2011: My high points and the people that made it thick.

Obviously, in retrospect, 2011 was the best year I have lived in the recent past. I opened a new chapter in my life, opening up a hitherto caged personality in a year. I encountered some phenomenal yet simple souls, and experienced life in a new shade. I humbly dedicate this piece to these phenomenal, yet simple creatures I encountered. Know this; no word or words can comfortably, sufficiently express, or relay how I feel about you all.


Jumoke Sasere
An unassuming giant and gentle mother of two lovely kids, with the third just few days away;

LOLU MOGAJI: Another Icon to emulate.

Hello Peeps, today is a great day. Tap into God's already prepared favor for you.
On our personality profiling today, we'll share a brief on a young, talented man with great achievement and a greater prospect. I present to you Lolu Mogaji. Happy readind.

LOLU MOGAJI, AICI is an Image consultant, Personal brand expert, a prolific public speaker and a toastmaster in a class of his own, with a strong belief in the statement; “Image is everything”. He believes that everybody must strive to discover, develop and project a strong and positive image, irrespective of their chosen vocation in life. Furthermore he believes that a person, organization, or Nation’s investment is incomplete until there is an investment in image. Lolu believes that as important as intelligence is in our world today, so also is image. His primary focus is on Personal image/ Branding as they affect corporate growth. He is persuaded that both the successes and failures of organizations have their roots in the quality of the people that make up such organizations.

Lolu is the managing partner of Image Quotient Consulting, and Founder of The Image School (The first School in Africa dedicated to teaching Image Principles to individuals and corporate organizations)both in Lagos, Nigeria, where he expresses his passion for image by partnering with individuals and organizations in developing and consistently projecting a strong and positive image.

By virtue of Lolu’s position as managing partner of Image quotient consulting and founder of The Image school, and because of his unique and witty style of presentation, he has been privileged to act as; TRAINNER/ FACILITATOR, CO-FACILITATOR /MODERATOR AND COMPERE for a wide range of organizations such as : Generis Solutions, MTN Nigeria, Intercontinental homes, Savings and loans, Talkshop Management consulting, Michael Sage Consulting, Socketworks Nigeria Limited, Chrisland Educational Foundation, GTBANK, PZ(Nutricima), 247imc, Proview, The Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship, 180 DEGREES (NGO), AWESOME GENERATION (NGO), Pneuma Publishing Limited, just to mention a few. In addition to the corporate organizations, he has a long list of individual clients from various works of life.

Lolu’s career as an image consultant rests solidly against a background of a law degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University with stints in various endeavors such as advertising and Public relations, fashion, radio broadcasting and events management,. He is a member of the prestigious ASSOCIATION OF IMAGE CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL (AICI) TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL (Eagle club Lagos, Nigeria), THE NEW NIGERIA CLUB. His articles have been published in various national dailies, and he has granted numerous interview on both print and electronic media (both Satellite and terrestrial), the most resent was a guest appearance on “Moments with MO” on Mnet Africa, broadcast in over 48 countries.


From the archive.

Deolu Akinyemi: Another Icon to emulate.

Hello dear,

We are considering some personality profile to help know them, learn from them, get challenged by the life and motivated by their achievements. Today let's check on the profile of Deolu Akinyemi, an outstanding businessman and a life coach. Have a happy reading.

Adeolu Akinyemi is multifaceted and multidimensional; he’s regularly referred to by people who know him as a genius. He regularly combines the roles of Business Leader, Social entrepreneur, Trainer, Writer, Career Coach, Direct and Network Marketer, Human Resources Expert, Business Development Consultant, Financial Empowerment Consultant, Innovator, Visionary and Patriot. Today Adeolu Akinyemi is one of Nigeria’s foremost brands in People and Organizational Development, Financial Empowerment, Network Marketing and Blogging. Adeolu Akinyemi is a light and one of the most influential young people in Nigeria on account of his personal development blog, www.deoluakinyemi.com . Adeolu Akinyemi is currently the chief coordinator and Founder of the New Nigeria Club, Managing Director of Generis Solutions, CEO of Nairahost Ltd – Nigeria’s number 1 webhosting company, Administrator of deoluakinyemi.com and West African Leader and driver of Holidays and Cash Ltd. Adeolu Akinyemi’s most outstanding virtue is Integrity.
From an exceptional background in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University – Ile-Ife, Adeolu Akinyemi made a deliberate detour to follow his passion for people development and kicked off his career in Procter and Gamble Nigeria as an Associate Human Resources Manager. Adeolu Akinyemi had rapid career growth and grew to become HR Manager Talent Supply and Development, Market Strategy and Planning Manager and Customer Business Development HR Manager. After 4 exciting years of an exceptional Career with Procter and Gamble Nigeria Ltd, Adeolu Akinyemi moved to Virgin Nigeria as part of the pioneer team involved in building the airline from scratch and setting up people systems.

Adeolu Akinyemi’s career has been chequered with series of Awards from different organizations. Adeolu Akinyemi enjoyed one scholarship or the other, from the Federal Government of Nigeria and multinationals for 10yrs of his academic career, he has won series of commendations from his peers ranging from Most Admired Classmate, Most Charismatic, Mr Brainy, e.t.c. While in Procter and Gamble, Adeolu Akinyemi bagged two global awards – A P&G Global Human Resources Peak Performance Award, 2003 and A P&G Global recognition award for exceptional innovation, 2004. In recognition of his professionalism and personal standards, while in the last phase of his career as an employee in Virgin Nigeria, Adeolu Akinyemi was nominated for and won the Future Awards, Corporate Professional of the year award for 2006.

Adeolu Akinyemi is a 100% Nigerian grown talent, with some exposure to training opportunities outside its shores. From a Secondary school Education in Federal Government College Ilorin where he graduated as top graduating student, to Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife where he averaged a 4.48/5.00 in Electronics and Electrical Engineering. Adeolu Akinyemi has since obtained a certification in Networking from Cisco Systems, A Venture in Management Program Certificate from Lagos Business School, Systems Dynamics & Business Modelling by Dr JP Cleron, Procter and Gamble Global Management Training in Presentation Skills, Effective Meetings, Improving Your Personal Leadership, People and Communication Skills, Time Management, Memo Writing, Team Effectiveness, Presentation to Top Management, Maximizing Creative and Logical Thinking, Negotiation, Coaching, Partnering for Growth, Human Resources Management, Compensation and Benefits, Talent Management, Key Account Management. Some of Adeolu Akinyemi’s foreign training exposure include HR Methods Becoming Actions- Poland, Online Recruiting and Candidate Management System- Turkey; Train the Trainer- Geneva, Designing High Performance Organizations -Geneva, Aviation Economics – UK and Aviation Safety Training, Lufthansa – Frankfurt.

Adeolu Akinyemi is the husband of Temitope Akinyemi and proud father of Ireoluwa and Araoluwa Akinyemi. Adeolu Akinyemi is currently 33yrs old.


From the archive.

Cobhamz Emmanuel Asuquo. His story draws tears from the eyes of my soul...

Hello great people! This week on our personality profile, I have the profile and story of a man and a Kingdom general name Cobhamz Asuquo. His story will challenge you. Have a happy Reading!

Lagos — Multi-talented, visually impaired producer and the CEO of COMP (Cobhams Asuquo Productions), is not your every day person. He has been able to prove to us that his sight is not a disadvantage. Born into a humble family in Cross-River State, music has been part of him right from his early days. He makes sounds with everything around him that vibrates as a result of touch. "I produce sounds earlier in life with spoons, forks, knives, tables, my chest and every other thing around me that can produce sounds until I later found musical instruments. It was self taught but I have those who mentored me. My primary and secondary school music teachers were actually part of them. I will rather say I was taught the art of producing by God". Today, he is one of the biggest producers in Nigeria. He won the Hip Hop World Awards for the best producer in 2008.

His challenges are meeting up with everyday sounds and the ever changing demands of people. Contrary to what might be on the minds of people, he doesn't see his lack of sight as a disadvantage. "My sight has never been a disadvantage because I have a fantastic team am working with. Like I always say, most surgeons don't do all the surgery by themselves but they take the glory for it. That is the case here. They are my eyes and my extra ears".

Due to his amazing talents and the different collaborations he has done with other artistes, many would think by now he should be planning to release his own album, but Cobhams is not thinking towards that direction. He is presently into capacity building and he may not release an album until he is 60 years. "Right now, am in the business of developing musical sounds for people and am enjoying it. The challenge of working with new people is actually very huge but I find it interesting".
Commenting on the state of the music industry in Nigeria, he says it is better than what it used to be. "The business is becoming more lucrative but needs more structure to be called an industry. Our artistes are beginning to compete favorably with other international artiste which is a plus on its own", he said.

As popular as Cobhams is among the Nigerian artistes, he still desires to work with some Nigerian artistes but with reference to a particular legend. "There are still some great Nigerian artistes I will love to work with but first is Onyeka Onwenu. I grew up listening to lots of her stuff. She is amazing." Internationally, he will love to work with Don Moen and other 'Integrity Music' artiste.

One of his aspirations is to help develop the music industry and put it on the world map. Funny enough, he doesn't have any regret in life. "Regrets? I can't remember any. Growing up was fantastic". His greatest wish is far different from what we would have expected. "My greatest wish is to make a heaven and that is not even a wish. I need to work towards it. My greatest wish is to keep my happiness. Am not sure I want to go about wishing. Most things in life happen as a result of work or prayer. God has already designed everything the way He wanted it. I just want to live a fulfilled life".

His production outfit, Cobhams Asuquo Productions (COMP), is currently into capacity building. They discover, nurture and expose talents. Once the artiste is good and there is space for him, they will work with him. The few on the list now are Pheel of Star Quest fame, Omolara Ayodeji, Jone of West Africa Idols and others. He didn't fail to tell us what we should expect from them. "Expect some of the best crop of artistes that has ever come out of Nigeria. The new breed of artistes who will do music the way it ought to be done. A new crop of artistes who has sought expression for a very long time and finally found it in an enabling environment to express music for what it is and not necessary for the commercial value but because it is what their heart is inclined to. They will express it and get paid for it. Just expect something extra-ordinary to hit the Nigerian music industry very soon", he said.

Make no mistake about it. Amidst all these, he found a true wife. The lady he got married to have been a recurring decimal in his life for some time and they are a good pair.
As part of the blessings of God in his life, he recently moved into a new house in Ogudu GRA, Lagos which now serves as his home and office. Trust me; one person, whose life never seizes to challenge me, is Cobhamz. Whenever I see him on the screen, I remember I don’t have an excuse; I must fulfill God’s purpose. I hope his story does that to you as well. Have a splendid day.

http://www.camp.com.ng/

GBENGA SESAN: Another Icon to emulate.

Hello Friend, welcome back!

Today, we'll be sharing together another great personality profile....This time it's Gbenga Sesan...

‘Gbenga Sesan, an Ashoka Fellow, is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria and he serves on the board of International Young Professionals Foundation, Digital Divide Network, World Summit Youth Awards, HiiT Limited, Generis Solutions, Global Network for Cybersolution, Women's Technology Empowerment Centre, Alliance of Change Empowerment Speakers, Africa Mentor Foundation and the African Youth ICT4D Network, among others. Originally trained as an Electronic & Electrical Engineer at Obafemi Awolowo University, ‘Gbenga has completed Executive Education Management Training Programs at Lagos Business School, New York Group for Technology Transfer, Oxford University, Harvard University and Stanford University. His consulting experience includes assignments completed for numerous institutions, including Microsoft, Harvard University, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Computer Aid International, Heinrich Boll Foundation and the International Telecommunications Union.
Beyond Nigeria, ‘Gbenga has consulted and made presentations in various countries, including Austria, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom and United States. He is a member of the United Nations Committee of eLeaders on Youth and ICT and Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow; and he was Nigeria's first Information Technology Youth Ambassador. He was the Vice Chair of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s African Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC), voluntary adviser to numerous youth-led nonprofits and pioneer Program Manager of Lagos Digital Village. In 2006, he was appointed as the youngest member of the Nigerian Presidential Task Force on the Restructuring of the Nigerian Information Technology and Telecommunications Sectors. ‘Gbenga is also an author and regular feature on some of Nigeria’s popular television shows.
In recognition of his dynamic efforts, 'Gbenga has been honoured with the 2008 OAU Ife EEESS Distinguished Alumni award, 2008 FGC Idoani Alumni award, 2007 Nigerian Youth Leadership award, 2007 The Future Youth Advocacy award, 2006 International Telecommunications Union YES Scholarship award, 2006 Ondo State Sunshine award, 2006 The Future Best Use of Technology award, 2005 Stockholm Challenge Champion honour, 2004 NiPRO Excellence in Information Technology award, 2003 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) in Nigeria award, 2002 JCI Ten Outstanding Great Ife Alumni (TOGA) award, 2002 Journalists’ Frontier of Technology in Nigeria award, and the 2001 International Telecommunications Union’s African Youth Fellowship award. ‘Gbenga Sesan has been profiled as one of the 35 Icons of ICT in Nigeria and he keeps a personal website at www.gbengasesan.com. He is married to Temilade, a PhD scholar with research interests in Renewable Energy Policy and Implementation for developing economies (especially Nigeria and Kenya). He just published a book "In my own words"



If you would like to invite 'Gbenga Sesan to speak at your Seminar, School, Organization or to discuss ideas with your Group, you may express such interests via email through talk@gbengasesan.com. And remember, "The whole world will stand aside for a man who knows where he's going. Decide what path you want to trace in life (regardless of your background, colour or present opportunities and based on your interest, passion and desires), be a master at it ... and you will discover that there is no limit to your fulfilling experiences".


From the archive.

BUSAYO AKANRO: Another Icon to emulate.

Hello Friends,
How are you today? Hope you are catching up with Life.

This week on our personality profiling, we'll be sharing a young man's profile; a man about your age with outstanding achievements in Entrepreneurship. Have a happy reading.

Busayo Akanro is a multi-talented and exceptional professional. He combines evenly the roles of Business Development Consultant, Social Entrepreneur, Writer, Direct and Network Marketer, Human Resource Development Consultant, Trainer and Patriot.

Currently, Busayo Akanro works with one of Nigeria’s leading Human Resource, Business Development and ICT solutions firms. Busayo Akanro has a passion for people and organizational development that has driven him to partner with Generis Solutions as a consultant on such matters. He is an adept Network Marketing expert, Team building and Effectiveness facilitator, Training and Development consultant and Blogger. (www.busayoakanoro.com)

From an engineering background in Agricultural Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University – Ile-Ife, Busayo Akanro took a turn in the consulting direction and worked with InterWireless Consultants, Nigeria as a Radio Frequency Consultant. After 11 months of an exceptional career with InterWireless Consultants where he occupied diverse leadership roles like Team Lead – MTN Competitive Benchmark Project, Eastern Cities; MTN Competitive Benchmark Project, Lagos; Recruitment and Selection Panel member; Trainer; Busayo moved to Generis Solutions as a consultant on Human Resources, Business Development and ICT solutions. Busayo won an outstanding leadership award while with InterWireless Consultants.

Busayo Akanro is a100% Nigerian grown talent. From a Secondary school Education in Command Day Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos to Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife where he graduated with a BSc. in Agricultural Engineering. Busayo Akanro has since obtained a certification in Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (2003); A Basic Certificate in Leadership from the Daystar Leadership Academy, Nigeria; A Certificate in HR-MBA (Human Resources-Managing Business Accounts) from Generis Solutions; Trainings in Presentation Skills, Effective Writing, People and Communication Skills, Memo Writing, Team Effectiveness, Human Resources Management, Compensation and Benefits, Recruitment and Selection, Competency modeling, Talent Management.

Busayo can be contacted through: www.busayoakanoro.com

NIYI ADESANYA: Another Icon To Emulate.

Hello People!
How are you today? I have brought to you today the profile of a young, dynamic, gentle man by the name NIYI ADESANYA. I am persuaded you'll learn and be challenged by his stories and testimonies...
Have a good reading.


Niyi Adesanya is a leadership advisor and coach par excellence who helps CEOs and other C-Suite executives reinvent themselves as they navigate their business re-engineering process.

His strong business acumen has helped business owners to grow their businesses by leaps and bounds using the innovative MACE procedure template he developed from his years of leadership management practice. In the last 2 years, he has coached over 7 business owners that have done between 4 to 6 million dollars. With an average of 100 speaking engagements yearly, he has stayed relevant for over 2 decades as the leading voice on leadership transformation in Africa. These credentials have also made him one of the highest-paid business leadership coaches in Nigeria.

The Man Called Praise Fowowe: Another Icon to emulate...

Hello People,
How has been your day and the week too?  This week on our Personality Profile, we'll be sharing the profile of a dynamic man with a difference. A sexual recovery and training expert.
His name is Praise Fowowe. Happy reading!

Some call him PROF while others call him Mr. sexual recovery. His protégées call him coach while clients refer to him as a relationship enigma. But whatever you have chosen to call him one thing you are guaranteed of is every contact with him takes you to a new level of fulfillment in your relationships and lifestyles.

Praise Oladimeji Fowowe is a sexual recovery expert, family crisis manager, relationship coach, soar away columnist and one of the few specialists when it comes to relationship issues. A pioneer of high pedigree and a researcher reputed to be very original with insights that solve problems with ease. Praise believes that understanding oneself and others is the greatest key to successful relationships.

As a social worker Praise is the founder of the uncommon man network simply out to raise a sexually pure generation through the right values being taught on every street. The NGO which operates in Ajegunle at the moment is causing a revolution in the sexual behavior of the youths in that part of Lagos with Praise’s redefinition of sex, vagina, breast and others which has revolutionalized the mindset of the people. Till date Uncommon man network through her sexpurecentric project (a coinage of Praise) has planted 63 centers on 60 streets, 4 campuses where youths meet on a weekly basis to discuss their sexual challenges and the right values about sex is taught weekly. His philosophy when it comes to sex is “The only safe sex is sex in the marriage environment”. When men are faithful to their wives and young people are able to adequately control their bodies then sexual abuse would be reduced, homes will be settled and ultimately AIDS would die a natural death.

Uncommon Man Network has helped over 10 prostitutes out of prostitution in times past, given a sense of direction to several youths in Ajegunle through its weekly interactive meetings every Sunday evening which has grown to close to 400 youths.

Praise started the Uncommon Man Refinery (a 4 month human developmental training) for youths in Ajegunle and this has really helped a lot of youths rediscover themselves. Through its network of activities Uncommon Man Network has held seminars on various issues affecting the human sexuality.

In the line of duty...

Praise is also the host of the annual Sex2Sex conference and the Last Ajegunle virgin conference in Ajegunle

As a corporate Consultant Praise runs the Praise Fowowe Consulting having worked as one of the leading consultants at one of Nigeria’s leading consulting firm Visible Improvement in Performance(VIP consulting). He facilitates induction classes for some of the nation’s leading banks and consults for several other business organizations. In the words of the Human Resource Support Manager of UAC restaurants ‘Praise’s mastery of what he does is Indescribable, never have I see a young man hold his audience spell bound the way he does. Our people are better for it’

A passionate believer in the family setup. Praise believes what breaks most marriages is as simple as the word ignorance and he believes that once couples can master the platinum rule, love languages and the dream team formation then 60% of all marital problems are solved. According to him there is no reason for a divorce if couples have mastered the principle of death in marriage. He runs the YOU counseling services for couples and singles with troubled relationships.

A robust thinker and a believer in the Nigerian dream, Praise believes it took Japanese to develop Japan and Nigerians must become responsible for the development of the Nigerian of our dream. He teaches the dignity of the black race and believes that God never created a white man or a black man. All he created was a man which is void of colour. And that God is no respecter of persons but in every nation anyone that can connect to the awesome potentials that lies within irrespective of the colour elevated by Him.

The Accounting graduate who has authored hundreds of articles on sex and marriage relationships currently consults for a couple of families and writes for Saturday This Day and Encomium magazine among several others. His contribution towards the development of his generation have been well applauded as reflected in his being awarded the 2005 LEAP/NOKIA youth leadership award for the prevention of HIV(AIDS), the MEDIA CONCERN breaker of silence award for the prevention of child sexual abuse, LIFEWAY magazines award on youth empowerment.

An astute writer with 3 classic books to his credit and a lot of titles on cds and tapes. Praise travels speaking and seminars and conferences and his delivery is unbelievably bigger and way ahead of his age and physique. His coaching sessions are inspiring, informative, transforming, very practicable and down to earth.

A detribalized Nigerian with absolute tolerance for people as long as they are human beings. Praise is a Christian with a difference as he believes that you as a person is the Jesus that people must first come in contact with before they meet the Jesus of the Bible hence our life must speak more than our mouth.

He is a dynamic young man with an unusual grace for changing lives. As far as he is concerned we all deserve to be happy especially in our lives and relationships. His ultimate goal is to build the world’s most desirable marriages, raise a sexually pure generation and to plant the sexpurecentric friendship centers on every street where the right values about sex are taught from generation to generation.

Praise is happily married to the greatest woman to have walked the planet earth Oluwatosin Adewumi. He lives in Lagos Nigeria and travels strengthening relationships.