EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ADEROJU LADEGA. .........

I had a privilege of meeting and having an interview with a dynamic lady Aderoju Ladega. In this interview, she shared some insights with me.

Meet Aderoju Ladega in an exclusive interview with Dotun George.

What is your name? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Aderoju Oluwaseun Ladega.
I am a female, an indigene of Ikorodu, Lagos state of Nigeria. I was born in the 80's, i studied Human Anatomy but choose writing and public speaking as a career. I am a humanitarian and a human right activist.

You are a humanitarian, what are your achievements as per humanity?

Well, to the Glory of God, i have been able to initiate and host three humanitarian programs in Ikorodu. In 2013, i initiated free seminar for secondary school students in Ikorodu Division. In 2014, i initiated free lesson for JSS3 students in Ikorodu Division. In 2015, i initiated free health seminar for people; They were diagnosed on Diabetics, Hypertension, Malaria and General illness.
All these came to reality with the supports of some groups and persons.

Are you married?
I am not married, but i am in a relationship with Olu Mi. #smile that is what i call my man. By God's grace, the nut shall be tightened this year.

Few months ago, you started an NGO, what inspired you to its founding?
Yes, you are right. I am a community service person and always want to spread my humanitarian services beyond Ikorodu Division. So, i know its high time and i took the bold step.

Tell us about your NGO....
Mind you, NSNF is not my NGO! I founded it, but we owns it.
NEVER SAY NEVER FOUNDATION was emanated from the high sense of community social responsibilities inspired by believes coupled with pragmatic experiences and a clear intention to fill some essential gaps in the socio-economic situation of the great people of Ikorodu, persons of Lagos state and Nigerian citizen. The organization is base on community services and humanity advancement. Our activities are driven by persons, within a clear framework of togetherness to involve in developmental issues that makes impact in communities.

What is your present project for the NGO?
Our proposed project is gonna be first of its kind in Ikorodu Division. We plan executing it in the month of July. By this time, the NGO will be celebrating its One Year Anniversary.

About two weeks ago, you launched a book. Tell us more about the book. * What inspired you to historical book since you are an motivational & inspirational writer?
Truly, i launched a historical book of my grandfather; HRH, Late Oa Samuel Oderinde Ladega (OLUPEKAN II) Ayangbure of Ikorodu 1953-1970 and the existence of Ikorodu Division.
I stumbles upon some documents that entails my grandpa's achievements when he was alive, that inspired me. But there is no way, i could talk about Baba Ladega without putting down Ikorodu history.
I remain a writer. It could be writing of any book.

What are your challenges in the course of your activism?
The financing aspect is one major problem. Another issue is you saying the truth and people you least expect turns their back at you.

Do you have program for children and youths?
Yes, the monthly program (Youth Podium) is channel for the children and youths.

Is Ikorodu your primary place of your assignment or you are looking beyond Ikorodu?
My assignment is beyond Ikorodu, but for now, i am working on Ikorodu because Charity begins at home.

How does your growing up experiences like?
Baba God! I adore you... It was the Lord doing! I am from a royal home, but my father believes in himself and also taught me to always be myself. My growing up was so rough but i am bless with the World Best Parents.

What are your assessment of the current situation in Nigeria?
Presently, PMB need to do something about our economy. Fuel scarcity, No constant light, increase in exchange rate, increment of the prices of goods and commodities. I urge those in charge to start doing something now.
Despite all odd, I am a Nigerian and Nigeria shall be great!

SHEKAU, A MAN WITH MANY LIVES PURPORTEDLY EMBRACED PEACE........ By Dotun George

The resurrected Shekau has come up again with the usual trick. Shekau was claimed and announced dead several times by Nigerian Army and resurrected several times has resurfaced again in another video.

Shekau was last heard from in March 2015, when an audio message attributed to him was released pledging Boko Haram’s allegiance to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), after which it rebranded itself as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The Boko Haram leader had also issued a threat to disrupt the 2015 general elections. Unfortunately, he could not carry out his threat because those who used him and controlled him asked him not to, so as to remain in power and stylishly get into people's mind again.

The Nigerian military had claimed that it has killed the Boko Haram leader a couple of times in the past, a claim that was always denied by the insurgent group.

A report on PRNigeria, a website which regularly reports activities of the Nigerian military indicated that a video has been circulating in some Northern States in which a man who claimed to be Shekau was seen calling on members of Boko Haram to stop their insurgent activities and embrace peace.
The purported Shekau had in the video called on his followers to embrace peace and stop the fighting by sheathing their swords and surrendering to the Nigerian forces.

My focus is to sound a warning and caution to the authority and the Military not be distracted by this video, it might be another trick to weaken their hands as regard the onslaughts that is going on now against the deadly insurgents.

Nigerian army should not relent the ongoing campaign against insurgency and indeed they should intensified dislodgement of the terrorists most especially in the Sambisa forest, and its environs in order to further degrade and demystify the sect and bring them to their knees.

Another caution and warning to the leadership of our country is that, we should subject the video and the last audio release to forensic examination and investigation so as to ascertain the veracity of the claims, purported and emergency surrender.

Every terrorist is free to surrender. And any group can embrace ceasefire and lay their arms but the truth is that, the insurgents have been proliferated, if one surrender, that does not mean all others have surrender.
While the military is conscious of sustaining the tempo on its war against terrorism, the military intelligence should subject the undated and unverified video to forensic analyses.

If we must survive as a nation and take all our territories away from terrorist, we must never give in to cheap propaganda and machinations of the enemies of humanity. We want boko haram dead completely, yes, must be be careful and never do things that will further jeopardize our survival as a nation.

MONEY: OUR MIND IS CRITICAL THAN OUR MUSCLE........ By Dotun George

When I was young, there was a common riddle that goes thus; someone says no meeting can hold when he is not around; who is that person? Money.

Hmm! As inexplicable as this riddle may be, it shows the average man's perception of money? Anyone who has accepted that philosophy about money is likely to feel trapped anytime a financial challenge arises‎.

What is the solution?

Here in our clime, you see how we could have an erroneous perception of money. It is true our society may have the wrong ideology about money, but we cannot afford to think like everyone thinks.

How do you feel about money? Does the presence or absence of it dictate your mood?

You see, the difference between a rich man and a poor man is the way they think and feel about money. As long as we think that we cannot achieve anything without money or that money is hard to come by, it would be difficult to get it.

When it comes to money, our minds are critical than our muscles.

INTELLIGENCE GATHERING, A MEANS TO CURB TERRORISM

Amir Dikwa one of the leader of the deadly Boko Haram was captured alive by Nigerian Army. Honestly, Nigerian Army are doing a fantastic task and embarking on a worthwhile onslaughts in the recent time against the Boko Haram.

One major fact that was responsible for this kind of feat is the gathering of intelligence. We cannot secure our territories properly and provide a safe and serene environment without intelligence. It was the failure of intelligence and sabotage within the Army and other security agencies that led to us this precarious situation we are fighting hard to subdue now. Can we sustain the current onslaught and feat against terrorism? Yes we can if we the people can volunteer Information and help the Army and security agencies in information and intelligence gathering. And more importantly, the Army and other security agencies must not relax because the victory of yesterday is not enough for tomorrow's battle.

The Attack in Belgium is another Eye-opener for the leadership and government of our country that, the terrorism is a global malaise and we must always prepare and never surrender our territories to the enemies of humanity.

LOOKING TOO FAR TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM... By Dotun George

At every challenging situation and circumstances of life, usually and most time we look for solutions in a wrong way or place and sometimes our diagnosis is usually wrong and when diagnosis is wrong, certainly the prescription will be wrong. And I have no doubt that is the situation of Nigeria over the years.

If there is any news that fascinated me and gladdens my heart, It is the story of innovation, creativity and developmental milestones record by some of our young, enterprising and liberated minds in some of our tertiary institutions that have become moribund and lost its glamour over the years.

Follow this show caption I got from Sun Newspapers put together by a journalist called Franklin......
The Mechanical Engineering Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, (Unizik) Awka, recorded another milestone when seven graduating students from the department constructed a “made-in-Nigeria” mini bus. Similar feat was recorded last year when a group of five students from the same department produced a formula one car under the code name – AutoZIK.

The seven students include: Ezeigwe Chitoo Callistus, Obinani Victor Chimdike, Ezeanolue Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Okoro Chinaza, Ominigbo Fidelis Igho, Nwobodo Nnamdi Miracle and Ogbu Thaddeus Ikenna. The Head of the Department, Dr. C.H Achebe, supervised the project.
The group, which bears the name “AUTOZIK II,” spent over five months in constructing the mini-bus, referred to as “shuttle” within and around the university with locally sourced materials.

Is the story not captivating and scintillating? Yes it is.
If there is any achievement to be celebrated in our country, this should be one of them and not all these celebrities shows and beauty award ceremonies that have permeated our national life.

I have said it in the past and putting it forward again, we are not cursed, poor, backwards and underdeveloped, all these only exist in the imagination of the despondent individuals who believe so and spread the news.
This country is only seen as a cursed nation, poor, backward and underdeveloped because we refused to look inward to salvage and to turn the situation around. We should not look too far our salvation, development and progress lies within.

It is higher time we as a nation work on how to restore the glory of this once upon a time giant of Africa, its time to revamp and revitalize our institutions, re engineer and re construct our academic curriculum to meet and able to compet with the demand and challenge of the 21st century.

There is no impossibility anywhere except the one people constructed in their minds. For every problems bedeviled this country there are corresponding solutions to then and the potential to do that lies in Nigerians especially the young once. The leadership of our country must learn how to redirect the interest, passion, energy and agitation of Nigerian youths towards a purposeful life and adventure. And except we do that very fast, we might remain in this inglorious circle for years to come and lost the next generation.

It is time to look inward.

YOU CAN TURN AROUND THE SITUATION. .... By Dotun George

There has been so much concern about the economy of our country of recent. The exchange rate, the high cost of living, regular lay-off by organisations and the fall in price of crude oil in the international market to mention a few, have given rise to uncertainty in the nation.

A lot of people are worried and anxious. But do you know that some people are succeeding and prospering even with the economic turbulence in Nigeria now? Take a look around and you will see new building projects springing up here and there almost on a daily basis, people starting new businesses among others. You too could be one of them.

When you know your purpose in life, things will be much easier for you than if you don’t know why you are on earth. This is not the time to despair , you can turn the situation to your advantage.

ELECTION VIOLENCE, AN END TO IT. A CASE STUDY OF RIVERS STATE......... By Dotun George

Rivers State in the run up to today’s poll 19th of March, 2016 has been mired in violence, with mindless killings of opposition APC members rampantly reported. The speeches from Governor Wike and other Political Gladiators had only stoked tension, with calls for the killing of people who attempted to rig the polls.
Between Thursday and Friday, 17th and 18th of March, two Military personnel were killed in the high seas of Akuku,-Toru and Omoku headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area.

The Federal Government wants to ensure that the election is conducted without rancour and violence that characterised the March/April 2015 elections. Over 6,000 policemen, including 14 Mopol formations are in the state. Soldiers are on standby. Three police commissioners are manning three senatorial districts.

For the main political gladiators, they await the decision of the voters at polling booths.
It is after today’s rerun election that Governor Wike or Amaechi, will know who has the political bragging rights in Rivers state power game. Both of them had charged the political atmosphere of the state to its elastic limits with their speeches.

Rivers needs more than deployment of security. The state needs prayers to avoid more blood letting. The stakeholders need to sit down and examine themselves, which one is preferable, destroying the entire state because of someone ambition or protect the interest of the entire state and preserve posterity? Who wins?In less than 48 hours, a clearer picture will emerge.

The main question and puzzle in my heart all through the week was that, must we go through this route all the time, must we keep repeating the errors and blunders of the past? Can't we play politics without bitterness, violence, killing, rigging election and wastages of life and properties?

About 241 years ago, Africans are called Barbarians and unfortunately, Nigerians, the elites, the political class and the electorates are still behaving and acting like a barbarian. Too sad and unfortunate.

What Rivers people don't know and understand is that, the political class will always have their ways each time eventuality and uncertainty happen but the people will end up being a victim. When Rivers people are killing another Rivers' man and woman because of politics, our humanity has a question mark.

We must reinvent our humanity, ourselves, systems, structures, electoral laws, voting systems, our ways of life and human interaction, Government must be proactive all the time. except we do that on time at the government level and at the citizens level,  we are heading no where and our journey to eldorado will be far and unattainable.

TRIBUTE TO JAMES OCHOLI BY PRESIDENT BUHARI.

How do I begin to pay this tribute to a man who was the epitome of civility, the archetype of intellectualism, and the paragon of loyalty? How do I begin to mourn James Ocholi, whom you can describe as one of my right hand men in the quest to reposition our country, and fashion a land of peace and prosperity, where no man is oppressed?

A lot has been written about Ocholi since the tragic event of March 6, 2016, which took the life of our Minister of State, Labour and Employment, his wife, Blessing, and his son, Joshua. And a lot more will be written, for Ocholi was no mean man.

He was a man among men, an Iroko in a forest of trees. How are the mighty fallen!
Among many other positive and pleasant things, I will always remember Ocholi for his loyalty to our beloved country Nigeria, loyalty to our party, the All Progressives Congress, and loyalty to our administration, in which he had served for just about 4 months, before death took him.

In 2011, Ocholi ran to be governor of Kogi state on the platform of our then party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). I believed so much in him, and in his ability to add value to the governance of his state, that I followed him round the state on campaign. We visited all the local governments, visited the paramount rulers, and urged the people to vote in a worthy man as governor. But politics is a peculiar game in Nigeria. The best often does not win.
Ocholi did not win. But he bore it gracefully.

In 2015, he threw his hat into the ring again. He sought to be governor on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he had helped midwife.
He still did not win at the party primaries, an eventuality he bore gracefully again.
When the APC was being negotiated into existence among the Legacy Parties, Ocholi did a yeoman’s job, contributing his quota to the legal processes. This he did under a junior lawyer, who was not a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) like him then. But what mattered to Ocholi was the birth of a strong, solid party, which could wrest power at the centre, and bring change to our country.

Hierarchy is important in the legal profession, just as it is in the military. But Ocholi subordinated pride and ego, served under his subordinate, and APC was born.
Dream became reality.
Steadily but sure-footedly, he was part of the Change Cabinet, resolved to bring our country from out of the woods, and pedestal Nigeria among the greats in the comity of nations.

Then the unthinkable happened. The Grim Reaper harvested Ocholi. What a pity! Sad and tragic. But we have this consolation: the departed has taught us fidelity, commitment and loyalty to party, to government, and to God.

He will be sorely missed.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI

PRESIDENTIAL ORDER: MY TAKE........ By Dotun George

“We will be merciless and relentless in pursuing all those who abused public trust. Nigerians will see how some of the elite conspired to run the nation down,”
...............President Buhari

“We will deal decisively with all sponsors of violence. I have given the security services clear directives in this regard.
................ President Buhari

“We will show that violence in any form will no longer be tolerated before, during or after elections,”
................ President Buhari.

My Take........
Good intentions and directives. I am always excited to see the President of my country coming out with a firm decision and directives as regard violence, political motivated killings and wastages. The onus now lies on Mr. President to monitor closely and ensures the instructions are carried out to letters.

Violence, killings, wastages and carnage going on in some part of the country must stop. And in anyway must we allow the perpetrators of these dastardly crimes to go Scott free. Enough must be enough. The law must have its way.

As regard recovery of our loot, and dealing with those who runs down our country. I am interested seriously in the anti graft war going on and I want to see as many looters, plunderers and corrupt power mongers who abused public trust behind bar. If we can end corruption or reduced it to the minimum level, then we can sure we are heading toward recovery and prosperity.

"There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order and only lukewarm defenders in all those who profit by the new."
~ Niccolo Machiavelli

Mr. President should remember that the elites, corrupt elements and those who prosper from corruption and old order will not allow change to be effected. Therefore, the wisdom requires that government must envisages and strategize ahead of these elements. We as a people and government must be able to identity the real enemies of the Nigerians state and ruthlessly deal with them.

CONFIDENT OF THE FUTURE

In recent times, there have been many concerns about how viable our nation’s economy is. The cost of living is rising by the day. A good number people are apprehensive about the future. The question on most people’s lips is where are we heading as a country?

I understand their fear. But in the midst of all this, I am confident that this will turn out to be my best year yet. And it can be yours too. How do I know? What makes me speak so confidently?

You see, at a time in my life, I used to be worried about my future but now, I have gotten to the point that if everything I have is taken away from me, I would not be perturbed.

This level of confidence is not exclusive to a select few. 
Being confident about the future and working towards the future, is the best way to go.

.............................
Dotun George
A motivational & public speaker. A social crusader, a life coach and a trainer
E-mail: dotungeorge009@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dotun.george
MY BBM PIN - 592F0660
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Blog: www.dotungeorge009.blogspot.com

Hypocrisy of a typical Nigerian political class....... By Dotun George

“I am shocked beyond words at the extent of destruction I have seen here in Agatu today. This is unbelievable. It is unimaginable.
“Nothing whatsoever justifies this brazen act of destruction meted out on the people of Agatu. My heart bleeds.”..... David Mark (Fmr. Senate President)

My take.....

This statement made by David Mark was nothing but hypocritical, and just a mere media sensational news. Why must we wait in this country for calamities to happen before we start to lament, and bemoan the consequences and implications that follows. The killings in Agatu has been on for years even at the time this hypocritical senator David Mark was the Senate President but the difference was the rate and proportion of the wastages and carnage we witnessed now.

David Mark just need to give us a break and find a way of returning back to the purposeful legislation his people elected/selected him for at the upper chamber in Abuja.
Before the carnage that took place in Agatu, Benue State, during and after, David Mark was busy campaigning and organising people and money so as to win the re run parliamentary elections. It was people like us who were not the indigene but cannot be quiet and not comfortable about the killings and wastages, that kept on alerting the government, state Governors and lawmakers about the killings, social implications and the potential danger the herdsmen are already creating.

The Agatu people must not allow themselves to be carried away by this media sensational news. David Mark has been representing his constituency since 1999, we need to ask him the change, what development, growth and legislation that he brought to his people that have any positive and meaningful impact on the entire people?
The gullible and ignoramus will think governance and legislation is about regret, lamentations and condemnation, no that is the language of the slaves, busybody, and the barbarians.

Most politicians don't know and never bother to follow up the happenings in their constituencies, the people are only important at the dawn of a new electioneering campaigns. Except and until we place a premium value on human lives, their welfare and their economic survival, we are just wasting our time, playing to the gallery and have no business representing the people.

Security of lives and properties is primary responsibility of any serious government. Let us stop admiring, lamenting, bemoaning and regretting our problems, predicament and evils in our land. Its time to act and end it headlong. No more excuses and no more lamentations because problems are not solve that way. Nations are also not built by lamentations, wailing and regretting.

XONOPHOBIC ATTACK, AN END IN SIGHT? By Dotun George

Relaxing at the face of obvious danger is most dangerous things. What is African Union doing about the xenophobic attack on the foreigners, especially the black African living in South Africa?
I saw a horrible pictures and videos how South Africans aided by the police to massacre the Nigerian citizens and other foreign nationals. If African Union failed to handle and mange this dastardly act and salvage the lives of others Africans living in South Africa now, then I can boldly say this, African Union has reached its dead end and lost its relevance.

The way African Union, formerly known as OAU and International Communities are doing now, sitting down and admiring the African problem without a serious and proactive solution was the same way, they all looked away when Liberians carried arms against themselves and countless people were wasted, the same way they looked away when closed a 1 million people was massacre in Rwanda, Serea-Leone, Ivory Coast and other volatile regions in Africa killed themselves without any response.

I am crying and weeping for the soul of Africa, for the sons and daughters of Africa, who knew nothing in their entire life than, war, crisis, unrest, daily wastages and carnage. Instead of Africa to find an African way to solve African problems, Africans are busy reducing themselves to the level of animals and desecrate the African soil with the blood of the innocent child, man and woman.

When you finish killing yourselves, then who will console Africa. African the land of the mighty but uses its might and strength wrongly and misdirected it.
I know without any doubt that, the spirit of Nelson Mandela will not bless all the soul of South Africans that engaged in the xenophobic act. Where is the Thabo Mbeki of this world that travelled around African to solve their political problems and help others in resolving their crisis? What happened to the same Thabo Mbeki now? Is domestic problem greater than international conflicts and crisis? Something fundamental must be wrong with Africa.

When South Africa was subjugated, maltreated, marginalized, segregated, injustices was melted against them and their self-worth and self-esteem were destroyed and damage. The whole world rose up to their aid to salvage, Nigeria spent more money than any other country to liberate South Africa, unfortunately today, South Africans has the audacity to launch a xenophobic attack on Nigerians and other Africans living in the country. Have they forgotten so quickly that, their citizen were illegal immigrants in most African nation during apartheid but they were welcome without any reservations and molestation. They were protected and even in Nigeria, South Africans were admitted free of charge into our universities. I am still weeping for the soul of Africa. So pathetic we forget the past so quickly.

The truth is that, there is an internal conspiracy against the foreigners in South Africa, firstly the Jacob Zuma’s son said the foreigners are taken over their business and industries and later the Zulu king said the foreigners should go back to their country. Can anybody connect the source of the attack?

I cannot blame these South Africans, if not irresponsible and irresponsive government we have in Nigeria, no Nigerian will have any cause to seek asylum and survival outside of the country. The time to rebuild Nigeria is now, enough is enough of becoming the ridicule of the world.

MOTHERS: WAKE UP THE SLEEPING GIANTS......... By Dotun George

As a little boy, I grown up to love this evergreen song "Sweet mother I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you suffer for me". The song portray the uniqueness, awesomeness and preciousness of motherhood.
In African tradition, children are passionate about their mothers and to them, mothers are second to God. By creation and design, mothers and wife are the custodian of their children career, life and destiny. They are the pillar that uphold families and we cannot wish them away. Remove their impacts, family is reduce to nothing.

Modernist, feminist and modernization of motherhood has robbed us a great value and heritage of motherhood and until we go back to the beginning and revisit all the values, norms and social expectations that gave us a good beginning as a people, family and society, we will continue to grope in day as if we are in the darkness.

We need to be concerned and bemoaned the various abuses women and girls are being subjected to in Nigeria.
Mother was one of the greatest gifts to humanity. I agreed but our mother must rise beyond their traditional role and form an alliance on how protect little and innocent girl child and teenagers that are being subjected to various pains, suffering, abuses, molestation, assaults, trafficking, rape, abduction and exposure to wrong values and immoralities.

What do we teach our children matters, especially the girl child, the values systems we exposure them has indelible impact on their lives, career, job, family and what they will turn to tomorrow, because they cannot give what they don’t have. The mothers of tomorrow cannot be mothers if they don’t have what it takes now.

It is high time all our mothers and grandmothers redirect their passion, interest and energy towards a purposeful ventures, and investment as regard raising godly and enviable children for our nation tomorrow.
Wasting all your finances on Aso-ebi, fake Brazilian hair, Owanbe party, and other unproductive and feeble issues will not only wreck us but exposes our inadequacy and failure tomorrow.

We are losing a whole generation, we are gradually experiencing total degradation and erosion of value and our pride as a community of people. Make hay while the sun is still shinning and except we understand the danger we tends to face by allowing the opportunities of training, coaching, modelling and mentoring this generation of people that is on their way already to perdition, we would not be able to do something meaningful now.

It is time to rise and fulfil our social responsibility of raising godly children, raising leaders for the society and nation. More importantly nurture  and protect them. Never must we leave our children and teenagers to chance.