Walk Out On The Ovation

The year 2011 was no doubt a busy one for me; quite eventful and appreciably rewarding as well. I met with new friends who took interest in me for various reasons. While some took interest in me for a reason I still could not decode or decipher, others did simply because of my writings, social work, and most humbly, creative ideas. Now I’m blushing. I always have to deal with the numerous accolades showered on me by my admirers, with genuine humility though.

Silently however, I had always craved an eye-opening critique of my works. After every publication, I usually found myself loitering on the internet, combing my facebook and blog comment box to see whether someone has dropped the very comment I had impatiently waited for.

Success: What Defines It For You?

The concept success is no doubt a subject that will generate reactions and counter-reactions any day, or anytime discussed. The subject has been thoroughly and widely dealt with by notable people from all works of life, that you will think it is an over flogged issue.

However, in an age or era where the human soul is growing increasingly discontented, even in the face of colossal material and wealth acquisition, one cannot but revisit the reason for the discontentment – lack of success feeling. How can a man with a heavy material and wealth acquisition still feel something is missing?

Just recently, I was listening to definitions of success from Kurt Carr, Bishop T.D Jakes, Bishop Matthew Ashimolowo, and Pastor E.A Adeboye, and I observed a common denominator that never stops pricking my reasoning.

The Quest.

“…hello young man, what do you think you’re doing?” “How do you mean Sir?” Tunde probed his boss. “ I got your resignation letter this morning, and I kind of wonder what the hell is wrong with you. I mean…” Tunde’s boss sounded piqued. “…Sir, I wish I could explain this better, but I can’t seem to find the right word to do so. But trust me, I’ve counted the cost, and…” “young man…” Tunde’s boss cuts in “… I really think we shouldn’t be discussing this. You still have a month to go, so I’ll see you then. In the mean time, let me have a report on the story you are doing” “okay Sir.” Tunde said closing the door behind him.

The story that afternoon was not the news on the street, but the news in the newsroom. Tunde is one of their few die-hard journalist, so everybody was taken aback that he’s leaving them in a month time.

Later that night…

Tunde’s dad was busy at the living room with a copy of the punch line newspaper, with a pair of glasses perched on his nose. He whiled away time awaiting Tunde’s arrival. He was already dozing off when Tunde came in…

“Dad, why don’t you go into your bedroom…” “oh, you are back. I’m actually waiting for you, we need to talk.” “So what is it all about?” Tunde said taking his seat beside the old man. “It’s about your job. I learnt you are quitting…” the old man waited for response but it wasn’t coming. “You wouldn’t talk to me. You know what? I don’t seem to be getting this right; I mean…you are one of the best in this job, and what more, the job is quite rewarding. Take a good look at what you’ve achieved in just 2 years on the job!” “that is it dad. There you go again…” Tunde snapped. “This is fake, this is you, this isn’t me! Does it not bother you that I’ve lived all my live living your ambition? You’ve never for once asked what I wanted for my-se-l-f. I think I hate it here…” Tunde snarled as his dad watched him disappear into the staircase. The night was so quiet in the house as even the cockroaches around could feel the mood.

A month later…

The last couple of weeks has been really eventful; hopes are high everywhere: Tunde’s boss expects a change of decision, ditto for hid dad and colleagues. Giving more hope to their hope was another memorable event; Tunde has just picked up an award - Best Reporter, Investigative Journalism - in the Professor Lambert’s annual award for journalism excellence. No surprise, he was thoroughly shaped by his dad, a doyen of journalism. To them all, they thought this new success will influence his final stance.

It’s time for an in-house party in honour of Tunde’s achievement. The hall was filled to the last chair, with everybody awaiting Tunde’s speech, and then he mounted the podium…

“…first of all, I’d like to thank God. It’s all about Him. He made this possible. Also, I’d like to dedicate this award to my dad, it’s his award…” the audience thunders a clap as many turned to steal a look at Tunde’s dad, all wearing a smashing smile…

“…lastly, I’d like to dedicate this award to my colleagues, and my boss. You all made this possible. It’s my parting gift to you…” there was a sudden drop in the mood of all members of the audience. It finally dawn on them Tunde was serious. “…in the past one month I’ve had sleepless night trying to convince myself I want to do this. I can’t seem to find the right word to explain my decision to you all, but I can assure you this is good for me. While I take my leave, I implore you to be true to your self. Live your dream, your purpose, and not another man’s ambition ‘cos the pains of your dream soothes more than the joy of your fantasy. I love you all!”

Tunde obviously had dropped something as the hall was dead silence. His boss sounded quite incoherent in his closing remark. Tunde spent the next 10 minutes exchanging hug with an army of admirers. That was his last day at punch line communications.

Two weeks later…

It was 6:45pm in  Ikot Afanga, and the sky was already closing it’s face. The bees buzzed lazily around, while a few crickets began tuning up for their evening of song. Tunde’s bus stopped in front of Ette’s  store, the head of the youths in the community. Almost everybody turned around to see who will come out of the bus parked in front of Ette’s store; they were all shell shocked at what they saw, the youngest Corper to ever served in their village. While some were struggling to carry Tunde’s bag, some were struggling to carry him like victorious warrior. A few others who didn’t know him tried stealing a look as he took his seat beside the ludo board, the usual evening ritual at Ette’s shop. Back to base; Tunde spent some 10 months here 3 years ago doing his youth service. The village still hasn’t change; no electricity, no good road, no drinkable water, soldiers of biting insect, name any drawbacks. No regret anyway, this the new life Tunde would settle for.

“Ette, na wa o. So una still dey suffer like this for this village…” Tunde questioned as he tried to ward off mosquitoes from his delicate skin. “Corper, na so o. Abi wetin we go do? Man no die, man no rotten…” “wetin una go do ?” Tunde sounded amused, but continued his bantering… “where that una shameless man?” “which one?” Ette asked. “The one wey be deputy speaker for house of assembly; the man no fit do anything for this community?” “that one… no mind that one abeg…” Ette filled Tunde in on their present predicament in the village. They spent almost all the night catching up on old times. Tomorrow is Monday, struggle continues…

Monday morning at CSS, Ikot Afanga…

It’s another Monday morning, and the only spectacle usually on display in the community is the students’ exuberance. Lateness and indiscipline has been an issue of concern the school authority, and the community itself. Tunde decided to come see whether things has changed. his bike stopped in front of the school gate at about 9:15am, and students still roam the street, but immediately they saw Tunde they all took to their heels. Tunde came in company of Ette. Though the students are untouchables to their teachers, but Tunde was a pain in their butt during his service days. While the teachers were all wondering what’s chasing the running students, the students in the classes came out in droves to welcome their cane-wielding Corper. The Principal was not left out as she came out to see who’s responsible for the rowdiness that suddenly engulfed her school, and she was shocked to see Tunde who by now was moving towards her office to exchange pleasantries…

“Nma, emesiere - o…” “emesiere - nde…Tunde!” the principal curdled Tunde as they both exchanged pleasantries in Ibibio language… “so you never forget our language…go back to your class, stupid children…” the principal barked at the students as she led Tunde to the staff room. The school’s activities was paralysed that morning as the teaching staff spent the next one hour with Tunde in meeting. Tunde effortlessly explained his mission to them…

“…like I use to say then that I’d be back here one day, I’m back now; and I need your support to be able to finish my task within a year. Now, this is coming to you at no cost, I mean you wouldn’t have to pay me for this. It’s my own little contribution to the future of this community…” at the end of the meeting, the school appointed Tunde as the head of Corper’s service department, a post hitherto held by a teacher. He spent the break time with the students before leaving for his house. It was a busy day indeed for Tunde.

The next six month…

Armed with his laptop, internet modem, camcorder, bicycle, Ette, and two Corper’s Cds group namely MDGs and PETs, Tunde went half way with his mission in just six months. Starting from shooting a documentary film on the community, to writing proposals on the initiation and execution of fundamental projects in the community, Tunde never rested a bit. He became a major influence on the Corps members serving in the entire local government by providing them with ideas, and engineering their Cds projects to suit the fundamental needs of their host community. At the passing-out-parade of the batch B Corps members for that year, all the state award winners came from Tunde’s local government. This proved a big break for Tunde.

Dinner party, Government house…

The banquet hall was appreciably crowded, with all sorts of eatables on display. It’s the dinner in honour of state award winners, and the one man that’s wanted everywhere - Tunde. There were giggles and cackles everywhere in the hall as people engaged one another in tête-à-tête; soon the commissioner for youth, sports, and development interrupted the flow…

“So ladies and gentlemen, join me as we toast… to us, to them, and to our young man here…” the commissioner said pointing at Tunde. Soon, the governor himself started…

“You see, my boy, let me start by saying a big thank you to you. I must say I acknowledge and appreciate what you’ve been doing around here. And this will surprise you; I do get all the petitions and proposals you’ve been sending to my office, and while it seems I’m not bothered, I’ve actually been working on them. Let me give you a good news, we have signed contracts for the delivery of 15 primary health care centres, 200 borehole projects, rehabilitation of schools across the local government, and most importantly, the construction of all the access roads in in your local government. When I say signed, I mean signed and sealed, to be delivered in 8 months…” there was a thunderous applause in the hall as everybody gave kudos to the governor… “…and sorry, my governor forgot to add this: the electrification project has also been signed…” there was another thunderous applause for the governor. The night ended on a high note for everybody. For Tunde, it was the most fulfilling moment of his life, having his efforts rewarded in this manner; it doesn’t always come this easy. The state award winners were all given automatic employment, their first task being to assist Tunde in monitoring the delivery of the various projects awarded. Ikot Afanga was a bee hive of activities for the next 7 months. The students did crash job here and there, petty traders selling stuffs here and there, and the village youths all got one permanent job or the other at the various construction sites. Hmn… the dream of a man.

Somewhere in Lagos…

Mr and Mrs Olusola had just finished at the dinning when the network news started. Mr Olusola headed for the living room to listen…

“Good evening viewers, my name is Fatimah Abass Fatimah. Tonight on news at nine…” Mr Olusola watched on with keen interest as the news caster dolled out the news one after the other until it got to an item…

“Mama Tunde, come come come…” Mrs Olusola dashed to the living room to see what the interest is all about.

“… a 27 years old young man received national honour…” Tunde was one of the national award recipients for the year. He was nominated by the Akwa-Ibom state government for his efforts. The news caster rounded off…

“…he dedicated the award to his mother whom he said has always encouraged him to live his live to…” “…mo so ri re o, eleda mi mo dupe o…” Mrs Olusola didn’t bother to finish the news before she started dancing round the living room. Mr Olusola reconciled with his son that night over the phone, while both parent went to bed proud of their son. Hmn… how success attracts friends.

The End

I finished this story on the 18^th of March, 2011, but it started making more meaning to me after I had a life-threatening accident on the 20^th of March, 2011. One thing I said when I was going down was: “God, is this how I died,” and He said: ”No son, this is how I renewed your life and re-established your destiny.” Trust me, I’d have died a day to my birthday. This made me remember a sentiment I’ve always shared concerning birthday celebration; “it’s never a time for one to lose his head celebrating; it’s a time to ask the golden question: “why did God gave me another shot at life?” I’ve always reflected on the outgoing year to see whether I’ve only lived my ambition, or lived God’s purpose for my creation. Since I couldn’t parcel cakes and drinks across to you all, this is my birthday gift to you all.

Remember, every birthday you celebrate is another shot at life. God is only giving you another chance to live more conscious. I believe in you to fulfil destiny.

With Love,

Alamu Samson.

Joshua’s Mood

 

“D.O.P are you set?”

“yes we are rolling”

“okay. Scene 2 take 4, action!…”

The director sets the ball rolling as the entire production crew prepares to take the last shot. It’s been one month of sleepless night getting the production stage of the movie done with. The last three weeks has witnessed series of journey to three different states in the country, where different shots has to be taken. All that is soon to be over in 30minutes.

“Okay, it’s a wrap! We are done.”

There was an eruption of joyful noise in the camp as the director signalled the end of the production. Both members of cast and crew went into frenzy sharing hugs, claps, pat and the likes. It’s been a memorable time on the road. While everybody were busy expressing their joy, the director took a heavy sigh in view of the post-production stage.

“…so, I think we should all go for a 2weeks break, then we can hit the next stage. Or what do you think?” the director asked the d.o.p and the continuity man. “I think that would be okay. It’s nice idea” the d.o.p responded, with the continuity nodding. In 10minutes all the production vehicle left the location in quick succession. Home sweet home!

******************************************************************************************************************************************

“…Mr Pratt, I must be quite frank with you, this noble board is not in anyway impressed by your last production. May be I should remind you, when we agreed to fund this production, we had cost-effectiveness on our priority list. This is the fourth month of your production in the market, and nothing is looking like it”, Mr Collins, the head of the board, submitted expressing the investor’s disappointment. Mr Pratt seems to have been lambasted into submission by the board as justified by his remorseful look. He however muttered something… “Sir, I acknowledge the board’s dissatisfaction with the performance of the production so far, but then I think I still can justify your investment. All am asking for here is an ample time to do that. We should remember this project is a first in this country. They need time to get used to it!” “Anyway, Mr Pratt; the board has taken a decision. Give us result or we’ll renege on our 10 movie deal with you. Excuse us…” Mr Collins dropped the bombshell as the board walked out on Pratt. It feels like heaven should crumble as Pratt clutched on to his chair in anger and shame.

******************************************************************************************************************************************

Pratt bristled with rage at his daughter’s playfulness  at the dinning drawing concern from his wife… “darling! The little girl has done nothing, jeez… fine you had a terrible day at work, but must we feel and share that at home?! Come on, the world hasn’t ended you know?! The little girl sat mute with fear in her chair. “Come on baby, come play with daddy. Daddy is sorry…” Pratt clutched the child to himself, re-assuring her it will never happen again.

They resumed their meal and… “oh, by the way, where is Joshua?” Pratt asked. “oh, sorry I forgot to tell you, he’s gone to the studio, and he said he will be coming home late” “that’s okay. Meet me in the living room” Pratt said extending his hand to his daughter as he leaves for the T.V

******************************************************************************************************************************************

“Oh darling, sorry I forgot to tell you last night, this parcel came in from Germany yesterday…” Mrs Pratt thrust the parcel at her husband. “Oh, let’s see what this is all about… oh my God!” “what is it?” Mrs Pratt asked curiously. “An invitation. Invitation to attend Hamburg Film Festival 2010. It comes up in 2weeks!” Pratt planted a deep kiss on his wife in fancy of the good news. “our movie is up for award in two categories… Root movie of the year and soundtrack of the year award!” “that’s good news…” “you can say that again…” Pratt responded as he tries to put a call through to Mr Collins to intimate him with the new development…

******************************************************************************************************************************************

Hamburg, Germany, January 2011;

The event arena was packed full of cream-de-la-cream of the international movie industry, with the red carpet busier than bee hives. Pratt was making an appearance on the international scene for the first time, with his invitation been the first extended to an African. he was seated somewhere in the middle of the arena, clad in green native wear laced with cream coloured craft work. Sitting next to him was Miss Cynthia Isong, the representative of the board. Soon the programme was in session…

“…and the winner for the Root movie of the year category is…Lord Alfred by Bradley Huth from Austria!” a thunderous cheers and applause rented the air as Bradley mounted the stage to receive the award. One down, one to go for Pratt as he looked at Cynthia in disappointment.

The compere mounted the stage again to announce the winner of the soundtrack of the year award. It was Bradley against Pratt, and 2 others again. Unconsciously. Pratt clutched on to Cynthia’s palm as the compere announces…“and the winner for the soundtrack of the year category is…Ombudsman by Kenneth Pratt from Ni-ge-ri-a!” Pratt stood up clenching his fist in ecstasy, with Cynthia throwing her arms wide open for a congratulatory hug. Pratt rushed down to the stage to receive the award… Pratt collected the plaque sighing heavily, stealing a look at the plaque and smiling at the crowd… “I love you Hamburg, I love you Germany, I love everybody seated here, and those of you out there. I want to dedicate this award to you all; you made this possible. I equally dedicate it to my production cast and crew, but most importantly, I dedicate this to my son; Joshua Pratt. Every time I have a project to execute, he’ll say daddy you know I wish I’d completed my degree in theatre arts already, I’d have done this with you. But then, every time we are back from location, he’ll collect the work, watch it, feel the mood, and play around it with his keyboard. He does the soundtrack. That’s his widow’s might, and that has brought this…” he said raising up the plaque, while the arena erupted once more with applause and cheers. “I love you Nigeria, I love you Africa, I love you Joshua!” Pratt made for his seat, while everybody turned around to steal a look.

The next 2weeks was quite eventful. Ombudsman made it to the top of the chart, while Joshua kept on signing deals.

The End

   

I had you in mind when I was writing this. I mean I had us in mind. Many a times in live we wait until we can contribute it big. We forget about the widow’s might, which always means the most accepted and rewarding. This is 2011, but most importantly, the beginning of a new decade. A decade where little things will count a lot! You don’t want to wait until you can contribute it big. That time may never come! Do it now. It is small, but do it! Show that little love with a text message, don’t wait until you have the money for a trip to the Bahamas. You don’t have the money to support the community cause, but help paste the posters. Anything whatsoever, just contribute your widow’s might ‘cos that’s all the cause needs to succeed. It is small, but do it 'cos that little effort is meant for the red carpet!

With Love,

Alamu Samson

Generation Next.

“Give me a single place to stand, and  a lever, and I will move the earth” Archimedes.

 I will not attempt to pretend I’m an orator, but I tell you I am just a messenger who has got a message, and I know exactly how to deliver it. Trust me, I could cash in on this big time, but I concluded that I don’t have to be a published writer to be successful; I only need to be a read one. So join me as we explore the subject at hand.  

In the last two years of every decade, things usually change so fast. These changes always influence events in the coming decade. Nigeria is no exception in this regard. In the period between 1998 and 2000, series of event that will shape the destiny of the next decade occurred all over the world. Narrowing it down to the Nigerian experience, radical and revolutionary changes took place in every facet of our national life; from political to social, economy to religion. Politically, the foundation for the age of democratic governance was laid when the military handed over to the civilians. As we will see later, this event later dictated the mode of governance in the period between 2001 and 2010. Socio-economically, the foundation laid between 1998 and 2000 was too multi-faceted to be enumerated here. But a look at just two facet of it will be enough a pointer. The entertainment and technology industry becomes handy here. In the pre-1998 era, Nigeria heavily relied on foreign content to get entertained. I still remember how a cousin of mine use to stay glued to media players, listening to Dr Dre, Snoop Dog, P.Diddy, Mase, and Tupac to mention but few. Heralding a micro-revolution however were the likes of the Remedies, Plantashun Boiz, and Maintain; dazzling us with shakomo, you and I, and I catch cold. In the technology world, this period experienced the gradual decline of mail and communication by post, as we saw internet and GSM technology grace our world. The resultant effects are too obvious that I’d avoid tautology.

Like a big bang, the events of the following decade (2001-2010) took unsuspecting Nigerians by surprise. In the political world, we saw political actors demonstrating governance/democracy models for us, while analysts showed us it pitfalls and recommended the best and the prevailing models to us. More intriguing however is the fact that, the period between 2008 and 2010 has already produced the changes that will shape the face of the next decade (2011-2020). From the revolution of Fashola, Oshiomole, Professor Attahiru Jega, Goodluck Jonathan, and most recently, Aregbesola; one would do less than agree that the tone, mood, and texture for the next decade has been set.

The entertainment industry no doubt, equally gave us its own insight. I still remember how Edrees Abdulkareem, Tuface, Tetuilla, Ruggedman, Mode9, Psquare, and the likes led a revolution only a few had envisaged. The scene moved from 90/10 foreign-local content reliance to 20/80 foreign-local content reliance. However, perhaps not many people have noticed that the period between 2008 and 2010 has produced the changes that will shape the next decade. Maybe you have not noticed that you don’t need Kanye West when you have M.I, neither will you need John Legend when you have Darey Art-Alade. You don’t need Chris Brown when you have Ice Prince, neither do you need Akon when you have 9ice. Who needs Justin Bieber when we have Whizkid! No doubt, the tone, mood, and texture for the next decade are set.

From the simple call, sms, yahoomail, Nokia 3310, Motorola c112 to MMS, Facebook, Twitter, BlackBerry, Ipad/Q/phone, name it; the technology world too never denied us its offerings, and the closing two-year changes. No doubt, the mood is also set in this area.

Inherent in all these citations, perhaps not noticeable, is the fact that the decades produced its movers and shakers. I mean the creative individuals who led the way. The Fela Durotoyes, Lanre Olusola, Chimamanda Adichie, Temitayo “Tylor” Ilori, Gbenga Sesan, Deolu Akinyemi, Toyosi Akerele, Dele Momodu, Niyi Adesanya, Dora Akunyili, Fashola, Jonathan, Obama, Tuface, M.I, 9ice, Darey, D’banj, Psquare, Dagrin, Cohbams, Asa, Samson Siasia, Mourinho, Mikel Obi, Messi, C.Ronaldo, and Mark Zuckerbergs (Facebook) of this world. Respect and honour to these people, who added colour to the out-going decade; but the fact still remains that, though they will still be relevant in the next decade, they were all produced by this decade, for itself, while a few of them were used to set the tone, mood, and texture for the next decade. In other words, the next decade will be producing its own movers and shakers. I call them the Generation Next! The people that will make up this generation are always the ones who saw the handwriting on the wall, and got themselves prepared. Now, the story so far has enabled you to see the handwriting on the wall, so my last task will be, showing you how to get prepared. Know this: “your space is not vacant, but there are vacant spaces for you to occupy”.

7 steps to Generation Next

Seeing the handwriting on the wall is not enough to secure a space on the platform. You need a proper preparation. Here, I will be taking you through the 7 steps you must take to find a space for yourself amongst the next generation of movers and shakers.

Step 1 – Clear your doubt and confusion.

One thing I’ve discovered and accepted as a fact is that, you can’t possibly expect to succeed when you are confused, or motivated by the wrong definition of success. One of the misgivings of the modern world is materialism, the craze for money. It moves men to place high premium on material acquisition, rather than fulfillment. I was under a teaching by Dapo Adelegan in 2007, where he said, “when you dream, let it be of noble intention, and not money-driven. In the end, you’ll get the money, ‘cos it runs after noble intention”. When you allow the money to drive you, you get frustrated at its absence, and possibly lose your motivation. Ideas rule the world, and when you are running on wrong beliefs, you don’t get the fulfilling ones. Oh, except you are okay with the sustaining ones. The great French philosopher, J.J Rousseau said: “it is too difficult to think nobly when one thinks only of earning a living”. Clear your doubt!

Step 2 – Identify your Vision/Purpose/Talents/Skills.

Don’t forget the subject at hand here; it is about steps to take to get on the Generation Next. So, I will not attempt to compound your confusion on the subject, vision. Rather, I’ll place it into context, and as such simplify your task. The Generation Next are a set of people who’s got solution to problems (Vision), and are willing and ready to provide it because that’s what they live for (Purpose), and they have their own unique way of delivery (Talents/Skills). You see how simple it is?! Don’t forget here, that you are up against people who have got the same purpose, talents and skills with you. The only thing differentiating you is your vision. But I’m sorry to disappoint you; those people equally share your vision, the only thing they don’t share is your own dimension of the vision. Jonathan Swift said: “vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others”. This is why I talked about clearing your doubt and confusion earlier on. You hardly get inspired to come up with brilliant idea in this regard, when you are motivated by “confusion”. From experience, I’ve found out that the best of my ideas came when I wasn’t thinking about money. I’ll wrap up with this: prior to 1846, surgical operations had to be done very quickly. The world record for a leg amputation is 15seconds – by Dominique Larrey, who was Napoleon’s Chief Surgeon. Then it was tough, and painful that Charles Darwin gave up a promising career in Medicine. But then, William Mortan caught a vision; he invented anaesthesia in 1846. Now someone can cut and leave you open for six hours, no pain, no toughness. Identify your vision!!!

Step 3 – Research the dynamics of your vision.

It will be a folly on your part to think it’s time to launch out after clarifying your vision. You must know there are forces stimulating the environment in which you intend to live your vision. You would do well by researching the forces and understanding them. You must have a full control of your vision and its tendencies. You equally need to know that these forces will, at a stage, spur the obscured tendencies of your vision into life. Recently, I conceived a service idea, and it was at the brainstorming stage that one of my ally discovered many more needs hiding away inside the original need we intend servicing, and many more ideas inside the original one. We then developed the capacity to execute not only the original idea, but the ones it’s going to give birth to. The message is this: if we had gone out to launch, our capacity wouldn’t have been able to take care of the further needs to be created by the stimulating forces of our environment, and as such, we would have succeeded in proving our insufficiency. Now you can see that the consequences are too numerous and obvious. Imagine a pencil world without eraser and sharpener!

Step 4 – Imagine and prepare for possible pitfalls and drawbacks.

Sometimes in 2003 I noticed something, which threw me into thinking. I came across some U.S and U.K appliances, and I noticed some little black engine beside each. Step-down they call it. After understanding its working, I admired the wisdom of the manufacturers who imagined the non-compatibility of such appliances with Nigeria’s voltage rating. Simple, you will be taken aback when your vision comes across a pitfall you never imagined, and courage and determination is scared out of you. So you will do well by envisaging the pitfalls and drawbacks, and preparing for them. You want to call it backup plan.

Step 5 – Network wisely.

Sir Isaac Newton said “if I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. Let me say emphatically here that you hardly will go far if you don’t surround yourself with people of high net-worth value. There have been many names for it. Some call it synergy, while Carnegie calls it Mastermind. Whatever name you call it, the underlining factor here is that, you need to form association with people who has like mind, and share the same passion with you. People who have developed expertise, and have succeeded in the line you want to toll. People who are not motivated by confusion. People, who will appreciate your vision, and be willing to sell it. And let me quickly correct an impression here; you don’t want to think you can achieve this by developing a very large friend’s base. Research shows that out of every 200 friends you have; only 20 of them contribute to your advancement, while the remaining 180 are just socializing. A recent study of 1,000 people who have crossed the 5,000 friends limit on Facebook shows that only 80 out of this 5,000 makes a fundamental contribution to their lives. Save the statistics, all you want to do is discover your clique, and place a high premium on them. These people eventually form your think-tank, and your ever-ready resources. Bill Gates said of Microsoft; “take away our twenty most important people, and I tell you we would become an unimportant company”. Network wisely.

Step 6 – Cross the bridge and break it.

Here, I’m going to be sounding a little bit religious. The bible recorded it that, when Elijah placed his cloak across Elisha’s shoulders, Elisha begged to go back home and kiss his father and mother good-bye. He did this and equally killed all his animals, sharing them to people, after which he left with Elijah. What happened there was that, Elisha caught the vision, understood it, accepted it, shed off distracting responsibilities, and started living his purpose. All you have been doing so far is catching the vision, understanding it, accepting it, and preparing to start living it. You have not actually started living it. The reason is very simple. There is a stage of a vision you get to, all you see is the impossible, but sure success, and the inherent cross. At this stage you look back, and all you see is your comfort zone. You don’t want to live! Elisha must have felt the same way too. But then he left. There is a part of the story I loved so much; the king of Israel called Elisha, father! You must launch out and never look back. Know this; “if you can’t handle the lows of your vision, then you don’t deserve the highs. Cross the bridge and break it!

Step 7 – Know when to skill-up and go for it.

The one last important thing you need to know is that, everything on this planet earth has a life span. A time will come in the course of fulfilling your vision, when your skill set will no longer be enough to sustain momentum. Be wise enough to know it’s time to skill-up. Develop new expertise.

To the trail blazers of the outgoing decade, who will still be relevant, and the evolving trail blazers of the next decade.

I take my fulfillment in the number of souls that will be inspired by this effort. So, refer the ones you love, and the ones you hate to this note.

With Love,

Alamu Samson.