we all at one time in our lives have experienced the same ordeal in different ways.

 

However, experience they say is the best teacher but the best and more profitable way to learn is from the experience of other people who have attained certain level of maturity. It is better to always give people an element of doubt that they could breach your trust in them some day so that when they do, you would not have an heart break that could totally mar you but at least a heart that will be amendable………………..my opinion, what do you think?