Specially dedicated to all BATCH C CORP MEMBERS.
There is nothing that has a beginning without an end. About 11 months ago, they started serving their motherland with so much enthusiasm and zeal. 10-10-13 is all about the Batch C NYSC Corp members who have gone through thin and thick ranging from camp drills to sunburns and meager ‘allowee’….*winks. Despite all of these, many said it has added value to their lives and afforded them the opportunity to meet wonderful people who would otherwise not come their way if not for the scheme. I have some of them as friends and I’m so proud of them because they are treasures. They have this to say:
“It was awesome and sometimes, very tiring”- Atolagbe Oluwakemi
“My service year was worthwhile and I learnt how to really persevere, endure, tolerate and be patient. I’m a changed and renewed lady in these past 10 months”- Oladiran Busayo
“The scheme has given me the opportunity to meet and relate with people from diverse ethnic groups and various backgrounds”- Akindipe Dara
“It’s an experience that has informed, transformed and formed me……in all, I have learnt a lot especially how to relate with peepz”- Oladejo Oluwakemi
“I enjoyed my service year. It was awesome and it has been God all the way”- Osasona Victoria
“It was a worthwhile and great experience because I have added a lot to my existence”- Mariam Omobolanle
“It was lovely and interesting; it is an unforgettable lifetime experience”- Oyediran Olamide
……and now, it’s real. They are no longer corp members. This is what I have to tell all BATCH C Corp members observing Passing Out Parade (POP) today- “Many people are not successful because they are afraid to take the bold step. You know why? They are thinking about what people will say when they fail. Many would say what if I fail? What if it doesn’t work out? That’s fear of failure and criticism. Remember, if you don’t fail, you can’t succeed. I challenge you to take that bold step now. You must act on all the plans you’ve got! Put all the skills you have learnt into use, they will work for you. Don’t be discouraged by the harsh economic condition of our nation because you have a great asset inside you. Act on those ideas you have got and be diligent at whatever you do. Above all, Nigeria really needs you to grow. Please, be exemplary leaders wherever you are so that together we can build a NEW NIGERIA that our great grandchildren will be proud of.
As I take a break for now, you must know that YOU ARE PRICELESS, INVALUABLE, INCREDIBLE, and FABULOUS BECAUSE THERE IS A GOLDMINE INSIDE YOU! No lies, that’s what you are! Do not let the whole world down, Keep the flag flying. You will succeed! I love you all!!!”
Wishing YOU all the best in life. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T: @kofoogbam
E: kennydamola@yahoo.com

http://kennydamola.

Thank Ÿ̲̣̣̣̥ø̲̣̣̥u̶̲̥̅̊,*big hugs*

nnenna ada: alrit, i'll do jst dat

great!

nnenna ada: tnk GOD i stumbled on dis, very very inspiring. GOD bless u dear

Tnx so much dear,God bless u too.make sure u follow subsequent posts to get more motivated.

Gold is a well known substance with such a great worth that is second to none. In fact, it’s so invaluable that many nations depend on it as a source of income. Countries like China, United States, Australia, South Africa, and Ghana derive a huge percentage of their national income from it. Little wonder the word “gold” represents treasure. It therefore means that the goldmine-the source of gold- is a place to behold!

Dear reader, I want to reveal a secret to you right now. Well, you might have heard it before or perhaps you are coming across it for the first time. Here it is in the simplest form: ‘THERE IS A GOLDMINE INSIDE YOU’; it’s a fact, not a myth! There is a great reserve of the highly sought-after treasure inside you. That means you are precious! You are priceless!! You are invaluable!!! I mean YOU. YES, the person reading this article. Then, why have you embraced mediocrity? You must realise that the world is waiting for you to bring forth the refined gold that is inside you. What are you waiting for? There are great ideas in you, there are great skills that you need to discover. God has made you complete, do not undermine his purpose for your life. Don’t join the league of people that believe you don’t need to stand tall in the society. You know what? They are yet to know what they really worth. Today, many people believe they are failure because they have failed some exams. Some are even dejected because they have failed in their relationships. Many believe they were created to be poor because they don’t have enough cash on them. Oh no! They are very wrong. All these are just some of the mining processes that the raw gold in you need to pass through before becoming the much adorable gold that the world has been waiting for.
It’s so pathetic that some young people have even lost their self-worth. The way you see yourself determines your carriage in the society. This in turn dictates the quality of respect you get from people in the society. At times, some people feel inferior to enter certain places. It’s so bad that they can’t even talk to some set of people because they see themselves as too inferior and worthless. If you belong to this category, please there is an urgent need to change your mentality right now; you have a perfect nature and there is a brighter future that lies ahead of you. Many unborn babies are crying and waiting eagerly for the irreplaceable legacies you will leave for them to follow; you can’t afford to let them down. Remember, there is an extensive goldmine inside you. I have heard certain young people say they can’t stand up to speak because they are not “beautiful” or “handsome”. Surprisingly, many would say they can’t disclose their identities just because they did not study some hyped courses or attend certain institutions. Common! That’s the thinking pattern of a man without any seed in him. For instance, there is this general sentiment about polytechnic graduates in Nigeria and yet, the highly respected motivational speaker and mentor, Sam Adeyemi, is a polytechnic graduate. Are you surprised? Please, don’t be! It’s not all about institution or course, it’s about YOU; Institutions will only help in some stages of the mining process, the whole task of refining that innate gold still lies with you.
Let me share another of such sentiment with you. Many young people would say they can never become teachers. In fact, they believe teaching is only meant for those who do not have better job offers. Yet, I have a friend who had made up her mind right from childhood to become a successful teacher. Her name is Miss Ibitoye Omobolanle; she inspires me a lot of young people. Considering her level of brilliance, you would naturally conclude that she is best suited for medicine or law profession as widely believed. But, she would always say: “Teaching is my passion, I love it so much. I want to build lives right from primary school stage; I want to sow seeds into the lives of the future leaders. Teachers are builders and I’m very proud to be one of them”. I’m not surprised that she is a highly desirable teacher by parents of pupils in the school. It pays to be diligent at whatever you do.
Starting from today, you must know your worth. Walk on the street with your shoulders high. No more worries, no more regrets, no more inferiority complexes, no more depression. You must not allow the great wealth inside you waste without expression. Dig the goldmine inside you, refine the gold and offer it for the whole world, especially our dearest nation to use. If you refuse to do that, many people will starve to death. Do you want to be tagged a “murderer”? God Forbid! Then, you must start today, tomorrow might be too late.
TAKE HOME POINT: Forget all the failures that you have experienced so far, they are mere events that can’t determine who you are because YOU ARE A READY-MADE TREASURE. Start a new beginning; this is your time to shine!
Kennydamola@yahoo.com
@Kofoogbam

http://kennydamola.

Many of us don’t know what we carry. Maybe you don’t even know that your brain is a WONDER. Please, kindly spare 5 minutes of your time to take a look at how much you can operate in the realm of excellence if you make proper use of this amazing creature called THE HUMAN BRAIN. Shortly before that, let’s see how powerful our brains are.
The human brain has over 100 billion cells and connections; an average of 60,000 thoughts is generated by it every day. It’s incredible to know that 20-30% of all the calories we eat are utilized by the brain. Little wonder it continues to grow throughout life. Unlike computers, our brains have unlimited capacity to store information; you can’t measure it in Gigabytes or Terabytes. Why would God give us such a complex organ system unless He expects us to use it?
It’s therefore very shocking to hear you say “I CAN’T”. “I can’t do this or I can’t do that”. Why on earth should you think that you can’t achieve some feats or even get to some heights in life when you have such an amazing creature in your head? Then, you are growing lean even in the midst of plenty. Your brain belongs to you, it’s your property; don’t let it shrink to death while you are still living. That will be a huge disaster! You know why? It’s because so many lives are dependent on you. If you fail, they have failed. Lest I forget, I must inform you that your brain can be rewired. But, no one can do it for you other than yourself. How? You can change and re-arrange your neural networks (basis of reasoning) by subjecting it to frequent mental exercise via reading, creation of ideas and solutions, learning of new skills and languages. It means if you are performing below expectations in any area of your life, you can turn the situation around and do better. It’s not late for you to carry out repairs and be an all-round success. Give it a shot! I’m sure you won’t regret it.
In every area of your life, you must strive to be the best of your kind. There are over 7 billion people on the surface of the earth. Yet, there is nobody that has the exact features as you; no one smiles the way you do; no one has the exact type of your fingerprint. It shows how unique you are. Should this unique ‘INCREDIBLE YOU’ go into extinction without benefiting humanity? If your answer to this question is NO. Then, you must have a deep reflection and think of how the ‘AMAZING YOU’ can utilize your brain maximally and be the change agent that NIGERIA and the AFRICA continent have been waiting for. As a citizen of the GOLDEN NIGERIA, you must not settle for mediocrity.
Please, have this at the back of your mind. Too much stress overloads the brain with powerful hormones that are intended only for short-term duty in emergency situations. Their cumulative effects cause damages and therefore kill brain cells. Rome was not built in a day; endeavour to live a stress-free life in the course of making the best out of your life. The more you rest, the more refreshed you are!
TAKE HOME POINT:
1. How much have you utilized this amazing creature that God has planted in you?
2. Are you ready to further make use of your brain to make Nigeria and the world a better place?
@kofoogbam kennydamola@yahoo.com

http://kennydamola.

“When you are thinking of how you will iron your clothes before they take the light, how you must wake up early to fetch water before it becomes dirty, you can’t engage yourself in creative thinking!”

Few weeks ago, I was on the queue in other to get some cash from the ATM of a bank. Having endured the harshness of the sunny day for almost an hour, the machine finally displayed “OUT OF SERVICE” at a time I was just few minutes away from making withdrawal. Almost everybody became angry and felt bitter about the state of the nation; the revelations by one of the aggrieved persons remain fresh in my memory. He said: “Nigeria is doomed! Let’s just take it as our fate and live everyday as they come so far we are not hungry”, He continued: “You see, there is nobody that can save Naija, everybody is interested in his/her pocket, all na lie! Abeg!!”. Of course, this was not the first time I would come across such revelations. But, this time, it dealt a huge blow on me probably because he was a young man. Then, I asked myself a question: “Does it therefore mean that majority of Nigerians, especially the youths, think this way? If YES, What does the future hold for our dearest nation?
A few days later, I was chatting with a friend and colleague on BBM; it was all about the state of the nation. I will like to share it with you. Here is an excerpt:
Deolu: It just happened that the so called politicians became greedy. And now, people are asking: “what have they gained?”
Kofo: Yea, no dividends. If this generation can campaign for change, we will achieve it but majority of the youths are not enthusiastic.
Deolu: Well, ours is a generation of talkative. People can talk! But when it comes to action, we are nowhere to be found!
Kofo (sighs): Hmmmmm
Deolu: Like I will always say, we must blame our fathers for all these.
Kofo: How?
Deolu: I get angry when some middle aged to elderly people tell stories of when they were in school…..their fathers, our grandfathers gave them that, so what happened? How come they couldn’t pass such good life down, rather with their greed and gluttony, they spoilt everything.
Kofo: The facilities we have are retrogressing, from education to health and all that. It’s very pathetic.
Deolu: …….And funny enough, we (the youths) are imbibing such selfish nature…Did you just mention education!!! We have gone soooooo backward!
Kofo: There is no fear of God anymore. Dignity is gone.
Deolu: The youths are frustrated, they can’t think anymore! You know some things should not occupy your mind. When you are thinking of how you will iron your clothes before they take the light, how you must wake up early to fetch water before it becomes dirty; you can’t engage yourself in creative thinking!
Kofo: That’s very true! I agree with you
Deolu: And that’s why our production industry is in shambles. When others are exploring space, we have not yet solved the problems within us. If you don’t settle yourself, you can’t reach out.
(……….and then, there was a sudden break in communication for almost 15 minutes)
Deolu: I’m sorry, my battery went flat. Another indictment of our society- ELECTRICITY!
Kofo: It is well.
This is the view of a Nigerian youth. Many Nigerians have been clamoring for a revolution similar to those of Syria and Egypt. Is that the answer? Definitely NO! Let’s consider this: A farmer once noticed that his farm produce were not encouraging. He invited researchers to help him out and it was discovered that the seeds he planted were not viable despite the fact that the soil was very fertile. What did he do? He cultivated a new set of seeds. Within a few years, he became the owner of the largest farm in his community and its environs. What lesson can we learn from this? We cannot change our nation if we don’t sow new seeds- thoughts and perception about Nigeria; these seeds will grow into a NEW NIGERIA because our land is very fertile. Maybe you don’t even know that the future of Nigeria lies within us, it’s in our able hands. YES, YOU and I!
[b]How do we achieve the Nigeria we desire? [/b]The answer is not farfetched. The solution is REVOLUTION OF OUR MINDS. Remember, our mind is the seat of power. It determines who we are and what we do. There is no innovation/event that takes place without being created and nurtured in the mind. Simply put, REVOLUTION OF MIND is the education of the mind. Begin to do things in the right way without any form of favoritism/bias. For the next few weeks, I will be sharing certain ideas on how to achieve and sustain the much needed REVOLUTION OF MIND. They are called “The 7 CORE VALUES”, and I’m sure you will be a better person after reading and digesting them promptly.
We must appreciate the efforts of Fela Durotoye’s GEMSTONE Nation Building Project, Sam Adeyemi Coaching School, The FUTURE Project, Hope Rising Foundation (HRF) NIGERIA and others. You know what! YOU must be involved in Nation Building too; it should not be left to only a few set of people because it’s our collective responsibility. You can start NOW by sharing this article with others on every social network and effect change. We are AMBASSADORS OF CHANGE, YES we are!
Think about this: “What legacy do you want to leave for the younger generation?”

You may also what to read this. [b]THE NIGERIA WE DESIRE [/b]http://kennydamola./2012/11/15/5/
kennydamola@yahoo.com @kofoogbam +2348058996841

Dear reader, I have good news for you today. Make sure you read and digest this article because I’m sure it will awaken the sleeping ‘giant’ in you. But, hold on! Don’t keep this to yourself, share with friends and people around you. These days, many youths have gone astray- they have allowed their ‘today’ to blindfold ‘tomorrow’. While some want to ride the most expensive cars in a jiffy, others want to become millionaires overnight. It doesn’t work that way, please tell them! Be the change agent that the world has been waiting for.
What you think in the deepest zone of your mind is what you see with your ‘inner eye’ and whatever you see with it is what you are in reality. With your ‘inner eye’, you can see yourself being given standing ovations, awards in the year 2018. Yet, this is 2013. Do not undervalue how far you can see with your ‘inner eye’. Begin to make use of it today; it will pave the way for you. If you see yourself as someone who is born to be great in life; someone who will succeed irrespective of the family background or the challenges of life, you will definitely make it in life because you are what you think. Some people see themselves as failure, poverty, and mediocrity. Tell me, how on earth will they succeed?
Let’s consider this. When God created the world, he didn’t provide electricity, paper, aero plane, internet, Facebook, Blackberry, and GSM. You must be wondering why. The reason is simple. He expects us to complete the constructions which he started by making use of the asset he has given us i.e. creative mind. Thomas Edison saw microphone and light bulb with his ‘inner eye’, he created them and then, we use them today. The Wright brothers saw human beings flying in the sky, they developed the dream and today, we travel around the world by aeroplanes. There is no human being without a potential. All these show that the world is waiting for YOU to take its shape and that was why God created you. There are problems in your locality, school, place of work, state and nation that need urgent solutions; create these solutions and become a superstar. Come to think of it, there is SOMETHING you do perfectly well, nobody does it better than you. Please, work on it because it’s a road sign that leads to the Promised Land.

The great speaker from Bahamas, Dr Myles Munroe talked about human potentials and purpose in life. Check it out here:
“The WEALTHIEST SPOT on this planet is not the oil fields of Kuwait, Iraq, or Saudi Arabia. Neither is it the gold and diamond mines of South Africa, the uranium mines of the Soviet Union, or the silver mines of Africa. Though it may surprise you, the richest deposits on our planet lie just a few blocks from your house. They rest in your LOCAL CEMETERY OR GRAVEYARD”. Uhm mmm, then, what are these deposits?
He continued: “Buried beneath the soil within the walls of those sacred grounds are dreams that never came to pass, songs that were never sung, books that were never written, paintings that never filled a canvas, ideas that were never shared, visions that never became reality, inventions that were never designed, plans that never went beyond the drawing board of the mind, and purposes that were never fulfilled. One of the greatest tragedies in life is to watch potential die untapped. Only a small percentage of the 7 billion people on this planet will experience a significant portion of their true potential. Are you a candidate for contributing to the wealth of cemetery?” Finally, please take note of this: Don’t go to the grave with your treasure within you. You must leave empty!
YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE TODAY, SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON EVERY SOCIAL NETWORK!
hfrnigeria@gmail.com +2348148327860 @HRF_Nigeria

www.hrfnigeria..com

Part One
Widely speaking, there are two categories of people in the world.
1. Those who rule their world
2. Those who are ruled by their world
Let’s consider those in the first category. Those in this category rule their world because they have discovered that they are in possession of WEAPONS with which they can subdue their world. What are these weapons? They are called talents. To some, they are gifts, endowments. And to others, they are called potentials. Irrespective of the names given to them, they are all weapons. Those that rule their world discovered, nourished, refined, established and utilized these weapons effectively. I want you to know that all the above processes do not take place in a single day; it’s a lifetime project. How soon all these processes can be carried out depends on YOU. Did you just say “ME”? Yes. I’m talking to YOU. It all depends on your level of Readiness, Self-determination, Diligence and Faith. Remember, we were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
In the world of music, Cobhams Asuquo, Bob Marley, Bukola Elemide (Asha), P Square are well known for their exceptional competence. Nigerians are very proud of Basketmouth, Seyi Law, Alfa Sule crew in the comedy industry. Lionel Messi, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps are wizards in sports. Olu Jacob is no doubt an all-time Nollywood icon. We can’t forget the world renowned giant writers- Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie. Myles Munroe, Fela Durotoye, Sam Adeyemi motivate generations and talk people to success. Dr Ben Carson’s name is well engraved on the adorable rock of history as far as modern medicine is concerned. In the fashion world, Tara Fela-Durotoye rules conveniently.
Those who rule their world have a COMMON ATTRIBUTE and this singles them out from others. What is this attribute? It is called uniqueness i.e. an ability to do things in a way it has never been done in the past. If you must make a difference in whatever career you have chosen, then, you must try as much as possible to be unique. To be unique, you must be able to overcome impossibilities, mediocrity, fear, apathy, and failure amongst others so that you can rule your world and therefore not ruled by your world.
Do you want to rule your world or you want to be ruled by your world? It’s left to YOU! Keep the hope alive!
……….to be continued

www.hrfnigeria..com

[/color][color=#006600]At about 2.30pm on Monday, 10th December, 2012, the dreams of a young promising lady collapsed like a pack of cards. Miss Tina Owolabi, a very lively and intelligent damsel known for her sparkling smiles, had spent 6 weeks on the hospital bed without improved ‘clinical status’ having struggled with every fibre of her being to stay alive. Eventually, she succumbed.
The trim-figured, 5ft 6inches tall, fair-complexioned lady had started her day with her usual excitement; this time around, her excitement heightened by the news of her admission to study law (her dream course) at the university. At about 11am on 16th October, 2012, she reported a sudden feeling of headache and fever. She was then taken to a nearby chemist where she was given drugs to relieve her headache. However, Tina was rushed to a private hospital ten days later because there was no significant improvement in her condition. There, she was ‘diagnosed’ of malaria and bombarded with drips and drugs for a week. By this time, her condition had worsened- her head had become swollen, the right arm and leg could not be lifted and she had lost the ability to speak.
“Tina slipped and fell two weeks ago while trying to lift a bucket of water she fetched from the well. She hit her head against the concrete built around the well in the process”- Mr Daniel Owolabi, Tina’s dad, said.
Amidst anxiety, confusion and a quest for some cure, Miss Tina was transferred to a Teaching Hospital. There, she was placed under review by several clinical units while tests were being conducted. “Her ESR, WBC, CRP counts are all on the high side, this is suggestive of infection”, one of the doctors said. The imaging of her brain via CT scan was required and the Owolabis struggled to get the N40, 000 required for the scan but all their efforts proved abortive. Finally, a Good Samaritan (whose identity I must protect) came to their rescue. The imaging procedure was then scheduled to take place on November 28, 2012. In Nigeria, not many hospitals are equipped with such medical facilities and where available, serve too many patients beyond their capabilities. Just before noon on the day the test was to be carried out, a very shocking event took place; the scanning machines broke down. “We hope to fix the machines in the next 2-3 weeks”, the Head of the hospital’s Radiology Department said.
Tina’s usual exuberance had been reduced to forced smiles every now and then. She looked like an aged woman; her right arm and leg were looking very lean and bed sores had eaten deep into her buttocks and heel. “Is this the same Tina I used to know, I can’t believe this”, an old friend exclaimed. She had suffered so much pain and depression in the face of poor healthcare delivery. The nurses did not comply with wound dressing instructions and times for drug administration. She was also not regular on physiotherapy (seen an insufficient two times a week). Mrs Nnena Owolabi, Tina’s mum, said most of the nurses and doctors turned deaf ears to almost all their complaints/requests claiming they were busy. “The nurses are supposed to be the closest to us in the ward but they are so wicked and unconcerned. Different doctors would come to talk and talk for hours and use her for teachings without any real benefit to us”, she lamented in tears.
On December 10, 2012, the worst hit the Owolabis. Tina developed fever and became restless. This was barely 40 minutes after she was given the ‘afternoon session’ of her drugs. She started shaking vigorously and was seen gasping for breath. “….help, help, help”, her mother screamed. The nurses and doctors began the ‘ill-timed’ resuscitation. Tina was dead! It was less than 48 hours to her 20th birthday.
N.B: Please note that the names and dates in the incident above have been altered.
Who are those to be blamed for this sorry state of our healthcare system? The answer is simple. It is EVERYBODY! From all the tiers of government to the management of various hospitals, all health professionals, and even the citizens. Let’s take a closer look. Tina could have made it if she had been taken to the hospital earlier by her parents. Don’t you think she could have survived if a proper diagnosis had been established? Maybe she could have grown up to become a very vibrant Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) if the government/management of hospitals has made our hospitals first-rate. Probably, Tina’s dream to become the first female Nigerian president could have been a reality if not for the care-free attitude of our health professionals! When her father was contacted in January 2013, he said “Dec. 10, 2012 was the darkest moment of my life; it’s still like a dream to me”. She continued: “I can’t imagine losing such a very promising girl because of our poor Healthcare System, may God help this nation”.
We all remember how the illustrious lawyer and human right activist, Gani Fawehinmi died as a result of wrong diagnosis. With tears running down her cheeks, Dr Joe-Okei Odumakin (National President, Campaign for Democracy) said: “I have known Gani for over two decades; he is a great life-wire in the human rights anti-democracy movement. He was not properly diagnosed and was being treated for pneumonia; because of that, the cancerous effect ate him up. It is a shame for this country”. I have also read true life stories- published in newspapers- in which patients complain of wrong diagnosis, bad staff attitude, long queues and delayed surgeries (years in some cases). Some of them that attend teaching hospitals complain that they don’t get proper care from the consultants/senior staffs who don’t resume work until 10.30-11am on clinic days. One of the dejected patients was reported to have said this: “I was first diagnosed of immature cataract, later; they said there was nothing in my eyes and I was sent to another private lab. But the two test results are yet to be interpreted by consultant”. A few years ago, one of my friends narrated his ordeal when he checked into the health centre of the university he attends to complain of the pain he was feeling in his stomach; he was given the ‘routine’ Paracetamol, Vitamin C, and Bcomplex with a sub-standard antimalarial drug. We later learnt from grapevine sources that the ‘standard’ antimalarial drugs made available by the government have been taken to the private pharmacies of some ‘Ogas at the top’. Isn’t that awful? …..hummmm…..That’s all!
Is the Nigerian Healthcare System ever going to be AWESOME? YES, it shall. I’m much more hopeful than ever about this; I look forward eagerly to that time when the world would come to our shores to receive the best care. It’s just a matter of time. But hold on, what are the road signs that will take us to the promise land?
…….…to be continued
Link: www.kennydamola.