QUICK LOANS FOR CORPS MEMBERS….a CDL initiative

Introducing Empower The Corps (ETC) a product of Credit Direct Limited (a member of FCMB Group Plc) which provides quick loans to NYSC corps members while in service. Are you a serving Corps Member accepted in your Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) and you need to urgently attend to some financial needs like start a small business, buy white goods for your room, pay rent, obtain a certification, attend a training, and learn a new skill or some other financial obligation? Look no further!

The Empowering The Corps (ETC) scheme has got you covered.

No matter who you are and what your needs are? We have 4 unique packages to help create an easy and convenient life for you while in service.

2015 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,700 times in 2015. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

NEVER NEVER QUIT

The moment you start believing you’re successful enough to rest on your laurels, you’re in trouble. You’ve put a lid on your growth! Solomon wrote, ‘Do you know a hard-working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings!. Success is always a possibility, but never a guarantee. It belongs to the man or woman who’s willing to show up early, stay late, go the extra mile, and keep asking, ‘Is there a better way?’. An agency once created an ad for an automobile company. It said, ‘At sixty miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.’ When they ran the ad by the company’s CEO, he smiled and said, ‘I guess we’ve got to do something about that clock!’.

A young man once asked Henry Ford, ‘How can I make a name for myself and be successful?’. He replied, ‘Decide what you want, then stick with it. Never deviate from your course no matter how long it takes or how hard the road, until you’ve accomplished your purpose.’ Successful people have one thing in common: they refuse to quit! No matter how many times they fall, they get back up, dust themselves off, learn from it, and start over. Paul J. Meyer says, ‘Ninety-nine per cent of those who fail are not actually defeated, they simply quit.’ The Bible says, ‘To win…you must deny yourselves… things that…keep you from doing your best’. The only people who never fail are those who never try. So keep going, and don’t even think about quitting!

I have had my fair share of staying on, I recently had a rough few days with my CEO and felt it was that time to shut the door, but knowing the next thing to do is not to quit but rather to get the next best thing to do that would help make better impact on the company. I walked to him and got the rude shock, he was actually expecting me to show up for this chat and new direction. Most times people do not take caution in making big decisions, risks are good, calculated risks are better. Watch your steps before you leap, do not jump blind. Do not stay on one spot for long, Move, Evolve, ensure to step up in all you do and notice how life changes around you.

Look up and look big.

Cheers.

 

LESSON I LEARNT FROM AN ODD PLACE

I was on my way back from a friend’s engagement in Edo state. I traveled by bus, this is because I could not summon courage to drive from Lagos down to Benin besides it was my first time going there.

Back to my story, so there I was in the bus, when this man, came in shut the rolling door behind him and then said, “Let Us Pray” “Oh Dear Lord,” I thought “Not today.”

You see, the truth is I don’t like these guys who pose as Pastors especially in bus-stops. It doesn’t take going to Jupiter to know that they’re just hustling for their daily bread.

They clutch a Bible, and then pray and of course at the end ask you to donate money.

I have even heard rumours that they share their collections with the bus drivers.

Anyways, the thing is I ALWAYS decide BEFOREHAND not to give these obviously fake Pastors any kobo.

But There’s Was Something About This Guy! He was entertaining. He told stories, he made jokes.
Damn I even laughed at one of them. Then he said he didn’t want our money! What?!!! A “Bus” Pastor doesn’t want money?

Who is this guy?

Then he began to preach. He used a clever analogy and Bible interpretation. I felt myself grinning with him. This man thoroughly finished me because at that point, I was about reaching into my pocket.

But Our Pastor Wasn’t Done Yet! He told even more stories, and jokes and admonitions.

The he began to bless us, our children, our wives, our parents, our businesses.

He then said he doesn’t need a donation from those who didn’t have it to give or who didn’t want to give, he said if we felt blessed by his message then we should give ANYTHING we wanted to give! This man was good. Immediately I just felt I should give him even more than I originally planned to.

So I gave a N500 then he again prayed for everyone, including those who did not give him a dime. You know what? I can’t really say if this guy was fake or not, but he did impress me. He was different and that’s what you too should be different.

If you want to make money and make a lot of it, you need to follow the lessons this ‘Pastor’ taught me on this day;

Step One: Have something to sell:  This guy had something he was selling – prayers.

Prayer my friend is one of the highest selling products/services in Nigeria. Doubt me? Go to any
Church near you next Sunday and see for yourself. Most people think they will make money without selling anything.

Crappy thinking, dont think crappy thoughts. You’re far better than that.

RIGHT ATTITUDE

Dear Readers,

Thank you for holding in, I have had a busy schedule at work and every time i come here, i experience bloggers drains which limits my creativity to drop you a line, the past week has had some juicy stories from the death faking to the huge loss of my team @chelseafc.. buh I am here now and wish to stay steady on writing, I have a piece to share this morning before I leave for my exams

Attitude is everything, without it a man is just simply a moving object, no matter how you display it, your body language gives you in most times.

Attitude is more important than facts. We are the sum total of our attitude in life. Developing a right attitude is a personal commitment by individuals. The most valuable character asset anyone can possess is a right attitude. Your attitude as a valuable personality trait is the first thing others can read about you. We may not be able to change our body type but we can learn to cultivate a right attitude even where someone exhibits a bad trait.

A positive attitude may not be hereditary but it can be acquired as we journey through life. Bad attitude can be made better and while a good disposition can become greater. We are product of our attitudes. Cultivating a good attitude will influence our interpersonal relationships.

A right attitude positions us for opportunities, favour, goodwill and promotion in life while negative attitudes rob one of needed opportunities. Everyone can choose a right attitude over a negative one. If you desire the right attitude that works this morning, you have to cooperate with God, allow Him to help you overcome any challenges associated with your relationships.

WORD FOR TODAY

‘The wise accumulate wisdom.’ So keep learning. Knowledge in most major fields is exploding, and if you don’t stay up to date you’ll be left behind. Repeating the same lessons over and over means you’re not learning enough. Study those who’ve succeeded where you want to succeed, in order to know what to do and what not to do. U.S. Admiral Hyman Rickover said, ‘Learn from the mistakes of others; you’ll never live long enough to make them all yourself.’ So:

1) Respect those with experience and expertise greater than your own. Instead of shrinking away from them, reach for them. The Bible says, ‘God has given each of you some special abilities…use them to help each other…’ We all struggle in certain areas; be careful lest your insecurity be misinterpreted as arrogance.

2) Become a good listener. Don’t try to impress people by seeking to be their intellectual equal. If you find yourself in a discussion that intimidates you, ask questions, talk only about what you know, listen attentively, and the next time you meet you’ll be that much further ahead.

3) The more you prepare yourself, the more opportunities you’ll get. Don’t go to a lesson unless you’ve done your homework. When God starts taking you higher, prepare your speech, your wardrobe, and your mind. Consult a trusted friend who understands where you are, and where you need to go. If you can’t find one, read up until you grasp the basics. ‘A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing…’  The more prepared you are, the more God will open doors of opportunity for you.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

This photo reportedly taken in Indonesia, shows two boys on their way to school passing a group of their peers who are on their way to work. Quite sad to look at!

Grateful and Blessed.

TOKE MAKINWA Hmmmmmm…

NASIR EL-RUFAI’s IMPRESSIVE START TO GOOD GOVERNANCE

Last week Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai held a town hall meeting and rolled out his plan for an exciting tenure. This I must say is a welcome development and it would help Nigeria return to the path of greatness..

Read from him…….

I welcome you all with humility and gratitude to the very first Town Hall meeting we are hosting as a government. It is not yet one month since we were sworn-in, but to the extent that it has pleased Allah to bestow His grace upon us, we have set about doing the work of change that you mandated us to do.

During the campaign, we promised that we shall be engaging and interacting with the public regularly. We pledged that we will provide you regular updates and listen to your feedback, including criticisms and suggestions. Here we are before you today to do as we pledged. As we have started, so we intend to continue, always striving to get better at achieving results.

Immediately after we were sworn-in on 29 May 2015, we reported for duty with the sense of urgency that you demanded. As we expected, we met a state that is broke, and whose schools, hospitals and roads are in poor shape. We knew that a lot of sacrifice will be required to restore the state to good health. This government’s priority is actually growth and development in a safe and secure environment; because we understand that the things that matter are the public goods of quality schools, decent hospitals and good roads; we know that leaders must pursue the creation of a climate that promotes security, social harmony and is therefore conducive to bringing jobs and economic opportunity. Thus our first step was to announce that the deputy-governor and I will be taking a 50% pay cut.

As we took briefings from the ministries, departments and agencies in our very first week, the depth of the financial problem became clearer to us as well as the impact the decades of impunity have had on the mental attitudes of the institutions that constitute the public service. As one astute observer of the situation commented recently, the public service does not serve the public; rather it considers itself as the public and thus serves only itself.

1 LESSON I LEARNT FROM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

8pm Saturday night, the world…well the football world was all set and ready for the epic final of the UEFA Champions League between FC Barcelona  and Juventus. I had for long waited for this and was settled in, the match was spot on….referee decisions were accurate and decisive from the world class referee Cüneyt Çakır .

The match lived up to expectation and as predicted Barca would take it all, the mistake I suppose Juventus made was placing all focus on Messi….(well who won’t) and they lost other players as Suarez sealed his first season in Spain with a goal in the UCL finals.

On the night it ended 3-1 in favour of FC Barcelona with Rakitic, Suarez and Neymar on the score sheet for Barcelona and Alvaro Morata hit the bulls eye for Juventus only goal.

The biggest lesson I learnt that day was there is always a huge stage to celebrate Jesus. Neymar scored the third goal just a few minutes after one of his goal was disallowed. He knelt down after the final whistle and cried I supposed in appreciation to God.

Neymar afterwards tied a head band with a clear inscription 100% JESUS. Now this is a high level of evangelism I’ve seen in a long time. The estimated global audience was put at about N390 million viewers worldwide. Now imagine how many people Neymar ministered to in the last few minutes of the presentation ceremony. The head band was clear and giving all praise to God. It could only be Him, Jesus was responsible for the victory, and he showed the world the secret of his success. Apparently he had done this since his childhood playing career. Imagine 380 million worldwide viewers reading that head band and getting the message. How many of you give it to God on the world stage, that moment when you are receiving ovation and you have a bunch of eyes and ears looking and listening at you…..would you bring God in at that moment?

My prayer, Lord Jesus, at the peak of my life, career and achievements, when the world’s ovation is deafening loud, help me to always remember you my source. I want to give 100% appreciate and submit all to you my leader. I am just your vessel for expression.

Brief on Neymar

“At the age of 19, Neymar won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award, after coming third in 2010. He followed this up by winning it again in 2012. In 2011 Neymar received nominations for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, where he came 10th and the FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year, which he won. He is known for his acceleration, dribbling skills, finishing and ability with both feet. His playing style has earned him critical acclaim, with fans, media and former players drawing comparison to former Brazil forward Pelé, who has called Neymar “an excellent player”, while Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have stated “he will be the best in the world”.

Neymar joined Santos in 2003 and, after rising through the ranks, was promoted to their first team squad. He made his debut for Santos in 2009 and was voted the Best Young Player of the 2009 Campeonato Paulista. Further awards followed, with Neymar being voted best player as Santos won the 2010 Campeonato Paulista, and also being top scorer in the 2010 Copa do Brasil with 11 goals. He finished the 2010 season with 42 goals in 60 games, as his club achieved the Double. Neymar was again voted best player of the year in 2011 as Santos retained the state title and also won the 2011 Copa Libertadores in which Neymar scored six goals in 13 appearances. He also played a key role in securing a Continental Double, Santos’ first since 1963. Neymar received the Bronze Ball in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, with Santos reaching the final, where they were defeated 4–0 by Barcelona.”