WORKSHOP vs WORKCHOP

With my little exposure to the corporate world, I arrived at this title. Workshop or workchop; I am sure the essence of some words are losing value so fast and lots of funds get sunk into this white Elephant project.

Workshop is defined as a seminar, discussion group, that emphasizes exchange of ideas and the demonstration and application of techniques, skills etc. A theater workshop; opera workshop. In this context, we can really imagine how much organizations are expected to benefit when such events are put together but the result is contrary.

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JUSTIFIED QUALIFICATION vs UN-DEFENDABLE QUALIFICATION

Idun nyin,

That’s what Ibibio people in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria say which means “My People.” So, I am asking my very dear people, how are you at this season of the year? 2014 is winding up and we all anticipate 2015 which is an election year in Nigeria. At the time of writing, election primaries are being rounded off gradually with intrigue of who would hold a political office for 2015. Whatever, it is my desire is that none of us will be missing pre and post-elections.

Let’s think together today around qualification with lots of certificates and justifying the certificates. Some decades ago when my grandparents and a few opportune people were students; they became teachers after completing Standard 6. In our days, Standard 6 can be likened to Primary 6. The question that comes to mind is, “what was the content of their curriculum that made them have the ability to teach immediately after Standard 6?”

Afterwards, the need to become trained at the Teachers Training College to become a Grade 3 teacher; it proceeded to Grade 2, later on Nigerian Certificate of Education. However, I found out that some of those who went through this mode of education can speak better English; write perfectly and likewise teach satisfactorily. Contrary, today’s graduate can neither speak good English nor write correct sentences. What is the cause of this; justified qualification or un-defendable qualification.

Justified Qualification is a situation when educated people justify the certificate they have obtained. Such people might not be very certified but their output in life is worth that of a professor. Those who justify their qualifications usually become champions in all areas of human endeavor; they are peer leaders; they are people who others hold in high esteem and their words become wise sayings.

Un-defendable qualification is the unfortunate inability of a person to justify his certificates. Imagine, hearing a first class graduate, especially in the humanities, who is unable to speak correct English. One would endlessly contest how he made it the result. The Yoruba would say, “A ki fi ni joye awodi, ko ma le gbe ediye” meaning one should not be a hawk that cannot pick up a hen.

I want to challenge you on two things; firstly justify the certificates that you have with you; at the workplace and everywhere you are confronted about it. Secondly, maximize the certificate; if you have a certificate ensure that it gets you the very best available for your personal growth. There are people who never had the opportunity of amassing certificates but they became the pride of their community through writing and other arts.

I will close this discussion by inspiring you with the life of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi; he became a Music Maestro and based on his experience; he was made a Professor of Music at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun State, Nigeria.

Make the best use of your “little” certificate and not just accumulating it. May your certificates be profitable and your endeavor be rewarding.

Cheers!

Olu

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POVERTY MENTALITY vs COMFORT MENTALITY

Ache Olum,

As characteristic of this weekly writing to showcase Nigerian languages; the aforementioned greetings means, My People, Idoma language from Benue state of Nigeria. Hope the mood is right for Christmas? There is no need carrying unsettled scores into the New Year. Let’s start to make peace with everyone.

Today, we are looking at something that has to do with our finances. Many financial decisions are product of perception. As a young dude, I saw a lot of men who did not buy a car to convey their families from one place to another. They believed that after completion of a house; they can now own a car. They see a car as luxurious. They have completed their house and they now have fleets of cars.

Poverty mentality is the frugal spending of a person who believes so much in saving than in spending all he earns. In the words of financial experts, it is advised that a minimum of 10% of one’s income should be saved but according to the way in which people live their lives; a penny is hardly left after collection of their stipend because dependents have queued up before they get the money. Poverty mentality is seen in people who cut their coat according to their cloth. They do not attempt to go beyond their means.

Comfortable mentality is usually exhibited by young people who eat “beans cake” with all they earn at the onset of life. For those who believe in maximization, they get the luxurious gadgets; they compete with one another; they want to be updated; they are do not want to be told of how new experiences feel, they also want to experience it.

These mentalities are good but one must be careful not to overrun oneself in a competition that is not visible. Why do you think low-income earners achieve feats? They are wise with every kobo earned. They go one step at a time; they are not hasty in obtaining items. Many things are left till it’s comfortable to acquire.

Many times, those with poverty mentality achieve feats while those who thought comfort for immediate gratification is ideal for them. Regardless of the amount you earn, you can still make profit from it; as small as it is, some of your contemporaries have multiplied it.

Go multiply the little you have; it would later be comfortable when you deal your comfort.

Let’s hope for a beautiful year ahead filled with maximization.

Cheers!

Olu

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RAW MATERIAL vs FINISHED PRODUCT

En le fa,

This is a greeting from Yoruba speakers of Kwara State; the fa is an idiosyncrasy from that region of the country. Without wasting time (words), let’s look at something of interest for manufacturers, builders etc.

Raw Material is the unprocessed form of an item. Raw materials are typical independent. However when mixed with other raw materials, it turns into a finished product. I will give examples, in the production of a car, separate independent items are brought together; the body, the engine, the tyres and others. There is none of these items that can be used separately until it is all fused into one.

Be that as it may, raw materials are not fascinating ab initio until they get the right touch. Another example is a stock pile of cement bags; metal rods; electrical cables and others. They do not fit till they are all used in the construction of a house.

A finished product is the final end of combined raw materials to produce either a house, a car any even edible items. An example of an edible finished product is palm oil. Palm oil is still being produced in a crude way but it is not edible until the production process is completed.

Finished product is good for the sight; appreciated but let us have it in mind that it was once raw till it was processed with other materials. A man who is made once struggled; a beautiful ornament was once heated with fire; a proud mother was once deformed with pregnancy.

The process involved in the eventual emergence of a finished product is what many people abhor. Be the raw material that cooperates with others and also be an attractive finished product after proper preparation.

Have a nice week.

Cheers!

Olu

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RAISED BY ONE vs RAISED BY ALL

Hello Friends,

It is another season of the year when we all want to clear our tables for new tasks in the New Year. This season is full of visits, gifts, fun and travels. All I wish you is a memorable season filled with divine blessings.

I have come to you with a Yoruba proverb that goes thus; Oju kan ni bimo, igba oju ni wo, this means a children is born by a person but raised by many. There are scenarios that adequately depict the meaning of the proverb. The person raised by many might be an orphan or single parent. However, the list is inexhaustible. For example, at the inception of Western education in Nigeria; it could be a relative who is resident in the city that would adopt someone from his hamlet. This aided the acceptance and growth of education.

Raised by One is a situation in which one is raised by relatives both nuclear and extended. This type of raising is based on the experience and exposure of the people nurturing the child in question. There are some parents who enforce choice of career, mostly patterned after their profession, on their children. Also, they stretch themselves to ensure that a better tomorrow is built for the child.

Raised by All is a phenomenon in which many people are involved in the nurturing of a child. Such people might not be blood-related but everyone strives to ensure that such a child becomes successful. When one is raised by all, there are also limitations about financial support because many times, those people have their challenges as well. However, it is definite that they would ensure the best moral development of the child beyond what the direct parents would provide. There is a collaborating proverb about the moral training that, “Omo ti won o ba konile, ita ni won ti n ko” meaning a child without moral home training would be trained by outsiders.

I am an advocate of both schools of thought; a parent might not have enough time to give the moral upbringing to a child. Also, neighbours and acquaintances cannot give the financial support for the child but integrating the two schools of raising gives advantages in the areas of thought, reasoning, ability to take decision, give the best academically and raising a well-informed child.

As you end this year, be opened to being raised by both your immediate relatives and the community at large.

Season’s Greetings!

Cheers!

Olu

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