The Nigerian civil service, no doubt, is currently turning to a field of impoverishment. Despite the brave character of Nigerian workers, their standard of living is depleting by the day. Pathetically, the fruits of their labour are hugely eaten by few undeserved individuals who don't even have idea of what the bureaucracy is all about.

For avoidance of doubt, below are the nagging factors combating the workforce;

1. Irregular payment of salaries: This is gradually turning to a tradition in almost every State of the Federation. State workers are being owed five, six, seven months of salary, even to the tune of one year and beyond. It's pertinent to ask from our politicians, how they are expecting these family men and women to survive. It's unfortunate!

2. Late payment: Lack of prompt payment of salaries is another killer of workers' morale. Despite the fact that what most State governments are paying is salary arrears, it has almost become a norm to delay the payments. When an employer is just paying January salary in June, and the payment is not even received until 7th or 8th of July, then, there is a big problem. Many workers are left stranded, and thereby resolve to begging and borrowing!

3. Debt: Due to the number 1 and 2 above, debt would difficult to avoid. Workers will be left with no other option than resorting to loans and bad credits, and before you know it, this will begin to accumulate.

4. Poverty: It's a glaring fact that the more an individual runs into debt, the poorer he becomes. This is to show that the current anomaly has impoverished Nigerian workers, especially at State levels beyond measures. This cannot be tolerated in any sensible society!

Flowing from the highlighted points above, there is no gainsaying about the fact that Nigerian workers are currently passing through turbulence in some States of the Federation, and the fight against this inhumane situation is the key obligation of Nigeria Labour Congress, and every affiliated union. Let drastic steps be taken, or the blood of those who lost, and are still losing their lives to this crisis will roar in anger. Workers are dying of penury by the day, every soul in the corridor of power must take cognisance of this!

Leadership means, "leading, while others follow." Of course, one of the key characteristics of leadership is authority. Flowing from the foregoing, every leader is a beneficiary of a 2-edged tool which is an equivalence of two different weapons - a pride, and humility.

The essence of this article is to itemize the two arsenals mentioned above. The former is suicidal, while the latter might be the light to your feet on the road to success.

Kindly peruse below, their functionalities.

As a leader, pride kills you as follows;

1. Arrogance: When a leader starts boasting of his mistakes, refuses to repent and takes his followers for granted, then he starts killing himself gradually.

2. Ignoring your followers: Some leaders intentionally ignore their followers opinions. They believe they know it all. Some even shun phone calls, messages and other conversations from their co-leaders and followers. They feel just too big. Gradually, this habit becomes a slow poison and starts killing you silently.

3. Too stubborn to yield to corrections: As a leader, if you always refuse to adjust your ways after being corrected, it means you are proud, and that pride will terminate your integrity in no long time.

4. Taking your followers for granted: Every responsible leader must respect their followers. When you live waywardly and think they are nobody to query you, be rest assured that pride has started destroying you.

5. Feeling superior to your followers: Many leaders feel they are better than others, thereby living unquestionable life styles. This is suicidal. You will give accounts!

However, humility pays a lot as it pave way for a successful leadership adventure in the following ways;

1. Embraces conversation: A good leader opens doors to conversation with followers. Even if they don't answer calls or messages immediately, they attend to them at later times and do everything in their capacity to give you a sense of belonging.

2. They have listening hears: Brilliant leaders listen to others' opinions, and pick the best of them. They give opportunity to others to participate in decision making.

3. They embrace corrections: Finest among leaders love corrections, and they adjust their ways immediately.

4. They respect their followers: This is a key characteristic of humility. Respect your followers. Don't shun them off. Every respect must be reciprocated.

5. They show love: They try to deal with everyone equally and avoid partiality.

6. They fear God: They don't pretend as saint in the presence of their followers and do something else in secret.

Finally, just like every other human, leaders have the special power of making choices on how to use these two great weapons, pride and humility. Factually, choosing humility, as a frontline player will give you an edge to a triumphant leadership, while pride will cement you to an early grave of intellectualism. 

The civil service, which had once been a cynosure of all eyes is now a subject of mockery and degradation. This is not unconnected with the fact that the workforce has been subjected to strict endurance instead of enjoyment. Whatever happens to the Country and States' economy, civil servants are always the sacrificial lambs. Inflation is killing our salary, and payment is not consistent. Imagine a government paying a month arrear for two to three months! Twenty percent today, sixty percent tomorrow, forty five percent next tomorrow. Distugting! The system is now impoverishing workers by the day! Which way, civil servants? Where do we go from here?

It's no longer news, that youths across the Country are now desperately aspiring to jet out. The reason is simple. Joblessness and economic instability. Even the once popular government job has has now become a subject of rebuke among fresh graduates due to the recurrence of financial insults on the workforce as a result of government's insincerity in the payment of their wages.

Pathetically enough, many of the Nigerian top government functionaries are elders and deaconesses in the Church, carrying the Holy Bible which says, "thou shall not allow the sweat of a labourer to dry upon him before you pay him". In some States in our dear Nigeria today, the sweats of 4,5,6,7 months and above have dried on our resourceful workers, and people at the corridors of power in these States are bathing in billions, taking care of their own families and personal needs perfectly, without bothering to share the pains of the common man. Can we say these leaders are bloodless? No.

Flowing from the above, there is no gainsaying about the fact that civil servants, especially at State levels are currently going through turmoil. If you are working, you should be fine, but in this part of the world, reverse is the case. Very unfortunate! But suicide is not the solution, don't develop hypertension, and be rest assured that we can always get the best out of any situation. 

To maintain balance in this situation, kindly think more creatively, think of other alternatives like farming, think of businesses, consider services you can render which people would be ready to pay for, get your spouses engaged, and also learn new skills. Make sure you avoid unnecessary expenses as well, because nobody knows when this storm would be over, but I'm hopeful, it would be over soonest.

Long live our ever resourceful Nigerian workers!

It's a tragic story of an African woman who enthrusted her total love to her husband. Reading this story will open readers' eyes and minds to how frustrating and deadly it could be, when there is no balance from both sides in relationship, in term of love.

To get a copy, pay One Hundred and Fifty Naira (N150) only to GTBank 0034222334 Ogunmodede I. Odunayo. Snapshot your payment evidence and send it to WhatsApp number 07033504020. e-book would be delivered to you appropriately.

1. Love her: The pillar of every marriage is love, without it, no union can thrive. Therefore, to get your wife's attention, you must love her.

2. Give her sense of belonging: Let her feel important in every department of the family. Even if you have to challenge any of her domestic decisions, let it not be in the presence of the children or anybody.

3. Respect her: Respect is reciprocal. To get her maximum attention, you must give her her due respect. 

4. Be transparent: Don't be too secretive. Avoid hiding things for her if you really want transparency from her as well.

5. Honour her in public: Some are in habit of insulting their spouses in public places, this is barbaric! You must respect and be proud of her anywhere, and vice versa.

6. Let her be part of decision making: Carry her along in every decision that has to do with the family, regardless of the fact that you are the major decider of the family.

7. Love her family: Don't hate your in laws, but love and embrace them. It's a norm, she would reciprocate. She must.

8. Give her attention: Both of you must have sufficient time for each other, it's very important. That's the best way to grow in the union.

9. Love your children: Naturally, the love of your children must be strong in your mind, because you are related by blood. Good relationship between you and your children will surely have influences on your marriage. Most women love it!

10. Fidelity: Be faithful to your spouse. This seriously strengthens love and promotes good relationship. 

                Barr. Bankole Olaoluwa

A renowned bureaucrat and technocrat, Barr. Bankole Olaoluwa has charged Nigerian youths to make sure they have at least, a vocational skill. Having more than one, according to him, widens your chances of opportunity.

He made this known in a lecture titled, "Covid-19 and Youths: Challenges and Way Out", delivered by him on Saturday to the youths of Christ Apostolic Church, Ayomide District Headquarter, Ijoka, Akure.

He used the medium as another point of contact to reaching out to the entire youth populace of this generation, while charging them not to waste their time waiting for white collar job or keep complaining, but try and work on their passion and expand their chances of opportunity.

The experienced economist and legal luminary also advised those who are employed not to rely only on their salaries for survival, but go into other businesses, even farming as a back-up.

Some of us in the Yoruba part of this Country ain't better than the most vilified and criticised Fulanis who we accused of holding tight to power with the long championed "Born To Rule" dominating mentality. .

What do I mean before my head is cut off? The most divisive ethnic nation bearing all indices is the Yoruba nation. Among us, we stoke the fire of hate, envy, ethnic dominance, greedily amassing of wealth and many more. We are so fast to sell our blood, friends, our native land to a foreigner just to get our belly filled and palms greased.

Funny enough, the Yoruba people are the majority among those that criticised Chief Adeyemo Sunday Igboho for his approach and mannerism towards championing our course. Of course, I'm not saying caution should be thrown into the wind while defending your people. I'm not saying our cultural values and norms should be trampled upon but must the Yoruba people speak so vitriolic against any man that rise to liberate the land from the claws and fangs of our detractors? Other ethnic nations will rather remain silent than thwart the efforts of their fellow countrymen no matter how crude. 

Go and investigate the Fulanis, they will never place their personal interests above the collective communal one. The same voice echoed by some groups of Fulani in Futa Toro is what you'll hear in Futa Jallon. When a fulani man beat the gong of war in Masina in the west and Central Nigeria, the reverberation will be resounding in Sokoto and Adamawa in the east. But can such be said of us? If we ain't divided by ethnicity, religion fanaticism and politics are there to tear us apart.

Fulani people valued their culture, religion, language, business and family life even education more than anything else. All Fulani have an elaborate code for interacting among themselves and with other people. The code, known as Pulaaku, decrees semteende (modesty), munyal (patience), and hakkiilo (common sense). All of these virtues must be practiced in public, among one's in-laws, and with one's spouse. Islam, which also requires modesty and reserve, has tended to reinforce this code.

How many of us have kept or can keep to the beauty of our language, culture and tradition? How many of us value all that our fore fathers left and bestowed on us? While an average fulani man craves for civilization, he will never allow such to erode the value inculcated in him by Uthman Dan Fodio, their ancestor.

The earlier we deal with the enemies of envy, ethnic hatred and greediness festering within us the better else we shall continue to be slaves in our own land. They know we are divided against ourselves, so they explore our obvious disunity against us. When we  purge ourselves of all elemental ingredients of division, then victory and unity is sure. 

                  Bamidele Omoseyin

BAMIDELE OMOSEHIN: THE BENEVOLENT PHILANTHROPIST DEDICATES HIS BIRTHDAY TO THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY 

By 

Ogungbemi Adeyemi Orimisan

The quintessential and  business guru of international recognition who hailed from Iju-Odo community of Ondo State in Nigeria will be marking yet another milestone as he celebrates his arrival into this world today, February 14. It is an incontrovertible fact that birthday celebrations all around the world is a day full of funfair, pomp and pageantry but for the global sober moment occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, he decided to celebrate it on a low key with his immediate family and friends in his London home. 

Many men born of human; swimming in the stream of opulence live their lives with the attendant pride of affluence; making a cymbal sound of their status. Some men though not born with silver spoons struggle up the ladder of wealth in abundance but get to the top and display nothing but the cruelty associated with the sweats of their Labour. But we have few men that are born with either of the two conditions above but live their lives epitomizing humility, humanity and humaneness (D-3H of Life). 

Mr. Bamidele Omosehin is one of a kind (so rare) of the last category. He's such a world class billionaire gold magnate who though bask in the euphoria of affluence but allow others have a bath in his stream of influence. 

No doubt, the renown philanthropist, owner and CEO NVX International Limited , Global Jewellery Consulting and Marketing Powerhouse (www.nvxltd.com) who is also a Real Estates Guru and CEO / Owner Omosehin Properties & Homes local and international is in actual fact an exemplar of everything a man of value can be. He's adding value first to himself to know how well he can help humanity with the Human Value Chain System and also emplacing such values to better the lives of others.

The launching of the Bamidele Omosehin Foundation (BOF) late last year on 22 December 2020 to be specific during the burial ceremony of his late father, Chief Nathaniel Ilesanmi Omosehin (who was the founder of the “Omosehin All-stars Band” a band of with its hit records in the 70s) is one of the best thing that is happening to humanity through the thoughtful benevolence of the husband of Mrs. Naki Omosehin.

"My foundation among many obvious past achievements into its few months of establishment is concerned with the welfare of the downtrodden, orphans, widows and students who are indigent with high level of academic excellence", he enthused 

The President and founder at the inauguration of the foundation said, 

"My desire to reach out to the poor, the brilliant but indigent children of schooling age and the orphans motivated me to establish the foundation as a means through which these less privileged ones can have their education updated without having to encounter financial hiccups and securing their future."

Much can't be said of the 'REAL HIM' for the testimonies of his munificent lifestyle as written with the indelibly 

celestial ink up there in the deep blue sky are there for all to see. 

The Ikale Nation of Ondo Southern Senatorial District pride so much in his sterling leadership qualities, his reserved and technologically driven acumen made the high and mighty speak of his unblemished and pristine repute. 

According to an independent account from his people at home who testified of his large heart;

"The world of the needy can't really describe what he is to our world anymore because he keeps raising the bar each day. Words are insufficient to tell of his generosity, love, support and guide." 

Another anonymous beneficiary of his hospitable gestures have this to say:

 "One would rather think of the uncountable number of people whose skills he had helped fine-tuned, whose rusty path he had made smooth, whose storming sail he had helped calmed, whose career he had helped shaped, whose home he had helped built, whose destinies he had helped fulfilled, whose dream he had  made realized, and whose life he had helped redefined."

The humble and silent billionaire is said to be man of  wisdom, intelligence, humility and bravery that have always prepared his place before kings? What about a mention of his consistency, persistence, and doggedness that remain unbent no matter how tough the situation?  Of course, we were born imperfect but he is just incomprehensible. 

When asked of his words to the people on this auspicious day of his birth, the billionaire gold merchant said his only consolation is to serve humanity in whichever way he thinks he could ameliorate the suffering of the people. 

"Not many are privileged to be where I am. Getting to this level though by dint of hard work is only made possible by God. So, why won't I use the little I have to better the lives of the masses? Why will I hoard that which God has given me to put smiles on the faces of the people?"

"February 14 is known to be for the celebration of love all over the world but what's love? The only acceptable definition of love is giving. That's why I'm dedicating my life to the service of humanity. I am a personage whose life has been all about God’s amazing grace and compassion. As a Nigerian and a business man, I have seen it all but His grace has been immeasurable over my life and my family. That’s is the more reason I always crave to impact the lives of those who are in the economic disadvantage bracket because I know and understand clearly what it means to lack and not to have at all", the celebrant said. 

Hinging more on the plans in the pipeline regarding the less privileged, the man of uncommon kindness said; 

” My heart is always with children of indigent parents, who have the brains but lack the financial wherewithal to pursue academics without hiccups, widows who have children to cater for but do not have the means to provide for their children, young men who have certificates but do not have jobs and could not make both ends meet. I love to identify with them because I have been there and I know exactly how it feels. That’s the major reason Bamidele Omosehin Foundation (BOF) was established and by the grace of God the Foundation has mapped out specific mandates which it shall achieve and impact positively on the masses, particularly in the Southern senatorial district of Ondo State,” the birthday boy concluded.

As he climb a step higher onto the ladder of his life, we pray him happiness today and on all the days of his life.

Happy birthday to the helper of the helpless and promoter of the development of the Ikale Nation.

January 18, 2021

1. Always educate your child on cultural and moral principles: Teach your children how to be respectful to elders, it's very important.

2. Ask them questions about their friends: This will give every parent an insight to the type of company their children keep.

3. Caution them against abusing their teachers: They will always discuss about their teachers with their parents, but never must you tolerate abusive words on their teachers from them.

4. Help them to overcome fear of past failures: Let your ward or child understand that his previous failure is not the end of the world, but that he can do better. Tell him stories of those who have failed before, but still made it.

5. Check their note books regularly: This is how we can be sure that they really know what they are doing.

6. Call their teachers once in a while: It's good to have your child's teacher phone number, especially their class teachers, and put a call through once in a while, just to appreciate them. In the process, if there is a problem, you will be timely informed.

7. Tell them never to hate any teacher: Hating any teacher is the beginning of failure in that particular subject. So, tell your children never to develop such habit.

8. Educate them on 'Time' usage: Let them know that time waits for no man, and that they must make good use of it.

9. Prove to them that hard work brings success: Let them know that exam malpractices is not the way to success, but only through hardwork.

10. Do exhortations with them, pray with, and for them: Having a family alter will help every child grow spiritually and morally, and we must let them know the Powers in prayers at their early ages too. But we must whisper to them regularly that, 'hey, prayer without work is a waste of time'.

The most miserable is the proud. He nourishes a thorn which pierces through his own skin. Pride is a gradual killer, it shows you a false picture of yourself. No matter your level of pride, remember mortality. This is a stage where every human is equal! No rich, no poor!

i. Pride is a gradual killer: The Scripture says pride goes before destruction. It pushes someone to misbehave in many ways, which causes him or her to perish so quickly.

ii. It makes someone lose value: Respect is reciprocal, no doubt. When you disrespect people, you also lose your self esteem. Some people might be forced to ignore you at some points too.

iii. It blindfolds you about realities of life: Some actually think they are superior to others, and this is the greatest lie of all time. Every human is equal. We were all made of dust, and we will all return to dust.

iv. You will be ignored: Some people who might still be of great importance to you may lose interest in you, and thereby ignoring you. They are people who hate to be insulted, and really value their integrity.

v. You become more foolish: Each time you think you are superior to others, you become more miserable, but unconscious of it.

Proverb 16:8

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride is a negative attitude which must be rejected. No human is superior to the other, no human breath a different breathe than the other. Whether you are rich or poor, respect others. Use your resources to impact lives, this is the greatest achievement of mankind.

There is no gainsaying about the fact that the world is going through a turbulence at the moment due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, and every individual, especially the common man, is affected.

Nigeria, being one of the most affected developing countries, is experiencing a hard time, mostly with regards to its dwindling monthly revenues. The victims of this anomaly, of course, are the poor masses who have to work assiduously to get their daily meals, and also salary earners, especially government employees at State levels who are being owed months of salary, which has turned many of them to beggars, relying on friends, relatives and neighbours for sustenance.

Due to this terrible situation which has resulted to another recession in our Country, a huge number of people are now going through hell! Many family heads can no longer rise to their domestic responsibilities, young women have taken to the streets, prostituting, suicide is on the high side, divorce increases by the day, and frustration is seen on every face. No doubt, it's a general disaster in this part of the world!

In this kind of situation, people need consolations and words of hope, and the best place to get these is the Church. However, the Church which suppose to be a place of solace at this sensitive period, is nothing to write home about in many places.

In the Book of Acts 4: 34-35, the people who started the first Church shared everything equally among themselves such that nobody was lacking anything. In verse 35, the congregation, the apostles inclusive, all sold their belongings and brought the monies to the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to everyone who had need.

The Bible didn't say the apostles kept the money to themselves, but distributed it according to the needs of each member. This is the best time for the Church to give back to members! This is the best time for the Church to organize palliatives, this is the best time for the Church to stretch the hand of relief to their congregation. Pastors, do your research, many members slept empty stomached on Saturday night, but managed to smile to the Church on Sunday. That's the truth!

The most worrisome point is that more people are seizing from Church attendance these days due to the harsh ways in which Pastors are handling the issues of money. Some Pastors would even go to the extent of raining curses on members who don't have the financial wherewithal to make impact. In a time like this, Church leaders have to share members' pains, teach them only the truth, and don't apply extra energy on the issue of money. Otherwise, you will lose members. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CHURCH, IN A TIME LIKE THIS:

i. The Church must be more united at this time, showing love to one another according to Acts 2: 44-45.

ii. Church leaders must be sensitive to the current economic hardship in the Country.

iii. Church leaders should jettison the habit of raining biblical curses on members for not dropping money.

iv. In a time like this, the Church should give back to members, if possible, in form of palliatives.

v. Church leaders should understand that many people are no longer coming to Church due to their violence ways of handling the matters of money. 

vi. Church leaders must understand that many members came to Church on Sunday on empty stomach, not because they are fasting, but because they have nothing to eat.

vii. Church leaders should pray for salary earners in their Church at this time, because many of them now rely on friends and relatives for their daily meals.

viii. Church leaders should understand that many members trekked to Church on Sunday, not because they wanted to exercise their body, but because they didn't have transport fare.

ix. Church leaders should understand that many car owners could drive to Church on Sunday because they were able to borrow money to fuel their car, in order to be able to convey their family to Church.

x. Church leaders must know that so many of their members are sick today due to financial depression.

xi. Church leaders must know that this is the best time to preach more on Salvation, and not to prioritize their Sermons only on money.

Conclusively, this is the best time for the Church to show love and concerns for their members, not only spiritually, but also see to their well being in other ways, especially the struggling youths, small business owners, and government workers who now have to beg or borrow before they can eat. This is the best time to review the Church's account, and see the possibility of relieving members of their burdens, and not to add to them.

There is no gainsaying about the fact that the works of the Ministry have been hugely commercialized by some so-called men of GOD. This has no doubt, caused series of setbacks to the minds of many innocent worshippers who are only looking for good mediums of worshipping their Creator.

One major crisis in the Christianity race is the continuous rise in number of fake Pastors and Prophets, but as true followers of CHRIST, this shouldn't be any surprise to us, as it is already written in the Scripture. Matthew 24:11.  Any sensible Christian would know that the Scripture cannot but fulfilled! Why then should you ignore your obligations and duties in His Sanctuary with the sole and baseless reason of increment in the number of false prophets? Any sense in that? No, definitely.

Likewise, we hear excuses like, "most Pastors of nowadays are only after money." Yes, I agree. Another one is, "even, most of the real Pastors who were truly called by GOD don't preach salvation again, 98% of their Sermons centre on money, even the remaining 2% would end with curses on who will not pay tithe". This is correct, I know. "Many even lament as follows, "what does the Pastor has to offer me? I can't obey his Sermon, because all his children are wayward". Of course, you are making a point. But, the big question is, are all these enough reasons for you to go to hell? Pastors are mere mortal, and they have their own bad attitudes and weak areas as well. There is no excuse to sinning, I think you know that!

Another irrelevance people take seriously is the instance of nose poking to the family affairs of their Pastors, and thereby get to know their private challenges and weaknesses. We don't really need this! Every human, regardless of status have their own challenges. Pastors are not exclusive. So, the fact that a Minister has family or marital challenges doesn't mean he's no longer called by GOD. Or, if you see any of his negative attitudes as a family man, that's not a good reason for you to behave irresponsible as well. You don't know the genesis of the crisis, even if you know, you still have to be careful. It's not really supposed to be your business, instead, be assisting him in prayers. Don't poke nose to the private affairs of your Pastors.

i. Be cautious of words like: "WE KNOW those who won't contribute this money, that's why they have remained poor". This is too harsh! Do you know what they are going through in their various homes?

ii. Avoid cursing those who don't bring you tithe envelopes. It's wrong! Either they are paying their tithes in another acceptable ways before GOD, or they are not, only preach the truth to them and leave judgement for GOD.

iii. Avoid raising biblical curses on those who don't drop big offerings. Do you know if they slept empty stomached last night and only struggled to come to Church on Sunday morning?

iv. As a Pastor, stop condemning women. Remember that women have higher population than men in all Churches, and if you keep condemning women, they would see you as a bad mentor in disguise to their husbands.

v. Don't expose your privacy too much to Church members. I mean your marital issues.

Many people who have compromised their faiths today due to how commercialized the Church has become, believe that it's only people who bring big money to the Church that are Pastors' friends, that's their mentality, though, but personally I don't key into that. You shouldn't too, if you are in the Church to serve GOD and not man. 

There is a saying that, "if you are in the market, you only face the person you are transacting business with, and shouldn't be distracted by the market noise." Let us all face our businesses and stop monitoring Ministers' errors in the Vineyard, stop poke nosing to Church finances and turn to GOD, making the Bible our standard. Joshua 1:8. This should be our principle as we bear in mind that every person (Both Pastors and members) will give account of their works in the Vineyard when CHRIST returns.

A wise man listens to all, but never responds to all. It's gainful to always usher your utterances with distinct, decence, and discretion.

The SCRIPTURE says we should be quick to listen, but slow or be wise to respond. Be very careful with your utterances, it may work as a sword, and at the same time, work as a strength.

It's also pertinent to know that words are like eggs, once they land, they can never be retrieved. It's a very wise choice therefore, to think deeply before speaking.

1. Only speak when necessary: In some gatherings you may not need to talk except you are invited to do so, and in some, you may not need someone to tell you to say something. It all has to do with your sensitivity.

2. Think before you contribute: Whatever we speak out definitely comes from within - we must have thought about them before speaking out. Hence, the need for positive thoughts is greatly important.

3. Don't think of being partial: When you are in a position to make a judgement, never think of favouring any of the parties more than others. If this happens, it will affect your output due to prior internal judgement.

4. Don't feel inferior in any gathering: As leaders or potential leaders, we must feel confident in every gathering we find ourselves, because inferiority complex is a major destroyer of man. The effect is always negative. When you are confident, you will speak boldly.

5. Have good intention always: Our intentions are what manifest in our utterances most of the times, no doubt about that. Therefore, if we always have good intentions to every human and in every meeting/gathering, definitely our speeches would be peaceful and sensible.

Thinking wisely before speaking is an antidote to ridicules. It makes you closer to wisdom all days and replenishes your wisdom whenever you do a mental job. It pays a lot. Be a creative thinker. It commands a lot of fortune and embraces huge accolades.

Mum, you are the driver that drove me to this world, took every caution to see my life saved. Surely, you are a treasure to behold.

You are the first house I ever reside in, GOD made it so, your womb was it, a big compound that housed me safely before sending me out to the outside world. What else can I say about you mum? My first landlord, I guess!

Mum you are a rare angel of my life, watching over me from the womb, and never stopped doing so, even when I'm fully grown. Much love mum!

You never care what people think about me, your concern is my peace, my laughter and my smiles. I'm so blessed to have you mum!

Mothers are wonderful teachers and counsellors. Mum, thank you so much for those great moral values you have added to my world, they are really a pointer to my feet at all time!

Mum you are the first friend I knew growing up as a child, and the first angel I ever saw physically as a baby.

Parents are the first teachers, first counsellors, first lawyers and justices every child grow up to know. They are valuables too big to quantify.

The first musician I ever saw playing without drums is you, all for a crying child to be at peace. I cannot love you less mum!

The first dancer I ever knew to dance without music is you mum! No doubt, dear friend and mother, you are certainly a beauty of motherhood!

Doing vigil without prayers was peculiar to you, just to see that an innocent child sleep without ado. Nothing will ever delete your love from my heart mum. You are my angel!

Once upon a time, a man and his wife had a quarrel because the woman accused her husband of infidelity. One day after a terrible quarrel between them, the wife entered into her room and started sobbing. Few minutes later, their only son came in.

"Mum why are you crying?" he asked.

"It's your father, he has been treating me so badly in this house".

"Did he beat you?"

"What he's doing to me is more than beating, he's really causing me a lot of pains and tears", she cried the more.

"This is becoming too much of daddy in this house, he has never given you peace of mind for once!" the boy lamented. "This must end in this house, I have to talk to him!"

He left his mother's room angrily and went to meet his father. 

"Daddy, why are you always maltreating mummy, is she your slave?"

"Young man, this is an issue between me and my wife, and you have to stay away from it, ok?" his father warned.

"No dad, you have to stop this. Mummy must be happy in this house!"

"I won't blame you for insulting me, I would rather blame your mother who refused to let us jointly give you appropriate home training", he said, stood up and went out of the house.

The boy continued ranting, but his father didn't hear it again.

Some months later, the man was about going out when his wife crossed his way violently. "You have to tell me who that lady is, or else you won't go out of this house today!"

"Which lady are you talking about?" her husband queried.

"The one that called you last night, of course!"

The man hissed and tried to force his way out, but his wife grabbed his shirt and held it very tightly. "You won't go out of this house today, unless you tell me who she is!"

As he was trying to remove her hands from his cloth, she gave him a thunderous slap and then left his cloth. He was so flabbergasted.

"You slapped me?" he moved closely to her and held her top, "you slapped me?"

At this time, their son came out of his room and saw his father holding his mother. Without bothering to know what was really going on, he ran to the scene and pushed his father against the wall. "Do you want to kill her?" he queried violently.

Due to the forceful push by his son, the man fell down and hit his head against the ground. He started bleeding profusely, and before they got to the hospital, he gave up the ghost.

The boy and his mother wept painfully and regretfully, but the dead could no longer rise again!

When there is quarrel between husband and wife, children must never intervene or be supportive of any of them.

Parents, especially mothers should always caution their children against this negative attitude.

The boy is going to be severely punished by government, provided he escaped death sentence, the chance of which is very slim.

He's going to be punished by GOD for disrespecting his father.

He's going to be punished by God for killing.

Every couple must cooperate to train their children in godly way.

Every parent must always shun their children whenever they wrongfully intervene in their quarrels.

A farmer once took his customer to the farm to sell some tubers of yam to him. After uprooting almost all the yams in the presence of the buyer, the farmer and his son got tired and decided to invite the businessman for negotiation.

The farmer said the yams would be sold for $500, but the trader on the other hand said he could only pay $110. Knowing fully well that he couldn't eat all the yams and that he didn't have any other person to buy such quantity of tubers at that moment, the farmer pleaded with the trader to please pay $250. But the business man remained adamant, and later left the farm nonchalantly.

The poor farmer and his son were very dejected. But few minutes later, a young man of middle age placed a hand on his shoulder from behind. "Young man, don't feel sad, I overheard all your conversations with the trader. Don't worry, I will buy the yams for $250 as requested by you. If only I can get my capital and an iota of profit after selling them, I will not mind. Once you and your son are fine, then I'm comfortable.

About three hours later, the first trader came back and told the farmer that he was now ready to buy the yams for $250, or even more because he had got a message that prices of yam in the marker is now X4 of the previous price.

"But unfortunately for you, someone who bought tubers out of love had gone with the fortunes", said the farmer. "He never knew prices of yam would suddenly rise up, but he was only sympathetic on me when you let me down and dashed my hope. Love and fortune walk and work together, and this formula had worked for that kind man today. He will now make over 300% gain since the prices have gone up." He sighed, paused, and later continued, "try to do all things in love, and possess better character at all time, and next time will be yours", he advised.

Do all things in love, and deal with all men in love. Remember that love and fortune are inseparable. Let us all have a lovely week this week!