Thinking Aloud Magazine: Jan-Mar 2020

THINKING ALOUD

ISSUE

9 A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE publication of rehoboth dream solid foundation (rdsf)

JAN - MAR 2020

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CONTENTS

Cover Photo: Muyiwa Olarewaju

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

Project Team Edison Egere

@2020. Thinking Aloud Magazine, a publication of Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Othniel Komolafe Eunice Olatunji Celestina Osiki

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non -commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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EDITORIAL

ISSUE

9

JAN - MAR 2020

Dear Readers,

Welcome to Q1- 2020 edition of the Thinking Aloud Magazine produced by the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation (RDSF). I believe 2020 has been off to a great start for us all.

Our cover story in this edition features the inspiring story of Muyiwa Olarewaju an international award winning experienced performer and broadcaster. He is a presenter on the popular and long running television show ‘Turning Point’. We interviewed him to share his extensive and varied experience with our readers. He shares his journey from the broadcasting and entertainment world to the Business world, sharing the struggles he saw and what kept him on the straight and narrow path. This is a very rich interview that is both entertaining and educating.

The “RDSF Success Story” features Faith Nyam a past beneficiary of RDSF whose academic goals were endangered by lack of funds. Stories like hers encourage the sponsors and Trustees of RDSF to keep the vision alive. In her own words, she says ‘this scholarship not only helped me continue with my studies but also inspired me to work harder and pursue my goals with strength and courage’.

Our parenting article in this edition reviews the impact of Social Media on children while the Finance Coach Column discusses some money tips for young couples. TA Fitness column features an interview with Tumi Akhienedor, owner of the fitness outfit ‘Fit2me’ where she shares some fitness tips with our readers. Our health column focuses on the benefits of hand hygiene even as the world battles the Coronavirus.

As usual, sit back and have a delightful reading experience. Remember to share the magazine with your loved ones.

There is something interesting in there for everyone.

Send your comments on any of the featured articles to ThinkingAloudPublication@gmail.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Wishing you the very best in 2020.

Bimbo Komolafe Editor connect with us on social media | thinkingaloudmagazine

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giving out information. The online real time, reporter on the go practice on social media promotes saying it all as it is happening, showing it all live. This has done a lot of damage to the self-esteem and dreams of many. I wonder if Saul the first king of Israel lived in this age of social media, would he have the discretion to withhold the prophecy given to him by Samuel in 1 Samuel 19:19-20 or would he have posted immediately ‘ asses found, coronation loading ‘!!!!

I

know a lot has been said for and against social media when it comes to its effect on children and young adults. The addictive nature, unrealistic images that put young ones under pressure, insecurities from not having many ‘friends’ and followers are just a few. Whist we learn a lot from social media, there are some soft skills that it fails to teach. I will discuss a few of these below.

1. Discretion I belong to a generation of people who speak at least three (3) languages- native language (otherwise referred to as vernacular), English and “body language”. From childhood our parents communicated with us using their eyes and sighs. Body language was mostly used when visitors/outsiders were around or in a public place when your parents want to say something but don’t want the visitor/ outsider/ onlookers to know.

3. Social Interaction Interaction is to communicate or be directly involved with someone or something. Humans are social beings created to interact using our five senses. We are creatures that are meant to talk and show empathy through our eyes and touch, but we no longer connect through these means, our connections are virtual. Whilst we appear to be connecting with more people, we are losing depth and intimacy in our relationships. There is therefore an empathy gap, which may account for the increase in mental health challenges and suicides.

4. Discernment Discernment is the ability to judge well. Our ability to judge is dependent on our five senses. Every human being needs the ability to judge and judge well the character of those we engage in relationships with. This ability is developed and sharpened through interaction.

Many of us learnt it the hard way as parents who used it were almost always those who believed in corporal punishment a.k.a. koboko which they used to augment their informal ‘on the job lectures’. A neighbour who grew up in a polygamous home once told me she was capable of having an hour-long conversation with her mother using only body language. She found my understanding of the language rather limited and blamed it on my monogamous background. Body language is a language of intrigue and discretion.

With the picture perfect, air brushed photos posted on social media, sight which is a key sense required for judging is severely distorted and sometimes deliberately so. Many, first admire /fall in love with the image before getting further entangled with the well articulated conversations to the extent that you may be ‘friends’ with a total stranger, somebody who looks nothing like and thinks nothing like the person you have been chatting with. Many have been deceived into relationships or even lured to early graves through social media.

Discretion is the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing confidential information. Social media recognizes body language hence the variety of emojis it offers, however, the real essence especially in the African setting of emojis is lost on our children. Discretion is a skill, which everyone needs. Our generation learnt it indirectly through body language. Millennials come across as brash and cheeky because many of them lack discretion. Some of them even misinterpret discretion as dishonesty.

Nothing beats physical interaction as the Yoruba saying goes ‘oju l’oro wa’, I.e. a meaningful conversation must involve eye contact! The spontaneity and body language displayed when engaging in physical conversation, which helps one to judge the character of the other are totally lost in ‘e- relationships’. As parents / grandparents we need to become intentional about teaching our children the importance of discretion, the wisdom of privacy and the benefits of social/ physical interaction lest we lose the essence of our humanity.

2. Privacy Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby express themselves selectively. The boundaries and content of what is considered private differ among cultures, families and individuals. Social media has reduced the world to a global village and the cultural lines are now blurred. Children no longer know what is culturally acceptable or not, especially when it comes to THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

Oluwayemisi Subair is a Chartered Accountant, Training Consultant and Counselor. She is married with two wonderful daughters.

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inancial responsibility requires that you ensure full alignment with your partner on money matters. If you are married or in a relationship, it means you are in a serious relationship and you should ensure you have the ‘Money talk’. ‘Money talk’ is a conversation where you discuss your financial goals and your vision for the future. It is a conversation that helps you understand your partner’s financial preferences, strengths and weaknesses.

With this understanding, you can jointly work to leverage on each partner’s strengths while improving financial discipline where weaknesses exist.

In this article, I will share some tips to help readers understand and work better with their partners on money matters.

1. Understand your partner’s personality and preferences When two people meet and choose to marry, they often come from different backgrounds and certainly have different personalities and habits. Relationships last longer when money issues are not allowed to cause conflicts. On the flip side, when money problems arise and are not properly managed, they can cause the breakdown of a marriage. Therefore it is very important to discuss and understand fully the expectations of your partner as far as finances are concerned. It is often said that opposites attract, this means that the strength of one partner is supposed to augment the weaknesses of the other.

It is important that young people considering marriage ask some key questions before making their relationship permanent. Some of these questions include: How financially literate is your partner? Does he/she understand the basic money concepts that guide good money decisions? Does your partner like only items with luxury branded names whereas you are satisfied with best value irrespective of the name? Will your partner insist on expensive holidays when you would rather save THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

up for your new home or pay up your mortgage? Is your partner overly conscious of his/her friends’ achievements and spending preferences? Does your partner like to dine out at every opportunity? How indebted is your partner?

These questions are not intended to break relationships but to help in providing a good foundation for lasting relationships. Responses will help you understand your partner better and identify where he/she needs help.

2. Plan and budget together.

The most effective tool for couples to have alignment in financial matters is to draw up a financial plan and jointly work on a budget. A plan will give you direction on where you both want your finances to be in the short, medium and long term. A couple in courtship should have that money talk and identify their financial goals.

Once you agree on where you want to get to financially, your budget takes a cue from this position. For example, this will help you place a limit on how far you want to spend on the wedding ceremony and once you are aligned, you both can insist on this limit irrespective of family pressures. For married couples, the benefits of planning and budgeting together cannot be overemphasised.

3. Your partner is your accountability partner What does it mean ‘To hold someone accountable?’ It means the person is being asked to explain why they did (or didn't do) something. Most financially successful people have accountability partners and for married people, their first accountability partner is their spouse.

When you must explain your financial decisions and choices to your partner, you are more conscious of the implications of your decisions and more prone to choose wisely. You are also able to discuss the choices ahead of taking the action and able to consider options jointly.

When you work as a team, your chances at winning increase. Your partner is also more likely to be effective at helping you drop bad money habits and help you adopt better habits. You can also learn from yourselves. | 6 |

4. Communication is key It is very important to ‘actually TALK’ and discuss your money matters. This dispels any assumptions and helps you to be on the same page with your spouse. Expect that there will be some disagreements when discussing the money plan and during the actual budgeting process.

However, whatever disagreement will pale out in comparison to the future benefits of the plan and budget you build up. Ask your partner direct questions on his/ her sources of income and volunteer yours too. Your financial freedom is incomplete if you have financial discipline while your partner is reckless. Your financial success is assured where you both have the same financial priorities and goals regarding spending and saving.

accounts must be done willingly and no partner should be forced to do this. What is important is that you both discuss and agree how your financial goals will be met. It is also important that you both know your joint expenses and how you plan to settle them.

5. Transparency and honesty is key There should be no pretences from the beginning of a relationship to when such a relationship becomes a marriage. You should let your partner know what you are worth. If you have loans, be truthful about this and your plans to repay. True love will shine through irrespective of what you own or owe. If your partner only respects or loves you because of what you earn, then you want to check this. My point here is; DO NOT pretend to be what you are not to your partner. Let him/her know your financial circumstances – i.e. where you work or not (i.e. that you are job hunting if that is the case). When you lay the truth on the table, expectations from you are reasonable and more realistic.

money. Suggestions on location of your first home, extent of financial commitment to the wedding ceremony or the kind of car you should buy must remain as SUGGESTIONS! If you bow to pressures that have financial implications beyond your capacity, you are setting your marriage up for failure.

6. Joint Bank Accounts or not?

Not all marriages will thrive on joint bank accounts and not all marriages will thrive on separate bank accounts.

There are different models that work for different couples. Ensure you discuss and agree on a model that you both understand. There are 3 commonly used models that couples work with. Some people have joint accounts in both names with both parties having full access to all the accounts. Others have joint accounts where both parties must consent for any withdrawal out of the accounts. A third option is where the couple maintain their individual accounts while they create a ‘family project’ account to take each partner’s contribution to family projects and bills. Whatever concept you choose to adopt must be acceptable to both parties in order to get full commitment from each partner. Having joint

7. Your finances are not your parents’ affair This tip will be useful to young couples intending to get married or newly married. If you want your relationship to last, then keep your money matters between yourself and your spouse. The state of your finances is not an issue for your parents to manage or take control of. Your relationship is your affair. You should not bow to parental pressures dictating how you should spend your

Bimbo Komolafe FCA, FCIB writes from Lagos and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

For more tips from the Finance Coach, follow her on: Instagram: @financecoachtoday Twitter: @financecoachbk Email: financecoachtoday@gmail.com Website: www.financecoachbk.com Facebook: Finance Coach Money and Wealth | 7 |

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U

niversity as an institution was established not only to provide individuals with certificates necessary for employment, but to also mould their character into what is morally acceptable.

Besides having a certificate as a testimony of passing through an Institution of learning, an ideal student of knowledge should be identified with traits of integrity, honesty, patience, patriotism, dedication, commitment, humbleness, endurance, creativity and of course a reputable manner of approach.

In a nutshell, a student is expected to behave maturely, think critically, make rational decisions as well as speak wisely; with fact and figures unlike the average individual on the street. Students during their stay in school are trained to possess these qualities either directly (by taking relevant courses) or indirectly (through interpersonal relations, lecturerstudent mentorship, social influence and excessive scrutiny from lecturers).

As a result of this, some courses like moral philosophy, nationalism, entrepreneurship, business creation and growth are introduced into universities curriculum to provide students with some of the aforementioned skills and traits.

Unfortunately, the reverse seems to be the case as regards to what is obtainable. To our greatest dismay, one would find that the only way to identify a student is when he/she is flashing his ID card rather than via his character. How could someone who is expected to advocate against drug abuse end up putting marijuana on the top of the certificate he spent years struggling to have? When did rascality become the order of the day?

Readers might agree with me when I say the reverse seems to be the case considering the reality in our institutions, the rate of irregularities and corruption THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

in various student's associations and committees, can we really call ourselves ideal students of knowledge?

Impeachment and suspension has become normal in those associations, mismanagement of association’s funds, lack of accountability and transparency inter alia. In fact, if you are good in this you will be hailed as “Comrade�, you have leadership qualities, what an abuse of the nomenclature; a comrade never compromises his integrity over frivolities.

Furthermore, is greediness really a something to be proud of? Don't you think your track record in the university will affect your future career either positively or negatively? These associations are headed and manage by our youth that are opportune to go school, hopefully ministers and lawmakers of our nation tomorrow. Unfortunately, they have chosen to prioritize their selfish interest at the expense of their integrity. They objectively take up positions not for the development of students or the society at large, but to enrich themselves.

Fortunately for us people are becoming politically aware. Unknowing to such youth that tomorrow is for those who prepare for it today, they should know that humans have the natural capacity to recall history and they will certainly be told what they have done during their stay in the university, by the time when they need to be praised the most.

These are some of the youth that pressured the legislature to pass NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN bill.

Indeed youths are great assets to every society as well as the backbone for its development, and if appropriately mentored, will yield a positive result for our national development. We should not restrict our focus only to giving the youth an opportunity to occupy certain political offices thereby ignoring integrity because there are some youth that do not | 8 |

merit positions. However, making generalizations in this justification will not be fair as many youth sincerely represent and develop communities positively.

People will never be the same in terms of attitudes and personality, we have seen many student leaders that led by example, leaders with innovative skills, they are always remembered for the legacy they left, you must appreciate them even if you dislike them. Their principal focus is delivering selfless service.

Dear brother or sister who is about to graduate, bear in mind that education is beyond certificate alone, it also means possession of morality, integrity, maturity and hope for the positive transformation of the society, we might be the leaders of our nation tomorrow and we can make the positive change required for the development of our nation, but this is only possible if we start behaving and doing the right things starting now.

Dear student, getting admission into university is a privilege, thousands applied but you are among the few that were admitted, surviving its struggles is a favour from God, many among those admitted were expelled along the way, either for poor performance or for malpractice, but you happen to be among the successful ones who graduated. Will you allow all the bounties from God and your struggles go in vain by behaving immorally after your graduation? Or you will be among those your department and school in general will be proud of tomorrow?

I would like to conclude this write up by quoting the true icon of integrity, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna, of blessed memory who said

"

... It's not the mere passing of examination, or even attainment of high intellectual or practical ability that matters as much as character, trustworthiness, dignity, honesty..."

This article seeks to awaken the spirit of moral uprightness in our teeming youth, and remove the wrong perception of seeing education as the possession of certificates alone.

Ahmad Bello is an advocate of good governance, morality and justice for all and sundry. He got his diploma in public administration (2014/2015) from A.B.U Zaria, and also bagged his first degree in same course and institution. He is an RDSF beneficiary.

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muyiwa olarewaju

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1. Tell us a bit about your childhood, family, and educational background.

I am the first son and third child of the late Elder Kayode Karimu Olarewaju and Pastor Sola Olatundun Olarewaju, based in Ibadan. Both were Academicians and my mother became a broadcaster in Radio Nigeria, FRCN. She presented a show called “Pirilolongoji”, which was hugely popular in her time and I got to know that in her later years she received letters of commendation from Head of States in Nigeria and Africa at large for her work.

My father came from a Muslim family. His father was the Chief or King in Gbongan (Osun State) and he was the only son that the man had. (Indeed Justice Babalakin and some of his relatives lived with my grandfather, so my father grew up with them as brothers).

I am one of four children and I have two elder sisters. Bukky Agboola, a preacher and singer, lives in Los Angeles (LA) and Ayo Olarewaju Brewer, is a Bible scholar herself and a great mind, she worked In IT. My younger brother, Bolaji Olarewaju called Big B, is a well known worship leader in Nigeria.

I grew up in a farm (Olu’s green field, Ajoda New Town), as my parents had retired to become farmers. By the age of nine, I was sent to the UK and those early years were rough. Prior to going to the UK, I attended Subuola Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan, while I attended Archbishop Teninson’s Grammar School in the UK. Those early years were rough for me, I could talk about it for a whole hour, but I won’t bore you 2. How did you get into music?

Music was a big part of my family. My mother was a singer; she was the Choir leader for Saint Peter’s, Aremo; an Anglican Church Cathedral in Ibadan.

Music was a big part of my family but my father couldn’t sing to save his life. Growing up, I got into music seriously as an artist. I was part of church choir and I was also part of a group called ”Five-inOne” (5 in 1). I remember in my early years when I stumbled into Pentecostalism, it was in a church called The Apostolic Church in Kennington. This was where I got really involved with music and then formed the group “5 in 1” with my best friend, Eddie Martin, and three other young ladies.

After that, I had made up my mind that what I really wanted to do was just pop music. Though I was a worship leader in church, Pop music was what I really wanted to do. As God would have it, I ended up in worship music (which I will tell you more about later on). I have a Business Studies degree but also have a Music degree, which I started in the last year of my Business Studies degree. So I was doing two of them at the same time. I passed my Business Studies degree and my Music degree then went to work for Sony for few years. So I looked THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

after artists like Mariah Carey, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Fugees, Maxwell, the list goes on. That was how I got into the business side of music and then I carried on as an artist myself.

3. How did the group ‘Muyiwa and Riversongz’ come about?

I always wanted to do Pop music and interestingly enough, years ago when we were much younger whilst we were still studying music, years before Seal became well known, I remember when Seal’s song –“Killer” was released, my best friend then, Eddie Martin came to me and says, “Oh my goodness!!! I’ve just heard an artist that sounds like you.” Well of course, that’s how we saw it but to the rest of the world, I sounded like Seal because he was well known first and he went on to be a mega, star who is somewhat like a brother to me. When we first met, we hit it off like old friends and brothers, he almost got me in trouble on a TV show we were doing together.

Riversongz came by while I was doing Pop music; and One day, I was sitting with Eddie Martin in Church listening to the preaching and we thought, “you know what, let’s give our gifts to God.” So we called all our friends who were some of the top musicians in the music industry then, working with some of the biggest names. We got them together and we started recording albums, and that’s where we recorded the album that has, “And we will say our God is Good.” That was the beginning of ‘Muyiwa and Riversongz’.

“Though I was a worship leader in church, Pop music was what I really wanted to do. As God would have it, I ended up in worship music.”

4. As a group, what are the challenges Riversongz faced and how have you overcome them?

Oh my God! The challenges have been plenty. When you have a group, there are so many things you will face, and I will tell you just a couple. This is just to encourage someone. I will tell you a couple from different parts of the journey. The first part of the journey and this is for someone who is just starting and you are thinking that no one is supporting and paying attention. I advice that you keep with it and after a while it will turn around. I said that because the first trip we had as Riversongz, we were invited to Denmark. I didn’t give anyone my business card, I didn’t ask anyone to invite us, but we were invited and we went. We took five hundred (500) CDs along with us because it was a conference with three | 12 |

thousand (3,000) people and then we were the main guest artist. We got there; first, the plan that we thought they made for us was turned out to be different because we ended up sleeping on the floor in a school. The second thing was, we quickly realized that nobody was planning to promote our music for us. So when I tell this story, I usually say we went to Denmark with 500 CDs and we came back with 501 CDs. That was a big challenge but overtime, as God opened doors, we overcame those challenges. We became the household name that we were and someone might think we still are. Another challenge that we faced was being an independent group. There was no record company putting money in it, we were not a church band, so there was no church supporting us. All the money was coming through either the money that I was making or from people that decided that they were going to support and so it was really difficult. I spent years spending on things that I could have spent on my family.

I remember at one stage, the guys in Riversongz came to my house and they started laughing at the carpet in my house saying, “you still got the same old carpet…” and in my head I thought, “if only you guys realize that this is the sacrifice it takes to do what we do, because you just send me your invoice and I pay you your fees and you go, but the money has to come out from somewhere, and thankfully, I had a wife who allowed me to use the money to make music and not buy new carpets and curtains.

Those were some of the challenges we faced.

5. How did you start your career as a broadcaster and a presenter?

My goodness! I fell into it, straight fell into it. We made the record, “and we will say our God is good…” and the idea at that point was, make the record, give it to a Christian record company and they can do what they do while I carry on with my life that I wanted to live as a pop artist. It turned out that when we made the record, we sent it out to Christian record companies here in the UK. Then, there was Word, Integrity, there were a couple of them. We didn’t say who it was so when they got it, they were like “great praise and worship music” but when they knew that it was Muyiwa Olarewaju and

“The guy who was in charge of music would not play it and the person who sent the CD told me to call him and then he blasted me off the phone funny enough, I am now his boss’s boss sixteen years later”

other black people, they said it was a great gospel music sorry but we don’t have space for it. Now, we had spent our money on this record and so the only solution was to start promoting ourselves. It ended up getting in the number one, then and still the only Christian commercial Radio station in the UK, where I am now Station Director. The guy who was in charge of music would not play it and the person who sent the CD told me to call him and then he blasted me off the phone funny enough, I am now his boss’s boss sixteen years later.

Another station that the company had, which was an online radio station called Talk Gospel invited me for an interview and the rest is history because I did the interview, but then the head of broadcasting heard the interview and said we need this guy to present a show, and then one show became two shows and then three etc. That became someone in the UK calling his brother in America to say, “listen, there’s this guy doing a radio show on Premier Radio, he is just funny, a wild Nigerian boy.” The person they called was Victor Oladokun who does a TV show called Turning Point who then invited me on as a guest and then seven years after that, I became the host of Turning Point. That was how I got into radio and TV. That led to BBC and BBC radio 4, BBC 1 and everything else.

6. Did you ever see yourself becoming a broadcaster or presenter or is this something you have always wanted to do?

I have never seen myself as a broadcaster because some twenty or so years ago, if not thirty years ago, I remember having an experience with God and I began to write down some things that I was being told. I was told that I would be given a platform where I would give voice to other artists to share their stories. I didn’t think I would do radio or TV though, I wasn’t really thinking along that line yet it has been a blessing. I still have the paper in my old bible of that day, date, time and everything I felt God said to me, and it’s amazing looking back at how they happened.

7. What do you enjoy more, the music career or the broadcasting career? Is it safe to call you an entertainment entrepreneur?

You can call me whatever you want and it’s safe because you are not with me, even if you go on instagram and call me that. Which one do I prefer?

I think the music is what I prefer even though I love the TV. It’s incredible doing a TV show that about seventy million people every week watch. It is phenomenal, as 200 stations around the world broadcast it; it is amazing. To do a radio show and be a station director of a radio station where over a million people a week tune in to listen, and be able to talk to people knowing their lives change. But I think music, especially the part of music that does | 13 |

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that for me is the live concert or live ministration.

That is it for me, that is my favourite.

8. How do you manage to juggle all these different careers and opportunities at the same time?

One name I have to say is Oluwafunmilola Aderemi Olarewaju, my wife. If it wasn’t for my wife, I wouldn’t be able to do it, because she holds down the home end and makes sure everything is solid which allows me the opportunity to be able go out. I say to people that you can run to and fro around the world but if you are coming back home to a troublesome home, you are not going anywhere. It has only been the grace of God. Also the fact that, I feel like fish in the water. I don’t feel like I’m doing so many things or juggling so many balls. When you are doing what you are made for, it feels easy.

9. What new project should we look forward to from you?

Well, there is a project I am working on- Rhythms of Africa a duet album recording, which features great African Artists from Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana etc. Whilst we are doing that, we are making three documentaries and recording them in different parts of Africa. It’s going to be an album with live concerts and three documentaries.

You can look forward to that. I am hoping to release it in 2020. It’s going to be the first album release in a few years, but it is going to be a massive one and the budget for it is in the region of 250,000 pounds. So it is going to be an amazing one to look out for.

10. Did you ever work or do anything relating to your degrees from the University?

Yes is the answer. At East London University, I studied Business Studies and at Westminster University, I did a Music degree and I worked on TV, with Channel 4 for a while. I worked in Sony, on International promotions for a while which allowed me use my different degrees. Now, I work in radio and TV. 11. A Teen is at the stage in life faced with a variety of choices and options. What do you advise as the best way forward in making choices?

I advise, 'don't rush'. I advise, make use of the intelligence that those who are ahead of you have the adults who are where you think you want to go.

I advise don't rush but once you are clear in your vision, the clearer you are on your path to it. The other thing I will say to you is, ‘have adults in your life or people ahead of you who can speak to you or guide you’. Don't try to figure it out yourself. It's such a folly to try and figure it out yourself what other people have done.

The other thing I will say to you is, you know, in this day and age, one of the things you notice with THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

young people and people generally, they chop and change - they try to do six things at same time in a lifetime. Listen, if you look at those who we are all trying to chase, the Microsoft man- Bill Gates, the Facebook man- Mark Zuckerberg and the list goes on, you will realize that you know them for one thing. Mr. Bezos of Amazon- really Amazon does a whole lot now but initially it was one thing he was doing. He was selling books online - that was his one thing. Don't get confused by the stuff you see on Instagram where they do this and that and you think I have got to have that and a big thing people say is multiple streams of income. Listen; get one stream of income first before you look at multiple.

Don't get confused and think you can do twenty things at same time. It's a lie! Start with one thing.

Conquer one thing before you go to other things.

So one, have people who can guide you through.

Two, focus. Don't try to do everything. Do one thing- get good at it then look at other things.

12. Do you have mentors? If yes, how have they helped you along your journey & how have they contributed to your journey?

Oh yes, I do. I have mentors in my life and different mentors in different places. On the broadcasting front, Victor Oladokun, who was my predecessor at Turning Point, who is now the Head of Communication at African Development Bank, he's a mentor.

I have two brothers, one called David Shosanya and another, Sam Shosanya, who are mentors when it comes to life, relationships, and career. And of course, there are people like Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo who really speak when I am making a heavy decisions, he has a voice in it, and also Pastor Paul Adefarasin who I've had about 30 years relationship with, who has been an integral part of my journey. Those are just some of the mentors who have affected me in my journey.

13. How are you paying back the mentoring you received? Do you have a deliberate mentorship scheme, or you just take it as it comes?

Well, to a degree, I take it as it comes. I spend a lot of time pouring into young people who I work with directly in broadcasting. There are other people who come to me and say, 'You know, I want you to be my mentor ' but we are actually working on a scheme at the moment which should have been | 14 |

launched a couples of years ago now but it had a few challenges, which would be a structured platform for mentoring.

14. What are the greatest challenges you think today’s teenagers and youths face, and will face as automation and artificial intelligence increasingly impact the economy?

Well you know, artificial intelligence and automation is actually a great opportunity. I think the human element may suffer in terms of people might lose jobs but actually innovation will make a difference. The challenge I think young people face is we will believe the lie that we can do everything and do everything now. It's a lie; you can't do everything, you can only do some things. So I think the challenge young people face is, one, know that you can only do one thing and once that one thing explodes, it gives you the opportunity and resources to do other things at same time. Don't try to do everything at the same time. Don't believe what you see on Instagram until you meet the person and you've lived with the person.

15. What do you know now but wish you knew as a teenager or youth going up?

I wish I knew more about how money works. I wish I knew more about how financial systems work. I wish I was more financially literate. By the grace of God, I was such a person that had income, I had money but what I didn't have was financial literacy to make sure I could invest and grow it in a way that will benefit me now in later life.

16. There is a lot of feeling of hopelessness in Nigeria today, especially amongst the youths. What word do you have for them?

Without wanting to sound highfalutin (of course someone would read this and think its alright for you - you are on TV, you are on radio, you live in the UK, it's fine for you but actually my life is full of some of the brokenness and disappointments). I lived without my parents I mean I didn't see my father from the age of 9 and I was sent back here till forever because the week I was supposed to see him, he was assassinated in Nigeria. I could tell you stories of homelessness, I could tell you the stories of economic disasters, I could tell you the stories of

“I lived without my parents I mean I didn’t see my

father from age of 9 and I was sent back here till forever because the week I was supposed to see him, he was assassinated in Nigeria.”

relationships that have abused me, I could tell you stories of life that is harder than… It got to a stage that people said, 'Why don't you just go back to Nigeria' but that was the story. That was the mess which now gives us the message we now have. So, all I can say is, ' Take refuge in God, trust God and just keep going because God is not mocked.

Galatians 6 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that, he will reap, if he faints not”. And it doesn’t say whatsoever a Christian sows, even if you are not a Christian, keep going. You will reap what you sow.

17. What drives and motivates you?

At this stage in my life, part of my drive and motivation are my children, Oluwaloni Chibueze and Oluwagbemileke Chinonso. That they will be better men than I am and be more successful than my wife and I, in the way we define success.

18. Can you share an experience of where you failed or when things did not work out according to how you planned; how did you move past it?

I can share with you loads of experiences. One will be investing money in one of our events because a sponsor dropped out, it put me in a financial hole that injured me for ages because as I said we are independents, there’s no one putting money into stuff.

How did I get out of it? We just got very quiet for a while, so no releases, no seeing us here and there, and at that point a lot of people moved away people who I had paid their school fees, people who I had invested in. I realized that because there was no singing and that it wasn't popping as young people might say, they moved on to where it was popping. It helped me to see that what I thought was family were actually hirelings. So that was difficult. How did I come out from it? Just staying still for a while and letting God make the adjustments He needed to make.

19. Looking back at your life so far is there anything you would change about your past experiences even though they have made you who you are today.

Yes! I would deal more in investments and make sure I secure more properties. If I could go back any further, I would make sure I was born to the Queen, her majesty the Queen.

20. What do you get up to when you are not working? (What do you do for relaxation?)

I love to travel. I love to eat. I love food. You can see in my stature. At this point we are going through a discipline of veganism, being vegan in my home but I keep dreaming about goat meat every night. I love to go to new places. The biggest of all is I love shopping; I love to buy new clothes and shoes. That's how I relax. | 15 |

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

21. What impact did your faith have on your achievements/successes thus far? What is the place of God in your life experience?

My faith is at the center of everything I do. If it wasn't for my faith, I don't think we'll be where we are now. The interesting thing is that I found out from my mother that she had prayed for a son, asked God to bless her with a son. She had a dream experience where a hand gave her a boy and then took the boy back and then she was asked if she would give him back and she replied, “yes”. Then I was born and that she knew that three of her children will be ministers of the gospel. So you will realize that I was sold before I started. So faith is the center of what I do and everything that has happened for me or with me has been around my Faith in Christ - Christian faith. Yes, it’s the center of it.

called, Meet The Millennials and look for the episode on Sex and Marriage that my wife and I did with those guys. You can find it on Premier Radio ’s platform. One thing I would say for those who want to get married is Rule no 6. This is a rule we have in my house. I wish we made it up but it’s Benjamin Zander of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra that had this rule. Rule no 6 is, “Don’t take yourself so serious. You are not that important”.

23. What kind of impact do you think social media has on marriages and relationships these days and how should this be tackled?

For some people, the negative impact of social media cannot be overstated because people are looking at what is not real and then trying to recreate that in their homes causing disasters. I mean social media could be good, it could give you ideas of what you can do with your home, what you can do for your spouse, etc. But listen, that which you see, that’s not real, that’s what people want you to see.

Live with them, and then you know what really is for real.

How should it be tackled? Well, it should be tackled by living with real people. Don’t live with social media. If you are in a church group or club, spend time with real people. Don’t take your cues from social media.

24. How was your relationship with your parents while growing up?

My relationship with my parents, well, I was sent to the UK from Nigeria at the age of 9. I never saw my father thereafter and my mum we would see every couple of years. My conversation with my dad from that age to when he passed away was generally this,

“Hello dad Hello son How is school?

It’s good dad How are your friends?

Good dad Hold on for your mum”.

22. People marry for different reasons. What key attributes should intending couples look out for in their choice of a life partner? Can you give one valuable marital advice for young couples aspiring to be successful in their marriages and careers?

Yes, people marry for different reasons and now the age of social media, people are looking at other people’s wedding and thinking ‘I want that, I want that..’ They are looking at the post and they are desiring what’s not real because what you see on Instagram are not what it is when they close the doors at home. If you want to know more about my thoughts on marriage, you should look for a podcast THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

So, it wasn’t what it could be. It wasn’t what I wish it would be and that had a huge negative impact on me.

25. How do you stay healthy and fit?

Well, I try to stay healthy and fit by what I eat. My wife is an actress but also a fitness expert and she is on us in the house about that, but also, I work out. I try to workout at least three times a week. So I swim, I use the gym and it’s getting better this year.

Thank you! | 16 |

UPDATE ON THE RDSF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

T

he RDSF mission is to engage in charitable activities that enhance the social and economic well being of the less privileged.

This is done through education support, mentoring and skills acquisition. Every year, we receive applications from students across the country and these requests are then reviewed. We try to make the process as quick and simple as possible.

We have supported a total of thirty-nine (39) students in the first quarter of 2020 and have opened our application portal to admit new set of beneficiaries as we remain committed to empowering indigent young people.

There are three stages in the application review process: 1. Application During this stage, applicants are required to upload/submit their documents to the Foundation via its online portal. Applicants who get disqualified at this stage are those who are unable to provide complete documentation or meet set criteria. The documents required include: • • • • •

Completed RDSF scholarship application form Statement of intent Autobiography Academic profile Reference letter

2. Background Verification This stage involves verifying claims made by applicants in their uploaded files/documents. The Foundation examines among other claims the financial status of an applicant and commitment to his/her academic program. There is also an interview session organized by the screening committee. At RDSF, we do not just provide

financial support to our beneficiaries but also moral support through our mentoring programs. We are very much concerned about the character of the students we sponsor and therefore do not tolerate any misrepresentation.

Even if the student is already a beneficiary, the Foundation will withdraw its support. Applicants are therefore advised to have true and unambiguous stories. Successful applicants at this stage are recommended to the Board of Trustees for review and approval.

3. Approval An application is only deemed successful after its approval by the Board of Trustees.

Can I apply more than once?

Yes. An applicant can apply again if his/her previous application was unsuccessful. However, if disqualification was as a result of misrepresentation, such application will not be treated.

How can I do a follow-up with my application?

Usually, the Foundation will send an email to you on the status of your application. You can know the status of your application by sending an email to enquire or call the mobile numbers during normal office hours.

Brief Biography of Some New Beneficiaries These set of applicants successfully passed through our screening process within the last few months. A number of them were interviewed during our visit to Federal University of Technology, Owerri and University of Benin last year.

However, we held on to their request after their background check because their schools were in mid-session at the time of their application. | 17 |

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• Student A is a 200 Level Accounting and Finance student of Delta State University with a 3.5 CGPA. Her parents are separated and she currently does not know her father's whereabouts. Her mother is a teacher and currently taking care of all her three children. Her mother augments her teaching income with proceeds from her farmland (a government owed property) but the government has taken over the land for a housing scheme. She needs the financial support for her fees and accommodation to relieve her mother of the pressure.

• Student B is a 300 Level Petroleum Engineering student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) with a CGPA of 3.5. His father is late and the mother sells bean cake in Lagos. He comes home to work every semester break to raise funds for his schooling. He is applying for support so that his mother can focus on repaying the loan she took from the Microfinance bank when he gained admission.

• Student C is a 500 (final year) Level Chemical Engineering student of FUTO with a CGPA of 4.19. His father is late and his mother works as a cook in a secondary school. He is the only one among 9 children currently in school. He also works overnight as a casual worker in a sachet water company located near his school to raise funds for his education. He has no other source of income and he is requesting for support for his school fees, accommodation and project.

• Student D is 19 years old and a 400 Level Petroleum and Gas Engineering student of University of Lagos with a CGPA of 4.39. His father was a surveyor working with Maritime Dock workers Union. He lost his job 5 years before he was assassinated in 2007. His mother depends on the income from her petty trade to take care of him and his three siblings. He is requesting for support to pay for his fees and accommodation.

• Student E is an SS2 student of Federal Girls College, Sagamu (a federal government owned boarding school in Ogun State) while the sister is in SS1 of the same school. Their father is a pastor in a local church and also does prisons ministry, while their mother is a petty trader.

These children are brilliant but find it difficult to pay school fees upon resumption.

• Student F is a 500 Level student of medicine at the Nnamdi Azikuwe University. He grew up in a village in Ebonyi State but carries a vision to become a neurosurgeon. His father was a farmer and had two wives and fifteen children before his death in 2003. His elder brother who runs a grinding machine in a market located in Anambra THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

State is the breadwinner of the home. His basic needs include accommodation, school fees and textbooks.

• Student G is a 300 Level Accounting and Finance student of Delta State University. Her father does menial jobs (arranging goods for shop-owners) at the Trade-fair complex in Lagos while her mother, who sells garri in Lagos Island, is the breadwinner of the family. She taught in a school to save money prior to her admission into the university. She and her twin sister are both in DELSU. They were squatting with a cousin who has now graduated from school.

• Student H is a 300 Level Petroleum Engineering student of FUTO. His father is a farmer while the mother sells vegetables. Her business is the major source of income to the family. Two of his siblings who are supposed to be in tertiary institution are waiting for him and his elder brother to graduate before they can apply for admission.

• Student J just gained admission to study Mathematics Education at the University of Lagos. Her father is a Vulcaniser while her mother is a petty trader in Ibadan. She moved down to Lagos through the help of a friend to look for a job. She is working as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant in Ikeja while her younger sister is working as cashier in a supermarket.

They both live together in Ketu and still try to support other members of the family.

• Student K is an orphan who lives with his two elder sisters in Ilorin. He had a very poor primary and secondary education due to the death of his father. As a child, he was forced to learn mechanic and hawk petty items while attending primary school. He has always learnt to fend for himself and support his sister whenever he can.

Although one of his sisters is married, it has not made the situation any better for him. He enrolled himself into Adesina College of Education to study English & Social Studies and does dry cleaning to cater for his needs.

• Student L is a 200 Level Chemical Engineering student of the University of Ilorin. He is from a large polygamous family of twenty children and four wives. He is the fifth child of his mother's eight children and the only graduate is a teacher in Kogi State. The father is a civil servant in the ministry of health and the mother is a small-scale rice farmer. He had worked as a secondary school teacher before he gained admission, yet his 100 Level fees were partly funded by the money his younger sibling got from a mathematics competition in 2018. He is requesting for support to pay his 200 Level tuition and rent. | 18 |

TESTIMONIES Ade-fakorede Taiye

I have been with my phone since I received the alert but words have just failed me. I must confess that it took me quite a while to believe I was not seeing things or hallucinating, to think that I just borrowed 3,000 from my class mate yesterday and by tomorrow I will be paying my school fees in full!!

And even buy books! Ever since my fees were increased from 28,000 to 100,000 I never thought a day would come that I would pay in full and even be able to afford law textbooks!! My joy knows no bounds. For the first time since 200L I'm actually confident about my academics and I feel like a student. The surge of determination I feel now is like none have ever felt before. Thank you Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Gideon Augustus

"When I saw my admission letter into Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, I had hope in God that He will make a way for me. Nearing the last period of my first year in school, I remembered asking myself 'how second year will be?' 'Will I drop out of school because of lack of fund to support my studies?' But before I completed my first year, God brought RDSF my way to let her little drops cause big changes for me in my academics. Thank you so much for all you do dear Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation. I trust to keep doing my best in my studies. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Isaac Popoola

I would hereby like to sincerely appreciate the foundation for the financial assistance received on Friday, 10th of January 2020. The funds would cover for my upcoming academic session and I do not take it for granted.

good with a major focus on development in the Energy, Agricultural and Logistics Industry. I strongly believe that with excellence, passion and commitment, I can play a significant part in building socio-economically prosperous nations in Africa. This scholarship received from the foundation brings me closer to my dreams and also helps me to stay more committed. Once again, I am truly grateful to the foundation trustees for believing in my vision and supporting me.

Egbunu Adejoh Jonathan

I wish to humbly use this medium to appreciate the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation, for considering me worthy of its scholarship. Words are not really enough to express how grateful I am. This trust, the foundation has given by investing in me, I won't betray it. It has been my passion to make the world a better place as much as I can by empowering people, placing them on the path to prosperity.

This assistance of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Dream has rekindled that fire. Someday, this vision will become a reality. When I thought all hope is lost, Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation gave me a rope to hold unto not to fall into the pit. I am eternally grateful. Thank you, Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation; I can't really appreciate the foundation enough for this kind gesture.

Faisal Salisu

To be spiritually conscious, socially responsible and morally upright is the core dimension of you. I know that success is not a destination but a journey believing in the philosophy that victory belongs to the most persevering. While Thanking the Almighty for his countless blessings I am here to spell out words of thanks to you. Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. RDSF is sent to us by God to rescue us from the hardship of life. May God continue to bless your families and all that you touch. Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude and gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Yes, once again Thank You! Thank You!

I am passionate about the use of businesses and technology for economic development and social | 19 |

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

Chidi Kingsley

Hauwa Mukthar Yammama

I want to use this medium to appreciate Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation for the financial support to my academic program, may God bless and honour the organization.

Indeed RDSF is a blessing to me!!

God bless RDSF!!

God bless the supporters!!

God bless the organization!!

God bless the leaders!!

I, Hauwa Mukthar Yammama with my University registration U17EC1015 Department of Economics, write with honour and gratitude to appreciate your effort towards the scholarship you have offered to my educational career. I really appreciate your acceptance of my application for this scholarship.

May God lift this Foundation to be among the best in world through reshaping future of less privileged students and many more. Thank you.

Omolola Kolawole

I really appreciate the entire members of REHOBOTH DREAM SOLID FOUNDATION for their kind support toward the continuation of my academics. God Almighty will continue to empower this foundation and He will uplift this foundation to a greater glory.

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

Sarah Chime I want to sincerely appreciate Rehoboth for the help and support towards my academics I honestly appreciate it. I pray God blesses those who make up this team...

Upcoming Events - First Quarter (Jan-Mar 2020) 2020/2021 academic scholarship session Application opens 13th January 2020 Application closes 29th February 2020 Visit our website www.rehobothdreamsolidfoundation.org to apply

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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.

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PERSONAL INFORMATION: Title:_______________ First Name:__________________________________________________________________ Last Name:________________________________________________________________________________________ Occupation:________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email Address:____________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone number:_______________________________________________________________________________

Please tick your preferred option and notify RDSF using the contact details below: ADOPT A STUDENT SCHEME: Under this scheme, the prospective sponsor will work with the Foundation to identify an indigent student who will be adopted and sponsored for the full academic program. The sponsor can choose to be anonymous or decide to meet the beneficiary. Under this scheme, the sponsor will be provided with periodic updates of the beneficiary’s academic performance.

DONATE BY CHEQUE: Please complete this form, and include a signed cheque payable to “Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation”.

STANDING ORDER / PERIODIC DONATION: You can make periodic donations by instructing your bank to make regular transfers using the bank details below. Please add the transfer reference ‘RDSFTA2018’.

ONE-OFF DONATION: You can make a one-off donation by direct bank transfer using the bank details below.

Please add the transfer reference ‘RDSFTA2018’.

Account name: Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation Bank: First Bank Nigeria Account Number: 2015884815 Sort Code: 011152442

CONTACT US: Please contact us for any assistance or additional information to aid your sponsorship or donation.

Phone: Call RDSF on +2348079407057 Email: Scan and send the completed form to rehobothdream@gmail.com Post: Return the completed form to P O Box 51843, Falomo-Lagos, Nigeria.

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

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the rehoboth dream solid foundation board of trustees Rear Admiral Oladeinde (‘Deinde) Olusoga Joseph was born at Ara-Moko, 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 was born on 12th February 1956 and hails from the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. She had her tertiary education (HND Computer Science) from the Sheffield City Polytechnic, England. Her work life commenced with her NYSC, during which she served with The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. in Lagos between 1979 and 1980.

Thereafter, she worked for Royal Exchange Assurance as a Computer Programmer from 1980 to 1981. She was also employed by Delta Steel Company Aladja as a Computer Programmer/ Analyst developing and maintaining computer applications from 1981-1984.

In 1984, she was employed by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd as a Computer Programmer Analyst in the Information Technology department. She worked with Shell until 2008 when she retired after a successful and rewarding career.

Since retirement, with her strong entrepreneurial skills, she has been running a business of furniture, household and home decorative items. She has 5 kids, 4 of whom have successfully completed their university education. In her leisure time, she enjoys gospel music and playing golf, for which she has won numerous awards.

She is a devoted Christian with a deep passion for missionaries and their families. She loves to extend help and support to the less privileged. Ms. Ketumi Alasa is a Trustee of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

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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. | 24 |

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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.

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

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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

Raise funds for the needy | 26 |

Supporting the poor

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

W

hen I was contacted by Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation to share my success story, it became an emotional moment for me because it was one of sober reflection. I am Faith Nyam, an indigene of Plateau State, the fourth child in a family of five children, a graduate of Law from University of Jos and also a graduate of the Nigerian Law School.

hadn't gained admission in the university yet.

Things started becoming difficult for us at home and I had to leave the boarding school I was in to a day school just to cut costs. We kept on managing at home and thanks to my ever-supportive mother who never stopped taking care of us by all means.

I thought that was the worst things could get but we were yet to see the worst. Fast forward to 2010/2011, my mum was introduced to a Man of God who became the actual problem and tragedy my family could ever experience. He hypnotized my mother and we never got to understand her again.

Looking at how far I have come, I can boldly say that Jesus loves me so much to have made me come in contact with the Foundation. How it all happened is still a mystery for me but all I know is that God jumped protocols for me, because unlike other regular scholarship applications, which are usually We never had peace in the house, she kept on rigorous, mine came too easy. troubling us and stopped taking care of the family and it became worst in 2013 when we lost our older BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON brother to the cold hands of death. She eventually I was not really born with a silver spoon perse but left us and cut off any form of communication with not too long after my birth, things began to flourish us and till date we haven't been able to get our for my parents. My dad who is a mechanical engineer mother back. got a job with Peugeot Automobile Company in Kaduna and my mum got a job with Plateau state Things became extremely difficult for my dad Government. At that point my parents were able to because he was retired with no pension nor any provide me and my siblings with almost everything source of income, but we kept on enduring and we ever wanted in life. I attended one of the best struggling to survive. primary and secondary schools in Jos. THE DIVINE INTERVENTION THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER PHASE All my life, I have never imagined that I could get In 2006, my dad voluntarily retired from his job help from people I didn't know and so I struggled on without any reason at all; in fact we even know that my own silently not because I was too proud to ask he was preparing to retire, all we saw was him for help but because I was scared to talk to anyone bringing back his belongings from Kaduna. We were about it. But then I was led to talk to a friend in all devastated; my mother cried because she knew school that was in 2014, as at that time I was in 300 that bulk of the responsibilities was going to be on Level. In that same year every thing happened so her shoulder. fast, I was shortlisted by my faculty for a scholarship I knew nothing about. I submitted my By that time I was in JSS2 and two of my older application and did a little research about the siblings had graduated from Secondary school but Foundation and was eventually awarded my first THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

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scholarship in the 2014/2015 Academic Session. You can't imagine the relief and joy I felt at that period.

Fast forward to 2018 which was the year I graduated from the university and was also preparing to go to the Nigerian Law School, trust me, it was a trying moment for me because the money I was going to spend can't be compared to how much I had spent in the University and also considering the fact that the only I support I had was just a retired father who was really struggling. I prayerfully applied for admission into law school and made enquiries regarding any scholarship opportunity for postgraduate students with the Foundation, but I was told that it was going to be difficult because the main focus was undergraduate students. I was still told to apply, which I did and prayed as well because time was no longer on my side.

To cut a long story short, God came through for me and I was awarded a scholarship to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. My education has always been of upmost importance to me, and to be rewarded in this way is very humbling. This scholarship was an absolute answer to prayers, as life does not always go as we plan. I know that the Lord always has things in his control and I believe he used Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation to bless me. I have successfully graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar on the 27th of November 2019 and I am currently undergoing the one -year National Youth Service in Abuja.

Mr. Edison Egere, I am sorry I have to mention your name because this success story wouldn't be complete without you in it. You played a role of a guardian to me without knowing me personally and I am eternally grateful for the strength and hope you always gave me, God bless you sir.

In conclusion, this scholarship not only helped me continue with my studies but also inspired me to work harder and pursue my goals with strength and courage. The gift bonds sponsor and recipient alike, an invisible web -on one side the joy of giving and sharing, on the other side thankfulness and gratefulness which grows into responsibility and transforms the values of every single gift or help we receive in our life.

I am really excited and looking forward to the exciting opportunities the future holds.

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A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

1.

Your marriage is a collective product & reflection of the quality of substance(s) you are made up of. Make sure you develop your spiritual, domestic, social and emotional virtues during your unmarried years. Output is a reflection of input. You can't have what you didn't prepare for.

2.

Marriage will not change the fundamental character traits your spouse is made of - the greatest deception of all times is that your spouse will change once you get married. Gold can only increase in value but sawdust can never be re-branded. Choose prayerfully and wisely.

3.

Make it a priority to educate yourself about male psychology, you can't be ignorant about the single entity you want to spend the rest of your life with. Some issues are not specific to your spouse alone -they are just plain men issues. Do not grow older than your age worrying over nothing.

4.

One of the criterions for establishing a well grounded home is a man's mental independence from his parents. "And so shall a man leave his Father & mother....". Once a man struggles with leaving, then parental control and manipulation becomes imminent and this will choke the life out of any matrimony.

Marry a man, not a baby.

5.

Every marriage once went through the emotional roller coaster of health, family, job loss and financial challenge at some point; before you take a plunge in the dark, seek Godly counsel and restrain from acting subjectively on impulse out of an already weak and battered mind set. Time heals, have patience for what you want to last forever.

6.

Life is about seasons, God is the author of marriage and HE is the one who determines our individual emergence. Don't compare your marriage to THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

another’s and don't fall prey to the deceptive myth of the Green Grass.

The grass is only green where it is tendered & nurtured.

7.

Be his go-to woman - his advisory partner, his flirt, his clown, his smart Alec, his prudent accountant, his cook, his planner and organiser, his cheerleader and his spiritual anchor. The Proverbs 31 woman was jack-of-all-trades and master of all.

8.

The marriage of Adam and Eve was a target of attack and logical manipulation by the Devil.

Satan will fight tooth and nail to scuttle the divine objective of matrimony; make prayer your best hobby.

Don't be a victim of divorce/separation be a Prayer Warrior.

9.

Your earnings belong to both of you. (I am not a feminist and women liberalism doesn't exist in scriptures). Marriage was created by God and not the Western World; His principles should guide the endto-end lifestyle of married couples.

10.

The first error in any Christian marriage is to define love by the standard of the world.

Don't put the Cart before the Horse. Love is beyond date nights and romantic whispers of sweet nothings.

It is a responsible decision to love your spouse based on the template given by the Originator & Law Giver God.

11.

Our emotional needs will experience growth spurts with time and age. Always ask how you can satisfy your spouse's needs and tell your spouse how yours can be satisfied. We can outgrow or develop certain appetites so never quit adjusting.

Malnourishment isn't always about food, our emotions too can suffer same plight. | 29 |

12.

When marital dialogue is unhealthy and self -control, a fruit of the Spirit, is lacking, conflict will always escalate beyond safe boundaries and trigger regrettable actions. You married an imperfect partner like yourself, not an angel, don't be quick to judge.

13.

The most important spiritual ministry God will hold you accountable for is your home.

Groom your children properly (Godliness, social and life skills, etc.) and align your priorities in the best interest of your family. Love your children and husband silly so they are not starved of true and real affection.

SPOUSE, as they get older. Treat him as a king even if you still tickle his ribs like a child to a giggle or prod his head occasionally.

21.

You have a life yes, but don't keep friends that your spouse disapproves of. He is not a control freak believe me, he cares about your community and their influence(s) on you.

22.

Relate with your boundaries that is spouse. Don't try to outsmart them more than you. Be their them out of your prayer list.

14.

23.

15.

24.

Be an involved parent and don't delegate motherhood. Do not replace affection with gifts; being present in their life is better than telephone diagnosis. It was not Virtual Reality that produced them.

Don't take your self care for granted, the woman is the engine that runs the home and the thermostat that regulates its atmosphere. Make sure you are constantly nourishing, refilling and overhauling your overall well-being.

16.

Keep third parties out of your home; resolve your differences as reasonably and amicably practicable. The beauty of matrimony is in its privacy.

17.

A man can nag you in one minute and the next minute he will switch to love making mode. Most men have a short attention span when it comes to where they've hurt you. Make life easy, make the love first then share your hurt afterwards.

in-laws within the permissible by your your spouse; he knows friend and never leave

The average African man will not always display their affection publicly. Never misinterpret it as lack of affection. However they choose to display it, make sure you are ready to respond.

Most women seem to underestimate their uniqueness. God's perfect design was for women to be garrisoned, guarded and protected. Don't take the law into your hands, submission is not old fashioned and it isn't a description of weaklings, it is a commandment by God. You obey God when you submit to your husband.

25.

You are on a divine mission, live with the consciousness of eternity in mind at all times.

Your goal must be to make HEAVEN TOGETHER. © Lola OLAIDE-STEPHEN

“Life is about seasons, God is the author of marriage and HE is the one who determines our individual emergence”.

18.

Pray about everything including the fear of him going bald, worry has never as much solved a "hairs breadth" of problems. Don't fret about what you don't have control over. Why worry when you can pray.

Lola is a Strategy & Operations Effectiveness Consultant with several years of experience backed up with records of superior results in a variety of challenging and multicultural teams.

19.

Her overall life’s goal is to constantly remain in God’s Will for her life as well as assist her children in accomplishing their God given mandates.

The greatest milestones in matrimony are achieved through patience and perseverance.

"Happily ever after is not a fairy tale, it is a choice"

20.

Respect can never be out-dated. Men appreciate RESPECT MORE FROM THEIR

She is happily married to Abimbola Olaide-Stephen and blessed with two wonderful children. | 30 |

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

health & fitness

1. Tell us a little about yourself My name is Tumi Akhidenor, I grew up in Lagos Nigeria where I spent most of my childhood and relocated to Canada for school at the age of 17 and it’s been home to me ever since. It’s so funny because I’ve lived here over 12 years and still cannot stand the cold! I mean who could ever get used to -25C weather?

However, there is so much more to this beautiful country Canada which I call home and I’m truly blessed to be here. I graduated with a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Waterloo and currently work as an Associate Portfolio Manager at a company called Questrade Wealth Management. When I’m not at my 9-5, you can find me at home cuddled up with my husband, watching our favourite YouTubers or at the GYM! I have a huge passion for fitness, for me it’s a lifestyle.

2. What motivated you to become a fitness trainer and how did your fitness journey start?

I got into fitness about 11 years ago while I was still in University. A few events had happened which led me to a state of severe depression, to the point where I didn’t consider myself good enough to talk to God. I felt helpless but at the same time desperate for help so I started searching online “how to get rid of depression”.

A few suggestions came up and exercise was one of them, I read on how it could help improve your mood, reduce stress levels and how it could be a way to channel out negative energy amongst the many other obvious benefits. Luckily for me, the school gym was free so I said to myself you know what why not try this exercise thing? What do you have to lose? If it doesn’t work at least you would lose some weight in the process haha. Guess what? It helped, it didn’t heal me 100% because I believe that only Jesus can completely THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

fix a wounded soul, however I always felt great and light after every workout. Before I knew I was always looking forward to going to the gym and that’s how this journey started.

My relationship with fitness had been off and on, some years I was good and others I could not spell ‘gym’ talk less of going there. However, I became more serious and fully committed in 2018, I like to say this when fitness journey officially began.

I was eating poorly, not exercising and enough was enough, mind you this was the year I was getting married so I was gingered more than ever to look great for my big day! I went ahead and hired a personal trainer for 6 weeks, and it was a life changing experience for me, I learnt so much more about my body, fitness and nutrition. I realized how passionate I was about fitness and decided to educate myself even further. In May 2019 I received my Personal Training Certificate through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and ever since my mission has been to help as many people become healthy, fit, and stronger versions of themselves.

3. How do you keep clients motivated and engaged?

I let them know that they are stronger than they think and that the best investment they can make in themselves is taking care of their health. I explain to them that fitness is a lot more than losing inches around your waist. There are so many more benefits to living an active life such as reduced risk of diseases, improvement in mental health, increase in self esteem, reduces stress, boosts your immune system, has antiaging effects, improves sleeping patterns, makes you happier, improves your quality of life and on top of all this you look and feel better! I mean who doesn’t want all this? | 31 |

I keep my clients engaged by creating programs that are simple, fun yet effective. Don’t get me wrong no pain no gain, they may not always enjoy the process but they would love the results. I teach them how to be patient and to trust the process; it takes time and as we know nothing good comes easy. I find that celebrating small wins such as being able to do 20 more jumping jacks than you could last week helps promote a feeling of achievement. We strive for progress and not perfection!

2. Eat one piece of fruit with every breakfast

4. Do you need any certification or special training to become a fitness trainer? What are the requirements that qualify you as an international trainer?

Just start! What is holding you back? Start small and be realistic with your plan!

In Canada you need a Personal Trainer Certification from a recognized Institution. I have my registration with the National Academy of Sports Medicine; to be eligible you must have a current Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification prior to sitting for the exam. In my opinion, you also should have a passion for helping people live healthier lives.

I can practice within Canada and the US with this license, I am not familiar with requirements for outside of those regions.

5. How important are food choices in our fitness journey?

Extremely important! This is something I wish I knew years ago when I got into fitness. As I like to say, “Nutrition is King and Exercise is Queen”, the food choices we make play a vital role in how we look and feel. The fact that you are exercising does not give you the right to eat whatever you like, if you have poor eating habits I recommend fixing that first before even starting any workout routine.

3. Portion control, we eat way too much food than our body needs, so try using smaller bowls to serve your meals 4. Try to eat home cooked meals and avoid take out and fast food as much as you can 5. Drink at least 2L of water every day 6. What advice do you have for people who want to be fit but cannot seem to get started?

When people try to start being healthy, a lot of them go on extreme diets and work out plans. The problem with this is that half way they get overwhelmed with it all, it’s even more frustrating when they don’t see results. My advice is come up with your why? Once this is established start making small changes to your lifestyles, for example if you never used to exercise before challenge yourself to 30 minutes, 3 times a week of activity.

If you have been eating rice for the past 30 years, don’t just jump straight into a “No-Carb Diet” like Keto. Instead find healthier alternatives to rice for example, brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes. If you eat pounded yam 5 times a week reduce it to 2 times a week. This way you can manage and progress, I truly believe these type of small changes add up to big results.

For majority of people, exercising isn’t the difficult part; it’s the having to eat healthy. Did you know that you could change your body composition through diet alone without even exercising? Yes that’s how serious it is.

I tell my clients all the time – you cannot ‘out train a bad diet’ and this is bottom line when it comes to maintaining a healthy body. When a combination of exercise and healthy nutrition are implemented, that is when a successful body and mental change happens!

If you are struggling with eating healthy here are a few tips that could help: 

Try to include vegetables in your meals for example when making rice or pasta throw in a handful of frozen vegetables

My last advice is find an activity you enjoy doing, for example if you prefer to swim, you are more likely to commit to swimming three times a week than a plan that makes you run miles if you hate running.

You have to enjoy the process. | 32 |

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

7. Why is medical history necessary for a workout plan?

Fitness professional will often ask for this information to ensure your body can adequately handle the physical demands that comes with working out. With any exercise comes a risk of injury if not done the correct way or performed by the wrong person.

Exercising is recommended for everyone however it must be tailored to each individuals past and current health and physical conditions. Our goal is to improve your health and lifestyle and not complicate things. In some cases if a client has had for example a history stroke or diabetes; I will require a written note from your doctor to pre-clear you for physical activity.

8. What are the essential tips for an effective workout plan?

An effective workout plan must be SMART S – Specific, what is it the individual wants to achieve?

Weight loss? Muscle Gain? Improve general health?

M – Measurable, the plan must be built such that each day you get better and stronger. It must allow for one to measure progress A – Achievable, the plan should be challenging enough to push you but not too difficult such that you are left feeling sore and drained consistently R – Realistic, you cannot tell someone who has never squatted with 150lbs of weight to do that on his or her first day, that is recipe for injury T – Timely, it should be structured in a time efficient manner for the individual

My advice to people with busy schedules is to have a plan, and try to make it fit with your lifestyle. If you cannot go to the gym, try to consider working out at home, or even a 30 minute stroll everyday counts as activity. If you can, I will recommend scheduling your workout the same time every day, so this becomes a routine and a part of you. Eventually it will become second nature; you won’t feel complete if you don’t work out.

10. What is the relationship between health and exercise?

A 15-year long study that looked at two control groups, one using diet and exercise and the other medication found that the diet and exercise group fared by far better, reducing the incidence of diabetes by almost a third, as opposed to just 18% in the group using medication. Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found, for example, that one single session of moderate exercise can improve the way your body regulates glucose and reduces the spikes in blood sugar that occur after a meal. Others studies have shown that anything between 3.5 and 6 hours of exercise a week can help reverse diabetes type 2.

So many common and chronic diseases e.g. obesity, heart attacks, stroke, arthritis even common cold have been linked to lack of physical activity and poor nutrition, and so many of these diseases can be prevented if we lived healthier lives. If you are suffering from any sort of illness, guess what it is not too late to start including exercise and better nutrition to help your chance of recovery, make sure you consult with someone certified who can guide you in the right direction.

11. What are the top three exercises that you feel are most beneficial to a client and why?

To be honest this will vary from person to person.

This is because we are all built differently and what works for one person will not always work for the other. However, my favourite exercises are compound exercises that target your whole body. You essentially kill two birds with one stone doing these: Squats, dead lifts and any form of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

9. Work out is often difficult for those that have a busy schedule. How do you encourage such people?

Try saying to yourself “This is not priority” instead of “I don’t have time”. Exactly doesn’t sound good right, we make time for what is important to us. I get it we are all busy; I am busy too. I have a full time corporate job 9-5, Monday to Friday, I have clients who I do personal training for on the side yet I still try to squeeze in a workout at least 4 times a week.

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

12. Please share some tips with our readers on how to stay fit and healthy.

Unless you really have a good reason to start, it will be very difficult to stay committed and follow through with your plan. For me, I was looking to be in a better mental state. It all starts with your mind, once you have convinced yourself with your why you can actually put down a plan of action that will remove all | 33 |

the obstacles between you and your fitness goals. Here are some tips that could help:

•

Start Small – change your habits and try to focus on the action and not the end result. This is when your will truly start to see transformation from the inside out.

•

Find the right activity for yourself – if you start with something you absolutely hate, there is a high chance you will give up. If you don’t know what you like, try different things like running, taking a boxing class, Zumba lesson, weight lifting and then decide which you enjoy most.

•

Pick a reasonable eating plan – I do not believe in diets. Yes they may give you fast results but guess what?

They are not sustainable and often times once you are done with the diet you go back to your old style of eating, gain ALL the weight you lost and the cycle continues.

•

Do it for 21 days – Apparently this is how long it takes to develop a new habit.

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Get your family/ friends on board – working out in a group can be more fun and even motivating for some people. Also find someone who can keep you accountable.

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Keep track of your progress – It is very easy to feel like you are not making any change because we see ourselves so often and don’t notice the changes. Take before and after pictures that will motivate you.

•

Follow my Instagram Page @fit2me_ I share helpful tips and try my best to motivate others.

•

Find balance and have fun with it, always remember that this is a lifestyle and not a short -term commitment.

It’s just like being in a long-term committed relationship; you cannot cheat and expect it to work!

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A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

health & fitness

What Is Hand Hygiene?

Indications for Hand Hygiene

Effective Hand Hygiene is the single most important strategy in preventing health care associated infections.

•

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands.

Hand Hygiene is a general term referring to any action of hand cleansing.

•

In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

It includes:

•

Frequent hand hygiene is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness.

•

It requires only soap and water or an alcoholbased hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn't require water.

•

Washing hands with the use of a water and soap or a soap solution, either non-antimicrobial or antimicrobial

OR

•

Applying a waterless antimicrobial hand rub to the surface of the hands (e.g. alcohol-based hand rub).

Always wash your hands before:

•

Preparing food or eating

•

Hand hygiene practices have been universally poor among health care workers

Treating wounds, giving medicine, or caring for a sick or injured person

•

Inserting or removing contact lenses

Why?

Always wash your hands after:

•

•

Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry

•

Using the toilet or changing a diaper

•

Touching an animal or animal toys or waste

•

Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands

•

Treating wounds or caring for a sick or injured person

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Handling garbage, household or garden chemicals, or anything contaminated object — such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

•

Whenever you have been out of your home for a while

•

Whenever hands look dirty

When performed correctly, hand hygiene results in a reduction of microorganisms on hands.

•

Heavy workloads - the busier you are the less likely you are to wash your hands Time consuming - there just isn't enough time to wash your hands as often as you need to if using the traditional Hand Hygiene techniques.

•

Hands don't appear dirty - Bugs are there even if you can't see them

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Problems with skin irritation - frequent washing with soap and water removes skin lipids, and in some health care workers causes dryness, skin irritation and damaged skin

•

Sinks poorly located - if it's hard to get to a sink you are less likely to use it.

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

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How To Wash Your Hands It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water Follow these simple steps:

•

Wet your hands with running water.

•

Apply liquid soap preferably.

•

Lather well.

•

Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

•

Rinse well.

•

Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.

•

If possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.

•

Keep in mind that antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap.

•

Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product's antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future.

Mrs. Ajayi Olubusola is the MD of Florencejohn Health affiliated to Narayana Health India. A highly experienced Nursing Professional with over 35 years working experience.

She previously worked in the medical unit of a reputable Oil and Gas company for 31 years with quality experience as a Senior Nursing Sister in all aspects of Nursing Care Units.

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Let us take the burden of caring for your loved ones off your shoulders. We care for them at the comfort of your homes by reliable and Registered personnel. We are affordable. www.nursentriccare.com

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

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The

workplace as we know it today is extremely diverse and dynamic and is expected to remain this way into the foreseeable future. Individuals within the workforce require mentoring in order to optimize their career and develop in their personal and professional capacity.

Firstly, it is important to look deeply at the meaning of mentoring, especially within the context of career development. Mentoring can be defined as the formal or informal relationship between a mentor and a mentee targeted at knowledge sharing, providing support and guidance for the purpose of developing the mentee for future roles whilst also focusing on career and personal development.

Mentoring in general helps the mentee achieve their full potentials. This is done by facilitating learning, and promoting individual beliefs and values in a positive manner. A mentor may or may not typically share similar characteristics with the mentee, however in the workplace a mentor is expected to provide guidance and facilitate counselling, training and support for the mentee.

It is important for the mentee to identify what he or she intends to gain from the mentoring relationship. Though mentoring goals may change overtime, it is however important that there are clearly defined objectives, as this will optimize the face time or contacts with the mentor. For instance, a career mentoring objective may be to guide mentee in moving forward in their career. In this instance, the mentor may need to help the mentee focus on areas such as confidence, ambition, career acceleration, visibility, mentoring, international experience and positive role models.

In order to support the process of career progression, the mentor may suggest a career checklist for the mentee, which will include challenge questions that gives the opportunity to think, reflect and act. The areas to address will include how the mentee handles varying issues such as: other people’s expectations and compliments, new challenges or areas of interest, volunteering for assignments, demonstration of leadership skills, building relationships in and outside the workplace, public speaking and debate, expressing an opinion about issues at work and a host of other important areas.

Going through a checklist will help the mentor understand the mentee’s position and therefore be able to identity the areas that require improvement

through personal effort, professional training, executive development, general guidance and counselling or goal setting.

There are generic mentoring techniques or methods, however mentors may find it useful to set aside specific times in the week or month to meet with their mentees in order to have chats or discussions. It is also vital for the mentee to treat each encounter as a learning event and be prepared to ask questions, take notes, seek clarification and freely share thoughts about potential opportunities and plans. As part of developing the relationship, the mentee should show how they have applied the techniques suggested by the mentor in their careers and organizations and what the ensuing results have been.

The mentoring relationship should be based on trust and there should be the clear understanding that information and discussion points will not be shared with third parties. Therefore, absolute trust between both parties is necessary for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Furthermore, the mentor should ideally view the opportunity to tutor as a learning experience including, but not limited to, developing leadership skills, achieving a sense of accomplishment and improving listening skills.

The mentee should however avoid developing unhealthy dependencies on the mentoring relationship but rather aim to build up personal capabilities and skills.

Summarily, a formal or informal career mentoring relationship should strive to achieve the following objectives: • To encourage the mentee to make concrete and real change through channelling desires, abilities and skills in the right manner.

• Develop a keen understanding of the Mentee’s position through listening and interactions.

• Foster Mentee’s commitment to action plans and develops lasting personal growth and change.

• Encourage goal setting and accountability in measuring achievement of goals.

• Promote networking and interactions with professional colleagues through the available mediums.

• Encourage transformation and lifestyle adjustment.

• Institute feedback and progress achieved into the process Bisi Makoju is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of professional work experience. She is currently the Head of Finance of a financial institution in Nigeria. Prior to her current role she has worked in Consulting, Information Technology and Oil and gas Sectors.

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A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

if our days were numbered on our forehead I want to take you through a journey of imagination Permit me to be your instructor Perhaps you would understand life better!

And understand why some things are kept secret.

What if when we were born, our lifetime was written boldly on our forehead?

Our days numbered clearly for the world to see!

A man numbered 50 would live 49 years a sinner and 1 day a saint The 'saint day' would be a day to his 50th birthday A day to his death- ‘A holy day’ Wouldn't there be a lifetime sorting where 60 numbered man would be a friend to only 60 numbered peers only?

What if on your forehead is written 80 years While your best friend is 50 But you fell in love with a 40 numbered person And your dog's forehead reads 500!

Remember, this is a journey of imagination!

What would happen to a beautiful lady numbered 40 And what you call an ugly lady having a 400 year to live?

Would you marry the beautiful or the ugly?

Would there be a technology that steals life-time from our foreheads?

Then, only the rich would afford that!

The birth of immortality!

What if every day we know who were due for death?

These, I know: Spouses would read carefully Perhaps they would only fall in love with the person with the same figure, so they die together No! Some would choose older lives.

Then the short-lived people would be left unmarried, unemployed and uneducated

If our days were numbered on our forehead, would we still make it to heaven?

I suggest everyone should prepare for death But let’s thank God he made it a secret.

Wake up! It's just an imagination!

But live well and right!

They would be treated as mediocre and unfortunate being Business partners would read well the foreheads to make deals Then, parents would know which child should be sent to school All would read the foreheads before 'penning' the Will

©

Eunice Olatunji AKA Poetess Da Grace has a B.Tech degree (Geology) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo state. She writes poem, articles and stories to improve the value system of her readers. Her poems have been published in Thinking Aloud magazines and ‘www.youthandsingles.com’.

THINKING ALOUD | JAN - MAR 2020

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