Thinking Aloud Magazine: Jan-Mar 2023

THINKING ALOUD

Dr. Folasade Hunsu

Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Mr. Patrick Edebor

Editorial/publishing consultant. Owner, Patrick Edebor and Associates.

Mr. Akin Adejuwon

Curator, Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Mr. Rotimi Lawuyi FCA

Owner, RAMA Editors.

Dr. Mrs Olayinka Opadiya

Senior Pastor, Every Nation Church Sydney Australia.

Mrs. Abimbola Komolafe

Founder/Executive Director, Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Oladeinde Joseph, Chairman, Board of Trustees

Pharm. Samson Igbokwe

Mrs Roseline Igbokwe

Mrs Ronke Osikoya

Ms Ketumi Alasa

Pastor (Dr) Joshua Opadiya

Dr (Mrs) Yinka Opadiya

Mrs Abimbola Komolafe

Rear Admiral (Rtd) K O Komolafe

Editor

Bimbo Komolafe

Publication & Design

Benjamin Eze

Project Manager

Tomi Olatunde-Idowu

Project Team

Edison Egere

Othniel Komolafe

Grace Adoga

Celestina Osiki

Dorcas Adekunle

Amarachi Uduma

Cover Photo: Pastor Ituah Ighodalo

EDITORIAL

Dearreaders,

WearepleasedtobringyouanotherinterestingeditionoftheThinkingAloud(TA)magazineproducedbyRehoboth DreamSolidFoundation(RDSF).

Our cover story for this edition is an interesting interview with the highly respected Pastor Ituah Ighodalo. An accomplished Chartered Accountant, founder, and senior pastor of Trinity House Lagos. He shared his views on leadership,philanthropy,pastoral,professionalandrelationshipmattersforourreaders’ delight.

The RDSF Trustees’ column presents a special feature and an enlightening interview with Rear Admiral (Sir) Oladeinde Olusoga Joseph (OON), the former Governor of Ogun State Nigeria and the Chairman Board of Trustees, theRehobothDreamSolidFoundation.Intheinterview,thereveredleaderelucidatedkeyissuesofhislife andcareer thatwillbeareferencepointforourreaders.

We are proud to share the role played by RDSF in the success story of Peter Aghedo, a beneficiary of RDSF scholarship. Peter has come a long way from assisting bricklayers on building construction sites to acquiring a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance. We are forever grateful to our partners and sponsors who continuetosupporttheRDSFvision.Withouttheirsupport,wecannotdoallthatwearedoing.

In the Health Column, we are privileged to have contributions from seasoned consultants on how to care for our eyes andears.OurFitnesscornerintroducesthevirtualandphysicalclassesoftheIgniteDanceFitnessGroup.

VictoriaNkoro’sarticlefortheParentingcolumnsharesseventipstohelpraiseconfidentandsuccessfulchildrenand isagoodpieceforallparents.

Do have a pleasant reading experience and remember to show some love by sharing this magazine with your contacts andlovedones.

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TIPS TO RAISING CONFIDENT AND SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN

“Parents have a huge role to play in raising morally sound children, children who can stand the test of time without wavering, children whose individuality cannot be crumbled by society and children who are kind and compassionate.”

by Victoria Nkoro

shy,donotonlytellthemtostandup for themselves because some things are easier said than done; instead, encourage them to walk up to whoever hurt their feelings and have aconversationwiththeperson.

Show up and cheer them on whenever they feel timid, and also inculcate these things in your own life, so that when they see you doing it,theycanemulateyou.

3.Focusonabilityratherthan stereotypicalroles

It is important to know your children’s individual strengths. Do not subject them to certain roles for simply being a specific gender, do not compare or force them to be like their peers, and do not make them feel inadequate for not picking interest in certain things, rather you shouldfocusontheirstrengths.

society, and children learn the values they take into the world when they areolder,fromtheirfamily.

Parents have a huge role to play in raising morally sound children, children who can stand the test of time without wavering, children whose individuality can not be crumbled by society, and children whoarekindandcompassionate.

Here are some tips to make sure your children exude all those qualities:

1.Parentsshouldbecomplete individualsfirst A saying goes, “You can not give what you do not have.” The truism

because no one can give to others what they do not own themselves, andthesamegoesforparents.

Before parents can raise confident, successful, and emotionally sound children, they have to possess these qualities too; children learn best fromthethingstheyseeandhear.

2.Showandnottell

As a parent, it is crucial to understand what it means to “show and not tell”. Instead of simply telling your children to be confident, showthemwhatconfidenceentails.

When a situation arises where their peers hurt their feelings, or someone talks to them wrongly, or they feel

When you act on your children’ s individual strengths, you make them see that they are just as good as the rest and that they are not aliens in a worldfilledwithimaginativeminds.

When they grow older, they will not try to fit into ridiculous societal standards, and they will not feel incomplete, instead, they will be confident, and they will keep getting innovativewiththeirstrengths.

If your child has a passion for fashion, or coding, or public speaking, invest in it in whatever way you can - words of affirmation, money, searching for opportunities, andmuchmore.

Your children’s passion might just end up making them successful in

the future, and of course, there should be some monitoring as parents, but do not completely dismiss their dreams, ideas, passions, or opinions. This does not mean that you will not encourage them to venture into other things, but if they do not thrive in those things, do not judge, compare or condemn them. Everychildhastheirstrength.

can run to when anxious, depressed, confused, or even suicidal. Tackle those problems with love when they come to you so that when they grow older they will not live with a traumatic burden that will delay theirgrowth. Makethemunderstand that their feelings are valid, show them that you see them, and you hearthem.

6.Payattentiontotheirphysical health

Parents ought to pay attention to theirchildren’sphysicalhealth. Make sure they are getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and takingtherightsupplements.

7.Letthemexplore

those things are not right for them, explain to them why they are not right, but when something will not affect them negatively, let them do it.

Let them hang out with friends, let them go out, and let them join educational clubs if they want to. This way, even when they grow older, they will not need to hide when doing certain things, and they will be proud of whatever they do andengagein.

“Parents ought to pay attention to their children’ s physical health.

4.Balanceloveanddiscipline

It is important for parents to show their children love. Show them that you love them wholeheartedly; this should reflect in the way you talk to them, care for them, and even disciplinethem.

When parents raise children with the right amount of love and discipline, it reflects in every aspect of their lives when they grow older. They will be disciplined in their line of career, they will persevere, discard procrastination, and they willleadwithlove.

5.Focusonyourchildren’smental health

The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded that around 20% of children and adolescents between the age of 15-29 are suffering from mental health problems - depression and suicide being the major problemstheysufferfrom.

Hear your children out when they have something to say, do not act dismissive or nonchalant. If you notice any signs of mental health problems in any of your children, talktothem,listentothemwithrapt attention,andseekprofessionalhelp.

Show up for your children in their times of need. By doing this, they will feel seen and heard, and you will be their comforter - someone they

Themindofevery childswarms with curiosity, so let them explore. This does not mean that you will not direct them, but let them enjoy the simple frivolities of life. Do not let your children miss out on the fun thatcomeswithbeingacertainage.

Ifyour childis tenyears old, let him/ her experience the things a ten -old should do, and the same for an older child. When you stop your children from doing things they so much yearn to do in an unloving way, they resort to doing those thingsbehindyourback.Ifyoufeel

Make sure they are getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and taking the right supplements.”

Conclusion

Raising children who exude confidence especially as a parent who is constantly trying to navigate life in the best way possible, can be diffi-

But with continuous practice, encouragement, understanding, discernment,andlove,parents canraise confidentandsuccessfulchildren.

“If your child has a passion for fashion, or coding, or public speaking, invest in it in whatever way you can - words of affirmation, money, searching for opportunities, and much more.”

TIPS TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS & TARGETS

by Bimbo Komolafe

Welcome to quarter two! Now that quarter one is over, it is a good time to examine your performance vis a visyour2023financialtargets.

This is a good time to check on your financial goals for the year. It does not matter if your 2023 goal is earning more money, saving more, paying off debt, buying a house, or investing in the capital or money market. What is important is to stay on track and make progress towards your goals. Achieving your goals can be challenging, but you can achieve them with adequate financial education, determination, and the rightmindset.

In support of your walk towards FinancialFreedom,Iwanttoprovide you with some important information regarding your financial goalsandtargets.

HAVE A FINANCIAL PLAN: The starting point to achieving your targets is to have a clear financial plan on how you want to make your goals a reality. Your financial plan is the detailed proposal and roadmap that will guide you to your desired destination. Your plan must consider certain issues; available cashflow, (i.e. how you want to earn, what you want to do to earn), cost of living, the season of life you are in, your risk appetite, what you can save towards your goals, how much and for how long, debtlevel to fundsome of your goals, etc. Draw out a plan and take action according to the plan.

CREATE A BUDGET: Creating a budget is a great way to track your spending and ensure that you are

staying within your means. Make sure to consider all your expenses, including fixed expenses like rent or mortgage payments, as well as variable expenses like groceries and entertainment. Effective use of your budget will help you identify pressures as well as possible room forsavings.

USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE: Many apps and tools are available to help you keep track of your finances, from budgeting apps to investment templates. Take advantage of these tools to help you stay organized and on track. Use technologywelltostayinformedtoo.

STAY INFORMED: Pay attention to financial education. Be determined to stay informed and aware of happenings in the finance world. This will help you position yourself ready to take advantage of money opportunities to help you meet your financial targets. Join relevant finance communities and make good use of your connection to these

STAY MOTIVATED: It can be easy to lose motivation when it comes to finances, especially if progress is slow. Try to stay focused on your goals and remind yourself why you settheminthefirstplace.

DON’T WALK ALONE. SEEK PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT: Get an accountability partner to help you on the journey. Do not be afraid to ask for help or support when it comes toyourfinances.Whetheritis a financial advisor, finance coach, or financial mentor, have someone you can talk to for guidance in money choices.

CONCLUSION

Remember, keeping up with your financial targets takes time and effort, but note that the payoff is worth it. By staying focused and following these tips, you can achieve your financial goals and build a brighterfinancialfutureforyourself. Take advantage of financial education by taking necessary action. Don’t just learn, DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. If you need support, and you do not have a 2023 budget it is not too late. Request for support or a copy of the FCBK Budget template by sending anemailto financecoachtoday@gmail.com.

Care of the eye TIPS ON EYE HEALTH & EYE SAFETY

by Captain Dominica Ibhaduwede Adebayo

d. Regular use of sunglasses: Exposure to the sun can damage the eyes and increase the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Thus, there is the need to protect the eyes by using sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

e.Useofprotectiveeyewear:Theuse of protective eyewear during certain vigorous sports and risky work in factories, construction and project repairs is essential. This protects the eyes from welding sparks, particles and flying objects that could injure/damage the eyes from theirimpact.

“Smoking increases the risk of developing age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts and can damage the optic nerve. It is necessary to desist from smoking to promote eye health.”

The eyes are a major organ of the body. The importance of the eyes is reinforced by the fact that 80 percent of a person’s perception is obtained via sight. Therefore, people’s perception of the world around them is largely determined by what they see. This therefore makes it important for extra care to be taken to protect the eye and reduce the possibility of eye disease, visionlossandblindness.

To this end, the eyes need to get checked as often as the health care provider recommends, or as soon as vision problems emerge. Pertinently, just as it is important to keep the body healthy, it is also necessary to keeptheeyeshealthy.

EYECARETIPS

There are quite a number of simple measures thatcanbe takentoensure healthy eyes and they include the following:

a. Healthy balanced diet: A person’ s diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially deep

Eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut also helps in ensuring optimumeyehealth.

b. Maintain a healthy weight: There is a direct correlation between a healthy weight and optimal eye health. Specifically, being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing diabetes which could result into diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.

“Exercise helps to prevent or control diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These diseases can lead to some eye or vision problems.”

c. Regular exercise: Exercise helps to prevent or control diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These diseases can lead to some eye or vision problems. So regular exercise can lower the risk of eye andvisionproblems.

f. Avoid smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts and can damage the optic nerve. It is necessary to desist from smoking to promoteeyehealth.

g. Family health history: Some eye diseases are inherited, for example, glaucoma. It is therefore important to find out whether there is a family history ofglaucoma. This would help in determining the risk of developing eye disease as well as ensure earlypreventativecare.

h. Awareness of risk factors: The older a person gets, the higher the risk of developing age-related eye diseases and conditions. So, it is important to get acquainted with the risk factors so that due care and caution can be taken to lower the probability of eye disease by changingsomebehaviours.

i. Basic hygiene: Basic hygiene is particularly important for people who wear contact lenses to prevent

infection. Consequently, there is the need for proper washing of hands before putting on or taking out the contact lenses. Also, following the proper instructions on cleaning and replacing the contact lenses as and whendueisquiteimportant.

j. Rest: The eyes need to be given sufficient rest. If a person spends a lot of time using a computer, there would be the tendency to forget to blink the eyes and this can lead to the eyes getting tired. Accordingly, in order to reduce eye strain, the 2020-20 rule should be adopted. This requires the person, at every 20 minutes interval, to look away about 20 feet in front of him for about 20 seconds minimum. This should be repeatedregularly.

EYETESTSANDEXAM

Irrespective of a person’ s age, medical condition andfamily history, there is a need for regular visits to the medical practitioner to test the eyes and check for vision and eye problems.

Children usually have vision screening in school or at their healthcare provider's office during a check-up. Adults may also get vision screenings during their check-ups. But many adults need more than a vision screening. They need a comprehensivedilatedeyeexam.

Getting comprehensive dilated eye exams is especially important because some eye diseases may not give warning signs. The examinationsarethe onlyway todetectthese diseases in their early stages, when they are easier to treat. The examinationincludesseveraltests:

a. Visual field test is to measure the side (peripheral) vision. The loss of peripheral vision may be a sign of glaucoma.

b. Visual acuity test. where the patient is asked to read an eye chart about 20 feet away. This is to check how well the person sees at various distances

c. Tonometry measures the eye's interior pressure. This helps to detectglaucoma.

d. Dilation involves applying eye drops that dilate (widen) the pupils. This allows more light to enter the eye. The eye care provider examines

the eyes using a special magnifying lens. This provides a clear view of important tissues at the back of the eye, including the retina, macula, andopticnerve.

e. Refraction. The refraction test is used to identify refractive error and decide whether to prescribe glasses orcontactlenses.

This test is conducted by the patient looking through a device that has lenses of different strengths to help the eye care professional figure out which lenses will give the clearest vision.

“...black people are at higher risk of glaucoma and need to start getting the exams earlier. Furthermore, diabetics need to have an eye examination every year.”

Conclusion

The necessity for tests and the frequency of eye examinations depend on a number of factors. These include age, race, and overall health.

For example, black people are at higher risk of glaucoma and need to start getting the exams earlier. Furthermore, diabetics need to have aneyeexaminationeveryyear.

“Irrespective of a person’ s age, medical condition and family history, there is a need for regular visits to the medical practitioner to test the eyes and check for vision and eye problems.”

Care of the ear EAR HEALTH & EAR SAFETY

by Captain Abubakar Ozovehe Aliyu

changing head positions. These signals are transmitted to the brain and back to the muscles to help maintain

2. Avoid listening to music players, TV,andRadioatahighvolume.

3. Protect your ears against noise at the workplace by using noiseprotectivegadgets.

4. Don’t use cotton buds. Using cotton buds in the ear is a common practice among individuals, however it is not advisable to use in the ear because it can cause build-up of ear wax and can also injure the ear canal and drum.Itis worthnoting thatear wax is normal and it self-cleans the ear, preventing dust and particles fromentering.

StructureoftheEar

the most visible part of the human hearing system. It is located on each side of the head and it is responsible for hearing and balance. Over 20% of the world’ s population have ear problems that cut across all socioeconomic classes. Ear problems occur more commonly in the young and older age groups. Presently, the incidence is rising in themiddleagegroup.

FunctionsoftheEar

The ear has 2 main functions: hearingandbalance

Hearing: When sound enters the ear canal, the tympanic membrane vibrates. This vibration passes to the 3 tiny bones (ossicles) in the middle ear. The ossicles amplify and transmit these sound waves to the inner ear, from where it reaches the brainthroughthenerves.

Balance: The inner ear contains semi -circular canals which contain fluid and hair sensors that are sensitive to

The ear is divided into the external ear, middle ear and inner ear. The external ear is made up of the outer structure called the pinna and the ear canal. The eardrum separates the external ear from the middle ear. The middle ear consists of tiny bones called the ossicles and also communicates with the throat through a tiny tube. The inner ear has the cochlea which is responsible for hearing and the semi-circular canalforthemaintenanceofbalance.

HOWTOKNOWYOUHAVE HEARINGLOSS

1. When you are having difficulty hearing in conversation especially in thepresenceofbackgroundnoise.

2.Whenyoufrequentlyaskothersto repeatwhattheyhavesaid.

3. You have difficulty hearing on the telephone.

4. Requiring a louder-than-normal volumeforyourtelevisionorradio in aroom.

WAYSTOCAREFORTHEEAR

1. Use hearing protection for loud music. If you regularly go to the concerts, nightclubs and bars, ensure you are protecting your ears from loud music by using earplugs or taking regular breaks from sounds.

5. Keep stress under control. High levels of stress and anxiety can put pressure on your nerves, blood flow and body heat. These all trigger ringing in the ear (tinnitus). It is advisable to take extra care to stay calmandavoidstress.

6. Keep your ears dry. It is advisable to dry your ears properly after washing or swimming. Excessive moisture can cause a build-up of infections in the ear canal. You can dry your ears by tilting your head to onesideortoweldrythem.

EARSAFETYPROTOCOL

1. Always wear a helmet when biking or skiing or when you participate in any other activity that puts you at risk of head and ear injuries.

2. When flying in an airplane, swallow and yawn frequently when the plane is coming down or descending. If you have a cold or sinus infection, take a decongestant or a decongestant spray few hours beforeflying.

3. You can use earplugs with special filters to help equalize the air pressureinearduringairtravel.

4. Have your ears checked regularly by a doctor or specialist when you haveproblemswithyourears.

5. Visit an ear doctor immediately if you injure your ears, experience ear painornoticeanyabnormality.

INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR ITUAH IGHODALO

Thank you for accepting our invitation to be featured in the TA magazine. You are a wellknown Pastor, philanthropist, and nation builder. Please tell our readers about your family and educational background and how your upbringing has influenced your interest in ministry, philanthropy, and nation-building.

I come largely from what you call a civil service family. I was born and grew up in Ibadan in the 60s and early 70s. My mother was a civil servant, and my father was also a civil servant, although he worked largely in government parastatals. My primary school was in Ibadan, Secondary education was at King’s College, Lagos. I am the last of a set of three children, having a brother and a sister preceding me. Our upbringing was naturally strict, very disciplined, very committed to service, and also committed to serving Nigeria because that’s what both my parents did and that’s where my love and passion for philanthropy, for being of use to this nation called Nigeria developed from.

You have had a rich professional career in accounting and a fulfilling role in church ministry work, what are the guiding values that have been instrumental to your career? How have you been able to hold on to these values given contemporary times, pressures, and expectations?

My parents were very simple people, they were relatively well-to-do and comfortable for that season and that period. They were largely civil servants, so the first thing they reminded us of was the principle of humility. My mother said she was a

farmer's daughter and therefore we should be ready to use our hands to work. From a very early age, everyone in my family had a domestic chore that we did every day. Mine was sweeping the gutter. On Saturdays, we would go with my mum to the farm. We had a farm on the outskirts of Ibadan then and we worked with the farmers, planting and harvesting corn, yam, cocoa yam, and all manner of things. We bring the harvest back home and roast corn by the fire. That was the upbringing that we had. My Father had a similar farm in Benin and we will go with him to the farm in Benin as time permitted.

We were privileged children living very simple lives. We were taught the principles of honesty, discipline, truthfulness, hard work, and anticorruption. We hated corruption with passion. We believed in the principle of fairness. Work hard, get decent pay, and so on. Those principles have not left us even today. My siblings and I believe in fairness, equity, hard work, justice, and the rule of law. Not breaking the rules and not circumventing the right things. People like us were not quite prepared for the Nigeria that we now found ourselves in. Where there is no equity or fairness, and where there is a lot of sycophancy, bribery, and corruption. It is very difficult to compete fairly in that kind of environment.

“Our upbringing was naturally strict, very disciplined, very committed to service, and also committed to serving Nigeria because that’s what both my parents did and that’ s where my love and passion for philanthropy, for being of use to this nation called Nigeria developed from.”

You sit on the board of several nongovernmental organizations; can you share with us what inspires and influences your decision to join these organizations?

I was telling my people in church a couple of Sundays ago that I just naturally like helping people. I think it is part of my DNA. I like to help anybody that needs assistance or support. I like to make things better for others, it gives me a lot of joy. I like to see people's circumstance change, I don't want to see anybody lacking or poor. Indeed, some people are a little bit difficult and lazy and want to keep being dependent, they don't want to help themselves; they keep coming back to you all the time, they can weigh you down, stress you but somehow you just keep going to see how lives change. Sometimes you are challenged, and you don't have enough resources and even the time to attend to everyone but that doesn't mean the instinct is not there.

When I see a problem, I set up a structure to help solve the problem and when I see people setting up structures to help solve problems, I automatically look at it and begin to have ideas on how they can do things better. I can boldly say that there is almost no problem or situation that afflicts man or is common to man that I have not thought of or thought of a solution to. I have not been able to implement all of them or make them happen. I have worked with others on some and it has not quite worked as we thought but I have thought about it all.

Today we have an NGO that responds to deaf people. Deaf people have challenges of not being able to communicate, they get angry easily and they feel disadvantaged. The NGO is called ‘The Silent Initiative’ to raise and support them. We have an NGO called ‘Disability Foundation’, which was founded by a man who is physically challenged. He has passed on but close members of his family and I are still working under the NGO today.

The current Vice-President of Nigeria , Prof Osibajo, was part of the NGO at a certain time. We have two motherless babies home, Prof Osibajo was on the board of trustees before he became the Vice President. That was my initiative, to ensure that no child went without a home and the idea was to make it not just ordinary motherless babies home, but the kind of home that I can live in, that is what was designed for both homes so that the children could be comfortable.

When we were funding children who could not pay their school fees we started a Courage Education Foundation. That was not originally my idea, it was a lawyer, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, the former Vice-President of NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) that came up with the idea. Today we have about 120 children that we are sending through school. The administrator of the foundation once called me, all excited, saying one of our students has been given a scholarship to do some work in Australia and go to school there. This is about the third or fourth of them. One of them is somewhere in Britain now in the Intelligence Service, and one of them graduated with a Masters degree sponsored by a parent who found him very useful. There is a girl called Aisha, a daughter of a security guard but now, she lives in Ikoyi and has an Ikoyi accent. To see these children have their lives so transformed is unquantifiable and it gives a lot of joy.

When we saw that blind people needed help, we started a blind foundation and I watched for the first time in my life, blind people playing football and I became the Patron of the blind football club in Lagos. Former First Lady of Lagos state, Mrs. Fashola and I used to support them at the time.

The founder has since passed but his wife is still running it and till today her house is a home for about nine to ten blind children that she is seeing through school and we are supporting. When we saw that when prisoners come out of prison they did not have where to go, we started working on ‘halfway houses’; where they could stay in before they are integrated back into society.

Our prison ministry is very strong in setting the captives free. Supporting the prison, we repaired their hospital last year for my birthday, bought benches, helped with their fellowship centers, and helped to educate some of them. We run music schools in Ikoyi Prison, Kirikiri prison, and Ladies Prison.

When we saw that old people needed support and help, we started a foundation for the elderly called ‘Wisdom First Foundation’; we go to their homes and support them and right now we are trying to start a club for the elderly where they can go and recreate, and hang out with their friends when their families are busy. We started a rehab foundation for the area boys, most of them are my friends in Isale Eko. We try to rehabilitate them.

My wife started a foundation for helping people who couldn't conceive, she called it the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation and we specialize in IVF. Today, we have helped about 25 families have and raise their children and we have supported over 120 families.

We now have about 25 to 30 successes from that effort. It is not inexpensive because it costs about 2.5 million Naira per head to sponsor a couple for artificial insemination. It was her last wish before she died and I am obligated to keep it going.

We have a foundation for my father and my mother that helps people in both their places of birth (Oke - Igbo where my mother came from and Ewohimi where my father came from) where we rehabilitate schools, set up fellowships, sponsor children through their education and so on. I believe very strongly in Jesus Christ's Motto, everywhere he wenthewasdoinggood.

The focus of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation is education for indigent students as a contribution to solving some of the problems facing the educational sector. However, there are still many problems facing the sector with Nigeria being declared to have the highest number of ‘out of school children’. What role do you think individuals and churches can play to tackle this problem and what will be your advice to the next set of leaders on how to deal with this issue?

I hope the incoming government will be serious and focused. It is a shame that Nigeria finds itself in this position. It should not be so at all. There should be free education for all. While some people boast and say the Yorubas are the most sophisticated of Nigerians; It is because Obafemi Awolowo made education available for every Yorubaspeaking child and every child that grew up in the western part of Nigeria. Right from Asaba to Isale Eko people went to school for free at that time. Unfortunately, the North didn't respond fast

enough and most of the out-of-school children today are northerners because they didn't value or put enough importance on education. In some instances, they deliberately weaponized illiteracy so that they could control the minds of the people and make them unable to defend themselves. Clearly, where there is ignorance, the people are destroyed and the best thing that leaders can do for Nigeria is to make sure that every Nigerian child is educated.

We love ‘abroad’ because most of them are educated. When you weaponize ignorance and illiteracy you increase crime, you decrease security, and you make sure that everywhere is chaotic. All the thugs, beggars, and children hawking on the streets are the results of a lack of education. The in -coming government must make sure it prioritizes education because there are enough resources; with technology, the cost of educating a child is greatly reduced but they are afraid to do it because when people are knowledgeable, they understand and begin to question government and that is why you are seeing youths uprising, they are questioning and making our leaders accountable but unfortunately, Nigeria has not been blessed with leaders who want to be accountable.

Churches must respond; instead of building big auditoriums, instead of organizing unnecessary programmes, why not use some of the money to educate people, take them out of ignorance and empower them. I am appealing to churches, leaders,

and philanthropists to spend their money to educate Nigerians instead of partying. This can make going to heaven difficult for some of us. Jesus said if you are going to be perfect, sell all that you have and give it to the poor as there are treasures in Heaven, and come and follow me. There needs to be a new uprising, a new determination to help the poor people, weak people. We need to re-orientate ourselves in Nigeria.

“We love ‘abroad’ because most of them are educated. When you weaponize ignorance and illiteracy you increase crime, you decrease security, and you make sure that everywhere is chaotic. All the thugs, beggars, and children hawking on the streets are the results of a lack of education.”

What inspired you to establish the Trinity House Church and how has your ministry impacted the community in Lagos and beyond?

I know that I have a call of God on my life. I have always wanted to help people but I did what most young men did, I wasn’t interested in church or Christianity even though my parents made us go to Anglican Church. Eventually, I got born again and found myself in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and I am not ashamed to admit publicly that I thought that my purpose and essence in life was to work very hard for the ministry of Pastor E.A. Adeboye and help him to achieve what I thought was God’s purpose for his life.

My desire was to make him number one person in Africa and the world that everybody will come to for counselling and help. I had a project called ‘Project Statesman’ to help promote the gospel and to bring peace all over the world through Pastor E.A. Adeboye and the Redeemed Christian Church of God. We had big dreams of inviting all leaders from all over the world to come to listen to the word of God and help Africa transform.

I thought the church was a powerful tool to help leaders in Nigeria to influence policy and politics and to transform Nigeria and Africa. That dream is inside me; we were running a powerful parish called the Christ Church, and it was extremely influential within the RCCG and outside. We co-operated with the government, we had many NGOs and things that challenged the government in Lagos State. We got people engaged and excited to work for God and make an impact but we had an issue over my first marriage, and I was asked to leave Christ Church

and was not given any other assignment within the church. I felt maybe my time was up in RCCG. I stepped aside, waited on God for a year and God said “I called you to myself and not to any church or denomination, rise up and start your work again”

I started, and the name Trinity House dropped on my heart. We started and ran it on a similar template that we had run Christ Church just to make an impact in the world and transform lives, to open our hearts and be non-denominational because part of the problems of Christianity today is that Ministers are not in cooperation and not working with one another.

If the Christian body could truly unite, they could truly transform Nigeria not just by being influential in government circles but by being supportive of the government and doing what churches really should be doing to change society. That is what I believe in. If you think Trinity House has any impact at all, it is because that is the driving force of the man whom God gave that responsibility and we are still going to do more by God’ s grace.

“If the Christian body could truly unite, they could truly transform Nigeria not just by being influential in government circles but by being supportive of the government and doing what churches really should be doing to change society.”

What is your long-term vision for the Church? Where do you see Trinity House in the next 10 years?

Trinity House has a very simple map trackchanging lives, fulfilling destiny, transforming nations, and making it to heaven. The first thing you get in Trinity House is that your life must change. If you are a sinner, you must become a Christian, if you are a Christian, you must become a better Christian, if poor become rich, rich become richer, sick become well, well become healthier. You must find your purpose in life after salvation because there is a reason why God created you.

We also work to transform nations. I have been so vocal about changing Nigeria, it is nothing personal. I have a personal relationship with almost every leader in Nigeria; some have done well and some have not done so well. Some can do better; all I want is the best leadership for Nigeria and every state. If my friends are not doing so well, I will tell them and if they are doing well, I will applaud them and mind my business. I am not going to be a sycophant or a yes-man. I am not going to be a man who cannot tell the truth because I was brought up

to tell the truth. At my age and stage, I have nothing more to prove or add than to see life better for the average person but the problem is that people do not want to hear the truth. If I do wrong tell me, I will apologize and mend my ways. We cannot continue life without telling each other the truth.

That is the dream and the vision for Trinity House, to make an impact in Nigeria, to be known for helping people and telling the truth. We hope we can have a branch of our church in every Local Government in Nigeria, hopefully at least every country in Africa, and hopefully in some of the major countries in the world and we will take it from there. That is the long-term vision for Trinity House and I will continue as far as I can, somebody else will take over from where I stop and run with it. It is not my church, it is the church of God presently in my care. Someday, I will need to hand it over to somebody else. I pray God will bring the right person who shares the vision and would do a better job than I have done.

“The first thing you get in Trinity House is that your life must change. If you are a sinner, you must become a Christian, if you are a Christian, you must become a better Christian, if poor become rich, rich become richer, sick become well, well become healthier.”

SIAO Partners which was co-founded by you is one of the leading audit & tax practice and consultancy firms in Nigeria. How are you able to combine the demanding rigours of accounting practice with life as a practicing pastor?

I can only say it is the grace of God. It has been a very punishing schedule for me and now as a single

made us relevant, and given us sustainability and an edge to compete healthily. We are now becoming an international firm also annexing other firms across Africa and eventually across the world. We have big dreams. We are now going through a leadership transition to enable transfer to the next generation that will take over from us.

Are there any cross-over effects/impacts of your role as Founding Pastor of Trinity House to your professional accounting practice? Are the identified impacts facilitators or blockers?

Being a pastor and being an auditor are very similar skills. As an auditor you are preaching, helping, advising, counselling, supporting, criticizing, and sorting out businesses, especially from a financial and management perspective. As a pastor you are doing almost the same thing for people, so I find them to be complimentary roles. I am a pastor to companies and a pastor to human beings. I enjoy my accounting practice, especially the consulting part of it. The Auditing part of it was not too exciting for me because it is repetitive.

Consulting is a new challenge every time - advisory and solving problems. I also enjoy pastoring very much. We are coping, moving on, and doing our best. I have understanding partners in Mr. Odiache, Mr. Smith, and others. They have not for once disturbed me from doing my pastoral work. They have been of tremendous support to me and the church. I also support their other ventures where I can. We have a very tight brotherhood which is quite remarkable and now we are handing it over to the next generation. We are happy God has helped to bring us this far.

“It has been a very punishing schedule for me and now as a single parent looking after two young children, it takes a lot to try and be all things to all men. Pastoring

One of the identified problems of doing business in Nigeria is corruption and this is affecting both young and established entrepreneurs in the country. As an experienced business leader and management consultant, how do you think a society like Nigeria can promote ethical business practices, especially among young entrepreneurs?

The problem with Nigeria is that there are too many people who have not been really enshrined in ethics and morality. To a large extent, that is the fault of the military. Since 1966 when they had that coup, they began to break the system of Nigeria and the country has not quite been the same. A lot of young people are slightly disadvantaged because they do not find good examples to follow. The political leaders followed the lead of the military and in 1999 most of the leaders that emerged simply built on the foundation that the military had laid and became almost worse than the military leaders they replaced, such that in 2023 we are almost going back to the environment we had in 1983 and 1993.

It has become more of hounding of people, not wanting people to tell the truth and turning a lot of them into valiants just because they want to uphold righteousness and the rule of the law. Unfortunately, the wicked minority's voices are louder than the voices of the average Nigerian that wants justice. We must find a way of looking for more Nigerians that are ethical, moral, and upstanding, that will want to bell the cat and show the way forward.

Most Nigerians have lost their values. I have seen people that complain and condemn the government but immediately they get into government they keep quiet. They are worse when given a chance and resume their complaints after leaving office. Very few of us really like the truth, can look corruption in the eyes, and walk away from it. I have friends that have all the luxuries of life, houses, cars, and full wardrobes of clothes that they may never wear - it is unbelievable but the hope, love, and kindness for the simple man, they don’t have time for it. We are too self-centered in Nigeria and we must begin to speak against it and hope that people will hear and change.

The Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation was formed to create awareness of infertility and provide financial support for families towards assisted reproduction. What advice do you have for married couples challenged with infertility issues and how can they cope with family and societal pressures arising from infertility?

It is a shame that society puts pressure on people simply because for some reason or the other, either biologically or spiritually they are unable to conceive naturally. It is nobody’s fault. It is genetics for some people, diseases, misfortune or not doing the right thing at the right time. The first thing is to let people know that there is absolutely no shame in not being able to give birth naturally. God has a purpose for every life. A great friend of mine said, “I just find my lane and I stay in my lane”. Everyone should find their lane and stay in their lane. Nobody is in full control of their lives.

We must trust and believe in God. Seek every kind of medical help and assistance we can get within our capacity. We must wait on God and find purpose in life, try and fulfil your purpose and make something of your life, keep going, serve God, and find joy in it. There is no benefit to societal pressure. When you die, you die alone and report to your maker, whether you had children or not it is not going to be part of the evaluation yardstick at that time. People need to understand that and move on with their lives.

“The first thing is to let people know that there is absolutely no shame in not being able to give birth naturally. God has a purpose for every life.”

“Most Nigerians have lost their values. I have seen people that complain and condemn the government but immediately they get into government they keep quiet. They are worse when given a chance and resume their complaints after leaving office.”

Mrs. Ibidunni Ighodalo stood for certain ideals which she tried to express through the ‘Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation’ and other charitable works. How are you holding the torch on these initiatives and what are the long-term plans for the foundation?

Well, my wife did not live long. It is a big challenge that such a good person did not live long, so I have decided that she lives long by immortalizing her life and continuing with everything that she would have loved to do. I think of her every day and I also think of what she would like me to do and how she would like me to manage the things that she left behind.

So, I am still managing her business, Elizabeth R, one of the greatest event management companies in the world. I am still managing the children she left behind for me, her Foundation (The Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation), and even all the relationships that she had. I am still running those things the way she would have run them. I am also making sure we are all still together as a big happy family. I am determined to use what I have and appeal to my friends and brothers to support me to make sure this girl lives long through the dreams that she had and I will continue to do that.

“I think of her every day and I also think of what she would like me to do…”

Kindly share with us some of the challenges you have faced in your philanthropic work and what advice you have for people intending to venture into charitable causes.

The real challenge is people; finding the right people who are rightly inspired to help you do this work. There is no one that is an island and can work alone. You do not quite find the right kind of people with the right kind of heart, motive, and interest to do this work.

If you find the people, then the provision will come and the benefits will come but sometimes you give people an assignment, they have their own agenda and they end up not doing it right.

I had a foundation called the ‘Trinity Empowerment Foundation’ and I hired someone to help run it but he had his own assignment so he could not run it well. Eventually, I had to let him go. If only we could find the right kind of people, with the right motivation, things would be very easy. I focus a lot on ‘people identification’ and finding the right person to work with, if you find that person hopefully, they are more passionate than you, then they will make it work.

The second difficult thing is the resource; raising the money to do what you do. Most times, Nigerians want to hold on to their money, they prefer using

their money to buy luxurious things. Getting people to use their money for good things is sometimes a challenge. Sometimes God makes those divine connections that the resources just appear at the right time. My philosophy is simple, “get the idea, cast the idea, run with it, tell as many people as possible, look for support, and do the best that you can within the time and resources that you have.

Religious intolerance and bias are some of the major fault lines impairing the nation. What are your suggestions to resolve these challenges and what would you advocate as the role of the church in facilitating the resolution?

People are religiously intolerant because they are wildly misinformed or a little bit ignorant. The first thing we need to do is inform people and educate them. When we talk about Christianity and Islam, the irony is that a lot of people do not know that both are more closely related than anybody could think. As a matter of fact, their origin is the same. They are all children of a man called Abraham or what the Muslims call Ibrahim. Ibrahim had two sons (Ishmael and Isaac) Ishmael went on to become the father of the Arabs and the Philistines, and Isaac went on to become the father of the Jews, and through Judaism came Christianity. So, the roots are the same, the teachings are similar with minor differences.

The unfortunate thing is that people tend to overemphasize the minor differences. The greatest difference is not the person of Jesus but the role of Jesus; Christians believe that he is the Saviour of the world, the Muslims do not quite accept that, and neither do the Jews. We do not need to fight over that, but the Jews know that Jesus lived and performed a lot of miracles, the Muslims say the same thing. They refer to Jesus in some places as the anointed one or the one who came to save but then is he the one who is the Saviour? People begin to argue, but it is not a big deal. You do your own, I do mine, and let us keep going and loving God, and let us keep accepting each other’s faith and belief. Even if the person is an idol worshipper and you try to convert him and he refuses, leave him. What is there to quarrel about?

We must come to educate ourselves and shake hands with other people. It is not by force to evangelize or force people into your way of life. It is ungodly to force people, even God Himself doesn’t force you to become God-like, He talks to you, and He says, behold I stand at the door of your heart and I knock if any man opens the door willingly I will come in and if you don’t open the door, no problem and God said I still love you anyways,

because for God so loved the world that He gave for both sinners and saints His only begotten son. We have a group called “The Inter-Faith Group” that I have used to reach out to my Muslim brothers and friends and we have meeting regularly to see how we can all operate to make society a better place.

I go to the mosque, I have no problem with it. I go to the Onifa’s place. A lot of my cousins and friends are traditional rulers and they have their own way of worshiping God. I do not agree with it but I don’t quarrel. We keep it simple, we find brotherly love, tolerance, and acceptance, we allow people to be, and we try to tell them this is what we think is the truth but we leave God to do the convincing and we go our way. There is more than enough space for everyone to live a wonderful life.

“I go to the mosque, I have no problem with it. I go to the Onifa’s place. A lot of my cousins and friends are traditional rulers and they have their own way of worshiping God. I do not agree with it but I don’t quarrel.”

You promote good governance in Africa through the African Leadership Group. What inspired the birth of that platform? Kindly share with us your vision for the future of leadership and governance in Africa.

It is the same principle, the same love for man and the improvement of mankind. I find it intolerable that Africans and people of black skin have been so badly treated by the rest of the world. We have been enslaved, vilified, victimized, our resources have been taken, we have been colonized, and made to do things we really are not and therefore, I have a fight to liberate Africa through the emancipation of Africans and the opening of their eyes, uniting of Africans and the stopping of corruption.

Most of the corruption that we find in Africa is deliberate. It is the colonial masters that made sure they tried to hand over to the most corrupt of our people and when they found a few good people they killed them, they destroyed them and didn’t let them see the light of day. They kept on putting bad leadership in power because they knew that once leadership was bad, they would corrupt society and it will be to their advantage. Even now they are looking at Nigeria, all they are concerned about is ‘let there be peace’. Peace in a decaying society? How is that going to happen? They make more out of Nigeria and Africa in confusion and chaos than they would make from an organized and progressive Africa but the African Leadership Group aims to promote good, strong, ethical, virile, committed,

passionate, disciplined, and progressive leadership not just in Nigeria but all over Africa and we keep speaking to that and educating people. We are soon going to start a leadership development school/ institute; the Africa Leadership Group in South, Central, East, and North Africa and have them speak truth to power in their various regions. I am committing the rest of my life to do the ministry and looking for credible leadership in Africa and everywhere we seem to find credible leadership, we go after them, encourage and support them to be leaders in their country.

Some people may not like it but we will keep looking for the right kind of leaders in Africa that will change and transform Africa, help to use our resources appropriately, help to set free the African continent, and tell these colonialists to sit in their places and stop suppressing us. I think Africans should wake up and smell the coffee and know that they are intellectually more capable than their former masters and then we can change the world.

How do you choose the guests you bring on board the African Leadership Group conversations and how do you measure the impact of your platform?

Sometimes by pure inspiration. So we have people like yourself (Mrs. Abimbola Joy Komolafe), different kinds of people who know the thrust and the tone of what we want to do. We do research also; we have a research engine that researches to see the appropriate people for each subject and each topic and we invite them. Thankfully, 95% of them have accepted and come.

Your married life with Pastor Ibidunni was well celebrated and renowned for the companionship and synergy you both shared. What would you say were the key ingredients for the success of your marriage?

I think to some extent, my maturity, and my understanding of the requirements for marriage. The basic requirement for marriage is love without expectation of return. Fortunately for both of us, we loved each other very much. I knew it by experience and she knew it by pure instinct and desire. She found in me a man that she could love and trust and I found in her a woman that I desire to love and look after. There was no issue at all.

Many young and vibrant leaders are emerging in Africa. With your interest and participation in leadership development in Africa in recent times, are you satisfied with the pace of leadership growth among the youth and the quality of leaders emerging? What should Africa do better in this regard?

I am not satisfied with the pace of leadership amongst the youth and the quality of leadership in Africa. The painful thing is that it is almost a helpless situation because the leaders are so powerful that they silence the majority and the few people who know better are too scared to talk and if they talk, they do so from two sides of the mouth and all they are looking for is to find the person that they think will be in power next and to become his friend. There is no truth in Nigeria or Africa and that is one of the problems and it has become an uphill task. I am beginning to think we need serious divine intervention to help us in Africa.

“There is no truth in Nigeria or Africa and that is one of the problems and it has become an uphill task. I am beginning to think we need serious divine intervention to help us in Africa.”

I would not say we agreed on every single point and there were days when there were one or two disagreements but because we both had the same vision, we loved each other, we were good friends, we were extremely tolerant, we liked each other’ s company, we made room for one another, we accepted each other’s weaknesses and faults and we said we would make it work.

It made it a very pleasurable and good journey indeed. She was an extremely generous person, very compassionate, hardworking, extremely creative, very kind, and a fighter, she could fight when she needed to defend her own, she ticks the boxes and she loved God. She made a few mistakes, she tolerated my mistakes, and absences from home and she supported me. I looked forward to seeing her every day, it was indeed a very lovely marriage and I miss her very much daily.

“I would not say we agreed on every single point and there were days when there were one or two disagreements but because we both had the same vision, we loved each other, we were good friends, we were extremely tolerant, we liked each other’ s company, we made room for one another…”

“I think Africans should wake up and smell the coffee and know that they are intellectually more capable than their former masters and then we can change the world.”

accept that. People think that marriage is the solution to situations but that is not quite what it is. Marriage is another journey that you must take appropriately.

Number two, know who you are, know yourself very well, and what you want out of life. If you are not whole, you cannot give of yourself to somebody else. A lot of people are damaged goods, therefore, they are inappropriate materials to marry. You must be whole, well, and healed; you must not be looking for marriage to solve a problem but be looking for marriage to add to it and not to take out of it.

Number three, you must know your spouse, your intended partner very well. A lot of people jump into marriage with people they do not know and they began to discover the person in marriage when it is too late. You must know the person before you

the same religious pedestal. If you don same values of the fear of God it may not work or one person will pay a bigger price in trying to keep that marriage together. If you are Muslim, ensure you share the same beliefs and make sure you agree as to who your judge or advisor should be in times of challenges and troubles; I am talking about spiritual advisors here. What is your reference point in times of trouble? The Bible/Quran, and whatever the holy book says concerning that situation is what both of you should do. When you are on the same platform in terms of who your umpire, mentor, guide, controller, and problem solver should be, that would help your marriage.

“A lot of people jump into marriage with people they do not know and they began to discover the person in marriage when it is too late.”

When Pastor Ituah is not preaching, mentoring, or building Nigeria, what does he do to relax?

I play with my children. People ask me this question a lot, but my work is relaxing, it is not stressful for me at all, I enjoy my work. I just need to rest, sleep and get energy and I am back doing my work but I spend a lot of time with my children, they give me a lot of comfort, fun, and enjoyment.

I love watching them grow, develop and watching them with their vocabularies, and watching them change and improve in character. I have a rich array of friends from different aspects of life. One of my best friends is HRH Emir Sanusi, we were childhood friends from Kings College. Some of my best friends are pirates, and buccaneers and they don’t stop being my friends; my brother and sister are my friends.

I have old friends also and I have very young friends even in the universities. Houseboys are my friends, my friends’ drivers, area boys, photographers, drug addicts, and even prostitutes. I have a rich array of friends that I hang out with and that I learn from. One of the things I enjoy doing is learning and absorbing in the atmosphere of people and knowing things that can help me in the future. I learn from every situation, I listen, I learn and I enjoy learning from the young, the old, the rich, and the poor and it makes my life richer.

“Houseboys are my friends, my friends’ drivers, area boys, photographers, drug addicts, and even prostitutes. I have a rich array of friends that I hang out with and that I learn from.”

What do you want to be remembered for as a pastor and what legacy do you want to leave behind as a professional Chartered Accountant?

Very simple, a man who came, who loved people, and who tried his best to help everyone that came his way especially Africans. I hope a lot of the institutions that I am working at and founding would live much more beyond me. I am hoping that whatever I have started professionally, especially SIAO will live to be a multinational firm that would provide training and value to many people and I am hoping that Nigeria would transform for the kinds of effort we have put into this nation to try and improve the lot of the average Nigerian and by God’s grace, I will Rest in Peace.

Project40at40AwardeesreceivingtheircertificateforthefreeIVF/Fertilitytreatmentgrant.

INTERVIEW WITH REAR ADMIRAL (RTD) O.O. JOSEPH RDSF CHAIRMAN

What were the societal values that shaped your generation and do those values still exist today? Are they still relevant in light of contemporary societal expectations and imperatives?

BACKGROUND

Tell us about your background – childhood, family, and education.

I am Retired Rear Admiral Oladeinde Olusoga Joseph, born 75 years ago. I was born in Aramoko, Ekiti. My father, a soldier who fought in Burma in WW 2, did not allow me to stay too long in my village. I started school in my village before we moved to Osogbo, where he had started working at the Ministry of Works after he was demobilized from the army.

I come from a family of five, just like my nuclear family today. If my elder sister was alive today, she would have been 82. I attended a catholic school in Oshogbo, briefly, before my family moved to Ibadan.

The Western Region was developing at that time and because my father wanted to give me a sound education, we moved to Ibadan. I would say I grew up and schooled in Ibadan.

I attended a Methodist primary school in Ibadan where things were not necessarily too religious but basic family values were of help. The school gave birth to Methodist High School, Ibadan and I was among the first set of students of the school. It was very hard and harsh. It was not difficult to fish out whoever could not live on the front line. We protested to the principal because we thought the food we were given was not good enough. We walked 5 miles to the principal's house.

The principal listened to us and begged us to not cause any trouble as the first set of the school. The following Sunday in Church the preacher, Mr. Ojo, preached on ''Godliness with contentment is great gain". That word did a lot in my life. He ended the sermon with "Be your brother's keeper". Those things are very difficult to find these days. It is not the fault of people who do not look too satisfied. The system is not helping the situation much. The sermon got me to a clean and clear position of seeing things differently. These are values that are very difficult to catch and it is hurting our society right now. It makes us look like there are no values to hold on to which is not true.

When I was a Lieutenant Commander, my father visited me because he was ill and needed to see the doctor. One day he insisted on following me to the office. I sent my driver back home to pick him up. My father was in my reception for two hours. One senior officer came to tell me there is an old man at my reception. I said that is my father. I introduced him to my father.

My father said he had seen enough and said we will talk when I get back home. When I got home, he came and sat with me at the dining table and asked me to tell him the nature of my job. I was Director of Personnel at that young age. My job was to recruit, train and post those I have trained and get reports from people they are working for, update their records and promote. My father asked if these people come back to say “thank you” and he gave me some advice.

He said I should not accept “thank you” from nine out of ten of them. He explained that if the one I received “thank you” from goes into the society to speak ill of me, the other nine will lynch him. I took that advice and it worked even as I went on to become a governor. I had a lot of goodwill. When I was sick last year, an individual gave my son 10 million Naira. Those are values that I hold onto up till now and I passed them to my children.

“...Mr. Ojo, preached on ''Godliness with contentment is great gain". That word did a lot in my life. He ended the sermon with "Be your brother's keeper". Those things are very difficult to find these days.”

What do you think is wrong with society, particularly, the way youths are nurtured, and how do you think this can be addressed?

I am a father and a grandfather. I remember when my first son graduated from the university. I insisted that he should work in some places. I told him to have a lot of patience. Youths nowadays do not have patience. It is difficult to blame them because our values have also changed.

The system is not providing for our youths. They become restless and troublesome to society because their expectations are no longer met. The government is daily becoming irresponsible. They promise things and they do not do them.

Society is upside down. I was one of the beneficiaries of Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy and I know the kind of relief they gave to our parents. We keep praying that God in His wisdom, will be able to make corrections.

My daughter-in-law is a Consultant Oncologist at LUTH. She told me that when she is interviewing doctors for job positions, 95% of them are already writing exams to travel out of Nigeria. Even if government trains people, they eventually lose them. The system is not providing enough for them to grow and there is no way we can do it except we change the educational system in such a way that every graduate will find consolation in what they are doing.

“The system is not providing for our youths. They become restless and troublesome to society because their expectations are no longer met. The government is daily becoming irresponsible. They promise things and they do not do them.”

FAMILY AND PARENTING

With your wealth of personal and professional experience tempered by your upbringing and the values of society while you were growing up, how do you think the family unit, community, society, and the nation at large could better mesh in a more wholesome manner?

It is becoming more difficult daily. Each of my three children has a minimum of two qualifications. My daughter went to England for her MBA and she did not get a job. Even if you get invited for an interview, you will be told that you have no experience.

It is frustrating to the family. Even if I do not expect that she should take care of me, I expect that she should be able to make life comfortable for herself.

The correcting effect is getting people to look for means like RDSF, to take the stress off families, and give them some relief - but it is also temporary. It is very difficult, and that's why people always consider relocating abroad, where the welfare system is better organized. Few of them come back.

You have been married for 48 years. Can you share with us some of the marital values that have kept your marriage?

It is not an easy one. I was 27 and my wife was 25 when we got married. I was working so also my wife. We were growing and were able to manage. It is a very long story. I have had a very good marriage. My wife was an orphan from age 6. We had grown together. It's humane that when you grow older you know if you don't keep the person, you are with, there's no place to run to. It puts a lot of pressure on you to make things work. It is about the commitment to make it work.

On parenting, many parents are eager to choose a career path for their children and this sometimes leads to an estranged relationship. What advice do you have for young parents regarding this issue?

I was a Navy Commander in Port-Harcourt when my two children were in secondary school. I was thinking of how to guide them and my wife was putting pressure on me to get my son into the Navy so he can replace me. I told him about an upcoming Navy interview and he went - but he did not take part in the interview because he was asked to take off his clothes. I thought maybe he would go in at an advanced age. After secondary school, I took the Nigerian Defense Academy form and filled it out for him. I saw that his interest was not that. My last son never showed any interest at all. He wanted to be an Engineer and showed early signs of it. I think parents don't have to insist on what their children must be because as they grow up, they have their thoughts and passion. Give children the chance and opportunity to educate themselves and let them be able to find value in their chosen career path; just encourage them. That is the best advice I can give.

have been assigned to do and still manage to pay adequate attention to your family.

What advice do you have for our readers on ensuring a work–life balance?

For example, every Navy Barracks I know have strong welfare programs to keep the families focused and reduce stress while their spouses are away. What can be done is nothing more than having more organisations helping to relieve the emotional stress of people. The government must be focused and think along that line; to get officers focused and committed.

PERSONAL VALUES, ETHICS, AND CULTURE

You had a long and illustrious career in the Navy culminating in your selection as Military Administrator of Ogun State and promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, what would you say were the values and ethical practices you held dear that led to your selection as governor and your promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral?

I was the Military Governor of Ogun State. I was not trained to be a governor but I was lucky to be governor because the military found itself in government and I was picked based on my vast administrative experience. Some duties were forced on our wives and children because it was tough. Personally, for us to get into the system and society, and to understand what the government wanted and what we as individuals can do makes it tough. To the grace of Almighty God, some of us were successful. Remember what I started with? If you are godly you will be contented.

The military is a tough profession that places great demands on the time of officers and soldiers to the detriment of their family life. What was your secret to ensuring the cohesion of your family and what would be your advice to our readers on maintaining a worklife balance?

I think it is the Grace of the Almighty God. I remember I was going on a course to the United States of America when my last child was born. I took my bleeding wife to the hospital and from there I went to the airport. He was born in my absence through a caesarean operation. You just must pray for an understanding spouse. My marriage had to be postponed twice because I was at the sea. For me, it worked positively but not for many. It is not easy to give your best to the job you

The military is known for conformity, in what instance could you say you broke with tradition in pursuit of a greater good and what was the outcome?

I did not do any business while in the military. It was not necessary. They had things for us to do. I didn't have any course to leave the job and do something else. My wife still claims she married the “ wrong” man. I was very committed. I had colleagues who were doing other things but some of them didn't get to where I got to.

Signs and opportunities were there but the military of my time was total commitment. All I heard was "Is it only you". My boss became jealous of me at some point, he did not write my report for two years. My wife would always cry but I told her not to worry and that things will work out fine as the

Almighty reigns. He was forced to write the report and even when he didn’t write it correctly, he was forced to rewrite it. Once you are committed, the system of my time would recognize your effort.

Today, youths say that the pressures and expectations they face are different from what obtained before. Is this position valid and what are your views on the values the youths of today have?

We must review our educational system and keep it consistent. I will relate to my personal experience when my children were growing up. My son had 201 in JAMB and wasn't admitted to any university. His friends with 160 got admitted. I followed him to the JAMB office. These are physical things that affect children.

We must push the system and keep a standard that they must be able to follow. The system must ensure and allow them to attain it themselves so that they can have confidence in themselves that will build the nation. Until we can do that, things are going to be very difficult.

“Our system should not allow lecturers to be on strike for nine months, as this will mean that students will have lost a session . The government must care.”

ENHANCING EDUCATION

What would you say are the major challenges of the education sector in Nigeria?

Our system should not allow lecturers to be on strike for nine months, as this will mean that students will have lost a session . The government must care.

The educational system should be well structured in a way that it will not interrupt a child’s learning process and delay graduation. Until the government can do that, education will not be stabilized.

While I was Governor of Ogun State, the state university which was eight years old at the time needed to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor. A committee was set up to interview some applicants and they recommended three candidates. You will agree that the person who came first should be given the job but in the real sense of it, all three were qualified.

Different pressure groups had their candidates; including a former head of State. He came to my house to tell me his people had sent him to influence my choice of VC. They had picked the candidate who placed second but I made him see reasons why that choice would not be fair because some other senior positions were occupied by people from his area in the state. He saw reason with me and in the

MrChairmanandtheSpecialGuestofHonour,PrinceJuliusAdewaleAdelusi-Adeluyi atthe 2019RDSFAnnuallecture.

end, I adopted the recommendation of a security committee I had set up on the matter. The person who placed third was appointed Vice-Chancellor. He had been the Deputy VC for five years and the students celebrated. Two hours after the announcement was published, Tai Solarin came to my office and I was surprised because he does not come to the Government House. To my amazement, he shook my hands and said you have handled this well. God was on my side because you must point your society in a direction where peace will prevail.

“The educational system should be well structured in a way that it will not interrupt a child’s learning process and delay graduation. Until the government can do that, education will not be stabilized.”

Education is on the ‘Concurrent List’ of governance in this country, meaning the Government at all levels (i.e. Federal, State, and Local) has responsibilities to manage it. The private sector also plays a vital role in support of education in Nigeria. Yet the sector is deteriorating. Would the education sector’s infrastructural challenges not be better addressed if education was privatized considering the private sector’s expertise in efficient resource utilization?

From my personal experience, we have not done well because we have allowed politics and money to get involved in education. We must begin to reorientate our system to support education. If the primary and secondary education is good and sound, the child will follow through but when it’ s faulty, life becomes complicated. Government cannot fund education totally; some systems must support it, just like what RDSF is doing. The systems will make education have better results than it does today. In Nigeria, we are yet to achieve a good educational system, we talk and do not follow up with action. You cannot completely privatize education because the sole aim will be to enhance profit and you would have disenfranchised some people. Any government in any part of the world must make its commitment to education known. The government must be sincere and committed.

“Government cannot fund education totally; some systems must support it, just like what RDSF is doing. The systems will make education have better results than it does today.”

The emphasis on education in postindependence Nigeria was on such professions as medicine, law, and accounting amongst others to the detriment of particularly Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Could this skewed preference be responsible for the present low industrialization of the nation? How can this be addressed?

A few days ago, my carpenter came with his son to say he wants to join the Force. I looked at his result and he had a P in English language. I told him I can help him to sit for the exam but also explained the implication of it. It is the system that must ensure that education is geared toward achieving effective results. Just like this boy, having a P in English language should not limit him but the system should be able to provide a satisfactory alternative for him. The systems should do their best at assisting the government. Let the government do its bit and leave the system to take its course.

Considering the gamut of problems besieging the education sector, how best can civil society and the private sector participate in alleviating the problems?

Like RDSF is doing currently, many others should focus on solving the problem as well. We can see where the government is failing and we should support it however we can. You cannot force the government to do what it didn’t campaign for.

One leg of Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation’s focus is education. How can it be better positioned to serve its stakeholders more effectively?

By doing exactly what we are doing now. If you are sensitive to all the issues in education, you must begin to look at how to use its failures to improve for better results. We must do all we need to do to assist the government in its failures. Once you have people in the system and board who are sensitive to that, success will be guaranteed.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Youth unemployment is a major challenge in Nigeria; however, the export of human capital is a veritable source of income to countries such as India and Bangladesh. Why can’t human capital export from Nigeria be seen as a positive development rather than it being seen as a brain drain? Furthermore, what can be done to optimize this window of opportunity?

Once we improve our system that makes what is going on in other countries better than ours, then our youths will not run. Government must ensure adequate provisions of useful facilities for the youths. The Government is in one way or another benefiting from citizens in foreign countries. It is our failed system that is encouraging people to relocate and that is why it is seen as a brain drain. Many people traveling go through a lot of adaptation processes that should naturally discourage them; such as the weather and if they have similar opportunities here, they will stay back.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics particularly ICT are professions for the future, how can Nigeria become a hub like India for the development of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics?

If you take the top ten ICT jobs in the world today, eight are held by Indians. I was trained in India and I know the amount of effort Indians put into their education system; that is what they are reaping now. Nigeria should look at improving its system to a stage that satisfies the local need before it can start exporting. I am aware that we have very qualified Nigerians in foreign countries and it is sad. The system over there encourages them to stay. We are not doing enough to encourage our citizens and it will affect us eventually.

A key driver for the development of most developed countries is the emphasis on technical and vocational training for the youth. Does this contradict Nigerians’ penchant for university degrees for youths at the expense of developing technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial capacity? How can Nigeria develop and optimize vocational, entrepreneurial, and technical training?

You limit a child from learning when you base the child’s success on a certificate. The system must provide for children with low grades an alternative to a satisfactory education. We must place importance on vocational training. In some foreign countries, nobody emphasizes certificates. What you

study should not limit you from learning other skills. You can get empowered by attending vocational schools which we are not emphasizing now and we should because that is the only way a country can grow. Vocational training in very key and important.

“You can get empowered by attending vocational schools which we are not emphasizing now and we should because that is the only way a country can grow.

REHOBOTH DREAM SOLID FOUNDATION.

You serve as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation (RDSF), can you share with us what influenced your decision to join the Board even though it is a pro bono service?

When the founders spoke to me about their plans to start the Foundation, I did not hesitate to join. I thank God for the success of the Foundation. I am enjoying every improvement. I’m grateful to be a part of the vision of the Foundation. I will be a part of this till I no longer have the strength to.

What project executed by the Foundation would you consider the most emotional to you and why?

To take a blind child from a terrible position and provide the necessary facilities that go beyond the child’s expectation, such a system is not only enduring but rewarding, because even the beneficiary at the end of the day will feel happy. After reading the Thinking Aloud Magazine, I am encouraged to want to do more. It is difficult to pick one project. My prayer is for God to grant us the light and knowledge of accepting and testing new ideas to do more. I vividly remember the teachers’ appreciation program; it is so rewarding because it flows back to the students we are trying to support. I love the teachers’ award program.

Based on your experience on the Board of RDSF, what would be your counsel to Nigerians interested in joining the board of an NGO or seeking to set up one?

Whatever you can do to draw sponsors to participate in our programs rather than starting their own Foundation or supporting any available NGOs. I will encourage our system to influence and encourage them. Not everybody can start an NGO. I encourage people to be part of a Foundation like this.

The scholarship application portal for the 2023/2024 academic session will be opened on the 1st of April 2023 to give tertiary indigent students across the country the opportunity to apply and be supported by the Foundation. Indigent students who wish to apply should visit our website or follow us on our social media pages for steers. The application process is online and transparent and past beneficiaries can attest to this.

BRIEF PROFILE OF FIVE OF THE TWELVE NEWLY ADOPTED BENEFICIARIES

RDSF Updates PROGRAMS & TESTIMONIALS 1

Student A is a 100level medical rehabilitation student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. She never had the opportunity to know her mother who the family lost during child birth. Yet, after her mother ’ s death, she was in the hospital for months because her father could not afford the medical bills until a charity organization came to their rescue. Her grandmother took her home and raised her. Her grandmother used to break stones and sell to builders and this was what she used to support her through primary and secondary school. The old woman is currently down with stroke and it is student A ’ s dream to switch to medicine. Her father sells hairnet and cannot afford to cater for her education. Student A has been adopted by a donor/ RDSF partner and we are glad to support her to achieve her dream of becoming a medical doctor. 2

Student B is a 300level chemical engineering student of LAUTECH with a first class CGPA. He is the 5th born in a family of 10 children and grew up in Iseyin, Oyo State. His father is a driver and his mother is a trader; she sells cassava and yam. He is the first and only child to go beyond secondary education because of his passion and the father only agreed because at the time, his vehicle was still functioning properly.

Unfortunately for student B, his father’s vehicle had an accident and this grounded his father’s meagre income. When RDSF met him, he lacked accommodation and was sleeping in the mosque. His hope was that his academic profile would earn him a scholarship someday but our findings shows that his academic grades have been dropping because of poor funding. RDSF is happy to support student B. 3

Student C is a 300level microbiology student of Adekunle Ajasin University in Ondo State. He is the first of two children of his parent and his younger brother is still in junior secondary school. His mother is a petty trader and the breadwinner of the family; she sells pap, firewood, and charcoal while his father is a driver who assist to transport timbers from the forest to the town in Ondo State. However, his father is a gambler and he is also addicted to alcohol and cigarettes. In 2018, the father had an accident in the forest and also became very sick. This put him out of job from 2018 until 2022; yet, he resumed taking alcohol and betting after recovering from illness. Student C has only been able to pay for 1st semester 100 level and 1st semester 300 level fees making him hugely indebted to the school and unable to concentrate on his studies. He works as a POS attendant in school, engage in several menial jobs and squats with his boss; all in the bid for survival. RDSF is proud to adopt and support student C.

Student D is a final year medical laboratory science student of Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State with an outstanding CGPA of 4.9. Her initial plan was to study medicine but she changed her course after gaining admission because she realized she would not be able to work and fund the course. She grew up with her grandmother because her mother was raped at a young age and this created a resentment in her. However, her grandmother who raised her eventually passed away before she could get into the university. She also lost her mother and never knew her father. In her 4th year, she never gave up her dream and funded her 4th year with a student loan.

Below is a text she sent the beneficiaries’ WhatsApp group:

Student E is a 200 level electronics engineering student of Federal University of Technology Akure. He is the first born in a family of six and lives in Ikorodu, Lagos. His father is a bike rider and the mother is a hairdresser who does not even.

His siblings once stopped school because the father was in debt after his bike which he took on hire purchase was stolen. He took up a job of N10,000 monthly and started saving to enrol in school while also assisting the family. RDSF is happy to support student C.

TESTIMONY FROM A BENEFICIARY

Ade-Fakorode Taiwo: I wish to tender my profound gratitude to the foundation and its trustees for availing me the opportunity of attending the Nigerian Law School in 2022. I am glad to inform the foundation that the results have been released and I made a second -class upper division. The support of the foundation was what kept me going all through December after I had a major surgery two weeks after I completed my law school registration that almost took my life and kept me bedridden all through January.

I am the most grateful soul today and I owe my law school success to the foundation for giving me the opportunity to have my registration done before the surgery of which I would never have been able to go back. I sincerely hope to be able to give back to the foundation in due time. I hope to be able to impact lives through the foundation. God bless RDSF!

WAYS TO SUPPORT THE VISION AND MISSION OF RDSF

We sincerely appreciate all those who have contributed to the success stories of our beneficiaries since inception.

Through your support, we are making life changing impact in the lives of the students currently benefiting from our charity programs.

Your tremendous support has kept us focused on our mission and made us more determined to make more impact in our targeted communities.

Below are various ways to partner with the Foundation

1. Adopt a student scheme

Under this scheme, the Foundation will recommend indigent students who will be adopted and sponsored for their full academic program. The sponsor can choose to be anonymous or meet the beneficiaries. Here the sponsor will also be provided with a periodic statement of the beneficiary's academic performance.

2. Sponsor a Workshop/ Training/ Event

You can also choose to sponsor any of our programs like the Annual Lecture, Thinking Aloud Magazine and Teachers Excellence Award or support the skill acquisition program organized for indigent undergraduates in various tertiary institutions to equip them with relevant ICT and soft skills relevant to career success.

3. One Time Donation

You can give one-time donation through a transfer to the Foundation's account or donate online through a secured donation link on our website.

4. Pledge

Sponsors can also make a pledge to give some money to the Foundation on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, quarterly, biannually or annually). Such sponsor will just send an email with details of the pledge and credit the Foundation's account.

5. Workplace Giving and Matching Gifts

Matching gifts are charitable workplace donations made by corporate entities that matches employees’ donations to eligible non-profit organisations. It is a way to show their employees that they are mindful of their social needs and support the causes they are most passionate about by empowering them to donate to any non-profit of their choice.

Different organisations have different matching policies and it will interest you to know that some international corporations do up to double of your donations or more. What this means is that if a staff should donate a $100 to

an NGO through a matching gift channel or work place giving, an organization with a 2:1 matching policy will donate additional $200 on behalf of that employee; making it $300 donation.

Many employees are not taking advantage of this platform and some are not even aware of the various workplace giving opportunities opened to them in their organisations; especially multinational corporations. As a donor, you can increase your impact by simply donating through a matching gift platform like Benevity. The process is very simply and automated in most organisations.

To do this, simply find out about your organisation’s workplace giving policies from your HR department. If you would like to get RDSF listed or registered for your organisation’s workplace giving program, kindly send us an email through rehobothdream@gmail.com and we will be happy to onboard.

6. Volunteer

You can also volunteer your time and expertise by joining the RDSF team to carry out its daily operations and execute various projects across Nigeria. Most of these voluntary services can be done remotely.

AGHEDO ALELE PETER AN RDSF SUCCESS STORY

INTRODUCTION

My name is Aghedo Alele Peter, the second child in a family of six. I graduated from the university of Benin, where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance. I also hold certifications in Project management, Human resource management, Health safety and environment from Pan-African institute of Professional studies.

BACKGROUND

I was born and raised in Edo State, Nigeria and completed virtually all my education in Benin City. My father is a civil servant and my mother is a trader.

Growing up, I had so much interest in education. My father being a lover of education and also a disciplinarian truly wanted the best for us. This made my parents go the extra mile of getting finance to enrol me and my other siblings in a private school. I remember vividly that

My dad had to withdraw us from private school and enrolled us in a public primary school.

My enrolment in a public school almost made it look as though I had lost my dream of becoming what I intended to become in life. This was because the public school I attended was overcrowded to the extent that if you didn't come to school on time, you were

left with no alternative than to sit on the window to take lectures. However, in all of these, I was focused on what I intended achieving in life. Even though I was there, my mindset was thinking beyond that school environment into the future I wanted for myself.

In the midst of these financial challenges, my parents began to experience serious conflicts and they eventually parted ways.

ACADEMIC PURSUIT

After my parents separated, my mother became the one responsible for our education. The burden of fending for the family was overwhelming for her and this made me venture into several menial jobs to assist her.

I remember vividly that when I was in SS 2 my friends and I had to leave school severally to building sites to assist bricklayers in order to get money to buy text books and also pay for other

minor expenses. It was out of the money I saved that I was able to buy my JAMB form; although my WAEC fee was paid for by my mom.

In 2016, I got admission into the university. That night, I remember the torrent of Joy that flowed through my heart. I had to inform my mother and called my Dad to inform him also. They were both happy on hearing the news but the challenge was how to raise the funds for the acceptance fee and school fees. I called some of my uncles and aunties for financial support, but there was no positive response.

My parents had to source for funds for the fees and I assisted them to raise the required fund; even as some of my friends also contributed. There were times in my year one where l couldn't buy textbooks because the money

It wasn't easy, there were times I had deep thoughts thinking about where the next school fee will come from, but God and determination kept me going.

RDSF AND I

One day, while I was in 200 level preparing for the end of the semester, I saw a post on the WhatsApp status of a close friend about a seminar that was to be organized by an organization.

When I enquired to know more about the seminar, he told me it was organized by RDSF. It was an ICT and soft skills training session. I never wanted to go because I was not someone that attends seminars in school. However, it was as though God was intentional about me going because I gave it a second thought and attended.

During the course of the seminar,

online earlier in the year. They later decided to give other participants of the training an opportunity to attend the interview sessions before applying online.

I visited their website, read the guidelines and applied for the scholarship. It was indeed a great relief to get a positive response from the foundation; afterwards I was given the grant which I used to pay for my school fees in 300 level. I also received continued support in my final year.

CONCLUSION

The greatest threat to the progress of any man in life is himself. No man can stop you if you are determined to become successful. My deep appreciation goes to almighty God who has taken me this far and has been my eternal fortress. I would like to appreciate my parents, my

FEATURE FITNESS INTERVIEW WITH IGNITE GROOVE DANCE FITNESS (IGDF)

Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us how you got into fitness training.

My name is Blessing Kuje. I am a wife and a mother. My interest in fitness training was fueled by my passion for the dance industry. After I graduated from dancing school, I worked with a fitness organization as an instructor and manager for 6 years. I always wanted to use my talent to work for myself and I came up with Ignite Groove Dance Fitness (IGDF) which allows me to dowhatIlovedaily.

Tell us about Ignite Groove Dance Fitness (IGDF)

Ignite Groove Dance Fitness (IGDF) was founded on the 1stofJune,2020. IworkastheCEOwiththesupportof a strong, young and ambitious team. We started our programmes(physical&virtual)onthesameday.

What is the mission of Ignite Groove Dance Fitness (IGDF)

Our Mission is to provide an entertaining, friendly, inviting, functional and innovative experience of uncompromising quality that meets the health and fitness needs of the entire body system. Our Vision is to be recognized as one of the world’s leading dance and fitnessgroups.

group?

Ignite Groove Dance Fitness is a very young brand composed of 13 fitness and dance instructors. I also have a Personal Assistant who helps in managing and organizingouractivities.

Tell us about your virtual classes.

Ignite Groove Dance Fitness started during the COVID pandemic. People needed support to stay fit physically, emotionally and mentally. This forced us to be creative and innovative. We needed to meet the needs of our numerous clients spread across different geographical zones. We created virtual classes where our clients could join workout classes from the comfort of their homes in any country using Zoom and WhatsApp. Our services are flexible as we offer private and group classes to suit our clients’ convenience. What I mean is that we organize these classes outside the standard IGNITE workouthours.

“Our classes are infused with fun, good music, easy choreography and dance steps that make you smile throughout your class. We ultimately nourish your body, spirit and soul as you leave each class happier and fitter.”

Do you think the virtual classes offered by the IGDF group have been effective?

I will say yes. The flexibility of the virtual classes by Ignite Groove Dance Fitness makes them very convenient for our clients. We have clients who frequently travel around the world. All they have to do is tell us the time zone they are in and we work out a time convenient for the client and the instructors. Most of our clients for the virtual classes are very committed and attend classes consistently.

Tell our readers the unique selling point of your group.

At IGDF, we help you pay attention to self-love. We are passionate about our classes and offer convenient fitness sessions adjusted to your daily schedule, made available to you in the comfort of your home or office. Our classes are infused with fun, good music, easy choreography and dance steps that make you smile throughout your class. We ultimately nourish your body, spirit and soul as you leaveeachclasshappierandfitter.

What is your plan for the future of Ignite Groove Dance Fitness?

In the future, we plan to have more reach worldwide. The success of this brand is due to the consistent efforts of every team member. With these efforts, we will keep workingtosatisfyourclients.

Tell our readers your available services and how to reach you.

Ignite Groove Dance & Fitness Place is a registered company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we are based in Lagos. Our physical classes have morning and evening sessions available in 4 locations on Lagos Island and 2 locations in Lagos mainland area. Our standard virtual classes are delivered via Zoom and WhatsApp between 7 am and 9 am weekdays and between 8 am and 9 am on Saturday mornings (West African Time). We are not just a fitness company, we are also a dance performing company. We are available to spice up your events with nicedanceperformancesandcanbereachedvia:

TESTIMONIALS FROM IGNITE CLIENTS

PRAYING TEARS

by Ibinabo Enebi

My eyeballs hurt As you roll down my cheeks, Each drop shed A reminder of what would have been.

Curled behind my bathroom door, My face buried between my knees, A scene so familiar to those Brought down by their needs.

Every drop hurts, A pain my head now bears, Ever so familiar with the throbbing Of a recalcitrant migraine.

I try to hold you back But you burn through my eyes, You've welled up with every thought I can't control your flow.

My eyes are sore and puffy. My head is about to explode. My nose is red and dry, Aching too from my many blows.

For those who know They know the pain. The sting and jerks from regrets, As they judge themselves so harshly.

Tears on my bathroom floor, A pool of self-doubt. Shed in solitude and silence, Precipitating into showers That water my future.

At last, the tears have ceased! There's hope for my future, A rainbow across my sky. I'm back on my feet, I'm not going back down. The tears on my bathroom Have watered my future.

the rehoboth dream solid foundation board of trustees

Rear Admiral Oladeinde (‘Deinde) Olusoga Joseph was born at AraMoko, Ekiti State into the humble family of late Mr. Joseph Owolabi and late Mrs. Ajibabi Owolabi on the 9th of May 1948.

He enlisted into the Nigerian Navy in July 1967 and later graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in July 1971 in India. He received professional training as a naval officer in India, United Kingdom and the United States of America. Rear Admiral Joseph is a graduate of the Nigeria Command and Staff College Jaji and the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru.

As a professional naval officer, he went through all the ranks in the Navy until he was promoted to the full Rear Admiral rank in 1998. While in the Navy, he had 4 sea commands, which included that of NNS Aradu (the Navy’s flag ship), 2 Training bases and 2 Operational bases. He had 2 tours at Jaji Staff College as Chief Instructor and Director of the Naval Faculty. He was also the Military Governor of Ogun State between 1990 and 1992. His last job was Chief of Navy Personnel at Naval Headquarters until he retired in June 1999.

Married to Mrs. Katherine Lolade Joseph since April 1975, Rear Admiral ‘Deinde Joseph is blessed with 3 children; Toyin (now Mrs. Borisade), and the boys Seyi and Jide, all University graduates. His hobbies are photography, reading and he is a handicap 9 golfer. A practicing Christian of Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu since 1967, he has a passion to help the less privileged in the society. Rear Admiral Joseph is a recipient of the National Honour of the Commander of the Order Of the Niger (CON), and brings his experience and goodwill to the Foundation as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Ms. Ketumi Alasa studied Computer Science in the then Sheffield City Polytechnic now known as Hallam University, Sheffield, England. Worked in various capacities as an IT professional in leading multinational Oil and Gas, Insurance and Iron and Steel companies in Nigeria for 28 years cumulatively. After a successful and rewarding career in the corporate arena, she took an early retirement and launched out to fulfil her entrepreneurial dream in real estate and retail management. As a real estate entrepreneur, she has made remarkable progress in development and management of properties. On the retail front, she runs a chain of interior decoration shops.

She is a practicing licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant and a certified Canadian Education Consultant and Foreign Student Recruiter for Canadian schools.

She is the CEO of Canada Outreach Immigration and Academic Consultancy, Managing Director of J-Three Sixteen Associates and Managing Director of Kay Kay Enterprise Interiors. She also serves on the Boards of a couple of christian and philanthropic organizations.

Blessed with five children, she enjoys playing the game of Golf. She served as a Lady Captain of IBB Golf and Country Club.

She is a Christian with a deep passion and commitment to supporting Missions work and the under privileged. Ms Ketumi Alasa is also a Trustee of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Deacon Samson Madu Igbokwe is a 1983 B.Pharm Graduate of Pharmacy from the former University of Ife (Unife), now known as Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). In addition, he gained a Masters in Business Administration Degree (MBA) from the University of Lagos (Unilag) in 2000. He also acquired a Certificate of Proficiency in Information Systems Management (CPISM).

Shortly after his Youth Service Corp at Military Hospital Lagos, he set up his own pharmacy business at S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos in 1985 which he has been running as Chairman/Managing Director till date. This is a company that supplies and distributes pharmaceuticals to its community and hospitals in Lagos State.

A devout and practicing Christian, he gave his life to Christ on March 31, 1991 in The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Akoka. Since then, he has served in various capacities in TREM as House Fellowship Centre Leader, Zonal Leader, Assistant Area Co-coordinator and Financial Secretary/Treasurer of Caleb Group of the Christian Men Fellowship.

He is currently serving as the Chairman Hospital Visitation Ministry in TREM. He is a member of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and a Treasurer at Ikoyi Pharmacy Community Zone. He has passion for contributing to his community, and often assists in reaching out to orphans, the fatherless and widows in the community.

Periodically, he visits in a group and prays for the sick in hospitals in Lagos, ministering to their spiritual, physical and material needs. He is happily married to his amiable wife Mrs. Roseline Igbokwe and they have 5 children. Deacon Samson Igbokwe is a Trustee of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Deaconess Roseline Igbokwe was born on November 2, 1965 in Ikoyi, Lagos, and is married to Pharmacist Samson M. Igbokwe.

She is an alumna of Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), Gangtok, India and the University of Lagos (UNILAG); Bsc. in Applied Information Technology, Business Administration and Masters in Business Administration(MBA) from the same institution.

She holds a Certificate of Proficiency in Information Systems Management (CPISM), Advanced Diploma in Systems Engineering (ADSE), Certificate in Strategies for Managing and Collecting Data (LBS) and Certificate in Core Sales Skills (LCT). She worked with Texaco Nigeria Plc as well as Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc as Food Mart Supervisor, Senior Retail Business Consultant, South, and then MRS Oil Nigeria Plc as District Sales Manager, Southwest Nigeria, Credit Control Manager for Nigeria, Aviation Commercial, Retail Sales Manager for Southeast/Southwest Nigeria and Head, Sales & Marketing. Nigeria.

A hard worker with enthusiasm for excellence, in 2006 she won the ‘African Pakistan Global Downstream 2006 Cultural Award, of Customer Facing and Market Focused’ in Chevron, having executed superior and consistent execution and sales implementation of all programs, processes and systems. She had focused the department’s organization around achieving the best business financial targets through an agreed set of Profit & Loss control measures in all MRS Oil Nigeria Plc service stations in Nigeria.

She is an ordained minister with The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM): and at various times has held the following positions: Assistant Secretary, Young Women Fellowship; Assistant Secretary, Christian Women Fellowship and Chairman Disciplinary Committee of the Evangel Voices Choir and Team Lead with the Christian Women Fellowship. Deaconess Roseline Igbokwe is also a Trustee of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation. She is blessed with (5) five children.

Pastor (Dr.) Joshua Gbadebo Opadiya is the Senior Pastor of Every Nation Church Sydney, Australia, a worldwide family of churches and ministries. He is currently serving as the Hub Leader of the Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Papa New Guinea and Fiji) overseeing the ‘Every Nation churches and ministries in the Oceania region.

Pastor (Dr.) Opadiya previously lectured in the Lagos State University, Nigeria for 6 years, before moving with his family to Innsbruck in Austria where he lived for almost 6 years. Thereafter, the family moved to Sydney Australia in 1999 where together with his wife, Dr. Mrs. Opadiya started the ‘Every Nation Church.

He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the reputable University of Ibadan in Nigeria and holds a doctorate degree in Ecotoxicology from the Technical University, Innsbruck, Austria. Pastor (Dr.) Opadiya has a burden to raise godly leaders and see the nations return to Jesus Christ. He has travelled and ministered in several nations worldwide.

Pastor (Dr.) Opadiya's passion is to connect with young adults and adults alike who are leaders, peacemakers and bridge builders in their colleges, universities and in their communities. His life has been dedicated to this cause, reaching out, equipping, counseling and mentoring. He is also the dean of Every Nation Leadership Institute, a part-time program that is purposefully designed to provide discipleship training and biblical teaching for people from all walks of life. Pastor (Dr.) Opadiya and his wife have been married for 31 years. They are blessed with children. He is a Trustee of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Dr. (Mrs.) Yinka Opadiya is a senior pastor with Every Nation Churches and Ministries. Alongside her husband Pastor (Dr) Joshua Opadiya, she oversees the multi-congregational Church organization in Sydney, Australia – a church with members from diverse cultures, age groups and professions.

She is a teacher and motivational speaker with a passion for teaching about God's love and His purpose for humanity. She is also passionate about women and youth ministry; and is committed to mentoring women and young girls.

Her heart-cry is to see ‘the Church’ respond to the Great Commission of ‘making disciples’ and transforming nations. A graduate of the prestigious Universities of Ife and Ibadan in Nigeria, she also holds a Doctorate degree in French (Women Literature) from the University of Innsbruck in Austria. She had worked as a French Lecturer in the Lagos State University and in various schools in Sydney Australia. Dr. (Mrs.) Yinka Opadiya been married for 31 years. They are blessed with children. She is a Trustee of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Mrs. Ronke Osikoya holds a law degree (LLB) from the University of Lagos and an MBA (1988) from the same University. She is a Certified Trainer for the Commonwealth Association on Corporate Governance and has facilitated on the Directors course on Corporate Governance. She is a Management Consultant that co-runs a management consulting firm, Pedion Partnership Limited.

Her values are strongly shaped by her Christian faith and she believes very passionately in supporting the under-privileged, particularly children, which accounts for her involvement with the Foundation.

Mrs. Osikoya is a Trustee of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation and lives with her husband and 2 sons in Lagos, Nigeria.

Mrs. Abimbola Komolafe is a devout Christian who was ordained as a Deaconess of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the year 2000 and as an Assistant Pastor in August 2013. She served as a Coordinator in the Teens ministry of the Resurrection Parish of the RCCG in Lagos where her passion for supporting the education of the less privileged was birthed .

She is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Banker and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Mrs. Bimbo Komolafe has taken various management, Leadership and professional courses, within and outside Nigeria and is an Alumna of the Lagos Business School. She worked for 9 years in a reputable Merchant Bank in Nigeria and thereafter worked for 20 years with one of the leading Oil and Gas companies in Nigeria. She currently works as a Principal Consultant for Threshold of Trust Nigeria Limited.

Married to Rear Admiral Kehinde Komolafe (Rtd) who is also an Ordained Pastor of the RCCG Nigeria, they are blessed with 3 children. Together with her husband, they are committed to providing financial support to as many less privileged students as they can accommodate. Mrs Bimbo Komolafe is the founder and Executive Secretary of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Rear Admiral Kehinde Komolafe (Rtd), is a highly revered and distinguished military officer who served meritoriously with impeccable records in the Nigerian Navy. He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1980 and was commissioned as a Naval Officer a year after. Due to his quest for knowledge and passion for competence, he proceeded to study at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated in 1985 with a B.Sc. Degree in Accountancy. He attended several courses nationally and overseas and witnessed consistent career growth during his active years in the military.

Rear Admiral Komolafe is a change agent with a commitment to providing transformational leadership and ensuring realignment of processes, operations, resource and people on various integrated fronts for optimum value creation. He held various sensitive positions in the Navy before his voluntarily retirement from the Service after 35 years of meritorious service. He presently sits on the Board of many prestigious organizations. Beyond his Military career, Rear Admiral Kehinde Komolafe (Rtd.) is a lover of God and a Pastor. He is married to Mrs. Abimbola Komolafe and they are blessed with 3 children.

Charity to the less priviledged Skills Acquisition programmes

We appreciate every support over the years and your continued support and commitment that has made it possible for us to continue to provide succor to the less privileged in our society. We pray that God will bless you and grant you success in all your endeavors.

Donations:

You can make your donations online at: https://www.rehobothdreamsolidfoundation.org/donations