THE BEAUTY AND GAIN OF FAILURE....... By Dotun George

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all. In which case you have failed by default. Any attempt to play safe in order not to fail, is an attempt to fail.

Failure is not an option in life, it is part of the deal we all made with success if we must arrive at that destination called Success. Failure is a grace, an opportunity to do it better and to shine brighter in what I couldn't able to do well or unable to at all in the first place.

You don't abandon your dream because of failure, don't give up because you fail once or severally, you don't throw you child away because he/she fail at school, you don't abandon your business transaction because the last one fail or not scale through.

The beauty of failure is that, if you keep doing what you fail at once in several way, you have discovered the better and best way to get things done without failing again. At the Long run, a point of your weakness will now become your point of strength.

Show me a man who had not fail at anything before hitting the target, I will show you a man who has not attempt anything great and significant in his life.

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.