I am an incurable optimist when it comes to Nigeria. Somehow, I believe that most of us are good people but normally spiced by bad people as is common with even the so called sane state. But thinking deeply; I guess things are worse than we want to believe. There is an urgent need for re-thinking and if we want to erase the label of a failed state which we carry whether we like it or not, then we need to act.

I am not a believer in staying away from Nigeria and that is because I understand the fact that home is the best. You can never be totally free in another man’s country. For example, I can easily register a company in Nigeria and do business if I have the right conditions (a story for another day). In other countries, I will most likely need to have a local as partner before I can do business even if I don’t need their funds or intellectual contribution. But analysing this, it might actually make more sense to do that than start a business in the Nigeria of today.

Perhaps, the only strong point we have is our huge population that ensures patronage even when giving crap services. The cabals who have decided never to make Nigeria work are relentless in their efforts. It is as if they have sworn to an oath to totally destroy our nation. Funny thing is that these people are led by sheer greed and the drive to secure the future of their children and generations to come. The fool thinks he will be alive tomorrow, he who keeps his life will definitely lose it. But I guess they are not meant to even think.

Our fundamentals are greatly flawed. The purpose of having a system of government is such that confusions do not arise. In Nigeria, our claim is that we practise federalism. But it is obvious that we don’t. Federalism ensures each state has first right to their wealth and governance. The centre is only meant to unite the country and have some common front. The Yorubas know that the meaningful developments in that region till date were accomplished during the Western Regional Government when we had true autonomy. Our Cocoa was enough to build us the UCH , NTA, Liberty Stadium, Cocoa House, University of Ife (Africa’s most beautiful campus) as well as other landmarks. Point to a great edifice we have gained from the flawed logic of federation we have been practising after that. Almost none.

Our politicians are not prepared to do the right things and that is because of their love for money and power. If we start practicing true federalism; their gold pot -Oil will mostly be available to the Niger Delta. But in being greedy and despondent; there arises even worse consequences. I have said that the only real solution to the power problem is to grant each state autonomy to generate power. Nigeria is a very big country and it makes no sense that an agency of government as epileptic as PHCN could solve our problems. Kwara State has played politics to another level and I think other states should ask Bukola Saraki how we was able to convince the Federal Government to implement the Ganmo Power plant which has ensured stable electricity supply for their state. As far as I know, that is the state industries should be moving to now in Nigeria.

It is very clear that some powerful people do not want electricity supply to work in Nigeria. These are the fifth columnists who import diesel and generators. They are the power brokers and are supported by corrupt people in the private sector too. Imagine how much diesel is used by the GSM companies in Nigeria daily to power their base stations. It is also known that top guns of some companies using diesel make a lot of money by inflating the price per litre. Now, will they be happy for normalcy to return? I guess no.

We are a very funny people and we are selective in our remembrance. How can we not understand a simple principle called cause and effect? Coca Cola has only 2 concentrate plants in Africa – one in Nigeria and the other in Swaziland. Swaziland is a country of just about a Million people while Nigeria as more than 140 Million but guess where a plant is closing? Nigeria of course, due to power problems as well as a tense business environment. Now, those thinking of getting jobs should wake up to reality – the jobs will be getting scarce per day. Where is Dunlop, where is Michelin, where are the car factories, even chocolate. They are nowhere to be found. Ghana is claiming them in droves and I won’t be surprised if Coca-Cola moves there. You are jubiliating about the Glo Marine 1; please don’t celebrate yet. Where is the power go with it or it will just run on its own? How will data centres work when there is no electricity?

Must we all lose hope before we know things have totally gone bad? Today I woke up with bad news again. An assistant news editor (Politics) with Guardian News – Bayo Ohu was brutally killed in his home yesterday in Egbeda Lagos. Notice the keyword – politics. 2011 is here, many politicians are embroiled in a lot of saga but they want to be back by all means. The killings have started. How long will this continue and will our children ever be proud of their country? I guess the answers are obvious but it is not a done deal as I know that we are almost nearing the brick wall and then hope arises.

No one person can help us. We cannot get a leader who will be a lone voice in the wilderness leading us to salvation. Every man has to be serious about salvaging Nigeria out of these shackles. We must be prepared to rise up and take action. Look around and count the number of graduates around you looking for jobs. Check your inbox and tell me you have not received an email from Interswitch recently asking you to divulge your ATM details. Tell me you are happy with the noise coming from the numerous I Pass My Neighbour around your house. Tell me the sticky and acidic airs you breathe are good for you. Life expectancy is reducing everyday due to stress level, bad roads and the likes.

You are asking me what we can do. I think it starts from our minds. From the little things we do in our private corners. From the way we treat our colleagues and family. From the little bribe you just collected or paid. And then we graduate to the level of enlightening others to rise for change. Swaying one or two votes in the next elections. Talking to our fathers and mothers, siblings and friends about the need for change. I am doing that. Are you? Change starts with you!

If there is any country that can claim to be very blessed, Nigeria qualifies. No one can dispute the fact that we have a lot to thank God for – natural resources in abundance, great agricultural lands, intelligent citizens, nice climate, etc. But it seems most of these things are more of a curse to us than blessings considering the suffering and total hopelessness exhibited by most of the populace.

Some people tend to think that our problems are ethnic in nature but we all know that each ethnic tribe has fifth columnists who seem to have made up their mind to plunder the Nigerian state to non-existent. It is a very emotional side of me writing this post early on a Monday morning. Events have proven that if we are not careful – the house which has already fallen will totally be annihilated!

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo forced a relatively unknown governor (Outside his Katsina State and environs) on 140 Million people in 2007 to become our President; some of us knew we were heading for the same dance of shame. A lot of people were happy that an incorruptible governor was coming into power but I bet we now know that Nigerians need more than that. A president who comes into office through a flawed electoral process can never rule us with the conscience required of such a leader. It is also a fact that his election came with a price – he dined with the Iboris of this world so how can we prove his innocence?

Let’s look at his performance in more than 26 months in power. Electricity which is the major problem we thought his government was going to solve is worse now. The panels he constituted to probe past power projects are all dead and the noise is no more resounding. Now, his 7 points agenda are more like a puppet show than a reality. We all have doubts that they will ever come true and can you blame a pessimistic Nigerian or a Naija woman/man? Nopes.

Form everything I have seen of this man; he is more stubborn than OBJ and he has proved it because he is tending towards being worse than military heads of state when it comes to human feelings. It is on record that President Umar Musa Yar Adua has not offered the government and people of Lagos State a condolence message after the Atlas Cove Jetty disaster. Something makes me think he shares the thoughts of Jomo Gbomo when he said that the attack was on a Federal Government property and not aimed at Lagos State.

Now to think that the same President wrote a letter to the Lagos State government ordering them to revert back to the 20 local government format says much of the kind of leader or let’s say Boss he is. That was very untimely and it is times like these when he makes such decisions that I question if Mr. Segun Adeniyi is truly his aide or just one of his play things in Aso Rock. When Yar Adua appointed Adeniyi, we were so happy that to some extent; the level of decisions taken at the top would have some sanity but we have been proved wrong on all sides. I remember the cerebral column on the back page of This Day every Thursday that ensured some of us scrambling for a copy of the newspaper. I remember a man we missed when he decided to join government but I also remember we were happy that we are missing him to perform better at a more advanced stage but I guess that was a wish. Don’t get me wrong, we all know Yar Adua might not even listen to people like Adeniyi but then his continuous stay negates the personality we know if his advise is being ignored. I choose to believe that Adeniyi is not happy with most of the decisions or am I wrong?

Just a few days ago, the governors of the Niger Delta region openly dared Yar Adua about the amnesty deal and the quack decision of the FG on PTI Effurun Warri / Kaduna school. One begins to wonder how the mind of our President works? How can he pretend to be committed to the Niger Delta peace process and in the same breath make such blatant decisions? It beats me. Remember also that he calls our bluff at all times. He doesn’t see anything wrong in having his Ministers of finance, Finance Advisers and the CBN all coming from one part of the country.

This is not a Yar Adua bashing exercise. It is actually a bashing exercise for all political post holders who are destroying our nation. The shameless brats who I can liken to the proverbial bastard – the one who uses the left hand to describe his father’s house. I also liken them to murderers, yeah because the blood of those who die on our coffin roads, bad hospitals and even in some cases – poverty will cry on their head.
I think we should be tired of their acts by now when we see a few silver linings like Fashola and the other few fiscally responsible state governors.

Right now, the global economic meltdown is biting deep into our country. Jobs are being lost. None are created. Each successive NYSC set is like an addition of more jobless youths into the polity. The banks that used to be the biggest employers have cut down on their recruitment processes. Telecommunication was seen as an untouchable sector but that has been proved wrong. Oil companies were never big employers of labour and it will get worse now that the Niger Delta agitation is on a higher pedestal with operation Moses (God save us from the plagues). Oil production is down to about a quarter of our capacity and it is all looking very bad.

I am one very optimistic Nigerian but I guess today is a day for telling the truth and preparing our minds for what is to come. I cannot see an end to our travails with the bunch of comic acts who call themselves leaders. Leadership is not a small word that can be used by the jokers we have in power from the ministries to LG to States and federal governments. Though the cloud looks thick but I know that all hope is not lost. It will just need some commitments and hard work from us all.

We have a vibrant generation that can turn things around. The era of sidon look has finished. The countries we used to run to a la United Kingdom, USA, etc are managing their resources now and are giving the good jobs to home boys regardless of the foreigners capabilities and qualifications. Ask our young people who just finished MBAs in top business schools around the world. It used to be a gate for automatic entrance into the wonderful 6-figure dollar salary but now the story has majorly changed as the stimulus package granted to the organizations that used to recruit such talents mandated they recruit Omo-Oniles. So, home will be the best to come back to. Now, can we all afford to leave things the way they are? Where our roads are death traps, health care non-existent? Unemployment rife, strikes everywhere, generator wars? I guess no. We deserve a better Nigeria.

I know you hate politics but love a good life. So, I am imploring that for the first time since you turned 18 – realize you are key to evolving the Nigeria of your dream. I cringe when I think that we might have the same set of politicians coming back in 2011. I am afraid when I think that this looting will continue for decades. And I will blame the young brainy Nigerian who sees no faults in the way things are just because of his/her comfortable salary which is rubbished by the environment he/she passes through everyday and even ‘cos that job is no longer safe.

I am young and I am proudly Nigerian. My parents understand that my age has nothing to do with my sensibility. I can sway them and their friends if I have the right words. I know that the 18-40 age bracket has a lot to do in the next elections starting from when the voters register opens. We need a class action to get things going. There is a group of young people already talking about registering a new political party with sound ideologies. I have committed myself to finish a research I started on how the Republican, Democratic, Labor and Conservative parties evolved which shows them as ideological bodies unlike our own baba-suwe likened parties in Nigeria and most of Africa. If you think you can join me in this research so we can help the party that is going to be registered to have a firm footing and not turn into a joke – mail me : me@ayooladejo.com.

I am going to beg you all. We have a part to play in the national rebirth. I want my kids to comfortably live and enjoy in their country. I want to see my people enjoy a good life. I am tired of the nonsense and I know you are. But can we turn this anger into a productive edge? That is the question raging in my head. If we call you to action, would you answer? Can you stop being pessimistic and see that WE CAN for a moment? If yes, we will know when you answer the clarion call.

It was TIME magazines edition of May 11 2009, a special edition to intimate us with the 100 most influential people in the World. Though it is based on parameters defined by the most famous news magazine in the world but we can never fault the integrity of the process as they have made their name.

I glanced at the names of the 100 that are shaping the destinies of our fragile world. I saw some names that were always going to be there – Obama, Oprah, Michelle, Hillary, twitter guys and other big wigs. I also saw some names for the first time – Norah al-Faiz; the first female minister in Saudi Arabia, Lang Lang, classical musician and a host of others. TIME made sure controversies arise by including the name of the villain and criminal – Bernie Madoff – I concur he deserves a mention as his deeds have thrown thousands into eternal financial damnation. Goes to show influence has two sides, positive and negative.

All that did not move me as much as a name and the citation that went with it. Rick Warren is a well respected church leader in the USA. He is also known to be courted in the corridors of power and he is highly respected. I still remember that debate he conducted for the American presidential election between Obama and McCain. He is also known as the author of the bestseller – purpose driven church. So it was a great honor seeing that this wonderful man was chosen to write the citation for one of the best influences of our time – Paul Kagame. What he wrote about Kagame moved me so much that I decided it must be echoed. Please read it in his own words as published by TIME magazines.

Paul Kagame

Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, is the face of emerging African leadership. His reconciliation strategy, management model, empowerment of women in leadership and insistence on self-reliance are transforming a failed state into one with a bright future.

Kagame, 51, is one of few leaders who have successfully modeled the transition from soldier to statesman. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the world watched in horror but did nothing. Kagame was responsible for ending the slaughter. After the genocide, the nation was in shambles. Kagame and others began the slow process of rebuilding. That process moved into hyperdrive when he was elected President in 2000. He launched a series of reforms and reconciliation strategies that have caught the attention of investors worldwide.

Kagame’s leadership has a number of uncommon characteristics. One is his willingness to listen to and learn from those who oppose him. When journalist Stephen Kinzer was writing a biography of Kagame, the President gave him a list of his critics and suggested that Kinzer could discover what he was really like by interviewing them. Only a humble yet confident leader would do that. Then there is Kagame’s zero tolerance for corruption. Rwanda is one of the few countries where I’ve never been asked for a bribe. Any government worker caught engaging in corruption is publicly exposed and dealt with. That is a model for the entire country — and the rest of the world too.

Culled from www.time.com

If you are not impressed by this citation, then something is wrong. His leadership style is now touted as being worthy of emulation to the whole world. His listing in the TIME 100 is not the only attestation to his good works. Our own Dr. Reuben Abati was also in Rwanda recently and he confirmed the fact that the country looks no close to the one that was in genocide a few years ago. That is the hallmark of good leadership.

I am going somewhere with this and I will make it clear just now. It is shameful that the simple principles used by this leader eludes many African countries. An American mentioned that Rwanda is one of the few countries where he has never being asked for bribe. This same man of God has traveled widely to other European countries I guess. When are we going to stop making excuses for our sloppy governance? If any country should be in self pity mode, it should be Rwanda.

I am of the opinion that our leaders are a shameless bunch and I hope they read good magazines like TIME to confirm their ineffectiveness and comic dispositions. Kagame is a good breath of fresh air for those of us who believe in the African dream. At least we have a reference point and a beacon of hope to the younger generation. I challenge every young person aspiring to change the stereotype associated with Africa to have a rethink and follow the footstep of this wonderful man. History has a way of remembering everything no matter how covered. We still remember with disdain the memories of the Mobutus, Idi Amins, Abachas and all other despots who turned our continent to a looting ground.

We also remember with pride men of honor like Nkrumah, Sankara, Awolowo and all others who despite their flaws still had a good contribution to the emancipation of the black man. There is no more excuse for bad leadership and corruption – Kagame was a soldier like Obasanjo. This is the time to wake up. Rwanda has limited resources compared to what God has blessed us with. Stories like Kagame’s will go a long way in shaping our thoughts as Africans and make us to demand good deals from the so called leaders.

I must not close this without asking Kagame to remember the likes of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe who started very well but has now led his country to ruins due to the sit tight syndrome. The world will remember Kagame for good for eternity if he evolves a way to avoid this trap so common to African leaders. Then he will attain genuine greatness.

I personally detest mediocrity and celebrate smart workers who I refer to as entrepreneurs even whilst working for organizations that do not belong to them. These people give their best and are constantly renewing their skill sets and their conscience is linked to the fact that as you do to another man’s business; so shall men do unto you too. The Nigerian labor pool is filled with a mixture of flavors of workers.

Government establishments have their big share of redundant workers whose aim for working is to collect their pay cheques at the end of every month. When you have business with most of these people, they do it as if you are asking for a favor and some of them actually act as tin gods in their respective cubicles. To sign a document, you will be surprised to hear that it takes 4 weeks for the file to pass from Office Assistant A to B before it goes to the table of Mama Typist who types the memo attached to it. This then goes to the Secretary’s table where it spends weeks depending on the level of settlement by the subject in concern. The journey to the big Oga’s table is a matter of miracle sometimes because the almighty office boasts of a high record of lost files.

I am not going to commit a fallacy of hasty generalization, hence I must mention that some government workers still understand the meaning of dignity in labor and carry out their duties conscientiously. These are the exceptions to the rule. Sometimes; I try to imagine where it all went wrong but I guess it dates back to periods before my conception though the erosion is a continuous one which gets worse with each generation.

This problem is not limited to government establishments but also in private organizations. When you see an under-performing business, you need to check the people in the organization. When an office is filled with people who do not even understand the reason they are working apart from the need to eke out a living – then the sun is about to set on such organizations. Sadly, most establishment run into this problems sooner or later no matter how well they started.
I wish to share some insights into some factors causing this.

1. Morale
I mentioned that mediocrity in staff behavior is not an exclusive property of government establishments. Mostly, it is linked to low morale of the workers. When people don’t have goals or visions, it is always very hard for them to perform as every day is like the last one. Morale is not necessarily bought by big salaries but can be tied to challenging duties and other incentive to want to work smarter.

2. Monotonous Duties
It is hard to find people who don’t like varieties in the food they eat, activities and even most importantly – their job. Companies make the mistake of keeping a man for years doing the same thing over and over again. Rotating duties seems a sensible way of keeping workers alive to their duties.

3. Unclear Career Path
Most employers are selfish and not really interested in their workers’ career plans and progressions. Those who have such plans are not truthful to the implementation. The few companies where these plans work testify to the effectiveness of such practices and have stood for ages. Wonder why there are not many old Nigerian institutions? It would be sensible to make this an important part of the company policies such that each employee knows what is expected of him and where he will be in years to come if he keeps to it.

4. Hazy Performance Measurements
Organizations have different ways of measuring their employee performance using different terms like KPI, IPF, etc. The bad news is employees think they are very subjective ways of measuring their performance and that their managers cheat them. I bet HR practitioners are yet to understand this part of their job very well and it continues to be a big problem. A situation where companies decide from the start that only a certain percentage must score A and B even before carrying out the assessment does not make any sense and the smart workers of last year who were not favored will definitely have a rethink for the next year.

5. Compensation
This is a big issue especially in the public sector where we have civil servants and teachers. Teachers are the worst hit by this as they have no one to give them any ‘encouragement’ compared to their civil service counterparts who regularly have someone ‘thanking’ them for expediting their files lol. That is corruption and a matter for another day but it all starts from bad compensation packages aka salaries and allowances. Those of us with teaching parents would testify that our first salaries were most likely fatter than theirs after working for decades. Why would you expect so much from them. Sometimes, I wonder how they even managed to take care of us.

6. Motivation Theory
Some of the major motivation theories point out to the fact that some workers would be happy if simple things like understanding the need for self-actualization, responsibility, recognition etc and not only by the salary they are paid. Organizations who learned this secret reaps from it massively because their employees have the feeling of being a part of the growth and are proud of their achievements.

7. Leadership
This is a very important factor. If a permanent secretary resumes in the office at 8.00 am each morning, woe betides any staff who come late. A smart working leader also passes on a good work culture to his subordinates and they tend to follow in his footsteps. The greatest factor to a paradigm shift in the Nigerian work culture and many other problems is leadership.

Organizations are at a defining moment in their existence because they need to keep a dedicated workforce of not many people but efficient ones. Today’s post talks about the role of employers. In my next post, I am going to point to the fact that employees have more to lose by being mediocre in their daily duties.

I originally finished University in January 2001. I said originally because I did not know I was going to stay back for a whole session to do 2 courses. The worst thing I ever imagined, happened to me as it was clear I had an extra year. The painful part was that we lost a year in Ife and so instead of graduating in 99/2000 session; I had to wait till 2001/2002 session which was a big blow to me considering the fact that I had so much planned for the outside world and coupled with the financial state of my family. The events that led to that extra is one I don’t want to put on the Internet now but may come out in a future book as they were not very palatable. I can recollect those events now and be happy because I learned from the setback and I discovered a lot about myself during that extra year in Ife.

When my dad found out about the extra, I envisaged he was going to be mad at me but to my surprise he became very philosophical and said he was very happy it happened. I was disappointed by that line of thought but he clarified it for me by asking if I had ever suffered a setback in my academics. My answer was no and he said that when men go on in life without understanding what it means to falter – it might be dangerous for them. That it is good to learn these lessons early in life and hold on to God so that the future will be better than making the mistakes later in life when the lessons would not matter again. That got me thinking and I decided to make the best use of the situation.

That session was a popular one filled with high profile extras for my friends who ordinarily should not even be part of that phenomenon called ‘extra year’. I eventually stayed with a fellow extra buddy – Niyi whom we go long way back from School of Science Ile-Ife. We have been through a lot together and I consider him more than a friend. So we were together carrying the same burden but with a joint goal of making the best use of the situation. We spent a lot of night toiling, reading and making money on OAU campus. It is of note to mention that we made more money than most of our mates who went for NYSC then. We were involved in Year CD productions, Website designs, Computer Assembly, etc and we lived big. We also paid our school fees and accommodation without collecting money from home and I personally helped my family from those funds we made. He was doing one course – a special elective while I did a course per semester so we had ample time for our runs.

At a point, a friend told me about a job on campus with the Universal Basic Education (UBE). I went with the friend to meet the head of the place and I got the job. I explained to them that I had 3 lectures in a week but they did not mind. That was how I met Prof. Amole and Dr. Mrs Amole of the department of Architecture, OAU Ile-Ife and it was a meeting with destiny as it changed my life and put me on another pedestal. My salary was to be 7,500 naira per month and I still had time for my other runs. The first few weeks, Prof did not know my expertise in computer went beyond the work I was doing for them in tracking the status of the UBE projects on Microsoft Excel and Word. My computer was giving some problems and he kept telling me that a certain man every lecturer in Ife thought was the only one who knew about computers in OAU was going to come and fix it.

One day while he was away; I decided to fix the computer and re-installed the Operating system. When he came back and found out – he was very surprised and asked how I got to know so much about computers. He asked for an invoice as the UBE had to pay for my services but I declined. That was how he took interest in me and started getting me jobs from his friends. I assembled a lot of computers for his friends and helped with some other things. I learned a lot from that couple about hardwork and family life. I remembered they gave me the first opportunity to write a paper in an International journal of a conference that was hosted in Ife. My paper was titled “The development of an e-enabled City”. My paper was accepted and I presented it at the conference marking my first academic paper while doing extra year in the department of Mathematics.

It was in that spirit that I approached Prof about an idea I had for the University’s 40th anniversary in 2002. I envisioned a multimedia CD that would have the history of OAU in a very attractive multimedia format. This CD would have contents like names of all graduates of OAU, landmarks, history, faculties, departments, etc. He got the vision and led me to the head of the 40th anniversary celebrations (Prof Elujoba) who discussed with the Vice-Chancelor (Prof Roger Makanjuola) and it was a hit with him. They requested a proposal from me and I gave it to them in record time. That was how the deal was sealed. It was a dream come true for me not because of the money I was going to make but because a major University like Ife could believe in the dream of a young man like me. At this point, I must remember the commitment of Sola Adebajo nee Sobanjo and Igudia Konyeasua who carried the vision with me when I discussed it with them and whose shoulders the responsibility of ensuring the success of the project weighed on. We eventually produced the CD after I had graduated and the same was sold to all graduates at the next convocation ceremony. The whole process came with a lot of lessons for me in business but that is a matter for another day as I did not make a dime on the project. As I said; it was a fulfilling moment as OAU was the first University in Nigeria to have that kind of CD and I was the first to envision and carry that goal out.

The moral of this is simple … I was disappointed to have to stay back in Ife for a whole year but at the end of it I came out of it a better man, more matured and more learned. My first CV after University was more attractive than some people who graduated years before me as I did a lot during that year. I am tempted to say it was a blessing in disguise. I also know that if we are patient, God will reveal why we had to go through some events in our lives.

I will take a break about the past for now. My blog will go a different route in the coming days. Thanks for following the story.

After reviewing the fact that I was not Assistant Sec Gen of the SUG and that I was a Justice of the Judicial Council which was less time consuming. And looking through my plans and seeing that I would only accomplish them if I was president; I made up my mind at the last minute to become the president of the National Association Of Mathematics Students of Nigeria – NAMSN. That I will say is one of the best decisions I ever made in my life because it brought hope to many and myself inclusive. My choice of career today and my lessons in leadership came from that experience.

The Campaign
In previous years, the president is automatically known from his past activities and commitment to the association. Hence I was the choice but because at that time I did not have interest due to my SUG politics and coupled with the fact that many in the department usually ask me for the best candidate to support during elections; some of my classmates became threatened and wondered why I should be a godfather and not them.
I did not see myself as such but only saw myself as someone bringing fresh air to a department that was known for having very reserved and cautious students. When I eventually decided to run for President after a 400 level student discussed with me about my dreams for the department – I gave in. My initial thought was that I could help whoever became president to realise the goals but I was reminded that might not be possible. A friend of mine decided to run against me evidently supported by some of our classmates. The first thing I did was to write out my plans for the association and used them to campaign.

My Plan
1. To organize the best freshers welcome party in my tenure with a view to making our new students feel welcomed unlike in my own time.
2. To make the best set of souvenirs in the campus for those who pay annual dues. This was to include Prospectus that has never been done before.
3. To start a computer room with our own computers and get connected to the Internet.
4. To continually organize tutorials within the department with the end result of improved academic performance.
5. To bring in professionals for seminars aimed at giving our students an understanding about the viability of Mathematics as a course in the outside world.
6. To make Maths department a jewel in the OAU community where our students are respected
7. To organize the best dinner ever in the history of the department at the tail end of my tenure.

The Election
Many did not believe those plans would ever work especially the computer room thing. Some laughed at me and called me Joseph but I continued preaching the message. The more I repeated the goals, the more I believed in them. The elections came and it was very tough. When the ballots were being counted; at a point I congratulated my opponent and told him he has my supports. I did not know that God was intent on making me the change agent for a lot of people and I did win at last. I won with only 6 votes. The electoral committee chairman made a very strange decision to hand over the ballot papers to me which revealed who voted for me and who did not. I found out that out of about 12 votes from my own 300 level classmates (My association had 3 departments – Mathematics in Faculty of Science, Education Mathematics and Computer Science/Mathematics) – I had 3 votes, my opponent had 7 votes and 2 declined to vote for either of us. Interestingly, I had support from 100 level, 200 level and 400 level students even though I had exams on the election day while my opponent was busy wooing voters at the polling booths.
I made a decision not to any extent use the information of who voted against me to spite anyone but actually empathized with them accepting the fact that I was becoming very popular and they were all older than me. That was how I was sworn in as the President and immediately wrote a letter congratulating my opponent on the good race. He told me later that he was surprised and that I was the best person for the job for doing that.

The Promise
I was now faced with making sure all my promises were kept. Membership of the association was low – just about 150 member from 100 Level to final year. Annual due was about 250 naira which means the best we can get was about 37,500 Naira. How on earth would I be able to accomplish all those goals with this amount. Souvenirs alone was going to cost 20,000 naira. Freshers welcome party almost the same. A computer as at year 2000 at the lowest would cost 75,000 naira. But I knew that God was still there and I was not going to be ashamed. After my swearing, I asked God what I was going to do and he showed me. I wrote a passionate letter to my HOD – Prof Obilade appealing for help. I told him the goal of the association computer room and the benefit it will have on the students. I asked if they can allow us to collect 20 naira each from students registering for Maths courses from other departments. That was a tall order and the reason being that OAU students union frowns against such practices. My letter touched them and they decided to accept but with 2 caveats. We will bear any brunt from the students union and I am responsible for the funds to be used for the purpose it is meant for or I stand to get some disciplinary actions. I accepted responsibilities and that was it.
I then had a meeting with my new executives who were all in my class meaning most of them might be part of those who don’t want me as President . I gave them a moving speech about how we will leave our names in the sands of time and noticed some were still skeptical. But that day, I gave them a taste of my leadership style. We were going for 2nd semester break and will come back to welcome new students and give them packages. The association did not have money to make those souvenirs and I gave them a proposal. We made a list of everything in the package and told each person to take an item. The person will use his/her money to make those items and bring it to school immediately we resume for the new session. The incentive was that we will pay a 20% interest for those items meaning each of them will make money. They just looked at me and conceded I was the right man for the job as they did not think of that and the result was massive — we had all our packages ready from the blast of the new session and they were the best set ever with prospectus. This ensured my first goals were fulfilled and they were also happy.

20 naira palaver
And indeed we started collecting the 20 naira dues. The first few days were without incidences until the SUG was informed. That was the day I understood why I had to involve myself in SUG politics because as soon as they came – it was me they saw. They were surprised and one of them told me he wasn’t happy that a union officer who is supposed to keep the law is breaking it. I told him we are not breaking any law and explained to him that students use our library to read and the money will be used for something that will positively impact the campus. They left saying it is because of me and I was happy they respected my decisions but we reached a compromise to stop after a few days which we did. At the same time; I was discussing with someone to purchase the computer for us. One would think that our members at this point will believe we can do it, but some were just set in their unbelief.

And it came to pass
It was a memorable day for me as the computer landed first in my room as we did not have a secured library ready. News filtered out and many came to see for themselves. It turned out to be true at last. We moved the computer to the library and secured it. The next day I was summoned to see the new HOD – Professor Aregbesola. He was surprised that I kept my promise and asked how he can help us further. I told him we need all the help we can get from the department. He immediately helped us to get connected to the Internet by giving us a letter to the University ISP. That was how we became the first departmental association in the whole of Obafemi Awolowo University to have a computer room and connected to the Internet. That was in year 2000.
We had a launching ceremony/freshers welcome party and it went very well. Lecturers donated about 30,000 naira to us that day as they were very surprised. That night marked the first freshers welcome party in the department where everyone grooved and grooved till late.

Looking back at those days; I just confirm how important it is to ensure dreams come true. My next post will detail the after effect of these achievements on my life as well as others in my department and beyond.

One of the greatest limitations we have in Africa is our ability to be planners and not following through with executing the plans. Yeah, I had lofty plans and I made sure they were carried out to the letter. I was like the youngest in my class and some of my class mates were 7 years older than me but I knew that if my plans were going to come through then I must have a big influence on them and other students in the department and even beyond.

That was when I started getting interested in leadership in the correct way unlike the way politicians practice it. That marked my introduction into the political class of Great Ife. My decisions were based on my values, ideologies and spiritual convictions. I decided I was not going to be like those guys in the violent political movements in Great Ife. I also decided to show them that clean guys can do politics and play it well without resorting to their own ways. My first port of call was at a meeting of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) but after a few weeks, I realized they were all members of a popular political party on Campus called Pacesetters. My political ideology then was that no political movement in Ife was clean, so I stopped attending the CLO meetings. Somehow, my talents showed faster than imagined and I became very confident about myself and what I had to offer. Speaking in front of people became very easy and the articulation was precise .

The SUG elections were coming up and nominations started flowing in. I was in 300 levels and I was advised to seek elections into the Central Executive Council. I thought about it very well and at the end of the day; I conceded. It was one of the most memorable events in my life because I went from an unknown entity in one day to a relatively popular face. That election year was a good one for the Pacesetters as people wanted DSM out. At a point, some Pacesetters wanted me to join them but I was set on being an independent candidate. I contested for the post of Assistant Secretary General and at the end of the day lost to the Pacesetter candidate narrowly, coming second out of 5 candidates and winning some major faculties. That marked my big entrance into the political class because no one thought that a skinny young man from the faculty of Science could do so well against established political parties like DSM, etc. Many thought I was going to come last.

The Student Representative Council which is the legislative arm of the Student Union recognised the feat and for that year ensured I did not lose — I was nominated into the Judicial Council of the Student Union which is the Judicial and 3rd arm of government. I thus became Justice Ayobami Oladejo. My performance at the Judicial Council were notable and a terrain normally reserved for Law Students became a place I conquered. I dealt a lot with Interlocutory injunctions, motion exparte etc .

At this time; I was Secretary General of the my departmental association and many thought I will go ahead to become the president. The elections were near and I thought I did not want it because I was holding a Student Union position. That was when my plans came back to me. I now have some influence and confidence – but would that be enough to carry out those plans? See the plans again.

1. I will ensure my department becomes attractive and respected.
2. I will become a role model.
3. I will encourage my mates and those coming behind to have a high opinion of themselves
4. I will encourage the use of IT to open up a career option they can easily fit in.
5. in doing all these; I will become a leader and put my life on the track to success.

Now my next post will detail how it was done. Keep reading.

My first degree was in Mathematics meaning I have a BSc in Mathematics. My dad has always been in support of decisions I take and he has this unwavering belief in me that sometimes scare me. Some of his friends were very angry with him for allowing his brilliant son to study a course that will lead him to be a teacher in future. The same feeling followed me around in Ife as many share the same thoughts. My opinion then was that I will never be poor so if I love to teach then I will be a rich teacher.
The lecturers in our department did not help matters too as they were not helpful in shaping our thoughts. One would expect them to show us how lucky we were to get admitted into a department like Mathematics but they scared us more by giving us statistics of failure rate in the department and that started from our freshers welcome party. Our seniors in the department were worse culprits as they did not bother to dispel the insinuations and neither did they even understand what they could do with their lives outside the University. Such was the kind of department I was and it was a shame because students of the department I wanted to be (Elect/Elect) were holding their heads up anywhere they went.
Sincerely, my plan was to spend one year in Maths and cross. I even did another JAMB just to ensure I don’t remain in the department after one year. But God knows all and by the time I was in 300 Level … I resigned to fate. By this time, we were less than 10 in my class as the failure rates were predicted rightly. Some also changed courses but the majority actually failed and the reasons were not far fetched. Morale were always low and most if the students don’t understand why they had to work hard because of the uncertainty outside. Hence, they channel their energies to finding ways to change or start afresh in another department/university.
In my 300 Level, I made some personal decisions.
1. I will ensure my department becomes attractive and respected.
2. I will become a role model.
3. I will encourage my mates and those coming behind to have a high opinion of themselves
4. I will encourage the use of IT to open up a career option they can easily fit in.
5. in doing all these; I will become a leader and put my life on the track to success.

In my next post. I will discuss how the goals became plans and then realities.

Bringing this blog back is meant to serve a very important purpose. A journey back to some experiences that shaped my life as well as sharing those things that are influencing me in the present. And also a peek into future activities. My next few posts are going to take a peek back to some of those events and as a project manager – lessons learned is always a big deal for me in any situation. As the popular saying goes – if you lose it, don’t lose the lesson.

My friend Emmanuel Oluwatosin commented on my post Sweet Mother and it made me remember the kind of feeling that came over me the day I went to resume at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. It was a day in April 1997 when I finally resumed at Great Ife. It was not a good time for the family as things were not going on very fine with my dad’s finances. I always had dreams of the big shopping I will do when I am about to resume at varsity but unfortunately; not all dreams come true. It was harder for me ‘cos I was used to having a good life in school judging by the way I lived in secondary school with all the textbooks, food and provisions never lacking. So to my 16 1/2 years self gaining admission to a University was a big deal but the excitement was not complete as the registration money was even hard to come by not to talk of buying baffs and other needs. I had to go back to my former house in School of Science Ile-Ife to pick up my old mattress. Luckily I found it because I had just left the school some months back.
I had about 4 shirts then and looking back to that time — I can only say that God helped me to develop a certain thick skinned mentality as well as an uncommon self worth that was not tied to what I possessed. It was not easy for me because I was not used to very hard life and coupled with my young age; I know it was a miracle I survived because one would expect some big things especially after gaining admission at such a young age. It was almost impossible for me to maximize my potentials in the first few years in school. I practically lived day to day but I made sure my integrity did not get compromised.
It was my 3rd year in University that I finally decided to make the best use of my stay in School and put behind me any disadvantage I had. I also decided to have a very good life so I can ensure a better life for my siblings and parents. That decision was key to a lot of events that happened afterward. I broke out of my traditional shell and involved myself in a lot of activities that my department could not give to me. From my 3rd year and beyond – I decided I was going to be a change agent in a department where some ignorant thought the best we could be after school was teach or lecture. I decided that I was going to bring hope even when my own life was not totally set. I decided to be different. See how in my next post.

I promised to share my insights into the lessons Nigeria as a nation should learn from the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. It is so sad that as at this moment; Nigeria does not have the kind of structure and moral fiber needed to have the kind of celebration we saw after that historic election.
I am not a prophet of doom nor a pessimist but I am just being realistic. However, I intend to be a part of the solution rather than contribute to rhetoric and whining that most of us are known for. My friend ‘Gbenga Sesan wrote an interesting article titled Obama ran an Utomi-like campaign. It is surely an interesting read and see my comment to that post.
I feel u GS. The thought came to my mind to link Obama with Pat Utomi. But I quickly made a reverse to analyse the situation in a more realistic light. Let us be sincere with ourselves – would Obama have won the elections if he ran on the umbrella of a party other than the Democratic and the GOP? How many people in the US even know the names of independent candidates? Even Bush did not invite the other candidates for their opinion in the height of the bail out debate. US media don’t pay attention to candidates of other parties. That is the reality of politics. Remember how much Obama spent on the campaign trail … a whooping 1.6 B dollars – wow. Politics is indeed very costly. I have been thinking seriously in the past few days on what chance people like myself and Pat Utomi have to ensure we break the power of the serial rapist parties like PDP and ANPP where members keep changing and names of the parties are remixed. I am longing for a party that will start and exist for the eternity without a change in name and integrity. I remember the last presidential election in Nigeria where Pat Utomi’s party did not have agents in polling booths within Lagos State. I remember asking myself how he could have won without those kind of structures on ground? If we are serious about emancipating Nigeria – it will cost more than rhetoric and one leg in type of politics —- it will mean a big commitment. Are we ready for it?
I am getting somewhere with this post and that is to highlight the lesson Nigeria must learn from the United States and the just concluded elections. The one and only Abami Eda – Olufela Anikulapo Kuti gave us a lesson in his song democrazy. He made us realise that the colonial masters taught us democracy but in a wrong way. He further said that when a student makes a mistake – a teacher makes the necessary corrections but in our case – the Oyinbos did not correct us. I am afraid that the kind of democracy we practice is bound to eternal failure and we might never be able to get to the level of advanced democracies unless we take a step back to get the basics. Democracy will never live to its billings unless the fundamentals and ideologies of political parties are right. What we have in Nigeria are people with the common goal of winning elections through whatever crooked means available. A political party should start due to ideology and a call to service; once the basics are wrong – we have the chaos we call parties in Nigeria.
Consistency is also a very important factor to consider in this case. The Democratic and Republican parties in the USA are very old and till today still possess to a certain extent the qualities which their founding fathers imbibed. Same in the UK where the Labour and Conservative parties still carry the flags of their founding fathers. The political landscape in Nigeria started on a false path due to the military intervention which remained a recurring factor till as late as 1999. The different coup plotters and sit-tight military head of states ensured a continuous disruption of political activities – banning the parties and ensuring that even politics was militarized. Let’s just imagine what could have been if the Awolowo ideology survived till today with the political machinery he made popular? What if we still have the Action Group as Action Group today and not the mangled Action Congress and Alliance for Democracy? What if the political ideology of Zik of Africa still stands till today? These are questions that should be asked on the way to getting it right. I look at the PDP today and see many strange bed fellows with selfish agenda. Same goes for AC, ANPP and others. It is only in our part of the World where one politician crosses carpets to the next available party without thinking at all – yeah it is because the kind of politics we practice are not tied to beliefs and ideology but monetary gains.
If we will correct these maladies, the journey is not simple. It is not a matter of supporting credible candidates during elections. It is about understanding the lessons of Obama’s victory. It is about knowing that Obama did not only win because he was loved by the US and the world but that he ran on the ticket of a strong party and he had the support of the same party. If Obama were more eloquent than he was during the campaigns and he ran as an independent – forget it, he would have lost. So what do we take from all of this. I sense it is time for Nigerians to sit down and ask what they want. In Zimbabwe – Morgan Tsvangirai and others started a party that in just a few years successfully challenged Mugabe and won the elections. How they did it is novel because Mugabe never thought anyone could do that. Fine, it is still not well with the once beautiful country but imagine Nigerians having the chance of organising a strong party that could defeat the PDP? Imagine the same party having credible candidates like Pat Utomi on the ticket? Imagine the possibilities?
Unless we do this – our credible leaders will never have the chance of being elected.
As a good and progressive citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria- I have decided to embark on a study. This study will give me an insight into how the major political parties in the USA and the UK started and how they have been able to hold fort till today with common opinions and the love of their country in their heart. I will share my findings as I move on and I hope it will help us in deciding what to do.
I have a dream – that one day, Nigeria will have political parties based on solid ideologies, the will to do good, service to humanity and above all – the love of our motherland. Parties that will be known even to my granny in the village as well as the professor in the University. Yes … it will happen!