Author: Sam Aderibigbe

Why You Should Stay Hungry & Foolish, By Steve Jobs

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

Just came across this and its sending me thinking…. Thought to reproduce it here.

Stay hungry and foolish……

This is yet the most celebrated speech made by Steve Jobs. It was the 114th Commencement Address to graduating students of Stanford  University on June 12, 2005.

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories!

The first story is about connecting the dots

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife.

Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: “We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?” They said: “Of course.” My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn’t see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

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My Apologies, President Jonathan

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 2 Comments

Dear President Jonathan,

I’m ashamed of myself. I want to apologize for my heartless abuse of your meek and gentle self. Please accept my sincere apologies.

I did not mean any harm. If I had known that you were as fragile as an egg, I would have been massaging your tiny ego instead of throwing darts to strengthen your muscles.

Just like you, Mr. President, I want to move Nigeria forward. I want to do it in a gentleman’s way – without shedding any sweat. But I have seen that Nigeria is such a heavy load that anyone involved in that venture must be ready to perspire.

Despite the impression I must have given over the years as a professional critic, I am a thoughtful man. I know it must be hard being the president of a dysfunctional country like Nigeria. But I did not know it was this hard. And surely, you did not have the slightest idea how hard it would be when you allowed your name on the ballot.

At a non-denominational service to mark Nigeria ’s 51st Independence Day, you lashed out at me and other critics of yours. I truly deserve it. But your frustrations drew no sympathy in me.

As a member, in good standing, of the National Association of Armchair Critics (Home and Abroad), I want to respond to you.

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A Tribute to a Woman of Valor

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 2 Comments

Early this morning, i got a call from my younger Brother, “Hello Bros, Mama Adamasingba has gone ooo!!!” For a moment i was shocked and told him on the phone, its not possible. Burt why is it not possible?

This is a woman, 90yrs+ who has been on her back for about 10yrs due to an illness that left her paralysed and partially blind. This was a woman, who before she was rendered incapacitated, would come visiting us at home and ready to stand for us and fight for justice and fairness for us. Continue reading →

Words on the Marble

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

“The alimentary canal of our state ministers does not digest gold”…Dr Tai Solarin.
With the recent spate of events happening in our country, one is left to wonder of our ministers or leaders particularly the presidency is interested in the welfare of their people.

It leaves a sour taste to the mouth when people elected(selected) to lead act inured to the happenings all around us. I am left to wonder the sanity if those who voted them in not to talk of questioning their own sanity that is, if they do have!!!

The spate of bombings in our nation has now reached a peak that i am wondering and asking myself, are we at war?

And of a truth we are at war! War against the forces of mediocrity that has taken over our nation, war against politicians that care only for their belly, war against figurehead presidency who does not know his right from his left. war against poverty, war against environmental nuisance, war against corruption and the list goes on and on…

All these have eaten deep into our fabric as a nation that we have lost all sense of decency and decorum to discern what matters most and what does not.

To us, everything goes inasmuch as it does not hinder bread from coming to our table, not disturb our sleep at night.

We can’t keep like this for long, its high time the docile giant in us gets up and becomes bold and courageous. High time we stop acting like idiots who allow themselves to be governed by an idiot worse off than them (Jonas).

The waters of the ocean never moves, until the tide moves with the wind…….

What Moral Authority….

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

Times I wonder the passion with which we criticize and castigate our leaders for flaws and errors of judgement that they make.

Several time I think to myself, if i am on that seat, to what extent will i go? Will i do worse or do better?

I have had reasons several times in the past to be wary of such and times without number i have been proven right on it.

What moral right do you have to judge someone when you are susceptible to doing the same thing and even worse off?

Scriptures read, remove the log in your eye before attempting to remove the log in another person’s eye. The moral, examine yourself first before you slam your neighbour. The good book also says, the same measure you use to judge others will be used to judge you. My point, i try to put myself in the position of the victim, if am that other end, how possible will i avoid not falling into the same pit?

Contrary to what does who are close to me may think, I perform harsh appraisal and do scenario playing on myself. And each time the way i react to people who do wrong is the way I would react to myself if am the offending party.

That is to say, when i walk into a mall, i will go to the section where i want to buy…there all that appeals to me will be selling to me if you get my point.

I find it objectionable if you condemn public holders for not following due process in their dealings but try to take short cuts, yet you take short cuts for granted.

You mock them for giving a political answer whereas you readily give a political solution to issues.

You criticize for double-speak yet you do a triple speak.

You criticize for swaying with the winning crowd, yet you sway to the side of whatever issue that suits your whims at any point in time.

You castigate men for not standing firm yet when you stand….you tow the same line…

You tell men follow this path but you turn the other way..

You preach peace with one hand holding the Olive leaf the other holding an SMG…

Am i absolving myself here…..nein…far be it because it’s a thin line and I fall overboard a times. But as i said earlier, i judge myself harsh if i do it.

But the question still is;

Where is the moral authority……..

 

 

Its Not Over

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 1 Comment

With the recent happenings all over the world, the risings in the Arab world that started with Algeria moved down to Egypt, now stucked with Libya and Syria.

But it’s quite interesting to note the penchant of our so-called leaders to cleave to power by all means especially in Africa and Arab world. Take for instance, Libya. Ghaddafi has been there for about 4 decades and is now caught in the quagmire of a revolution and civil war that has enveloped him and his country and brought the fury of the nations to their doorstep in the form of NATO. Now i actually wonder why Ghaddafi would have to wait for this long for him to realize that the world cannot contain his idiosyncratic tendencies anymore. A self-styled “King of Kings” and a Bat by nature and origin. Now what i mean by this is his alliance with the Arab world claiming to be Arab and also alliance with African, claiming to be a Brother. Now on which side of the divide is he actually? Hence a Bat. Yoruba’s call it “o se ku o seeye”.

Well as it may, did it ever cross his mind that he will be flushed out this way or suffer the indignity of world condemnation, denial and back-stabbing from his trusted allies. It’s interesting to note as well if he ever learned from the example of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt who has been humiliated through the court of law. But did he ever think it will be over for him if he dared to step aside?

Even with him ousted from power now and yet to be located, it’s not over for him still…..though he had long ignored the back door escape that was opened for him but now locked….by revolutionists of like mind like him 42 years ago who are giving him the same dose he gave others 42 years ago, he still has a chance to make amends if given the chance, or better still live in solitary confinement where he can do memos of his sojourn as demigod, or strategies to hold on to power in the 23rd century…

But whichever way it is, it’s not over for him. Just hope other learn from his mistakes and as well our Mr. Presido in Nigeria will take heed.

Will most like be doing write ups on long ruling dictators in Africa and intending ones ( the Jonas…)

Till then…….

 


Back Again.

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

Hi All,
Its been a while that i last wrote on my blog or visited it. But now, i want to do something…write again. Discover the flair for writing and put my thoughts to pen.

Will need some encouragement…will you give it?

State of the Nation

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment
State of the Nation.
A lot has being happening in the country the last few weeks that has been both shocking and interesting.
First of all was the Boko Haram crisis in the North with these fanatics attacking government facilities and security men as well. They ended up been crushed thanks to the intervention of the Nigerian Army but the end has been received with mixed feelings in a lot of quarters thanks to the extra-judicial killing of the Leader, Mohammed Yusuf and a financier of the group, a former commissioner in one of the Northern states.
Well, controversy still trails the accounts of his death by the security men with the Army insisting he was captured alive and with video and picture evidence to back it up (all thanks to youtube, saharareporters) and the Police claiming he was killed during a shootout. Heck! Who does not know the history of the Nigeria Police with such killings!
The Secretary of State for the United States of America, Hillary Clinton came visiting the country as well during the cause of the week. She chastised the government on the state of corruption in the country as well as the deplorable level of good governance. Must we wait for a diviner from the next town to point out to us what the gods are saying about the state of our nation? What went arong with our diviners?
Gov Ohakim of Abia state recently defected to the PDP from his party, PPA. The politics of carpet crossing will never end in our nation, or should i say,if you can’t beat em, you join em!
ASUU strike is going to more than 10 weeks now with negotiation suspended by the Federal Government alleging insincerity and blackmail on the part of the lecturers and vice versa. I think for once, ASUU is fighting on a reasonable ground,  but for how long must the future of this nation be subject to this debacle?! In the midst of this crisis, the Minister of Education, Sam Egwu, a recycled, sorry a former Governor had his 25th wedding anniversary with whooping millions! Allegedly 25 million naira! All in this nation! Well, as long as his children are outside the country studying, he has nothing to worry about!
When will thou save the people?! O God of mercy when?! The People, not thrones not crowns but men!
Our nation is in a nigh state of revolution unprecedented. We can’t sit back and watch things go on this way. We need to take positive steps towards the redemption of our country. But this question pops up, who will be the Messiah? Who will #lightupNigeria for the sake of the future generationState

Flag of Nigeria

A lot has being happening in the country the last few weeks that has been both shocking and interesting.

First of all was the Boko Haram crisis in the North with these fanatics attacking government facilities and security men as well. They ended up been crushed thanks to the intervention of the Nigerian Army but the end has been received with mixed feelings in a lot of quarters thanks to the extra-judicial killing of the Leader, Mohammed Yusuf and a financier of the group, a former commissioner in one of the Northern states.

Well, controversy still trails the accounts of his death by the security men with the Army insisting he was captured alive and with video and picture evidence to back it up (all thanks to youtube, saharareporters) and the Police claiming he was killed during a shootout. Heck! Who does not know the history of the Nigeria Police with such killings!

The Secretary of State for the United States of America, Hillary Clinton came visiting the country as well during the cause of the week. She chastised the government on the state of corruption in the country as well as the deplorable level of good governance. Must we wait for a diviner from the next town to point out to us what the gods are saying about the state of our nation? What went arong with our diviners?

Gov Ohakim of Abia state recently defected to the PDP from his party, PPA. The politics of carpet crossing will never end in our nation, or should i say,if you can’t beat em, you join em!

ASUU strike is going to more than 10 weeks now with negotiation suspended by the Federal Government alleging insincerity and blackmail on the part of the lecturers and vice versa. I think for once, ASUU is fighting on a reasonable ground,  but for how long must the future of this nation be subject to this debacle?! In the midst of this crisis, the Minister of Education, Sam Egwu, a recycled, sorry a former Governor had his 25th wedding anniversary with whooping millions! Allegedly 25 million naira! All in this nation! Well, as long as his children are outside the country studying, he has nothing to worry about!

When will thou save the people?! O God of mercy when?! The People, not thrones not crowns but men!

Our nation is in a nigh state of revolution unprecedented. We can’t sit back and watch things go on this way. We need to take positive steps towards the redemption of our country. But this question pops up, who will be the Messiah? Who will #lightupNigeria for the sake of the future generation

Just as wrapping this up, the banking sector is in turmoil with the sacking of 5 bank MDs on Friday due to gross financial misconduct and fiscal indiscipline. The CBN Chief says they risk going to jail if found culpable in the activities that led to their banks been stressed. The Nation is just heating up! God have mercy!

Lessons Learnt

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment
Lessons

Lessons

Its been awhile that i last posted on my blog. Been busy watching and participating in events.
Well, lets leave that forthat. I had quite an interesting experience on Friday 3rd July. I never knew the Police where not meant to enter your vehicle at any point in time for whatever reason or offence. Well what happenned, i and a collegue went to pick the German expatriate that came to work on our Shape CD machine, so we took Allen round about stopped with the traffic waiting for the go signal. We were not able to see the light, because we were at the back of the queue. So the vehicles in front of us moved and we moved along naturally as expected only to hear stop! stop! You broke the traffic light offence! Where is your driver licence! Open the door! And before we knew it, they had forced there way into the vehicle and told us to drive to park or go to the station. Funny thing, there was no traffic light at that point and we were asked for our tax clearance papers!Luckily, my collegue driving was a Youth Corper but that did not fly with the Policeman! Now the clincher, he said fine for commiting a particular offence was N250. Fine for commiting a traffic light offence was N65070! Haba! Oga Police!

They wanted us to drive down to their station but my collegue slowed down enough to create a traffic situation that obtructed a siren blowing official coming behind us! Suddenly a woman drove alongside us and asked,”Are you going together?!” and we replied “No Madam!”And she ordered them out of the vehicle. Meanwhile, an official looking man was suddenly at the other side of the vehicle and demanded of the policemen if their duty post was inside the vehicle! The men scabbled out of the vehicle dropping the driving licence (which we did not know until much later) and the woman ordered that we follow her. Fortunately we lost the woman and continued to our office withh the German expatriate amused and not the least surprised by it!

The second incident actually happened in the middle of the night between the hours of 1:55am and 3am on saturday. I suddenly awoke to the sound of an alarm outside. I got up to enquire only to discover that a flat in the next block to my block was in flames! people were screaming, shouting  running up and down and i remembered that i had the lagos emergency number. So i dialled, it went through once and the information passed aacross and said the fire team will be there shortly. Ten minutes later, i called  asking were they where, and told they had been dispatched. The next thirty minutes were harrowing as we watch the flat burn. The young men summoned courage, got buckets of water with detergent to combat the fire. And for the next Thirty minutes the young men battled with the fire and succeeded in taming it. Meanwhile a friend also called the fire service and was told they were on their way. And they came in less than ten minutes after the fire had been relatively tamed and contained! They were led in by the RRS who had earlier visited the scene and left. Of course trust the people, they ordered the fire engine back to its origin! They were lucky the policemen where there and they pacified the youths and told them that as soon as the call was put through, they had been on their way all the way from Alausa to FESTAC! Thirty minutes after my call went through!

 

Lessons learnt:

1) A Policeman has no right to withhold your licence for any traffic offence, he should issue a ticket if empowered to do so: Have a photocopy of your licence everytime, and demand he issue you a ticket if you have indeed committed a traffic offence. But be wise!

2) Always be wary of traffic points where policemen mount, they would use any guise to obtain you. Because a foreigner was in the vehicle, we suddenly committed a traffic light offence with a fine of N65070!: Desperation can drive men to unimaginable limits! Nigerian Police especially!

3)A Policeman has no right whatsoever to board your vehicle without your consent: Any Policeman trying to board your vehicle is a thief! Especially when uninvited!

4)Always have the emergency toll free numbers with you always. 767 for lagos state: It could be the difference between life and death. It could be your only saving grace in a dire situation. Have it all the time!

5)In an emergency situation, keep your cool and take a proactive approach to the situation. Don’t join the band wagon of pity party that compounds the situation: Its a very bad habit of Nigerians to gather round the scene of an accident and gape at the helpless victims and lament without doing anything to help but add their wailings to the hapless. Its a very bad cuilture that needs to be dealt with. Think positive, think of the next step to rectify the situation and be a blessing!

6)You alone can help yourself and your situation! Don’t wait for the Federal Government! Most people put the spot on the Federal Government to remedy the situation in the country, but forget the saying that heavens help those who help themselves! Am not trying to absolve the FG from there responsibilities, but we need to know that we must fend for ourselves to solve our problems before we expect the government to act!

7)A help you think is nearby is farther than you think! Don’t count on it! FESTAC fire service did not show up, but Lagos state fire service showed up all the way from Alausa to put out a fire in FESTAC! The person you think is nearby to help you may not be readily available to do so. Don’t count on that brother or friend less than a metre a way to help you, help might actually come from a 100 kilometers!

Cheers!

My condolence and sympathies to the family of the Adeolu Akinyemi and my friend, Abiola his brother over the sudden exit of their mother on thursday 2nd July 2009. God grant the family, fortitude to bear the loss. Amen.

Cheers!

British Hypocrisy

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

 

1722485819-thousands-tamil-protesters-gather-outside-houses-parliament-right-london-mondayI have long pondered on the roles that Britons take at times in  the face of certain world crisis. A times i find myself questioning their rationale for taking decisions which i find quite objectionable. Ok, what’s the matter? The rationale behind their protest or support for events happening around the world often leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Some days ago, i read of a certain man carrying out a hunger strike in order to force the British government to intervene in the Sri Lanka Crisis by forcing the government to stop its assault on the  Tamil tigers who are been holed up in a little corner after about 20 years of bloody civil war. Now, some Britons are joining this man as well to declare that the Tamil Tigers want freedom.  But let us stop and ponder, this Tamil Tiger Rebels have held the nation of Sri Lanka to ransom for about 20 years in its so called quest for freedom of what? Lives have been lost, homes destroyed and the nation nearly brought to a ruin because of rogue group!  

Now, the Sri Lanka government has finally gotten the nerve to cower them into a corner and demanding their surrender which they are not willing to do and using humans in the little territory they have been driven to as shield against government forces. (The news today is that government forces have finally succeeded in breaking a barrier leading to the rescuing of about 5000 civilians who were trapped in the conflict). While that is not my main discourse this morning, its the moral justification of the Britons protesting. Are we saying, we should free terrorists? Enemies of a free world? Desperate men in search of power?

What sort of freedom does people who turn the gun on their brothers in the fight for a false freedom. What these people are doing is what dissident Irish Republican Army IRA is doing; they attack British troops and target assets belonging to the British. They have carried out the deadliest single bombing of Northern Ireland’s “Troubles” in the market town of Omagh in August 1998 in which Twenty-nine people were killed. The most recent was the killing of two young British soldiers in North Ireland. I wonder why the British sympatists did not take up placards justifying the action taken against their own kin.

Another classic example of British hypocrisy is the recent conference on racism been organized the United Nations which is been boycotted by key sincere nations of the world (America and its major allies) save for countries with sinister motives like Iran and France and of course spineless British Government who cannot call a spade a spade.

For how long will she continue to be a boot-licker?