The Nation Newspaper

Tag: maturity

  • 2019 polls ‘ ll usher in maturity, peace, says Buhari

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international community that the 2019 general elections will be free and fair as well as usher the country into another clime of maturity, peace and unity.

    He spoke yesterday while receiving Letters of Credence from four ambassadors, including Ambassador of the Peoples’ Republic of Japan, Mr. Yutaka Kikuta, at the State House, Abuja.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said the country’s political and electoral institutions have continued to evolve in strength, skill and experience after each election.

    He said: “We are currently at the threshold of another general election and after five general elections since 1999, we expect that the 2019 elections will be free and fair.

    “The political system is good and if people work hard they will succeed.”

    Buhari also said the increase in number of political parties that will field candidates in 2019 elections indicates more democratic consciousness among Nigerians and willingness to serve the country.

    Receiving Letter of Credence from Ambassador of the Russian Federation Alexey Shebarshin, the President noted that discussions on reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, partnerships in agriculture and other bilateral interests in trade and economic development will be sustained.

    He hailed the country for always standing by Nigeria.

    The President told Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil Richardo Guerra De Araujo that the historical ties between both countries and the shared potentials for growth will be further explored, with strong emphasis on economic and social development.

    He said the number of Nigerians in Brazil already provided a strong reason for deeper and richer discussions for both countries.

    Buhari assured Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Fahad Al Taffaq that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship that has existed between both countries for many years.

    He said the courtesies extended to Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates was commendable, assuring the envoy that his administration would keep strengthening business and trade relations between both countries.

    Ambassador of Japan said his country remained grateful for Nigeria’s concern and support during the flooding that devastated the country, promising to work hard to further enhance relations in technology, agriculture and trade.

    The Ambassadors of Russia, Brazil and United Arab Emirates assured the president that they would work hard to ensure improved relations in key sectors of the economy.

    They wished Nigeria the best in the forthcoming elections.

  • What does maturity mean to you?

    What does maturity mean to you?

    Oxford dictionary defines maturity as a state of being mature. Being mature is when something reaches its full level of development which has achieved maturity. It is also a period of time in life.

    But everyone seems to have a different interpretation or definition of what maturity is- to the elderly it is age, to the young folks it is intellect and level of reasoning. This group of thought holds that age is just a number.

    It is generally believed that maturity begins at the age of 18 – this stage in life is also referred to as puberty stage.

    But in a chat with a cross section of the public on the subject matter, a lot of people gave varied opinions on maturity is all about.

    A 50 years old man simply identified as Mr. Olawale, believes that maturity has nothing to do with age. According to him; “Maturity is not about age, it involve critical thinking. Fifteen years old who is a teenager can think more than an adult who is fifty years. Maturity does not deal with age it involves critical thinking and behavior.’

    He added, “Maturity is not about being tall, fat, educated, rich etc. It involves how you are able to handle issues at in any situation you find yourself. It is all about how you can tackle any problem or any challenges on your own.”

    On her part, Omolara a 300 level student of Lagos State University (LASU) said “Maturity is not measured by age, it’s an attitude built by experience. Being old does not mean you have an experience about everything; a teenager can have more experience than you.”

    Ajayi Ayodele a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) said maturity goes beyond what people usually take it to be.

    “Some belief there is a certain age which someone must attain before he/she can be addressed as being matured while some look at physical appearance to judge the level of maturity.”

    Further research reveals that maturity is divided into three categories – spiritual, financial, and emotional maturity.

    According to experts, spiritual maturity means your closeness to God, the way you serve God, going to church or mosque everyday does not mean you are close to God, did you serve him with all your, how did you communicate with him? Spiritual maturity is the ability to communicate with God, ability to withhold him in any situation.

    Emotional maturity refers to your ability to understand and manage your emotions on every situation. Your emotional maturity is observed through your thought and behaviors. When you are faced with a difficult situation, your level of emotional maturity is one of the biggest factors in determining your ability. It is also the way you feel in any situation.

    Emotional maturity allows you to take charge of your life. You have your own vision and ambition which requires your emotional thought.

    Financial maturity means being matured financially, being old does not mean you are matured financially; a teenager can mature than you.

    Alao Samuel, Mass communication department student of federal polytechnic Offa, believes financial maturity is the well-being of someone financially.

    “When someone is able to take care of himself or herself without depending on others such a person can be said to be financially matured.

    “As a matter of fact, this is very necessary for matured people in achieving or contributing to financial aspirations. Some of the ways by which people attain their goal financially include establishing self-business, being educated in order to secure a better job that will quench or eradicate poverty, engaging in vocational job to be self-reliant among other.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Oliseh lacks maturity – Kpakor

    Oliseh lacks maturity – Kpakor

    Former Super Eagles midfielder, Moses Kpakor has described the the manner Coach Sunday Oliseh handled issues in the Super Eagles camp in Belguim which resulted in the departure of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama as a smark of inmaturity on the part of the coach.

    Speaking on the now resolved fued in the Super Eagles camp, Kpakor called on Oliseh to adopt some level of diplomacy in the handling of the national team if he hopes to have a smooth spell.

    He noted that the coach’s duty goes beyond being with the players on the field of play for practice sessions and matches but includes a role as a manager as well as a father.

    “Yes, he must instill discipline but he needs to be diplomatic in his actions as I think he did not even consult with the NFF before attempting to send Enyeama out of camp. Oliseh needs to win the confidence of his players to get the best out of them. If he does not adopt diplomacy and maturity, his temperament will ruin him as Eagles coach.

    “I am in favour of the appointment of ex-internationals handling our national team as long as the person is qualified but I fault the manner in which Sunday Oliseh was appointed. Yes, we need younger minds on the job but there is need for maturity in the coaches. Oliseh’s action in the Super Eagles camp in Belgium which saw to the sacking of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama clearly shows he lacks maturity.

    “This may have been because he has gotten his salary for three months ahead. The action by the NFF is wrong because in Nigeria, the system is to get paid after the job is done on a monthly basis. Why was he paid in advance when Keshi was not paid for several months. It only amounts to a double standard on the part of the NFF. The action may have been to encourage him but it is a wrong step because it is not our practice in Nigeria.”

    On the team’s captaincy, Kpakor, who is currently the Principal Football Coach of the Benue State University, BSU noted that Oliseh benefitted from being the oldest player to emerge captain of the national team and stripping Enyeama the way he did speaks volumes.

    Kpakor stressed that Oliseh must do the right thing to get all the players to give their best.

  • How patience, maturity resolved House crisis – Benson

    How patience, maturity resolved House crisis – Benson

    Jimi Benson, who represents Ikorodu Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, told Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, in this interview that the leadership crisis that rocked the Green Chamber was finally resolved not just by the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, but also by the high level of maturity and patience exhibited by the lawmakers involved in the tussle.

    The leadership crisis in the House of Representatives has suddenly been laid to rest at a time Nigerians least expected. How was such amicable solution achieved?

    Let me start by saying that all through the crisis, our leaders left no one in doubt that they are capable of resolving the matter. They were very consistent and committed to peaceful resolution while hammering on party supremacy, loyalty and discipline. And once we were able to put those on track, all issues were easily resolved. What transpired eventually was the triumph of the internal democracy of the House of Representatives and this triumph is also anchored on the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    It is the result of patience, maturity, patriotism, reason and rationality. All these factors were what guided the steps taken by the entire House of Representatives in resolving this issue. And with this triumph of dialogue and reason, members of the 8th House of Representatives have shown that we are matured politicians.

    Above all, APC lawmakers have shown that we are firmly committed to the objectives of the party alongside our commitment to national interest. We have exhibited the ability to marry these two all important acts of loyalty and patriotism in the discharge of our duties as federal lawmakers and party men and women.

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has consistently said the new APC federal government is either too slow or not working at all. What is your take on this as a federal lawmaker?

    It is important for us to first understand that the PDP may not say anything better than what they are currently saying, at least, for now. This is because of how they were massively rejected by Nigerians during the last general election. And the APC and President Buhari are the beneficiary of that rejection; so most of their criticisms should be seen for what they are. However, to say Buhari is not working is untrue. I sincerely don’t see that as a serious criticism of a sitting government.

    Rather, I will say this government is extremely focused and systematic. A good look at the style of President Muhammadu Buhari as he goes about restoring good governance, will show you that he knows what he is doing and how to go about them. We cannot expect him to do things hurriedly, especially coming after the manner of administration the country witnessed before May 29, 2015.

    Even President Barack Obama of the United State, described Buhari as a man of integrity with a clear agenda during the recent visit to the US. So, what are they saying about him being too slow? I think it is better to go easy and get it right than to rush and compound the problems. The task of putting Nigeria back on track requires patience and concentration, not haste and confusion.

    For me, I think I see President Buhari working hard every day in the priority areas of tackling security and corruption, rebooting the economy to provide jobs for our teeming youths and generally to restore good governance. These are the things I see and I want to tell those not seeing these yet to open not just their eyes, but also their minds.

    You won with a landslide at the last National Assembly election. Tell us how you achieved that being a new entrant into politics?

    The election was quite interesting. Some people thought it was close but the margin was about 25,000 votes difference between me and the next person to me. That can fill up Onikan Stadium. Also, Ikorodu delivered even more votes than we’ve ever done in any election. Ikorodu people believe in President Buhari. They believe in the leadership style of the great Lion of Bourdillon, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They have faith in the APC and trust on its representatives. All these, coupled with the fantastic team God assembled for me before, during and after the election, made victory possible.

    Some say the name of your uncle; the late TOS Benson also worked for you in this election. How true is this?

    A good name will always pave the way. I thank God that I had a great uncle who contributed a lot to Ikorodu and beyond. I also pray to leave a legacy for my own children to tap into. I believe I am hard working and I follow instructions. It all worked for me in the election. Above all, I want to believe my election was the desire of God who saw the yearnings of the good people of Ikorodu and answered our prayers. We worked very hard for that victory. My team, led by Mayor Deen Sanwoola, worked day and night. They left no stone unturned in reaching out to the people and selling my candidacy to them. Ours was a team of selfless volunteers. Professionals, politicians, youths, women, traders, students, community leaders and even business people who wanted change and were prepared to work for it.

    Your predecessor, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to some people did very well while some felt she did not perform well. What will you say is her score card?

    Hon. Abike Dabiri did very well. Like I always say, she laid the German floor upon which I want to start building now. For a thing, she is very popular on the floor of the Lower Chamber.  When I tell my colleagues at the Assembly I am from Ikorodu, her name comes up. She has been a worthy ambassador of Ikorodu.  Back home, I think some people mistake the functions of a legislator for that of the executive. But if you ask me again, I will say she came, she saw and she conquered.

    What are your plans towards influencing development projects to your constituents?

    In my community, there are lots of roads that are federal roads needing attention. I will make sure I put pressure on them to make sure all these roads are done. There is a federal hospital at Igbogbo area, which has been abandoned for a while. I am going to use my influence to make sure it is fixed.

    With the crisis over at the National Assembly, how do you see APC lawmakers relating with one another?

    I consider what happened at the National Assembly as part of politics and in spite of the bad blood that was generated during NASS leadership election, we remain one family. If there are still issues to resolve, I believe the caucus of the party and other party organs would meet to see to that.

    Crisis is normal in any system and we want to assure everyone that APC has surmounted the crisis and come out stronger and better than it was known before. We are aware that Nigerians are yearning for the change we promised and indeed we shall deliver on our promises.

    Ours is a party of disciplined and orderly people and that is why we are able to still resolve the matter the way we did. If this sort of crisis had befallen another party in this country, even the former ruling party, it would have become something else. So, there is nothing to worry about again. Now, it is time to give Nigerians a new nation they can be proud of.

  • It takes maturity to live with a Woman –B-CODE

    It takes maturity to live with a Woman –B-CODE

    Godwin Chinedu Nzekwe, known with the stage name B-Code, recently released his second single ‘Lemme know’ directed by Toyin Lawani after his first single, titled ‘Rollercoaster’, was directed by Patrick Elis under paparazzi records. B-Code, a petroleum engineering graduate, who also plays the konga drum, started music professionally in 2008. In this interview with JOE AGBRO JR., he talks about his passion for music, inspiration and more.

    The music industry is very competitive at the moment. What is unique about your music?

    I am not going to say that I am the strongest vocalist but what counts is my versatility. You can’t really predict what I would do next. I may do afro pop today and tomorrow I could do a reggae song and next you would hear another song done in R n B. I can switch style and my versatility is my very strong asset.

    How did it all begin for you in music?

    I am not one of those who would say it started when they were five and all that. My mother was a lead singer in a dance troupe and they even had some records. I grew up in a family of nine made up of seven boys. We started by going to events to perform and gradually it got bigger and better. In year 2006, the love for it grew and I decided to take it to a professional level.

    My friends and I started writing songs and in 2008, we did it with paparazzi records. My elder brother, Samuel, actually opened the record label because of me. He is based in Austria and when he came home, he heard a couple of my songs and he was impressed. When he came back, he decided to open the label and that same year I got admission.

    How do you get motivation for your songs?

    I have dropped some singles, dropped some videos and done a couple of things way back in school, that is the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where I studied Petroleum Engineering. I have performed in different places and I have been involved in a number of competitions. In year 2002, I won the best act in school. I like my career in Petroleum Engineering but it would be on hold for a couple of years.

    Everything about life inspires me; the good times and the hard times, as well as the times that you feel confused. Life is about the ups and downs. You get the downs to make you stronger and it also makes you not to forget how you got up there. When you have the good times, you appreciate it with good music and when you are confused you write confused songs. So when people who have gone through that stage get to hear such they appreciate the persecutions and the things that they have passed through more.

    Talking about confusion, Bobby Brown and his family are passing through this phase. What do you think about what his daughter, Bobby Kristiana Brown, is going through at the moment?

    It is really sad and unfortunate. Her mother died about three years ago and now the girl is in a coma and she is being abused. I don’t know whether I should say that he is not being watchful or careful. But sometimes, you are so watchful and the same thing still happens. Sometimes, I think it is part of life and you really don’t know if it is your mistake or someone else’s mistake.

     A number of local and international celebrities take drugs for motivation. What do you think about this?

    For me, I have been inspired naturally. I do not smoke but if I tell you that I do not drink, then I would be lying. I hang out with friends and drink occasionally. I know my limits and I do not take drugs at all. My advice to fellow upcoming artistes is that they should not be under pressure; they should not do drugs to get inspiration. Inspiration should be natural; all these things are just temporary. Once you get addicted, without it, you are hopeless. Womanising is another problem, especially for men, but the truth is that whether you are an act or not, women would always be there. They have been there from the inception, they are drawn to celebration. I love them and respect them like my mother and sisters.

    I know where to draw the line of friendship and relationships because sometimes you might be friendly and they may get the wrong impression. So if you change the situation at this point, they would feel heartbroken and very emotional. I relate with my female fans in a friendly way.

    Who would you describe as your role model in the industry?

    I would say that 90 per cent of the artists coming up in Nigeria would tell you that Tuface Indibia is good. I respect him to the core. He is an act you just feel so proud of; he is an act that you just wish to be like. MI is an extraordinary rapper, I respect him a lot. There are so many young talents that I admire, like Wizkid. There are so many of them that make the industry fun and they inspire me a whole lot. They make you want to do much more. On the International scene, I admire Akon, R.Kelly and recently I admire Chris Brown. He has brought something fresh to R and B.

     Why did you study Petroleum Engineering and now you are in music?

    The truth for me is that music is life. I have been in music before I went to school. The course, Petroleum Engineering, is very challenging. It is a course that I admire a lot. I chose it because music for me is natural and I wanted to study something new. Instead of restricting myself to music, I said why don’t I divert and do something fresh. Expand the knowledge and not just be in the arts to study music. I wanted to be a professional in two fields and it wasn’t easy convincing my people initially. Then going back to music, my people were like ‘are you sure this is what you really want to do?’ Music in me is very exciting. Even if I decide that I want to do something else in future, I still see myself writing songs for people. My albums are all in the works and it should be out early next year.

    After explaining all this to my family, they also saw the passion and the zeal. They said that as long as I assure them that I would be successful, they would support me. Of course, I know that I can’t put in all this and not aim for the top. I believe that with hard work, it would be a success story. In going back to music, my family was like ‘are you sure this is what you really want to do?’ Even if I decide that I want to do something else in future, I still see myself writing songs for people.

    What does style mean to you?

    For me, being stylish is being comfortable. Today, I may put on my jeans and tee shirt with a simple hat and tomorrow you could see me in a shirt and straight trousers. Being stylish is looking clean, smart and comfortable. Looking good for me is not just about wearing something expensive, it has to do with how you put it all together to look unique.

    What are some of the challenges?

    The truth is that the biggest challenge is working with the right set of production crew. As an artist, I feel that to get a great song, the producer and people you work with should feel and understand the emotion behind the song to get a great production. Everyone has a favourite singer, favourite rapper and so you must give them the reason why they must like you and their favourite. So far, it has been good. I have a wonderful management.

     Let’s talk about your mentors. Who are those inspiring you?

    First, I would say my brother, Samuel, has been great while my management team has been wonderful. They believed in me from day one. My parents are late; I lost my dad in year 2002 and my mum in 2007. She was diabetic. My brother was a footballer but now he is retired. He played for an underground team in Austria before going into business. Dad was a civil servant, mum was also a civil servant and she did a couple of business by the side.

    Are we talking about marriage now?

    No! Falling in love is not a problem. Marriage, however, needs a whole lot of dedication and maturity. I didn’t say women are difficult but they can be difficult sometimes. It takes a whole lot of maturity to live with a woman for the rest of your life.

    Where do you hope to be in the next five years?

    I would like to consolidate on the gains. In addition, if I want to move to any other area it would be clothing. I love clothes and I know how to do some sketches. I also have some guys that I want to work with on this.