Just a Moment of Madness

The management of stardom is by far a different game compared to attaining it (stardom). Some people would say, it requires more to manage success that it takes to attain it- keeping the success you have achieved is more important and demanding than attaining the success itself. The management of success is totally a different ball game. Many stars have today been forgotten just because of one moment of madness they displayed when it mattered most. Becoming a “star” does not stop with being a start, it takes more than that, the higher you go, the more the challenges and the more you need to put certain things (character, discipline, focus etc.) in place in order to protect and guard your success jealously.

The recently concluded African U-17 football championship showed a lot of promises and raised a lot of hope especially the display put up by the Nigerian team, the Golden Eaglet. Going by the way they dusted their opponents, and scoring goals with ease. A lot of people were confident the cup was coming to Nigeria; however, a giant had to be conquered for this “dream” to become a reality, the young Elephant of Cote d'Ivoire, were the only team to have defeated the Eaglet on their way to the final. A lot of Nigerians believed the young Elephant won the group match by a stroke of luck, thanks to a late goal- “winning na (is) winning o”.

The Eaglet had the match under control not until the last minute of the match when a costly mistake cost them the match. However, that did not stop them from reaching the final, after apologizing to Nigerians and showing us they had learnt from the unexpected defeat.

I watched with dismay and disbelief as the least expected happened. First, it was the referee who decided to kill what should have been a beautiful match. He showed that he never had what it takes to officiate on the big stage, as some of his calls were questionable –this is not needed at such a very important time and stage of an event that has drawn the eyes of the whole continent and the world.

On the other hand, the Eaglet did not help matters as they failed to convert begging chances. They wasted lots of goal scoring chances that would have sealed the victory for them. As lots of people had predicted, they had things going in their favor until they lost their cool. At first, it was a red card, a silly foul committed by a player; he threw his elbow at an opponent behind him (and trust, the opponent made a show out of it), which attracted the referee’s “generosity” and his sending off was inevitable. There was about 15 minutes to the end of the match, and the team (Eaglet) had to complete the match with 10 players, against a physical side as the young Elephant!

After 90 minutes, it was straight to penalties- what some people call anybody’s game. But to certain extent each team at this stage have their destinies in their hands once they maintain team and individual discipline praying that the “god of soccer” smiles on them. As the match went into penalties, I remembered the AFCON (2000) final played in Lagos, Nigeria, between the Indomitable Lions of Cameron and the Super Eagles of Nigeria. I silently prayed same thing will not repeat itself. Not long after my prayer, a Nigerian player (whose name I can’t remember at this moment) stepped forward to take the penalty and before I could blink my eyes, he had taken the kick.

What a miss!! I was so displeased and bitter not particularly about the miss but, at the way he took the kick. How could you dash the hope of over 150million people? What sort of confident is that? Na new style be this? Questions unending kept strolling through my mind. Questions would never stop coming but the fact is, this is just a typical example and picture of how a lot of people have allowed a moment of madness ruin what they have spent time and resources building. A moment of insanity can cost you your whole achievement.

Attitude requires consistency, especially a positive attitude. This is the lesson I learnt from the story of this guy’s moment of madness. Just like the title of J.C Maxwell’s book, “the difference maker”, the attitude would have made the difference at that stage and moment. But he lost it, no thanks to his inability to remain cool and professional when it mattered most and just the attitude of a player cost the whole team a moment of glory and victory.

 

+Tullio DeSantis  +Adeolu Akinyemi +Adekunle Alashi +debola adegbulugbe +Caroline Segarra +Myne Whitman +SYED SABIH ASHRAF +Omolola Faleye +ayantola nafisat +'Gbenga Sesan +deola kayoed 

 

 

Nigerians, the Problem of Nigeria

 

Still in the atmosphere of the 52nd independence anniversary, while on my way from Lagos to Kwara state, while reading a book and listening to music and MP3 messages from my phone with the earphone glued to my ears. I spared some moment thinking about my beloved country, Nigerian and her journey so far. For a country that is blessed with wonderful resources in human, material and natural resources and yet things are not in proper shape in the midst of the ‘abundance’. It is the conviction of many that Nigeria has problem(s) or better still Nigeria is not operating at the level she ought to as an independent nation. A 52year old for that matter! I choose not to belong to such school of thought that Nigeria has problem(s). I belong to a different school of thought which believes that Nigeria does not have problems. But Nigerians have problems and have successfully infected the innocent Nigeria with their problems. And as a result of this, Nigeria has become a victim of Nigerians problems. It is a sorry state to be in such a predicament caused by the inhabitants of such a blessed land- blessed with all kinds of resources in abundance. But due to the short-sightedness of the people the abundance resources have become scarce and this confirms the saying that, what a man sees determines (to a large extent) how he behaves and relates to live. I will discuss about 5 to 6 of the so called problems attached to Nigeria by her citizens or inhabitants. 
 

1. Corruption: You’ll agree with me that the number one problem on the lips of most people if asked what the major problem of 'Nigeria' is, corruption would be the response of well over 80%. It is a terrible situation/experience- where things are not done in the normal way, the absence of integrity in dealing with people and situations, not being straight in dealing with people. It's difficult where to get something done you would have to 'tip' the person who is in position in order to get such thing done. What a pity state. And as a result, Nigeria is regarded as one of the most corrupt nation in the world, no thanks to Nigerians.

2. Lack of Maintenance Culture: I was left disappointed when I saw the pictures (slides) of the current state of the National Stadium (Abuja)...I learnt the stadium was built with about N50 billion just about 9years ago precisely in 2003 for the 2003 all Africa games hosted by Nigeria... and to put it back in a 'proper shape' for football matches it’ll cost about N100 million....when are we going to stop wasting money and resources…It's a sad story. If the stadium had been properly maintained, there wouldn't have been need to waste tax-payers’ money to put it back in good condition. This is just one among many facilities that have fallen victim of the Nigerian lack of maintenance attitude which is doing us more harm than good. 
 

3. Selfishness: Stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others. Nigeria has suffered a lot in the hands of selfish individuals who proclaim themselves as leaders. Leaders who have done nothing but enrich their pocket at the expense of those they claim to be representing (serving). Leaders and individuals who are concerned about nobody will never heed to the needs of the masses. This is the reason you'll see a public servant diverting the public fund into his personal account.
 

 4. Hypocrisy: My dictionary defines hypocrisy as, insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have. This is another peculiar characteristic of Nigerians especially those who claim to be spiritual leaders, it's a pity most of them have sold their conscience for a piece of meat. Those who are meant to talk senses into the “heads” of this bunch of selfish Nigerians who have turned themselves to ‘god’ forgetting the fact that “nothing lasts forever”. Isn’t a man of integrity supposed to speak and act what he says?
 

 5. Bad Leadership: In the words of Dr. Myles Munroe, 'everything rises and falls on leadership', Nigeria is one of the most blessed countries on planet earth when it comes to human resources. But it is a pity that she's suffered from one succession of bad administration to another since 1960 (when she became an independent state). In spite of the abundance of human resources, Nigeria has suffered greatly in the hands of people who know little or nothing about leadership- individuals who think leadership is all about oppressing the masses and leaders having their way. On the contrary, the best way to lead is to serve; a leader is expected to represent the public and not his personal interest. 
I suggest that any candidate vying for any political office or appointed to occupy any office should undergo a compulsory school of leadership-where such person will be taught what leadership is all about. Rather than coming up and abusing power and position, not having any idea of what he/she is supposed to do as a leader. Having said all these, there is no hopeless situation except for the lifeless. In as much as there is life, all hope is not yet lost. A change of attitude is therefore demanded from us as individuals and fellow countrymen. Let us change our disposition towards our country and approach national issues with zeal and patriotism just like our heroes past. And above all, let the fear of GOD guide our hearts in whatever we do. A man who fears God will not treat another man badly and will not hesitate to do what he’s elected or appointed to do. And I must stress at this point that, all Nigerians have a part to play in this fight and the reclaiming the lost pride and dignity of our beloved country, Nigeria. God Bless Nigeria! 

+Adeolu Akinyemi +Richard Ugbede Ali   +Ifueko Alile +Olusegun Ayoade +Olumide Emmanuel 

MY BELOVED Country

The quality of a life those not consist in the material possession someone has been able to acquire during his life-time. Living a life of impact means a lot than having houses in every major city around the globe and using the latest cars in town. It is a pity that the priority of the younger generation has been corrupted and re-ordered and is heading towards the negative and destructive path. The once promising generation is fast disappearing from the list of relevance, the once zealous and determined have become lackadaisical and discouraged as events unfold each day. Their hearts have been corrupted and battered, they have been disappointed and betrayed times without numbers, but on this occasion, it’s as if the final punch has been released on their face as the once zealous has become so discouraged and have lost self belief. Who should be blamed for such an unfortunate scene?

The society has become such that a shadow of what she should be- overwhelmed by corruption and selfishness and the name of our beloved nation has become the best friend of the mod and have become the laughing stock of many nations. The so-called giant of Africa has lost her pride, dignity and throne. Bombing and killing of the innocent all in the name of making our point has become a hobby. The creation of the Almighty has become nothing to us because of our personal and selfish motive. A country where the rich cares about nothing but how fast the account grows. The rich are becoming richer as the hand of the clock ticks while the poor are left at the mercy of an uncertain miracle.

Nigeria, a land filled with milk and honey has become her opposite. A land blessed by the Almighty with both human and natural resources in abundance but has been robbed by selfishness and corruption. The future of our nation has become so bleak, no thanks to our attitude and lack of patriotisms. We are all to blame, YES… we have all contributed to the state we are. I look around and see a group of betrayed and wounded younger generation who seek nothing but an opportunity to get to a leadership position and avenge… all they do is seek for an opportunity to exploit others to enrich their pockets as their ‘predecessors’ have taught them. What a legacy to leave behind by a bunch of selfish individuals called leaders. I look back to the days when our heroes and nationalist fought for the birth of a nation with potential and promise… what about those potentials and promises? A giant in words and no action to show, rich in human resources yet no result to support- just numbers without result, no impact. Our beloved leaders, what about the promises you made before your election- perhaps, just another script in action, just meant to be read? Tears unstoppable flow from my helpless eyes as I string these words together, what a state that we are- a toothless dog, the king of the jungle that has lost his kingdom and lost his grip, authority and has become nothing but a figure-head. When are we going to stop going back to the drawing board, for goodness sake, it’s computer age!! The minors are now dictating the pace of the game…what a pity state.

Arise O Compatriot! Let’s lift the name of our nation high. Let’s forgive the errors and childish disposition of our leaders, the ball is now in our court let’s make things right… they’ve disappointed us for too long and we can’t allow ourselves to continue to be victims of their inhumane actions. They won’t make our future for us, we’ve got the pen in our hands tore-write history and correct things. There might be no immediate financial reward but we’ve got our names to write on the stones of time just like our heroes did. We have a choice to make- go for the fame or the name, building a castle or a legacy? God Bless Nigeria!!!

+Paul Oakenfold +Paul-Kayode Joash +Kenny Hopkins +faith dan adegboye +deola kayoed +Deolu Oniranu +Adekunle Alashi 

We’ve Got Our Identity

Far away from home, lost in another man’s land
All in search for a treasure
And in the midst of my search
I became a victim of my fate, what a pity.

Mystery has overtaken me and regret has claimed lord over me
Wandering like a man from no man’s land
Comfort has become a treasure to the wanderer
And regret has become a favorite song.

I can’t take this no more, I’ve to retrace my steps
“ti ‘waju o ba se lo, eyin a se pada si”
Why settle for a lower class when the better is within reach
I deserve something better than this.

Home is home regardless.
Fellow countrymen, let’s go back to our fatherland
“I prefer to live as a king in the jungle than like a lion in the city”
Arise my people arise, arise and let’s go claim our territory.

Let’s make the labor of our heroes count
Enough of waiting for crumbs
Let’s go for something better
We aren’t slaves, why should we be treated as one.

Arise, o compatriot
Let’s claim our land of birth
Let’s uphold our flag of birth
And leave behind a lasting legacy.

This is our land
This is our territory
May our upcoming be proud about us
And our names rent their lips.

Oh, home sweet home I can say at last
With our banners raised and with songs of victory
Now we have our sovereignty, thanks to patriotism
At last we can say, “We’ve got our identity”.