Olorunfemi Babatunde Archives

Proposal for Instituting Effective Computer Education in Nigerian Public Secondary Schools

PREAMBLE

During my time as Uredo House Junior Captain in Federal Government College, Ugwolawo, Kogi State (Year 2003/2004), a handful of my juniors were Computer literate. Whenever these computer literate students disagreed on the procedure for getting a task done on a computer they turned to me, their House Captain for clarity and final say. Each time this happened, I pacified them not to argue – I had not held a mouse at the time. Shortly after graduating from Secondary school, I enrolled for Computer training.

Years later, I undertook my one year National Youth Service at Ijaloke Grammar School, in Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Upon resumption at Ijaloke, I was taken aback by the Vice principal confirmation that the school lived in the typewriters age. At this revelation, I requested her to reject my posting with the intent of seeking for a Place of Primary Assignment at the State Capital – Ado Ekiti. The Vice principal convinced me to stay back to create the change I wanted to see. I accepted the challenge.

NYSC Official commissioning Compuer room at Ijaloke Grammar School — NYSC Official commissioning the Computer room at Ijaloke Grammar School

I lead the effort that got the Schools administrative block reconnected to PHCN, set up a computer room and became the pioneer computer room teacher. Before then, I had adopted a Computer training center within the community where I introduced selected students to basic Computer application. The arrangement was possible with the support from the Center owner, Ayodele Cephas and an elite group within the community that donated NGN 20,000 for fueling the generator. Ekiti State Government under the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi, donated two (2) new Desktop computers to the School.

I left Emure fulfilled, the school had an active computer training room with 5 Computers, 30 students knowledgeable in basic Application Software – Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel. Typing and printing of Examination questions became domiciled in the school.

In 2017, many public schools remain in the typewriters age. Some of them manage to teach computer theory. This development is largely due to a lack of commitment and coordinated effort in ensuring that Public school students are grounded in Computer application upon graduation.

My Emure-Ekiti experience afforded me firsthand experience of how effective computer education can be institutionalized in Nigerian public schools. This is important in an age that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is administered by Computer Based Test. More important is the realization that computer education in an ICT age is empowerment and must have skill.

Given the foregoing, I am putting forward this proposal to you and request your financial and moral support in making it a reality.

THE PROPOSAL

Institute practical, hands-on computer training in Nigerian Public Secondary Schools.
Training to include computer programming for interested students
Introduce Graphic Designing to Fine Arts Curricular
Introduce Digital Marketing to Secondary School Students.

METHODOLOGY

Design/Prepare a training Curricula – in Progress.
Get selected schools to set aside a building for computer education.
Equip computer room with at least 20 Desktops Computer/Laptop. With support from government, philanthropist, old students’ associations, individuals and corporate bodies.
Trainers will largely be Corps members. They will earn allowance for their efforts and commitment. Youths within the affected communities can also volunteer to support the project.

STAKEHOLDERS

Old Students Associations
Parent Teacher Associations
Corporate Organisations
Community Associations/Groups
Philanthropists
Federal/State Ministry of Education

STOPGAP PLAN

To form alignment with identified Computer training centers within communities to train selected students at subsidized rate. Training fees to be provided by sponsors – Individuals, Corporate organisations, Community leaders etc

APPEAL

I call upon all Nigerians to support this project by doing any of the following:

Sponsor at least one child for Computer training at a cost of NGN 10,000.
Donate Desktop Computer/Laptop to this project.
Use your sphere of influence to initiate this project within your community.
Contribute ideas on how to actualize this plan within your immediate community.

All contributions to this project will be duly acknowledged. Regular reports will be given on the implementation and beneficiaries. Lets do this for posterity and the betterment of the Nigerian Child. Thank You.

For sponsorship/enquiries/support you can reach me via mirthfemi@gmail.com & 07052193183

Valentine Message: Be Perfect as your heavenly Father is Perfect

Have you heard anyone say, “I am not God; I cannot be perfect, only God is perfect?” Each time I hear it from a friend, I remind them of Jesus teaching in Matthew 5: 48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” By calling us to perfection, Christ calls us to Love. What then is Love? The answer is found in 1st Corinthians 13:4-13.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”

By calling us to perfection, is Jesus Christ asking for too much? At Mass today, being Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent, forty days fasting for Christians), Catholics across the world are reminded that “you are dust and to dust you will return”. It doesn’t matter how much cash reserve you have in your bank account or assets you can boast of – they will pass away. The only thing that will not end is the love you give and show. How much love do you have in your reserve, what is your Love net worth?

Never forget that you are a gift to our world. How much of your gift are you blessing the world with? Don’t spend your life time doing nothing about your talents and gifts; let them embolden you to act, to love, to give and grow.

In the Pursuit of your dreams, let love be your guide. I will close my message with Jesus teaching as captured in Matthew 5-43-48

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Nigeria: A Nation Without Conscience?

“Make straight the way of the Lord” cried John the Baptist, forerunner of Jesus Christ. His earthly assignment was to call the people of Israel to repentance and prepare them for the coming of the Messiah. The bible records John as a righteous and fearless man. These rare attributes eventually saw him beheaded – He died for what he lived for and believed in.

For me, writing about Nigeria is sometimes painful, yet a patriotic exercise. I liken it to a parent who has given up on an errant child but decide to try one last time. I have reached a point where my hope for a better Nigeria is hinged only on HOPE. At the moment, the pointers to a prosperous Nigeria are largely elusive.

Nigerians are not unawares of the problems plaguing the nation. At the root of our many problems is lack of good leadership. Proper diagnoses of our leadership problems do not spare the followership of faults. We have a followership that is active in talking, finding faults but missing in action when it counts – at the polls. Are you 18 years old or more? Do you have your voter’s card? Don’t tell me votes don’t count in Nigeria – it’s the lamest excuse to give and I find it unacceptable.

During election, we all seem to focus on the “big” positions – Presidency and Governorship; we forget that every piece in the puzzle count. Going forward, we must ensure to give importance to Local Government Chairmen, Councillorship and House of Assembly elections.

We risk nursing a population that revel in trivialities on social media and lose contact with reality. It is an eternal truth that politicians who are well connected with the grass root and understand the language of the people are the ones that are victorious at the polls. How can technology be deployed by well-meaning and good intentioned political office hopefuls in engaging the grass root? Are there politicians and mobile App developers thinking in this line? Is there a value that can be delivered to the farmer, petty market woman, aging and students through a mobile app? or all we can do is throw banters on Facebook and WhatsApp while nursing a pitiable space for the unborn generation?

What values do you espouse as a Nigerian? As a Man of God, do you teach the truth from the pulpit without fear of who the truth pebbles hit? Do you charge your members who hold leadership positions in government to deliver on their mandates? Do you call them to meetings or write them letters appraising their performance and admonishing them as Apostle Paul would have done? As a doctor in a government hospital, do you sacrifice your duty for your private practice leaving the fate of dying men/women in the hands of interns? As a Youth Corp member are you impacting knowledge at your place of primary assignment or you made yourself a god to be served? As a Civil Servant, how devoted are you in the discharge of your responsibilities? As a teacher, how are you shaping the future of learners under your care?

It is true that the world is becoming a global village, should we not care about our side of the village? Search your mind for what you are contributing to the current state of the Nigerian nation. Like John the Baptist can you say you were sent to the people of Nigeria by God for a purpose? Can you say you are living for what you believe in? What are you living for? What do you believe in? We all must treat Nigeria as good parents treat their Children, giving, loving and working selflessly to ensuring a great future for them not minding the cost and price paid.

The soul of this nation is a summation of the consciences of her citizens. We all cannot be playing victims of failed leadership when those positions are occupied by our brothers and sisters and will probably be occupied by us and our sons and daughters sometime in the future. Take this piece as a call for examination of conscience and call to repentance. Lets give Nigeria a chance to be the Great Nation God destines it to be. Arise o Compatriot and lets make our Nation the pride and bride of Africa.

Photo Credit: therenaissanceng.com

Kwese TV decoder as a valuable Present and Christmas Gift

As you draw up the list of items that will make up your Christmas hamper, consider Kwese TV deocder as a valuable Present/Christmas gift.

Gifts come in different colours, sizes, shapes and forms. For some individuals, the value attached to a gift is the relationship shared with the giver, for others, it’s the monetary, perceived value of the gift. This holiday season and beyond, consider Kwese TV decoder as a valuable present for you, your family and friends. In gifting Kwese decoder to your family and loved ones, you’d be putting your family information, entertainment and entrepreneurial needs into perspective and leveraging Kwese to meet the identified needs.

If TV for you is about News and Entertainment, Kwese TV offers more – News, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Sports, Educational, Lifestyle contents. For corporate organisations, Entrepreneurs and parents, the question is, “wouldn’t you invest in a TV that makes you, your organization and family smart(er) and enterprising? Will you invest in a TV that is more than News and Entertainment?”

For infants and teenagers, Kwese TV offers eight Cartoon Channels including Kwese Kids, CbeeBies, Cartoon Network and Toonami. For families, Kwese Family, an exclusive channel programmed with the Family in mind, provides contents that enrich, promote and encourage family togetherness; Kwese TV contributes in no small measure to the bonding time that is necessary to building a tightly knit and loving family.

You will agree that entrepreneurial education is lacking in our society, one of the reasons we rank high as a consuming nation. The Nigerian youth and Entrepreneurs will do exploit if equipped with the required entrepreneurial expose and knowledge. Kwese TV is filling the entrepreneurial knowledge gap through Kwese Know and Kwese Inc Channels. Kwese Inc is fully dedicated to entrepreneurial content; programs include Shark Tank, the Profits and Hatched. These programs focus on Startups and provide insight on how to improve business processes, visibility and how to pitch to potential investors. Entrepreneurs, Business owners and leaders will do themselves and their organisations a lot of good watching Kwese Inc.

Before Kwese TV entry to Nigeria, I do not watch TV, with Kwese Inc, I now have need to watch TV and it feels great to know that I can watch my favorite content Anytime and Anywhere! – Particularly on my mobile phone. My core reasons for choosing Kwese over other Satellite TV in Nigeria are articulated above. Some of the individuals who have purchased Kwese decoder from my organization, Application Wheel Koncepts, had their own reasons, which includes amazing picture quality, availability of NBA TV and ESPN Channels. Individuals and entrepreneurs who are cult followers of Econet Group Chairman, Dr. Strive Masiyiwa also root for Kwese TV.

With over 70 premium channels and counting, Kwese TV decoder is a thoughtful holiday/Christmas gift to consider for you, your family and friends.

For enquires about Kwese TV, contact Application Wheel Koncepts on 07052193183. We are located at No. 58 Bode Thomas Street Surulere, Lagos.

Other Reasons why Kwese TV stands out includes

Set reminders for shows you don’t want to miss
5 Free Channels when out of Subscription
Keep the kids safe with parental control
Record your favourite shows to watch later
Pause, rewind and fast forward in real time
High definition Channels
Flexible Payment option – 3 Months, 7 days and 3 days.
One subscription, Multiple Access! With an active subscription on your decoder, you can watch all Kwese TV Channels live on five devices – Mobile Phone and Laptop.

To Purchase Kwese decoder in Lagos Nigeria, Contact, Application Wheel Koncepts 07052193183

OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT KWESE TV THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

My Grouse with the Fathers and Charge to the Sons

Whispers of “America, Gods own country….” shifted my focus to the average height chocolate skinned teenager soliloquizing in the bus. She continued “I will get the American Visa one day, my application may have been turned down, I will try again!” she ended her reflection with, “America, Gods own country”.

I have witnessed the young and old alike give testimonies of how God helped them secure Visa to escape the Nigerian Nightmare. On a daily basis, thousands of Nigerians are praying, fasting, wishing and hoping that one day they will obtain a Visa to their dream country. Sad as this development may seem, it is our reality, the Nigerian reality.

I will not dwell on how we got here or who is to blame. However, I am baffled how a Nation with over 180 million inhabitants manages more evil, greedy and selfish citizens than the good and sensible ones – our choices during elections and how we allow leaders divide us along ethnic and religious line buttresses this position.

For successive governments, free and qualitative education is too much luxury to bequeath the Nigerian child, stable electricity remains elusive to the Nigerian entrepreneur and citizens. I sometime ask myself, “What is the Nigerian dream?” You have an answer? What values and vision drives and bind us as a Nation? The absence of a Nigerian dream explains why foundational cracks of mistrust, ethnicity, and greed surfaced, thrives and continue to dwarf our growth. These narratives must change.

We must not toe the path of our fathers; successive leaders who hold back the development of this nation with the “National Cake theory”, “Chop I Chop formula”, “Padi Padi syndrome” and the “Man know Man policies”.

How do we chart a new course for our Nation? Should we expect a Messiah? Should we take on the traits of the long awaited Messiah? My charge to you, young Nigerian; you are the hope and lifeline of Nigeria.

Coincidentally, I am publishing this article on the 87^th Posthumous Birthday of Chinua Achebe. Chinua Achebe put Nigeria on the world map for writing and his intellectual prowess. Like Chinua, we must put Nigeria on the world map for excellence. It is no surprise to see him honoured by Google – did you see the Google doodle today? (It’s pictured in the image posted with this article). It may also interest you to know that Chinua Achebe is one of the personalities whose indigenous names are recognized by the Microsoft Office Word dictionary.

The potentials and abilities of the Nigerian youth are never in doubt. As individuals and as a collective, we must begin to channel our talents, resources and intellect towards changing our narrative and moving this nation forward. Let us join hands to save Nigeria from ethnicity, religious extremism and corruption.

The black man (in my opinion) is catastrophically self-centered. We can change this mindset by contributing our quota to the nation’s development, knowing well that building a prosperous Nation is the best present we can gift the upcoming and unborn generation.

2019 is around the corner, ensure to be part of the electoral process and join to hold our leaders accountable and responsible for their representation.

To Nigerians living in the Diaspora; NEVER forget your roots. The developed nation you now call home was built by humans. Therefore, do not fail to contribute your quota to the making of a prosperous Nigeria.

I am positive that Nigeria will wake up from her slumber someday; the day you and I decide that we are the long awaited messiah of change and begin to do things right within our sphere of influence. LET’S DO IT. YES, WE CAN!

A LEGACY OF MASS GRAVES

Can someone tell me “MASS GRAVE” is a movie and not reality? These scenes are well cut for a horror bestseller. A city turned into mass graves with millions of inhabitants buried alive. Some buried up to the knee, waist while others buried to their neck. I look on helplessly, unsure of what to do. Caught between rescuing the victims, staying safe from the executioners and finding out who these heartless humans are. As I entertain these thoughts, I feel uneasy, my feet heavy.

Face to face with the unmasked Marksmen, I am determined not to go down easily without giving a fight. This piece is one of my arsenals for survival, a cry to individuals, inhabitants and passerby’s who are yet to be buried alive, those half buried and half dead; a bid to rally them to form an army. Can we fight? Can we escape the trap? Can we live wholly again and rescue those at the point of death?

Anger and sadness well up as I play back heart wrenching scenes. In February 2015 Professor Ahmed Mustapha Falaki a Professor of Agronomy and Director Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and also former Country Director of the SASAKAWA Project in Nigeria lost his life in controversial circumstances to a Police Officer and mobs in Fala village of Tudun Wada LGA, Kano State. He was said to be mistaken for a Boko Haram Terrorist, even when he produced his ABU identity Card and Driver’s license for identification.

In another scene, an officer of Nigeria’s secret police, the State Security Service (SSS) was caught on tape at a public function polishing the shoes of Abdulrahman Dambazau, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior. An indication of the unfortunate abuse perpetuated by supposed leaders. One is not unawares that some politicians and men of authority unlawfully assign security personnel to their girlfriends and concubines who make them wash their undies and perform other unsavory tasks. These are men and women commissioned to maintain law and order in the society and charged to protect lives and properties.

On Friday, December 23, 2016 Grace Onaivi left her school, Kogi State University for Lokoja, the state Capital to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays with her family. She answered her father’s call about 5pm the same day assuring him of her safe arrival to Lokoja. Grace did not get home, her decomposing corpse was found on Thursday, December 29, 2016; legs, hands, eyes and mouth tied. Hindsight tells me that a properly trained and equipped police will have rescued her alive.

It’s an impossible task to outline the evils carried out on Nigerian soil on a daily basis. I dug into the history books to find out how we got here; a quest to know if we ever got it right in the past and attempt to identify where we derailed. My findings revealed that Nigeria never got it right from independence. My heart bleeds to know that the foundation of our nation stand on faulty and shaky grounds.

The leading actors have failed to salvage a dying Nation. A tale of one step forward, several steps backwards. Actors propelled by greed and self-centeredness instituted a culture of mass graves, they have not stopped digging. A situation that made it impossible for them to manage the events and circumstances that lead to the civil war. At the wake of oil discovery, they moved to Oloibiri, Niger Delta, they began digging mass graves for the inhabitants. Today the Nation battles Marksmen tagged Fulani shepherds and cattle rustlers. At every turn, Mass Graves are being dug, citizens buried alive.

The life expectancy of Nigerians (Male 53.4, female 55.6) and every measure of economic stability of the Nigerian nation maintains a steady decline. Who will think that the exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar was N1.00 to $1.53 in May, 1977 but today (2017) it is approximately N315 at official rate and N490 at the parallel market. A trend that alludes to the success of the marksmen and their strong determination to make Nigeria a hell for the citizenry.

The Nigerian citizens have not fared better. They have largely fallen for the ploy of the con men, divided along religious, ethnic and political lines. Accepting a fate of poverty, injustice or at best swearing allegiance to the powers that be and joining them in the harvest of death.

We, Nigerians, are not oblivious of our problems. Evil men veiled as leaders will stop at nothing to divide and loot this country to nought.

Are there still sane Nigerians on the Nigerian soil? Where are you? Can we get elected leaders, our representatives to halt this pogrom? How many deaths are too many to get us to think, unite, resist and fight (if need be)? Must we wait for the next harvest of deaths? How many deaths are too many? 180 million?

To the government of the day, if the efforts put at silencing the Biafran agitators are committed to ensuring good governance at all levels, the agitation will have long died a natural death. I call on the Buhari administration to rethink the idea of tasking one man with three ministries – Power, Works and Housing.

My final advice to the Buhari administration is to commit to appointing qualified persons to occupy the available portfolios. What will it benefit our nation to have incompetents occupy critical government positions; individuals with questionable antecedents who have not shown themselves worthy in character, knowledge and ability? Should we sacrifice competence and merit for mediocrity on the grounds of tribal, ethnic and party affiliations?

My message to those sponsoring and nurturing a culture of bloodshed in Nigeria and attempting to create an artificial heaven and safe haven for themselves and members of their families; what goes around comes around. You will someday be visited by misfortune, die humiliating and excruciating death, here on earth and in the hereafter. The deaths you fertilize and catalyse will not go unrewarded. No solution and immunization has yet been found for cardiac arrest, mysterious and disastrous ‘gifts’ brought by Karma. You may laugh now but I can assure you it will last only last for a time.

I choose my fights carefully and remain undeterred by the obstacles placed on my path and those of fellow Nigerians. Armed by the truth, common sense and goodwill for the citizenry, I will not relent in my efforts to contribute to a better Nigeria and urge all well-meaning Nigerians to tow the same path.

I pray that the good hearted Nigerians triumph in the end. Evil may last for many years; the truth will overtake it someday. As long as we breathe, we must keep hope alive and commit to a better and prosperous Nigeria.

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TO REALIZE YOUR FULL POTENTIAL – RESIST THE ENEMY WITHIN

I have seen it all, what exactly is one living for? If not for my children…, once they grow up to fend for themselves, I’ll consider my assignment on earth done. I would have completed my course and be in good stead to bid the world farewell.

The mindset expressed above, is typical of the average Nigerian. To think that child tending is the primary reason for one’s existence is limiting. Parents are exceptionally proud whenever their children come top in class, there is nothing bad about this, but what if we help all children come top in their areas of strength, interest and aspiration? Beyond caring for your children, how about the other children? What if we shift focus from “Me, Myself, Mine & I” to “Us, Nigeria, We, fellow Humans”.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commits to combating poverty and malaria in Africa, the founders are not of Africa descent. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, recently revealed plans and commitments of Chan Zuckerberg initiative towards curing “all diseases in our children’s lifetime”. I agree that it is an ambitious plan but should humanity strive for less? Mark has also voted a sizable percentage of his wealth towards making the world a better place.

Beyond colonialist maneuvering and manipulations, our mindset as Nigerians has played a big role in dwarfing our potentials. Our frontline position in the comity of consuming nations and a choice dumping ground for all manner of inferior products is a testament to our limiting mindset. Over five decades, stable electricity has remained elusive to a nation who prides of intellectual giants in every field of human endeavor. I am not in doubt that we have the human and natural resources to surmount our many problems. What I find deficient is the will power.

To birth the Nigeria of our dreams, we must flee self-centered and selfish endeavours for daring goals that will leave our society better than we met it. We need to dream big as a nation and as individuals. Let’s begin to task our minds on how to solve our collective problems, including those of neighbouring African countries. It is not impossible for Nigeria to be the food basket of Africa. It is in reaching for the skies that we find our greatest strength and reach our full potentials.

What can your contribute to a better world, a better Nigeria? I suggest you start by patronizing made in Nigerian products. Also look inwards to question the motive behind the things you do. Is it all about you, your children and family?

computer-training-beneficiaries-emure-ekiti — Some of the Beneficiaries of my computer training – Ijaloke Grammar School Emure Ekiti (NYSC 2010)

As for me, Olorunfemi Babatunde, I have a 10 years goal, to train at least One Million Nigerians in basic computing for free or at subsidized rate. The targeted beneficiaries are public school students. I trained 30 students in computing fundamentals for free during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days at Ijaloke Grammar School, Emure, Emure-Ekiti, this was made possible by the support received from the Towns elite club, Ayodele Cephas, a computer training center owner who allowed me to use his facilities to train the students and the Principal of Ijaloke Grammar School whose support enabled me revive and re-equip the schools abandoned computer room.

In the near future, I will be reaching out to individuals and organisations to support “Project One Million” – computer training initiative targeted at One Million Nigerians who cannot afford computer education. You may consider sponsoring your relatives, church members, neighbours to be beneficiaries. Individuals and organisations willing to support this initiative can reach me on 08120252692 or via mirthfemi@gmail.com for further information.

Through my start up, Appswheel Wheel Koncepts (Appswheel), I am committed to supporting young Nigerians, Africans with their ICT needs – web designing, copy writing, digital marketing, ICT consulting– all at minimal fee (targeted beneficiaries are Youth Corps members and aspiring entrepreneurs). Individuals in this category should contact me on 08120252692, send an email to mirthfemi@gmail.com or meet me on Fridays, at an location in Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos. Please endeavor to schedule a meeting before visiting.

By reading this piece to this point, I am convinced that you can make a positive difference in our world. When our time is up, may it be said that we ran a generous race. Let’s connect @ www.olorunfemibabatunde.com, provide your email address in the subscription box to get future stories in your mailbox.

THE NIGERIAN TEST TUBE, SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REACTIONS

Nigeria has witnessed several political midwifing and reactions. The most recent being the reaction that produced Muhammadu Buhari as President. The reaction was in stages, the first phase was between political parties, Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) which produced All Progressive Congress (APC). The reaction that produced APC was exothermic in nature, the heat and energy that accompanied it resulted in the melting and collapse of the once formidable Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the then ruling party christened largest political party in Africa reduced to naught. Have a look at the equations below:

AD + CPC = APC

APC + PDP + Other Political Parties + Nigerians = Buhari + (Recession?)

Upon assumption of duty, President Muhammadu Buhari body language and anti-corruption crusade showed signs of positive energy. The attendant hunger, pay cuts, sky rocketing prices of goods and services, alarming unemployment rate that now characterize the life of the Buhari administration questions the potency of body language in reducing the entropy of the Nigerian nation.

History has it that Nigeria resulted from the fusion of tribes intended for administrative convenience by the British colonial masters. The independence granted Nigeria in 1960 forced the colonial masters to abandon their experiment. An experiment that saw a mole of Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo tribes mix with moles of other tribes.

Successive administrations who have ruled Nigeria since independence have continued the experiment. Some of the results produced so far include, bloody and bloodless coups, civil war, annulled election, religious bigots and extremist, high illiteracy level, leaders who offer stomach infrastructure as dividends of democracy, citizens with “short memory syndrome” who allow negative history to repeat itself.

It therefore calls for concern, the quality of ‘scientists’ experimenting with the Nigerian socio-economic, political test-tube. We have had products like Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), Better Life Program (BLP), Family Support Program (FSP), Family Economic Advancement Program (FEAP), National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEED) National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Vision 20-20, Youth and Entrepreneurial Empowerment Scheme (YouWIN) and recently N-power. How it is that successive governments have not been able to sustain economic programmes of its successors? Can this development be linked with incompetence, greed, culture of mediocrity, lack of unity, no sense of focus or lack of willpower?

Having lived my life in Nigeria’s test tube, witnessed and survived experiments led by greedy and unpatriotic elements dubbed leaders across various organs of government, I am bothered what they aim to achieve by creating a society with so many ills – epileptic power supply, poorly equipped hospitals and non-functional systems. How long will they catalyze the Nigerian reactions with ethnicity, corruption, religious sentiments and mediocrity?

Are you a docile or active citizen? What is your position on matters that bother on Nigeria – the fence? Do you care to cast your vote for credible candidates when it’s time to choose our leaders and representatives? Do you join efforts with other citizens who call out to elected leaders for an account of their representation? We can choose to fold our arms and not get involved in the electoral process and governance but we cannot choose the dire consequence of decaying infrastructure, frightening crime rate, extreme hunger, gross disregard for citizens’ rights, and government of stomach infrastructure. There is no end to the negative consequences of abuse of your vote and civil responsibilities.

The belief that the Nigerian socio-economic, political reactions can be reversed gives me hope. If we all join forces to vote in credible leaders in future elections, we would succeed at installing competent ‘scientists’ with the experience, integrity, goodwill and purposefulness needed to make Nigeria great.

Original article first appeared on sharpjournal.com

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The Elements of a Business Profile

Recently, I have been contacted by friends to outline the information required for preparing a business profile. For the benefits of young entrepreneurs and to contribute to the information available on the subject, I have decided to share my knowledge on Business Profile preparation in a simple and non-academic style. Please note that the information provided is a guide and not a one size fit all template. The content and structure of a business profile depends on an organizations industry.

A Business Profile can simply be defined as an organisations “Curriculum Vitae”. It serves one/all of the following purpose;

Requirement for a Tender Submission
Tool for Business Development efforts
Record for keeping track of organisations history/activities.

It answers the questions prospective clients needs to know about your business. Questions like, what you do? How competent your company is? Why they should patronize your services?

A typical Business Profile includes the following:

Title Page
Content Page/Table of Content
Who We Are (Company History/Introduction)
Mission/Vision/Core Values
Chairmans Address
Meet our people (Key Company Personnel)
What we do (Services)
What we have done (Executed Projects)
Owned Equipment
Corporate Social Responsibility
Meet our Clients
Contact us
Appendix/Attachments

TITLE PAGE

Title pages typically display the companys Name and Logo; and sometimes include the contact details – Company office address, website, email and contact Number(s).

WHO WE ARE (HISTORY)

A brief history of the organization, it answers the questions when, how and why the organization was founded. Some organizations provide the information in an outlined/timeline format as described below:

1900 – Incorporated as a Limited liability company

1902 – The companys first Branch became operational

1903 – The company expanded her portfolio from selling women clothing to

manufacturing and distributing men wears.

The essay format is common to many organisations.

Company XYZ was founded in 1900 and incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission. The company’s main service was manufacturing and distribution of women wears. In 1903, the company expanded her portfolio to include making and distributing men’s wear……

Whichever style you choose, ensure to highlight the company’s formation process and the needs it was created to meet. Also emphasize how the company is meeting her founding objectives.

MISSION/VISION/CORE VALUES

State the companys Mission/Vision/Core Values

See example below – For Real Habitats Ltd, a leading serviced apartment provider in Lagos, Nigeria.

VISION

To be the choice serviced apartment provider in Africa.

MISSION STATEMENT

Providing personalized accommodation experience that guarantees comfort, security, ambience and give the best value for money.

CORE VALUES

Integrity – We keep and deliver on our promise

Customer Focus – We listen to our clients and deliver a personalized accommodation experience – the home away from home treat.

Creativity – We draw on our creativity to ensure our clients get the best value for their money.

Excellence – We conduct our business with a touch of professionalism.

CEO’s ADDRESS

The CEO’s address is a medium for the organizations Chief Executive Officer to reinstate the companys commitment to providing valuable services and present the company as product and customer focused; a way to gain stakeholders and prospective clients trust.

MEET OUR PEOPLE

This section is used to highlight the experience of the company’s top management members and key personnel. The greatest resources of any organization are their people. Therefore, use this section to indicate the educational qualifications, certifications, professional memberships and experience of the key company personnel. Their profiles should demonstrate why they are a great asset to the company and your prospective clients. Top management staff includes, The Chairman, Chief Executive Director and other executive directors, Human Resource Manager, Head of Operations, Head of Business Development, Head of Finance among others.

WHAT WE DO (SERVICES)

Highlight company products and services. You should develop the copy with your potential clients in mind. Demonstrate how your services are ideal for them and that you have the solutions that best meet their needs. Your description should communicate your companys strength, value and promise.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

This often depends on a companys size and industry. Big corporations are expected to contribute positively to the growth and development of their host community. CSR promotes a brand and presents her as socially responsible. An example is the yearly Cowbellpedia Mathematics competition sponsored by Cowbell Nigeria. I have a lot of respect for the company.

LIST OF VERIFIABLE PROJECTS/COMPLETED PROJECTS

This is mostly reported in tabular format, includes a description of work done, project timeline, Client, Project duration and Amount (Amount not always necessary, except when instructed to include it).

S/N	Project Description	Project Duration	Client	Client Representative
	Dredging of Channel	6 Months	XYZ	Mr ABC, 0805236XXXX

OWNED EQUIPMENT

Use this section to demonstrate capacity by providing images and list of equipment owned by the company. This information is often presented in tabular format.

S/N	Name of Equipment	Year Purchased	Model No	Manufacturer

CONTACT DETAILS

This includes companys office and email address, website and mobile contact nos.

APPENDIX

Some company profiles include the following attachments – Copies of Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Valid Tax Clearance Certificate and Awards.

BUSINESS PROFILE FORMAT/APPEARANCE

Business profiles have evolved from been a dull A4 sized document to colorful and appealing document. This is made possible by the creativity of graphic artistes and business development personnel, who include images, choose font types and color carefully to show the company brand colors.

Every organization looking to be competitive, work with government agencies and reputable organisations need to have a company profile. It should also be noted that company profiles require regular updates – either yearly or quarterly. Before preparing your company profile, consider studying the business profiles of your competitors and leading organizations’ in your industry.

Follow the guide above to create a Business Profile for your company. I hope you find this information timely and useful. I look forward to reading your comments and inputs.

Finally, my organization, Application Wheel Koncepts has a tradition and commitment to helping businesses grow through provision of Business development and ICT (Website Designing, Digital Marketing and Copy Writing) services. We are available to create a business profile for your company at moderate and affordable rates.

Contact Appswheel: No 58, Bode Thomas Street Surulere

Mobile No: 07052193183

Submit your email in the subscription box to get my future writings delivered to your email.

OHUNDE – THE MYSTICAL STONE

“Mum, I will not believe your story until I take possession of the Ohunde…” said Segun. I knew at this point that it will take a lot of conviction to discourage Segun from visiting his ancestral home. I pleaded with him, “Segun, please listen to me, I am your Mother and care about your safety”. I continued “Your paternal grandfather had such great powers (pointing at his photograph on the wall) he was feared and respected by his townsmen for his mystical powers – the ‘Ohunde’. With the Ohunde, your grandfather had the powers to disappear and reappear in whatever part of the world he desired”. The ohunde is described to be an oval shaped black shiny stone possessed by the highest traditional title holder in Iffe, your father’s village. Since the death of your grandfather, no one has been crowned to take his place, it is believed that the ohunde is locked up in his room.

Rising from the sofa and pacing the sitting room, Seguns face was filled with disgust and disbelief, “Mum, not in the 21^st Century, I refuse to be fooled”. He turned off the TV and said to me, “I will not believe your story until I take possession of the Ohunde, I will be traveling to Iffe next week”. His reaction was typical of his father, I voiced my thoughts, “you are as strong willed as your father, it led to his untimely death”.

Throughout my marriage to my late husband, I had only visited Iffe once to visit his extended family. He had lost his parents when we met and got married. All I knew about them were his accounts.

Exactly one week after our discussion, Segun set out to the village in company of Femi. Iffe is about 1000km from Lagos. Femi grew up in Iffe before seeking education and greener pastures in Lagos. He spoke the Iffe dialect fluently. He had collaborated my story to Segun and warned him against the adventure; emphasizing that the Ohunde story though sounded like a myth has been passed from one generation to the other as fact.

No sooner than they made entry into Iffe, they could tell it was a closely knitted community. With the help of some villagers and Femi who could speak the local dialect Segun located his grandfather’s hut. Knowing the history of the house, the villagers did not come near the building, they pointed at it from a distance.

“A certain ritual is to be performed before removing the ohunde”, my warning played back in his head one more time (As revealed by Femi). Drawing on his karate skills, Segun broke his grandfather’s door with a single blow. Looking on from the rusty window, Femi warned, “be careful, say a word of prayer and be at alert”. Following the lead of his searchlight, Segun ransacked the house for over an hour without a trace of the Ohunde. Hunger and Fatigue had set in. Breathing heavily and sweating profusely, Segun was at the verge of giving up his mission but decided to make one final attempt.

“I have found it!” he screamed, a certain strangeness fell over him, his heart beat was audible now. To douse the growing tension, he affirmed, “I am made of steel and cannot retreat now, never!” Pulling himself together, he reached for the shiny calabash located under the wooden bed, removed the lid, then stretched his hands gently to hold the ohunde.

“Segun, Segun where are you…” rubbing his palms over his face, Femi wished it was a dream. Segun was nowhere to be found. The Chief Priest was returning from the Kings Palace when he heard a large thud in the shrine. He smelt the air and sensed that an abomination had been committed. He ran into his hut, picked up some trinkets and began to make incantations.

I was deeply troubled by an incident that happened on the eve of Seguns trip. I was in the sitting room when I heard a crashing sound in Seguns room. I was scared to death but somehow summoned the courage to go to his room. I fainted at the sight of a human figure lying on his bed, a replica of his grandfather, it disappeared within a flash. I silently prayed for Segun’s safety and kept awake all night.

Femi in a confused state dashed to the Obas palace to narrate the event. The King was angered, and baffled how an incident like that could happen under his watch. An abomination had been committed and the land defiled. Something urgent had to be done to appease the gods otherwise untold horror will befall the people of Iffe. He summoned a short meeting amongst his Chiefs and soon sent for the Chief Priest.

Segun laid helplessly on the shrine altar, the Chief Priest continued with his incantations, he stretched out his hands and mystically received a bowl containing some liquids. Using bird feathers, he sprinkled the substance on Segun body, afterwards, he disappeared. He had been sacrificed to the gods.

“Joshua, promise me you will not be like your Father”. Joshua, my grandson had insisted in knowing the circumstances that led to his father’s death. He nods his head, saying tearfully, “I will always listen to you Grandma”. Whoever said I will lose my husband and only child at mid age will have passed for a prophet of doom. As the years pass by, I find strength in God and Joshua.