The Nation Newspaper

Tag: success

  • Enemies of Success!

    We understand from Scriptures that success is the birthright of every child of God. However, it is not just ordinary success but outstanding one. By this we mean, standing out among our peers. Also, all-round success is God’s plan for us and as such when we succeed, God is delighted; because it glorifies Him. As it is written: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

    However, we will only experience success when we do whatsoever God says we should do. In other words, when we do what He commands, we are entitled to His blessings. This is because God is no respecter of persons and the scriptures cannot be broken (Acts 10:34-35). If we disregard God’s conditions for breakthroughs as written in scripture, we will suffer the same calamity the world is facing. Like I have always said, whatever we desire from our inheritance, we need to know the fundamental requirement to accessing them. The good news is that, there is a covenant of success already in place. All we need to do is to locate it and comply with the demands. A wise man once said, ‘’let your learning lead to knowledge and let your knowledge lead to action. God’s Word also says: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22). Therefore, it is wisdom to work with all that we have learnt.

    Let us recognise that success is not an issue of chance, but of choice. What we do with what we have learnt reveals whether or not we want to be successful. No one can stop a covenant child of God from succeeding; not even the devil. So the devil is not our problem as people erroneously think; neither is any mortal man. No one but ourselves can stop us from getting to that glorious place ordained for us. Many people in the society have lost sight of these facts, taking God’s covenant for granted and thereby living an unsuccessful life. That is why, it is important to explore certain cautions we must take heed to, if success is our goal. In other words, there are things we must guard against, so as to experience outstanding success. These are:

    • Self Reliance: One big barrier between us and God’s blessings is reliance on self. As we may recall, when God wanted to bless Abraham. He said: …I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). Abraham’s success is still being celebrated today because God made Him. God’s blessing was what made Abraham a success, not his expertise or hard work. Likewise, it is God’s blessings that will make us successful, without adding any sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22). Thus, we must stay connected to God always. A reliance on our expertise, wisdom or hard work alone disconnects us from His blessings. The story is told in 2 chronicles 26 of King Uzziah who was marvelously helped of God. But, in the next verse, the Bible says: …when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God (2 Chronicles 26:16). King Uzziah whom God prospered so much ended His life in misery as a result of self reliance. As we may recall, the race is not to the swift, neither is the battle to the strong. Favour is not to men of skilful or understanding. It is God that determines the events of every man’s life. Therefore, we must look up to Him and rely on Him always. We shall not fail!
    • Disobedience: God leads by instruction (Psalms 32:8) and His Instruction is the high way to distinction. When God speaks, He speaks to correct, reprove and rebuke so we can get on course with His agenda. By His commandment, any believer can be on top of his world; as it is by doing what God says that we change levels. But if we are smarter than God, we will remain at the same level (Isaiah 34:16).
    • Pride: Some Christians are so full of pride that they don’t know that it’s their pride that has gotten them grounded. No matter how loaded the potentials in us are, if we walk in pride, we don’t have a future. It takes meekness to learn and apply ourselves to it (James 4:6).
    • Envy: A lot of Christians fall victim of envy without knowing. It is important to know that our thoughts are as important as our words. Every evil thought against any man lifted by God brings evil upon our lives. Remember, when God makes somebody our head and we curse him, we will perish. Also, when we see people rising around us, we shouldn’t wish them evil, or we will never rise. Everyone that comes against a man who is enjoying a covenant rise from God comes under a curse. Remember God told Abraham …I will bless thee and curse him that curses thee. Many are under such curses today. Therefore, we must gird up the loins of our minds and rejoice from the depth of our hearts with that friend of ours who is lifted by God.

    In conclusion, success does not come from any human source but from God. If we must experience outstanding success, it is wisdom to comply with God’s instructions and as we do so, I see us enjoying all-round success.

    Nevertheless, one step to a successful living is being born-again. If you are not born-again, you are not entitled to it. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”  For further reading, please get my books: Success Strategies, Success Systems, Maximising Destiny, Exploring the Secrets of Success. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org.

  • Insurer assures of agric credit success

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Mrs. Folashade Joseph, has promised to ensure the implementation of the insurance component of  Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS).

    She spoke yesterday in Lagos at the opening of a capacity building programme organised to enlighten the Agric Desk Officers of commercial banks on how to implement the risk component of CACS.

    She said: “NAIC is committed to forging the appropriate partnerships with deposit money banks (DMBs) in the fulfilment of their mandate by the provision of the appropriate risk management services to the Agric investors bring financed by the banks.

    “ The deposit money banks and other financial institutions have been NAIC’s major distribution channels over the years with the DMBs, as credit providers, and NAIC, as risk management service provider.”

    Stressing the readiness of NAIC to improve its services to conform with modern realities, she said: “I wish to state that NAIC is poised to improve its services in the area of product development, claims payments, valuable farm extension services across the entire agric value chain.

    “Risk management remains an integral part of modern day agric financing model, as such the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) had deemed it fit to ensure that any agric investor accessing the CACS facility must have the project insured by NAIC as stated in the current lending guidelines for CACS loan to protect the project from failing due to unforseen risks.”

  • Talk Your way to Success!

    Talk Your way to Success!

    We discover from Scriptures that success is God’s will for us and as such every child of God has been redeemed for all-round success. However, success does not fall on people’s laps neither is it obtained on a platter of gold. There is always what to do to enjoy every provision God has made for us in His Word.

    Among others, one important step to our success is to talk our way into it. It is impossible to encounter success without talking success. This is because the words we speak either make us or mar us. We determine the things that happen to us by the words of our mouth. Whenever we speak success, as contained in scriptures, we are speaking the right word that contains irresistible great forces that cannot go unheard.

    As regards our success in life, many Christians don’t believe it is scriptural to be successful and as such they keep closed mouths. Remember, it is often said that ‘a closed mouth is a closed destiny’. In actual fact, they think it is pride to talk success. They prefer to be wretched Christians than to be associated with success. But Jesus did not teach us so, He said that we are the light of the world. In other words, we are redeemed to be Pace-setters, pathfinders and trail-blazers for the world to follow.

    He also said that we are the salt of the earth; that means we are designed to preserve humanity from decadence and to give taste to the tasteless world. In addition, Jesus said that we are cities set on hills which cannot be hidden. That helps us to recognise that every child of God is ordained for global relevance, influence and exploits. But as we all know, we cannot claim what we cannot proclaim, our inheritance notwithstanding. In other words, what we don’t believe, we are not empowered to become and until we say it, God is not empowered to deliver. If talking success is too big for our mouths, it would be too big for our hands (John 1:12; Genesis 13:14). Therefore talk success! Until we talk it, we can’t have it. This is my secret over the years and it is still working for me. Remember, the Bible says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21; See also Mark 11:23). The words we speak are powerful and can affect us positively or negatively. Thus, to experience success through the words of our mouths, we must understand the following:

    • Our Words Are Seeds: The Words we speak are seeds, which bring forth fruits after their kind. As it is written: …the seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11). This means that how much of the word of God we express through our lips in any area of our lives, determines our harvest. Thus, when we feed our hearts with words of success and express them through our mouths, we are sowing seeds of success. Unfortunately, some people no matter how hard they work cannot enjoy success. This is because despite the fact that they are great givers and diligent workers, they sow seeds of failure with their mouths. This is why there are many great doers, but poor talkers. In spite of their great doings, they still remain small. We must recognise that God is not to blame for our failures as He regards what we say as the conclusion of our expectations. As it is written: … for ye shall have whatsoever he saith (Mark 11:23). Therefore, we should stop saying negative things about our present conditions; rather, we should start speaking what is written in God’s Word.

    Our Words are Likened to Rainfall: Also, the words we speak are likened to rainfall from heaven. Just as the Word God sent forth out of His mouth never return to Him void, so also the words we speak never return void. They are like rainfall that causes a sprouting forth of whatever seed is sown in the earth. Remember, no matter how much seed a farmer puts in the ground, if there is no rain, the seed would perish in the earth. Likewise, the words we speak would either bring down rain to water the seeds sown or establish a drought that will destroy the seeds. It is time to begin to water the labours of our hands, by speaking the right kind of words (1 Corinthians 3:6).

    Filling our Hearts with the Right Words: We understand from scriptures that: …out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Mathew 12:34). This implies that our mouths speak forth the overflows of what is in our hearts. When we become drunk with the words of success, we speak them naturally. As written in scriptures, life and death are in our mouths, so we should speak life, that we may enjoy success in life.

    God is Committed:  In the school of success, what we say with our mouths is as important as what God says. Thus, God is committed to what we say, just as He is committed to what He says.  As it is written: That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers (Isaiah 44:26). Every one that serves God is His servants, and He is bound to confirm our words. So we must speak the right words so as not to lack results because God will confirm it. God is committed to whatever we say, whether it is said in the public or privately. He can’t act until we have uttered the words. So stop talking trials because what we talk is what we possess. Rather, start talking testimonies and we will stop seeing trials and failures.

    However, God is only committed to what the redeemed say. Thus, if you are not saved, God will never confirm what you say. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Success Strategies, Success Systems, Maximising Destiny, Exploring the Secrets of Success. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • ‘Determination, hard work key to success’

    LAGOS State Pension Commission Director-General Mrs Folashade Onanuga has advised the outgoing pupils of Halified Schools, Mende, Maryland, Lagos to be determined and focused, if they want to succeed in life.

    She gave the advice at the school’s valedictory for the pupils on Saturday.

    Mrs Onanuga, who was the guest speaker, at the event, said: ‘’Your life is just starting. What is your dream? What is your plan? The world you are going into carries a lot of opportunities. Don’t look at yourselves as mediocres,’’ urging them to avail themselves of the opportunities.

    She advised them against standing on their parents’shoulders. ‘’See yourself as somebody with a great future. Start somewhere. If you fall, get up. Every criticism you receive, don’t let it pull you down,’’ she said.

    Earlier, the school’s Director Mrs Halima Oke also harped on determination as the cornerstone of success. She advised the pupils to be confident, always offer the world the best, think good thoughts and of huge projects.

    ‘’You’ll make mistakes in life, but learn from them,’’ she charged them citing Bruce Lee and Oprah Winfrey as those who succeeded despite the odds against them.

    “It’s a lot of hard work. No alternative to it. It’s the degree of hard work that determines the success in life. No one will spoon-feed any more. You are now on your own. There is no impossibility. Impossibility is of the mind. If you want to climb to the peak, you can,’’ she added.

    The Senior Prefect, Miss Omojola Temiloluwa, who spoke on behalf of her class, shared her experiences in the school, describing it as pleasant. However, she said it was without some challenges, especially in SSII. ‘’The year,’’ she said, ‘’heralded a flood of change.’’

    She said tenacity of purpose and the determination to succeed saw her through. She praised their parents, the school’s management, teachers and non-teaching staff for their support. On the lesson she learnt during her tenure, she said: “I have come to believe that the best form of leadership is one by example.’’

  • I’m a journalist, Lagos is my success story 

    When I shared the above headline on my Facebook timeline last Sunday, my intention was to acknowledge the fact that Lagos is indeed my own success story too like many others whose pictures are all over the state for their accomplishments in the last fifty years since its creation.

    As a former federal capital city and still the economic capital of the country, not many of the not- too-young successful Nigerians can tell their story without mentioning Lagos as either part, or the main location, of their career or business.

    For obvious reasons, the state government could not have had every top Lagosian on the celebration board, but some others could have been featured. There were too many ‘celebrities’ projected as the ‘face of Lagos’ instead of a number of others who have contributed immensely to various sectors of the state.

    Notwithstanding who is on the list or not, the 50th anniversary offers anyone who cares, to tell their Lagos story.

    With over 26 years of being a journalist in Lagos out of over 30 years of practice during which I was an intern at the defunct Concord newspapers, worked in The Punch, defunct National Interest, Financial Standard, New Age and currently The Nation newspapers, Lagos is undoubtedly my success story.

    While working in the media houses, I climbed the ladder from being a Reporter, Correspondent, Assistant News Editor, Group News Editor, Group Political Editor, City Editor, Sunday Editor and now Managing Editor, Online and Special Publications.

    In the various editorial positions, I reported and edited stories that have impacted lives and influenced policies. I have expressed my views to hold the government accountable and promote best practices in all sectors.

    With over 30 media awards and still counting, international fellowships, advocating for Media Career Development and faith-based journalism, Lagos has been good to me in many ways I can’t recall.

    On some trips outside the country, many colleagues are usually excited to know that I am a Lagos-based journalist. They have read a lot about the small city that has more population than their countries.

    I drove some colleagues from Ghana, Cameroun and Liberia across the Third Mainland Bridge and they were simply overwhelmed. Everything about Lagos and Nigeria is usually ‘mega’, said one of them.

    Another group of colleagues from Kenya and South Africa eagerly looked forward to visiting Lagos but were disallowed the opportunity of fulfilling their Lagos dream by denial of visa.

    Though from Ogun State and born in Ijebu Ode, I grew up in the notorious Ajegunle city with my parents and attended Ajeromi Public School. Interestingly, my interest in journalism dates back to Ajegunle when I started reading newspapers I bought from the newsstands for my father.

    Though I initially worked in Contractor Magazine in Ojuelegba after my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme for some months, my first main journalism job was based on the story I wrote from the Apapa residence of late elder statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    While still waiting to see the editor of The Punch, Alhaji Nojeem Jimoh, I took the initiative of going to cover the condolence visits in Awolowo’s house based on my internship experience. That was all I needed to do to convince the editor that I was ready for a career in journalism which has lasted this long in Eko, Lagos.

  • NANS gets success tips

    Students have been advised to avail themselves opportunities of mentoring which can help direct their path to life.

    This advice was given during the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lagos chapter mentorship summit. It was held at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos.

    The association’s Chairman, Samson Adewale, said youth engagement in social vices can be linked to false mindset and inadequate orientation towards life.

    Adewale noted that some youths go astray in life due to poor guidance or lack of inspiration

    “Nigerian students have been lagging behind. You will find out that a good number of us grow up without having a mentor to direct us. Even some of us had dreams, but our dreams got shattered because we are not ready to learn or not having someone to mentor us; someone who can help redirect our thinking to improve ourselves and add value to the society,” he said.

    He said it was necessary to create a mentorship platform “where youths can benefit because they have undisputed roles to play to move our country forward, rather than being sidelined or used as tools by politicians to achieve selfish aims.

    “This is a clarion call to our politicians, entertainers, business tycoons and others to see the youths as people they can mentor, and train to bring out the best in them. They should have a bigger picture of us and see us as a driving force for greater development,” he said.

    One of the speakers, Mrs Abimbola Soluade, Managing Director, Pitman Training Centre, Ikeja, admonished the students to take advantage of the platforms technology has created to seek knowledge rather than frivolities.

    She advised that mentorship should be sought irrespective of age difference.

    “The role of mentorship can never be over emphasised. Even in the various schools, some students end up studying  wrong courses, but with the help of someone who can  help you appreciate it, you can excel better in that course. Seeking mentorship may not necessarily come from someone older than you, you can get that from a younger fellow. What is key is the knowledge you have and not the age difference. Neither should you feel ashamed to be mentored by someone younger, that can add value to your life,” she said.

    The National President (AOCOED) Alumni Association, Comrade Adeyemi Adesanya,   advised parents  to assist teachers in educating their wards, adding that they should also help in  curbing juvenile delinquencies in youths.

  • Lagos: Secrets of the success story

    “The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams,” 

    The allure of Lagos is real-awesome in its power; seductively magnetic.  Lagos is a place where it is safe to dream, if you are determined to make it real.

    Lagos has variously been described, as: “Land of Promise”,  “Promised Land”, “Home for All”, “Land of Commerce”, “Land of Performance”,  “Land of Aquatic Splendour and Tourism” and “Centre of Learning”.

    Some call it land of peace, of hope, of opportunity, of business, of legacies and of freedom among others. Mere 0.4% of Nigeria’s territorial land mass, Lagos harbours more than 21 million, or 18 per cent of Nigerians of different ethnic and religious groups; it has over 62 per cent of industrial and commercial interest. Lagos’s Internally Generated Revenue of 287 billion in December last year,-about 76 per cent of its total revenue- was more than that of 20 states of the nation’s 36 states.

    The promise of Lagos is alive and well! With over 54 per cent of the country’s manufacturing employment, Lagos is the 2nd largest economy in Nigeria, 3rd in Sub-Saharan Africa and about seven or eight in Africa. It is the 7th fastest growing economy in the World, and even when it is already growing in leaps and bound, Lagos will surely experience a real exponential growth.

    With the recent discovery of crude oil in the state, it is poised for special federal revenue allocation that other oil-producing states enjoy; what will be the largest refinery in Africa, or probably in the World, is projected for completion soon, Lekki Free Trade Zone, massive infrastructural rehabilitation and construction and integrated mass transportation system is going on at frenetic pace.

    With dynamic, dedicated and visionary leadership, Lagos continues to promote and project best practices and reforms to ease administration, business and financial operations. The fact that IGR has increased so dramatically to N436 billion this year, is a pointer to the fact that a sound, sustainable revenue mobilisation measures have taken root.

    On viability of Lagos State, the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said: “…is a land of opportunities, offering all residents the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours….a place where you have a chance to make it if you work hard…Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together.”

    In fact, there is a popular maxim among Lagosians that “if you come to Lagos and you are not smart (not able to make headway), you cannot do that anywhere else on the planet, even in America!” Perhaps, the key word is “hard work” and, of course prayer.

    Thus, the dream of most Nigerians is to experience Lagos first, even if they have to travel abroad in quest of more fortune. In fact, virtually all Nigerians who have made it to the top in all areas of life have done so, directly or indirectly, with Lagos connections.

    Lagos as a land of hope and of opportunity, or where in Nigeria could one be hawking bread on the street, in one moment, a nondescript and the next, a celebrity!

    “Lagos a Home for All”, means Nigeria will not break because Lagos is the adhesive holding Nigerians together.

    Certain significant occurrences attest to this assertion. Have we ever pondered why all civilian governors since the First Republic, Lateef Jakande, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode- except the short three months period of Michael Otedola in 1983- have always been progressive, visionary, role models, achievers by far margin among their peers?

    This is acclaimed even by their adversaries. Have you examined why virtually all these governors went on to assume greater national responsibilities and influence after their respective tenure?

    Have we explored the reasons why Lagos was never conquered by ruling political party in 1983 and 2003? Recall, the malevolent “landslide” (or was it Moonslide) election of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) at the end of the Second Republic.

    Governor Lateef Jakande of Lagos, and Governor Olabisi Onabanjo of Ogun States survived, “annexation” of the Unity Party states unscratched (of course Chief Obafemi Awolowo was from Ogun State); while Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin of Ondo State had to bitterly fight it to the Supreme Court, to reclaim his mandate from Akin Omoboriowo, of the ruling party, after much bloodletting that culminated into December 1983 coup of General Muhammadu Buhari and Col. Tunde Idiagbon.

    Fast-track to 2003, when the evil tsunami of 2003 election, swallowed all the progressive states, but  was unable to consume Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Lagos, which remained the bulwark and rallying point for the progressives till date.

    True, Jakande put Lagos in the sun, but it was Asiwaju Tinubu that really repaired and strengthened the foundation, deeply eroded since 1983. Governor Fashola constructed solid structure on it, while Governor Ambode propelled construction to astronomical height- IGR was N300 million in 1999; it is N436 billion now.

    When Southern and Northern Protectorates were amalgamated as Nigeria in 1914, Lagos was chosen over Calabar as federal capital. Was it by prayer, pre-destination, pure chance or divine intervention? Lagos is a centre of unity and freedom; maybe the reason that state remains the only one with its boundary intact since 1967.

    Have we pondered why Lagos State has the full mix of variables that cause sustainable development, successions of visionary democratic  leaders who continue to transmit models for good governance, proactive civil service, dynamic and egalitarian population, appropriate climatic and environmental condition and  peace and harmonious co-existence of diverse groups and interests.

    Some would say faith, some would say destiny. But virtually all would agree that prayer and perseverance for excellence by Lagosians-leaders and the led-is key for Lagos State’s successes. The reason for the establishment of Home Affairs Ministry is primarily to take care of the spiritual yearnings of Lagosians, reinforce our faith in the destiny of Lagos, promote this state of concord, care and love, inspire us to work harder without fear and secure our sustainable growth.

  • Create environment for health firms’ success, govt told

    Create environment for health firms’ success, govt told

    An indigenous equipment manufacturing firm, FINLAB Nigeria Limited, has called on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for local manufacturers to thrive.

    Its Director of Marketing (Fine Furniture/Finished Laboratories), Uzo Nwaije Jr, who made the call, said such an environment would include improved factors of production. According to him, the first step at doing so should be by making it easier for manufacturers to get funds to operate.

    “That will improve the economy because when there is fund, demand will be met by supply. Federal Government should create the enabling environment for us to succeed better as manufacturers. It should mandate its contractors to patronise indigenous manufactures of equipments. Governments at all levels should improve on their patronage of local goods,” Nwaije said .

    He said another way was for the government to improve on its patronage of indigenous products.

    “That will guarantee return on investment. Lagos has taken the lead in that. We are hoping for more patronages. The quality is there, and buyers are able to save more money when they buy indigenous manufacturers instead of buying from imported representatives,” he said.

    On some of the factors ailing the sector, Nwaije named electricity as the main constraint.

    He said: “Our firm has three generators, which we fuel daily. The issue of electricity is so germane to production that once we go on the generators we do not switch off until end of production. This is followed by non availability of forex. Another issue is accessing loans from banks.”

    When asked how the company had managed in the last three decades, Nwaije said: “We are members of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and International Training Fund (ITF). We follow Standard Organisations of Nigeria’s (SON’s) standard. It is gladdening that we are able to train people, who can go ahead with full confidence into setting up their factories. This was decided upon from a simple experience-the need to either expand or shed weight.

    “When the ultimate choice of weight shedding is inevitable it could really be emotional. Nigerians are zealous, and full of ingenuity, so laying off doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t good at their jobs, but for logistic reasons. So, to assist such, we decided to go into training. That experiment paid off and people were able to run their own companies over the years. We do not turn people down when it comes to training. NECA is also assisting in this. One major setback is imitation in the furniture sector. But buyers, who are wary, do not fall victim. Buyers hardly fall victim in the equipment sector. Lagos State is enterprising and it can improve on its patronage. We support Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Lagos at 50, too.”

    Though the firm’s headquartres is at Anthony, Lagos, its factory where medical furniture and laboratory equipment are manufactured is at Sango, Ogun State.

    According to Nwaije, the company is run seamlessly and since commencing business in 1981, it has consistently designed, manufactured and installed many laboratories in many educational institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Secondary and Primary Schools), hospitals, industries, and research centres in almost every local government area in Nigeria.

    “The quality of our products and services in this regard has continued to improve over the years. Our services have also extended to some West African Countries with installations in Republic of Benin, and Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.

    “You see the company’s operations are divided into three: Supply of Laboratory Equipment, Installation and Maintenance. Manufacture and installation of laboratory furniture and fittings. And manufacturing and supply of audio-visual materials,” he said.

  • Success seminar for students

    Students who want to excel in their academic careers must study very hard and be good time managers, the Deputy Rector of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Jide Johnson has said.

    Mr. Johnson spoke at the training exercise held for students intending to sit for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), organised by the member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Mudashiru Akinwunmi Olaitan at his Ifako-Ijaiye Area office penultimate Saturday.

    Denouncing the prevalence of special centres or ‘miracle’ centres that engage in all manner of malpractices, the lawmaker said many students fail because they are undisciplined and lazy, adding that to succeed, students must be determined and willing to pay the price by burning the midnight oil to excel in their academic careers.

    He said: “Whatever you become is a function of your decision. Learn how to manage your time well. Be expectant of the future you want to be, but let it be ingrained in you. That expectation demands discipline.”

    In his welcome remarks, Olaitan said the educational empowerment programme train students from all the 14 wards in his constituency, in how to avoid the errors that could lead to their failure.

    He said: “The seminar was aimed at ensuring that most, if not all those in attendance today pass this year’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) qualifying examination. My belief is that while most parents can afford the cost of JAMB forms, most cannot afford to teach what they would learn at the event.

    He said Planters Educational Consult, which is the consultant for the programme, has brought together seasoned examiners to take the students through common errors that result in students not getting admission into universities of their choice.

    “Passing a qualifying examination requires more than being brilliant. Being sound in subject combination on which questions are to be set may not necessarily translate to being admitted and some of those reasons would be x-rayed by the trainers,” he said.

    Olaitan, who refused to confirm if he will go ahead to distribute free JAMB forms anytime the forms are available for sale revealed that the programme was organised to coincide with his 100 days in office as a member of the House of Representatives, adding that the event has further underscored his desire and interest in education.

    The about 2,500 students were taken through different areas ranging from choosing a career, form collection and filling process, choosing preferred universities offering their courses, which could affect their chances of admission and preparing for the examinations.

    The member representing Mushin Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Hon. Jide Jimoh praised his colleague for what he described as “a unique programme aimed at empowering the students.”

    He said by training the students, Hon. Olaitan has given them an opportunity that many would pay to acquire in order to scale through in the examinations.

    The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council Chief Akin Fadayomi praised the lawmaker for remembering students who are leaders of tomorrow in the area of how to scale through the examination that is critical to their success in life.

    One of the trainers, Mr Mudashiru Balogun said in spite of scoring high marks in JAMB, many students still fail to secure admissions into universities of their choice because they chose the wrong universities.

    Balogun, who said there are over 60 federal universities, 55 states and 57 private universities urged the students to spread their choice instead of concentrating on few ones close to their areas.

    The students drawn from so many secondary schools in the area expressed happiness over the exercise.

    Modupe Ayieola of Adeola Memorial College said she attended the seminar to learn how to avoid errors that could lead to her failure in the forthcoming examination.

    Akeem Buraimoh said he came with the desire to learn because he is determined not to repeat the examination.

    One of the parents, Mr Destiny Nwachukwu thanked the lawmaker for the programme. He expressed the hope that it would translate to higher admission rate of students from the constituency.

    Among other party leaders present at the event were Hon. Jimoh, Chief Fadayomi, Mrs Bisi Allison; the Sole Administrator for Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Dr Waleed Ipaye, and his counterpart at the Ifako-ljaiye Local Government, Mr Babatunde BIQ Rajh-Label and other party chieftains across the 14 wards of Ifako-Ojokoro Federal Constituency among others.

     

  • Success hits camp on Monday

    Success hits camp on Monday

    Barring any unforeseen last-minute injury, Watford young star Isaac Success will have an international cap to his name before the next eleven days.

    The former Granada wonderkid has confirmed that he will link up with the Super Eagles at their get-together in London on Monday morning, March 20, allnigeriasoccer.com understands.

    Success would have made his senior debut for the Nigerian national team last year but pulled out of the squad for the World Cup qualifier against Zambia citing injury after he was initially included on the roster.

    The following month, the 21-year-old was not considered for the World Cup qualifier versus Algeria in Uyo because of a thigh injury.

    The attacker has caps for the U-17 and U-20 national teams, and has been called up to the Dream Team in the past.

    At the end of today, Chippa United glovesman Daniel Akpeyi will discover whether or not he will participate in the Super Eagles first training session at Hive Stadium training ground on Monday.

    At this very moment, the former Warri Wolves shot-stopper is awaiting positive news from the British High Commission in South Africa as regards to his application for a visa.

    Akpeyi is praying and hoping that he will be issued the traveling document on Friday or else he would turn his attention to next week, when the national team would have already started training.

    Wolverhampton Wanderers star Carl Ikeme has no such worries and should be one of the first foreign-based pros to arrive Crown Plaza Hotel.