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GetInvolved

Vol. 8 Issue 2 | July - December 2015ISSN 2141 3355

INTERVIEWS OC UKEJECHINEDU ONYIA

EVENT RIL @ 9

NEWRIL PANACHE KNOTTY THOUGHTS

ARTICLES HOW TO fALL IN LOVE AGAINENGAGING fOR SOCIAL GOOD

The Company We Keep

Resource Intermediaries Limited

...easing business burdensSkribble | Vol. 8 | Issue 2 | 2015

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oluwatoyin AyoolaCirculations Manager

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right holder. While every effort is made to ensure all data are correct at the time of production, Resource Intermediaries Limited (RIL) is not responsible for editorial errors. Opinion expressed in Skribbles are not necessarily those of RIL and RIL does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Any image or transparency supplied are at the owner's risk.

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NIgerIa:Lagos: 18A Elsie Femi-Pearse Street, Off Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Tel: 234-1-7616566-7,abuja: Suite S24 Febson Mall, Herbert Macaulay Way, Wuse Zone 4. Tel: 234-9-870884 Port-Harcourt: 7, Babbe Street (Enter through Mbonu Street), D-line Off Port Harcourt/Aba Road. Tel: 234-84-865865Website: www.resourceintermediaries.org, Email: [email protected]

gHaNa:accra: 2nd Church Crescent Road, F 70/6 Labone. Tel: 233-302919614 Website: www.resourceintermediariesghana.com email: [email protected]

Dr. oLufemi omoLoLu

dr. olufemi omololu is a consultant obstetrician Gynaecologist at the lagos Island maternity Hospital, where he also serves as the director of Clinical services and training. He has a passion for writing and has written several poems, short stories and social commentaries. He is also a sports enthusiast. For more of his writings please visit femomololu.wordpress.com and femilolufooty.wordpress.comContact: [email protected]

oC uKeJe

okechukwu ukeje, known as oC ukeje is a nigerian actor, model and musician. He came into prominence after winning the Amstel malta box office (Ambo) reality show. He has received several awards including Africa movie Academy Awards, Africa magic Viewers Choice Awards, nollywood movies Awards, best of nollywood Awards, nigeria entertainment Awards and Golden Icons Academy movie Awards. He has featured in many award-winning films including two brides and a baby, Hoodrush, Alan Poza, Confusion na Wa and internationally acclaimed Half of a yellow sun.

ALeX oKoH

An Alumnus of Harvard business school. Alex is currently managing Partner, Ashford &mcGuire Consulting ltd., a leadingconsulting firm with strong focus onbusiness strategy and transformation,Human Capital development, and Financial Advisory services. A consummate bankerand Financial Advisor with over 25yearslocal and international experience in bankingand finance.

He was managing director/Ceo of nnbInternational bank from January 2001 todecember 2005 during which histransformational leadership repositioned the bank as a leading commercial bank innigeria.

There is a saying that extols the virtue of engaging in a service whose outcome or benefit goes beyond self.

JANet ADetu

Janet Adetu, a Certified Corporate Image and business etiquette Consultant is the Founder and director of JsK etiquette Consortium. she is a recognized expert in the field of Corporate etiquette, Professional Image and International Protocol. Janet Inspires her audiences to improve their social Graces, Image, style and soft skills to enable them take control of their careers and standout as role models to others.

CHiNeDu oNYiA

mr. Chinedu onyia is a co-founder of Parsifal Partners limited, a strategy consulting and business advisory firm involved in a few interesting mandates in manufacturing, technology and real-estate. Prior to that, he has held various leadership roles in the banking sector.

A Chemical engineer by profession, mr. onyia has varied life experiences from which he has chosen to share with our readers.

mrS. LANre LAKuNLe-oSeNi

lanre lakunle-oseni is a graduate of economics from the lagos state university. she is a Human resource/business manager. she writes short stories and memoirs. lanre loves to plan events, she is a goal getter as well, making sure results are achieved irrespective of circumstances.she is a home birdie who finds solace in music, reading and writing in which ideas/visions are expressed to the audience. lanre is a budding writer/speaker who is keen to let her views/opinions about life be made know to the world.

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Skribble | Vol. 8 | Issue 2 | 2015

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

15STaND UPThe stench of the prison was stifling. It was a mixture of things she didn't want to imagine. She was nauseous and wondered if this had been a mistake.

63getting Involved with the future of Nigeria's YouthDuring the 2015 General Elections, Nigerians collectively got involved in choosing their own destinies by voting out an incumbent government for the first time in history.

43getting Involved - The rIl experience One of our success factors over the years is Management’s commitment to getting Staff involved in all spheres of the organization’s activities riding on the company’s culture of Freedom and Responsibility.

48STaYINg INVOLVeD WITH YOUr aPPS:10 Apps to Keep You Productive at Work and at HomeYou’re busy. We all are. The average working class individual in the 21st Century is an acrobat, upwardly mobile on the ...

17First time mum:A Personal experienceThe concept of “mummy-hood” was naive to me when I looked through the binoculars of a daughter. My definition of a mum would suggest ‘that figure that was more domesticated of the two figures called parent’.

38Bora BoraLocated in In the South Pacific, Bora Bora is the most famous of French Polynesia’s Leeward Islands, recently awarded the title of “the best island in the world” by U.S. News. Bora Bora is indeed a tropical paradise.

Some of tHe PeoPLe wHo HeLPeD CreAte tHiS mAgAziNe

He was waiting to see a friend from school who had kept him waiting for 3 hours now. He suddenly knew he was a pest. He asked the receptionist if he could take the magazine. The articles within had rekindled something in him. He would need a reminder. He was elated when she said he could take it.

I have spent close to three years in this industry and my last encounter with staff related issue changed my life. I call myself a baby professional ...

This experience is very dear to me, when I turned 40 years old, I decided to give back to the society. I didn’t want to just have a party but I wanted to celebrate with a purpose.

Getting involved is about “giving” and when you give of yourself, you learn more and are also entrusted with more.

Growing up was full of mixed experiences and related mixed feelings I have to say. I really enjoyed the times we had the opportunity to play with the friends we were allowed to play with every now and then.

Outsourcing Has A New Name in Ghana resource Intermediaries Limited

accra: 2nd Church Crescent Road, F 70/6 Labone. Tel: 233-302919614 Website: www.resourceintermediariesghana.com email: [email protected]

Human resource

outsourcingCapacity building


04

plus a focus on The massai people in our continuing series on African tribes and people.

I would like to welcome staff recently deployed to leading life Insurer AIICo nigeria Plc., leading confectioners unilever nigeria Plc. and egbin Power Plant into the rIl family. resource Intermediaries ltd continues to expand through knowledge and skills acquired from interaction with our diverse client base that have carved a niche for us. We thank you all for your invaluable patronage.

While we seek to ease business burdens, we cannot achieve much without feedback from you. I urge you to share your comments directly with me by writing to [email protected].

As late myles monroe once said, "Whatever you allow, you cannot criticize. Whatever you avoid, you cannot change. Whatever you permit, you are responsible for. It’s time to stop praying only and start doing something. Doing nothing is not an option. you can either let things happen or you can mAKe them happen”.

Whatever you do going forward please give, help, encourage, inspire, motivate, serve and support. get involved and be a part of the solution.

best regards

olusoji oyawoyeMD/CEO, Resource Intermediaries Ltd.

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Hanging out WithsoJ

What a year 2015 has turned out to be. The elections have come and gone and our dear

nation has come out the better for it with many lessons learnt. one major trend that cut across was the fact that many hitherto passive nigerians got involved in the process, and passionately too. That trend led the editorial committee to focus on the theme Get Involved in this edition.

The essence of this theme is to educate and enlighten readers on the need to be involved and active anywhere they find themselves. It is amazing how we usually seek Change, transformation, and gain or benefit, but hardly ready to go through the sacrifice and pain that is often required for the desired gain to manifest. nothing good comes to anyone without some element of hard work, sacrifice, payment and I dare say pain. There really is no benefit without payment. "no pain, no gain". It is never

free. even where you may appear to be reveling in your own “gain” free of charge, somebody must have gone through the pain needed to produce that gain. someone else paid the price for what you are enjoying.

In this edition we have contributions from multiple award winning actor, model and musician of the Half of A yellow sun movie oC ukeje (okechukwu ukeje), motivational speaker and mentor, managing Partner of Ashford & mcGuire Consulting limited mr. Alex okoh and dr. olufemi omololu who is a Consultant obstetrician, Gynecologist and social Commentator.

A new feature page, rIl Panache debuts in this edition featuring certified corporate image and business etiquette consultant Janet Adetu. We also have our regulars like The rIl doctor, The Job street, The Conductor, Where Great minds meet, best Vacation spots (nigeria and International), rIl Vogue

Skribble | Vol. 8 | Issue 2 | 2015Skribble | Vol. 8 | Issue 2 | 2015

MANAGEMENT 101 | 09


there is a saying that extols the virtue of engaging in a service whose outcome or benefit goes beyond self. While this virtue may not

always appear compelling in a world where the individualistic approach to life and ambition receives tacit official endorsement, and where success is usually measured in the context of individual well being and similar parameters of competitive achievement evaluation. The concept of committing personal service in the quest for outcomes that speak to communal good may seem unappealing in such a context. However, there is a strong movement in progressive thinking that is increasing emphasizing the concept of “getting involved” in activities which create benefits for audiences which may or may not include self. An approach to life and living which recognizes the benefit of reaching out as an instrument or agent of

Engaging For Social Good

good; contributing skills and resources to a cause or process designed for accomplishing a good purpose which touches groups beyond the individual agent.

The term “involvement” is defined as “making oneself emotionally concerned in or with a cause”. The concept of getting involved however is expandable beyond this definition. It goes beyond the realm of concern to the demonstration of that interest or devotion in a tangible manner that produces a state of good or wellbeing regarding the cause. most often, getting involved in good causes entails collaboration directly or indirectly with others with similar concern, enabling a network that feathers the common cause.

It is an established fact that cooperation and collaboration usually results in far better outcomes. The reason for this

is simple and based on the well tested premise that the more the better. so getting involved almost always implies collaboration. The aggregation of concerns and efforts for a common cause. many social enterprises, projects and visions are indeed multidimensional and require diverse skills and competences and resources beyond those of an individual.

The first hurdle to be crossed in getting involved is establishing a “case of need” in the mind of the individual; the moral resonance of the cause, in such a manner that compels concern and the need for action. This is usually not as easy as it seems because human beings are emotional creatures, and justifications for causes are established both in the heart and in the head. social causes that typically do not provide direct financial gain for the individual, usually appeal to the heart more than the head. The head may

then begin to compute justification for the decision the heart has already come to terms with.

such is the nature of most charitable causes. The emotional connection with a need or challenge within the social space is usually the point of origin or foundation for such causes as the red Cross or other individual or social cooperatives that exist to provide solutions and interventions for social good. many charities such as the Ford Foundation are usually motivated to be agents of relief to some identified gaps and problems within the social space. It is usually submitted, that this level of engagement reveals an interesting dimension of an individual’s (or corporation) nature and personality; the ability to think beyond self and to collaborate for the achievement of communal good. A virtue which hitherto was despised especially by the machiavellian brand of capitalism, but which is now thought to be more constructive and desirable to the long-term wellbeing of society.

It is important to stress the fact that getting involved comes from a mind set that is not seeking it’s own good alone and certainly not-for-direct benefit in the sense that we view rewards and benefits in a commercial enterprise. In matters where there are direct benefits such as for-profit businesses, it is easier to see the need for involvement. However, the need for involvement on a non-government and non-profit manner, is becoming critical is the social space. The term "social space" refers to issues and activities the outcome of which are generally for the common good.

my view is that there are usually two basic benefits that involvement achieves for a social cause. one is symbolic and the other is substantive.

The first impetus that the act of getting involved provides is to avail or lend credence to the credibility of a social cause. It provides a sense of justification or "rightness", if you will, for the matter in the social space heightening its level of awareness and raising the banner of visibility and attention over the situation. There is a misconception especially in the social sphere, that what belongs to everybody belongs to nobody and as such does not require anyone's attention. This is where matters, issues and situations of public trust usually go awry. The notion that matters of commonwealth status require the attention of only the sovereign

and the involvement of the common man makes no difference, is an unhelpful view when one considers the fact that the impact of such matters are not usually sovereign but common. We know that governments should provide decent healthcare for the people. However, that does not preclude non-sovereign groups from intervening in a constructive manner to either bridge gaps in this noble objective or provide platforms for attention and solution in special areas of need within the healthcare space. such issues as polio, cancer and other health challenges have become the objects of attention for such involvements. There may be other areas in education, leadership and governance, addressing needs of special groups of people like widows, orphans, victims of war and other forms abuse,

freedom, rights, justice and so on. The list is endless and quite frankly, only requires a heart that reaches out with sensitivity to issues that may escape the care and concern of the generality of the people.

The symbolism of identifying with the social cause establishes some form of validity for the cause and serves as a powerful tool to enlist others. It is interesting to note that many societies with a decent quality of life and wellbeing also have well-established habits of getting involved in charitable causes. The disposition to life that this attitude fosters creates an atmosphere where there is a heightened concern for the common good irrespective of the individual pursuits of sustenance.

one area where collective involvement is beginning to generate the required tempo is politics and governance. Hitherto, the general view of public governance is that it was beyond the purview of individual involvements in any coordinated manner, at least not in any critical sense as to influence outcomes. The notion was that only the critical actors and professional politicians were the determinants of political outcomes, and because they had directive benefits from the outcomes, and as such provided no room for involvement from the perspective of charity. It is important to note that the sphere of politics and governance is not precluded from charitable engagements. There are many institutions especially in advances democracies, which exist to further the cause of freedom and good governance. It may be safely assumed that the existence of such non-governmental institutes have ensured that the political machineries of politics and governance in these societies are compelled to act in manners consistent with the common good of the society as dedicatedly advocated by these bodies who consistently research policies and parameters that index good governance.

Perhaps this is one area in nigeria where non-governmental engagement is critically needed. The sphere of political and public governance. The paucity of robust data and information with which to gauge the performance of the various political and administrative structures make comparative analyses and decision making quite difficult. It also provides avenues for leaders to escape the type of scrutiny that forces political actors to be more responsive and

The concept of getting involved

however is expandable beyond this

definition. It goes beyond the realm of concern to the demonstration of that interest

or devotion in a tangible manner

that produces a state of good or wellbeing regarding the

cause

cont'd on page 44

THE RIL DOCTOR | 11

looking after your teeth isn’t just about preserving your smile; Increasingly, evidence suggests it’s vital for all-round health. research published in the

journal Immunity suggested that a type of bacteria which causes gum disease, could make you more vulnerable to cancer. scientists found the bacteria attached itself to the part of the immune system responsible for attacking cancer cells, interfering with their protective role. The bad news is that up to 47 percent of the population have moderate to severe gum disease according to the adult dental health survey. The good news is there are simple tricks to protect your teeth. We spoke to dental hygienists to discover the tips they use themselves.

SNACK oN CHeeSe, Not fruitHaving a piece of fruit mid-morning might seem a healthy habit but snacking

london smiling dental Group. These are chewable tablets that show up the plaque-a sticky, transparent film of bacteria-in a colored stain on your teeth after cleaning to illustrate where you’re brushing and flossing has missed. The idea is that you then brush your teeth again to clean the areas that still have plaque. If plaques build up for longer than two weeks, gums can become swollen, irritated and bleed, and can ultimately cause tooth decay and gum disease, says o’Grady.

NeVer riNSe After CLeANiNgmany of us rinse our mouths with water after brushing, this can actually lead to tooth decay, says oneill, who is also a practicing hygienist in belfast. The point of using fluoride toothpaste is to let the residue sit on the surface of the teeth. Fluoride strengthens the tooth’s surface, so it’s more resistant to acid from food.

“brush your teeth until they are clean, then spit out the toothpaste and leave the residue on the teeth rather than rinsing it away with water,” says oneill.

StrAwberrieS wiLL wHiteN Your teetH.strawberries can improve the appearance of your smile. studies have shown that they have a gentle whitening effect on teeth says, says o’Grady. They contain malic acid, which has been found to buff stains from the teeth. Keep them to meal times, though, and don’t over indulge, as advice about snacking on fruits (see above) still applies. but beware of eating too many dark berries such as blueberries and cherries as these along with drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine can stain your teeth.

fLoSS eVerYDAY to KiLL bACteriAeveryone should use floss or use interdental brushes between the teeth once a day- this is not just to clear out food debris, but also to get ride of the bacteria that can cause dental disease. “bacteria are microscopic and can get into any space,” says oneill. Flossing helps disrupt bio film (the gluey mass of bacteria).

DoN’t bruSH for AN Hour After wiNePeople often brush their teeth and immediately after drinking red wine to avoid stains, but this can be damaging, says Christiana Chatfield, a hygienist and owner of dental Health spa in brighton and spokeswoman for the british dental Health Foundation. “Wine is acidic, so it causes enamel and brushing white teeth are in that weakened state can wear them away,” she says. Instead,

How To Clean Your Teeth Without a Toothbrush

“Brush your teeth until they are clean, then spit out the toothpaste and leave the residue on the teeth rather than rinsing it away with water.”

wait an hour before brushing. For the same reason, it’s best to brush before-rather than after–eating, including breakfast. If you don’t brush before breakfast, it means bacteria on the teeth that haven’t been removed by brushing will react with sugar from food to make acid and dissolve in the teeth. “People think brushing and cleaning is about getting rid of remnants of foods, but it’s about reducing bacteria levels.” most important is to brush your teeth before bed. ‘ If there are high levels of bacteria in the mouth then, they can multiply throughout the night.

…AND DoN’t PreSS too HArDbrushing your teeth the wrong way can do more harm than good. “A lot of people have receding gums because they scrub their teeth vigorously, mistakenly thinking it’s the best way to clean them,” says oneill. receding gums can cause the teeth to become more sensitive because nerves become exposed, and to look long and unsightly. she says it is important to clean the gums without pushing them too hard. “even with electric brushes, you can brush too hard.” People also incorrectly brush back and forth, which can wear away enamel and gum, instead of using a gentle circular motion to reach all the tooth and gum. you should use a toothbrush with a medium-firm head, at a 45-degree angle where the gum and the teeth meet, says o’Grady. This angle will prevent damage to the gum as it follows the gum’s contour.

How to StoP LooKiNg LoNg iN tHe tootHPeople tend to think that longer looking teeth is an inevitable part of getting old-but it’s often due to chronic gum disease. Here, plague builds up in the mouth over time, and the body responds by losing some of the bone holding the teeth in, so it’s not in direct contact with the bacteria. However, as the bone disappears, the gum shrinks, too, so the tooth appears longer. “bone loss can affect anyone, but is more commonly seen in older people and it can cause death to loosen and fall out”, says oneil. “People don’t feel it happening until their teeth starts to feel loose and by then it’s too late.” Gum disease is linked with numerous health problems,

YeS, You SHouLD bruSH Your toNgue Clean all of your mouth – including the tongue, says o’Grandy. not cleaning the tongue can cause a film of plaque to build up on it, which can lead to bad breath and gum disease because you are harboring more bacteria. you can clean your tongue with a toothbrush or special tongue scraper – but don’t be too rough. Anything too aggressive can take the surface off the tongue. you just need to dust the light film away’. o’Grady adds that toothpaste isn’t necessary on the tongue, as it’s about removing bacteria.

bLeeDiNg gum? You mAY be PregNANt.Aside from dental health, hygienists can help spot what’s going on elsewhere in the body by looking in the month. bleeding gum can suggest they are reacting to plague in the mouth; for example – this is often linked with hormones and can occur during pregnancy. In rare cases, bleeding gums can suggest leukaemia or liver disease. meanwhile, mouth ulcers can be a sign of iron and vitamin deficiencies, while dry mouth can be a side – effect of medication.

PS: A fACe fLANNeL CAN Come iN HANDY.ever cleaned your mouth with your finger when you’ve forgotten your toothbrush? A better option is using a clean face flannel placed over your finger – ideally with toothpaste on it, says oneill. A face cloth has a rougher surface than a finger, so it helps to remove plaque, which is sticky. If stuck without toothpaste, a mouthwash with fluoride will help to remove some bacteria, though it won’t physically remove plaque.

particularly on sugary foods, can wreck your teeth. bacteria feed on sugars on the tooth’s surface to produce acid, which can weaken the enamel and deplete minerals such as calcium, leading to cavities. The body’s natural defense against this is saliva, which neutralizes the pH in the mouth, re-mineralizing the tooth after eating – a process that takes about 40 minutes. “Constant grazing doesn’t give the body chance to repair the damage,” says michaela oneill, President of the british society of dental Hygiene and Therapy. even a cup of tea every hour could be harmful if you take sugar in it. “stick to three or four meals a day and keep your sugar consumption for mealtimes, to reduce the number of acid attacks,” she says. If you must snack, fatty foods aren’t as damaging to the teeth as sugary ones, so choose hummus, nuts or cheese instead. In fact, cheese increases saliva, which neutralizes acid, says oneill. Avoid hard

sweets – sucking on them means your teeth are stilling in an acidic bath – and fizzy drinks. If you do have to drink one, drink it through a straw, so the citric acid has no direct contact with your teeth.

wHY DiAbetiCS muSt be eXtrA CArefuLemerging research is showing that diabetes and gum disease are strongly linked. so if you have diabetes, you need to be extra vigilant with your dental health. diabetic complications. Those with uncontrolled diabetes are especially at risk. “People with diabetes should see a hygienist regularly,” says oneil.

CHeCK PLAque witH A weeKLY Do it YourSeLf teStuse disclosing tablets a few times a week to test how well you are cleaning your teeth, says dental hygienist Claire o’Grady, from

THE RIL DOCTOR10

…and how cheese helps beat fillings! Dental hygienists reveal the tips they use themselves

By Cara Lee


MANAGEMENT 102 MANAGEMENT 10212 | | 13

An entrepreneur is someone who

undertakes a business, often

at personal financial risks

dreams are renewable no matter your age or condition. There are always untapped possibilities and new ideas waiting to be

born. Consequently, it is never too late to pursue your dream. many wrongly conclude that they can’t be entrepreneurs because they can’t create something new. The truth is that most entrepreneurs really never create anything new. They leverage on ideas, taking what already exists, creatively making it

Getting Involved through Entrepreneurshipby olusoji oyawoye aCoP, mIod, fAoPnsocial entrepreneur, Capacity builder, mentor and md/Ceo resource Intermediaries limited

better, and thus adding value.

An entrepreneur is someone who undertakes a business, often at personal and financial risks. The term was originally a loanword from the French language and was first defined by the Irish-French economist richard Cantillon. Generally, successful entrepreneurs have the following nine traits:

1. They take risks2. They demand efficiency and ensure that

all employees are treated fairly3. They actively seek and recognise opportunities4. They persist and are not easily deterred from their goals5. They take obligations seriously6. They set clear and specific goals7. They actively seek and gather information relevant to their business8. They network9. They are able to work without supervision and are very independent

entrepreneurs become what they are for several reasons. many, depending on the person, having a genuine passion to innovate and or create something of value for self or society. some choose to do so to avoid the politics in offices, or discrimination (perceived or real), exploitation, or a genuine desire to take charge of their own life. People also become entrepreneurs in the face of biting unemployment or underemployment. entrepreneurs also take bits of wisdom from different people or sources even when they do not agree with some of their values. They operate on the principle that no knowledge is lost.

It is also important to discuss the significance of the right attitude and character required for a successful entrepreneurial journey.

Attitude is the established way of responding to people and situations that we have learned, based on the beliefs and values we hold. According to the Chambers 21st Century dictionary, attitude means: A way of thinking or behaving. beliefs are the assumptions we make about ourselves, others in the world, and how we expect things to be. until your mind changes, your life cannot begin to change. you can’t think poor and expect to be prosperous. The man goes where the mind goes. If you think you can do something, you're right; if you also think you cannot do it you’re also right. It all depends on you.

Character is the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual. our character is who we are as individuals. our character in turn determines our responses. That is why a person who is wrongfully perceived to be upright and of good character could act opposite when no one is looking. Attitude can be faked, but true character always shows up. There are several character traits that an entrepreneur should exhibit, but here are a few of them:

1. trustworthinessbeing honest. simply have the courage to do the right thing(s).

2. responsibilitytaking responsibility knowing that he or she has the ability to respond one way or the other in all situations.

3. Fairnessbeing open-minded. listening to others. someone who introspects regularly, and who acts to address wrongs.

4. Caringbeing kind, compassionate and caring at every opportunity.

I am also of the school of thought that ideas and not capital or mineral resources create wealth. mineral resources on their own are nothing, but through ideas their use is determined. Ideas create wealth. When it does not there must be something wrong with the logic behind the idea because an idea is programmed to grow and adapt and

bear seeds for further growth. note however, that an Idea has no body of its own, and so it must take up the body of the human, transforming the host as the idea grows. The host that is pregnant with ideas would break unnecessary and unprofitable associations and start helpful ones. such an individual would sleep less, always seeking for new opportunities to refine and express the idea. someone has to pay the price for that idea to come alive. Ideas are not free.

In articulating a sound entrepreneurial idea, an important question to ask is: “why do we exist?” It is common to make the mistake of answering this question with “to make money.” While profit is essential for the survival of business, it must never be regarded as the company's main reason for being. There is a saying that "you need health to live, but you don't live to be healthy". Profits are like that for business. A company needs profits to continue, but profits only as an objective will kill the business. If we want to know what a business is, we have to start with its purpose and the purpose must lie outside the business itself. basically, it must lie in the society, since a business enterprise is an organ of society. According


MANAGEMENT 10214 |

It was amazing how just the thought of

getting involved lifted his spirits. He couldn't wait to experience the

feeling of actually getting his hands

wet.

Entrepreneurial spirits drive

innovation and competition and they usually have low-level entry and moderate running costs.

Above all, they impact communities

directly.

to Peter F. drucker, there is only one valid purpose for a business, and that is to create a customer. This is because as Peter F. drucker wrote, “The customer is the foundation of a business and keeps it in existence. He alone gives employment. to supply the wants and needs of a consumer, society entrusts wealth-producing resources to the business enterprise.”

to be a successful entrepreneur, effective leadership is also important. The entrepreneur leads the firm or organisation and also demonstrates leadership qualities by selecting managerial staff. management skills and strong team building abilities are essential leadership attributes for successful entrepreneurs. leadership is an intangible virtue principally made up of people skills and a bit of strategy. I would say people skills account for about eighty per cent (80%) of what makes an effective leader leaving twenty per cent (20%) to strategy, and this is exactly why many start-ups fail. most “owners” ignore people management issues since the business idea is theirs and they probably perceive that they understand the vision best. This is a grave mistake because ideas on their own are worthless. They need human hosts to be expressed

A few people may be disappointed that I

have not provided a step-by-step process to start or run a business. Well, do not be discouraged because each idea is as unique as the host “carrier” of that idea. It is important to recognise that the fact someone started a fast food restaurant from their garage and has gone on to become a franchise business, does not mean that you can be that successful in the same business, even if you are a better cook. It is important that each person discovers God’s purpose for their life, because therein lies that one idea that they are created for and through which their entrepreneurial skills could be developed.

In conclusion, there are lots of opportunities for small and medium scale enterprises (smes), they are the engine of any economy, creating employment and wealth. entrepreneurial spirits drive innovation and competition and they usually have low-level entry and moderate running costs. Above all, they impact communities directly. “The future of the Nigerian economy (any economy in fact – my emphasis) cannot be solely determined by the performances of the bigger companies; the future of Nigeria lies in the development of the SMEs.”

- Professor. Pat Utomi (The Punch, April 2008)

the stench of the prison was stifling. It was a mixture of things she didn't want to imagine. she was nauseous and wondered if this had

been a mistake. surely I don't belong here she told herself. Indeed her clean jeans and polo t shirt did announce her as a misplaced person. still, it had to be done. she had signed up for this and she would see it through. she and the others were ushered into a courtyard where the inmates were sitting. They were waiting for them. Their eyes lit up when they saw the goodies Chika and her colleagues had brought. she had been told the reception would be warm, but it wasn't how she had expected it. The warmth was in the eyes. They broke into groups to meet with the inmates individually. They would also share the goodies and some words of encouragement.

two hours later, she didn't want to leave, the

stand uPby dr. Femi omololu

smell didn't bother her anymore. The story of the 20 year old inmate she was interacting with was keeping her seated even though it was time to go. He was unlucky to be here. He had bad friends and was picked up with them when they were arrested for a crime. He knew they were guilty but he wasn't. He accepted his "guilt" for associating with them. He pleaded for mercy from her like she was the judge. He begged for another chance like she was God. He thanked her for her kindness because she was Chika. The tears dripped from her eyes. Was this the selfish Chika who didn't care for anyone else? Chika whose life had become empty from self centeredness? Chika who had once thought the world revolved around her?

no it wasn't. This was a new Chika. she had reluctantly joined her colleagues from work on this "mission" trip. This was a new Chika. The new Chika had been freed by a young man in a cell. she knew she would never be


16 | | 17

the same again. she was standing up. she had gotten involved.

"Get involved? Why should I?" asked tunde. I really don't know what to do. I'm not outgoing. I'm shy. Who will listen to me? I'd rather just wait my turn. I'm praying over it. I believe things will turn around soon. They have to! I'm not proud, I'm just okay with the way I am now. everyone is in a rush. everyone wants to be perfect. everyone wants to impress others. I don't roll that way. I just take my time, accept who I am and do my thing.

"but who are you?" said a voice in his head. "Are you good enough? Are you the best you can be?"

"I'm making progress,"tunde replied. "slow and steady, don't rush me."

"ok double t," said the voice.

"What do you mean double t?" tunde queried.

"tunde the tortoise. you really love folk tales. Just know that the tortoise kept on moving. He actually ran the race."

This hit tunde where it hurt. That's the same place where things make sense. He had no defence or response anymore. The anguish was deep. being jobless for four years and not facing his realities made this bluntness abrupt. He hadn't lacked, as his wealthy parents, albeit separated, had always provided for him. Well, in honesty, he always had a story for them. They were so gullible! but something was happening within him. He looked at the magazine cover again and the words spoke to him in the same place the double t taunt had pierced him. "Get involved".

He was waiting to see a friend from school who had kept him waiting for 3 hours now. He suddenly knew he was a pest. He asked the receptionist if he could take the magazine. The articles within had rekindled something in him. He would need a reminder. He was elated when she said he could take it.

As he stood up to leave, he felt more than his body was being lifted. He left the building feeling different. It was amazing how just

the thought of getting involved lifted his spirits. He couldn't wait to experience the feeling of actually getting his hands wet. He rubbed them together in anticipation.

The day had finally ended. The funeral was over. The reception was not loud and there was a deep persistent reflection by all those who were there. The premature passing of a 42 year old was rarely cause for celebration and noise. of course there were tears but the eulogies had brought tears from a different stimulus. no one could quite explain what the stimulus was, but as many of the attendees thought about mike before they went to bed that night, they knew it was the fulfillment of mike's short life that brought the tears. It seemed mike had done it all as the eulogies had poured in. It was obvious they weren't "being nice" eulogies, but heart felt ones. Here was a man who had found the right balance in life. He had loved God and man. He had served God and man. He had involved himself with both God and man. God and men had yielded to him. As the tributes had flowed, it seemed God himself was giving an eulogy. They all felt it. There was a palpable force in the air.

mike had been a go getter. He rarely complained. He stood for what was right. He was very objective. He loved to help people. He did so with his substance and time. He was loved by his colleagues at work, by his old school mates, by his church members, by his cycling club members, by his mechanic, the estate security men, messengers at work

"Get involved? Why should I?" asked Tunde. I

really don't know what to do. I'm

not outgoing. I'm shy. Who will

listen to me? I'd rather just wait

my turn. I'm praying over it. I believe things

will turn around soon

Let's find something

meaningful to get involved in

today so that we can truly

experience the joy of living.

and even the beggars along his path. He had been involved in all these associations. There were many his life had touched who didn't even know his name or know of his passing, but the two minutes of interaction had been significant. even as he had laid in the coffin, it looked like mike was standing tall. There was something angelic about him but in reality he was human. That meant that he wasn't perfect, but his positives buried his negatives so much they could not be seen. Indeed that night Amina, who despised him was broken. The realization that there was no real reason to hate was eating her up in her bed, just like the worms would eventually eat up mike's lifeless form.

not just mike, but also tunde, Chika, you and me. let's find something meaningful to get involved in today so that we can truly experience the joy of living.

the concept of “mummy-hood” was naive to me when I looked through the binoculars of a daughter. my definition of a mum would suggest ‘that

figure that was more domesticated of the two figures called parents’. However my journey into being a “first time mum” has shifted my paradigm in a swift swoop.

being a mum is a tasking ‘no pay, no thanks’ full time job. you may also escape without a ‘well done’ compliment from anyone, not even your husband. not even my husband says ‘thank you dear’ for being a super-mum.

First time mum: A Personal experience

(don’t tell him I said that) This is often based on the assumption that “it is her duty, if she doesn’t, why then is she a mum?”

I have come to understand or rather learn that, having to multitask and juggle between cuddling, taking care of my little angel and household chores like a yoyo is one thing, and then coping with official duties at work as a mum is another ball game. As a career lady, blending the demands of being a mum, a wife and still deliver on official duties/targets could be challenging, if you consider sleepless nights you get to experience, coping with late night cries and whining

that only God knows why the baby is crying and what could pacify her. However, I think I have learnt and I’m still learning to cope each new day.

during my maternity leave, I was faffing and lounging in the house with both grandmas and family members taking turns to babysit my daughter until reality dawned on me when I had to resume at work. As a lagos family, my husband and I have to wake up early to get ready for work and guess what? In less than twenty minutes, hubby, baby and I are in the car headed for the office. Fortunately for me, my office has a crèche,

by Adeyinka Fowowe


RIL VOGUE18 | | 19

which gives me the opportunity to check on my daughter and also ‘booby feed’ her. (sure you know what that means)

Hmm…, I’d say the most multitasking part of being a ‘career mum’ is when I get back from work and I have a lot to do, like cleaning the bathroom which was left in a mess while rushing out in the morning, giving my baby a bath, cooking dinner (I don’t like to eat stale food, so I cook fresh meals almost every day) and sometimes iron my work clothes for the next day. While driving home, I plan what to cook for dinner and what to wear the next working day. on getting home, my daughter wants to play while I want to get busy. I play with her for a while, then dip her in the bath as I sing “He’s got the whole world in His hands”, we sing and laugh as we get ready for bed. she never sleeps immediately, so I place her in her little rocker and then rock and sing her to sleep. That sounds easy. right? naaahhh, not so easy. sometimes she cries for attention because she is alone in the sitting room while I am in the kitchen but I try to pretend not to hear her and allow her crying voice sound like rhymes to my ears. you would probably think I am not a nice mum? not to worry, I know when she is faking the cry and when it’s real. In fact just so I can give her the attention required I eat my meal like I am trying to break the world record for fastest food devourer and guess what? At times we visit the “white house” together, baby on one hand while the action goes on; sure some mothers have experienced this when alone with their lil’ baby and “white house” call simultaneously.

back to how we manage when alone, sometimes ignoring her does not last, because she starts crying for real when I leave her unattended to for too long. #phew# so I move to the African style of strapping her to my back with a wrapper which she enjoys because she is closer to me, sees what I’m doing as we sing and talk the “Cooo Wooo Fooo Yooo Daaa Ahaaa” discussion till she shuts down like a weak radio battery.

some days are better than others when caring for babies. Check out some tips that work for some families and mine that you can probably learn and apply to your lives when you become a ‘working-nursing mum’:

Some tips for making life work as a working mum

meal plan- make a schedule for food to be eaten during the week. It makes life a lot easier when there is a plan/schedule to follow through. you can keep the food items fresh by refrigerating.

get a nanny- or engage family members to help care for your baby. (do not shop for nannies online, for security reasons)

Housekeeping- Clean the floors during the weekend, laundry on Friday nights and fold clothes on saturday mornings. This gives a less stressful weekend with time for one’s self.

weekly clothes should be ironed out for every member of the family

Plan your workout- at least 3 times a

week for a minimum of working out for 30 minutes to keep the body fit. you need the energy.

Ask hubby for help when you need one

eat and rest well when you can.

bottom-line, in preparing for the coming week during the weekend, always endeavor

not to allow planning time exceed 30 minutes.

I know it is easy to say we want to do it all because as women, that is how we are wired. but we all need a break, we all need a breather, and asking for the help to make that happen is ok.

oh! I’m so proud to be a first time mum and I love it!

Adeyinka Fowowe is a first time mum of a beautiful baby girl, who is the center of her world and inspires her not just about motherhood but life in general. She is passionate about her career as a Human Resource Consultant who juggles work successfully with ensuring her family is well cared for. She is also passionate about training and public speaking.


THE CONDUCTORTHE CONDUCTOR20 | | 21

Good day sir and thank you for granting Skribble this rare opportunity to interview you. Skribble is a bi-annual magazine published by Resource Intermediaries Limited a leading Human Resource Outsourcing organisation in Nigeria.

Good day. It is indeed an honour for me to contribute to this publication. I’ve read a few past editions of skribble and I’m impressed with the broad range of interests featured and depth of the topics covered. The gratitude is mine.

Sir, today, you are an entrepreneur and Managing Director/CEO of Parsifal Partners Limited. Can you give us a brief insight about your walk up the ladder?

I’m a chemical engineer by profession but never worked in that industry, opting instead after my degree from the university of lagos, to join the banking industry. I started my career in the then Int’l merchant bank (Imb) and thereafter (3 years) joined Citibank wherein I spent 13 years. I call these my formative years in banking and finance as the experience in a strong, foreign banking institution exposed me to global best-practices. The interesting thing about the concept of “best-practice” is that once it is

Getting Involved - A Leader's Perspective by mr. Chinedu onyia

deeply imbibed, it continues to form the foundation by which one operates, throughout one’s career (whether in employment or a self-employed). In late 2003, I joined a nigerian-owned banking institution – Afribank, as part of a turnaround team. This 6-year stint in a local institution exposed me to a different set of life-issues, requiring a different skill set. The exposure and experiences while in Afribank and particularly thereafter, have provided me with an invaluable platform for guiding me through life’s challenges and propelling me even higher up in my career. today, I am a co-founder

of Parsifal Partners limited, a strategy consulting and business advisory firm involved in a few interesting mandates in manufacturing, technology and real-estate. As interestingly challenging as this 3-year entrepreneurial journey has been, it would have been much harder if not for the combined life experiences along my career and now can confidently state that I wouldn’t swap this place for a place in paid-employment.

With your wealth of experience, how would you explain the concept "Get Involved"?

I think it has to be a mindset. “Getting involved” entails a keenness to contribute to any sphere of influence one is connected to. These “spheres” include family, place of faith, work environment and indeed your community/nation. Indeed, they are all related because any input in one sphere affects the others. It requires adopting a proactive attitude that says “I will contribute towards shaping/influencing the outcomes that I desire”, rather than be complacent and sitting on the sideline. In the end, getting involved is about “giving”.

Sir, having said all of these, how important is it for youths or Nigerians generally to get involved?

I think the youths have a splendid opportunity to be positive contributors to outcomes, early on in their lives however this is a concept that may not be fully grasped because at that age, several other interests are competing for one’s attention. For nigerians in general, it is pleasing to see a positive upswing in desire by people to seek to influence the outcomes in spheres of influence. As a nation, our historical antecedents hitherto hindered this concept of inclusion however with broader education and particularly exposure to global trends due to the advent of technology, these impediments to inclusion are being removed.

With your wealth of experience and exposure, how can getting involved help an employee progress in an organisation? How can it also help in building great people or a great Nation?

As mentioned earlier, an input in one sphere eventually has an impact in the others; as such our disposition in our organization actually has an impact to the state of our community and nation.

For an employee, seeking to get involved immediately projects a positive disposition that can endear you to the organization. Getting involved is about “giving” and when you give of yourself, you learn more and are also entrusted with more. These are certainly recipes for swift elevation in the organization. It is easier to sit on the sidelines and do nothing, but even scripture states that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. When you have people who “give” to their place of employment, most times these are also the people who are passionate about improving the state of the nation. Thankfully, there are now more avenues to get involved in the community and even at national level.

Sir, can you tell us how business owners, managers or team leads can encourage staff and colleagues get involved to help move the organisation and nation forward?

The starting point has to be one’s personal values. Values of integrity, equity and transparency, when mixed with competence and hardwork have a way of convincing one’s colleagues

about the authenticity of one’s motives. once this is established, people are the encouraged to come forward. Thereafter, leaders should seek to display a positive disposition through proper etiquette and constructive engagement including any criticisms: nothing pushes others away than scathing responses to contributions. lastly, leaders need to adopt a broad and transparent range of reward mechanisms for those inputs that added value. This will further encourage inclusion.

Can you give a personal experience of how Getting Involved has helped define certain aspects of your life or career?

Getting involved is

about “giving” and when you

give of yourself, you learn more

and are also entrusted with

more.

A key example of my getting involved with a visible public impact would be the work done by the Valour Group, a group of volunteers in support of the aspiration of Prof. osinbajo to be elected as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Federal republic of nigeria on the platform of the All-Progressives Congress (APC). In this group we coordinated an effective fund-raising campaign, with the funds deployed on campaign and media initiatives towards the realization of the objectives of promoting integrity and honesty in governance. All of this was hinged on a strong platform of group prayer and thankfully it was successful. However, for every parent that “gives” to his child (ren) by attending every school function or waking up early on saturday mornings to accompany the child to football practice or for every husband that supports his wife in all her endeavors (work and home), these are equally important examples of “giving”, with invaluable positive impacts on family life and balance. Thankfully by His Grace I’m able to do all these.

Sir, could you encourage our readers on how to achieve their life's goals and purpose by Getting Involved?

We each need to get involved in our sphere of influence as we each have some input to make. Why wait for others to shape our outcomes when we can do so ourselves? lastly, there’s nothing worse than standing by the sidelines and complaining about the outcome when one could have gotten involved.

Thank you very much for your time sir and God bless you.

once again, the honour and pleasure is all mine. Thank you.

mr. Chinedu onyia


Write to be understood,

Speak to be heard

Read to Grow

- Clark Powell

...Ideal As Mentoring, Inspirational, Wedding And Birthday Gifts

also available: Kindle Editions @ www.amazon.com

- search with Soji Oyawoye. For paperback call Vivian on +234 1 761 6566 or +234 1 761 6567

Charges apply for deliveries outside Lagos

22 | | 23

…The entrepreneur

“soji oyawoye has expertly woven all the technical details in a language that is easy to digest and in a flow that is highly compelling. For those who seek to demystify entrepreneurship, this book is an invaluable approach to what they have stumbled through albeit successfully, this book is a stark reminder of how it could have one terribly awry and why you need to appreciate the grace of God”

Alex okohManaging PartnerAshford & McGuire Consulting Limited

…How to stay Happily married

“How to stay Happily married is a comprehensive guide to driving safe on your marital journey. It is one book that will probably revolutionise your marriage. enjoy the read”.

Dr. Sola fola-AladeTrinity Chapel RCCG LondonPublisher, Leaderhip & Lifestyle Magazine

what is That in Your Hand?Discovering Purpose

The book compels an inquiry into why one was created, to what end and for what purposes? And the conclusion that what one has in one's hand is

probably the clearest indicator of one's purpose on earth. The author approaches these difficult issues with what has become his characteristic- sound reasoning, in simple, accessible language. While a remarkable understanding of scripture is possibly his greatest strength, the great achievement of this book is the powerful presentation of scriptural truth in a manner that is eminently useful to the reader.

The book is a worthwhile enterprise indeed and I commend it to all.

Prof. Yemi osinbajo SANVice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

reViewS


Career Success Catalyst Jimi Tewe and Capacity

Builder Soji Oyawoye spoke on Life after paid

employment, Entrepreneurial Opportunities

and Discovering Purpose at a One Day FREE

Seminar sponsored by Resource Intermediaries

Limited on May 16th 2015

Empowerment For The Future

life outside paid employment is tough, rough and lonely, but worth the move.

It requires Clear Thinking, Planning and Action though - soji oyawoye When do you know it is time? When the idea occurs to you. The earlier you start on your idea, the better - Jimi tewe Key driver of entrepreneurship is an understanding of the problems around you. Proffering solutions to the problems is what drives business growth - soji oyawoye sell to people that need

your products or service, not just to people you are comfortable with. sell to people that need what you are selling and can pay for it - Jimi tewe When you have a mentor, you do not make the mistakes they have made in the past - Jimi tewe once you discover purpose you have to be eXtrA ordinary. you have to put in more than others to stand out. As oprah Winfrey said, “don't worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow - Soji Oyawoye

rIL STAFF

AWARDS


| 25

raSHeeD aHmeD abIODUN UTC

(An Outstanding Performance)

aJIbIke OWOTUrO (UTC) Outstanding Performance

FreDerICk OkaFOr MAINSTREET Bank - Outstanding

Performance

keVIN eJIgbO STaNbIC bank- Outstanding Perfomance

OLUWaSeYI gIWa (UTC) Outstanding Performance

OJOgUN emmaNUeL ODUNaYObest Direct Sales representative

(ebL) - SOUTH WeST

beNSON akWUNYaH5 Years in Service

- rIL Lagos

mUYIWa OYaWOYe5 Years in Service

- rIL Service

SeUN aJIbaDe5 Years in Service

- rIL Lagos

TOYIN aJaYIOutstanding Performance

- rIL Lagos

OLaDImeJI akINbamI- Outstanding Performance on business generation

mOSeS ONWUDIke, IFeOma aNYaOHa, DImeJI aDeSaNYarIL abuja - Outstanding Performance

mUSIbaHU mUrITaLa - DANGOTE PLC- Outstanding

Perfomance


rIL Operations group:Commendation quick understanding of the new Hr Flex Software for the organisation. Standing: L - r; Toyin ayoola, Toyin ajayi, muyiwa Oyawoye, Ola akinbami, Seun ajibade. Sitting: L-r; Yinka Fowowe, Joseph adagbogun, Sunday Ohini

GTBank Award Winners - “Best Performing Call Center Agents for 1st Quarter 2015”

Hannah abioje, Tutu Okunubi, milliscent Ozuzu, Customer Service/Learning and Development Department - RIL "Outstanding Service Delivery"

AFRICAN TRIBES AND PEOPLEAFRICAN TRIBES AND PEOPLE

century, arriving in a long trunk of land stretching from what is now northern Kenya and central tanzania between the 17th and late 18th century. many ethnic groups that had already formed settlements in the region were forcibly displaced by the incoming maasai, while other, mainly southern Cushitic groups, were integrated into maasai society. livestock such as cattle, goats and sheep are the primary source of income for the maasai. livestock serves as a social utility and plays an important role in the maasai economy. livestock are traded for other livestock, cash or livestock products such as milk and skin. Individual, families and clans established close ties through giving or exchange of cattle. "meishoo iyiook enkai inkishu o-nkera"- so goes a maasai prayer. The english translation of this prayer is: "may the Creator give us cattle and children”. Cattle and children are the most important aspect of the maasai people. The maasai economy is increasingly dependent on the market economy. livestock products are sold to other groups in Kenya for the purchase of beads, clothing and grains. Cows and goats are also sold for uniform and school fees for children. It is now common to see young maasai men and women in major towns and cities of Kenya selling, not just goats and cows, but also beads, cell phones, charcoal, grain among other items. The entrepreneurial spirit is something new in the society. It was not until the early 1980s with the Group ranch project that the maasai became much more entrenched in a market economy and hence, more impoverished generally speaking. traditionally, the maasai rely on meat, milk and blood from cattle for protein and caloric needs. People drink blood on special occasions. It is given to a circumcised person (o/esipolioi), a woman who has given birth (entomononi) and the sick (oltamueyiai). Also, on a regular basis drunk elders, ilamerak, use the blood to alleviate intoxication and hangovers. blood is very rich

in protein and is good for the immune system. However, its use in the traditional diet is waning due to the reduction of livestock numbers. more recently, the maasai have grown dependent on food produced in other areas such as maize meal (unga wa mahindi), rice, potatoes, cabbage (known to the maasai as goat leaves), etc. The maasai who live near crop farmers have engaged in cultivation as their primary mode of subsistence. In these areas, plot sizes are generally not large enough to accommodate herds of animals; thus the maasai are forced to farm. our people traditionally frown upon this. maasai believe that tilizing the land for crop farming is a crime against nature. once you cultivate the land, it is no longer suitable for grazing.

Source: Wikipedia and The Maasai association

26 | | 27

the maasai are an ethnic group of semi-nomadic people inhabiting southern Kenya and northern tanzania. They are among the best known local populations due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great lakes and their

distinctive customs and dress. The tanzanian and Kenyan governments have instituted programs to encourage the maasai to abandon their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle, but the people have continued their age-old customs. many maasai tribes throughout tanzania and Kenya welcome visits to their villages to experience their culture, traditions, and lifestyle Quoting Wikipedia, “According to their own oral history, the maasai originated from the lower nile valley north of lake turkana (northwest Kenya) and began migrating south around the 15th

The Massai People


I just went through Skribble magazine, Vol. 8 Issue 1 January to June 2015 and I have to say there has been a tremendous improvement on the content having compared with previous editions. Diversity in content is also acknowledged and caliber of people that were interviewed. Kudos to the team that made this a success

Nwafor Emeka – RIL Lagos

I want to give a general rating for the services your company has rendered so far. Resource intermediaries Ltd is committed to it's obligations and normally give prompt attention to our calls anytime the need arises. I want to say that, if any other opportunity comes outside my office and the need to recommend an outsourcing company arises I will not hesitate to recommend this your noble and well focused firm. My overall rating for the services being rendered so far is 85%. I want to also use this opportunity to commend the effort of your phc branch manager, Mr. Ernest Ikpotokin for being pragmatic and committed to his duty. Thank you very much.

Mr. Odidi M. Daniel – Personal Assistant to the Hon.

Commissioner for Education, Rivers State.

RIL Staff across the region have largely been able to come to terms with the vision and drive of the bank. I am also impressed with the fact that your supervisors visit my branches to find out the performance of RIL staff and also inquire directly from them how they are faring on the job.

Ikechukwu Igbokwe – Keystone Bank Ltd. South South Region.

Certainly the coming of RIL has impacted positively on the future of the staff that are now enjoying quite a lot of things as against when they were casual staff.

However, the visit by RIL staff on quarterly basis or a phone call by RIL has not been encouraging. So such cooperation with the staff and RIL must be done regularly.

Alh. Muhtar Mamman- Human – Resource; Manager Mouka Foam

Kaduna.

Services are satisfactory, good conduct, no issue whatsoever.

Human Resource Manager, – Gapbridge Microfinance Bank

It was good attending the training as it has boosted my confidence in the way I now manage my customers, I wish we have more of this regularly as it will help keep us informed.

Bidemi Yussuph – GT Connect

The training was educative; it also covered areas which dealt with individual development.

Asukwo Edet– GT Connect

The training was highly educative and informative.

Adekolajo Shobowale – GT Connect

"I write to express my profound gratitude and appreciation for your tireless effort towards staff welfare and development.

In a season where most organisations have not even thought of paying salaries on time because of the economic situation, RIL has not only always paid salaries on schedule but has now gone ahead to reduce the burden of the prevailing fuel crises and related hardships on staff with a financial gesture. This is one unique gesture in a million and is worth our applause. May the good and faithful Father continue to launch RIL into the realm of unusual favour in Jesus name. When other organisations are saying there is a casting down, RIL will continue to experience a lifting beyond measures in Jesus name. This

Letters| 29

name "Resource Intermediaries Limited" shall soon gain global recognition in the business world in Jesus name. My prayer is that God will give us the grace to give beyond our best in the discharge our duties in Jesus name.

Once again, Thank you RIL.”

Sunday Ohini– RIL Lagos

"emPOWermeNT FOr THe FUTUre SemINar"

RIL has again demonstrated generosity and capability towards human and business development. Everything that happened at the Saturday training is a summary of what an excellent organization devoted to delivering value stands for.I feel so elated and definitely challenged to passionately pursue my dreams.

Abiola Abatan– Participant

My mindset was to be a career woman, but after my seminar with RIL, my mindset has really changed. I wanted to be an entrepreneur and am starting as we have been told that anything we want to do, we should start now!I have already submitted my business proposal to 3 different companies after the Empowerment for the future seminar with Jimi Tewe and Soji Oyawoye.

Funmilayo Oladipupo– Participant

The seminar made me to appreciate what my team and I have been though over the four years in our company. It is great to know that you are not the only one in the entrepreneurship ' s travails and at every stage of growth you need to unlearn to learn. The key point held in my left hand is People are your greatest assets.

Adewunmi Oshodi– Young & Cerebral


30 |

Best Fragrance(s) White Diamonds by Elizabeth Arden

Best Book(s)The Burden of Freedom by Myles Munroe The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Person/People You Admire Most I admire my younger sister Bimpe Thomas. She has been through a lot of life experience as a young girl but has not let that deter her. She is courageous, a goal getter and resilient.

Mentor(s) Funmi Olorunda

Favorite Place The Bahamas

Favorite GadgetMy phone. I feel lost sometimes when I don’t have it on me. It has my Calendar, Planner, emails etc.

Favorite Car The Highlander Toyota brand. I have owned 2 and they are pretty reliable.

Favorite Designer(s) Michael Korrs especially bags. Does that make me loud? I just think his designs are fun!

Your Vision in Life Being the best that the lord has created me to be and keeping my walk with him always. Impacting as many people as I can without expecting a reward but hoping that they pass it forward. Not settling for less but testing the limits and reaching as far as I can.

Your Best Quote The ONE who provides the ability to do ALL things also guarantees excellence. Therefore, I am developing flippers to swim, claws to climb mountains, and wings to soar… Let’s walk on water….

tutu Awonaike


People

PointRILon Best Fragrance(s) Paco Rabbane brand: I like this particular perfume because it has a unique fragrance, that epitomizes a strong-tender sensation around it. It lingers so much sometimes, you can almost taste it in the air. It is simply beautiful. Best Books(s) Open Heavens Devotional: As simply put as some of the Bible devotional pages could be, it could also be deep and far reaching. It has blessed me in more ways than one. Person/People You Admire Most Pastor EA Adeboye. I admire the strength and courage that are portrayed with his humility. Mentor(s) Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesinmi: She is my mentor first, because she chose me and took a special interest in me. She led me to Christ and walked me through my conversion to Christianity. She also guided me in my Career life and has given me wise counsel over the years. Favorite Place Calgary, Canada: I love this place because it is my “get away” Zone. Favorite GadgetXBOX 360: This is what I spend my free time on (when I have) and it is quite entertaining for me, especially when I am playing a Soccer league that could last for days. Favorite Car 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby g‎t350: I love the Mustang any day any time. So much power is built around its wheels and driving it is an experience one must desire. Favorite Designer Gucci : I love this brand so much for it luxury, durability and variety. So many times I wonder how detailed people could be when designing luxurious brands. It is simply fantastic. Your Vision in Life To be a foremost faculty that inspires, educates, motivates and Changes lives. I would also like to reach out through MUSIC PRODUCTION (Inspirational and Gospel) using cutting edge ideas. Your Best Quote "it's the smallest things we do that matter most in life ".

tayo Adekoya

People

PointRILon

| 31

THE JOB STREETTHE JOB STREET32 | | 33

Organisational structure is particularly important in

achieving goals and results. It allows for the chain of command

After 5 years at Hiburton Producing, I felt the need to move on to greater challenge, so I applied for the position advertised on

a job site I recently registered on. The job profile looked interesting and the company was rated 3 stars above my current employer, so I applied for the job role. I went through series of interview sessions and negotiations and triumphed eventually.

I had negotiated a remuneration 60% above what I currently earned and the position slipped me into top management level which is all good ( Adetoro is a big girl now oo). I felt I had just bagged my dream job. little did I know that I was in for some adventure down a really swishy swishy slope like some enid blyton story series.

The noise coming from the board room as I approached was deafening, it seemed like a war was going on down there. today is monday 9.00am board room time. As usual we were supposed to be having our management meeting for the week but what I saw when I got in looked more like World Wrestling Championship Challenge. mrs. otti had locked mr. babalola’s shirt, while mr. nonso was entangled with mr. Chidi. This is an eyesore!

These were senior members of management settling matters with their fist. Walking briskly behind me was the managing Partner of the organisation whose voice suddenly towered above mine ordering the fiasco to a stop immediately.

“Can we all behave like adults?” He shouted. “This is an office; I am totally disappointed with the scene I just witnessed”.

now everyone was silent, they all looked like guilty children caught stealing meat from the pot. “now can someone tell me what is going on here?” he asked. Then another wave of silence...

No Rules, No Bounds, No Limit

We all settled down after some time and we got to the heart of the matter. now let me bring you all to speed! mrs. otti is currently Head of Corporate Communication while mr. babalola is the team lead business support services; mr. nonso is Head Finance and Assets while mr. Chidi is Procurement manager. long before I came on board there has always been a tussle for power between these pairs.

History has it that each of them feel

threatened by the other. today all hell broke loose when mrs. otti discovered that mr. babalola had engaged a vendor to tag all company asset in the newly established branch without due recourse to her. mr. nonso had also gone ahead to approve disbursement of funds to the vendor.

mr. Chidi felt slighted being the one saddled with the responsibility of all procuring company’s assets because he was kept in the dark about all the transactions.

HummPH! What a way to start my Fun-oops! monday!!!!

The managing Partner turned to me and said’’ Adetoro this is one of the reasons we desperately needed you on board’’. Kindly take care of this situation and he walked away.

now where do I begin???? The core of this argument is lack of a proper structure. A proper structure gives room for everyone to know their place and stay within their rights and jurisdiction. I did a quick analysis of the staff job history and role review I was working on before I headed out for that meeting. everyone involved in this argument have a Job title but do not understand their role due to lack of a proper organogram and job description.

I reviewed and strategised for a week and called for a company retreat where all issues were to be laid bare and a new course was to be channeled. okay now don’t let me bore you! much ado about a company’s structure? businesses require structure to grow and be profitable. designing an organization structure helps top management identify talent that needs to be added to the company. Planning the structure ensures there are enough human resources within the company to accomplish the goals set forth in the company’s annual plan. It is also important that responsibilities are clearly defined. each person has a job description that outlines duties, and each job occupies its own position on the company organization chart. A structured company excels a lot more than one which is ran in chaos due to free flow of information, clarity and true understanding of job role requirements. In other words, a good company structure should allow for;

function Clarity; In a well structured organisation decision making becomes a lot easier as the responsibilities are well defined. roles become more defined some of which can include multiple functions, reporting lines as well as time constraints on each task.

Communication; The flow of information is essential to an organisation’s success. It enables the distribution of authority. When a person starts a job, he knows from day one to whom he will report. The organization structure should be designed to ensure that individuals and departments that need to coordinate their efforts have lines

of communication that are built into the structure.

evaluating employee Performance; supervisors can evaluate the skills employees demonstrate, how they get along with other workers, and the timeliness in which they complete their work. organizational structure is important for evaluating employee performance. It allow supervisors to better evaluate the work of their subordinates. Consequently, supervisors can more readily complete semiannual or annual performance appraisals, which are usually mandatory in most companies.

Achieving goals; organisational structure is particularly important in achieving goals and results. It allows for the chain

of command. department leaders are in charge of delegating tasks and projects to subordinates so the department can meet project deadlines. In essence, organisational structure fosters teamwork, where everyone in the department works toward a common goal.

Prevention/Solution; organisational structure enables companies to better manage change in the marketplace, including consumer needs, government regulation and new technology. department heads and managers can meet, outline various problem areas, and come up with a solution as a group. Change can be expected in any industry. Company leaders always should strive to find the best organisational structure to meet those changes.

If there had been a well defined structure each individual would have understood their role and limits and such an embarrassing scene would have been avoided.

The company retreat was a success, after the knowledge sharing session on the need for structure; we came up with proper job role profiles, key performance indices and we drew up a workable organogram which hopefully will help prevent ’’ cross carpeting’’ of roles. Where we have no structure then we have no rules, no bounds and no limits to scenes like the one created at the board room the other day.

Hummph! I think I forgot to tell you I am actually the ’’Acting Head, Human Capital development’’. Wow! That was a mouthful right

by 'lanre 'lakunle oseni


JOKES!JOKES! Jokes- www.naijajokes.blogspot.com

HUMOUR & POETRY34 |


POEMSMarriageDaddy," said a six-year-old boy, "I'd like to get married.""Sure, son." said his father. "Anyone special in mind?""Yes," answered the boy. "Grandma. She’s nice"

"Now, wait a minute," said his father."You don't think I'd let you marry my mother, do you!!""Why not?" the boy asked. "You married mine."

Smart ContractorThree contractors were visiting a tourist attraction on the same day. One was from Nigeria, another from Germany, and the third from France.

At the end of the tour, the guard asked them what they did for a living.

When they all replied that they were contractors, the guard said, "Hey we need one of the rear fences redone. Why don't you guys take a look at it & give me a bid?" So, to the back fence they all went to check it out.

First to step up was the German contractor. He took out his tape measure and pencil, did some measuring and said, "Well I figure the job will run about $900. $400 for materials, $400 for my crew, and $100 profit for me."

Next was the French contractor. He also took out his tape measure and pencil, did some quick figuring and said, "Looks like I can do this job for $700. $300 for materials, $300 for my crew, and $100 profit for me."

Without so much as moving, the Nigerian contractor said, "$2,700."

The guard, incredulous, looked at him and said, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"

"Easy," he said. "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the guy from France." LifeGod created the donkey and said to him, "You will be a donkey. You will work untiringly from sunrise to sunset carrying burdens on your back. You will eat grass, you will have no intelligence and you will live 50 years."The donkey answered, "I will be a donkey, but to live 50 years is much. Give me only 20."

God granted his wish.

God created the dog and said to him, "You will guard the house of Man. You will be his best friend. You will eat the scraps that he gives you and you will live 30 years. You will be a dog."The dog answered, "Sir, to live 30 years is too much. Give me only 15."God granted his wish.

God created the monkey and said to him, "You will swing from branch to branch doing tricks. You will be amusing and you will live 20 years. You will be a monkey."The monkey answered, "To live 20 years is too much. Give me only 10."God granted his wish.

Finally god created man, and said to him, "You will be man, the only rational creature on the face of earth. You will use your intelligence to become master over all the animals. You will dominate the world and you will live 20 years."

Man responded, "Sir, I will be a man but to live only 20 years is very little, give me the 30 years that the donkey refused, the 15 years that the dog did not want and the 10 years the monkey refused.God granted man's wish....

And since then...Man lives 20 years as a man,marries and spends 30 years like a donkey, working and carrying all the burdens on his back.Then when his children are grown...he lives 15 years like a dog,taking care of the house and eating whatever is given to him, so that when he is old, he can retireand live 10 years like a monkey,going from house to house and from one son or daughter to another,doing tricks to amuse his grandchildren

The Simplest ChoiceIn the realm of hidden things; contemplated revelations ring.To bring the light; a hearts delightand clear away, the darkest night.

Whispers from our unseen friends, where wisdom's growing, till life ends. The soul, it is a breath of God;divinity comes, when towards heaven, we trod.

In dreams and meditation we can see, the end of every action, that will be. Good or bad, mistakes will teach, the learning soul, how far to reach.

The highs and lows, where souls must go;are taught to us as we all grow.In silent focus, secrets rise; blessing oh, so many lives.

All those who seek, the truth and light;are often gifted with, second sight.Use it well and you will see,life’s an enriched, reality.

In quantum realms, unraveled dreams;morph into, eternal streams.Angelic music, fills the air andlifts the soul, above its cares.

The researcher, whom does learn these things;whom applies them to, their earthly schemes;Can build a world of miracles,despite the narrow-minded wills.

If divinity is what you seek,listen when the angels speak.The lessons learned, from divine guests; will help you master every test.

Why throw away, the wealth we’re given; when on Earth, we could have Heaven?If we could just have faith and believe;miracles would lead, to lives of ease.

Open the door and go within;live peacefully, with all your kin.

HUMOUR & POETRY | 35


tHe LoSS of LoVe

All through an empty place i go,

And find her not in any room;

The candles and the lamps i light

go down before a wind of gloom.

Thick-spraddled lies the dust about,

A fit, sad place to write her name

or draw her face the way she looked

That legendary night she came.

The old house crumbles bit by bit;

each day i hear the ominous thud

That says another rent is there

for winds to pierce and storms to flood.

my orchards groan and sag with fruit;

where, indian-wise, the bees go round;

i let it rot upon the bough;

i eat what falls upon the ground.

The heavy cows go laboring

in agony with clotted teats;

my hands are slack; my blood is cold;

i marvel that my heart still beats.

i have no will to weep or sing,

No least desire to pray or curse;

The loss of love is a terrible thing;

They lie who say that death is worse.

Poems- www.poemlovers.com

POEMS Poems- www.poemlovers.com

RIL PANACHE36 | | 37


Skribble: Thank you for granting this interview with Skribble Magazine.

Janet: Thank you very much for having me be a part of your inspirational magazine. It is indeed a great honour and welcome to our JsK office.

SKRIBBLE: Who is Janet Adetu?

Janet: Janet Adetu is an easy going and simple person as some would like to say an elegant and self - driven woman. I grew up in england, one of four children and came to nigeria in my late teens. by way of education I have a bsc in economics as well as an mbA( masters in business Administration). I qualified as a Chartered Accountant (11) eleven years ago and am a fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) uK. today, I humbly say I am in addition a Certified Professional Protocol & Image Consultant as well as a certified brand Analyst. I am the founder and Ceo of JsK etiquette Consortium, a leading corporate etiquette

Getting Involved With JaNeT aDeTU

and professional image consulting firm, where we create your panache advantage.

my philosophy in life is always to be able to add value to other people’s lives. by this I have found myself in a position of enlightening, empowering and enriching.

I love entertaining, cooking, listening to gospel music and collecting orchids. (laughter) I am inspired to try new things all the time, to improve my intellect.

Skribble: The theme for this edition (Vol. 8 Issue 2) is “Get involved”. It has been discovered that most successful people achieve a lot more because they decided to “Get Involved” with the happenings around them, they are committed to see things get better and decided to ensure a positive change. Do you agree with this school of thought and can you tell us people like you that have impacted the society positively?

Janet: yes indeed I agree totally with this school of thought. one of my favourite people of all times is oprah Winfrey she

touched so many lives and always advocated for a positive change. Coming closer to home, mo Abudu has taken brave steps to impact lives through television. of course there are many more home and abroad.

Skribble: Tell us a personal experience, of how and when you decided to get involved and what led to this decision? Describe what happened. Be specific. What did you do? What actions did you take to address the challenge? To engage others? To keep others motivated, especially when things did not go as planned? What were the results?

Janet: This experience is very dear to me, when I turned 40 years old, I decided to give back to the society. I didn’t want to just have a party but I wanted to celebrate with a purpose.

I held a 40th birthday Charity ball in aid of children born with Congenital Heart disorder (CHd) otherwise known as ‘hole on the heart.’ Incidentally I was born with a hole in the heart and knew that many

children out there were suffering from this. many are unaware of this and could not afford the cost of corrective surgery. I decided to set up a non-profit organization to raise funds for the open heart surgery of such children. I told my guests not to give me any form of monetary gift but contribute to the charity to enable us sponsor ten (10) children at that time. The surgeries started with six Thousand euros for the first child and eventually went up to twelve thousand euro per child. As the founder and president I can happily say that our organization was able to raise funds and sponsor up to 60 children over a period of three years.

our task was to get really involved by advocating and enlightening parents about signs and symptoms of CHd. We have held quite a number charity balls, charity walks and charity fashion shows and it has been great fun and a huge learning experience.

It has not all being rosy as I found myself consoling parents whose children gave up along the way. one vivid experience was when an eleven year old boy passed away just on the day he was to have his surgery. It was tough for us all but I had to hold myself high and still console his extremely distraught mother.

I was able to do this successfully I realized

because it was a huge calling, from witnessing the full five hour surgery of our first beneficiary to getting corporate organizations, professionals, institutions, individuals and youths to get involved and save a child’s life.

Skribble: Janet Adetu is a corporate etiquette consultant, professional Image advisor, speaker, radio program presenter. How do you get motivated to get involved by doing all the above?

Janet: yes, I am a Corporate business etiquette, Professional Image and International Protocol Consultant. For me, my objective is to assist corporate organizations, professionals and individuals to position themselves for success. by this I mean, helping businesses grow through image projection, branding, impression management and leadership.

nothing in life is easy but for me my motivation stems from having a positive impact, adding value and making a difference to people’s lives this is a huge source of passion for me. In order for me to achieve my objectives ‘I must get involved’.

Skribble: In the process of getting involved, there must have been instances you were met with resistance from people, policies or practice. How did you overcome this challenge? And

how were you able to set the pace and make it a win-win situation?

Janet: etiquette and protocol is still quite new in our environment there is a school of thought that accepts it with open arms and insists that nigeria needs it today more than ever. There is another school of thought that the younger generation so fast paced that overlooks the importance and cannot see its relevance. When we were headquartered in nairobi Kenya organizations saw it as a solution to many of their problems. Thankfully today more relevance is being placed as the overall conduct of individuals in business today ultimately affects their image, that of their organization and the level of projected business success.

I plan to take our services further through the understanding of cultural diversity, civility and international business customs. All of these form a total formula for packaging and branding for excellence.

Skribble: In a society like ours, where most people believe it’s all about personal gains and selfish interest, how are you able to rise above the waters and still stand by your belief of change for the better?

Janet: sadly we are seeing alot of mediocrity around us where substandards are fast

cont'd on page 46

RIL PANACHE

SCubA DiViNgbora bora is rated one of the best scuba diving spots in the world for novices and experienced divers alike. Whether you dive in the lagoon on the outer reef ’s coral walls or in the deep sea beyond, you'll find extraordinary natural beauty and an abundance of sea life and tropical fish.

BEST VACATION SPOTS | 39BEST VACATION SPOTS38 |

located in In the south Pacific, bora bora is the most famous of French Polynesia’s leeward Islands, recently awarded the title of “the best island in the

world” by u.s. news. bora bora is indeed a tropical paradise.

Wrapped by majestic views, Four seasons resort bora bora, is surrounded by sand-fringed islets on an outer coral reef that encloses a turquoise lagoon. steep yourself in the island’s traditions, activities, and authentic cuisine. If your idea of a great fun time is to sink your toes into white-sand beaches, then bora bora is the place to go. While there you wont be able to resist a dip in the crystal-clear lagoon or sip champagne while gazing on an expanse of shimmering stars.

The resort is brimming with activities, from dining and shopping to kayaking, scuba diving and volleyball. Guests can also practice their tennis serve, feed the sharks or explore the lagoon – all without ever leaving

Bora Borathe grounds of the resort.

CirCLe tHe iSLAND bY wAVeruNNer®experience the unparalleled beauty of bora bora’s lagoon with an exciting Waverunner® excursion around the island. depart from the resort’s beach, where your guide will provide you with safety instructions and lead you to the lagoon’s

most idyllic spots. The recommended age to participate in this activity is 10 years old accompanied by an adult and 16 years and older unaccompanied.

teNNiSenjoy challenging tennis matches on either one of their two courts, both of which feature an all-weather quick surface. The courts are equipped with lights for night play,

and accessories are complimentary upon request. They can schedule partners for players of all levels (subject to availability). Private lessons with a tennis coach are available; fee applies.

KAYAK, PADDLe boAt AND StAND-uP PADDLe boArDexplore the pristine beauty of bora bora's turquoise lagoon with a complimentary stand-up paddle board, paddle boat, or single or double kayak.

SHArK AND bAt rAY feeDiNgdon snorkels and flippers, slip into the water, and watch (from a safe distance) as tahitian divers hand-feed black-tip reef sharks and bat rays. It's a thrilling experience for couples, groups, families and guests of all ages.

SNorKeLLiNgdiscover the beauty of the island’s underwater marine by swimming a short distance from their shoreline. snorkelling equipment, including masks, snorkels, fins and reef shoes, is available at the water sports centre.

wiNDSurfiNgGet your feet wet while learning the basic moves of this exciting sport. you can contact the Concierge for reservations in advance.

bouLeStry this convivial game – which originated in the south of France and is similar to bocce ball – on their white-sand resort beach. equipment is available at the water sports centre on a first-come, first-served basis. no reservations are required.

beACH VoLLeYbALL AND bADmiNtoNtake part in a friendly competition of badminton or volleyball with family and friends on their beach volleyball court. Courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Volleyballs are available at the concierge desk. Visit the water sports centre for additional equipment and further information.


BEST VACATION SPOTS40 | BEST VACATION SPOTS | 41

The resort is an eclectic blend of the modern harmonizing grandeur, offering style and comfort in which guests and tourists can enjoy the serenity of the resort without feeling removed from the vibrancy and pulse of nature.

located in Abeokuta, ogun state nigeria along Presidential boulevard Way, oke mosan, Green legacy boasts of an emerald spa & beauty palour facility, bamboo groove, a cinema, mini golf course, wildlife park and lush gardens. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and beautiful. lodging here comes with complimentary buffet breakfast for two, a bottle of wine, steam bath for two or massage for one. And guess what? The price is just about 50% of a hotel providing the same facility in nearby lagos. other facilities provided are volleyball, badminton, table tennis and cycling

reviews by guests to the resort as expressed through the global hospitality rating agency tripadvisor would be the best guide for intending visitors.

well Spent money “I have stayed all over Nigeria for the past three years and this was one off my best stays . I stayed there for approximately two months for

G r e e n Legacy Resort

business. The resort is still under construction but the hotel section is about 90 % completed and it looks great , Food and services are very good. Overall this hotel is better than just good!

- Ferdi H. Sunyani (Ghana)

Spacious rooms“I was there for about 3 weeks. GLR is a very nice place. Got good swimming pool and the staff attitude was okay. Very nice environment and the rooms are spacious. Security there was okay too. One thing I enjoyed about them was the fact that when your visitor wants to leave, they hold the person down, call your room to confirm if you're ok”

– Obinna M, Bayelsa State Nigeria

watch this Diamond in the ruff Amazing resort in Nigeria ”We were pleasantly surprised with this Resort which is still under construction and constant movement to better themselves. We are regular guests and the management and staff always go the extra mile to cater to all our needs. We are not your average lucky go happy travelers and want value for money.

- Coker W, Lagos State Nigeria

We have enjoyed world-class service from this resort though with a few shortcomings. We were on our honeymoon there and were

surprised to get a welcome juice and even more delighted to find out that the General Manager with his staff placed fresh flowers and candles with a basket of the freshest fruits in our suite! Free of charge.

And also threw in a bottle of bubbly! We never experienced this treatment even at Hilton or Sheraton were you are just a room number.

The surroundings are serene and there is a zoo, massive pool complete with a baby pool, a spa treatment center, a nightclub with a casino! We didn't even have to leave the resort because everything we required was within the resort for our enjoyment.

What we like is the personal touch from all the staff. The manager would always stop when running up and down to ask how we are doing and if everything is fine? If the manager does not stop the porters or anybody that walked past us would greet and smile. The warmth was an experience, such that the very few shortcomings were insignificant. Service is what counts in this industry and if they carry on with this attitudes we will come back again and again!

Room Tip: “Ambassadorial suites very stylish and spacious!!!”

– Piro S., Lagos Nigeria


A Future Without Worries#ItBeginsToday

Get in touch with us today.

[email protected] www.palpensions.com/mypal

Tomorrow's success begins with today's commitments. Together, we can build the future of your dreams.

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THE RIL EXPERIENCE

resource Intermediaries limited (rIl) is a Corporate organization with a very enviable Corporate Governance and operational

structure. I am a pioneer staff of the company and from my vantage position seen great benefits accrued from the practice of staff inclusion in practically all decisions and activities. The Company has evolved over the nine years of operation from a seemingly new entrant into the outsourcing space to becoming an outsourcing brand of repute.

Getting INVOLVED – The rIl experience by Ade Awonaike

one of our success factors over the years is management’s commitment to getting all staff involved in all spheres of the organization’s activities riding on the company’s culture of Freedom and responsibility.

rIl initiated and has been organizing the outsourcingexpo, since 2012, as an exhibition/seminar to bring all parties in the outsourcing profession ranging from Providers, users and Advisors together

under one umbrella, to discuss new initiatives and world best practices. our staff are all involved in the organization from the mobilization of participants, to the identification of exhibitors, venue, event planning and eventual total success of the day.

The rIl platform has created amongst staff an uncommon bonding channel with staff being very visibly present at all colleagues’ personal functions, ranging from Weddings to birthdays, to babies’ Christening and


42 | | 43

One of our success factors over the years is Management’s commitment to getting all Staff involved in all spheres of the organization’s activities riding on the company’s culture of Freedom and Responsibility.

THE RIL EXPERIENCE

many more.

I can recollect when we had a new mandate during the yuletide to be delivered immediately after the holidays. We had staff volunteering to get involved including those whose primary responsibilities weren’t affected. We had staff deployed to various regions of the country on Christmas and new year days just to get the job done as requested by the client.

A cursory look of staff at work could present a relatively loose and laissez- faire work culture but at closer scrutiny, one would observe that the environment is exerting and demanding while creating an enabling environment for staff to discover their strengths and develop same for collective corporate goal. line supervisors take charge of their department and groups interdepartmental consultations, communications from and to executive management is fluid and effective. This platform enhances decision making and rIl’s capacity to respond to market demands and opportunities promptly.

We have had setbacks with this business model as staff sometimes get it wrong while trying to get things done. What we have done in such instances is to appraise the situation, analyze the issues without apportioning blames or castigating but identifying errors made. This approach improves staff ’s confidence with decision making without fear of unnecessary reprimand. In today’s corporate world, it is in the interest of the organization to have a crop of staff that understands its business model and can proactively contribute to making necessary changes and face future challenges. Companies should also be willing to create the enabling environment that encourages staff to speak out and get involved not a system that discourages staff contribution and ideas.

successes recorded in the company’s performance over the years can be attributed to this style of management practice as members of staff express themselves differently in pursuit of the corporate goal.A company that does not innovate these days would not thrive. At rIl, innovations have come up from even very junior officers because of the liberalization of idea

gathering and the encouragement given to of all staff to use their discretion freely when faced with opportunities and challenges.

We believe that our culture of ‘Freedom and responsibility’ allows us even better opportunities to express our brand elements of being a ‘Flexible, resourceful & Knowledgeable’ Company. We are a brand to watch out for in the Global outsourcing space.

Ade Awonaike is a graduate of Economics with specialty in Finance and Credit from Kharkov State University Ukraine. Ade has worked in different Managerial Capacities for so many years prior to joining Resource Intermediaries Limited in 2006. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) RIL Nigeria and also a Non-Executive Director of Resource Intermediaries (Ghana) Limited.


44 | | 45

accountable. I recall the fuel subsidy row in nigeria in January 2012 and the robust engagement of the public. As popular as the general indignation to the revelations was, there was still the challenge of knowledge of the workings of the subsidy regime and the requisite data about the financial implications. In more mature democracies, there would be institutes founded and funded on an independent and non-governmental basis that would provide credible data on the issues at hand. The public row that greeted the 2012 fuel subsidy revelation shows the power of such collective concerns, which quickly coalesce to trigger an outcome that speaks to solutions, social good and wellbeing. The down side to the example given above is that this was more of an ad-hoc reaction, than one that is organized and institutionalized.

However, it is safe to say that the preponderance of charitable ventures lie in the social service sphere and can range from issues that touch lives directly such as health and education to others like the environment and animal rights.

Irrespective of the social cause, the symbolic benefit of collective involvement can be quite powerful in lending credence and credibility to the push for an outcome that guarantees the enthronement or preservation of a state of good for the objects of the cause.

The symbolic dimension of getting involved starts from the individual and is usually a personal decision. It establishes a moral soul for the cause from a personal perspective. However, the personal barrier is crossed eventually as the very notion of involvement leads to collaboration directly or indirectly with other individuals with like moral soul for the cause.

The second dimension of involvement in social charity causes relates to actually resourcing the cause. Charities almost always require financial resources to meet the objectives of the cause. This is in addition to other skills and competences, which may be contributed to deliver the desired outcome. of course, this provides opportunities for individual and corporate bodies to get involved in a tangible manner. The resourcing structure of many charities provides opportunities for involvement in terms of regular contributions to fund their

activities. This approach provides a more stable and sustainable financial base for the cause. I support a charity in the united Kingdom devoted to the containment of a particularly stubborn medical ailment by donating a fixed sum of money on a monthly basis. For my long-term involvement in this cause, I get a monthly report via email about the activities of the charity and the latest updates and development in the search for a permanent medical solution to the ailment. some charities also provide opportunities for the direct contribution of relevant skills in aid of the cause. A good example is the “doctors Without borders”

It is important to note that there are individual benefits for getting involved. I once heard an awardee at a graduation ceremony say that the reason he supports the faculty through endowments was for personal selfish reasons. That staggered me for a while until he went ahead to clarify that what he meant was the immense psychological satisfaction that getting involved through his financial support provides for him. The feeling of exhilaration comes from the knowledge that you are actually playing a role that alleviates a problem or challenge. of being an agent of blessing to lives some of whom you may never know or have the privilege of meeting and knowing that your involvement is making a difference in creating some good in those situations, which otherwise may have been hopeless.

Personally, I serve as a mentor in the Fate Foundation, a cause designed to provide mentorship for young and aspiring entrepreneurs. Although the extreme personal satisfaction (and yes, sometimes pride) I get from seeing young business minded men and women achieve their dreams as a result of my being involved with them as a mentor was not the original reason I volunteered for the program, I cannot deny the fact that it is all the same a very gratifying feeling and has become a motivation of sort for me.

cont'd from page 10

I currently head a charity known as “Parents Without borders”. As the name implies it is a group that provides mentorship for boys and girls who are remanded in correctional centers. The objective of the group is to help re-track the lives of the boys and girls many of whom lack functional parental care and attention, to hope in a life of possibilities and positive accomplishment. A life beyond the limitations of the circumstance of birth. A life that is equipped with the wherewithal including education and vocational training, and spiritual development and fortitude to face the challenges of life and win.

Human beings are created to show empathy. That’s one of our distinguishing emotional attributes. The ability to feel for others is a God given grace that readily finds expression through devotion to causes of charity with benefits beyond self. It is no wonder then that the concept of social responsibility, individual and corporate is finally getting the attention it deserves.

MANAGEMENT 101

ARTICLE46 |


becoming the norm. When we settle for second best we get below standard quality and results. I am a firm believer of striving for excellence in everything we do, as being the stepping stone for elevation, success and future rewards. I go by my personal values and beliefs that form a direction and guidance in my decisions, thoughts and ideas.

In society today you cannot make it alone you literally need the gains to go round for you to step up to the next level. unless you have a pot of good luck success is hard work there are no short cuts. It is time we all recognize the impact of acts of disrespect, disregard and discontentment as it influences both professional and personal situations.

Skribble: Being a respectable citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a leader per excellence who we believe intends to leave behind a legacy, how have you gotten younger people involved in your message of nation building and hope?

Janet: (laughter) Well what a nice compliment, for me a legacy is something I believe everyone should endeavor to pursue. It is for our younger generation who will steer the ship tomorrow. trends are fast changing as the capacity to earn is at our finger tips. Knowledge is power there is no excuse to be found wanting. What our young six year olds know in this day and age surpasses all understanding. our youths need to step up to the game and be in charge of their destiny. At all times, we have a choice to have a good attitude and open the way for great opportunities or a bad attitude and let potential opportunities pass us by, either way you have that singular choice.

I currently run a Graduate leadership & life skills bootcamp to help young graduates, management trainees, new entrants frontline client service, sales and marketing staff as well as job seekers develop essential professional and personal savvy skills in order to create that competitive edge. We cover areas including confidence building, impactful networking, communication dynamics, conversation skills, body language and positioning, powerful and positive first impressions and lots more.

let me leave you with a few of my favorite quotes:

"Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot" - Clarence Thomas, "Your skills get you in the door, your people skills are what can seal the deal" - Peter Post "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered you will never grow" -Ralph Waldo Emerson.

“People are like diamonds with rough edges, it is only when they are polished will others pay their true value”

Skribble: A very interesting initiative by you is “Etiquette with Janet” on radio, how were you able to pull this through?

Janet: simply divine favour! I am truly happy when I am told by people how much they are able to learn and the impact it has had on their lives. That is what it is all about adding value. It is always nice to know that there are regular listeners of the program “etiquette With Janet” on Classic Fm 97.3 and beat 99.9 Fm.

Skribble: What is your motivating and driving force because there would have been times when you felt you were not doing enough or you feel like throwing in the towel, what keeps you going?

Janet: Passion! Passion!! Passion!!! for what I do and no turning back. unlike an exam there is no question of throwing in the towel because I believe I still have a lot to offer.

Working as an entrepreneur is so much harder than working in a corporate organization since you call all the shot. The environment is quite harsh with so much to contend with but above all you need to learn to adapt to every situation, make the most of your circumstance with an open mind ready for constant change.

Skribble: What words on marble can you with our readers as regards getting involved?

Janet: The world is evolving every minute, every day, standards and competition are becoming increasingly stiff. There is a predominance of a growing multi-generational gap, with more choice consumers, brand-eccentric buyers and the explosion of first class fluctuating fashion trends, it is a case of time waits for no one. It is important to do that which is relevant to be able to build, maintain and sustain relationships. everybody should make it a mission to get in involved in their homes, institutions, organizations, community, society and even the world at large. Quietly or boldly make your mark. build your intellect, Follow your dream, execute your vision and live your best life.

Skribble: Thank You for your time and God bless you.

Janet: once again a big thank you to you toyin and toyin (laughter) for this privilege. I have enjoyed our chat. Keep up the good work and God bless you.

cont'd from page 37


48 |

you’re busy. We all are. The average working class individual in the 21st Century is an acrobat, upwardly mobile on the

career ladder as we try to juggle family (kids, spouse, parents, siblings), academics (you’re still gunning after that mbA and the other one dozen short courses) and our faith (rehearsals, services, events). I need not belabor you with details you already know.

The 21st century presents the working class with more challenges than any other generation because of the explosion of information, freedom of communication etc.

Therefore it is a grave travesty when individuals living and working in this day

STaYINg INVOLVeD WITH YOUr aPPS:10 Apps to Keep You Productive at Work and at Home

and age don’t manage their lives by taking advantage of tools available in this jet generation.

I’m talking about technology and the case in point is the way we use mobile devices, phones and tabs in particular.

All the average individual does with their devices is Call text email bbm browse Facebook WhatsApp linda Ikeji(For the gist savvy)

This is so nineteen ninety-nine (1999)…you Are undermInInG your

deVICe's CAPAbIlIty! Grossly!! And you need to stop right now!!!

If you use an android or Ios device, you have access to at least 1 million apps. That‘s a lot. Apps that many means your device has got limitless capabilities.

This write up highlight apps that help you stay productive at work and at home, whether it’s making lists or reading stuff, they will help you strike a great work-life balance and help you stay involved with all the stuff that really matters. They’re all free too.


| 49

UTILITIeS

wunderlist After over a year of searching for a good todo list app, Wunderlist has solved most of my list creation needs. Wunderlist allows you to create folders where you can keep different lists and set reminders to manage the different areas of your life, your work todo, your shopping list, vacation plans etc. It’s also great for sharing and collaboration, i.e. members of a team or people that work together can share tasks and monitor progress using it e.g tasks can be delegated to members of the team with that app and the progress of those tasks can be updated. your lists are also available across all your devices, PC, tab, Phone.Available on : iOS, Android and Windows App Store

evernote Great, multiple award winning note taking app. This app helps you take notes and access them across all your device platforms- Phone, tab, PC. It’s also got some cool features like including photos in your notes plus a bunch of other stuff. sign in with 1 user name across your devices and the address you copied off the internet yesterday on your laptop is readable on your phone without any transfers.Available on : iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry OS 10

Swiftkey (Keyboard) This highly intuitive keyboard experience saves you time. A lot of it! Forget the default keyboard and the others, swiftkey is where it’s at! This keyboard learns your frequently used words automatically and has one of the most intelligent prediction systems ever, the more you type, the more it will likely predict what you want to type next. It suggests your contacts and colleagues last names, phone numbers, email addresses etc. It also allows you to sync across your multiple android, Windows and ios devices such that you have an identical typing experience when typing on any of your phone(s) and tabs. As if that wasn’t enough, you CAn sWyPe! Available on : iOS, Android and Windows App Store

Pocket This has to be my single most important utility. It helps me store stories, news,

articles, pictures and videos I come across online such that I can view them later without visiting the same web page. The internet is a maze of information and information is only as useful to how well it can be referred to. With this app, I have my own personal library (almost 2,000 web pages strong over the last 2 years). The beauty of it is that it plugs into all your browsers and readers and you can pull pages and content from wherever you’re reading from to read or view later. you can also download the articles so they are available when you’re not connected to the internet.Available on : iOS, Android, Available as ‘pstpwn’ on Windows App Store, ‘Mnemonia’ for Blackberry OS 10

readers, Note Takers and Office Suites

feedly If you read (which you should by the way), this app is a life saver. This is a news reader that sources content from rss feeds and blogs. This tool extracts different stories from your favourite websites and blogs of choice and instead of having to visit the 1 dozen sites and blogs, Feedly brings everything together in one viewing and from 1 app. It also saves you time and data you would otherwise spend visiting the websites/blogs and waiting for their pages to load. For instance I’m subscribed to entrepreneur.com, The Verge, Cnnmoney, muscle and Fitness, businessday. during the day, Feedly serves me fresh content from these sites as they are uploaded, all in one viewing and via one app. you can also use the ‘Pocket’ app described above to save stuff to view later.Available on : iOS, Android, Try ‘Readiy’ on Windows App Store and ‘gNewsReader’ on Blackberry OS 10.

Kingsoft office Suite This is a pretty decent office suite (beats all the other free and even some paid for office suites in my humble opinion). It essentially handles all your office files (Word, excel, Powerpoint). It allows you to save to .pdf and you CAn Also sAVe to your onlIne drIVe (Google drive, one drive, drop box etc). It also presents your documents just as seen on PC.Available on : iOS, Android and Blackberry OS 10

Adobe reader ®

yes, the very inventors of the PdF format have their app available for download. While there are a host of other PdF readers out there, Adobe ® reader is still the number one PdF handler. It allows commenting and very decent annotation on PdF’s so you can highlight, underline etc. It’s also got ‘night mode’ to improve visibility and conserve battery at night.Available on : iOS, Android, Windows and Black Berry OS 10

SOme mOre UTILITIeS

opera max most of us know their browser, but opera has this fantastic app that helps reduce the amount of data your android device guzzles every month. still in the beta phase (i.e. they are still testing it) and technically ‘not available in our region yet’, this app helps you shave off some valuable mb’s of data by compressing your pictures and some other stuff. While I don’t like the fact that it makes the quality of the photos I view on my bbm, browser drop, if yo u’re into data management, this might be your thing. It also has the added advantage of blocking some apps from your data altogether, plus it tells you per time which app is most guilty of zapping your precious internet plan.Available on : Android

VLC Player The cone player is out on mobile and yes it plays all the formats like it does on PC ( ‘mp4’,’flv’, ‘mkv’ and the many others we’ve never heard of ).

Available on : iOS, Android, Windows and Black Berry OS 10

Xender ever heard of Flash share? Well if your device doesn’t come with the greatest app sharing tool in the history of modern man, don’t despair. Xender will do you a lot of good. Works pretty much the same way as Flash share, i.e. it allows you to share apps (this means you can copy the apps on your friends phone/tab) between android devices using the Wi-Fi on both devices. so it’s not only neat and tidy, its super-fast. It works with devices that also have Flash share or Xender installed and you can also transfer files of any sort and size (Pictures, movies and music)Available on : Android


by seun Aina-scott


50 |

Wisemen Apparel

Wisemen Apparel is the leading men's boutique in nigeria with high quality branded formal and casual collections ranging from Italian to replica coach handbags

british designs at affordable prices. We retail suits, shoes and other accessories for distinguished gentlemen. Wisemen brand was conceived and actualised by Ade Adeboye in 2004. His idea was borne out of frustration of excessive distributed poor quality formal and casual menswear collections in nigeria. This gap created an inspiration and desire to launch a high quality fashion and affordable men’s boutique to rival anything on the market as at that time and for the future.

Presently in nigeria Wisemen Apparel is the main and/or exclusive retailer of a number of brands in suits, shoes and accessories. We are direct buyers from diverse manufacturers. our brands include Without Prejudice, William Hunt, Circle of Gentlemen, Profuomo , Churches shoes, rodrigo , Prada, rodolfo Zenganrini, moreschi, moschino, stemar, messori, Cesare Paciotti, d&G, baldinini, Pollini, Vanni, etro, Armani, Florentino, Versace, Gucci, Zampiere, lagerfield and our own brand (Wisemen).

The brand was officially launched in october 2004 at Ikoyi lagos nigeria. The Company later added two more stores in lagos with an outlet store at silverbird Galleria which was created for clearing out last season stock. We have two sores in Abuja and one store in Port Harcourt. We are working on extending our reach to other states to reach a wider range of clientele. At Wisemen Apparel we just don’t clothe men but distinguished Individuals and Confident Gentlemen.

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THE RIL ACADEMY

THe rIl ACAdemy is the Capacity building arm of resource Intermediaries limited, where we offer training with a difference. our

facilitators are seasoned professionals in their various fields with over 50 years of cumulative experience. on our faculty is a John C. maxwell leadership certified trainer. At the rIl Academy, we are determined to raise leaders that will impact their immediate environment and the nation as a whole. We are accredited by the Center for management development (Cmd), the national regulatory body for trainings in nigeria. our training facilitations are not limited to nigeria as we also organize trainings outside the shores of nigeria depending on the preference of our clients. At the rIl Academy, we offer soft skill trainings like emotional Intelligence, sales and marketing, leadership, Customer service, Personal effectiveness and lots more. We proffer solutions to the training needs of organisations by customizing

organisation's trainings to fit the immediate needs and challenges of the organisations. The rIl Finishing school is an integral part of The rIl Academy that trains fresh school graduates on basic soft skills in preparation for the job market. It was discovered that most graduates from nigerian tertiary institutions lack what it takes to make them attractive to employers. Also, in a bid to encourage entrepreneurship amongst the youths, graduates of the Finishing school qualify to compete for a n0.5 million (Five Hundred Thousand naira) grant by submitting excellent business plans for review and defend same in front of practicing successful entrepreneurs. There have been 4 grant winners since inception. For more information on how you or your organisation can benefit from our rIl Academy's Capacity building, call tutu on 0805-641-9074 or email training@resourceintermediaries.org.www.resourceintermediaries.org/training.html [email protected]

Award Ceremonies for the 4th & 5th Winners of the 0.5 Million Naira RIL Entrepreneurial Grant

Pix 1: L – R; Deborah Akinosho (2nd Grant Winner), Ido Ohiwerei (Director; Resource Intermediaries Limited), Tosin Fagbola (1st Grant Winner), Betty Egbuna (Pan African University), Olayemi Gabriel Ogunnaike (4th Grant Winner), Oluwatosin Mary Oguntuga (5th Grant Winner), Alex Okoh (Chairman Resource Intermediaries Limited), Olusoji Oyawoye (MD/CEO: Resource Intermediaries Limited), Oluwatoyin Olanrewaju (3rd Grant Winner)

Pix 2: L – R; Olusoji Oyawoye (MD/CEO: Resource Intermediaries Limited), Betty Egbuna (Pan African University) Oluwatosin Mary Oguntuga (5th Grant Winner), Alex Okoh (Chairman; Resource Intermediaries Limited)

Pix 3: L – R; Betty Egbuna (Pan African University), Olayemi Gabriel Ogunnaike (4th Grant Winner), Alex Okoh (Chairman Resource Intermediaries Limited)

2

3

1


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A Free Publication of Resource Intermediaries LimitedVol. 8 Issue 1 | January - June 2015

ISSN 2141 3355

kribibibbbleNEW INNOVATION AND ITS DANCE

WITH MODERNITY

INNOVATION, THE RIL EXPERIENCE

DEVELOPING AN INNOVATIVE VALUE

PROPOSITION

ARTICLES THE EBOLA VIRUS... EXAMPLE

28 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER

SAY TO YOUR BOSS

WHERE GREAT MINDS MEET - ACCRA

INTERVIEWS DR. FELIX OHIWEREI

KUNLE AFOLAYAN

EVENT THE 2ND RIL PREMIER LEAGUE

Innovation Dr. Felix Ohiwerei

Skribble | Vol. 8 | Issue 1 INN

OVAT

ION

Like fine wine, we are getting better and better...

To advertise: [email protected] Tel: +234 803 428 6624

Seen&HeardrIL eVeNTS

tAmIlore FoWoWe - rIl lagos

oluWAFIrePemI KAyode- rIl lagos

mr & mrs. AbdulmeJId- mainstreet bank dekina branch

mr. & mrs. IlesAnmI- Gtbank

mr. & mrs. Adeleye - rIl lagos

mr & mrs. bAnGurA AbdullAHI

- Ashford & mc Guire

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mr & mrs. PAul oboH- Accion microfinance bank

rIl Ghana staff at the burial of dorcas beeko-mangesi’s (middle) father

WHERE GREAT MINDS MEET

professional services of the hotels’ multilingual staff and doorman. In addition there is library, gift shop/newsstand and garden at the hotel.

Here are some of the reviews by some of the great minds that have used the hotel, courtesy trip Advisor.

WHERE GREAT MINDS MEET56|


| 57

The Moorhouse

the moorhouse is a luxurious 4 star hotel located in the heart of the Ikoyi residential district at 1 bankole oki street, Ikoyi lagos nigeria. The hotel boasts 94 fully equipped, air-conditioned bedrooms and suites, a cigar bar, mbar, mbar Garden, four meeting rooms

plus a boardroom, swimming pool and fitness facilities.

The general ambience of the hotel is warm, inviting and ideal for meetings in any of the conference rooms, generous lounges, and garden or pool area. no wonder great minds meet here routinely.

Hotel customers are offered several room facilities such as a minibar, blackout drapes/curtains and desk in the rooms. Guests of the hotel may request a rollaway bed. bathroom amenities include designer toiletries, bathrobes, shower/tub combination and hair dryer. The in-room entertainment facilities at this welcoming hotel include satellite television service and premium television channel(s). Internet connection options: Guests are sure to appreciate wireless high-speed Internet access (complimentary) and wireless Internet access.

The Food options are wide and sumptuous. Guests benefit from the

“best Kept Secret”I went there for a meeting with an old classmate visiting from the uK. needless to say, he was blown away by the calm serenity of the place … we had a meeting by the pool, with the background of breeze blowing through the palms, drinks with ice clinking and yet we were 12 minutes away from the next meeting! – Alero r, lagos, nigeria

“great Hotel”This was my first visit to nigeria, and I was not sure what to expect, but this hotel was excellent, the staff were all very friendly and helpful. The room was clean, they even offer free ironing service which is great for business travellers. – mark F, Wrexham, united Kingdom

“ideal Location for meetings”We had our three day pre incorporation strategy retreat in the hotel in may 2006. The environment was so conducive and helpful in crafting the strategies that have since seen our business take a leadership position in nigeria. The hotel presents a serene, professional ambiance with great staff that were always ready to make our stay memorable. strongly recommended for conferences, strategy sessions and meetings in general.

– Olusoji O, Resource Intermediaries Limited

Children@Work

OLUWAFIREPEMI MARy-ESTHER KAyODE ART WORK

(2 months)

58 |

CHIBUIKE ONONIWU(5 years old)


ILERIOLUWA AyOOLA (4 years old)

IKENNA EGEMOLE (5 years old)

GANIU ABDUL MOJEED (5 years old)

TAMILORE FOWOWE (6 Months Old)

CHILDREN AT WORK | 59


LeTTer TO DaDFrom an 11 Year old BoY who leFt home For the First time

Good morning dad,

i miss you so much and that is why i want to tell you about my school.

lifeforte international high school is a school where God comes first. Lifefortians are very nice to you if you also are fair. lifefortians pray to God several times during each day and they also work hard so they can succeed and excel.

I am doing fine in Lifeforte but there are some things about the school that i have to get used to. First, there are seniors here and i need to learn how to relate politely with them.

secondly, there are lots of insects everywhere especially outdoors and at night. Uncle david has helped me take care of this and i am able to bear it now.

i am getting along well now with my school work and i know for sure that in six years, i'll be as smart as a computer.

Your son,adeoluwa awonaike

my boarding School experiencemy name is solabomi adeboyejo and i am 11 years old. i started Boarding school in straitgate College, isara-remo, ogun state from Grade 7, in september, 2014. At first, it was hard because i could not do all my chores fast enough and leave the hostel early to meet early classes.

i had to wash my clothes, iron them and all of that and it was taking a lot of my time. i could not even call my parents and my sister because i was always busy.

i also found it hard because, at first, I did not have friends amongst my mates and seniors, but i now have several friends among my mates and seniors. in my class, my best of friends are Chidi and Chika. among my seniors, some of my friends are norman, anwuli, tope, George and daniel.

even though i am enjoying the boarding school life now, i still don’t understand some things, like the security and once in a while snakes have entered the hostel. some seniors have also told us stories of how they have seen snakes in the hostels before and nothing has still been done about this.

i like the boarding school because it is teaching me how to take care of myself and manage my things properly. i think it is also preparing us for the future.

thank you.

OLAMIPOSI ADEBOyEJO(8 years old)

MOFARAMOLUWA ADEKOyA(6 years old)

FEyISAyO ETIKERENTSE(5 years old)

INTERVIEW


sKrIbble: Thank You for this rare opportunity to interview you, knowing you are a very busy person with several ongoing Projects.

oC uKeJe: The pleasure is mine considering the pedigree of skribble magazine and its promoter resource Intermediaries limited.

sKrIbble: Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What is your background?

oC uKeJe: I was born in orile Iganmu in lagos which is not one of the finest areas going by current standards, but my siblings and I happen to have been shielded by our parents.

Growing up was full of mixed experiences and related mixed feelings I have to say. I really enjoyed those times we had the opportunity to play with the friends we were allowed to play with every now and then. but that did not last very long because I went to a boarding house (Federal Government College lagos, Ijanikin) and then decided at some point the kind of life I desired; things were generally difficult and one can only hope for the best in such

A Peek into oC ukeje’s world

circumstances.

At the point when I left secondary school shortly after my dad passed, I knew that the one thing I was good at was singing. I had been part of the music team and the choir while I was in secondary school.

sKrIbble: What made you get into Show business?

oC uKeJe: Honestly I think show business chose me because the conscious decision to do show business came in my third year at the university of lagos. I had been singing in The rock Foundation mission (trF) fellowship. We had a lot of concerts and I did a lot of work where I did a bit of dancing but more singing. In the process I joined a theatre group that was doing stage plays and that went on for four years.

Through that period I realized with the help of the person who was in charge of the organization then – rhythm of a black man that this was what was perfect for me. I recall him saying to me “The combination of the acting, the singing and the good looks makes you a communicator and I think this is where you should pitch your tent”. At the

time, I was still trying to figure my life out to know exactly what I wanted to do.

by my fourth year, the issue was finding out how to cross into mainstream showbiz. Thankfully when I graduated from the university of lagos I did a reality tV show and from then on, show business just chose me.

sKrIbble: Can you tell us about your love for acting and how you decided that acting should be your main focus as opposed to music and modelling?

oC uKeJe: Well, my love for acting was something that grew and the reason is because when I was initially told to act in this play by trF, I did not want to. I asked for the script to see what role I was to play but the person in charge at the time Ik osakiodua, insisted that I auditioned. I did and I got the part and everyone was like “oh! you did a good job”. As I began to get more accolades, I realized that I might actually be good at this thing. so for me starting off, I was just doing the acting and thankfully the positive feedback rolled in.At the time music was still my focus but I was just doing the acting because I had the

60 | INTERVIEW


opportunity to do it but music was all I was breaking my back to do at that time.

on the set of my first movie, I was talking to the director Izu ojukwu and said to him that I am at this point of confusion as I really wanted to do music but the acting was picking up and I had done so many stage plays that put my face on posters. I had just won Amstel malta box office (Ambo) award plus some money and a brand new car at that time and I was labelled an actor. Izu told me to ride the wave of the one that was taking me higher and that just felt like perfect insight. I decided to run with the acting with the thought to pursue music when the time comes in the back of my head.

sKrIbble: Have you written any songs yet?

oC uKeJe: I have written a lot of songs and played with some on the radio courtesy the benefits of friends who are on Air Personalities. I have done some jingles and worked on a Christmas Album for Gtb last year. I was also a backup singer for the mtn album some years back.

sKrIbble: From winning the reality TV show Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) to becoming a global multiple award-winning actor, how would you describe the transformation?

oC uKeJe: I would say that transformation has been steady because the idea of progressive growth is a lot better than that of sudden combustion, which is what you generally find in the business of today. A lot of people are looking for either the hit song or how to become popular by this movie or that but I have come to appreciate that entire transitory process because I have seen that everything was happening for specific reasons. I am glad that it has taken I dare say this long, although some people think I just showed up in 2012 or 2008 depending on when people first saw me.

sKrIbble: Would you describe yourself as a different actor from the regular Nollywood actor?

oC uKeJe: I don’t know if I would describe myself as a different actor but here is the thing everyone that is an actor has a unique thing they bring to the table. What makes me stand out is that I have continued to do the things I was doing before I became somebody that is recognised.

There are certain ethics that makes a good

actor. It is one thing to be acclaimed as a good actor and another to have the ethics that make you disciplined in the craft. I know there are some actors that people don’t work with anymore because of their ethics. Character and ethics is becoming increasingly important for production houses in the selection of whom they work with.

sKrIbble: How do you get your inspiration? Is it by happenings around you, spiritual or terrestrial or just daring to be different?

oC uKeJe: Fundamentally, there is a spiritual background which has guided everything that I have done from the get go. However it is also important to note that the connection between the spiritual and the physical is equally important. The things that happen around me, people’s lives, day to day activities all contribute in one way or the other to inspire me.

sKrIbble: Of all the internationally recognized acts that you have worked with, which has inspired you the most?

oC uKeJe: I would say Chiwetele ejiofor and this is because I have not seen anyone as focused while on set. We didn’t even get an opportunity to chat while working, he is extremely committed and zoned in while working and that is inspiring. While on set, there is usually a lot of loose time and people like to fool around but with Chiwetele ejiofor it was different. The guy had no time for anything other than the business of the day.

sKrIbble: What film festivals have you been featured and how would you rate your international recognition?

oC uKeJe: my international recognition is building up. It is just gaining traction and I am glad about that. As far as festivals are concerned, I have been featured in quite a number; African Film Festival in new york, nollywood Week Film Festival in Paris, durban Film Festival in south Africa, berlin Film Festival in berlin, The Africa International Film Festival in nigeria, london Film Festival, toronto international Film Festival etc.

sKrIbble: Any awards over the years for your contribution to the film industry?

oC uKeJe: I have to give kudos to my very first award, The African movie Academy Award in 2008 which opened all the doors. African magic Viewer’s Choice Awards followed in 2012 and 2014. others since then are City People Awards, nollywood entertainment Awards, Ghana movie Awards etc.

sKrIbble: Tell us a personal experience on how an innovative idea has paved the way for you and made you a reference point in the Nigerian Film industry?

oC uKeJe: As far as it goes with innovation outside of acting itself, I am only about to start to do the things I really want to do and I wish I could talk about them in detail but I cannot. I can assure you that one of the things myself and a couple of friends are trying to do in the industry will

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INTERVIEW62 |

stand out as one of the innovative things we will do because the business needs structure and some of us the younger ones are realizing that we need to key in now and get the structure going so that we can standardize and regulate in relation to what is happening around the international scenes. This is so that we can say that this is actually a business and not something you happened upon or we did by chance.

I find it weird that some of my colleagues don’t take time to look at scripts from a realistic point of view and the only basis of judgment is whether they like it or not and then money.

I would pick up a script and look at every scene from a realistic point and let the director know how I think we can make it better which has gotten me into situations where people think I am trying to take over the script where as I am just want us to make a better movie that people can believe. This is not innovation but standard practice all around the world.

sKrIbble: Now, who is your mentor and your motivator? Who do you look up to not just in the film industry but also in life?

oC uKeJe: The mentor box is still left unchecked but I have had people who I have looked up to and two of them who are not in the industry would be sola olubi and Ayo otuyalo who had been two people who went through my journey while I was trying to find my footing. They would spend time with me; sola olubi was pretty much always positive and Ayo otuyalo was the voice behind my left ear most times. one of them is in the banking sector while the other in oil and Gas but we are not so in

touch now.

In the business generally, it would be Ik osakodua because the journey and trajectory that his own life has taken as an entertainer especially because I have worked with him from the university of lagos while we were in The rock Foundation mission Campus Fellowship. We have pretty much done the same thing we have been doing from way back till now, the chances he took from crossing over from advertising to being who he is. We are very much in touch, about two days ago I reached out to him for some information and advice.

sKrIbble: Do you think the film industry in Nigeria is contributing to the GDP of the country?

oC uKeJe: It is definitely contributing but the problem is that we cannot adequately document the contribution because of the lack of structure and accountability. However in recent times production houses are going by the books and it is becoming easier to track.

sKrIbble: What advice do you have for young people coming behind you who look up to you as a role model and are interested in acting?

oC uKeJe: I honor noncommittal and off handed invitations I get to speak in schools and gatherings because I am who I am and I can give back to the society. specifically, there are a ton of people who I meet and interact with on a daily basis who have intentions to be actors but have the wrong ideas of it; let’s be famous, let’s take selfies, let’s make money etc.

It is my responsibility to get their heads in

the right place and offer guidance.

It is difficult to keep up with all of these as an individual especially because I am still charting my own course but as much as I can contribute to those who want to have their heads strait I do, sometimes they want me to perform miracles and it makes it difficult to get through to them but I try.

We are now developing something that we call, “my own child” that gives back to the society.

my advice is for them to get as much knowledge of themselves in the season that they are in their life because you never really know who you are completely which will inform your next decisions in life. This process will help you know if you should be pursuing acting at all or be someone else

sKrIbble: What are you doing personally to change the wrong perception of Nollywood as industry both locally and internationally?

oC uKeJe: First of all, change is a constant thing. The way the movie industry is evolving around the world is remarkable and we are light years behind the steps they have accomplished and the world is still advancing. so I find it funny when people think being innovative is a problem. There are standards of film making all over the world; look through the script; change the title etc. just to bring some level of sanity.

sKrIbble: Once again, we thank you for the unique opportunity to talk with you.

oC uKeJe: The pleasure really is mine. Thank you for having me.

THE CONDUCTOR | 63


during the 2015 elections, nigerians collectively got involved in choosing their own destinies by voting out an incumbent government

for the first time in history.

Analyzing the voting patterns, it was clear that majority of voters were between the ages of 18 and 35 years. young nigerians mobilized on the streets but also used social media and entertainment platforms to express their ideas. This paradigm shift in voter involvement therefore raises new questions about what young people want. traditional mantras like “change” or “transformation agenda” may no longer suffice for an increasingly conscious youth population, who have to endure the shenanigans of spending four or more years in a university and remaining unemployed, accepting menial jobs, being harassed by police for bribes without committing any crime, being unable to access healthcare although politicians and pastors are flying abroad in their private jets , or being displaced from your community by rampaging boko Haram bandits who kidnap your women.

young nigerians would like their leaders to create equal opportunities for everybody, irrespective of class, ethnicity, religion, gender or age. For now, because they live in a rent-seeking economy, young people’s opportunities are tied to who they know, what they have or where they come from. living in an unequal society can result in severe outcomes including unemployment, poverty, sickness and death. Close to 70 percent of Africa's population is aged below 25 years, making it the youngest continent in the world. by 2020, the median age will be 43 in europe, 38 in China and just 20 years in Africa. numbering half a billion, this army of young people can either be a liability or an asset to their countries. They can either be conscripted into child armies, terror groups and rebel movements or be empowered as Africa’s future entrepreneurs.

A good place to get involved is the agriculture sector. According to mcKinsey, four African economic sectors will produce $2.5 trillion in annual revenue from 2010 to 2018: consumer ($520 billion); agriculture ($220 billion); infrastructure ($130 billion);

Getting involved with the future of Nigeria’s youthby Ayo Adene

commodities ($110 billion). Three cities of dakar (senegal), Ibadan (nigeria), Kano (nigeria) and rabat (morocco) will develop markets worth more than $10 billion by 2020. Africa has 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land. Are we already thinking of equipping our youth population with the skills they need to take advantage of the emerging agricultural market? Currently, Africa’s financial losses after harvest average us$4 billion every year, enough to feed around 48 million people. In fact, Africa’s share of the global agricultural market is a mere 2 percent although Africa has the potential to supply some 60 percent of the world's food needs and Africa’s agro-businesses are projected to be a us$1 trillion industry.

How can we get involved in agriculture? For instance, thousands of nigerian youths

pass through the national youth service Corps every year, not doing much whereas they could be otherwise engaged in paid large-scale mechanized farming internships. As of 2014, only 2 percent of Africa’s graduates are employed in agriculture. An army of self-employed agro-business men and women could diversify into food processing, pharmaceuticals and the retail sector, proving that government does not need to directly create employment for everyone. For now, Africa accounts for 14 percent of the world's population, but has only about 3 percent of the world's skilled human resources. In fact, there are about 133 million young people, or over 50 percent of the youth population in Africa, who lack formal education. This means that although Africa is set to have 1 in 5 of the planet’s young people by 2040, it still presents the highest proportion of uneducated youth in the world. let’s get involved by educating our growing youth army, and turn them into a multi-billion naira economic asset. We’ve done it in nollywood and the music industry. now it’s time to do it the agro-industrial sector.

The 50 years from the civil war till 2015 which it took nigerians to vote out an incumbent government is called generational change. It was a response to economic and social injustice perpetrated by successions of selfish leadership. As martin luther king once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” let’s get involved in raising the consciousness of our youth and preparing them for the next big wave of opportunities. In the words of nigeria’s national anthem, if we help our youths to attain great heights, we can build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.

Ayo Adene’s latest curiosity is how to be free from binary thinking. “Sometimes the answer to life’s questions is neither this nor that, but somewhere in between. We must learn to think in continuums.” That’s probably why instead of choosing Medicine or Surgery, Ayo eventually took the less conventional path of trying to solve diverse human development challenges, ranging from strengthening treatment programs to financing health systems in Africa.

Young Nigerians would like their leaders to create

equal opportunities for everybody,

irrespective of class, ethnicity, religion,

gender or age.

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but while you might look like the perfect couple from the inside, for many, this is a day that brings bittersweet emotions.

Why can’t it always be like this? Are we just going through the motion? Why do romantic gestures feel like such an effort when, at the beginning, we were constantly doing thoughtful little things for each other?

And that nagging questions: can you ever recapture the spark when you’ve been together for decades?

but I can reassure you that it’s entirely possible. How do I know? because I’ve spent 30 years as a marital therapist helping couples deal with the complexities of love. I’ve also written 15 books on the subject.

In this life-changing series I’m going to show how you can transform your relationship – whether you have been married for 30 years or three, and whether you want to prefect what’s already good or feel you and your partner are dangerously out of touch.

I’ve got lots of practical advice – road-tested by the 3,000-plus clients I’ve helped in my career – and skills that will not only stop your love being worn down by the grind of daily living, but deepen your bond and keep that valentine’s feeling long past February 14.

today, I’ll be tackling the problem that’s at the root of all the unhappiness I see. We know how love starts, but have only a hazy idea of what to expect next, so we don’t know how to cope as our relationship inevitably changes and evolves.

understand this process – and the state of health of your own relationship right now-

How To Fall In Love With Your Other Half - all over again!

and you can fall back in love all over again.

SiX StAgeS of LoVe

relAtIonsHIPs go through six specific stages and understanding them is the key,

because if love is to last, it needs something different at each one.

Whether you’ve been together since you were teenagers, or met later in life, your relationship will go through the same stages

From time to time you make a special effort – you buy each other presents and cards, dress up and enjoy a special meal.


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(though second time around the middle stages are shorter). It’s well worth reading them all, however, as they contain useful tips to apply to any stage of your relationship.

1. bLeNDiNg (from six to 18 months)

This is a magical time when it feels like you’re walking on air, can’t think of anything but your beloved and even his or her failings or endearing. Psychologists call this ‘limerence,’ or infatuated love, and it’s not just in your head. research has shown this emotional high is caused by chemical changes in the body. by scanning the brains of those in the first flush of love, neuroscientists have found that bonding hormones, such as oxytocin and dopamine, are at their height during this stage.

to put this in context, researchers bar-Ilan university, Israel, found oxytocin levels were double for new couples compared with singles. However, the seeds of later problems can be sown now because any differences between the two of you are overlooked as you become one couple.

If there is a row, it feels like the end of the world because unlike settled couples, you’ve no experience of falling out and then making up together.

mY ADViCe: Those starting a new relationship later in life probably feel like teenagers again, which is exciting, but it’s likely you also feel vulnerable.

To give you confidence to overcome disputes, it helps to think back to the first year of past relationship, remember what you argued about and how you solved those problems. Even if you have been married for decades, you can still get a boost of infatuation – although it lasts for a much shorter time – when you kiss and forgive after a serious argument.

Remember that nothing can be solved if you don’t talk about it, and that making up again brings back the sweetness of stage one love.

2. NeStiNg (18 months to three years)

InFAtuAted love is beginning to wear off, but there’s still enough for you to want to hitch your destiny to a comparative stranger. And for most people, this feels

more comfortable after the almost manic love in stage.

sexual desire moves from something constant to a more settled level. you’re aware of life beyond the bedroom and creating a home together becomes the new way to express your love.

long-term tracking by the university of texas suggest 18 months to three years is the optimum courtship period before a happy marriage.

mY ADViCe: For those at this stage, if your partner is unsure about a deeper commitment, it’s important to listen to their fears.

But rather than trying to reassure or reason,

ask: ‘what makes you feel like that? The more they open up, the more they will suit their own fears and become less entrenched.

If you’ve been married for years, it’s still helpful to look back to the nesting stage because the seed for resentment today could have been planted then.

When you first moved in together, you probably automatically copied what your mother and father did round the house. Take a fresh look at who does what and whether this still work for you both today. It’s a non-judgmental way of exploring whether the domestic chores are split fairly.

3. SeLf-AffirmiNg (third or fourth year)

A uK poll of 3,000 engaged or married couples found the average length between first meeting and accepting a proposal is two years and 11 months, so most couples get married during this stage.

While formally cementing your relationship, it’s likely that you’re now feeling confident enough about it to enjoy separate activities again. not only is it natural for individual traits and habits re-emerge, but the long-term health of your marriage demands it. If you don’t express your personal needs, you risk resenting your partner or feeling controlled.

However, it’s really hard to balance your needs and the relationship’s needs.

sometimes couples think the inevitable rows mean their love is doomed, but

Remember that nothing can be solved if you

don’t talk about it, and that

making up again brings back the

sweetness of stage one love.


By Andrew G. Marshall for the Daily Mail

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accepting the reality (rather than trying to change each other into your image of the perfect partner) is vital for a successful long-term relationship.

mY ADViCe: However long you’ve been together, I can’t stress enough the important of arguing effectively. It is the most important skill I teach my clients. Without it, you are likely to fall into one of four negative behavior patterns that researchers at the University of Washington identified as giving a 90 percent likelihood of divorce. These are: defensiveness, stonewalling, emotional withdrawal and contempt.

So instead of agreeing of what your partner

wants for an easy life (being passive) or demanding what you want (domineering), you’re aiming for assertiveness where both of your needs are recognized.

I sum it up by using this mantra: I can ask, you can say no and we can negotiate.’ (In other words, compromise, or trade something you want for something your partner wants).

If you find it hard not to give in and please your partner, take a couple of deep breaths and say ‘Maybe’ rather than ‘yes’ and keep talking.

4. CoLLAborAtiNg (fifth to 14th year)

This is the stage when you’re likely to use the sense of security from being in a settled relationship to take on a big project.

It could be a career change, going back to college or simply exploring new interests. Alternatively, the project can be a joint one,

such as starting a family.

When it comes to later-life couples, I’ve met those who’ve jointly launched a business or renovated a cottage, or many do a lot of travelling together. This has the potential to be a very positive period in your marriage because of the support you offer each other and because the excitement and freshness generated is brought back into relationship and shared.

mY ADViCe: While it’s often an exciting time, this is also the hardest wrapped up in an outside project on your own, you start to neglect your partner.

It’s no coincidence that the average length of a failed marriage in the UK is 11.3 years. It sounds obvious, but so many people simply forget to include their other halves.

Many of the wives I’ve counseled have been involved in the PTA at their children’s schools, and I encourage the men to pitch in, too, for example by offering to run the barbecue at fete. Simple, yes, but it works.

I’ve also had brave women who agreed to ride pillion on their husband’s motorcycling adventures. One even traveled through Peru and Bolivia like this!

5. ADAPtiNg (15 to 25 years)

This is a stage of two extremes. It’s likely you’re adapting to challenges thrown at you – such as children leaving home or ageing parents – rather than coping with changes in the relationship. This can leave little space

in our lives for partners or for fun.

but it can also be a time of sexual awakening.

many women find the menopause liberates them as the risk of pregnancy is gone, and caring less what other people think can make you more honest about your needs in the bedroom.

mY ADViCe: It’s important to break old habits and open yourself up to new experiences.

Start with something easy, such as swapping places round the kitchen table. How does it feel to sit in your partner’s seat?

Many also have ‘their’ chairs from where they watch TV. When I quiz couples, I’m surprised by how few sit on the sofa together.

Lie in each other’s arms in the evenings instead of being marooned in separate spaces. Make love in a room in your home where you’ve never done it before. Go to bed an hour earlier. Choose an activity you haven’t done for ages, such as going for a swim together.

At the end of a month of doing things differently, have a 30-minute discussion about what you liked or didn’t like, then decide what activities to keep and plan more adventures.

6 reNewiNg (25 years plus)

older couples can be the most romantic. It’s like blending, but while the first stage is based on the promise of a lifetime together, renewing draws on the reality of ageing and the strength that comes from defeating obstacles.

you may also feel a shared sense of achievement in raising a family and pride in your grandchildren.

but it is easy to be overwhelmed by other people’s demands, particularly for childcare or from grown-up children who have boomeranged back home.

Therefore, it is important to be able to say no and keep back enough energy for doing something exciting together.

mY ADViCe: Draw on past memories by going back to places that were romantically significant, get out your wedding photos and watch holiday videos. Recalling happy times with your partner will give you a warm feeling however long you’ve been together.

Source: Daily Mail UK Saturday 14th February, 2015


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This Is How We Play


THIS IS HOW WE PLAY


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Skribble | Vol. 8 | Issue 2 | 2015 Skribble | Vol. 8 | Issue 2 | 2015


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“We at enterprise bank heartily congratulate rIl on her 9th Anniversary. your professionalism and excellent customer service has kept you endeared to your customers all these years. We wish you continue to grow in leaps and bounds even as you celebrate nine years of excellence and success”.

- Enterprise Bank Ltd rIl the life CHAnGer. The 3 day seminar was like a 4 year course in the university. As the 4th Grant Winner, my life has never remained the same as I am also giving back to the society through the help of God and that of rIl. rIl will forever flourish.

- Olayemi Ogunnaike

rIl means so much to a man like me. Thank God for giving me the opportunity to be a member of the Family.

- Osawere Patrick Omokhefe

Happy Anniversary to a reputable organization and the entire team that has made it to become what it is today, an enviable name in the outsourcing industry. I identify with the successes recorded in the 9 years of existence and I want to encourage all to keep the flag flying. Congratulations to all!!!

- Folake Morakinyo Adesanya

Congratulations to our big Partner rIl. - Sam Oyemade

"Wao! you guys are family, congrats to you all. Here is wishing you many more fruitful years.

- Peju Kassim Akande for Radi8

Congratulations rIl on his laudable anniversary. We are proud to be associated with you.

- Jibike Owoyomi, GTConnect one of the most outstanding companies in outsourcing today, with all the restrictions and bad economy you have beaten all odds and still standing strong. Kudos to the management and staff for taking up the challenge to take the company to where it is.

– Busayo Kosoko There are companies that set the yardstick of what ideal compaines should be and I make bold to say that rIl is in that realm. Happy birthday rIl. The sky is just the starting point.

- Ejike Agwuegbo

riL @9 gooDwiLL meSSAgeS


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KNOTTY THOUGHTSKNOTTY THOUGHTS78 |


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on a sunday morning, after the 2015 Presidential elections, Kunle calls me to ask about my whereabout and I reply, “I’m at home.”

He drops the call and calls back again to let me know he is in my hood.

All I do is scream, “WHAt!!!” And I’m like, “What hood? Where exactly are you?”

Trapped

And he says “I’m at your junction.” I hadn’t taken my bath, hadn’t brushed my teeth, I didn’t quite believe him and neither did I want to take any chances but I hurriedly rush out of my house in a pair of jeans and top, looking a bit disheveled. I met him at the junction in his car smiling innocently, and then, we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes.

seeing a gap in our greetings, he persists, “I am coming to your house to eat” and without a thought I said no!!!” followed by a “let’s look for a restaurant to eat instead”. We had an argument over him going to my house or not, while I maintained my stand. He said he wasn’t comfortable with open places so I told him let us go to where he had in mind. so I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the ride. We got to a place called Q-lounge, somewhere in the suburb of lagos. We got there without any hassle and were ushered into the place. We sat for a moment and ordered for food. I requested for rice and grilled chicken while he chose whatever I went with. Just before our meal arrived, I tried to start a conversation and it appeared my friend wasn’t really ready to have a chit chat with me. He seemed interested in something else. luckily for me, the waiter brings in food and just so I could snap him out of his thoughts I was the first to say, “let’s eat!!” He made several attempts to feed me. seeing his overtures, I told him, “I’m

not quite familiar with this mushy ideas” looking surprised, he shakes his head and said, “you are just a tomboy”And I said, “yes! “Proudly so” Kunle stops eating the food and lays his eyes on me in a seductive way. At that exact moment, I knew I was in for it. He moves closer wraps and hugs me trying to kiss me. truth be told, I had craved for a hug for

months before that day, but while I wanted the hug, the kiss was something I could do without. And so while he was busy trying to put his hands everywhere they could reach. blocking his overtures again, I try to discuss works matters and dissuade him, I said “I don’t kiss and my goodness, not in a coded place where you don’t know who knows you… my reputation was much at stake for me.”

Thankfully, my logic side overcame my emotions. All things mushy suddenly came to an end and we finally concluded on some work matters. With the events of that sunday morning, I still hoped to get a favorable response from the Company where Kunle worked. Kunle and I had met at a boardroom meeting where I proposed an innovative idea on how they would attract a new target segment they had challenges with. While I made the presentation, I observed he defended all I said. I wondered who he was and why this guy defended me. later that afternoon, I thanked him on my way out and thought that was the end.******* He dropped me off at my junction and says the words “I love you” and I repeated them back to him verbatim. The funny thing about the words “I love you” for me is, I use those words frequently to people. so it came as a shock when he said those words I said to myself, if he meant something else with those words, then o.y.o is his case! Very often I think we need to use words that communicate love to ourselves so we are not

caught in the euphoria of words that people say to us but don’t mean them. I get home to that rush of loneliness

and I look around me taking in what just happened? I look at what other professional dudes and career ladies just walk into with hopes of business friendship and it turns out that the other party doesn’t want same. I remember praying over my supposed friendship with Kunle that the purpose why we met should be fulfilled. As at that time, I wasn’t seeing any purpose in what I walked

into. Perhaps, what struck me most was either what transpired between us was going to be over or would continue. I guess the decision depended on me. The funny thing was he didn’t even call and I felt bad about the other girls who has gone through more than what I went through that the guy didn’t even call to ask how they were feeling. While all the mushy stuff was going on I make bold to say that I told him "if we met again in the boardroom I don’t know you" and the guy was shocked! As humans, we have got to move on despite the ordeals we face even when it is painful. your self esteem must not be affected because you got into some things you didn’t like. life happens and we have got to get involved with ourselves first before any other.

take note: You have a goldmine inside of you that needs to be cherished. Protect your rich self!* real names and location withheld

ADEWUNMI OSHODI-TAPA is the founding partner of Young & Cerebral, a movement for communicating and expressing passion. She hosts a weekly programme on Saturdays @10am on Unilag 103.1FM, where, through the collaboration of Thought leaders, Inventors and Innovators, she transforms and touches the lives of her audience for better. When she isn’t talking, she assumes her role as a social entrepreneur, ensuring that young people aged 18-26, be the best versions of themselves by initiating programs that can increase their effectiveness. She is a passionate yet reluctant writer as well as lover of adventure.

Your self esteem must not be

affected because you got into

somethings you didn’t like. Life happens and we have got to get involved with ourselves first

before any other.

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RIL E-Learning For RIL Staff Platform for Self Development

Visit: http://www.rilelearning.org

Resource Intermediaries Limited...easing business burdens

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S S A M U E L H A H N E M A N N S D G T U y I O H A J

E U T A Z R E E C V O I B T A Q N B A E R y T O U T O

E I O B H U I I O P P R T H G N M M L E I S B O T R H

R L I O K C O N R A D Z U S E I E H B A I K O J N C A

P B J K I L V R O B E R T K O C H N E A M I U y M R N

P U y N B C X I Z L y O I K J N y O R E D F U I O I N

I R T y U I O C P V B N M S D F T D T E E D T H N S E

L P Z T R E H H C I R N I E H O N I E T M N B X Z T G

I H H I M O T F H E R E C T N O y U I R O E T y N I U

H C N V C A Q O H L H K y N V E D P N W O H U I U A T

P I G I U J N C J M E C H H U I B N S E R E A W H N E

A R E E R y I K y U I H C I O P O K T F B U I H B B N

T N U U N F M E R E N I F U I M B U E O M E R T N U B

S I D A R M N B y U R D E R T L E V I S T R A U S S E

V E B U N O M E L D I R V I A S L E N M N B E D E C R

y H T I O P W B E J C K L I I L M E B E D I N B H H G

U R R E G K M I N O H I J T F E U N H U C V R I U M J

A E O P E P R L M B G O P E R T N U M F V E R U R A Q

I T U J M F O I U T O J I H B O I U N M L P L O I N U

P E N M L I R O L L B E T U I G D E N U T O D X Q N Z

L P O R C V O I K M E M I L B E R L I N E R D O U I T

y U A D E R E B T E L F O D E F B A B I R y U U H E N

N K M E R H U I O Z U y I L E S E I D F L O D U R N E

W E E B E N E R I y P J K E D Q R y C U T N R E K L B

E F A F E B N I U R T F J O P y M O I C V K U N R E A

R F B J K L I B N U F E L I X H O F F M A N N E T A T

E R T H N M U I K L M W B E y O I U y P N M U G E T T

W V D E T E M K I H N E D C U V T R F E R J H T U I T

T U N I S H U y M N E R B I O M R N M T Q E H E B V I

N I A H O N O V S N A H N V B R E E T E R Q W E H G L

Q A S W S D E B H U G O J U N K E R S E H J I U N D E

O T T O L I L I E N T H A L V B J D E K J E L C N U H

25 GREAT INVENTORS IN HISTORY WHO GOT INVOLVED…

1. Heinrich Hertz 2. Johannes Gutenberg 3. Albert Einstein 4. Rudolf Diesel 5. Peter Henlein 6. Karl Friedrich von Drais 7. Philipp Reis

8. Robert Koch 9. Gottlieb Daimler 10. Konrad Zuse 11. Melitta Bentz 12. Otto Lilienthal 13. Hugo Junkers 14. Felix Hoffmann

15. Artur Fischer 16. Hans von Ohain 17. Heinrich Göbel 18. Samuel Hahnemann 19. Heinrich Focke 20. Levi Strauss 21. Otto Hahn

22. Christian Buschmann 23. Emil Berliner 24. Rudolf Hell 25. Fritz Pfleumer

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