Hi folks, I know you want to say “where have you been for all these months?” or ” How come you haven’t written a single article in 4 months?” I really don’t know the answer. I must admit quite honestly that even right now I don’t feel like or want to write anything.

It’s not because there aren’t things to write, it’s just because I feel quite unmotivated and unworthy to write them. Anyway, I’m writing now ain’t I? So please just bear with me and read on…this will bless you.

I once heard about the parable of the monkeys. Once upon a time a monkey was placed in a particular cage with a bunch of bananas hanging from the top of the cage. Naturally, the monkey swung up the cage excitedly and reached up for the bananas, he was immediately doused with a jet of cold water from a hose that was aimed at the cage. Immediately, he dived back down to the bottom of the cage. Of course, monkeys don’t give in that easily so he tried again – no one was going to deter him from feasting on the bananas. He swung up again to retrieve the bunch of bananas but as soon as he almost touched it, he got doused with water again. He immediately dived back down looking for the source of his affliction (apes hate water). He couldn’t really see anybody and tried after a few minutes. He got doused again. He tried again and again and each time he got doused again and again. After a few days and many attempts, he stopped trying.

One month after, another monkey was brought into the cage. The monkey saw the bunch of bananas and immediately went for it (Note: The bunch of bananas were changed to fresh ones from time to time). He got the shock of his life as a jet of cold water hit him in the face. He quickly scurried to the bottom of the cage and waited a few minutes for the shock to wear off before trying again. He got the same result and after trying a while and getting drenched, he understood why the first monkey wasn’t as eager as he was to eat “free” bananas hanging at the top of the cage. He also succumbed to fate and stopped trying to get the bananas.

Another month after, a new monkey was introduced into the cage. As custom will have it, he went straight for the bunch of fresh bananas he saw hanging at the top of the cage but the other two monkeys went for it as pulled it down with his legs. They immediately pounced on it and beat it silly and into submission. They did that because they knew he would get sprayed with water  and all of them will get wet. They didn’t want to get wet and they knew that he wont get the bananas anyway so they took steps to ensure it didn’t happen. After a while of trying and getting beaten, the monkey gave up trying. One month went by and another monkey was introduced into the cage. He suffered the same fate as the 3rd monkey only that the 3rd monkey was involved in beating him up and keeping him from getting the bunch of bananas.

After a few weeks, the first two monkeys were taken out of the cage. Now of the two monkeys remaining in the cage, none of them actually had water sprayed on them for reaching for the bananas. They were only restrained with pain by the first two monkeys.

Yet another month went by and another monkey was introduced into the cage. He immediately was giving the customary beating treatment when he tried to get the bunch of bananas. After trying a while and getting beat a few times, he suddenly blurted

“Why are you monkeys beating me and holding me back?”

The other monkeys looked at themselves blankly and said

“We don’t know, we don’t know why we are beating you? We were beating as well when we came and tried to reach for the bunch so we just took on the custom of beating every other monkey who tried to reach for the bananas”.

How many of us are like that? We don’t why we are where we are or why we are doing what we are doing. We just know that that is how it should be done. Who told you that? Who told you that you must have only one stream of income? Who told you that you can not live above sin? Who told you that you can’t own your business? Who told you that you can not be financially free?

We were mostly brought up hearing our parents and environment say,

“Get a good education, get a good job thereafter, work all your life, retire broke and busted with a good pension and die!”

What a big lie!

You are like the monkeys!

Why can’t you dare the jet of water and pull out all stops to get the bananas!

What is your own excuse? Are you pulling others down who are trying to get the bananas?

Have you been enslaved by the system?

Do you merely wish freedom or do you DESIRE it?

Listen!!! those who have tried and failed have been taken out of the cage!

Ask yourselves what they did and how you can do it better?

Perhaps, if the three remaining monkeys planned to go for the bananas together the focus of the water spray would be divided and one of them would have been able to get the bunch.

Instead of proliferating negativity and pessimism, think of another way to achieve your dream and go for it.

LIFE DOES NOT GIVE YOU WHAT YOU DESERVE, IT GIVES YOU WHAT YOU DEMAND.

I am currently sitting on the second row of the New great hall of the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital with some great students of that college. Actually, sitting with me in the hall are scores of college of medicine and dentistry students looking all radiant in conservative coloured suits and blue shirts and blouses.

YBC is the name of the group that put together the symposium that is holding currently in the hall. I actually was dragged to the symposium by a dear friend, Christian Love who had been asked to come and speak on a topic “Working Class Heroes”. I really don’t remember ever being on the premises of this great hospital complex but am I glad to be here.

I love being in the midst of excited and energetic students if for nothing at all, to feel their energy, vibrancy and youth. Don’t mind me. I’m very much a youth and an energetic one at that. 

And for your information, YBC means Year Book Class. This I guess indicates the final year students in the college of medicine and surgery and dentistry.

The Hall wasn’t neglected in its decoration as drapes of different shades of blue and some pink hung as a back-drop in the front of the hall and decorations of royal blue with pink ribbons hanging from the stage.

The list of guest speakers at the symposium is quite impressive. From the Chairman to the other speakers, I caught names like Tonye Cole, MD of Sahara Oil and Gas, Mrs Craig from Poise Nigeria, an eminent professor and a very intelligent doctor, both female I might add.

As at the time of writing this article, the symposium/year book launch, the latter of which I just learnt about a few minutes ago is in full swing. In fact, launching of the year book is going on currently.

Anyway, why am I writing this post. As I sit down enjoying the excitement and energy of this gathering, I can’t help but wonder, 5 years from now. How many of these doctors would be engaged in upholding the health industry in this country. They will swear an oath in a few weeks to come but how many of them would die to keep that oath. The keynote speaker said in her presentation that the number of medical doctors practicing in the United States of America alone were 21,000 in 1995.

Part of the theme of the symposium is “The Solution to Brain Drain”. How many of these new doctors would not agree to allow their brains be drained? How many would not be satisfied with 3rd class and 4th class citizenry in countries that would accomodate them only because they need Taxi drivers, barbers, security men, soldiers, assistants and other non professional workforce.

My passion and love for this country causes pain to rise in my heart and burden to rest on my soul when I ponder what these graduands are moving into the working-class world to experience. Would they be depressed and discouraged by the harsh realities of a non-caring system. Would they be caught between observing and standing by the values of their profession in Nigeria and bowing to the prevalent corruption, selfishess and greed that currently exists in the society?

I really can’t answer these questions but I know that the fire is re-kindled in my spirit to do all I can and all I must to ensure that those who become doctors a few years from now will not have the same challenges and dilemma that these ones currently have.

Africa has been dubbed the untouched and virgin continent. This was due to the seeming unscathing of African countries in the global meltdown that characterised the latter part of 2008. African seems to have escaped almost wholly from the economic recession that hit the world and crushed many countries and multinationals in other continents of the world. Iceland is bankrupt, auto makers in the US are bankrupt; Mega Banks in UK, Japan, Switzerland, US, Belgium, Germany and many other countries of the world would have gone under but for aid from their governments. Albeit, many banks have still being crushed in the wake of the recession.

However, Nigeria for one has been touched by the recession. Even though the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria has kept assuring Nigerians that we are beyond the reach of the economic whiplash swinging across the globe, happenings in our own economy are pointers to the fact that his assurances hold no water. Examples are:

1. The crash of the NSE

The Nigerian Stock Exchange fell through about the same time the economic crisis started in the west last year. The Central Bank of Nigeria ordered banks to refrain from giving margin facilities to investors and SEC pegged the condition for the rise in value of a stock to its ability to trade over 100,000 units. Investors immediately lost confidence in the market and the inevitable loss of the All Share Index started. One policy after another was released to the public by SEC, CBN and NSE at different times to help boost the market but it seemed to have tipped. The irrecoverable free fall cost the lives of many as people who had so much exposure with regards loans decided to end their lives as they couldn’t take the pressure anymore. The NSE has since lost more and more value as institutional investors (especially foreign ones) cashed out of the Exchange unable to vouch for the credibility of the market any longer. All those who had planned on creating a path to financial independence through the NSE are having to look elsewhere now as all their investments have at least been cut to about one-third the value a few months ago.

2. The crash of Oil

When the stock exchange started making people cry, and even die, another opportunity opened up in the Oil and Gas industry. Oil seemed to be the next panacea. Oil products were selling for unbelievable margins. The price of crude oil per barrel had hit $150 and was reaching for $200. AGO (Diesel) in particular was the next best thing to be involved with. The commodity is in high demand in Nigeria and completely deregulated by the Federal Government. This made it an all-comers market. People made as much as NGN1billion in single deals on oil products. DPK (Kerosene) and LPFO were not left out. As if the cloud that had hung over the NSE was moving in the Oil and Gas direction, the price of crude oil started to dip in the international market. People started incurring losses and getting heavily indebted to banks who were financing oil deals. The volatility in the market made it even harder to play in and ultimately it also bottomed out with the price of crude oil hitting below $40 per barrel. Banks stopped financing Oil deals. Gist had it that collectively they were exposed to the tune of almost NGN400billion. Bad debt that is.

3. The rise of Real Estate.

Immediately, opportunities moved from Oil & Gas to Real Estate. 3 bedroom flats were going for about $3million in places like Banana Estate. Rental rates increased by as much as 100% in some places. It seemed as if those who lost in categories 1. and 2. wanted to recoup through category 3.

4. The crash of Real Estate

This boom unfortunately like the golden era of real estate and mortgages both in Europe and America which has since crashed, appears to be headed for the precipice and signs abound to that fact. Banks had financed loans with which developers built houses. These houses are still on the market with no buyers in sight because of the low cash flow of buyers due to number 1. and 2. above. Even buyers who had bought had bought with loans from the same or other banks. One way or the other, banks have financed loans from both developers and buyers and neither of these have the cash flow to repay the loans. The banks are therefore foreclosing on the properties and selling at any price possible to regain their monies and developers are making distress sales at ridiculously low prices to offset their loans and keep the banks at bay. One way or another, the property market in Nigeria is headed for a crash and Lagos is leading the downward tumble predict analysts. Brace up for this eventuality and get out of the way if you can.

Hi guys, remember in The Best Medicine – 1, I wrote about the frustrated and disgruntled man who was at his wits end and suicidal until he went to see his doctor to complain and was instructed to do what he loved doing most when he was young (going to the seashore). He told him to stay there all day and first Listen (at 9 am) for three hours and then reach back (at 12 pm) for another 3 hours and ponder on all that has happened to you in the past, what you’ll change or what you wont or what you’ll do better if given another chance. For more on the first 2 doses, please click on The Best Medicine – 1

In continuation, at 3.00pm, he tore open the third prescription. It said, “Reexamine your motives.” This took so much intense thought and concentration that the remaining three hours slipped by quickly as he reexamined his motives – his reasons for living and fulfillment. He clarified and restated his goals.
Motive is everything. That is why God always checks our motives. The “how” may be important and exciting but the “why” will always be revealing. Why are you doing what you are doing currently? Why are you at the level you are? Why have you not started to write, joined that group, proposed to that lady, taken your family out, prayed through, read a book, read your Bible, taken that course, called that person, priced that good? Why? Why? Why? They say “He who knows how will get the job, but he who knows why will always be his boss.”
And at six o’clock, under a gray, darkening sky and with a taste of salt mist in the air, he read the final prescription: “Write your worries in the sand.” Pausing for a moment, he knew there was something that seemed to be gnawing inside. With his pants rolled up, he grabbed a stick, walked to the shoreline, and wrote his worry in the sand. Before leaving, he stared at what he had written. But as he walked toward his car, he looked back and saw that the incoming tide had already erased his words. A smile eased onto his face as he got into his car and headed for home.
Nothing can change by reason of your worrying….which of you by worrying can add one cubit to your height? – Matt 6:27 Learn the lessons and forget the details.
Ingest now these four doses. Begin to listen, to reach back, to reexamine your motives, and to write your worries in the sand. Begin now to place your troubles, difficulties and past failures into perspective. Take time out now to discover yourself, where you are going, and how and when you will arerive at your destination. Remember, there are no unanswered requests in the universe. If you do not like what you are receiving, you can learn to ask for something different. Then you will find what you wish.

“The only way to say it is “Thank you for the impact you have made in the lives of the people. The testimonies of yesterday, I’m sure, will be said in the next 20 years and you guys will be at the receiving end. Thanks for being a blessing to this generation. I quite appreciate.

And also for the huge cheque dropped, thank you. I know it will get better for AGESS with people like you and people like me ready to bless them with what we have.

I gat to go.”

                  - Toyin Ewuola (AGESS President)   

 Tuesday this week, I was back in my alma mater – Obafemi Awolowo University to speak to the students of Agricultural Engineering department. November, this year will make it 3 years since I left that department. I spent 7 years in that school studying for a 5-yr course. I’ll leave the gist of those 7 yrs for now…but i remember very vividly that just before I left, I opened my mouth and passionately declared

“I’ll be back in 5 years time with proof to show my lecturers and the department as a whole that it’s not what degree you graduate with that matters but what pedigree you graduate with or acquire after graduation.”

I’ll need to take you aback a little to explain to you how that statement came about but I had been invited by the Executive Council of the Agricultural Engineering Students Society to come and present a seminar to the whole department during their departmental week. I was offered this honored privilege along with a colleague who had in school been my closest pal and was also excelling uniquely in his own way.

On gaining admission into OAU, I was offered Agricultural Engineering as against Electronic/Electrical Engineering which was my first choice of course of study. I felt really cheated because I had been told that I’d get my choice of course or get Mechanical Engineering. Now, understand that the last course on my mind was Agric Engineering. I didn’t like it and couldn’t stomach the fact that i’d be tied down for 5 years studying a course I detested. To cut the long story short, I got into Agric Engineering anyway and set out to studying for the 1st year after I had alongside my parents been able to negotiate a sure release from the department with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, if I performed beyond a particular grade point average (GPA).

Ofcourse, I surpassed the GPA and even ended the 1st session as the best student in my class but I was not  to be released from the department under different pretexts that ranged from the department not wanting to lose it’s best student and the Dean not admitting that he had committed to letting me go to my desired department. I got really sorry and frustrated and when it seemed like I was going to be spending my 2nd yr in Agric. Engineering, decided to sit for SAT and try to get into Canada. That’s another long story I don’t really want to start in this post but suffice it to say that I performed excellently in the SATs and bettered 93% of those I did the exams with. I had good scholarship scores, but watched to see other friends of mine get scholarships and admissions and travel out with much less scores than I had.

I really had lost interest in OAU at this time and just kept on faffing all around the place. I hardly went for lectures and did my diligence to ensure that I did not perform at all or well in my continuous assessment. Needless of a talisman, you can guess that I performed absolutely woefully that session and decided to wake upt the next. So 300 level as we typically refer to 3rd session was a slow comeback to status quo.  400 level went beautifully and by 500 level, I was sure I’d graduate with my desired GPA. Towards the end of the 2nd semester of my final year, I was told that one of the courses I did in 400 level has been dropped from an A to a B grade. Now, that course had over 10 course units and had the capacity to drop my GPA from one grade level to another.

I tried to solicit the lecturers in the department stating my case passionately about their not letting my hardwork towards the end of my stay in school go to waste. After several passionate appeals and reviews and even staff meetings, they finally decided not to upgrade it to an A. To make matters worse or simpler as the case may be, I had scored in my 1st semester, final year, three 68Bs in 3 different courses. The department was unwilling to upgrade any of these courses as well. I was one of the most popular guys in my set and one of the most respected and friendly with respect to lecturers in the department, but I wasn’t treated particularly well in my own estimation. Hence, I declared with a lot of passion and emotion the statement in quote above.

Amazingly, only 3 years after, I’ve been able to live the words that I proclaimed 3 years earlier as I stood up to speak to over 150 students and lecturers of my former department about how to succeed beyond the four walls of the University. It gave me a feeling of accomplishment and joy knowing I can positively impact a department that negatively motivated me for the challenges outside the university. My lecturers would  probably have been in my success story as supporters, rather, they are there as antagonists whose hurdle I needed to overcome to succeed outside school.

I thank God that he put me in such a position but I challenge you to challenge your challenge currently and declare to it your desire very passionately in a measure of time and see if it is possible or not to change your world with your words.