For All It's Worth

Just before I set out to write this post, my feelings changed...I am just too blessed to be stressed.

Two weeks ago, I got a devastating business news. As I have now become an entrepreneur, I have come to bear more financial risk, as opposed to just waking up and going to work on another man's business as an employee. While, I was trying to recover from that news, I got another shocking business news. At this point, I was almost going to call it a day at Bolakoka Aso Ebi.

All of these happened whilst I was basking in the excitement of the brand I had begun to develop for the future plans for Fabrics in Africa, Fabrikana.

As I cried and got depressed, the wonderful husband in Bayo Puddicombe found a way to make me smile genuinely and my heart sang "What a husband I have in Bayo",. After all was said and done, I came to a full  understand that whilst God showed Joseph that he would be a leader of the free world, he didn't show him the part of being in Potiphar's house and prison thereafter.

For two weeks, I wondered if I should go back to paid employment or face the obstacles of my business and go ahead, regardless of what I feel and become the woman God has called me to be.

For all it's worth, don't give up on what God has called you to do, because God will not give up on you.

Letter to my Dad

Dear Dad,

Thank you for the bouquet you sent me this morning,
I particularly enjoyed the mercies...they came in really handy
and here is why -

After I spoke with you and read the book you gave me,
I was ushered into a not-so-good morning.

What pained me the most was that it was caused by one of your daughters,
a very senior daughter to me,
I could not believe that a member of our family could cause me so much pain
by saying things that were intentionally hurtful

I looked for LOVE around me and I could not find it
until I looked to you through that book in Psalm 121

And yes,

I realised that you are love itself...that you are the perfect love
that I cannot find anywhere else but in you.

Lara George was so right in that song
"There is no one like you Lord"

But seriously, how could you give your life for the same people who killed you?

Daddy, I am pained right now because of what happened this morning,
which I saw as a reflection of what we are as a family unit here.

But through this screeching pain, I realised that

It was difficult to praise you,
But I will praise you still...
for all the blessings, especially for your everyday freebies.

I was anxious to phone a friend and share my feelings with my black berry audience,
But I quickly turned my heart back to you
as I have come to realise that it must be Ufirst no matter how I feel.

I thought of how this could make me become a better person and a good example,
Then I received my daily dose from John Maxwell
His word for today was PRINCIPLES
I quickly made up my mind to hold a positive attitude through every situation.

Now is that going to be easy?
Errrh...NOPE!
But is it worth it?
Of course, YES! Because I know it makes you happy.

And through this, I will continue in good faith the journey to become the one after your heart,
In your book, you mentioned that David was the man after your own heart
...I reallly want to be that and even more.

Therefore,
1. Never will I shout at anyone....I seriously need you to help me with that
2. Arguments in discussing and expressing my opinions are gone with the wind!
3. I say NO to making assumptions about anything and anyone.
4. Making decisons hastily no matter what, is gone now and forever.

Above all these principles, I will always TRUST you.

ismile

....because I can find the total definition of love expressed in you.



You are my world and I owe you my life


Yours always
Bi-ola-oluwa-ti-to

PROJECT ALERT!

I cannot seem to hear the last about rape cases and how frail the Nigerian judicial system has handled it so far.
Are we moving forward on this or backward?

Yesterday it was a gang rape by 4 University of Lagos students...victim 17 years old...charge was 100,000 naira???
Wait...
Are we seeking investment from rapists here?
How will this charge curb this social menace and serve as an example to potential rapists?

Okay, let's take a look at a 5 year old girl who was reported by Daily Times on Monday, March 26, 2012 to have been raped by a 26 year old male trader...charge was 40,000 or 1 year imprisonment???

Not again! Ahan!!!
Are we raising funds here from innocent people who have been violated and are supposed to be defended by the law?
A 5year old experiencing injustice already???

This is a wake-up call for everyone.
RAPE cases are on the increase and we should put a stop to rape now!

Ladies please save this number in your phones and attach a speed dial to it.
Guys get this number too, give your sisters, female friends, colleagues, girlfriends etc.

In any suspected case of rape, call Project Alert on 08034000977.

May God help us as we fight to put a stop to this in our motherland.
Rape is not a part of the New Nigeria we all look forward to.

Say NO to RAPE!!!
It's a war we all must fight.

STAND AND DELIVER

Memoirs from TAP...

Today I remember how uncomfortable I became with my job at a media firm in October 2010
and how it spurred me to start THE AJEGUNLE PROJECT (TAP) in December that same year.

I look back with no regrets after 20 years of living in the Ajegunle community even as I see myself
moving into a new lease of life...

I stand on my balcony looking at all the corrugated roofs around our house
(I think the ancient city of Ibadan has the highest number compared to any other metropolis in  Nigeria),
thinking when the development of this part of Lagos community will start, which I wonder when and how. Though there is some HOPE seeing the road patch work the Local Government is doing two streets from mine.

When will Abukuru street be tarred?
20 years now and it is still not tarred!!!

Re-iterating what Dr. Tolu Puddicombe said when he came around on Saturday on some Tomato investment (**not real tomatoes though**)
"I never knew this kind of place still existed in Lagos metropolis, so this place is part of Lagos sha"

Well, sadly so.

I'm sure with all the 'Re-brand Ajegunle' projects carried out by several other young people, more attention will lead to a massive evolution of the community, and not just focusing on development of the environment alone but of the people as we already know that the country needs right now.

More should be done in developing the 'People of Nigeria' and as my Director, friend and advisor, Mr Bobby Udoh says in his book Nation Building;

"We are all builders of the nation and the foundation for building rests on the thoughts, words and actions we initiate and implement. For out of nation focused-citizens will come nation-focused leaders, after all our leaders do not drop from outer space but are a product of the citizenry (our families and communities).

We must STAND AND DELIVER!!!

For more about stand and deliver, click on the link below

http://nm.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=15160 

A Lady's Prayer

God,
I honestly want to be in line with your purpose for my life.
When I move around
I see and feel that there is more to life than just
Having a good job, a partner, a good ride, a home, children...

It is indeed very true that
Satisfaction comes from no one except The Almighty
Who is so full of Power, Life and Love

I know that He hears the cry of my heart...
Even before I ever get there