L-R Olamitayo, wife, Mrs Nike Monica Okudaye, professional Textile Artist and the author

The author and Pa Tunji Oyelana, renowned Nigerian folklore musician

The author and Gbenga Adeyinka, Grand Comedian of the Federal Republic

The Author With Marcus Sorour, General Manager, Waggener Edstrom Communications, South Africa

The Author With Jahman Anikulapo, Program Chair, Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA)

17 Dec 2015

FINISHING CARELESSLY vs FINISHING STRONG

Complements,

Complements of the season! Hope you had a fun filled Christmas with your loved ones! We thank God for keeping us till this time of the year; regardless of how things are, we are assured of a blessed hope for a shining future ahead of us. All you need will soon come in full measure, be prayerful and be expectant!

After Christmas, we look forward to the end of the year but do you agree with me that some people would still be kicked out of their job before the end of the year, why? That is the 1 million naira question before me. The simple answer is they finished the year carelessly rather than finishing strong.

NIGERIAN FACTOR vs LEADING PRACTICES

Okun,

I am coming to you today in the Yoruba dialect of the Okun (an offshoot of the Yoruba domiciled around Lokoja, Egbe, Kabba) North-Central, Nigeria. It is a basic way of exchanging pleasantries. I am greeting you in their parlance become I have not been with you in some weeks. I am overwhelmed by some deliverables that contested for my time of writing. Complements of the season to you! Thank you for being a part of my journey for 2015.

Today’s versus series is quite domestic because it deals with the worldview of Nigerians before having an opportunity to see how things are done in other parts of the world. However, some of our people with great exposure will still return to this lifestyle once they are on the Nigerian shores. I am taking about the Nigerian factor. This is the reason why Richard Branson founder of the success Virgin Group would come to Nigeria and shut down his operations in few years.

1 Dec 2015

ACQUISITION DRIVE vs MAINTENANCE CULTURE

Saanu nku,

Blessed people! I am delighted to welcome you to the month of December. Like a dream, 2015 is coming to a halt in 30 days! How time flies! Time flies for healthy and busy people. May God come to the aid of those who are sick. Amen.

Now to the discussion of today, the Nigerian Police is fond of complaining that they do not have vehicles to combat crime. State governments and corporate organizations decided to ‘donate’ vehicles to the force as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Lagos State last week gave out boats, cars and helicopters. Fortunately, these vehicles get grounded in few months after donation, I have previously written a Versus Series, click here to read it. Today, we are looking at Acquisition drive vs Maintenance culture.

16 Nov 2015

ÀBÍKÚ VS ÀLọ́YÈ


kú ìkàl̀,

That greeting in Yorùbá that has no English equivalent! Let me give a scenario that can best describe when to greet in this manner; if you are walking pass an elderly person who is sitting down and you want to exchange pleasantries that is when you say such. Some make jest of us that there is greetings for everything in my mother tongue but I am delighted; I have a topic in my mother tongue for the 93rd edition of Versus Series.

For us who heard stories from our parents of the types of stores that existed while they were young; ‘Kingsway’ was the name that comes to mind. In our days, Shoprite would be the name that comes to the mind. The question is why are some brands ‘àbíkú’ meaning stillbirth while some are ‘àlọ́yè’ meaning ‘flourishing’?

9 Nov 2015

PRODUCTS vs CAVEATS

Morning,

It is another opportunity to see today! I hope you are ready to make the best out of today? Well, let’s do a little self-appraisal, what has been your performance thus far since the beginning of the year? The year is gradually coming to an end; how would you appraise yourself before someone else appraises you?

Some years ago when cigarettes was still been advertised on Nigerian Television stations; they would show you all the glamour exhibited by smokers but shortly before ending the clip, a deep baritone voice will come up to announce, ‘smokers are liable to die young’. There are certain caveats that are associated with certain products; let’s ruminate over it.

Products are the result of research, pleasure and self-gratification made for people to use as substitute for natural remedies. There are also medical products that have caveats, for example, all baby formulae have caveats about breastfeeding as still the best form of feeding for infants. There are certain products that are harmful while some are beneficial; some are used to show social status while some are used for the sake of consumption.

Caveats are the warnings made available to people who choose to use certain products. In a layman’s term, it can be said to, “I have shown unto you, Oh! Consumer what is good and acceptable; you have a choice to use or not to use”. Caveats are very simple ways of exonerating the production company from all that happens subsequently after you have decided to use the product.

There are some basic facts that can be drawn from today’s discussion. One, remember to read the prescription note on products that you want to consume. Two, do not live carelessly without knowing the side-effect of what you consume. Three, if possible, do not live an addictive life. Four, live a healthy life.

Companies would make huge profits while your consumption of their products would cause grievous bodily damages.

Have a healthy week.

Best wishes,

Olutayo

29 Oct 2015

OFFICIAL PERK vs PERSONAL POSSESSION

Bon jour,

Today’s opening greeting takes me down memory lane when I was a student of French in the secondary school and also during a basic certificate course in the University of Ibadan some few years ago. Bon jour means ‘Good morning’. Kindly allow me to say this; October 29, 2010 was the launch of the biography of my maternal granddad that I authored. It’s a project that I am extremely proud of; I am grateful to those who made the day a success and equally, all those who have read the book.

Back to business, top executives have a lot of benefits attached to their offices; these include cars (SUVs), apartment, subscription to world-class magazines, business class air travel, hotel accommodation, medical insurance, membership of influential clubs and a lot more. However, some of them come to nothing immediately they leave the office because they are unable to meet up to the financial obligation of such lifestyle they were introduced to while working. Today, we would be looking at official perk versus personal possession.

23 Oct 2015

EMPLOYEES FAVOUR VS EMPLOYERS FAVOUR

Iba o,

That is a way of paying homage and obeisance to Elderly people Yorùbá land.  Hope you are enjoying the challenges encountered daily? This would make us stronger, no doubt, because this is the reflector of the expertise that we have gained.

Today, I will be looking at something quite important and salient to our lives. There is a story of a particular man who was once working with a government agency; he went on assignment to a private company regularly. Along the line, they saw him playing a prominent role in their organization and he was poached. As of now, he has risen to the top echelon in the organization now. Who is favouring who?

12 Oct 2015

PREPARATION FOR MATURITY vs PRACTICAL MATURITY

Ikot Nyin,

This means “My People’’ in Efik language of Cross River State, Nigeria. Hope you had a great weekend? I deliberately rested during this last weekend so that I would be refreshed for a new week. Just an appeal, I know that this age is fast moving but regardless of that; we need to take a step at a time, so that we do not end our life abruptly.

Many a times, when a son is being driven to a distant farm by his father; he would usually complain and would be comparing himself to his friend that farms nearby the community. He would not appreciate the ‘hard’ training for maturity. The same also goes for a girl who resides with her elder sister, she would learn how to nurture a child from birth; she would not appreciate the training until she starts to give birth and she finds the process smooth. That is life for us!

5 Oct 2015

PLAYING ROLES vs REAL ROLES

Ndawatun,

This is a popular greeting amongst the Kanuris’ of Borno State, North-East, Nigeria; however I do not know the meaning but the response is ‘Kelewa sele’ if you meet a black man with tribal marks that runs from the forehead to the nose and also another long one on the cheeks; you may try this greetings. That would make you appreciate the diversity of Nigeria.

Let’s proceed into today’s discussion; playing roles versus real roles. At a point in time, we have had the opportunity of watching a movie. We would definitely have known that the play series of roles in different movies with different story-lines but this does not mean that they act out these roles in real life.

17 Sept 2015

EXTERNAL PERCEPTION vs INSIDER’S REALITY

Aba die,

That is ‘Hello’ in Ibibio language of the Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. Hope you had a nice weekend? Mine was hectic but fun because I was engaged in activities that I enjoy. I pray that we would have a great week ahead.

Have you even seen companies that look really great in terms of branding, advertising, public relations and the carriage of the management staff but when you strike a conversation with a low-cadre staff; you will be blow off but the inability of the company to live up to external expectation.

7 Sept 2015

SHARP PRACTICES vs SHARP MINDS

Umu nnem,

I am coming to you as an Igbo man today. I am saying, My People! I hope you are doing great? I had a fascinating weekend; I met new people as I hosted a Yorùbá event tagged “Yorùbá LákỌ̀tun”. There was poetry and an interview session with Ọmọ-Ọba Olúṣẹ̀san Ajewọlé, the author of many Yorùbá and English literatures. I believe, it is time for cultural renaissance, if our language and culture will not go into extinction.

Back to the subject of discourse today, we all know that there are some children that we meet on the streets everyday who have developed a very crafty personality. These are children that you hardly would want to come your way. They have learnt sharp practices as against developing sharp minds.

27 Aug 2015

SCHOOL HOLIDAY VS PARENTAL LEAVE


Ina kuana, Antashe lafia ko?

These are expressions in Hausa language, Northern Nigeria, meaning, ‘Good morning, hope you had a nice night?’ I am delighted to have picked some words during my mandatory National Youth Service Corps some years ago. Well, that’s another story for another day.

It is the holiday season for pupils and students. Some of us who had the opportunity of going for holidays with our grandparents now appreciate those visits. We have come to an age when children are permanently left at the mercies of their teachers. From normal academic session to summer classes and to another academic year; let’s think together on school holiday versus parental leave.

11 Aug 2015

AISLE vs WINDOW

Dear Friends,

Welcome to a new week. Hope you had a great weekend? I am delighted to be here again. Yoruba and Owambe* things can hardly be separated. There are times when there are more than one event during the weekend and what determines the choice of attendance is based on the affinity of the celebrant or those involved. On a lighter note, so may I ask how many parties were you a part of this last weekend?

Have you ever been seated by the aisle in a luxurious bus? Then, there are people who could not afford to pay the same fare with you on board and they stand on the aisle throughout the journey from one region to another. There are times, when they would fall over you. Our discussion today is on Aisle vs Window.

30 Jul 2015

CONFLICT OF INTEREST vs MULTIPLE STREAM OF INCOME

Good morning,

Thank you for taking time to read my writings from time to time. I appreciate those who read it and I know that I would be tempted one day to write some specific names. Don’t worry; I will make it look like a genealogy!

I once had an experience wherein employees were all sent a document on the conflict of interest policy of the organization because it was noticed that many of the management staff now have company that are contractors to the organization. The organization got information about some people and they were shown the way out. However, the economic realities of our days need multiple streams of income. This is not an exhaustive HR note but it will be helpful for us all.

24 Jul 2015

MINE vs OURS II

Elders of our time,

I am starting today’s article acknowledging the Elders; this usually done in cultural settings when you are showing respect to traditional chiefs etc, but may I quickly add, by the virtue of official and ecclesiastical positions, many young people have become elders.

Every parent wants the best for his offspring; this is usually seen from the quality of education, feeding and the opportunities created for them; whereas such parents in a competitive bid do not do the same to relations, acquaintances et al. The handling of it is quite personalized at the expense of others. However, some children of the academia and clergy are on the flip side of the coin; their parents stake their neck for others while they want outstanding children who get it all based on merit. It is still the same world of Mine vs Ours!

MINE vs OURS I

Dear friends,

It is a pleasure coming your way again this week. Hope you had a nice weekend? I enjoy doing what I do as I have seen my creative self delving into many times at the same time and I am seeing results. I will also want to appreciate those who have been reading this weekly series; you are the source of my encouragement up to the 81st article in the series.

This is the first part of this topic and it will continue from another angle next week. I have 2 friends; who started out in a small office and they had to agree to rent an apartment together. One paid for the apartment while the other bought furniture of the same amount. At a certain time, one of them wanted to get married and the other had to excuse the couple. The one who excused the other went with all his furniture and the apartment was empty again to some extent and unfortunately, he lost some items to his friend. It is a world of mine and ours!

22 Jul 2015

IMMEDIATE BENEFIT vs ACCUMULATED BENEFIT

ụtụtụ ọma,

That is “Good Morning” in Igbo language South-Southern part of Nigeria. I hope you enjoyed the long weekend? It was more chores for me and I enjoyed it. It is back to business as norm and I am finding that engaging as well. The first challenge for today, do not stop creation because you are created to create what the next generation needs.

As an employee, there are many ways of being compensated for your service to a particular company. It could be in form of benefits, long service award and so on. These rewards are not for people who work for few years and move on to other companies. What is the difference between immediate benefit and accumulated benefit? Let’s proceed.

8 Jul 2015

CONTRACT STAFF vs PERMANENT STAFF


Siku Njema,
That is Good day in Swahili language, South Africa. Hope you had a great week? I feel so blessed every July because I have landmark accomplishments that last a lifetime, to be precise, I got a job in July; got married and many more. I appreciate God for all my testimonies.

My experience with the job I got some “Julys” ago; made me come up with today’s discussion; Contract staff versus Permanent staff. Many young people abhor this term but it is a reality that we have to live with presently as capitalist wishes. Let me paint a scenario, a group of staff in a company put themselves together to vent their anger about their condition of service but when the companies spokesperson would address the press; the company expressed their displeasure about the conduct of these disgruntled people who were unfortunately staff of a service provider; that is all! This now reminds me of someone’s saying, “it is easier for someone to come from another company and be recruited as a permanent staff than for a contract staff to cross the hurdle”.

6 Jul 2015

CAPTIVITY vs LIBERTY


Dear Friends,

How has been the 2nd half of the year? I have been on a roller coaster experience and I am finding the challenge worthwhile. Also, I have been seeing great testimonies this year and I know I would share my good news with you soon.

I was on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi some days ago and I saw some prisoners in Black Maria heading to the law court for different verdicts respectively. I saw them trying to peep through the vent to catch a glimpse of what was happening on the street. Still in the same vehicle, I was hearing one of them praying while other responded, “Amen!”

29 Jun 2015

HIJACKED POWER vs RELINQUISHED POWER

E kaaro o,

That simply means “Good morning” in Yoruba language. I am sure to get chastised by the 1st speakers of the language because I do not have the tonal marks that give the same word different meanings.

Today, I will be looking at power from a deadly angle and the other perspective. For every man (including woman), there is a time when one has the ability to pursue dreams with vigour during the vibrant stage of life. The person would attain power and position, however for every man, life can either demand for the power in different ways while one has a choice to relinquish power like the erstwhile President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

19 Jun 2015

EMERGENCY MEASURES vs LONG TERM MEASURES

Wapendwa Marafiki,

Despite all the xenophobic attacks in recent times, I travelled to South Africa to bring you greetings, saying, “Hello Friends.” It is a great week around me with loads of commitments and challenges that would make me better. Hope we are all on the learning curve? Life is all about learning.

10 Jun 2015

SOLIDLY BUILT vs SHODDILY BUILT



E ku ati!

As a Yoruba boy, I appreciate greeting in the language that appeals so much to my instinct. I said "It's been a while!" in my dialect. I have been held down by circumstances beyond my control.

Today's discussion is about two buildings. These buildings are located in the same part of the town. They were built on the same soil type and they needed the same materials to erect them. However, one of the buildings was done by a contractor who cut corners. We all know the result of such tasks.

6 May 2015

ENTREPRENEURSHIP vs INTRAPRENEURSHIP

Idun nyin,

Welcome to another week. I hope you had a nice weekend? Hope it was splendid. I was at a wedding ceremony as the compere. May I tell you that I enjoy doing it when the programme is orderly. Well, I greeted you in Ibibio language of Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.

The late Revd Goke Adeleke, chaplain of the Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria. Once described at a wedding ceremony, how people are now being responsible more to career than the family. He believed it is a ploy to separate man from marriage. If a man has actually left his parents and cannot cleave to his wife because of career; there is a need to tread cautiously because it might be the beginning of other relationships. You know what I mean, infidelity creeps in. This is an aside; we are considering Entrepreneurship versus Intrapeneurship.

4 May 2015

ACTUAL TIME vs INJURY TIME

Okpam,

The year is on a fast lane. A new month is already here. Hope you had a grand Worker’s Day holiday or outing and also a good weekend? The holiday was good for me because of the nostalgic memory that it brought; I had sufficient time to listen to music. I greeted you in Idoma language of Benue State, saying “My friend”.

Our tent is pitched with football today; there are different ways of referring to time on the pitch. The actual game would last for 90 minutes while few minutes are added as injury time based on the assessment of the referee of the summed up time when the game paused. However, there might be Extra time during games that a qualifying team needs to emerge. I am discussing this in relation to other areas of our lives hoping that football would teach us something helpful for our daily lives.

24 Apr 2015

HUMBLE LIFESTYLE vs HYPED LIFESTYLE

Ikot nyin-mi,

Welcome to another week of Versus Series, I hope you had a great weekend? We all await the conclusion of the election in 3 states in Nigeria. As we have all been waiting for good news; may it be our lot in Jesus name. Let me not leave you to a rhetorical question, I said “My People” in Efik language of Cross-River State, Nigeria. Hopefully, we should extend our language tentacles to West African states soon.

11 Apr 2015

MARITAL SEPARATION vs MARITAL DETERMINATION II

Ndewo,

I have not abandoned my Igbo friends because I am still on the same discourse. I just said “Hello” in Igboland, South-Southern part of Nigeria. I started a discussion on seperation and determination last week and I am dwelling on the topic for this week too. May I ask, “I hope I have offended you through this particular title.

There are stories of children who grew up with single parents who demand to see the other parent at a point in time in life. Also, there are many men who married another woman for flippant reasons and they paid dearly for it at old age when they are neglected by children of both women.

10 Apr 2015

MARTIAL SEPARATION vs MARITAL DETERMINATION I

Kedu,

I bring you greetings from Igbo land, South-South region of Nigeria today by saying: “Hello”. Hope you are doing good and you had a great weekend thus far. What’s the result of the gubernatorial elections from your state? God will stretch forth his hand of greatness towards our country. Amen.

Today’s piece will be highly controversial and I want to stand by it. I want to ask, how would you effectively separate a couple? How do you untangle the romantic aspect of their lives? The items bought together? How would you share the children? Unpaid loans to one another? There is no judge that can effectively share it all; someone who have more to loss while the other gains more than the actual contributions.

Separation is a phenomenon when one of the couple gets tired, get frustrated or gets forced out of a union.  There is a need to reflect on what you do wrong as spouses. For every negative situation, either of the couple would be at fault; there are times when the man is wrong but would not want to accept it and vice versa. However, when one understands how to communicate effectively; then there is a resolution faster than assumed. If we learn to unlearn what we have known over the years for the new things our marriage would teach us, then, we would easily change. However, life-threatening situations are the only condition through which separation is allowed.

Determination is having a dogged attitude to keep the union alive against all odds. I have found myself in very absurd situations in marriage and I have been tagged strict because I have values that I cherish. I might be seen as belonging to the old generation to keep this posture but I think it is worthwhile. Determined and faithful partners should be encouraged just like virgins. It is only determination that would stop all negative incitements from having its way.

We keep seeing God as having made a mistake creating the male and female gender to raise children. The roles are separate and independent of one another. You might have all the affluence to train the children but the wrong influence during the formative years remains with them, as such; the standard of the parents is the norm.

Taking lessons from the Western culture would not help us as a whole. If we do not play roles that are beyond what nature ordained. We would be able to cross the little hurdles thrown at our union- financial, academic, in-law influences and others.

Do not be recruited into wrong train regardless of how you got into marriage-rushed, coerced, willingly or hypnotized. Kindly learn to fight for it protectively, carefully and prayerfully.

Remember, whoever does not have what he stand for will fall for everything!

God help us!


Olutayo

1 Apr 2015

PRAISE SINGERS vs TRUTH SAYERS

Okpam,

I last spoke with you last week when Nigeria was the cynosure of all eyes. The tension has doused and the nation is still nostalgic: some felt bad about losing the elections, some felt great about winning. May both be for the good of the nation at large. Okpam means my friend in Idoma language of Benue State, North-Central, Nigeria.

There is a set of traditional people in Yoruba culture and tradition called the “Ayan”. It is likely that you might have come across people whose surname starts with Ayan as the prefix. I would not want to waste your time on discussing this but you can read up a sister blog where this has been discussed in the past- Etymology: Prefix and Suffix as Variant of Yoruba names. This family’s craft include playing of the traditional drum and singing the praises of people and families. In fact, they add aesthetics to any event of Yoruba people. In this twist today, we would be examining it from the political angle.

30 Mar 2015

WAITING-FOR-OTHERS vs DO-IT-YOURSELF

Ezigbo Enyi,

It is a wonderful time writing to you. As for Nigeria, this moment is quite critical because we are all waiting for the announcement of the winner of the Presidential elections. My passion for a greater Nigeria is summed up thus that the person who would take the nation to a greater height emerge. Lest I forget, I greeted you in Igbo language, South-South region of Nigeria.

As a small boy in the Royal Ambassadors, we had a mentor that we look forward to; he was one of the person who showed many of us the road to Lagos, in fact, he accommodated us before we came of age. He leaves Ibadan on Sunday at 3 pm, on one of such trips, expectedly, there was a need to clean the car. My mentor started it, this is against the typical idea of the Yoruba tradition that believes that the younger person does the task. He told me that in his workplace, the attitude is called “Do-It-Yourself.” After this experience, I have learnt to do many things myself!

Waiting-for-Others is the lazy way of delegation. There are many tasks that are assigned to the ranks by the officer that does not take anything from the officer to get it done personally. At times, the junior officer feels insulted but he has no choice but to swallow the bitter pill. We just thank nature for not giving the ability to send people on “defecation” errand. That’s the height of it.

Do-It-Yourself is the way of getting involved! Anybody who knows how to do it spends less because he won’t give it all to the artisans. There are a lot of home tools that can be procured and used to get some simple tasks done. There are people that fix their electrical cables themselves; paint their houses themselves and many more. Many of these tasks can be learnt after watching someone doing it once or twice.

As we build ourselves; as we learn to conserve our limited funds; as we build our career; as we proceed in our daily activities, there are simple  tasks that can be done ourselves. However, the fund we would spend might not be much but these activities help the brain; get one engaged during the weekends, exercise the body and shows how creative one can be in resolving issues.

Learn to Do-It-Yourself!

Cheers!


Olutayo

22 Mar 2015

RAINY SEASON vs RAINY DAY

Ciao amici,
I decided to go global today because there is hardly any nation where Nigerians do not reside and there are many foreigners also resident in Nigeria. I said “hello friends” in Italian language. This week is very crucial in the history of Nigeria; let’s keep our fingers crossed while we do not relent in prayers for the best for our dear nation.

In our parlance, rainy season is the period of the year filled with rain. It has many features, there could be rainstorm, thunder, flood, blossoming of plants and many others attributes. However, the context of today’s discussion is based on the abundance at this time. The earth has enough water for plants to grow, in fact, fruits are available in great quantity but waste away.

9 Mar 2015

FOCUSED vs OUT-OF-FOCUS

Ndi beanyi

I hope your day has started in a memorable way? It was a weekend full of activity for me and I hope you enjoyed yours as well. As I do regularly, I greeted you in Igbo language of the South-Eastern part of Nigeria it means “my people”. May this week be a blessed week for everyone.

There is story about a blacksmith; the man was tenaciously hitting a particular spot as he was trying to get a shape out of the metal that he was casting. He did this till he got the desires result. Two things happened thereafter; his apprentices understood that their boss had a particular shape in mind he wanted and his customers saw his craft as distinct from what his contemporaries did. This led to this Yoruba saying: “Alagbede to n lu irin loju kan na, oni ohun to n wa”

2 Mar 2015

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS vs NATURAL BITTERS

Okpam,

I am truly Nigerian and I am proud it’s a heterogeneous country. I just said, “My friend” in Idoma language, Benue State, Nigeria. Welcome to the month of March, we all pray to move forward and that will be our experience by God’s grace. Fellow Nigerians, as we are called by our leaders, I hope we would use our Voters Card right; it is just few weeks to elections.

4 Feb 2015

ETHICS vs PRACTICE

Oniovo,

This means “my friend” in Urhobo language of Delta State. It is a great week for me as I had a great weekend; my church became a local autonomous church amongst many other challenges that is preparing me for the years ahead. Every challenge, to me, is a springboard to greater heights.

If you will not agree with me that virtually all professions have ethics, you will accept that Lawyers, Doctors and Accountant jealously guard their professions. As such, erring members are punished publicly to serve as deterrent to others. However, it burdens my heart to make discuss this topic because many people do not abide by the ethics of their job when it comes to practice. Let’s think together.

2 Feb 2015

ECZEMA vs LEPROSY

Wa do,
Happy New Month! I want to start on that ecstatic note. It has been a wonderful year thus far. There have been many challenges but with faith, we are more than overcomers. I just said, Good day, in Urhobo language of Delta State, Nigeria. If my spelling is not right, any of my Edo friends should endeavor to correct me.

There are many illnesses that have similar symptoms, unfortunately, I am not a medic, these illnesses have drugs used in curing them. However, there are times when wrong diagnosis lead to wrong prescriptions which ultimately lead to death. Like it is said, “doctors bury their mistakes.” Let’s consider something from a Yoruba proverb for this week. “E fi ete sile; e n pa lapalapa” which literarily means leprosy has been ignored while eczema is being treated. These illnesses have whitish looks but they differ.

27 Jan 2015

INTERMEDIARY vs DIRECT ACCESS

Omoime,

As a Nigerian who appreciates the heterogeneous nature of the country. I said “My friends” in Ishan language of Edo State. It is a great day to reach out to you with our weekly diet. I wished to have ran away (stopping this series) but I found myself in love with it and am glued to writing it.

14 Jan 2015

CONSUMER LIFESTYLE vs PRODUCTIVE LIFESTYLE

Onoirah,

It is a privilege to come your way again. I greeted you in Ishan language of Edo State, Nigeria, this means, “My People.” I am glad that we have the opportunity of seeing into the future through our positive outlook to situations and event. I also use this medium to sympathize with all those who lost their livelihood to different fire outbreak in the last one week. May the Lord grant you a speedy free start.

Being a Nigerian, I have grown up to know that Nigerians consume a lot. New brand berth in the country annually and in some few years, they are already making profit that exceeds that of their homeland. Unfortunately, before their arrival, Nigerians in the same line of business are not reckoned with or such business goes into extinction. Truthfully, how do we evaluate the lifestyle of Nigerians?

6 Jan 2015

TECHNOLOGY SLAVES vs TECHNOLOGY MASTERS

Mavor,

I hope your day has started in an exciting way? I wish to get educated daily and I chose to add more words from the heterogeneous lexicon of Nigeria, I asked, “how are you?” in Urhobo language of Delta State, Nigeria. I pray that you will end the day beautifully.

I remembered that in the early 2000s, radical technological changes happened. We were all amazed at the new order most especially in Africa. 15 years after, we have become inseparable from this new order. Every product is now a product of technology; man lives on technology and feeds on technology. Some weeks ago, I was a part of a workshop where I heard the definition of the users of technology and I believe you will also like to learn. Let’s think together, technology slaves versus technology masters.

Technology slaves are those who are addicted to working with technology; they are those who work so long. In order words, they have been sold out to technology. They crave for every new gadget; they want to be technologically sophisticated; they have sleepless nights because they were not online in a day. They want to be response real time, however, life itself, does not offer every solution real time. I looked at the words, “slaves and addiction” but truly, one becomes a slave to whatever one is addicted to. There was a woman whose husband broke the blackberry device, he bought for her because she had abandoned all her responsibility to her children and him; she was always pinging.

Technology masters are those who have the ability to manage their time and increase control of their lives. They are people who use technology when it is available; they are people who can restrain their internet usage. They are people who have the strength to stay sane when they are offline for days. They are people who are not driven by the craze to acquire gadgets.

With these definitions, we know where we fall. In the New Year, there are habits that we need to drop; would you be a slave to technology or be the master of technology. I know that many opportunities abound on the technological space and if it is not seized immediately; it can be gone forever.

Let’s live a modest life and remain masters over all situations.

Have a great week.


Cheers!


4 Jan 2015

EARLY RISERS vs LATE RISERS

A ku amojuba odun titun,

Yoruba has been humoured as a language that has greetings for all situations. I am saying, congratulations on seeing the new year. As 2015 was ending, many of us went into “holiday mode.” However, it is not a bad idea to encourage ourselves as a new week and a new year commences. Let’s think together on this simple topic, early risers versus later risers.

Early risers refer to those who start maximizing opportunities from the first day of the year. This is not defined by being an extrovert but by an inner drive to attain heights in the new year. Such people are not driven by sight but by conviction that their lives would be different from the onset of the year.