millionaires without a business card...... by @yekeme

We are now living in an age of networked intelligence, where young people are not only challenging but also disrupting the foundations of conventional wisdom with the power of technology. These breed of techies don’t need any business card to introduce themselves to anybody because their works and inventions are shaping the way we live our lives today.

 

Work is fun for them as they teach us with their disruptive innovations how to ease up our endeavours. They have become masters of their own destinies so much that they don’t need any one to give them direction. They don’t know the destination  themselves, but they understand that with technology as the driver, they’ll arrive safely. Funny enough, they are taking the rest of us along on this journey.

 

Many refer to these genius risk takers as tech entrepreneurs, but I find it safe to tag  them “Millionaires without Business cards.”  Truth is, this is an epoch of opportunities and just about anybody irrespective of background or any impediment can become a millionaire without business card.  The only qualification required is something within your reach which is your determination and vision.  How far you can see? 

 

Recently, I had a conversation with Bosun Tijani, the Co-Creation Hub (C-CHub)  Boss via social media(twitter). A fine gentle man blazing the trail in the Nigerian Tech space who never for once thinks less of how (mobile) Technology can and would transform Nigeria . Interestingly, he shared with me his insights as to the path technology will take in Nigeria and probably the rest of Africa.  His strong belief that tech is at the core of every society is indeed unwavering and for our society to truly tap into the benefits of technology, Bosun advocates , ‘‘we should invest in the cluster to serve as our nucleus for the maker movement.”  He stresses the need to adopt this module if Nigeria plans to encourage  smarter innovations.

 

Already, Innovations and tech Start-ups are springing up within the Yaba area of Lagos which fits typically as the model of clusters Bosun speaks of. The argument, however, remains that if there is ever gonna be a ‘‘maker movement’’, the proliferation of clusters such as Yaba becomes imperative. As these are the places that will give birth to many of these rare breeds – the ” millionaires without business cards.”

 

Nigeria’s tech space already has to its credit innovations such as Pushcv, Tuteria, Paga, Budgit, Wecyclers, and 500 shops, among others. They’re just about some of the smartest ideas strokes shaping life and business through technology. However, what is left is to create better enabling environment through building more clusters. Tech is the future today and no serious nation should treat it with levity. 

 

Besides,  study reveals the trend at which technology is revolutionising communications. If you are reading this piece, fact is, you are probably  one of the over 70% users doing so via platforms like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. To explain the power and pace of mobile technology, there is no better way than revealing that even “The Apollo”- the rocket that took the first men out of the earth-  can not  match, in computing power, the smartphone you are holding at the moment. It can’t even tweet from the space! What a time to be alive!

 

The beauty of it all is that people can from obscurity rise to stardom through the power of the “Internet of Things.” It’s now a world where unknown names are becoming instant celebrities just because of their unique contributions on the internet. Again, if we jealously claim that this is the best time to be alive, can we for once imagine what our world would look like within the next 10 years?

 

To this end, thus, as technology infrastructure expands in Nigeria and the rest of Africa and Startups continue to evolve via creating solutions and meeting the needs of the time more millionaires will emerge. This is in tandem with studies revealing that more brand new tech millionaires pegged within the ages of 20 and 40years old would emerge as innovations grow. We can only imagine what the coming decade will look like? Against this backdrop, I  got one question to ask : “Will you be among these millionaires without business cards?”

 

By….. yek keme

Interested in Culture, Technology and Governance

Tribute to My Father...PRINCE AYAKEME KONBOYE

Late Prince Ayakeme konboye was born 61 yrs ago to Ogboduru his mother and Emgbouke his father of Agbadaware Quarters, Okpokunou Town in the then Western Region now Burutu LGA in Delta State.

In his early life, the late Ayakeme attended L.A primary school opokunou in the 1960s and then further proceeded to St. Vincent College Okuagbe. After his educational pursuit the late Ayakeme settled for a private business life in Lagos state.

The young handsome Ayakeme met his ever gorgeous and beautiful wife, Victoria Ebimoere Embale my mother in 1981 and their union was blessed with a son and two lovely daughters only after some years of waiting for the fruit of the womb.

In 2007, my father feeling the need to connect with his own people relocated his family from Lagos back to Delta state. The relocation was to enable him to be actively involved with the socio economic and political life of his people.

The late Ayakeme was a man who  built bridges of brotherhood and love amongst people, in fact his life was an epitome of this simple but scarce human virtue and he demonstrated this till the end of his earthly journey on the 16th November 2014.

As a family man, the Late Ayakeme was known for one thing by his wife and children.
This is, his enduring love for Education. He believed that to conquer the challenges of the 21st century one must be equipped with the right mental capacity and learning. For him education is the platform to stand on as a basis for the continuing development of the people and the society.

Personally, I got a good grasp for reading and loving literatures because my father saliently  made this happen. He would often ask me then as a child to go buy his daily  news papers and upon his reading it, he would ask that I read and tell him what I understood.

To the entire family, he was deeply committed to family matters and welfare. And to many persons, he was cheerful, loving, a connector who listens and above all peaceful.

Today, Upon seeing the existential condition of my fathers' ancestral community, I finally understood my fathers' 'Dream' and why his love for education remains so sacrosanct.

Inspite of the travails and challenges of life that he faced, The late Ayakeme still have the audacity to hope and faith in a better tomorrow........

For me, words spoken today may not capture the totality of his life, but all I have to say is that my father succeeded In passing on the torch, and the baton to generations that come with a mind for genuine progress.

And so I say 'Doh' (thank you) .....'emien ka men' (you have done well)... 'Ye kile men dau' ( I greet you papa). For You are my best friend, my confidant, my backbone, you are my hero who fought your way through life even to your last breath.
For if I am to come to this life again and given a chance to choose, I will still pick you as my father........ Sleep well papa for you will forever remain in our hearts.


presented at the funeral service in okpokunou Burutu LGA of Delta state

By Yerinlaimi Emgbouke Konboye a.k.a  @yekeme

I WANT TO BE CALLED A FOOL

Mr Hassan Oluwole Ezedima is in government  and his a  fool. What happens to changing cars and parking  like 50 in my new estate called a house in ministers hill maitama?

What happens that my children are found schooling in Nigeria?

What happens they find out I take my medications from a local doctor here? What happens when am caught on camera wearing Sisiano when I can afford Gucci? What happens, when they can't find two large generators in my house? Who cares about the people who voted for me? I would remember them during my second coming.

Mr Hassan Oluwole Ezedima is an opposite of what happens and his a big fool for that.The fear of been called a fool. I Am olagabs, want to be called a fool when I get into power and think of others. I want to be called a fool and provide housing for my people. I want to be a fool, allow my kids face the educational system so I work hard to make it a better system for not only my kids but other kids, both local and international to benefit.

I want to be a fool, to stop importation of generators and enrich the power sector of my country to supply steady electricity, for better production of goods and services. I want to be fool to do my medicals in my country saying I went to the best hospital in the world. I want to be a fool to encourage and wear designs from my country. I want to be a fool to start the change from my home to my neighbor..........what about you?

Dear Nigerians, as we are celebrating our nations 54th Independence, lets be ready to be called a fool and make the first change. We must not be in government to start the change. Let's start the changes from our homes and neighbors around us.
Think positive, do the right thing and be proud to be called a fool for your Nation.

You can call me Gabisi N Oladimeji and am a fool for the right thing.

You can call me Showunmi Rex and am a fool the right thing.

You can call me Yek Keme and am a fool for the right thing


Creativity By @olagabs
Edit by @yekeme

Published... Yekipedia House

2015: Why Atiku deserves our attention

Earlier in the day (24/9/14) the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar made a formal declaration of his ambition to run as a candidate for the highest office of the Land. I was one of those who was overwhelmed by the concept of the whole event.

Nigeria Newsdesk (@NigeriaNewsdesk)  led me to the livestreaming of the event. While the event progressed, the twitterspace as usual was flooded with pro and anti support tweets. I rendered my humble opinions concerning the style and Strategy of the event which some twitter acquaintances attacked almost endlessly.  One even by his tweet assumed I was being deceived by the whole razzmatazz. Such commentaries move me less for they depict guesses farther from the truth.

However, in a private chat with a colleague- one I respect so much- I saw how some brewing resentments could raise more cognitive dissonance to the fragile reputation of the Turaki Adamawa. Thus, for morality sake I was propelled to write this piece. Since Atiku cannot go back to years behind to rewrite or undo the past some of us ,out of magnanimity , can give encouragement to his noble course. There can't be an entirely bad product, remember? Some things are simply relative. Iwaju to Ko si e ehin ni fun elomi . Hence, this may just take the form of a consumer testimonial.

First, I don’t agree that Atiku is becoming overzealous for signalling interest to run for president. It is an intrinsic nature of man to strive for more greatness provided it doesn't disrupt the way of nature. Besides, he sees himself qualified to make Nigeria greater. He has been in the corridors of power before, he's therefore no learner in politics and governance. He may just be the one to set us on that dream path. Who knows? Morever, his ambition only adds beauty to the contest. Healthy Competition only improves Value.

More so, Atiku Abubakar is too liberal to be a bigot. He married a Yoruba woman as first wife and has large  friends and associates of different tribes and faith all across the country. Perhaps his long public service life contributes to this nature but he can't be one who can nurse or habour negative tribalism. I doubt it based on those premises


If you have been monitoring presidential hopefuls the past few months and their performances you would agree that Atiku glides as one with the best team(maybe for now). The PR is superb! Atiku knows when to talk, when to write and what to say. I give credit to his team and I give him credit more for gathering the best focus group. May be other Aspirants would borrow a leaf is another question. Nigeria deserves the best in whatever we do. Let's make this Presidential colourful.

One word of advice to the Turaki once again is to be gracious in goodwill to take whatever is the outcomes of the Presidential Primary of his Party. Politics at the peak, most times, is not all about winning because the winner and the runner up will both end up as historical materials in the museum of time. Then how we handled everything will matter most. That is why Awo still possesses more cult followership in death than most of his contemporaries and successors.

Thus, I wish that Atiku uses this few weeks to purge out all the uncomfortable perceptions that some people have built around his figure. Whether there's victory at the primaries or not, Turaki should see it as a win-win for his reputation.

Best of Luck, Turaki Adamawa.


*Showunmi Rex is the Senior Editor @ DeltaForte Magazine ; Contributing Editor @ Hype9ja Ent. & www.yekipedia.blogspot.com Twitter Handle: @remirex.

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Lagos 2015: APC' s Succession Story -- Between The Chosen, The Special and The Hungry One

Every so often we come to the crossroads of Destiny when and where the importance of a decision so urgent,  so crucial becomes so inevitable.  All of our life, it would seem, is reduced to the result of that very decision.  In most cases such issues are as fundamental as who takes over the mantle of leadership. There is a popular adage which says Success without a successor is failure. May be we can add that any leadership feat that has not transferred from one entity to the next isn't matured enough to be tagged Success.  Leadership question can make a Phenomenal person  lose sleep countless times and weaken his drive to achieve more. Who takes over from here?  The unknown, the becoming is such dreadful experience. It is well illustrated in the story of a man who has built a business empire but doubts the capacity of his first son or any of his children to step into his shoes. Paradoxically,  it seems that the assurance of a subsequent custodian is as crucial as every successes won and aspired.

This is a political writing and it is going somewhere.  It is a reflection of what is to come (or befall) Lagos in a couple of months. When you drive through the Lekki Suspension Bridge by night or you walk past the Ikeja Shoprite axis at late night, knowing what used to be the case before this administration then you would ponder on what next after this man leaves office?

Are we going back to the old style of Governance where anything goes or we are set on this developmental path for almost forever? Would there be continuity or what? If yes, at what pace?

 That question would be answered very soon. Not in this essay but in the activities of all stakeholders including Political parties and the electorate.

As it stands , there are two major political parties in Nigeria today and one of them is likely to give us the next Chief Executive come 2015.  Talking of the major opposition party in Lagos there is not much to say for now. Nevertheless, because the party's fortune would much depend on who becomes the standard bearer we can wait for such outcomes to see if there's hope for eventual surprises.  For now, for this state , Lagos , the Incumbent party's primary is the Election.


APC Primary School , Lagos.

In the eventuality of adherence to the  standing order, aspirants & supporters need to brace up for a Primary election. Hence, barring all unforseen circumstances there are three frontline contestant for the Party's nomination ; The Chosen One, The Special, and The Hungry One.


The Special One

The man who currently holds a sensitive position in the current cabinet is gathering support and hope from the party loyalists as time ticks closer. He is special because of the big barrier hanging over his nomination. He seems to make history as a non-indigene of a state but gathering strategic forces that may eventually lead to clinching the highest position in the state. Anybody conversant with how things work in Nigeria would admit that even State Civil Service leadership like Permanent Secretaries and others are rarely ceded to non-indigenes of the state let alone the Chief Executive of a State. But rules and records are made to be broken. This may be that special case.

He is Special also because he enjoys, allegedly, the maximum support of the sitting Chief Executive. The number one man it seems is saying subliminally; "my spirit is upon him".Like the biblical Moses and Joshua endorsement.

Moreover,  to have the structure of a father to bank on is no small advantage. But what do we say about the 'institutional' jinx to be broken? The First Royalty of the state already made a statement, one that could fan the flames of unusual resentment towards this Cause.

Also, Strategically, the fronting of the Special One by the Chief executive may just be a negotiating tool for private gains. Horse-trading is a regular tool in politicking and this one may not be an exception. The Senate, or even a Vice Presidential slot may be a good bargain for the Chief Executive.  If such isn't feasible, other very important slots can serve a good compensation. At both ways, the Chief would still walk home happy.


The Chosen One

Shakespeare's definition of Leadership highlights three possible ways to greatness. One of which is having leadership thrusted on your laps. No matter how we put it, the Chosen man is the man to beat. Although he enters this race as an underdog and would remain as such till the contest is over for so many reasons. What else do you call a man making a first appearance into active, partisan politics as a Governorship aspirant? Indeed winning promises to be pyrrhic.  It would be a highly challenging endeavour, the one likely to choke the aspirant and sap energy. But there are enough 'shock-absorbers' for this man. The first and biggest endorsement came from the First King of the State and that's a statement loud enough to be understood.

The Chosen one's records as a selfless servant is a good leverage even though politics is a wielding  game. In most cases, irrespective of who stands behind you what you educe matters more. It is all about you- your charm, your charisma, your grace. All the attestations & endorsements already opens up the compound pressure of living up to expectations. When much is given much is expected. There's much work to be done but the good thing is it won't be without the support of the Captains of the Party, the main men whose attention he already got.

There's one important thing to hammer on and it is that there is no done deal in politics. This man of the moment must try as much as possible to ease the pressure of those who already declared support for his candidature. The need to be reminded often, by action , that they made the right choice thrusting him forward. His mettle will be tested with fire like a furnace to gold and it would only make him better.

Although on being an underdog in this race, many supporters of the man have likened it to how it first happened some Seven years ago when an underdog ,now his excellency, clinched the party nomination. But few points must be considered.As a chief of staff, one isn’t an outsider,  kind of, in the polity. In fact, the powers of the chief executive is put to optimal use through the arm of the CoS. What does this suggests? That the antecedents aren't purely the same.

The is more work to be done. There are many challenges but they are not insurmountable. The times have changed and the circumstances partially different. But there's always courage of the possibility looking back to the past to inspire the future.

However, there are hungry hawks around waiting to feast on the chicks. How prepared is the mother hen? We shall soon find out when we discuss the qualities of hawks and how some people are hungry for action.





...To be continued


Showunmi Rex (@remirex)  is the Senior Editor @ DeltaForte Magazine (www.deltaforteng.com) & Contributing  Editor @ Hype9ja Ent. (www.hype9ja.com) & www.yekipedia.blogspot.com

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Yekipedia house
@yekeme

Why you may need a private blog

In today's world, Identity plays a vital role in virtually every human endeavor.  Whether in Business, Politics, Public Service or even Religious association, every party feels at home with somebody they are familiar with. Nobody trusts easily an Individual without a story, a trace, a background they're familiar with or put simply somebody they hardly know.

A name, a face, a record, a profile, or even a referral etc can be a good starting point for   building new relationships that transcends our immediate environment.  If God gives you a Vision of a whale you don't go to the lake in your farmyard. Whales don't live in Lakes. Instead, you go all out there to the High Sea to "launch into the deep". But it takes time to gain acceptance in that highly promising but volatile environment. 

However, when people are acquainted with little details about you, it can spark up their interest and that may just be the opportunity you need to win acceptance. 

More so, with a private blog  you are presented with a platform that offers you the opportunity to express yourself,  what you want out of life, your values, views and opinions about life, living and other endeavors. As it were , you cease to become  a first timer to the global community. Running a web log can be a right way to register your Interconnectedness to the World.

Your Content

The problem of content is enough turn off for so many individuals.  It could even get more complicated when you see yourself as a never-achieved-enough person. But in most cases what really happens is that  we under-estimate our achievements. If you can find something to put down in your CV or resume then you can run a private blog. In fact, that's the least among the reasons you should run a blog.

For me, a choice of a private blog was more of a (social) necessity . The Platform gives me the privilege to express myself and communicate to the world through Writing.  As a Writer,  Public Speaker, Entrepreneur and trained Philosopher,  my desire to affect not just my immediate environment but the hundreds of people that I could connect through the 'IT miracle' influenced blogging for me. When people visit my blog  they should gain insights on Business,  Politics,  and Capacity building as a whole. Also, I want  people to see this experience as a mutual value-based exercise and thus flourish it with content . Through that process a synergy births a new Energy into this Universe of Knowledge. Who downplays the maxim "Knowledge is Light"?  

In addition, for the benefit of those who are always more interested in the messenger than the message, there's a short profile to intimate.

Exceptions:

If you are xenophobic or you have an agelong paranoia,  perhaps having a personal blog may not be good for you.

But if being shy or suffering from any of the Complexes is the reason you want a "low- key" life then now is the time to shake it off. You cannot live to be average so embrace Excellence and the price/prize of Prominence that comes with it.  As one scripture verse says, "a city set on a hill cannot be hidden" 

Signing out with the Wisdom deduced from Chinua Achebe's quote: "If you don't write someone's story, write your own". Let me add that this is the generation of Globalization if you don't tell your story somebody else will tell it. You may just have to pray the buddy isn't a blackmailer.

By Showunmi Rex is the Senior Editor at Delta Forte Magazine (www.deltaforteng.com) | Twitter Handle: @remirex

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Pep talk to Voters in 2015: Keep calm and vote right even with the rice.

Easy... It's your season. 2015 is almost here! It's the Christmas of Nigerian politics,  a time of harvest of and for the electorates. This electioneering period is special in so many ways. Your leaders would remember your house address now. They would impress their speeches on how inevitable your support is to their aspirations. And importantly, they would honor with gifts and titles, slot for injury time service.  That's just the way it is.

After these rituals are concluded it is now time to touch the pigs for slaughter directly. Password correct, access is granted now to lie as much as possible to the electorates just to get one more shot at power for the coming term. In the realm of politicking,  no price is too high to pay for the power in your thumb. It's the reason men would leave their beloved families, stop down from their prestigious thrones to the streets despite the vulnerabilities. 

For influential men to be convinced to endorse candidates there may be alot of technicalities but for the common man who holds the majority the answers are far too simple and less sophisticated.  Speak no much English, let the stomach infrastructure do all the ' Rock and Roll' . It speaks volumes.

 Let me be more specific-- Bring more rice! Rice is medicinal, it is the Nigerian opium approved by N***** to be used by the masses. And it is not harmful to the body.

Money has found its way into Nigerian campaigns because of the Third degree poverty level that has bedevilled the vast majority.  It has seized the voice from the call of reason and that may just be disastrous.  So what do I have to say? If I advise people not to collect money from politicians or rice coming masked as charity would I not be speaking German to rustic Africans?

Just like telling someone with HIV that they should live without anti-retroviral drugs when you haven't found the cure for the virus. A poor man lost his belongings to flood, no bank, no means of livelihood and then after a hungry midnight rice came with the morning.  Knowing his story, would you advice him to say no to the rice?  Of course you should not if you are not offering anything better.  Situationism, remember, is also an ethical theory.

I'll tell you what to do dear Electorates. The same wisdom that was employed during the  Mimiko re-election campaign.  Collect what they bring but don't vote for them. By that logic the burden of conscience versus pleasure disappeared like a fleeting shadow. The dichotomy between Money and Morality erased and people calmed down to vote overwhelmingly for their choiced candidate.

You may not have the power to stop a bird from flying over your head but you can keep it from building a nest over it. So when they come luring you with their rice be sure to do the needful which is giving thoughts to the credibility of each candidates.  Scratch deeper to see what lies beyond their dramatic roles and vote for who you think is best.

Never let anyone bamboozle you. Keep calm and vote right even now that rice is involved.

Rex Showunmi is the Senior Editor @ DeltaForte Magazine(www.deltaforteng.com).  Twitter handle : @remirex

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