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Samuel Ibok Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited
city Lagos, Nigeria
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In Business Development • 3 min read • Jul 21, 2023 17:12p.m.
Monetizing Compliments
What crossed your mind when you saw the topic of this post? If you're like me, you'd probably start analysing whether it makes sense and how realistic it is. Well, join me as I make an attempt to guide you on how to monetize compliments. Stop laughing! First, I believe you'll give compliments on the basis of something natural and something artificial or external. By natural, I mean things that are static and over which you have little or no power. A key example is your height. While being the tallest in your class feels good because you get to look down on everyone else, you barely contributed to that. So maybe you should go home and say thanks to your parents or lineage! On the flip side, external compliments hinge on efforts you make, hence the use of the word external. They are targeted at things that wouldn't be if you didn't make certain moves. An example is, Oh, sis, you smell so nice, you dress really well, you are always so punctual, and I love your consistency, and many others. You'll have to pay attention to hear what I'm about to say. Both types of compliments (natural and external) are pointers if you think beyond the typical smile that follows a compliment. So you're tall, right? And you receive tonnes of compliments on that. Maybe you can delve into sports. Now, that may look stereotypical, but you may find it easier if you can put in the work. I'm saying this because you have a natural advantage that could earn you money if you build on it. I'm a big fan of playing to one's strengths and working on one's weaknesses. Monetizing compliments doesn't mean charging people to compliment you; it implies seeing the potential in the area the compliments revolve around. External compliments are similar. Let's say everyone at work keeps acknowledging your smell; it's very possible that at least one person would inquire about the perfume you use and your plug. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? You can be the plug! The same thing goes for your dress sense. Respond to that compliment in a respectful yet transactional manner. You could say thank you, and I could get you one if you want to. A conversation can stem from that, and you may perhaps become the business guru that you've been running away from. Think of it: what if it works? How about you try this: People compliment your hair every day, right? Make a post on your IG about your hair routine. Give people enough to keep them hooked, but also enough to make them want more. You may end up having a hair commYOUnity. Maybe your tagline can be for the love of healthy hair or my hair is my choice! I think there's so much we've considered the norm that there are opportunities to cash out. Yes, cash out. When you try this and it eventually works, come back and drop a testimonial in the comments. If it doesn't, keep trying, and it's an advantage because you'll be learning sales skills. Some trace regular compliments to their talents and make money off them. Others blush and say "shae you de whine me nii". Some compliments are pointers- Pay Attention.
Monetizing Compliments
By Samuel Ibok
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Cyrus Majebi Tobi Igbinedion Esther Omemu
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Hi, it's Samuel, thanks for reading my insights.
I'm a Creative Writer and Poet on a mission to Tell Stories That Torch! You can find some of my works below https://www.instagram.com/p...
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Jefferson Nnadiekwe Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer
city Lagos, Nigeria
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 2 min read • Jan 23, 2023 09:33a.m.
Determinism and fairness
Determinism is a widely popular concept. Subscribers to this school of thought, are of the believe that every action of man has been predetermined by a force. For some this force is God or gods. While for others, it is the universe. In essence, the destiny of every human, has been set. We just live according to it. But if this is the case, can we say that some people have been set up to fail or engage in certain actions which lead to doom? And if so, is it fair that there is judgement awaiting us in the afterlife based on our actions on earth; which has already been predestined? To put it simply, are we to blame for our wrong doings and shortcomings? Determinism is a concept that opposes the totality of free will. That is man has no true free will to make choices for himself. Every choice we make, has already been predestined and mapped out. In this case, one can then argue that a man who commits murder did not truly act on his own volition. He only played to a script. Does it then make sense if he is judged and condemned to an afterlife of pain and suffering, based on an action he has no control over? Let's take the example of Judas in the bible. His role in the death of Christ was unarguably very important in fulfilling God's plan. Till this day, the name Judas is associated with betrayal and evil. But one can argue that maybe he was just a pawn. A man destined to betray Jesus. Surely this was not of his free will right? There is no back story that I know of that suggest that Judas had done something like that in the past. We can say that he is therefore a victim of determinism. What about the concepts of success and failure. Are they affected by determinism? Maybe that is why some people do not attain success irrespective of their efforts. Which seems rather unfair. What is the point of toiling and striving for success, if it has been already mapped out that some people are destined to be above others. Determinism in its entirety, seems unfair upon deeper scrutinization. This is one of the reasons a lot of people are beginning to adopt the philosophy of existentialism.
Determinism and fairness
By Jefferson Nnadiekwe
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Wilson U. Uzoeto
city Abeokuta • 2 weeks, 3 days ago

2} Concerning Judas, he was a thief.. and had a track record of stealing..

John 12:4-6

[4]Then saith one of his disciples,...

Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.
I'm a creative screenwriter, photographer, cinematographer and creative director. You can check out some of my works here https://instagram.com/themi...
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Tari Ogbowei Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents
city Yenagoa, Nigeria
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In Politics • 3 min read • Jun 23, 2022 21:13p.m.
EVERYDAY FOR THE THIEF, ONE DAY FOR THE OWNER
<span class="html-content"> <p>In what sounds like the recollection of a bad dream, it's all over the news that, a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweramadu and his wife, Beatrice have been arrested in the UK on charges bordering human trafficking and organ harvesting from a child. </p> <p>As horrific and disgraceful this may seem, stemming from the fact that this man is a political leader and a senator of the Federal Republic since 1999 and as such represents the country, it's government and it's people to the outside world, you'd expect that someone of this standing will carry himself in a manner that depicts class and exudes respect. This doesn't seem to be the case among the Nigerian political class. Time and again, it has been proven that most of the political class encourage, aid and abett crime as it benefits their elitist goals. Other times, they're directly involved. When their stooges are caught, they use their influence to cover it all up and before long the matter is swept under the carpet. They have weaponised poverty in the land, rob us blind of our shared patrimony and still take the little we have left for their benefit. As if that's not enough, they have brazenly began to kill us like chicken in a pen.</p> <p>Last year, David Hundeyin, an independent journalist and the founder of West Africa Weekly who became popular for his sensational article, "Cornflakes for Jihad: The Boko Haram Origin Story" did an investigative piece on Hiny Umoren's murder by Frank Akpan which led to an exposé on the involvement of some highly placed individuals and a policeman, a DPO, SP Samuel Ezeugo who claimed to have arrested the suspect. The article pieced together that she may have been the victim of a clandestine operation of an organ harvesting syndicate, either for the purpose of rituals or organ sales on the international black market. Whichever the case was, David Hundeyin made it a point to note that politicians and other highly placed individuals in society were in on it. The Akwa-Ibom state command of the Nigerian Police Force made a very poor attempt at covering up the crime as well as the offenders by refusing to investigate and pinning it entirely on one man when it was obvious he wasn't alone. A few weeks later, no one hears about the case. Most likely swept under the carpet, the suspect released and everything back to normal. Life goes on.</p> <p>This ability to get away with almost everything, is one of those things that make the political class so powerful and almost untouchable. It must be what informed our "dearly beloved" Ekweramadu's crass decision to take a child to London, a place which does take crimes against women, children and the disabled lightly, for the purpose of organ harvesting. London is definitely not Nigeria and he's supposed to know better.</p> <p>In this developing story, the child is a 15 year old who was taken to London by Mr. and Mrs. Ekweramadu off the streets of Lagos. The case has been adjourned to July 7th while the couple will be remanded in prison as they've been denied bail. This is definitely not Nigeria. We can definitely expect more names and indictments as this has to go beyond he and his wife alone. </p> <p>Is he involved in a syndicate of organ traffickers? What is his motive for this dastardly act? Whatever it is, there is no justification for harvesting an organ from a minor or anyone who can't legally give consent. Everyday for the thief, one day for the owner.</p> </span>
EVERYDAY FOR THE THIEF, ONE DAY FOR THE OWNER
By Tari Ogbowei
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Samuel Ibok
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Esther Omemu Design Associate @ Hera Marketing
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In Career and Jobs • 3 min read • Jan 17, 2023 18:57p.m.
Done is better than Perfect
‘Done is better than perfect’ I heard this first from my now mentor, Dr. Ada S. Peter when I was only a 200-level student trying to not die from the weight of assignments and coursework. After every class, she would give us painful assignments, with emphasis on the word painful, the kind of assignments that will lead the class to drop out of their chairs to the floor of the studio and just start shedding collective tears. Once she had heard all our complaints, she would smile and say ‘You can do it’…or ‘I am grooming you’ or ‘you’ll be grateful for this training’ and whilst it was true, we definitely could not see it at that time…and out of all the many things she would say, the one that stuck with me the most was the ‘Done is better than perfect’. This simple statement has helped me through my journey as a student, an employee, and even as an unofficial career mentor. In life, we often get overwhelmed when faced with tasks that we think are beyond our capacity or confused about, and then work paralysis sets in. We find ourselves unable to even start the task because we are so worried that we can’t do it or worried that we don’t know how to do it. We get stuck on making it perfect that we never actually get it to even make it happen and that’s why I hold those words dear to me. Once again. Done is better than perfect. I promise you that once you internalize this statement, your work or study life will become a whole lot easier. Now, don’t get too excited, this is not a magic phrase but rather it is a soothing statement that helps to take away the unnecessary pressure we feed ourselves as we fight for perfection. The key point of this message is to do it. Doing the work will always be better than waiting for perfection. You can only improve upon or make perfect something that already exists #word When I started my journey in the labor market, a clueless graduate who had more theoretical knowledge than skills, I would often get confused and overwhelmed when assigned tasks that I had bragged about in the interview but have no current knowledge of. Even worse, I would sit in meetings and be so lost, and then when they assign a task at the end of the meetings, I was still there trying to figure out what half of what they were saying meant. This is where that statement started to make sense to me. When I would stare at my laptop, head throbbing, fingers itching and a blank brain, worrying endlessly about whether or not I could do it. I might even close the laptop in fury and stare at the cobwebs-filled ceiling, wondering if I should just quit just so that feeling of helplessness would go away. Then the word would come and somehow it gave me enough energy to actually start something. I would start, stop, and start again but push through and do what I can do best. Eventually, it would start to suddenly make sense, and although it was nothing close to perfect, the feeling of actually getting the work done either way was enough for me. Sometimes, well most times, what I thought was a pile of rubbish compiled together ended up being exactly what my boss was looking for. So if you ever find yourself in similar shoes, don’t bother worrying about the outcome. Just start, it doesn’t even have to make sense at the beginning. Do it first and then worry about perfection later. It may turn out perfect or it may not but at the very least, it is done. Until next time!
Done is better than Perfect
By Esther Omemu
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Oluseyi Vandy Samuel Mgbabor Nwite Samuel Ibok
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Hi, it's Esther, thanks for reading my insights.
A creative writer born, bred and established in art of advertising...Feel free to check out my work samples here https://copyfol.io/v/mnw7r7...
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Joshua Omoijiade
city Lagos, Nigeria
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 3 min read • Mar 08, 2023 14:09p.m.
In Praise of the Every Day
In the late 1950s, a Dutch Artist called Johannes Vermeer created a painting called “The Little Street”. This painting though worth discussion features nothing remarkable at all. If you look closely you can see a woman in a doorway of a house on that street of delft, sewing; a couple of children were at their games on the floor adjacent to that same building; you can make out a woman in a white scarf, red patchy blouse tucked in a blue patchy skirt, in the yard getting some work done and these little slices of the delft life are contrasted by a four-story building of all brick and chimney and glass. In the background, you can make out the red mountains that blend in with the building and the sky is pregnant with the promise of rain despite its bright colour.  I have chosen to highlight this painting because, at the time, it was notably out of the ordinary. The paintings of merit in that age were mainly those depicting the aristocrats and people of worthy feats of military excellence - The extraordinary. This defiance reminds me of the magic that exists in those very forgettable parts of the days we currently lead. The little street makes me smile because nothing is more relatable than the daily traffic of day-to-day - nothing as universal as the mundane.  Last month I quit my job to pursue other interests for the time. Four days before my last day I booked a ride with my colleague home so I could split the cab fare and carry all my stuff home. We were nearly at my house when I saw one of those Gated estates I see shut so often, ajar. The gates were wide open and a school bus was turning in slowly, Children plastered to the windows in varying degrees of boredom, excitement or disinterest. I stared out the Lagride and this forgettable moment catapulted me into a moment of clarity. “in a few days my every day for the past two years will be no more. Once, like those children that were my every day and now it is no more.”  For the last two years at my job, I had gotten up mindless after the first months; I dressed after reluctantly washing myself in the morning’s cold. I hopped in my father’s car or walked some 15 minutes to get a bus to the office before the daylight could break. Fifty Naira became a hundred and then a hundred and Fifty was required to get to the office. I walked by a gated house in particular where two dogs not dulled by their old age barked loudly at me till they both got put down after my first year doing this. I went into the Daytona supermarket hundreds of times and bought or thought to buy before making it to my desk five minutes away. Some days it was a relief to make it to my faulty chair, sometimes I just made it to the couch of the office for the rest of my sleep but for the past two years, these standard days were the company I had.  If I haven’t lost you, all this flashed before my eyes as I saw those children and remembered myself in and out of those high-fenced estates on the school bus and I think it’s because we tend to recount the mundane only at the times they are forever changing. Maybe Johannes Vermeer didn’t want to wait till he was called away from the town delft to smile on his simple street knowingly. “ this remarkable ordinary home of mine that I ran past even as these children”, I imagine he might have thought as he finished that painting. I think the mundane requires more attention from us. Not only at the points we shift from one big moment to the next. Look around your home and the static chairs and tables and take in the smell of the air of your street. See your journey to and fro the office differently because the mundane is likely all we have in between those big moments that might never come. Even when they arrive, those graduations, resignations, deliveries, beginnings and ends; even they soon become the ordinary everyday.
In Praise of the Every Day
By Joshua Omoijiade
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Hi, it's Joshua, thanks for reading my insights.
My broad range of interests include art, design, philosophy and writing about where they might intersect. Find out more here: https://www.linkedin.com/mw...
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Unpopular Opinion

God is a God of all religions, including the African Traditional Religion (ATR)

by | Asiogu Ugochukwu
I have always believed that the beauty of religion lies in the peoples' unique ways and approaches of upholding it. In other words, religion is best practiced in situations where there are less criticisms of whatever one is revering and whoever one is worshiping. Of course, religion is a way of life and as a matter of fact, it is a representation of man's spiritualism - an aspect of man's lif...
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Godwin Erite Project Manager @ Acceler8ed Marketing Services
city Lagos, Nigeria
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In Nigeria • 2 min read • Jul 28, 2024 21:28p.m.
My Life's Chapter 5; Surviving Naija
<p>If life was a book what would be its title for you?<br></p><p>"The Journey of Faith" will be the title, and this chapter will be tagged "Surviving Naija; Keeping the Dream Alive".</p><p>Every Nigerian should earn a certificate of survival at this point because what the f*** is going on here?</p><p>Is this the end of the world for us here?&nbsp;</p><p>If this was a prank it isn't funny anymore, the margin dividing the poor and the rich has grown so tin and more people are seemingly poor than rich, maybe they were rich a few months back but right it seems we have more daylight robberies in the form of utilities and commercial ventures, No blame pushing here to the private sector cause it takes a lot to operate in an economy like the Nigerian Economy, but things are happening, imagine how banks don't have the cash to dispense and POS vendors always having money, like how are we buying the Naira as Nigerians?</p><p>Scratch the banking sector what about the bandits tagged A, B, and C, I heard some are bandless bandits, here's broad daylight robbery cause how the hell do they calculate it, but well on the other hand people do not use electrical appliances like they use to, if you are sharing a prepared meter with your name by now you should be awarded a private investigators batch cause people get know their neighbors bad habits of leaving lights and tv on and its all coming down to bills, unavoidable cost of living, let's not even talk about security.</p><p>Do we have a democrazy or are we crazy?</p><p>They have made us into clowns, who do not know the definition of a democratic system of government.</p><p>Well, we all are tired at this point and looking for a way out...&nbsp;</p><p>But what way would that be?</p>
My Life's Chapter 5; Surviving Naija
By Godwin Erite
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Samuel Ibok
nigeria whatwaynaija
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Asiogu Ugochukwu Global Security enthusiast
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In History and Culture • 2 min read • Oct 04, 2022 05:31a.m.
History: An antidote to man's ridiculous mistakes and excuses.
<span class="html-content"> <p>&nbsp;It was George Santayana who mentioned that we must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past , and we must respect the past remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible. Life can be likened to a journey of a trillion miles and whoever that is ready to embark on this journey must be well equipped with the knowledge of the past so as not to be ignorant of the present. </p> <p>Imagining a world where there was no meticulous recordings of past human experiences, cultures, traditions, ideologies, among other fragmentary evidences of man's perspective of his society is enough to make the concept of imagination itself archaic. This is because such a world would have been boring, uneventful and uninteresting. It would have been a world of emptiness; where humans have no direction and understanding of who they really are, where they came from and where they are headed.</p> <p>According to Edward Hallett Crr, history is a dialogue between the present and the past. In addition, Voltaire noted that the first foundation of all history are the recitals of the fathers to the children, transmitted afterwards from one generation to another. Mankind will continue to live in ignorance and mistakes without maintaining quality relations with its history. and heritage.</p> <p>It is true that not everyone likes history or finds it useful. However, the acceptance or rejection of history does not limit its Implications on every society. Acceptance of the fundamental role of history in a society provides the people with a compass of present and future prospects while the opposite according to James Joyce, remains a nightmare from which people are trying to awake. Overall, any society that does not prioritize the study of its history is doomed to making mistakes that will continue to hunt its people and relegate its cultural, political and economic significance. Little wonder, in his masterpiece entitled - "The Life of Reason," George Santayana adumbrated thus: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. </p> <p>The study and lessons of history helps us understand our true identities, our origin and heritage. It connects us with our root and gives us insight into our present challenges. History provides man with practical solutions to societal challenges. It imbuilds in those who connect with iit, analytical and interpretative skills and abilities to comprehend what, why, when and how events occur as well as what can be done to either avert or welcome.them. </p> <p>In all, it is important to note that history is not mere fictional stories about the dead and the living;, rather, it is man's guide and companion to his future.</p> </span>
History: An antidote to man's ridiculous mistak...
By Asiogu Ugochukwu
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Asiogu Ugochukwu
2 years, 3 months ago
Exactly. This explains why most historians believe in the cyclical concept of history. This means that history repeats itself. So, if tru...
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Esther Omemu Design Associate @ Hera Marketing
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In Career and Jobs • 4 min read • Feb 09, 2023 09:25a.m.
This thing called ‘work esteem’
Yes, it is a real thing and even though it was something I made up that is yet to make it into any dictionary, not even urban dictionary, I still stand confident that it is a real thing that we must talk about. Work esteem is a concept I developed through my years breaking into the labor market and trying to just survive. As a new graduate with no idea about my skills, what I could offer to the market, and my relevancy in this world, I already had a bad start to the beginning of what eventually became an overwhelming rollercoaster in the labor force…and I know that I am only one who felt that way. Imagine this: You have spent four or five years gaining theoretical knowledge about a course or field that you somehow found yourself in. You managed to scale through by crook and nook and sacrificing your mental health but all that is finally over, you have graduated. You start celebrating, high on life, filled with hopes for the new future you are about to experience. For some of you, you are lucky enough to already know what you want to do when you leave, for others you have legs long enough to take you anywhere, and for others, you are trying to eat your rice in peace because the thought of the future is an instant panic attack. Clearly, I was ‘others’ but let’s not digress. Halfway into the rice, the realization that you have gone from undergraduate to unemployed starts to painfully sink in and whether or not you are ready for it, you still worry a bit and you wonder how it is going to be. Fast forward to a few months later, some of you are settled nicely in your cushion offices, holding on to the coattails of whoever squeezed you in with their power. Some others are still running around trying to figure out what they need to do, CV in one hand and application to Japa in the other. The final batch made it into a company, they don’t know what they are doing there other than the fact that they can finally brag that they are gainfully employed. Yay! You finally have a job, but whilst you are super excited that you can finally join the big boys and tell people you work now, you are also starting at the bottom of the ladder, doing something you’ve never done before, and as a result, your confidence and esteem takes a real hit. For some, it starts from the first day, you’ll already start hearing a tiny voice in your head telling you that you’re not good enough and that you’re probably going to get fired soon. Stick with me…don’t stop imagining. At this point, this is where ‘work esteem’ becomes a thing and basically it means the same thing as self-esteem except it is especially suited for the work environment. I didn’t agree with myself at first that this was a thing until I started having regular mental breakdowns on Monday to Friday and then when the weekend rolled in, I was absolutely fine. I was confident in myself, my appearance, and everything else but the moment someone mentioned anything about my work or capacity, it was back down to breaking down. I concluded then that having relatively high self-esteem in my life did not translate at all to my work. I entered the labor market very beggarly because I was unsure of what I had to offer and I was too scared to ask for more or reach for more...and I spent my first two years, working aimlessly just to get scraps of compliments from my bosses. This is the moment where some people start to experience imposter syndrome and then fear of failure for others. You panic every time the phone rings, you worry every time someone comments on your work, your heart skips a thousand beat once your manager calls and almost every night, you are wondering why they haven’t fired you yet. You work like a slave and take on more tasks than you are paid for because you worry that if they fire you you can’t somewhere else or that you have to do it to properly earn your pay. You magnify every comment about your work and emotionally dwell on past failures. For me, I nearly quit many times but then again I didn’t even have the confidence to quit so I guess in a way, my low work esteem protected me. Everywhere you turn, there are a million and one people who are so much better than you. You graduated with a first-class, worked at a big company for your internship, and acquired relevant Coursera certificates yet there is one guy who is younger than who, earning nearly three times as you, started three companies already, and is the consultant for the company you work for. At this point, you have been working for a while but it feels like there is no progress, your salary is becoming even more useless but you don’t know if you can ask for more because you don’t think you deserve it. You are already hating your job, everybody on LinkedIn is working their dream jobs and earning millions of dollars at 18 and there’s you, you who is just trying to not quit and wondering why you studied 5 years in university only to suffer like this. You are considering starting a business but when you can barely send an email without typos, how would you start a business? Your ‘work esteem’ here has basically hit rock bottom. Let me tell you something, if you are experiencing this and you are wondering why this is happening to you…and why everyone else seems to be fine...I’ll let you know one thing. You are not alone. I can’t say for all people but I can boldly say this happens to a lot of people and it is okay. So here’s what you can do to overcome it. First, step out and see the light. No, sorry, that’s the wrong advice, definitely not for this post. The first thing I did to overcome this was to sit back and draw a list of the value I bring to work. What can I do? What do I do? Where am I relevant? You’ll be surprised to see how much you have been underselling yourself. If you can’t answer these questions yourself, find someone who will tell you. It could be a work colleague or a good friend, just find someone who you trust and let them sit with you through this conversation. Once you figure out what you can do, then you need to go around and search for the market value of your skills. How much are my skills worth in the market? If you realize you are worth more, then you need to decide to either stick with where you are and demand a pay raise or go somewhere you will be better appreciated. Some companies are great enough to evaluate and increase your salary without prompt but most will not…because who doesn’t like cheap labor…so you have to do it. I died a hundred times when I sent an email about an increase in my salary and even then I approached it so beggarly but surprisingly, the feedback was so positive, I wondered why I was suffering for so long. Once I started earning better, my work esteem was greatly boosted. The next thing I did was to begin to take louder initiatives so rather than labor in silence and earn nothing, I worked louder. Basically, be more proactive, and be seen. Within a few months of doing this, I got promoted twice...and up my work esteem went. Yes, you are a fresh graduate and you don’t have a lot of experience, yes, everyone else seems to know better than you and you don’t have much to offer…but it doesn’t matter. Sell yourself bigger than you truly are and then work to meet that standard…that’s the principle I now work with…and it works amazingly well. Finally, challenge yourself out of your comfort zone. Accomplishing things you were afraid to do will not only boost your work esteem but position you for better opportunities. Identify your strengths and capitalize on them; rather than dwell in misery about your weakness, make noise about your strength and make it so relevant that they can’t do without you. Let me give an example, in one of the places I worked, I created a niche department that added significant value to the company but my work esteem was too low to appreciate it. I still worked beggarly and settled for scraps. It wasn’t until I got sick one day and requested a three-day leave that the reply email read ‘due to the importance of your position, we can only offer you one day's leave’...It was at this moment, I realized how much I had undervalued my efforts for the company. I decided to add more strength to the niche department, capitalize on it and make so much noise about it until I was promoted to the head of the department. If you look back at how far you have come, you’ll be surprised at how much you have done and how much better you are than you think. So this is my little message to new graduates and fresh workers, don’t sell yourself short. Ask for more than you think you deserve at interviews, be shameless about your worth…and don’t let loyalty to any organization drag your work esteem to the trenches. Peace Until next time!
This thing called ‘work esteem’
By Esther Omemu
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Oluseyi Vandy Samuel Ibok Samuel Bika
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David Adaaja
1 year, 11 months ago
This was literally me a couple of years ago. Even made a huge mistake at work. But I've found my feet and confidence.
Hi, it's Esther, thanks for reading my insights.
A creative writer born, bred and established in art of advertising...Feel free to check out my work samples here https://copyfol.io/v/mnw7r7...
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In Politics • 3 min read • Oct 07, 2022 23:59p.m.
THE FAMED NIGERIAN POLITICAL STRUCTURE
When one gets into a conversation that leads to talking about the problems of Nigeria and proffering solutions, sooner than later, you realise that in analysing one problem, there is another problem that is connected to the initial one. Before even getting to the part of solutions, you realise that Nigeria is a myriad of problems interwoven and interconnected to each other like a spider's web. Corruption as it stands seems to be the biggest problem Nigeria is facing today. Corruption in Nigeria is a hydra. It is multifaceted and multilevel. From the head down to the tail, it's all infested. Let's look at a few cases. If we talk about the menace of police brutality, we'll all agree that there are laws which prevent these kinds of things from happening. Infact the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has its rules of engagement which guides its activities and its interactions with members of the public, yet you still have members for the NPF acting with so much impunity and high-handedness. From this one problem, it is not difficult to notice that there are other issues which are directly related to it. Firstly, you find out that there is a lack of political will by those in the police higher ups as well as our political class to enforce the laws and regulations that guides the NPF to achieve the needed professionalism. This lack of political will also stems from the fact that those in the higher ups and political class benefit from the chaos that the unprofessionalism of the NPF creates which is another problem in itself. Another thing is that the people who bear the brunt of the recklessness, high-handedness and brutality of the NPF fail to stand up for themselves. For many reasons they allow themselves to be extorted, maligned and mistreated by members of the NPF. This can attributed to a high level of illiteracy, poverty and ignorance. The police brutality example is just one of many in the sea of problems we exist in and refer to as normal. While we started from corruption as a problem, we have now gotten to the point in this piece where we recognise illiteracy, poverty and ignorance as problems too. At this point whose fault is it? While some might argue that the government doesn't own total responsibility in creating wealth and employment, and also improve the educational standard of its country or locale, of which I agree that both government and citizenry have their own roles to play. We must realise that it is government's responsibility to form sound policies that will drive these sectors and create the enabling environment for them to thrive. Alas our government has failed to do just that. This is primarily so because the political class, like I mentioned earlier benefits from the chaos this lack creates. They have intentionally kept the people poor, hungry and beggarly, and have become experts at weaponising the widespread poverty. More recently, they have continued to intentionally reduce the standard of education by funding it less and creating policies that create bottlenecks for educational growth like that which the National Assembly passed a bill to remove history from the secondary schools' educational curriculum. In developed countries, government ensures the prosperity of its people and by extension its nation by educating its people and ensuring their presperity, while the Nigerian leaders, a political class bereft of ideas does everything within its power to ensure its people are poor and illiterate so that there will be no one smart and bold enough to challenge it while ensuring its perpetuity as the gate keepers of power. The ignorant and poor masses who can't stand up to its slavers, and will do their bidding for the biblical pot of porridge is who the political class refer to as their POLITICAL STRUCTURE. Anything other than this is a threat. This is why a prosperous and educated citizenry will never appeal to the greedy and inept who continue to invent new ways to perpetuate its hold on political power.
THE FAMED NIGERIAN POLITICAL STRUCTURE
By Tari Ogbowei
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In Politics • 4 min read • Sep 18, 2022 22:11p.m.
THE QUEEN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CIVIL WAR
On the 8th of September, 2022, the British monarchy lost its head monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Within minutes of her passing, the whole world knew she was dead and tributes began pouring in  from all over. Although, different people had quite distinct reactions to the development. Many were mournful, others liked the Irish expressed joy and a few others like me were indifferent. While the Queen was on her deathbed, one Uju Anya, a Nigerian-born American professor made a controversial tweet. She tweeted, "I heard the chief monarch of a thieving raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating." While it might be morally wrong to disparage a person who is dying, or actually dead, we shouldn't forget that everyone has the right to free speech. This is one of the charters of the UN convention. Logically, no crime has been committed but from the standpoint of humanity and morality, it is all shades of wrong. In her defense, one could easily say she made the tweet in reference to the British empire's colonisation efforts in places like Africa and India; the death and bloodshed that followed, and the direct result of the "Potato famine of 1845". Although, the Queen Elizabeth wasn't even born when most of these things happened or started but she met them when she ascended the throne. She never for once acknowledged that whatever her progenitors did was wrong and apologised for it. She carried on as if all is well. In the area of colonisation, she continued with the family legacy. It could easily be assumed, that she supported the actions of her ancestors and in this light Uju Anya's take on Britain being a thieving, raping, genocidal empire is valid. Uju Anya's tweet went viral and the rest of the world made sure to gaslight her for her unsavory remarks on the "dear Queen." Jeff Bezos, the second richest man in the world, among many other prominent and famous people, called her out in no unclear terms. Infact, one could say she was almost lynched with words. Nigerians who are known to be supportive of their countrymen came to the rescue. Now, this is where I have a problem. Uju Anya, being Igbo, mainly Nigerians of Igbo extraction came to her defense. Not that anything is wrong with this but if you want to defend something, do it intelligently and not based on sentiments and uninformed hot takes. I read things that made me question my knowledge of political history. Many of these people hurled vitriol at the late Queen, using the Nigerian civil war as their excuse, juxtaposing two parallel arguments. Their argument was that Britain under the Queen refused to sell arms to Biafra, supporting the Nigerian government against Biafra and that Britain was somehow responsible for the lives lost from the war. While I disagree with this argument, it is a fact that for any event, there are causes and effects. A lot of Igbos have refused to acknowledge the causes of the war but are quick to remember the effects, solely because they bore the brunt. The Nigerian Civil war was ignited by a series of unfortunate events that began from the January 1966 coup led by Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna which culminated in the murder of 22 people, mainly from the North and Mid Western regions by people of mainly Eastern region origin. It was agreed by the coupists to kill the regional leaders of all the regions but at the end of the coup, the leaders of the Eastern region were all alive and well while those of the Northern and Mid Western regions had been killed. This is why the January 1966 coup was nicknamed an "Igbo coup." After the coup, another Igbo man in the person of Aguiyi Ironsi became the Head of state. He promised to try the coupists and serve justice. This calmed the nerves of the North but at the end of the day, it was discovered that the coupists were only arrested but never tried. Infact, they were being paid their full salaries while in detention and were even billed for promotion. All this led to a counter coup by Northern military officers on July 29, 1966 and the unfortunate pogrom of 1966-1967 and the Civil war of 1967-1970. If we go back to a few years after independence, it was Nnamdi Azikiwe, the great Zik of Africa that decided against the inclusion of a secession clause to the constitution. Today, his posterity is suffering from it. All of this shows us, as a people, we are not aware of our history and because we are not aware of our own history, we have distorted it, such that propaganda and pseudo history has been orally passed down from one generation to another. This is why many people believe they were just sitting down on their own, minding their business and "Hausa" people came and attacked them. There was no provocation or trigger that preceded the Nigerian Civil War. Hausa people just woke up one morning and decided to descend on the people of Eastern Nigeria because their breaths stunk and they didn't like their faces. But this is definitely not what happened. However, since we have refused to write our own history, and worse still, we have refused to teach it in schools, there are millions of people who believe in this version of events. The really unfortunate thing is that this misinformation and misrepresentation of facts will continue. In light of all of this, I believe it is obvious that the Queen, albeit being the biggest beneficiary of the atrocities of her progenitors, is not responsible and had hand no hand in the cause of the Nigerian Civil War. If we're looking for who to blame, we shouldn't look too far. We should look at ourselves. If any Nigerian wants to blight the Queen, it should be on the basis of the fact that the British monarchy as an institution, of which the Queen is the single largest beneficiary plundered, pillaged and raped a large part of Africa for its personal benefit.
THE QUEEN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CIVIL WAR
By Tari Ogbowei
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Hero James
city Lagos • 2 years, 4 months ago
You don't tell a victim of war how to air her grievances. Her choice of words is proportional to her pains. Secondly, the coup was never...
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Tari Ogbowei Content Writer and contributor @ TwoCents
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In The Economy • 5 min read • Dec 18, 2022 08:19a.m.
CBN'S NEW withdrawal limit policy
A lot of Nigerians, especially business owners and entrepreneurs have been thrown into a state of confusion and complete pandemonium following the new CBN policy to limit cash withdrawals to #20,000 daily for individuals and #100,000 daily for businesses. The CBN had in a letter dated Tuesday 6th December directed all deposit money banks, payment service banks, primary mortgage institutions, and micro finance banks to effect an over-the-counter cash withdrawal limit by individuals and corporate entities to not more than #100,000 and #500,000 weekly, respectively, effective January 9th, 2023. “The maximum cash withdrawal over the counter by individuals and corporate organisations per week shall henceforth be N100,000 and N500,000 respectively. Withdrawals above these limits shall attract processing fees of 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively,” CBN said. When one considers the cashless policy trend being practised in Western countries, you'd be tempted to agree, that this is a positive and welcome development, as it has the potential to reduce money laundering, cash hoarding and corruption generally. But we've got to look beyond face value. The Nigerian financial terrain is peculiar and quite different from that of the Western countries. While the Western countries operate a credit driven economy, Nigeria operates a cash driven economy. This is why policies and laws must be considered properly and in tandem with our peculiarities before being put forward to the public domain. Without proper consideration, we could experience a deadly recoil of a probably good gesture, leading to even deeper economic crisis than we're in already. Inflation in the country has been on a steady rise despite several monetary tightening policies as this latest policy can be described to be. The CBN's ill thought monetary policies along with some other factors have proved to have a direct impact on inflation. This last cash withdrawal policy will rather worsen things instead of making them better. Our elders say, "it is only a mad man that repeats the same thing over and over and expects a different result. This saying directly relates to the CBN's continued efforts at tightening our monetary policies, while it doesn't seem to achieve its goal of ameliorating the effects of the fiscal mess that we're in. While the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele has been experimenting with different ideas that seem to pop into his head on a whim, the Nigerian economy has been crumbling like a pack of cards. A major effect of the soaring inflation is the erosion of the purchasing power of the naira, as incomes collapse and add to the mounting poverty of a nation which is already titled the "Poverty capital of the world". According to the National Bureau of Statistics [NBS], headline inflation accelerated to 21.47 percent in November as against 21.09 percent in October. On a month-on-month basis, it increased to 1.39 percent in November as against 1.24 percent in October 2022. Also, food inflation rose to 24.13 percent from 23.72 percent in October. On a month-on-month basis, food inflation grew by 1.4 percent compared to 1.23 percent in October. Core inflation similarly spiraled to 18.24 percent from 17.76 percent in October. Over the last one year, the Nigeria inflation story has been a depressing one as reflected in the dynamics of all key price metrics. The key inflation drivers which includes; depreciating exchange rate, rising transportation costs, logistics challenges, forex market illiquidity, hike in the cost of refined petroleum products, climate change, insecurity ravaging farming communities and structural constraints to economic activities have not changed over the last few years. The brutish inflation asides, what about the impact of the policy on MSMEs? In a country where scam is rife, fake alerts are rampant, and with a dysfunctional police and justice sysyem, transacting in cash acts as a surety against anything untoward and gives the business owner a high level of confidence and control. Let's take a look at PoS businesses which can be considered a subsector taking into cognisance the number of jobs it has created. How many of them will be affected considering the fact that PoS business is commission based and limiting daily withdrawal to #20,000 will definitely affect them and threaten their sources of livelihood. How about market women and the petty trader? How many have PoS machines? How many will be willing to engage in bank transfers. Even for many who are conversant with smartphones, one can transfer money to someone and they don't receive the alert immediately. Sometimes it takes hours. How often does this happen? What will be the effect on businesses? The new policy will most likely be inimical to their growth, as infrastructural bottlenecks prevent total reliance on alternative channels of payment being favoured by the CBN. Recently, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, alongside the National Bureau of Statistics, put the number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country at 39.65 million, which employ about 87.9 percent of the nation’s labour force. The body added that MSMEs contribute 43.3 percent to the nation’s GDP. Truth is Nigeria, doesn't have the capacity nor infrastructure to keep the economy functioning properly as it experiments with policies that are sure to rebound and hit us right in the face. Also, with the contribution of MSMEs to nation building and job creation, it is a very important sector that should be accounted for in every fiscal and monetary decision that is bound to affect them. Sustained tightened policy penalizes entrepreneurs especially, as it increases cost of credit with heightened prospects of a backlash on growth. The deployment of monetary tightening tools should be put on hold and the CBN should resist the urge to dish out further policies of this nature as mounting inflationary pressures are yet to subside. Elections are fast approaching and all indications show that this policy is politically motivated, probably in a bid to try reduce and control vote buying. The CBN should realise it has power over the finances of over 200m people and should rather proffer solutions to our existing financial woes. It shouldn't make decisions with such hefty consequences based on political sentiments. Economic advancement of the people and country should be of utmost priority.
CBN'S NEW withdrawal limit policy
By Tari Ogbowei
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In Companies and Firms • 3 min read • Jan 05, 2023 09:13a.m.
Bedrooms and Boardrooms
<span class="html-content"><p>Read with your mind!&nbsp;</p><p>One of the crazy things about the post-Covid era is the discussion about the ideal work environment. While we await the winner between bedrooms and boardrooms, it is clear that the future of work has forever changed. It's okay if you have a divergent opinion. Remote work has drastically changed the perception of work and the income game between distinct jobs. This may feel like an exaggeration, but I believe that most people may prefer remote work if it pays well and gives them a sense of "freedom."&nbsp;</p><p>Would onsite jobs go extinct?&nbsp;</p><p>My answer is no because some jobs require physical presence and AIs haven't been incorporated into every field. The great thing is that bedrooms have become boardrooms, all thanks to technology. You just have to get yourself an optimized workstation. This leads to my next point regarding the efficacy of doing remote work. My argument is not rooted in science but in the experiences of others and mine. I feel the novelty of remote work in many corners of the world is still largely misunderstood. Similarly, it's very tricky in the sense that it can give you the false impression that you have a lot of free time. Well, it may depend on the content of their jobs. I think companies should create milestones for employees working remotely to keep them in check. I mean, if I can get the job done in 3 hours at any point during the week, I might as well procrastinate the task. Think about it.&nbsp;</p><p>I equally think managing people working remotely is tricky, as the human connection may be absent. Well, I guess that's where hybrid work comes in. On the other side, if the task can be executed remotely, then companies should make allowances for that. It would save the employee money on transportation and save the company some costs. That's Nigeria speaking through me!&nbsp;</p><p>I guess onsite work gives employers the impression that they are in control.&nbsp;</p><p>"Employee wey wan run you street go still succeed ooo." Lol. I guess part of the worry employers have is that there are just too many distractions out there, and remote work gives employees the opportunity to utilize these distractions. Well, there's a valid point there, but it is what it is.&nbsp;</p><p>The post-covid workspace has taken on a new dimension as companies have transitioned from the traditional desk-chair-monitor setup to something more disruptive. In other words, "they've brought the bedroom into the boardroom or incorporated the bedroom into the design of the boardroom." This changes everything, and it makes employees more efficient. You can say it's still to ensure that employees come onsite!&nbsp;</p><p>We're now seeing more sustainable workspaces designed specifically for optimization. It's now very clear that little things like having a small flower on a desk or having more colors, humorous pictures, and some crazy pieces of furniture can influence employees positively. Even personnel management has changed due to remote work. One common denominator in the preceding lines is "evolve" or "change." It makes one think about the future of work.&nbsp;</p><p>Have we seen it all?&nbsp;</p><p>Screenshot your answer and check back in two years!</p><p><br></p> <p>Random thought: Imagine a remote VR workspace modeled after a company's on-site workspace. Now imagine team bonding in a VR workspace! Imagine if there were spectacles that gave an updated version of whatever you looked at. By implication, there'd be no trenches. I think it would change the meaning of luxury. I just made your mind SWERVE!</p><p><br></p> <p>#Swerve</p><p>#Learn Unlearn Relearn</p><p>#LEarn&nbsp;</p> </span>
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 3 min read • Aug 20, 2024 17:15p.m.
OFFENDING SENSITIVITIES
<p>Modern social courtesy demands that we be economical with opinions and judgement - even if it is the truth. Gone are the days were the honesty was encouraged irrespective of whose Ox is gored. It's 'growth', and 'development', so I guess I have to live with it right?</p><p><br></p><p>But just before I go on with living with it, permit me a few minutes to bare my mind. What the hell?! Where are we going to as a people if we see black and can't call it black because a certain group would be offended with that accuracy? How do we learn from mistakes if pointing out said mistakes makes one a 'prude'? This woke nonsense has to stop!&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Liberalism and conservatism would always be at loggerheads. Both of them have their strengths and shortcomings - but nobody never accepts that with liberalism. One of the most championed mantras of liberalism is 'live and let live'. While that makes a lot of sense and proposes freedom, mankind simply cannot live and let live. Because living and letting to live has the possibility of offending the natural order of things, and should be called out at this point.</p><p><br></p><p>A ready example that comes to mind is dress code/sense. There is this ideology spawning among us that clothes are a means to express ourselves and hence nobody should be criticized for whatever they choose to wear. Come on! This makes zero sense. Clothes are not always a means of self expression because different places demand specific dress codes. You cannot walk into an office in a bikini can you? Well given the way things are going, one might be able to do that. There was a social media post about a lady who was sent away from an interview based on her dressing and choice of clothing. Annoyingly, some people expressed their dissatisfaction and maligned the interviewer for infringing on her rights.</p><p>While there were thankfully others who were bold enough to call it for what it is - a fault on the applicant's part, the mere fact that it was a debate was just appalling.</p><p><br></p><p>It's same thing with revealing clothes being worn out in public places or functions. An air of discomfort lingers but no one wants to say anything, because they're afraid to look a certain way. Children shouldn't be exposed to indecent exposure - we know this much, but somehow we let it slide because wokeism. Look, I'm not against freedom of self expression - hell, my career demands it. However, we should be able to draw a line and say enough when it's clearly gotten out of hand. This is why I appreciate the likes of Andrew Tate, and Jordan Peterson.</p><p><br></p><p>Say what you want about those men (especially Andrew), but their willingness to offend sensitivities is badly needed. The world is going left so fast that we need people who aren't scared to raise an alarm. A very sensitive yet crucial topic people are scared to speak on, is gender/identity politics. For example, only a handful of people warn about hormone blocking drugs and its side effects when more awareness is needed on it. The threat of cancel culture has shut role models and individuals with influence from speaking against abnormalities that are being paraded as the norm. Thankfully men like Andrew and Jordan constantly resist the efforts to be silenced - shout out to the others in this class.</p><p><br></p><p>We cannot keep putting sensitivities over truth. Neither can we continue to give into the gaslighting that aims to validate wrongs as 'personal choices'. Should we continue like it, mankind could become so jaded that the lines between good and evil, what is acceptable and what is not; would become to blurred to distinguish. And when it gets to that point, we would all be in trouble.</p>
OFFENDING SENSITIVITIES
By Jefferson Nnadiekwe
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In Politics • 3 min read • Nov 11, 2022 22:52p.m.
HMM
Suliyat sells shoes and bags supposedly. She lives in Lekki in a two bedroom duplex and pays 1.5 million naira every year for rent. The mantra of "God when" keeps flying when she uploads on Instagram and Tiktok and all she does is remind people that she is a "small girl with a big God". Dele has a mansion in Lekki and another in Port Harcourt. He claims to work virtually and receives fluctuating salaries between 4000 to 5000 pounds monthly. His house always has a weird smell that is a mixture of excreta and God knows what. You cannot breathe in his house and would prefer to meet him in an official setting. Every week, there is a new girl in his house but he cannot send money home to his parents who are still homeless. People wonder why it is so and some have even called him names but he keeps telling them that they don't understand. He has already ordered the latest Benz so all is well and good Ekaette has finished university and is about to go for service. The problem is that she does not want to serve anywhere that is not Lagos as it is the "happening place" so she has cooked up strategies to ensure it is so. She has decided to go through her parents to ask that they talk to her aunt who has pull in the NYSC office. A sum has been requested and paid and all she can do is wait for her fate. One way or another, she must land in Lagos or nothing else matters, even if she has to fraternize with the Platoon Leader or an influential Local Government Inspector. Emeka wants to get married but his business has not been giving as much money as he would like. He decided this next trip, he must add money on top and put it on the customers, after all, they have no choice. Anything that was 500 naira is now 4000 naira. Economy is hard and it is not his fault. Man must wack and there is nothing he can do about it. Ena just woke up and would use the whole morning for another round of thinking. What would her children eat now that their dad is not there to support her, and she is not as strong to cater for them as her back issues are becoming worse. If not for the house her husband left and kept away from other assets, she would be on the street. The politician may be coming to campaign again. Maybe she would go and collect the three onions and five cups of rice so at least her children would eat. She is good as far as they have eaten. Osas finally found a job but it looks like the pay is not as promising as he thought it would be. He was expecting a base pay of 200,000 naira and now he is seeing 80,000 naira and a "promise" to increase after years worked. Right now, he is at a crossroad as he is out of options and it has been three years of trying to get something good. It seems he would have to settle until he finds something good and then his japa plans can be built while doing so. To hell with staying in this country for more than a year!! These and more stories are what are prevalent in the Nigerian sphere and these are all victims of an already wicked and corrupt system. Say what you want about them but these are their realities and unless we create a system that actually works, more of these would erupt and we would keep crying and not solving the problem. Decide what future you want for your family Don't sell your vote Use your voice wisely
HMM
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Friday Okwori Human @ Earth
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In Religion • 4 min read • Apr 14, 2023 09:47a.m.
Old Dumb Man
Babatunde recently finished the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He was a bright young guy, full of hope and self-assurance as he readied himself to confront the harsh realities of the outside world. Like many others, he had reached the point where he would be accountable for making all life-related decisions by himself. Although there are many unknowns in life after NYSC, Tunde made the decision to remain optimistic and composed. In all honesty, he had no reason to worry about a job or anything of the sort; he came from a very wealthy family. He belonged to the tiny percentage of people in his nation who were free to pursue their passions. Passion is undoubtedly a luxury that only a select few can afford in a nation with such a high unemployment rate. The Adebayo’s, Tunde's family, may be extremely affluent, yet their humility is what stands out most about them. They are also incredibly intelligent and are able to have lengthy discussions with anyone about any topic. Although both parents may have retired from their jobs, they are still actively involved in their church and other humanitarian organizations. They are blessed with two children – Tunde and his elder brother. Most people assume that Tunde is the only child because his brother is rarely there owing to school and work. When Tunde returned from NYSC, he began acting in ways that everyone who knew him found concerning. His parents ignored it and instead prayed about it. One day, while everyone was chatting, Tunde entered the room and requested his father for his portion of the inheritance. He complained to his father that he was sick of being treated like a child and that it was time to start acting like a man. As soon as Tunde made his demand, he left the room, as if to demonstrate to them that things had changed from what had been the norm. Welcome to reality, The Adebayo’s! The parents had a difficult night that day. The mother cried out to God, pleading for help because the devil had seized control of her son's life. Mr. Adebayo was astonished by what he heard. As far back as he could recall, he was aware that they had been good parents. Why would their child suddenly stray from the path they had raised him? Mr. Adebayo summoned Tunde at first light and surprisingly acceded to his requests. His wife had no idea it would happen, leaving her in disbelief. Tunde already had his luggage prepared, so he simply grabbed them and left. He was courteous enough to tell his parents not to worry about him - he was on a journey to discover himself. A few days after receiving his inheritance, he posted many pictures of himself in a club with various barely dressed women on his Whatsapp and Instagram accounts. It was from one club to the other - he was living the life. Dorime no be for civil servant but in his case, he made even Tech bros look like civil servants. In case you don’t know, he was given a trust fund as his own inheritance. No employment could possibly provide him with the amount of money he had accessible to him. He eventually deleted all his social media accounts. No one could reach him any longer because he also changed his contacts. Everyone was concerned about Tunde. The most recent information they got about him was that he was abroad. As much as they could, prayers were said for him in church. His mother experienced some health issues, including high blood pressure. Although he tried to appear unconcerned, his father was worried about his son's protracted departure from the house. He regularly checked his phone to see if there was any information regarding his whereabouts. Everyone attempted to move on, but it was impossible. Indeed, it is the hope that kills. Oh lest I forget, his parents were swindled severally by people that assured them Tunde would be brought home safely. It was such emotional trauma. Tunde contacted his father one day and pleaded for permission to return, but this time as a servant. Before he had even finished speaking, his father promised him he would arrange for a first-class ticket for him to return home. He only had to get to the airport. His parents dispatched someone to pick him up at the airport because they couldn't bear the notion of being disappointed at the airport if he didn't arrive when he said he would. Tunde's father went after him and hugged his long-lost son as soon as he got out of the car. Nobody bothered to control their tears at that moment; they all just let them flow freely. The relief of having their son back home overwhelmed his parents. They celebrated enthusiastically, disregarding prudence. From one celebration to the next it was. Even Tunde found it hard to think that his parents would rejoice at his return home; he knew what he deserved. After the party was done, Mr. Adebayo's close friends inquired about the crazy celebration. Apparently, they had heard that it was being held in honour of their rebellious son, but they thought it was rather foolish. Mr. Adebayo acknowledged that his child was the reason for the celebrations, and he couldn't care less if people thought he was an old dumb man. After all, it was his own child that returned home.
Old Dumb Man
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In Politics • 1 min read • Jun 05, 2022 11:09a.m.
TWITTER PRESIDENT - PART 1
<span class="html-content"> <p>The run up to the 2023 presidential elections, have come with a lot of interesting developments with many more to unfold in the coming months. In all, one name stands out. PETER OBI. The man's pedigree stands unchallenged. Coming with a track record of effectiveness, delivery and ultimate success from both the business world and politics, it is difficult to find anyone from the current array of contestants who can best him.</p> <p>It seems the older generation has given up on Nigeria or maybe lost the will to fight or maybe it's just age that has caught up with them. I have heard many a time, people from that generation make remarks like "my generation has failed you" or "my generation is the cause of this problem". But the young people have shown that they're willing to fight and change the narrative, so we have an event like the famous “EndSARS” protest with which the youth have used to challenge the status quo.</p> </span>
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Alfred Lagos
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 2 min read • Jul 06, 2022 12:34p.m.
PLEASE DON'T BRUSH YOUR HAIR
Why do people believe that payment for a service gives the right to abuse said service? An Uber driver narrated his encounter with a rider whom he asked to stop brushing her hair in his car, so as not to leave strands of hair behind. According to him, her response was to ask if she didn't pay for the ride. This post was shared by popular Instagram blog; 'instablog'. The most disappointing thing about that post was the comment section. A lot of people found no fault in the attitude of the rider. Some even reiterated her point, she paid for the ride, and as such can brush her hair if she wishes to. I however saw reasons with the driver's request. It wasn't just about brushing her hair, it was more about littering the car. In a job in which he could be rated poorly for having an untidy car, surely he has the right to ask that you not brush your hair while in it. Yes, a service was paid for. But rules are no strangers in the course of a service. Something people fail to understand when it comes to services is that, you have to consider the other people making use of it. Nobody wants to get into a car which looks like the inside of a barber's shop. If you know such a thing is a turn off, then you should consider the next person who gets in after you. That's an issue which constantly keeps rearing its head in modern times - lack of empathy. Nobody seems to consider the feelings of the next guy. What we are bothered by is our own satisfaction. If that satisfaction comes at the expense of others, so be it. Emotional intelligence keeps declining, even though we like to act like we are sophisticated. Learn to respect people's rules. So far as the rules are not over reaching and offensive (genuinely offensive, not woke mind offensive), we can respect them. Keep to the rules of a service provider or you find an alternative. If the man says don't brush your hair in his car, then don't.
PLEASE DON'T BRUSH YOUR HAIR
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Computer Science is within the School of Engineering and is widely considered an engineering major. It is also quite related to Electrical Engineering in regards to subject matter, and because my concentrations in both degrees were related it was a natural transition, and many of my undergraduate courses counted for credit towards my master's degree. Specifically, my undergraduate degree was concentrated in artificial intelligence (focused on visual and audio processing), and my master's degree was concentrated in signal processing (also focused on visual and audio processing).
Ifueko Igbinedion
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Hello Ebunoluwa, I'm glad you found the session useful. My approach to life is that I'll never get given anything I cannot deal with, so the fact that I'm faced with that particular challenge means I have the ability to overcome it. Then, I go into learning, it's my first point of call with most things. Not necessarily structured learning, I spend a lot of time reading, not books, just blogs and articles on things I am curious about, or need knowledge on, sometimes I turn to podcasts, or videos - an easier way to learn for me. In this space, you have to cultivate a culture of learning as it is so dynamic and forever evolving. I also rely a lot on my network, no one is an Island right? You cannot be an expert at everything, so rely on people who can offer their expertise when you need it, or coach you.
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Senior Digital Communications Analyst @ Oando Plc
The goal of blockchain is to mobilise digital currencies. The link with energy supply is a far-fetched but not very much insignificant link. The structure of blockchain should be similar to that of internet communication (fluidity of data flux). Blockchain technology will be influenced more by economic transactions between energy suppliers and consumers in the energy sector. The blockchain technology issue is narrowed down to purchasing ability and mobility. Whether the energy is renewable or not, the question becomes relevant if "cryptos" are used to pay. Many countries already use the P-2-P transaction, which allows traditional currencies, bank cards, and crypto vendor platforms to be purchased (such as Binance without any publicity). When considering this question in terms of mining these coins, the CPU units, According to the Digiconomist's Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index, one bitcoin transaction consumes 1,449 kWh, or roughly 50 days of power for the average US household. Many African businesses consume more energy than this over the course of 50 days. As a result, it has no bearing on Africa's energy sustainability. Africa's most pressing issue is how to manage the energy it generates (how the laws work and how much people can buy). I hope I've quenched your thirst.By the way, how many countries are to adopt a currency which doesn't satisfy the basis laws of currency credibility?
Loic Bethel Dje
Youth and Apex Performance Mentor | Initiator @ PureBreedSbe
I have no experience in quantization, so I won't be able to answer this well. However, I believe it is important that ML be as accessible as it possibly can be and am looking forward to seeing improvements within this domain.I think it's totally fine to explore as many techniques as you can since you don't know what works until you try it!
Chinasa T. Okolo
Managing Director & Computer Science PhD Student @ The Diasporic Group & Cornell University
Practice everyday. I honestly just started that. A sketch a day.Be open minded and soak yourself in your creative juice. Read. Read and read. Be in tune with what is going on in the fashion industry and the creative industry in general.Technology is gradually becoming a part of our business, see how innovation can make your work easier. Don’t be afraid of technology, embrace it. Basically be present and keep thinking.
Yewande Orenuga
Creative Director @ Thalia Bespoke Nigeria
You can say that all ML is data-centric since this is the basic facet machine learning models need to function. Fairness is a growing topic that is fortunately receiving much needed attention. Companies and individuals are realizing the harms that ML can pose and are actively working to address this. Explainability is also a big factor in making ML models fair but is critically understudied, especially in the context of making ML "explainable" to those with lower technology or AI knowledge. Security can be a big issue but is usually handled on the networking side of things (data storage, transmission, etc.).
Chinasa T. Okolo
Managing Director & Computer Science PhD Student @ The Diasporic Group & Cornell University
Hi Isaac, i am glad you find the answers useful. To the first question, finding tailors was a major problem for me mostly because i had no interest in actually sitting on a machine. I personally do not enjoy it. I also started with no direction in mind i just kept saying i wanted to do ready to wear but didn’t think of basic things like the kind of clients i wanted to cater to and how i can get them. The tailors that were very good were expensive, I couldn’t afford them but i went ahead and got one regardless. The business was barely surviving i had to let him go.Knowing your target audience is important so if they aren’t in your immediate circle, you have do something else short term to get noticed by your actual target audience. Getting clients was a problem because my social circle is extremely small and were also in my tax bracket while i was aiming for people outside that bracket.It is also important that whenyou give someone a discount, make sure you tell them it is a discount.Learning and restrategizing is the most important thing. When something isn’t working find a new way. My brand is still evolving and that is fine, till you find what works. For starting up you might not make a lot of profit and that is fine, if you have a long term plan. Might being the keyword, it honestly is not the case for some people. Social capital is a huge determining factor. You want people to notice you and experience your brand once you have that you can start to mark up, those who know your value will stay. Do not take on more than you can handle, it will affect your quality of work and it will mess with you. Activity is not productivity, prioritize things. Learn when to say noAbout staying true to your style I honestly will say you decide that. Nothing wrong in letting other things influence your style. The idea of a business is making money, i also understand that carving a niche is important but if its not working you might need to tweak it till it works.
Yewande Orenuga
Creative Director @ Thalia Bespoke Nigeria
I must start by appreciating the starting process, to by pass that, it means you made it already. First, not being a Business incline is not an issue. You only need to be directed on how a Business should run and how you can leverage your energy on growing your business. Which you can contact an expect for direction ... contact consultingnest@gmail.com and get leadings and directions. Building your brand, is not something you can achieve over night it takes time, consistency, and patience. You equally need a lot of Mentoring on that. You can reachout to me directly so we can go from there.I can assure you, you are doing good already for just the fact that you started.Reachout lets talk more.
Dr. Mofor Clementine Cendoh
Personal Brand Therapist | Bus Consultant | Relationship Counsellor | Content Creator @ NEST Consolidated
Yes, this is a image recognition process that has been done in multiple ways before. I would suggest looking up relevant literature for inspiration and browsing around competition sites like Kaggle or Zindi to get access to datasets!The coolest project I have worked on probably was something I did with a startup to recognize different hairtypes and hairstyles!
Chinasa T. Okolo
Managing Director & Computer Science PhD Student @ The Diasporic Group & Cornell University
Hello Temiloluwa, I thin you can start with your personal brand - start to build your own brand, do some research and reading, and gain an understanding of social media on your own. I think you should also aim to work at an agency, just to gain as much experience as possible from as many experts and creatives as possible. I always mention Wild Fusions and Anakle - they are two places to gain knowledge from a digital marketing standpoint. I am sure there are a whole lot of other digital agencies that you can get great experience from, but definitely try to start off in an agency.
Toyin Jolapamo
Senior Digital Communications Analyst @ Oando Plc
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In People and Society • 3 min read • May 08, 2024 09:39a.m.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
<p>Quick question - that brand of phone or fashion item you recently acquired, can you beat your chest and say it was out of your uninfluenced free will you made that choice? Wait! Please read the whole thing before you give your answer.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Mind control is real. As a matter of fact mass mind control has been in existence for a long time and we are well and truly under its influence. It is after all the greatest weapon in the arsenal of consumerism. I guess we've seen this a couple of times in a movie, perhaps in one or two books. Yet, we brushed it aside, because; fiction right?</p><p><br></p><p>While movies like "Sorry to Bother You", "Parasite" and "Fight club", might be unsettling. The real life effects of consumerism is much more disturbing. Corporations are always thinking about how to influence consumer behavior and reaction inorder to get them to buy their stuff. One of the most effective methods, is through conditioning - mind control if you please. Gently ushering the minds of the consumers towards a particular 'need', which in most cases have nothing to do with the actual product they manufacture.</p><p><br></p><p>For example, why is an iPhone associated with a high social class and elitism, when most of its features are available on other phones. Can anyone tell me a basic smartphone feature present in an iPhone which is lacking in let's say a Samsung? (I genuinely want to know). Through years of careful and purposeful advertisement and campaigns, Apple has been able to condition its customers to associate the brand with class, even though there is no concrete proof of this.</p><p><br></p><p>It is why millions of people do whatever they can to get an iPhone - it's really not about the phone but the desire to be counted among the elites and separate themselves from the poor masses who Android phones are created for. Same also applies in several other industries like skin care. A lot of people who delve into skin care and the ridiculous purchase of over priced skin care products do so not from the advice of a dermatologist, but from the need to 'glow' and possess a skin testament to their 'good living'. Same can be said of fashion, real estate etc. If you think about it, a lot of these 'upgrades' and lifestyle only start after exposure to the capitalist conditioning.</p><p><br></p><p>The most effective way to manipulate a human being into doing what you want, is to make him believe that is what he wants. Capitalism knows that and you can't even hate the corporations who use this technique because it's so simple yet brilliant. Some people call it brilliant advertising, but it's just mind control - same tricks mentalists use. Consumerism extends its tentacles and latches on to your mind, from where it is able to covertly influence your decisions while keeping the mirage that you are in charge.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Are there side effects to the excesses of consumerism? Definitely. I will give you one - the rise in non biodegradable waste as a result in the increase in fast fashion. There are also side effects that affects us as humans, and one of them is the constant feeling of emptiness and pursuit of the new trend. We now judge quality of life strictly by the capability to keep up with the next consumer obsession - hence we become exhibitionists and performative beings.</p><p><br></p><p>Because companies have to the main goal of selling, they have to keep making you feel like what you have isn't good enough. A new iPhone is released and suddenly, you feel the need to upgrade because of the ever so subtle nudge to do so by the manufacturers. The worse part is that you can never fully upgrade as there will always be that one new thing.&nbsp;</p>
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
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Omoladun
Hiya. Funny thing this was my research topic for my undergraduate degree but my focus was in relation to personality types. This piece is...
8 months, 2 weeks ago
Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.
I'm a creative screenwriter, photographer, cinematographer and creative director. You can check out some of my works here https://instagram.com/themi...
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Hero James
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In People and Society • 1 min read • Aug 10, 2022 11:43a.m.
Do INSTINCTS have correlation with the Evolution of Man?
According to Agatha Christie, "Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can neither be explained nor ignored". Instincts reminds us that, at the end of the day, humans are just mammals that evolved beyond the rest. Aside survival instincts, which involves all basic behaviours that helps you preserve your life and health. We also have, Reproductive Instincts: This involves the preservation of species. Religious Instincts: This indicates that humans have an innate need to find meaning in their lives. Life Instincts: This includes the sexual instinct, they are equitable to the survival instincts. Social Instinct : This includes the need for power, company, prestige, company and property. Maternal Instincts: This could be referred to as the joy of motherhood. That natural feeling or bond a mother has towards her children. If majority of these instincts are found in other mammals, then Are Humans just mammals that evolved beyond the rest ? Cc: Charles Darwin
Do INSTINCTS have correlation with the Evolutio...
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Mwambo Kate
city Yaoundé • 2 years, 5 months ago
Charles Darwin and his theories tho..lol
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 2 min read • Jul 26, 2022 13:17p.m.
METAMORPHOSIS
You maybe familiar with Franz Kafka's book The Metamorphosis. For those who are not, it's a short story which centers on the protagonist Gregor Samsa and his bizarre transformation into a bug. This transformation as you'd expect had its effect on the Samsa family. As a lover and a degree holder in literature, one of our favorite things to do when we read a literary piece, is look out for the symbolisms. Having been told the premise of the book, one would merely think that The Metamorphosis is just about Gregor's transformation. In actual sense, Kafka was more concerned about the change in family and human interaction. Before Gregor turns into a bug, he was the sole provider of his family. All responsibility rested on his shoulder. And this role came with the love and respect of the members of the family - father, mother and sister. All other members of the family did nothing to support him. This situation, however changed after he turns into a bug. Unable to work or provide, Gregor watched as each member of the family took up a job in order to feed and settle their bills. The reader comes to wonder; why none of them bothered to help him prior. Especially as he worked a job he did not really like, just to pay off his parents' debts. In addition to this, Gregor watched as the love he once received gradually turn to disdain and disgust. Being labelled a burden by his beloved sister, wasn't the worst. She suggested that they get rid of 'it'. Gregor eventually dies in his room from starvation and neglect. And his death was some sort of relief for his family. This book, exposes an aspect of human interaction - love under the condition of being able to provide. Often, we slave away to provide for the ones we love. We may think that we are the only hope they have, and therefore do everything in our power to meet their needs. But humans are not indispensable. If anything happens to us, the ones we think are hopeless without us, move on. They find a means to survive, humans always do. Also, a provider today can become a burden tomorrow, when he isn't able to provide anymore. Life is unpredictable, nothing is assured. No condition is permanent. Can we say certainly, that the people we help today would in turn help us tomorrow? Kafka uses Gregor's transformation as a symbolism to pass across a deep and thought provoking message. Unlike the main character, we should seek to do what makes us happy, while we aim to do good for others. Sometimes, it's okay to put yourself first. A little occasional selfishness could be necessary. Because if anything happens to you, life goes on. Nobody can be blamed for it, that is just the way it is.
METAMORPHOSIS
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 2 min read • Sep 30, 2022 14:37p.m.
LET ART BE ART
There's a silent threat to contemporary art. And that threat is the conscious effort to infuse identity politics, and force inclusivity into art. This is an effect of the woke mind mentality. Identity politics, include topics such as; gender issues, race issues, sexuality, class segregation, etc. Now do not get me wrong. These are all very important topics, and as such need to be addressed in some form. The problem however is when these issues are forced into art forms, such as movies, books and music; for the purpose of profit or pushing an agenda. It is no secret to creatives that the LGBTQ community for example, is some sort of gold mine for art. The need for members to be represented in media, makes it a community which could be easily exploited. A serious issue with forcing identity politics into art, is that most of the time, the artist isn't really concerned about the interest of the individuals; as much as he is concerned with profit. I was part of a script conference, where the producer asked we (the script writers) to find a way to include sexuality into the topic. Just because in his words 'there is serious money to be made from those guys'. Another problem with forced identity politics in art, is the watered down value of the art. Because there's so much conscious effort to be inclusive, the essence of the art is almost always lost. There is no point to want to highlight race issues in art, if the art is badly thought out. How often have we seen movies on Netflix, that are guilty of this. The subject of the art, may also be neglected, in place of online community wars. Online community wars, are mostly in form of Twitter outrages. For instance, when a movie addressing a form of identity issue is released, it is mostly followed by backlash from members of another community. An example is the black community vs the white community. This wars, relegate the movie to the background. Meaning - the art has been made to suffer. I miss the days when artists made art out of a personal inspiration. When creatives really had something passionate to share. Creative works were a part of the artist, now they have become an avenue to pander to certain communities. I miss the days when art was art.
LET ART BE ART
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Oluwadamilola Adesina
city Lagos • 1 month ago
Lovely and true words. Any form of art should be an expression of the artist. Even when art is used to show different ideas and society i...
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 3 min read • May 29, 2024 08:47a.m.
THE CASE OF MENTAL COWARDICE
<p>It's often thought that brave men are brave because they have no fear or doubts. In reality, brave men are brave because they push past their fears and overcome the doubts in their heads.</p><p><br></p><p>Bravery is an exceptional quality any human being can possess, it's what propels us to break barriers and achieve what might naturally seem impossible. Because it is that amazing, it doesn't come easily. I am of the opinion that we are not born brave, rather we learn to be brave. And as every other thing learned or groomed, there are a lot of challenges associated with the process.</p><p><br></p><p>Fear is a primordial emotion in human beings - a sort of protective instinct if you will. However, it can be limiting as it is protective. This is where bravery comes in. We don't always need protection as our instincts make us to believe. There comes a time in a man's life where he needs to take up the challenge before him irrespective of the risk involved. It's how we grow, develop, and expand. Another misconception that people have is that bravery can only be expressed physically or in the case of external conflict. Which is why it might sound odd to some people if I say an individual can be physically brave but a coward mentally.</p><p><br></p><p>It is this mental cowardice that I have decided to explore today. Mental cowardice manifests in different areas - in personal relationships, romantic involvements, and career ambitions. Have you ever been assigned a duty and your first instinct is to turn in down? Probably because you are scared you wouldn't be able to deliver... Sucks right? There is no need to feel ashamed if you have, you should only feel bad if you succumbed to those thoughts.</p><p><br></p><p>I will tell you for free that as a creative, those urges are common. The first time I had a booking for a wedding shoot, I felt like passing up the opportunity. Even though I had passed up some other opportunities, I'm glad I didn't. Lately, I got a commission to write a script in an aspect of media I have never written for. While the representatives of the company were breaking down the brief, I did feel a bit overwhelmed, and a small part of me wanted to run. Thankfully I was brave and shook away the intrusive thoughts - hopefully I create something that you all will love.</p><p><br></p><p>Quite a number of people have remained stagnant in their industries, when they clearly should be operating at a higher level. Mental cowardice inhibits innovation - a persistent problem in Nigeria. If there's something I admire about those from other continents, it is the willingness to take risks and break new grounds (with meticulous planning and execution of course). Whereas most Africans are generally okay at the basic level, succumbing to their fears stopping them from grabbing the brass ring.</p><p><br></p><p>What's all of these about? To tell you that it is perfectly normal for fear to creep in. Seriously, you cannot eradicate it. Being brave doesn't mean you do not have doubts or apprehension or even the urge to do nothing. Being brave is you doing what you need to do in the face of all of those things. In romantic relationships, there are moments where making commitments appears scary. In those moments you might want to opt out of the relationship. Mental cowardice is you doing that for a phantom gratification.</p><p><br></p><p>You might wonder how do we learn to be brave. The only answer I have for that is having a strong sense of conviction towards a specific thing, person or goal.</p>
THE CASE OF MENTAL COWARDICE
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In Music and Entertainment • 2 min read • Jun 06, 2022 10:56a.m.
JUSTIN SOLD HIS CATALOG FOR A HUNDRED MILLI
<span class="html-content"> <p>Yes, some days ago, this news hit the airwaves that Justin Timberlake had sold his music catalog, to a private fund in consortium with music company, Hipgnosis Song Management Limited and backed by Blackstone Inc., an investment firm that manages assets averaging 900 billion dollars.</p> <p>So, what does this mean for Justin?</p> <p>Well, since it is mostly a private deal, as intimate details are not known, here is what can happen for him.</p> <p>First of all, if he owns his masters, then he gets a bulk of this figure</p> <p>What are masters? They are the original recordings of a song, which can be used for remixing, licensing, streaming, approval in ads and movies in order to get royalties</p> <p>If his label owned his masters, he gets a small chunk of this. Hopefully, he owns his masters, as he had his own label imprint called Tennman Records in 2007 where he was CEO and owned majority stake. With this much control, there is a high chance of profitability for him.</p> <p>And he is one of the youngest to sell his catalogs at 41 years as opposed to other artistes. </p> <p>This deal is a combo of 200 songs he wrote or co-wrote, inclusive of his NSYNC days(sure most of you forgot he was in a band, don't worry I forgive you 😎)</p> <p>And if the details of the deal are made public, it might be a push for more artistes to sell their catalogs and possibly do better in terms of ownership.</p><p>Like Taylor Swift, whose catalog has been sold twice for 350 and later 300 million, mainly because she lost her rights and is now rerecording all her songs to regain those rights, a lot of artistes should be careful when signing deals, so they know how to use the advance normally gotten at the beginning. </p> <p>Educate yourself before you end up in a ditch</p> <p>Own your work!!!!</p> </span>
JUSTIN SOLD HIS CATALOG FOR A HUNDRED MILLI
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EBENEZER OLUWADAHUNSI
2 years, 7 months ago
Thank You for the Expose
Hi, it's Queensley, thanks for reading my insights.
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Asiogu Ugochukwu Global Security enthusiast
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In People and Society • 3 min read • Jan 20, 2023 11:07a.m.
When truths are lies and lies are truths
Often times, I have asked myself, friends and even colleagues "what really is the best way to live life meaningfully?" The fact that not even one of them has been able to provide a satisfactory answer to the question gets me bothered because of course, they do not know and as such, want answers too. Day after day, there are a lot of teachings and preachings out there, in our schools, places of worship, workplaces and training centres about fate, faith, failure, success, determination, love, hope, destiny, winning strategies, attitude, creativity, scientific innovations, artistic creation, healthy living, and many more. However, it is baffling that after all these, people are still caught up in the web of confusion about what exactly it means to live meaningfully. In an effort to provide a standard that people need to follow in order to live a "fulfilled life", a lot of religious institutions have rolled out myriads of doctrines for their members. However, even with these doctrines, the confusion becomes more ntense. Truth is, humans have tried and worked so hard to condition and put a stake on life, forgetting that life itself is so limitless and as such, cannot be controlled by anyone. We have become so glued to rules,regulations and norms to the extent that we let them deternine our fate at every given time. More worrisome is the fact that we have become so feeble and vulnerable to the extent that we let in unhealthy beliefs, assumptions and thoughts into our hearts and minds without scrutiny, possibly because they came from our 'Papas' and 'Mamas,' 'Senior Men and Ladies' among other people who we hold at high esteem. Some of us have lost our sense of intuition, refusing to question bad and ugly situations, just because we feel it is morally unjust to challenge authorities and call out peoples' wrongdoings. But later, we complain bitterly of the pains and sufferings we go through because of the same evil we refuse to condemn. Who did this to us and how did we get here? It is no news that so many of us including myself has at one point or the other been brainwashed with a lot of fallacious teachings and assumptions that have ended up affecting our right sense of reasoning. Some of us, in an effort to practice these teachings, ended up ruining our relationships, quitting our jobs, ending our careers and losing our consciousness. In the end, I dare to ask "what if all these teachings were all a lie? What if all the preachments about Heaven, Hell, Success, Failure, Prosperity, Money, Fame, Wealth, Love, Life and Death were all social constructs fabricated to regulate our thought pattern and control our lives? What If there was really no need for the unnecessary competition and fights that we engage ourselves in just to prove a point? what if there is really no need for all stress we put ourselves through just to create wealth that would end up taking away our peace and creating for us more challenges?what if the meaningful life we seek is non-existent? I have always believed that there is no one formula for achieving greatness in life because all that we need to survive have been given to us. They are in our hearts and minds; not in the hands of people or making of doctrines. So, if we really want to live meaningfully, then, we have to begin by shunning unhealthy comparisons, following our intuition and prioritising our happiness.
When truths are lies and lies are truths
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Cyrus Majebi
city Lagos • 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Really enjoyed listening to this, can't wait to listen to your new stuff.
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In History and Culture • 3 min read • Mar 03, 2023 18:15p.m.
Would Nigeria's Bola A. Tinubu earn himself a spotlight in the Guinness Book of Records just like Liberia's Charles D.B. King?
<span class="html-content"><p>As we all know, before something is documented into the Guinness Book of Records, it must be either positively or negatively unusual. In fact, such achievements are globally described as extreme and/or "meta-human". The Guinness Book of Records contains in it a myriad of unbelievable natural and artificially designed creatures as well as human achievements and world eventualities spanning through social, cultural, economic, legal, religious, and political projections and organisations from all over the world. Politically, one of the mind-blowing and most significant event in the history of electoral fraud and election rigging that won a page in the World Guinness Book of Records is the 1927 Liberian Presidential election orchestrated by Charles Dunbar Burgess King. Born in Monrovia (Liberia's capital) on March 12 1871 by Sierra Leonean parents, Charles D.B. King became educated and gradually rose through the ranks of the legal profession. He later joined politics and contested for the number one political seat and position of Liberia in 1927. The Liberia's Presidential election in 1927 between Charles D.B. King and his opponent Thomas Faulkner later came to be described as the worst ever case of electoral malpractice in history. This was evident as Charles defeated his opponent, Faulkner by scoring 243,000 votes as against Faulkner's 9,000 votes. However, what seem to be more confusing is how Charles got up to 243,000 votes when the registered number of voters in the country were less than 15,000? "Where did the more than two hundred extra votes come from and why was he declared the winner of the election even when it obvious that he rigged it?"was the question on everybody's lips". A year after the election, his opponent, Thomas Faulkner brought up an allegation on Charles and his cabinet members. They are accused of criminality and impunity as they permitted slavery, forced labour and slave trade within the borders of Liberia. Faulkner also revealed that other government officials who worked with Charles were engaged in the forced shipping of labourers to the Spanish Island of Fernando Po and also were fond of using the Liberian Army (Frontier Force) to achieve this. With this accusations came a massive wave of reactions from the international community. Meanwhile, a committee of the League of Nations was established to examine the authenticity of the allegations in order to ascertain what actually happened. In 1930, the committee provided a report of their findings. Named after the committee chairman "The Christy's Report", the report revealed that: persons holding official positions illegally misused their office in recruiting slaves in connivance with the Frontier Force; the shipment to Fernando Po and Gabon was associated with slavery because the method of recruiting was forceful and compelling; and not only Americo-Liberian government officials had benefited from forced labour, as a large foreign business operatives were also involved.</p> <p>With the publication of the report, the House of Representatives initiated an impeachment procedure against Charles D.B. King. Fully aware of this process, he resigned thus escaping as public trial as spelled out in the Liberian constitution that: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital crime, except in case of impeachment". Charles's resignation although his strategy of survival, his personality was shaming and his rule, inefficient. He led Liberians through suffering and watched impunity overshadow his country. Just as Charles D.B. King was not the popular choice of Liberians prior and during the 1927 Presidential election which made him engage in electoral malpractice, Nigeria's Bola A. Tinubu, the self-acclaimed next president of Nigeria "by turn", equally wears the same shoe. From all indication, he created a structure of electoral criminality and forced himself on Nigerians after the February 25th, 2023 elections. Of course, like Charles, Bola would surround himself with like-minded friends and associates who would not only impoverish the citizenry the more, but would enslave and unleash more woes and penury on them. As regards whether he would resign or be impeached, that is a matter of the "Supreme Court" to decide. But in all, it is quite pathetic to say that the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria deserves to be documented into the Guinness Book of Records.</p> </span>
Would Nigeria's Bola A. Tinubu earn himself a s...
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Samuel Ibok Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 5 min read • Apr 23, 2023 22:20p.m.
OMÓ ÉSAN
They say the apple does not fall far from the tree, but I was the exception, or I was supposed to be. I grew up hating my parents, who died when I was only 4. They were known by many to be ruthless and fierce. They tried to shield me from that, but I guess I wasn't too young to see the patterns. When they passed, my grandparents took me in and kept me far from my parents' legacy. I hawked and hustled hard, like every kid who grew up on the rough streets of Lagos. I graduated with good grades, despite my side hustles. I became famous in my area because I was considered a smart kid. I remember how my neighbours used to call me genius, and even the strong men in my area tagged me Sabi Pikin, and I wasn't to be harmed by any rival group. I landed a job at a marketing firm, and I was certain I would make magic. A few months into the job, I received four offers from three top-tier universities in the UK to study my dream course. I was overwhelmed, and for the first time in my life, I felt like things started to fall into place.&nbsp; I had planned to resign at the end of a particular project at work so I could focus on doubling my hustle and raising funds to pay my deposit and secure my admission. I resumed work the week before my notice period ended and heard that some company items were missing. Now I wasn't very worried because I thought I wouldn't be questioned because I wasn't in charge of the items, but I was in that department. The following day, some policemen showed up at work and started questioning people. Normally me and Olopa no get business but I had to just respond to questions to fulfil all righteousness. Before I knew it, I was told that I would be taken to the station for further questioning. I dragged out the issue, stating boldly that I am innocent. I told my boss that I could not go to the station because of my Japa plans, but he bluntly told me that I was a key suspect. He said that it's possible that I sold the items to fund my visa application; besides, the son of a thief is also a thief.&nbsp; He basically made me the chief suspect over an issue I had no idea about.&nbsp; The police made things worse by using my parents' legacy to taunt me. My old grandparents pleaded on my behalf, but to no avail. The streets heard of my plight and raised money to bail me out, but I was thrown into prison without being found guilty of any crime. I wept for days, and my entire life flashed before me. The deadline for my deposit payment had passed, and I had given up on my plans. Three days before my release, I met an old colleague of my dad who told me about my dad and the reason he became the man he was before he died. My dad was betrayed by the government and used as a scapegoat. He resorted to violence as a means of survival. I vowed that day to cause pain to all those who stole my future from me. I was baptised fully with the street OT, and I guess my destiny changed. I became omó èsan- the son of vengeance. When I went home, everyone who saw me knew I had changed. The strong men in my hood stepped back and said I had finally embraced my destiny. My grandparents wept for me because I became the very thing they spent their remaining year protecting me from.&nbsp; I went to my former boss's favourite chilling spot and gave him a surprise smile! He couldn't even recognise me. I was buff, and my hoody kept me a mystery. I called him "Final Boss," a name no one else but me called him at work. He was shocked to see me in the flesh. The scars on my face must have scared him, but that was only the beginning. He stood there looking at me in fear, and I reminded him of the time he stole from me. He called me Ayo and tried to apologize, but it was too late. I had already embraced my destiny. He didn't bother to release me even when they had found the actual thief. I told him today wasn't his day, but I would take from him more than he took from me. I looked him in the eye and told him I am Ésan, the son of vengeance. I walked away knowing that he would lose his sleep and fellowship with his worries. That made me happy because he would have a taste of what prison felt like. I noticed he had upgraded his security detail, and word got out that he was going to leave the country with his family for security reasons. He handed over his company to his younger brother to run. He who knows the street will not run aimlessly. I waited patiently for him to think he would finally be free. His flight was at 8 p.m., and I knew fear would make him lodge close to the airport. I followed him to the hotel and planted one of my ladies there. They say something must kill a man, right? Well, his Akilis Hill was a fair, curvy woman. He tried his luck with the lady, and she played along. He sent his guard to pay for another room, and that was our opportunity. We snatched him, drugged him, and placed him in a wheel chair. We rolled him out carefully and took him to where his story would end. He woke up tied up and in shock. He screamed for help, and he kept weeping. I told him that the sins of the father would be met by the son and that my vengeance would fall on his entire family. He kept begging for mercy—the very thing he didn't give me. I leaked the news of his kidnapping to Tunde Ednut, and it was trending on Twitter. My guys started a live video on Twitter, and I made him confess to the entire world. I asked the viewers to judge him based on a poll, and the majority asked for his death. But I knew that constant fear was worse than death.&nbsp; Over 4 million people had joined the live video, and the hashtag "ésan" was trending. I did the unexpected. I dropped his location on the live feed and walked away with my crew. The authorities arrived on the scene after we had left. The location was flooded with an angry mob that connected my boss to their problems. My story became a source of strength for other young people, and in a matter of weeks, the entire nation was in chaos. People took to the streets to demand their rights and the removal of corrupt officials. Strong men assembled under one umbrella with the goal of fighting the oppressors. The international community predicted an impending collapse in my nation because of the state of affairs. Many built statues for me and wrote songs about me. Those in the other camp felt my methods were too extreme and unlawful.&nbsp; The government is still looking for me, and they think I am on the run. They have no idea that I am no longer a person but an idea, a force, and a philosophy.&nbsp; I am my father's son, Ésan—the son of vengeance. To be continued......
OMÓ ÉSAN
By Samuel Ibok
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Anita Koske
city Würzburg • 1 year ago
Wow, I'm amazed and this piece got me googling to do some fact checking, and ended up in the DM. This is great storytelling!
Hi, it's Samuel, thanks for reading my insights.
I'm a Creative Writer and Poet on a mission to Tell Stories That Torch! You can find some of my works below https://www.instagram.com/p...
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Queensley Okon Information Officer @ Covenant University
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In Politics • 3 min read • Jan 24, 2023 11:34a.m.
WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE
Ehen and so?? When you were my age what happened? Was fuel sold at the ridiculous price it is now? Imagine saying you will "deal with Obidients (Peter Obi supporters)" while queuing for fuel because of the government that you are supporting. How stupid do you have to be to utter such words? Truly, what sportsdokita on Twitter said is valid. He said that he was wondering what was going through the minds of those who chose Barrabas, a thief and robber and murderer over Jesus and now he sees APC supporters, he understands. It is truly shameful. Was Real Estate the laundering scheme it is now?Were you renting or owned your home? Or do you not remember your own ancestors giving out land to their children? Now people are doing yahoo(fraud) and runs to maintain one lifestyle and seem like they are making it in life. Were 20 year olds under this insane amount of pressure with no commensurate support? Inflation is at an all time high. Someone can go to the market with four thousand Naira and not buy much, talk less of ten thousand or twenty. Were the leaders close to the grave? I mean Buhari ruled in your time and is still president in mine? Tinubu was a governor then and is now almost with the ancestors still vying for the presidential seat? Was food so hard to find? I mean you grew and produced your meals. Now people can barely feed and some government is claiming to feed school children with one billion everyday Power is still a problem now as it was then and you are telling me to take you serious. I cannot. Available jobs are not matching available labour. Even those with jobs are underpaid or underemployed, thereby killing the market value of compensation Insecurity is now normal because the brood of vipers from your generation have decided to keep the country in constant fear of their lives. People cannot travel certain routes without praying not to be kidnapped for ransom which they don't have. I remember watching a video where the family had to leave the country because of this same situation. The wife and daughter were raped in front of the family, the husband was beaten to stupor and till today, they are stuck with unwarranted PTSD. Imagine you who should be a veteran coming out to drop a soundtrack for a corpse to take over because stomach politics must just prevail(openly shades Bimbo Akintola) as this was the inspiration for this post. I seriously weep and I am praying that people receive sense nowadays. I am tired and I'm sure you are too. Please do what you must in this election Get your voter's card Or better yet, encourage those around you to do so Unless you don't have parents who love you, I do not see why you are voting for your ancestors to take the rein Unless you are comfortable hearing spokespersons telling you it's not about holiness in politics, because sinful men are the only people who can change a sinful society, I would suggest making the right choice God bless Nigeria May we not PDAPC or go to a different town hall of balabulu
WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE
By Queensley Okon
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Bryan Emejor Content Creator @ TwoCents
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In Music and Entertainment • 2 min read • Oct 06, 2022 17:18p.m.
I think there's enough money in the music industry to go around.
<span class="html-content"> <p>Do I have the math to back it up? Probably not but there must be a lot of money, with the rate artistes have been suing each other lately over copyright infringement and intellectual property theft. For those people who have been wondering if the law works in the industry, I guess now we know it does.</p> <p>We have seen the biggest names face lawsuits on infringement, up from 2baba, Tiwa Savage and Wizkid, down to the newbies; BadboyTimz and the latest, Joeboy. Yep! Joeboy has just been threatened with a copyright lawsuit, by Asa and she's demanding for #300 million in compensation. Apparently, this is for his new song, "Contour", there was a sample and producer issue. I get the issue but literally everyone aware of the news is in a frenzy about the amount demanded.</p> <p>I can't remember a time where the music industry had such lawsuits flying around consecutively. I mean, even BadboyTimz sued his former record label for libelous publication. I think it's awesome that artistes are taking the value of their craft more seriously but if these monetary demands flying up and down gets serious, it might be a big problem.</p><p>&nbsp;I hope nobody goes dirt digging into Omah Lay's latest album, "Boy Alone" for any copyright problem o. That was and is still a masterpiece and the sure boy just purchased a mansion on Lagos Island for almost half a billion naira. Yep, I don't think that guy is really alone o. 😅</p> </span>
I think there's enough money in the music indus...
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Jefferson Nnadiekwe Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer
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In People and Society • 2 min read • Dec 12, 2022 12:07p.m.
THE QUEST FOR GENDER (IM)BALANCE
The other day I posed a question to my WhatsApp contacts. I asked if the struggle for equality is leading to another form of gender imbalance. It was nice to get a couple of different perspectives on the topic. However, my personal opinion? - in a way, it has. We have to applaud the efforts made to kick out gender discrimination and inequality. Modern times has allowed and encouraged women to pursue goals and ambitions, without the obstruction of gender. Women have made their presence felt in careers and industries, previously known to be male exclusive. There are a lot of empowerment programs, set up to assist women in different areas of specialization. Indeed all these are commendable. But, in the midst of this progress made, we may be unaware of another growing problem - the neglect and apathy towards the male gender. Personally, I believe that if we can attain true equity, and eradicate discrimination; we should give equal attention to both genders. Otherwise, what we would end up doing is tilting the scale, rather than balancing it. In society today, we have boys who have been made to feel neglected and unguided. There seems to be a lack of societal support available to the male gender. For all the new ideologies and approaches to gender inequality, the idea of masculinity, remains the same. This affects the ability to adapt to a changing world for most men. If you think about it, when last did you came across an empowerment program strictly for men? In the society today, there are a lot of men who could use such programs, but their unavailability, poses a serious problem. There is so much focus on the girl child, that it begins to veer into the territory of overcompensation. And I understand that, given the issues of gender inequality, which mostly affects women. But to really solve the problem, there should be a balance. Boys could really use a good measure of attention and guidance. In a bid to cater and avail solutions to the problems of the girl child, sometimes we can become oblivious to the struggles of the boy child. Overcompensation is not a balance. It is rather another form of imbalance. Attention to both genders is the catalyst that is much needed in the fight against gender inequality.
THE QUEST FOR GENDER (IM)BALANCE
By Jefferson Nnadiekwe
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Jefferson Nnadiekwe Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 2 min read • Mar 01, 2024 15:26p.m.
KIDS KNOW BETTER
I'm of the weird believe that we were born with the knowledge of what we want to be or in another term; 'the idea of our purpose'. However, as we grow and spend more time on earth, the reality of the world we live in makes us lose sight of whatever that might be. It might be a crazy theory but think about it. Cast your mind back to when you were a kid without the pressures that life is constantly throwing at us at the moment. With no bills and responsibilities, we allowed ourselves to be drawn to what really resonates with us. Using myself as a case study, my interest in filmmaking has always been a part of me even if it seemed like I only discovered it in my final year in the university. As a kid, I had quite the imagination that went several steps further than the usual. I considered myself an oddball for acting out a feature length movie (created by me) using nothing but my mom's hair brush. Fast forward years later, and I was lost on a career path to pursue. Advices from parents born out of the need to see a son succeed veered me off a path I was already aware of as a kid. I consider myself fortunate enough to be able to rediscover that passion. Not everyone is that lucky. It's not news that our world can be unfair. It constantly rips us away from our dreams. Adulthood comes with so many sacrifices and a deadline to make these sacrifices. The fact that we are constantly reminded of how easy it is to fail, and the consequences that follow such failures, influences the major decisions we make as adults. There are so many people stuck in jobs they'd rather not do - it is only the desire for financial comfortability that spurs them. It's not an entirely sad thing, because a lot of people veer off and still attain success. I guess my point is that, maybe life would have been much easier if that knowledge remained with us as we grew. Maybe we would be happier if we didn't chose paths influenced by the rat race and pursuit for financial freedom. Or maybe it's best the way it is. In all, my go to advise to anyone who is conflicted and searching for his/her purpose, is to go back to the days of your childhood. Remember those things that ignited a spark in you - a lot of which might be quirky or even eccentric. Once you are able to find it, you can then begin the process of repositioning yourself on the right path.
KIDS KNOW BETTER
By Jefferson Nnadiekwe
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Mwambo Kate
city Yaoundé • 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Such a relatable post! Life is strange in a way.
Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.
I'm a creative screenwriter, photographer, cinematographer and creative director. You can check out some of my works here https://instagram.com/themi...
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Asiogu Ugochukwu Global Security enthusiast
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In History and Culture • 3 min read • Dec 07, 2022 17:19p.m.
Who said women were not powerful in pre-colonial Nigerian society? Has he or she heard about Ibaan Isong?
<span class="html-content"> <p>Prior to the advent of Westernisation to this part of the world, women were not only in charge of their societies, they also contributed immensely to the political, economic and social development of their societies. Women created lofty ideas as well as mediums through which they checkmated paternal excesses in their respective homes. They were brave and courageous such that their presence was highly revered. </p> <p>In traditional Ibibio society, women governments or associations existed one of which is called "Ibaan Isong." While "Ibaan". means women, "Isong" means land. Thus, the association signified "Women of the land." Ibaan Isong was a powerful association for women in Ibibio land. It is believed that when the men were engaged in battle, members of Ibaan Isong used to perform a ritual war dance in male attire to give the enemies the impression that the warriors had not left the village. What a strategic art and act of war? Also, when a warrior was killed in battle, it was members of Ibaan Isong that carried him for funeral. </p> <p>The women association also had judicial functions in Ibibio land as members always sought and obtained redress for any injustice meted out to their members by men. Interestingly, it is believed that any man who allowed his stray animals to destroy women's crops during planting seasons could be punished by the group. Again, foul and subjective languages against any member of the group.was subjected to severe punishment by the Ibaan Isong. These penalities could take the form of beating, house arrest, curses, status dwindling songs, material and monetary fines and forcing the victim to look at the private parts of women.</p> <p>Elaborately, having gotten a report of an abuse of a woman in Ibibio land, the women would surround the compound of the culprit very early in the morning and wake him up. When he comes out of the house, he would be surrounded and members of the compound would be ordered to leave the premises. When this was done, they prayed to God who created women and endowed them with the sexuality which enabled both men and women to pass into the world, but which the culprit had disgraced to kill the man, and not give him any child. They equally prayed and called upon the Gods and Goddesses to kill the man whenever he attempted sexual intercourse with any woman. </p> <p>Consequently, it is believed that men who face this situation die immediately after the visit to his compound by the women, if their demands were not met. And it was in this manner that Ibibio women gained respect from their husbands among other people in the society. But come to think of it, who would not want to respect these women knowing fully well of its repercussions?</p> <p>Imagine being surrounded by a group of women by 6am in the morning and beaten mercilessly or even forced to look at their private parts? Such punishment is indeed ridiculously damning for a man and his ego during the in time in question. </p> <p>Overall, women in pre-colonial Ibibio society were revered and included in the trend of important events that matter. The Ibaan is evident to this assertion.</p> </span>
Who said women were not powerful in pre-colonia...
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Queensley Okon
city Ota • 2 years, 1 month ago
Song idem oh, women are truly phenomenal
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Jefferson Nnadiekwe Freelance scriptwriter and creative photographer
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In Politics • 2 min read • Jun 20, 2022 11:35a.m.
THE LUXURY OF THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
One of the accusations levelled on those who sell their votes is that; they are selling their future or throwing it away. And the frustrations we feel towards such act is understandable and valid. But, have we ever considered that majority of those who sell their votes for paltry sums, do not have the 'luxury' of considering the future. It is majorly the under privileged and poor citizens of the society, who engage in such acts. Those ones who live literally from hand to mouth. Such people are what I like to describe as the 'now people'. People whose major concern is the present. These people survive by seeking what can get them through each day. The lucky ones, get something to sustain them for the day. The others, go hungry and try again the next day. If these group of people are offered five thousand naira, by a politician, for their votes. Is it really strange that they accept the offer? To them, what is the value of thinking about the future, when they can get something to take care of themselves at the moment. It is basically how they have been living, and our judgement would not make their lives easier. So what can we do? It is clear poverty is a tool which has been mastered by the evil politicians. I for one, am of the opinion that we cannot continue to ignore the poor and less privileged. Those of us who have the luxury of thinking about the future, should find a way to bridge that gap. They have been neglected by the politicians and by us, so they have no reason to be loyal to any. Their loyalty lies with whom can give them what they need at the moment. I have always desired that the rich and privileged in the society, take community development seriously. Forget about the mindset of: it's the government's responsibility. Do we actually think the people we are trying to take power away from, would throw away a useful weapon such as underdevelopment, and community neglect? Rather than going online and criticizing and cussing them out for selling their votes, we should be more attentive to their struggles. They cannot be accused of selling their future, if they have been made to believe they have no future anyway. We should ask ourselves, how we can bridge the gap, so they do not have to feel entirely neglected. It is bad that nobody actually cares about these people, but expect them to act according to a certain standard.
THE LUXURY OF THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
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Queensley Okon
city Ota • 2 years, 7 months ago
Apt
Hi, it's Jefferson, thanks for reading my insights.
I'm a creative screenwriter, photographer, cinematographer and creative director. You can check out some of my works here https://instagram.com/themi...
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Oluseyi Vandy Freelance writer, audio producer, 3D modelling
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In Law and Governance • 4 min read • Jan 25, 2023 07:05a.m.
Rise of the Machines
<span class="html-content"><p>My options were either "The Rise of The Machines" or "The machines are coming". Seeing as they are already here, the choice of title was an easy one.</p> <p>If you are a big movie buff, the title brings to mind the Terminator franchise, one of Arnold's many iconic lines, while being big and menacing. If you missed it? Well, you have a front-row seat to the possible beginning of how the concept of the film came to be, machines dominating every work of life, but with a twist. Take away the end of days a dystopian future, cool bikes, and weaponry. This is the part they leave out of the film, probably because it's the part nobody cares enough to want to know, except if it's a comedy or parody.</p> <p>So, if you have a smartphone you are no stranger to the term AI, short for Artificial Intelligence. It's something that has been in development for years actually, as early as 1951. Before this version we see that turns our pictures into cool paintings or cartonized form, composes melodies and music, or writes job applications and essays. We've been interacting with it every time we have to prove how human we are by selecting cars or boats on websites. You know, what follows after we reply "I am human".</p> <p>What artificial intelligence is in summary, is machines mimicking human intelligence. They can identify pictures, speech, shapes, complete sentences, etc. Respond and react to different forms of a query with the most appropriate answer based on gathered information, or programs.</p> <p>This leads to the main point of this post. For a while now, some creatives have complained about the use of AI, how it affects their jobs; why would people pay graphics designers when an AI can give you killer art for free? Well, this has led to some unforeseen legal issues. As I stated earlier, an AI learns off materials or data that already exists online, basically copying from works it's seen on the internet, and using it as a guide to responding to queries or requests. So, when you ask that AI to turn your picture into a cool animation, it goes and searches for different samples that can help it execute that task. It then combines or uses the best of them to give you a work an artist would take hours to create and then charge for. Here lies the issue, this thing called intellectual property. The protection that covers an artist, to make sure that his art is not being exploited without him getting the monetary compensation that he deserves because to be fair, the machine is using their work to generate the art it gives, which the company that owns the AI then profits from, one of which is the continual use of their AI.</p> <p>Three Artists Sarah Andersen, Kelly McKernan, and Karla Ortiz have come out in the class action lawsuit against stability AI, DeviantArt, and Midjourney. They allege that the text-to-image AI tools have infringed the rights of thousands of artists and other creatives "under the guise of AI". -INDIAai</p> <p>The lawsuit alleges direct copyright infringement, violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), vicarious copyright infringement related to forgeries, violation of class members' right of publicity, breach of contract related to the DeviantArt Terms of Service, and various violations of California's unfair competition laws, "without compensation or consent from the artists". </p> <p>With the popularity of such AI, their fear is understandable; especially as it threatens their source of livelihood, while stealing their work or art style.</p> <p>Now, someone can argue, how can they be sure who it took from? Especially when it mixes different styles or when the art it produces is something new. As we know there are always loopholes in the law, especially in the hands of a very savvy lawyer.</p> <p>This is still an ongoing issue and may grow with more artists' continual cries. There may be more lawsuits in the future as Getty Images has also sued Stability AI, another popular AI company behind the AI art tool Stable Diffusion, over copyright infringement.</p> <p>One thing is sure, the machines and companies behind them are already facing stiff opposition, but not for the reasons Terminator faithful like myself would expect. As they navigate through these unprecedented issues which will determine the livelihood of creatives for the foreseeable future, I can't help but marvel at how much work, legal tape, laws, and thought goes into something that the rest of the world just knows that at a push of a button, they get something that amazes and feeds our vanity. One thing is sure that the James Cameron got wrong, before they rise to conquer man, they most definitely first come after his job.</p> </span>
Rise of the Machines
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In Content Creators • 3 min read • Jan 07, 2023 08:17a.m.
Good artists copy; Great artists steal
<span class="html-content"><p>Now, this is one interesting quote…don’t you think? Unfortunately, I didn’t come up with this. I wish I was cool enough to though but then again, it did say ‘great artist steal’ and I am a great artist if I do say so myself so considered this quote legally stolen by me. </p> <p>As a content writer, I have never been more fascinated by a quote as much as this one by Pablo Picasso (Didn’t I just say I was going to steal it. I suppose the fear of plagiarism is the beginning of wisdom) and so I dug deep into the <em>great</em> channels of celestial wisdom (google) to understand this quote as much as possible. I did it so you don’t have to…</p> <p>So here’s the tea. </p> <p>Many writers or content creators generally get the sense that they are not being creative unless they come up with original ideas or write things from the scratch. I laugh in burnout and eventual madness. How would you keep up as a content creator in the world of fast-paced information and rapidly evolving trends if you have to create from scratch every time you need to deliver? That is why you must apply wisdom and Pablo Picasso has developed the ultimate key: Steal</p> <p>Yes, you read that right If you want to be a great content creator who is able to creatively think and produce ideas at the speed of light then you must master the art of stealing. Now, calm down a little bit. I am not asking that you channel your inner Bonnie and Clyde because that is just you actively seeking prison. What I am saying however is;&nbsp;</p><p>A good artist will study the work of other artists and attempt to imitate that work as closely as they can.</p><p>&nbsp;A great artist will choose components from another artist's work and add them to their own special synthesis of influences…let me break this down a little more with a paraphrased quote from T.S Elliot “The ‘great artist’ welds his theft into a whole of feeling which is unique, utterly different from that from which it was torn” Basically, the greatest level of originality is being able to conceal the origins. As Einstein once said “the secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources” </p> <p>Conclusively, “Great artists steal” is really about drawing inspiration from other people's work and using that as a springboard for fresh creative effort. To generate new work, artists may reinterpret, remix, replace, or otherwise combine previously published works. Now, this is not an encouragement to use this as an excuse to justify plagiarism or appropriation but rather I am encouraging the mastery of ‘stealing’ pieces from many sources and then skilfully fusing their ideas to produce something wholly original.</p> <p>A well-known example of this is Google. Google was not the first company to create a search engine, in fact, it came late to the party but I suppose there were great artists in their midst. Google instead took the concept of search engines and applied a super simple interface to it, using a special algorithm that regularly produced excellent search results. They created a unique-looking product from a collection of existing ideas. </p> <p>Don’t delay your success by putting yourself under the necessary pressure. I’ll have you know that even your most ‘original’ idea belongs to someone else 10 years earlier or three minutes before you. So take a deep breath, go to Google or your nearest library and just feed yourself with ample information to steal perfectly. Harness creative ideas from your life experiences or other people’s experiences and make them so unique that it becomes yours only. </p> <p>You will be amazed at what you can create when you learn to steal like an artist.</p> <p>For more on how to steal like a pro, Austin Kleon wrote an excellent book on the subject and it has been highly recommended: Steal Like an Artist.</p> <p>Until next time!</p> </span>
Good artists copy; Great artists steal
By Esther Omemu
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Oluseyi Vandy Samuel Ibok
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Wilson U. Uzoeto
city Abeokuta • 4 days, 9 hours ago

So if I got this right, Esther.

Being a great artist isn't just about taking whole works and claiming that they are yours, but p...

Hi, it's Esther, thanks for reading my insights.
A creative writer born, bred and established in art of advertising...Feel free to check out my work samples here https://copyfol.io/v/mnw7r7...
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Samuel Ibok Marketing Supervisor @ Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited
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In Career and Jobs • 2 min read • Dec 22, 2022 17:17p.m.
The Salary Algorithm
<span class="html-content"><p><span class="html-content"></span></p><p>Sincerely, sometimes when I look at my account balance, I hear a still, small voice saying, "De play, just de play!"&nbsp;</p><p>This is quite crazy because I have multiple streams of urgent 2k income! I've never really paid much attention to the issue of salaries until I spoke with a friend who earns three times my pay for doing a third of what I do. It got me thinking about my life and my future.<br></p><p></p> <p></p><p>Walahi! </p><p></p> <p></p><p>So yeah, you probably see why I'm writing this piece. My current perception is that the conversations about multiple streams of income could be reduced if your pay is quite great. I mean earning enough to not think about money. This doesn’t mean just settling for less, but actually not having money problems. There are people who aren’t big on the whole doing a lot (having different streams of income), and these guys are not lazy. They are just okay with how much they earn. </p><p></p> <p></p><p>This life no hard, na you go promise your mama private jet!&nbsp;</p><p>Liberator general!<br>On a more serious note, where you work and where you live can sometimes show up in your bank account. The cost of living in Lagos and Akwa Ibom is different, so the quality of life for two people earning the same salary in both states would differ. By implication, sometimes being broke is just based on location. </p><p></p> <p></p><p>Broke by location- You heard that from me first!</p><p></p> <p></p><p>I also feel that depending solely on your salary can be tricky. But doesn’t that depend on the salary? Also, you may suspend your other business plans or adventures because you’re hooked on your pay. Well, there’s probably no conclusion on this matter. Sometimes companies play dirty by taking all the time and paying people less or just enough to keep those guys satisfied, or in my words, unhungry! This means you end up using the bulk of your productive time and energy on official duties, leaving you drained when you want to do things for yourself. The kind of work you do equally counts with regards to whether you will live a soft life or remain in the trenches! </p><p></p> <p></p><p>Regardless, make sure you're grinding and staying out of the "broke curve."&nbsp;</p><p>By all means, resist the urge to compare your income with that of others unless you can handle the aftermath of those thoughts! </p><p></p> <p></p><p>Does the perfect salary exist, or is it a mental issue?&nbsp;</p><p>Are salaries designed to keep us chained in the guise of contentment?</p><p></p> <p></p><p>Stay Driven</p><p><br></p><p></p> <p></p><p>Learn Unlearn Relearn</p> <p></p> </span>
The Salary Algorithm
By Samuel Ibok
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In People and Society • 4 min read • Feb 01, 2023 08:58a.m.
The Matrix Revolutions: Gender, Pronouns and other Ingredients
<span class="html-content"><p><span class="html-content"></span></p><p>I think boys should be boys, girls should wear skirts, and men should cry!&nbsp;</p><p>Calm your nerves and kindly read to the end to get my full explanation. For the longest time, humanity has not had difficulty using pronouns until very recently. You may have thought the gender war was minor, but I am glad to dispel your doubt. Gender roles have always existed, and their prevalence is tied to their long existence. These roles are not entirely bent on enslaving women. I am not ignorant of the plight of women in various parts of the world, but to claim that gender roles are the sole cause of all the world's problems is insane. The problem of inclusion is before us. If ignored, an explosion is inevitable. When one gender is designated as the universal perpetrator and the other as the universal victim, equality becomes abstract.&nbsp;</p><p>A case in point is the fact that women can't drive in some countries. Now, that's deeper than meets the eye. It basically means women shouldn't earn because, to own a car, you must earn first. There's the whole craze over virginity for women, while guys are celebrated for being hoes. Make una no vecx abeg, but that's the way it is. I understand the purity and other benefits of being a virgin, but if a lady believes her marriage will be peaceful because she married as a virgin, aunty, you're on a long thing. Adam will shock you. In other words, some ladies live their entire lives as interns waiting for the full-time job of marriage. Accordingly, the narrative of gender being on a spectrum is popular in some countries. This makes me wonder if this is the design of the matrix. Perhaps this is all part of a new-order plan in which those who disagree with the new doctrine are relegated to the trenches and those who accept it are lauded. This is no joke. If you pay attention to the dynamics of politics in the West, you'll see a voting pattern based on seemingly woke ideas. It seems like the sweet spot, and many have leveraged it.&nbsp;</p><p>Let's break this down a bit. Is gender totally distinct from sex? Are there similarities in both, or is one dependent on the other? Today, people identify as different things, and this could be based on how they feel. But do we really have that choice, or should it always be based on pre-existing notions of gender? If I decide I'm a lady tomorrow, a lot of people will tag me as crazy. Yo, I live in Nigeria, and I could get lynched for that level of insanity. Hold up; I think people would be too busy hustling to even notice my insanity. Besides, aren't we all mad? I saw a clip of a female race that was done by a transgendered woman. It kind of looks like an unfair race because he actually had the advantage. If we spread this across the board, then several ladies may be hooked on the same reality we are trying to change. Not all change is good, I guess.&nbsp;</p><p>One thing people miss in the gender debate is the issue of rights. Everyone has the right to think for themselves and even choose what they identify as. This is basically the central tenet of human rights, and for me, freedom of speech is the koko! However, we need to be clear on the fact that we are at liberty to accept or reject narratives. So I shouldn't be killed for upholding certain opinions, even if they are unpopular. Notably, you can accommodate some opinions even if you don't accept them. This could be just to make the other person feel good about themselves. But how long will we continue to shrink our truth just to make others feel good or seen? People are usually skeptical about issues that revolve around human rights. They should, because it is intrinsic, and no one wants to be tagged as the oppressor.&nbsp;</p><p>The gender debate isn't popular in Africa, although there are conversations about it in some African countries. I think our turn would come, and it would be a pivotal point in our history.&nbsp;</p><p>What if the divide between classes in the future was predicated on the gender debate? Have we even thought about the religious aspects? You could be an outcast if you hold dearly to certain beliefs. I recently met a lady called Samuel. Wait, I didn't even know that was possible. What if we are all making a big deal out of this, and maybe we should just let people do what they want? What exactly are human rights? Were rights coined by the designers of the Matrix to keep us in chains? Are gender roles the greatest evil? Why are pronouns such a big issue? Abeg, where can I see new naira notes? Will we ever be free from the matrix?</p><p></p> <p></p><p>The Matrix Resurrections is coming soon...</p> <p></p> </span>
The Matrix Revolutions: Gender, Pronouns and ot...
By Samuel Ibok
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Cyrus Majebi
city Lagos • 1 year, 11 months ago
I smiled, laughed, pondered deeply, paused to think and laughed again as I read this. Great ending to a great series!
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In Politics • 4 min read • Feb 23, 2023 02:20a.m.
Lessons For Nigeria From Peter Obi's Campaign Of Disappointments
Image copyright/credit: Arise News
<span class="html-content"><p><span class="html-content"></span></p><p><span class="html-content"></span></p><p><span class="html-content"></span></p><p><span class="html-content"></span></p><p>Peter Obi has run a Presidential campaign full of disappointments.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The Lagos rally attendance epitomizes it; for all the talk on social media, we could not fill half of the arena. This was also the case for many of his other rallies.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>So, how can he expect to dislodge the establishment with such poor showings?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I have had to consider the implication of the disappointing turnouts on our hope after being mocked by APC supporters over them, and here are some lessons I believe we can take from them.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Dear Nigerians who hope to change the status quo, this is a moment of truth for us. Please read to the end, you’ll be glad you did.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Everyone who has been supporting Mr. Peter Obi since before he declared to run knows that he has disappointed us many times. If you have forgotten, here are some reminders:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>While every other big politician was declaring their intention to contest every other day, Obi silently waited for the PDP to decide on whether they would zone the ticket to the South or not.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>This delay invited ridicule from many in the PDP and the APC, who accused him of lacking the mettle to contest and wanting the party ticket handed to him.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>He eventually declared, in spite of the PDP not zoning the ticket to the South, and that relieved us for a time.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>But that was quickly followed by another disappointment; every time he spoke, he was “too nice”. He responded to insults by calling the critic his “respected senior brother” and refused to hit back. It irked us.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Bear in mind, the majority of his earliest supporters are young people. Largely ignored in our society and politics. Fed up with the establishment, and still reeling from the violent suppression of our voices during the #EndSars protests, when our simple demand for police reforms was quelled by a massacre at Lekki.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>We needed him to tap into our anger and be aggressive.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>We had already taken over the social media space and were actively refuting every propaganda against him. Why was he not equally militant in his speeches? We demanded that he be so.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Instead, he apologised to the bad actors among his critics for his supporters’ aggression and requested that we be respectful.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>That deflated many. Why were the people standing up for him being corrected, and those insulting him being apologised to?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>You see, for 8 years, we had watched APC supporters employ toxicity on social media spaces to silence outrage at their party’s dismal performance in government. They had won 2 elections doing that. So, why could Obi not understand that niceness won’t get him anywhere in this climate?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>After that apology, his detractors doubled down on their agenda. They accused him of contesting to be in the picture for a VP candidate pick. He had no hope of winning the PDP primaries anyway since he was unwilling to pay his way through contests.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>We, his supporters, were being battered on all sides, especially as we knew that his chances of getting the party’s ticket were slim. He eventually balanced the annoying apologies by drafting some of his youthful supporters into his team. That encouraged us and made us feel “seen”. However, that was not his last apology.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>But apologising for his supporters’ conduct was small compared to what followed.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>After concluding the consultations with party delegates before the primaries, Obidients, galvanised by his vibrancy tapped into his energy and staged a nationwide march to pressure PDP to give him their ticket. The demand was simple: Give us Peter Obi and you have our votes.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>We were hopeful that it would convince the PDP to consider a consensus decision, only for news to break 4 days later that our man had resigned from the PDP. He had even done so before the march.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Even worse, he chose to join the Labour Party (LP), which handed him their ticket. That move confounded many since the LP lacked a national structure.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Why move from the only opposition party with a national spread to another that only managed 5,000 votes from the 28 million cast in 2019?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Then the official campaigns started, and the poor rally attendance seemed to justify the criticisms aimed at him.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Yes, rally crowds are usually hired for a fee. But establishment politicians understand its purpose; news channels will report huge turnouts at their rallies, which will then help to assure voters sympathetic to their cause that voting for them won’t be a wasted effort.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Mr. Obi could have done the same, so why did he not? Why the insistence on organic attendees alone? </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>As the underdog, nobody would fault him for investing to assure his supporters, so we do not stay at home on election day or vote for another “lesser evil” with a perceived better chance of winning.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>But if you have read to this point, you should have recognised a pattern: Mr. Peter Obi will stay true to his character, no matter what – be it his supporters raging at him for apologising, or the risk of failing to become president because he refused to buy delegates’ votes or being tempted with a dangerous deal for the support of Governor Wike’s G5 group.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>His authenticity is a positive indicator of good governance.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Politicians are famed for their willingness to say anything to gain support. They strike so many deals that eventually some agreements contradict others.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Yet, Mr. Obi has publicly announced to his support groups that their labour for him does not guarantee political rewards in his government. His commitment is the same everywhere he goes – he will make Nigeria work for everybody. And for that to happen we must discontinue the culture of political patronage.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Mr. Peter Obi has shown leadership. He has tamed the anger of his youthful supporters and shown us how to channel it into actions that can produce lasting change.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>This character is vital for Nigeria we desire. Since voting is based on promises made, hope is cast with every vote. Therefore, Nigeria cannot afford another government that shits on our hope after winning.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>When he assumes office in May, and begins to deliver on his promises, we will be glad he refused to compromise on his character during the campaigns. The absence of baggage will allow him to deliver on the vision for which we voted him.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>So, this Saturday, I implore you, go out and vote for Mr. Peter Obi of the LP for President.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p><p></p> <p></p> </span>
Lessons For Nigeria From Peter Obi's Campaign O...
By Chinomso Uzoeto
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Samuel Ibok
city Lagos • 1 year, 11 months ago
I see what you did!
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