The Parable Of the #PRODIGAL SON (Luke 15:1-32)

The Parable of the #PRODIGAL SON (Luke 15:1-32)

According to Chapter 17-19 of Luke Chapter 15, "When he (THE PRODIGAL SON) came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger. I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”

THE PRODIGAL SON never returned back home arrogantly or with any riotous attitude. He was very sober and prepared to even become one of the hired servants in his own biological father's empire and accept only what his father got to offer him.
It was this show of, remorseful, soberness and apologetic manner he adopted that made the father rushed towards him and declared merriment (Chapter 20) .............Oro po ninu iwe Luukuu.

Fast forward to Chapter 28 when the elder son came back from the field and met the house in ceremonial mood.......... But as a father (not ordinary sperm donor) who understands the pains of the elder son who has remained with him all through.
He (the father) said to HIS LOYAL SON “Son, YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH ME, AND ALL THAT I HAVE YOURS. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.”

THERE MUST BE SPECIAL REWARD FOR STEADFASTNESS, PERSEVERANCE, LOYALTY, DEDICATION.
May our Loyalty not be tested.

OMO TO SO ILE NU LO S'APO IYA KO.

I do not understand this saying much until recently when I see people struggling to gain access/recognition of a place they called their HOMES. 

The event of political happenings in Ogun state can better describe this.
Either genuinely or otherwise that Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adela is an indegne of Pahayi in Ilaro, it is evident that the Lagos Senator has lost touch of his so called home. 

Senator Adeola is not the only politicians that have operated outside the state and and have also seek and won elective position in their various place of choices. The Mamora, The Hamzat, The Adekoya (Attacker) and many more have been elected into one position or the other in various capacities in the past. BUT when it is time for them to return HOME, nobody dare challenge them if their ancestral homes. Because they have always keep in touch with home fronts, it become an easy ride for them to be reintegrated to the system back home. 

One can imagine the financial and emotional implications that have been committed into this project YAAYI ANCESTRAL IDENTITY. 

I am not justifying either yes or no that he is from where he is claiming as his origin. My concern is to raise consciousness of some who may be in similar situation to do the needful before it's too late.

My Name Is ADEGBOKIKI Kamor.

I AM NOT RIPE FOR REGIONAL LEADER: I BELONG TO BUHARI; I BELONG TO APC.- Gov. Amosun

I have noticed, with consternation, the recurring misnomer and mis-description in political nomenclature particularly as they relate to the politics of the South West, and, by extension, the country as a whole. I refer to the emerging tendency of referring to me and some other members of our great party as the 'Leader(s) of the South West' or ' New Leader(s) of the APC in the South West'.

When that phrase was first brought to my attention, particularly during the weeks preceding the Ondo State Gubernatorial election, my immediate reaction was to ignore same as yet another distractive antics of the opposition.

Somehow, the misnomer stuck and it came to appear rather more frequently in several other fora and publications, including respectable gathering and media. Lies, and misconceptions, when told and asserted repeatedly with gusto, have the tendency to assume the toga of the truth. It is for these reasons that I have considered it of critical importance to set the records straight.

As the Governor of an APC controlled State, Ogun, I am a huge Stakeholder in my party.   In all that I do, in the open and in privacy, the bigger interest of our party remain the guiding principle for my actions, decisions and alliances. I grew up in the old Western Region where loyalty to corporate goal and party supremacy were the hallmark of a true party member, and, indeed, every citizen.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not, by any stretch of imagination, the leader or new leader of the APC in the South West. I am a loyal party member, and, I shall stand by our party and of course, with President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. I am also obliged to respect all our leaders, in the State, South West and Nigeria.

This is the minimum that is required of every party member by custom, and by the Constitution of the party. I acknowledge that these are rather difficult times in the life of our party, and, in the nation. I am confident that we shall overcome and our party, the APC, and our dear country will come out even stronger, more viable and united.

True leadership cannot be by conjecture or wishful thinking. From the template that we inherited from our forebearers, it is usually earned. In political parlance, leadership also evolves. If we take this as our guide, even as Governor, I have leaders from my State and at the National level.

By the grace of God I currently serve my people as the Governor of Ogun State. My total preoccupation and commitment is to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of Ogun State that the Almighty God used to give me the opportunity to serve them. We will not take the support of our people for granted. We shall work even harder to justify their confidence and, by the grace of God, leave the State better than we met it, and in a blaze of glory. These, rather than some insensitive, phony and imaginary leadership contest, are my aspirations.

God bless Ogun State
God bless Nigeria.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, CON, FCA
Governor, Ogun State

07 December, 2016.

THE SAINTS: FASHION AND LIFESTYLE: Buy Naija; Grow Naira Campaign Get A Boost As ARIKZ COUTURE Berths In Lagos.

THE SAINTS: FASHION AND LIFESTYLE: Buy Naija; Grow Naira Campaign Get A Boost As ARIKZ COUTURE Berths In Lagos.

FASHION AND LIFESTYLE: Buy Naija; Grow Naira Campaign Get A Boost As ARIKZ COUTURE Berths In Lagos.

Fashion loving ladies who are mindful of their appearance and are committed to looking beautiful, trendy and chic at all times can now have sigh of relief as ARIKZ COUTURE has come to their rescue.

According to the Marketing Manager of the fashion outfit, Mr Alabi, "ARIKZ COUTURE is a Ladies' garment company with uniqueness of styles; our outfits are trendy and chic. We derive our inspirations from the needs of today's lady to remain attractive at all times."

With Designer in Chief who is an internationally trained and award winning expert with over two decades of experience, and internationally trained designers who are not only the best in modern dresses but are equally the very best in Ladies' psychology, ARIKZ COUTURE is ready to make a Unique Styles with Exotic Materials in a very Trendy Designs to satisfy your fashion sense.


MORE PICTURES.

"Be Doubly Sure Of What You Want Before You Are Asked!" - Otunba Tunde Alabi

Let me share some stories with you from the abundance of my ugly experiences.

I shared same office with a very beautiful lady during my NYSC. She had a boyfriend who was the M.D. of a thriving oil servicing company. So I served as errand boy between the two, they both took care of me. After my NYSC, the man was one of the few people that I hoped would help me so I went to his office. He simply asked me "What do you want?" Then I started a long story of how I came from a poor background, how growing up was tough, how I have been disappointed many times, how the whole of my village were looking up to me, how I hope to 'make it' one day etc. I thought my story would make him to pity me and he would just give me 'any' job then I will become a young millionaire like him! After my story, he asked again 'So what exactly do you want?'. I continued with my blabbing. He just dipped his hand into his pocket and gave me a thousand naira. He discharged me and that was how my hope evaporated.

As a young hustler, fresh from the oven and exploring the streets I met the heir apparent to one of Nigeria's billionaires at an oil and gas forum. He fell for my confidence and charisma so he gave me his mobile number (then it was 090.,,). I thanked my stars and started fantasizing about riches because to me, there's no way I won't make money through the son of a man that we heard was the Africa's biggest philanthropist of all time. So after satisfying myself with the imaginary lifestyles I called him up and he was delighted to hear from me. I thought it wise to take it easy and steady. I followed it up with several other calls and he picked all my calls. My messages have always been 'I just want to say hello and check on you'. So one day he asked 'What exactly do you want?'. I became dumb! I realized that I didn't even know what I wanted exactly. That was how our friendship died slowly.

At the peak of hustling and with a terribly beaten jalopy to move round, a retired Admiral bashed my car and out of pity he offered to repair the car and still give me some money but out of my desperation for breakthrough I declined his offers and told him that I just wanted to be one of his 'boys'. He was surprised. He said 'okay, please be my friend'. That was the last day I saw him as the soldiers guiding his house never gave me access to him.

Now, in these three and many other instances I realized that I was never really prepared nor knew what I wanted. I had a feeling they could have helped me if I was sure of what I wanted and prepared.

Please note that the fact that your friend, family member, relation or neighbor is in a privileged position is not a guarantee for your own breakthrough, you have to know what you want and present it in a clear and unambiguous message. Always set a SMART goal and ensure it is well communicated. If your expectations are not met then don't be dejected. Just keep on keeping on. At least I didn't get help from any of the three people but I can afford data on my phone today to post this update!

Remain blessed.

NIGERIAN STUDENT WINS RESEARCHER'S OF THE YEAR AWARD IN SOUTH AFRICA

A young, passionate Nigerian, Toyosi Craig was recently honoured with the YOUNG RESEARCHER OF THE
YEAR AWARD 2016 in South Africa. The award, which is dubbed Renewable Energy Research Excellence Award (RERE), is jointly organised by Renewable Energy Centre of Research and Development (RECORD), and South African National Energy Association (SANEA).

According to the organisers, the award “recognises the contribution of young upcoming researchers to renewable energy in South Africa”, and it is given on the basis of merit, innovation, novelty and applicability.

Elevated Sight Magazine caught up with Toyosi Craig, who opened up on a number of issues bothering on his experiences in South Africa and some of the challenges young people are confronted with in Nigeria. Read, enjoy and don’t forget to share!

ESM: Can we meet you?

Toyosi: My name is Toyosi Craig. I am a Nigerian. I am an engineer. I do innovation management and systems analysis. I am currently doing a PhD in engineering management with a special focus on solar energy, in Stellenbosch University, South Africa. I am more of an advocate for good governance and good citizenship and helping others help themselves.

ESM: Why South Africa?

Toyosi: Like a friend would say, I left Nigeria without combing my hair. I initially came here for a Master’s degree in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering in 2014 and I have been around since then. I have led a lot of inventions and innovations in Nigeria, for which I couldn’t find any support or funding. I initiated a lot of Startups. Some of them include: a pounded yam making machine that pounds two man-size meal in 20 seconds; conversion of Jatropha seed oil to make diesels; making of tiles from sawdust and used pure water sachets, among many others. But as you know, no one was ready to support. Nigerian society and multinationals only fund upcoming dancers, musicians, models and the likes.

ESM: Tell us about your experiences so far in South Africa


Toyosi: The truth is I never expected what I met in SA. I initially wanted to go to Canada or UK, which my parents couldn’t afford. But I really thank God I am here. Getting to know that some of the schools here are world class; I am fully funded, my research group for example invented some solar heliostat ahead of Google engineers. We have jet fighters that we work on. There are innumerable drones, a micro satellite in the space, what else do you want as an engineer. The computers available are almost 80% of the student population in number, just to mention a few.

ESM: Tell us about the recent award you received

Toyosi: To God be the glory, I was honoured as the young researcher of the year in the energy sector of South Africa.

My Master’s degree project was an innovation, which was widely appraised around the world. It is a parabolic solar cooker that tracks the sun and can cook at night or when there is no sun because it saves heat. The system was adapted for African conditions and can be used to set up small heat based factories in rural areas. Also, it eliminates the solar cooker users’ exposure to sun as the cooking section is separated from the heat receiver.

ESM: What would you consider as significant difference in studying in South Africa as against Nigeria?

Toyosi: SA takes education as a priority and their educational system is highly funded and all research have focus and applications, either industry based, public sector based or for the societal good. They have structures and great research policies.

The truth is SA is far ahead when it comes to Research, because the government, the industries and the universities are on top of their games and working together. I promise you, we have the population who are willing to go to school in Nigeria but there is very little support. The reverse is the case in SA.

ESM: Are you looking forward to contributing to the development of Nigeria and in what area?


Toyosi: Contributing to Nigeria and Africa as a whole is not just my dream but my destiny. I believe my calling is to wipe out hunger from Africa, which can be achieved through several approaches.

The first thing I am passionate about is giving identity to all Nigerians. It has failed many times, but without it we cannot plan. I have the model and I hope I can implement it someday, so that we can know each Nigerian and each person’s life can be valuable.

The second is electricity; we have made a lot of headway in Solar Energy and other renewable energies in South Africa. I am looking forward to helping in that area back home. I have actually sent a lot of documents home.

Lastly, some of our citizens are losing focus and are really depressed; you may not know but it is the truth. I hope I can inspire many to rediscover themselves. I was also frustrated sometimes ago, but I didn’t give up. We just need an enabling environment and we can be all we are meant to be. I believe Nigerians are the smartest people God made.

ESM: What do you think we can do to improve our educational system?

Toyosi: First thing, government should start giving university scholarships to as many students as possible to study AT HOME. We don’t have an education sector goal. As you can see, companies don’t trust our graduates because most lack required skills. It is fundamentally wrong for a high school graduate willing to study more, to not be able to, because there are no enough spaces in schools or because he/she cannot afford private schools. We are yet to get it right yet. It’s not supposed to be difficult for a high school student to graduate and proceed to higher institution for his/her primary discipline of interest.  In SA, if you do well in your matric (equivalent to our WAEC and NECO), you will not only study your dream course, you will also be funded 100%.

Education is expensive no doubt, but we have to decide whether or not we want the best for our people. We need proper structures that would encourage research. There is a lot to do. And we haven’t started yet.

ESM: What are your plans for the future?

Toyosi: My plan is simple; wipe hunger out of Africa. This has to start with Nigeria. We have the largest population, abundant natural resources, an amazing weather, and fertile soil. Whatever would help reposition Nigeria, and for Nigerians to achieve their maximum potentials, that I am committed to doing to the best of my ability and capacity.