http://gotebs.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/42801
Hence, the mass migration of young Nigerians to seek greener pastures in a foreign land(s). There are about five million young Nigerians living abroad, with over 20,000 doctors, 5,000 lawyers, 5000 technological experts living in the United States.

It is in light of the foregoing that the Nigerian Professionals (NiPRO) International Network conceptualized the READY..? SET..? STAY NIGERIA! project. The initiative will explore opportunities, discuss possible impediments and doubts, and also emphasize the incentives and existing opportunities in Nigeria and offer advice to practicing entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs; thereby drawing an accurate picture of business in Nigeria. It will also discourage Nigerians from running overseas to live there but to stay in Nigeria to help in the ongoing developmental works. It will also compliment the efforts of the READY...? SET..? GO Africa initiative for Africans in Diaspora. NiPRO wishes to inform all young Nigerian professionals, upcoming professionals and graduate students of its seminar scheduled for September 30, 2006 at The Conference and Training Centre Lagos, Elephant House, 16th and 17th Floors, 214 Broad Street, Lagos. Registeration is now on. Please contact Mr. Victor Gotevbe on 08033057677 or email gotebs@gmail.com for registeration details. Only limited seats are available.


This particular event will attempt to answer the following questions:

1. What are the benefits of being a Nigerian citizen?
2. What are the tangible benefits of holding a Nigerian passport?
3. What opportunities exist in Nigeria?
4. Why should Nigerians be patriotic?
5. How can young Nigerians build a new Nigeria?
6. Why National pride amidst poverty?

DESIRED OUTCOME

 Expansion of professional horizons for all participants.
 Economic empowerment and capacity building for all participants.
 Development of measurable and realistic action plans and execution of subsequent programmes.
 Promotion of the Nigerian brand.
 Further develop and strengthen the NiPRO Network.
 Acquiring and sharpening networking skills.
 Build and sustain a website (www.readysetstayng.org) projecting the positive image of Nigeria.


RESOURCE PERSONS/FACILITATORS

The resource persons are well experienced young professionals who will analyze the issues of Migration. A lead paper will be presented by Mr. Edi Lawani, MD of Edi Lawani and Associates (Alternative Approach Konsultancy), an entertainment Communications company. Mr. Lawani is a trained and seasoned journalist who later worked with PMAN, got involved in Artist Management, Events Management and now into Show Production.

The panelists include Mr. Isaac Anjorin of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Miss Morayo Akabashorun, AGM NiPRO representing the Nigerian Diaspora; and Mr. Oyebanjo Okunnuga, a young entrepreneur, CEO, Kubacle Clothing and Mr. Chidi Enwerem, lecturer, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Lagos State University. Victor Gotevbe, General Manager NiPRO Nigeria and Personnel Officer of Vanguard Media Limited will serve as the Moderator.

Other guests include Lari Williams veteran actor.

OBJECTIVES

The Ready…? Set…? Stay Nigeria!!! programme for young Nigerians professionals desires to achieve the following objectives:

 To empower young Nigerians into joining the course of rebuilding Nigeria with their expertise and resources.
 To stimulate creativity amongst young Nigerian professionals, upcoming professionals and graduate students.
 To expose existing entrepreneurial opportunities amongst young Nigerians.
 To promote and strengthen networking amongst participants on youth development issues.
 To facilitate the exchange of leads, recommendations and ideas.
 To develop action plans and execute a programme for young Nigerian professionals development while supplementing already existing initiatives and encourage the advancement of fresh ones.

ABOUT NiPRO

NiPRO International is a global network of motivated young Nigerian professionals working together to build a prosperous, united and stronger Nigeria now and for the future. NiPRO is a subdivision of the AFRican PROfessionals (AfriPRO) Network Inc.

Our vision (worldwide)
To build a new positive image and appreciation for young Nigerian professionals and Nigeria, her culture and her people!"

Our Mission
Fostering the growth of highly talented, socially responsible and dynamic young Nigerian professionals to
- Address issues that affect young Nigerians
- Build meaningful contacts
- Cultivate impeccable professionalism
- Discover business etiquette protocol
- Exchange ideas visions
- Foster Travelers' Philanthropy in Nigeria

NiPRO has five pillars upon which we are building the Network:
- Professional Development
- Wealth Creation Investment
- Cultural Political Awareness
- Technology
- Community Service i.e. Medical Technology Missions via Travelers' Philanthropy

VENUE

The Conference and Training Centre Lagos is located on the Island; a central location and has a very serene environment which allows for learning and good interaction. It is situated within the Elephant House with working elevators.


SUBJECT MATTER OF THE SEMINAR

The Seminar would be focused on issues bordering on Migration, Immigration, Patriotism, Economic Empowerment, Leadership, Citizenship, Nation Building and Networking, amongst others.


EVALUATION OF PROGRAMME

Monitoring will be an ongoing activity and Evaluation will be periodic. This will be conducted through interviews and open-ended questionnaires from participants of all our events. Periodic reports will be prepared that identify the major findings of the evaluation and how they have been used to improve our events. The services of professional evaluators will be engaged in due course.


]]> Sun, 03 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EDT http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/42801 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/19562 The centre was inspired by the need to bridge the gap between knowledge and results in our society by empowering young people with leadership skills and values to enable them make lasting contributions in entrepreneurship, business, civil society and public life.

According to Miss Pamela Egbo, the Executive Director of CVL , who paid a courtesy visit to my office and was in attendance at the last NiPRO Nigeria Workshop, she said that the Centre will provide the following resources:

Leadership Development Workshops: We will run workshops for young people on principle-centred paths to leadership in entrepreneurship, managerial roles in business, civil society, and public life.
CVL Membership Club: A fee-paying membership club to cater for the leadership needs of undergraduates and young professionals between the age of 18-35.It will provide a forum for debate and brainstorming. Members will have full access to CVL Library and an opportunity to rub minds with other young people.
Mentoring programs: Our Mentoring programs cater for the need of the young by building extensive mentoring relationship through which those who have shown commendable leadership in their areas endeavour can mentor other people.
Community Development Services: CVL will develop programs that identify the needs of communities and work with them to effect change.
Promote Reading Culture: We aim to a reading culture which will involve media campaigns to encourage reading and the routine free distribution of books to schools and libraries across the whole federation. There will also be a book prize with an annual award of one million naira and a complete desktop Zinox computer system valued at thousands of Naira.
Leadership Consulting: we identify leadership needs within organizations and provide bespoke solutions.
Leadership Research Fellows Program: The centre will host Research fellows attracted from around the world to research Leadership challenges in the Nigerian culture.

There are some people whom the Centre is entrusted to namely:
Prof. Pat Utomi, Rev. Father George Ehusani, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Dr. Felix Asogwa, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, Mrs. Njideka Anyadike, Mr. Ladi Olajide, Mr. Ubong Essien, Mr. Folu Ayeni , Mr. Taiwo Akerele, Arc. G.N Jidenma, Mr. Larry Umeche and Chief Chris Asoluka

Please you can call or write to me for further information about the CVL club.

Victor Gotevbe
General Manager of NiPRO Nigeria
gotebs@niproinc.com
234-803 3057 677
]]> Wed, 22 Sep 2004 07:53:00 EDT http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/19562 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/15951 the job has made me come in contact with.

My only sadness is the fact that there are still many people like me out there with potentials wasting away because of economic hardship and perhaps also the thought of despair has eaten deep into their minds as a result of what they see and experience. My advise therefore would be to call for the youths to also look inwards to find out what potentials they have, seek mentorship and dare the impossible. It takes the hammer of persistence to drive the nail of success.]]> Mon, 26 Apr 2004 06:33:00 EDT http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/15951 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/13111
General Manager
NiPRO Nigeria
234-803 305 7677]]> Sun, 28 Dec 2003 09:15:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/13111 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12314
For more information contact: www.niproevents.com or info@niproevents.com]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2003 21:24:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12314 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12310 Mon, 24 Nov 2003 19:27:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12310 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12268 I dont understand
why do they all hurt me ?
I am too soft ? It#8217; s cos of me ?
sorry.......
I am not too fine
I lack of love too much .#8221;
This was a message I got from a very close friend, a TIG member. What advise would u give to her. Does love really exist?Well, let#8217;s have your comment please. It might just help her to get over her trauma.

]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2003 12:19:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12268 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12226 Thu, 20 Nov 2003 09:50:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12226 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12157
On behalf of all members of TIG, I welcome you all to this great event, which is taking place in Nigeria today and in the world of TIG.


Really, much has been said about Info Tech and the effects of HIV/AIDS on youth development in recent time but the key problem is that less social, positive action has been taken to actualize this.


For us to assimilate this topic very well, I would like to discuss what HIV/AIDS is, the types, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, HIV/AIDS and special population, the economic impact of AIDS in Nigeria, on household, on firms, on agriculture, health, transport, education, mining, prevention of HIV/AIDS and roles that can reduce youth undevelopment due to HIV/AIDS.


What is HIV?


HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS.

Human - means that the virus only affects human beings.

Immunodeficiency - means that the body#8217;s immune system is weakened.

Virus- a microscopic organism that can cause disease.

AIDS - means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

This is the condition of an HIV positive person when the body is affected by a lot of disease conditions.


Acquired: means it is transmitted from one person to another through some specific means.

Immune Deficiency - the breaking down of the body#8217;s defense mechanism.

Syndrome: is a collection of different signs and symptoms of disease.

AIDS was first recognized in United States of America in the year 1981 and has since then, become pandemic.






HIV which was insolated

In 1983 causes the destruction and malfunction of the CD4+T cells that are the make up of the body#8217;s immune system. When this happens, the body#8217;s ability to fight infection is impaired.


In Nigeria, the first diagnosed case of HIV was made known in 1986. It has infact risen steadily since then over the years from 1.8% in 1993 to 5.8% in 2001. As at 2001, 3.5 million Nigerians were already infected. The most vulnerable age group being 15 - 24 years who are the youths in a good reproductive and economic productive segment.

Types - HIV 1 and HIV 2

HIV 1 is found in the whole world while HIV 2 is common in West Africa.

The time between the entrance of this organism into the body and the production of antibodies against the antigen is called the window period. This is always between 3 - 6 months and a sero-positive individual can transmit the virus to another person even when it is not yet confirmed to be in the blood stream.

Modes of Transmission

The Four major ways are:

1. Sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral or anal)

2. Receiving of contaminated blood and blood products and transplant of organs and tissues as in surgical repairs.

3. Use of contaminated instruments like needles, syringes, razor and other piercing objects.

4. Mother to child transmission (in uteri, during birth or breast feeding).

5. Other body fluids like tears; saliva and sweat may contain the HIV but does not contain enough viruses to infect a person.


HIV is not transmitted through toilets or showers, coughing or sneezing, swimming pools, sharing food and drinks, hugging, touching or hands shaking, mosquito bite, public phone, kissing and sharing of eating utensils.











Signs and symptoms


These include:


- Severe weight loss greater than 10% body weight.

- Persistent fever lasting more than one month.

- Severe fatigue

- Cough for more than one month.

- Diarrhea lasting more than one month (on and off)

- Itchy skin rashes

- Thrush in the month and throat.

- Swollen glands at more than one site for over 3 months

- Cold sores all over the body.


HIV/AIDS and Special Population

The issue of HIV/AIDS cannot be concluded without mentioning the special group of people that are easily prone to it due to the nature of their work or whom they are.


These include women, children, commercial sex workers, oil workers, military, long distance drivers, youths and refugees including internally displaced individuals.


The fight may not be won until special consideration is given to this special population by way of education, public enlightenment and implementation of any designed policy concerning them. Infact, both sexes are involved in the spread of HIV/AIDS.


The Economic Impact of AIDS in Nigeria


Since youths are the leaders of tomorrow and the most productive age group, the impact of AIDS cannot be over emphasized as this affects the economic structure of the nation through reduction in labour supply as the loss of most young adults will affect the economic output. There will also be increased cost as the little savings may be used in purchasing the retroviral drugs and paying for other medical bills and funeral expenses. If there are no savings, eventually, there will be reduction in investment thereby retarding economic growth.









Economic Impact of Aids on Household


The household suffers once a member of the family is infected with AIDS. The family income is always affected as the person may be the breadwinner of the family and the little earning is used for his medical bills. Of course, one of the children may be removed from school so as to care for him or because the school fees cannot be paid as there is much expenditure coming into the family. Death will cause permanent loss of job and loss of income to the whole family as well.


Economic Impact of AIDS on Agriculture


In most African countries, agriculture has been the largest sector accounting for a large portion of production and greater employment opportunity. AIDS causes loss of income and labour supply as significant loss of farmers who are infected will affect the planting and harvesting periods thereby resulting into drought and decreased harvest.


Economic Impact of AIDS on Firms


The economic impact of AIDS on firms cannot be over emphasized as illness and deaths of employees affect it by increasing expenditure and reducing revenues. Expenditure will be affected due to health care cost, burial, training and recruitment of replacement employees. Decrease in revenue may be due to absenteeism as a result of ill health, or funeral attendance and time spent on training which also leads to less productive labour force.


Economic Effects of AIDS on Health Sector


As the health sector is affected, there will be increased number of people seeking for health services and as a result, the attention of the government will be diverted to prevention of HIV infection, treatment of AIDS patients, treatment of other illness, spending for health and for other objectives. The health workers are also affected as they commonly handle blood and blood products and if any is infected unknowingly, it could cause lack of quality professionals.


Effects on transport

This sector is very important in the prevention of HIV and also vulnerable to HIV. For this sector to be maintained, long distance drivers are always




away from their families for a long time thereby exposing the man to multiple sexual partners. If they are infected and being highly trained professionals also, it will be difficult to replace them. This in turn causes loss of economy, re-infection of their spouses and death of employees who are infected.


Effects on Mining


Mining is a source of foreign exchange in many countries like Nigeria. When the workers are sent far away from their homes and they stay long, there is the possibility that they will resort to commercial sex and subsequent spreading to their spouses when they come back home. Loss of mining engineers also affects the mine production thereby decreasing the revenue generated from the mining sector.


Effects on Education


Once the educational sector is affected, children may be stopped from going to school so as to care for the affected family member. They may also be withdrawn as there is not sufficient income to balance expenses from medical bills and school fees. Teachers infected may reduce the number of experienced teachers that can teach in the schools.


Teenagers being the most susceptible age group also become a problem, as they need to be taught how to protect themselves from being infected by HIV/AIDS.


Prevention of HIV/AIDS


1. Abstain from sexual intercourse.

2. Be faithful to one sexual partner. Try to know the HIV status of your partner and talk about your sexual history.

3. Use latex condoms every time you have vaginal, oral or anal sex.

4. Treat medically any case of sexually transmitted infection (STI) which you might have.

5. Do not share razor, needles and other piercing instruments with any one.

6. Emphasize dual protection if possible in polygamous settings.

7. If pregnant and infected, see a doctor for advice.

8. Have a medical check-up and do HIV screening once in 6 months to know your status as early diagnosis gives greater chance of survival than prolonged infection.


Roles that can reduce youth undevelopment due to HIV/AIDS


1. Dialogue can be stimulated by encouraging youths to discuss causes and likely risk behaviours.

2. Increase in awareness through language that the youth and society can understand.

3. Communicating with the society in terms of influencing a positive social response can reduce stigma and discrimination.

4. Policy makers and opinion leaders can discuss the issue of HIV/AIDS and how it affects youth development in the country by initiating positive programme.

5. Those youths infected and affected with HIV/AIDS should be cared for.


In conclusion, some situations in the country really militate against youth development in relation to HIV/AIDS pandemic. This includes: -

1. Government policies that do not have direct bearing on youth development.

2. Inadequate financial resources and wrong channeling of these resources when released for these projects.

3. Increase in unemployment and poverty, which is escalated everyday due to poor economic policies.

4. Lack of adequate programme that can rehabilitate the Nigeria youths.

5. Nigeria Youth withdrawal from involvement due to unfriendly situations in the rural and urban areas.

6. Lack of education and training of Nigeria youths.

7. The influence of culture and religious beliefs on the family and community.


As members of TIG, we have roles to play towards ensuring that the issue of HIV/AIDS and its influential power in the growth of the community and youth development becomes outdated. We cannot fold our hands and continue to allow things to go wrong. This is the time to sit up and initiate some challenging programs, discussions, workshops or any other mass enlightenment campaign. This can go a long way in ensuring that the Nigerian youths are aware of their problems. That will also show that we are moving forward towards reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as it affects youth development.












]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2003 02:32:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12157 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12070

Recur the historic event that took place on Ist of October 1960 in this great city of Lagos. The symbolic Union Jack of British Empire was lowered and hoisted in its place was the empowering green-white green flag of a new nation called Nigeria. That colour stood for progress, development, resourcefulness, peace, unity and oneness.

That day was heralded with a new national creed. Nigeria, we hail thee. Our own dear native land. Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Nigerians all are proud to serve her sovereign motherland.

While working on the realization of true brotherhood and service to our newly begotten motherland, another song erupted from the East-Civil war. Spanning a period of thirty-six months, we were preoccupied with the task of keeping Nigeria in one piece. Paradoxically, this became our waterloo, as the military, having tested power, threw duty-call and professionalism to the wind and became politicians in khaki, overnight.

January 15, 1970 brought us a new dawn- the end of civil war and the beginning of post war reconstructions. Little did we know this was a temporary relief, dotted with coup de at, counter coups and masterminded hand-over to civilian rulers.

Sharing of the national cake amongst supposed loyalist became the order of the day. Instead of brotherhood we introduced Federal character syndrome and the North-South dichotomy. Looting our national treasuries, pen robbery and corruption in high and low places became enshrined in our system. To the extent our level of corruption as documented by Transparency International, remains unbeatable. What a shame!

Even as I speak, what we have in our body polity are mostly recycled polluted politicians, heavily supervised by men in uniforms. A political soil sowed with the seed of hatred, suspicion, immorality, tribal and religious discord.

I stand for truth and I must speak the truth. Our present political rulers have done their best. They succeeded in removing the blanket of despair, abandonment and international ostracism, which previously submerged Nigeria into a diplomatic abyss. It is to their credit that today, we are the enviable bride of the Common- wealth, United Nations, the G-8 nations, and notable foreign investors. Bravo!

This fifth year of democracy however, gives us a clear indication that our old unregenerate political rulers have nothing more to offer. They preach probity, accountability and patriotism only on the pages of the newspapers and the tubes of our televisions. To the contrary, they end up as Treasury looters, oppressors, liars, pen and position robbers. All they are involved presently are purposeless trials and errors.

In ten days time, Nigerians shall gather in all the thirty-six states and Abuja to celebrated the 43rd anniversary of the nation#8217;s independence from the shackles of the British government. But have you truly experienced freedom? NO!

After forty-three years of emancipation from neo-colonialism, we are still wallowing in the dirty stinky mud of nepotism, unpatriotism, injustice, insecurity, under-development, poverty, corruption and political deceits. Forty-three years later, we are yet to grow up and walk.

We are still crawling#8230; exhorting Self above Brotherhood and the good of our beloved motherland.

Beloved brothers and sisters, we are here today, by a miraculous twist, in the Maternity of our National Destiny, to give birth to a new Nigeria. Today is the expected delivery date, and the mother, you and I is already in labor. We must push through and deliver safely because God is our mid wife.

I am already seeing the head of the baby. Welcome to the era of a new birth. Welcome new Nigeria!

By her name, this new baby is destined to be very great. Nigeria is an acronym for A Nation Immersed Gorgeously, Entirely and Richly In Abundance! N-I-G-E-R-I-A

I see a new Nigeria. I see abundance. From the west, I can see the largest reserves of bitumen in Africa. I can see innumerable tourist centers and aquatic splendors (full of exportable sea foods). I can see the rich cash crops of Cocoa, Kola nuts, just to mention but a few. Of the indigenes of the south are fountains of knowledge, skills, professionalism and administration.

From the wealthy cultural heritage of Edo state, down to Obudu Cattle ranch in Calabar, I see Abundance. Beyond the obvious crude oil reserves, I can see tick rain forests of timber, cassava, rubber, palm oil and the like.

Right in the heart of Nnewi, Onitsha, Aba, and environs are great Institutions of industrialization, inventions and entrepreneurship. I can see dollars and Naira exchanging in the great coalmines of Udi hill. A people naturally endowed with the prowess of trade and commerce.

Transversing the middle belt down to the north are temperate plateau, green vegetations, tin, limestone, columbite, Gum Arabic, Rice, Cattle, Hides Skin, Tomatoes, Onion, Tea, Groundnuts. Oh, resources too numerous to be mentioned. I see the ancient Kano Groundnut pyramids returning in their majestic arrays.

Not only that, I see this nation maximizing all its potentials to rapidly metamorphosing into an enviably developed nation in the ranks of the Singaporeans and Malaysians. After all, we all began this race (of independence) about the same time, some four decades ago. They were only ahead of us because they knew what they wanted and they backed their vision with concomitant action. Now, it is our time!

Did I hear you ask who will bring this to pass?

It is you and I of course. To you is birthed this new Nigeria today. This is our dream. This is our vision. Never sell yourself short. Do think you are inexperienced, too young, or unenlightened.

Please hear these words of wisdom and effect an immediate paradigm here and now.
#8220;Almost everything that is great has been done by youth#8221;--Benjamin Disraeli.
#8220;The value you place on yourself is what people will value you for.#8221;
#8220;Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment#8221;.- Baltasar Gracian
#8220;#8230;#8221;as he thinks in his mind so is he#8221;.-Proverbs 23 :7
#8220;He is able who thinks he is able#8221;. #8211;Buddha#8221;
Never be bullied into silence. #8220;Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one#8217;s definition of your life; define it yourself#8221;. #8211;Harvey Fierstein

Today, the challenge before you and I is to join Helice Bridges, in unison, and declare to our world that #8220;I am not just here to make a living, I am here to make a difference#8221;.

The Americans sleep and wake with the American dream. The Germans see themselves as the blue blood of the white stock. The Japanese, though short in stature, are not short sighted. The average Japanese organizations have a comprehensive one hundred years succession plan in place.

Today, have you been delivered the Nigerian dream- A Nation Immersed Gorgeously, Entirely and Richly In Abundance. Congratulations!

According to Helen Keller, #8220;Staying alive without a vision is worse than being blind#8221;. Therefore, we must believe in this vision and imbibe it, hook, line and sinker. We must eat it, sleep with it and be awake with it, until it is practically manifested.


Hold it! Mandatorily, these following ingredients must precede the practical manifestation of our Nigerian dream. I will call them the code of conduct or the lifeline of our newly birthed Nigerian dream.

1.) Leaders in the place of Politicians. I am talking of leadership with a genuine heart to serve the people. I am talking of servant-leadership as propounded and typified by the great Master Jesus Christ. This is known as leadership by example- full of selflessness, humility, sincerity, sacrifice, tolerance, openness, brotherhood and unfailing love.

#8220;Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all#8221; #8211;Jesus Christ
#8220;If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded#8221; - Maya Angelou.
#8220;The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it#8221; - William James.
#8220;The highest result of education is tolerance#8221;. #8211;Helen Keller
#8220;We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from it.#8221; #8211;William Osler.

2.) The Common Habits of Genuine Wealth Creation. Here is a common denominator for all genuinely wealthy people: (a)They are dedicated hard workers. (b) They live well below their means and invest the rest for a greater future benefit. (c) They efficiently and effectively allocate their time, energy and resources to money yielding activities. (d)They are socially responsible to their respective communities and beyond.

This Nigerian dream is only for principled people of integrity, honesty, probity, truth, commitment and accountability. People who value good name more than all the riches of this world.

#8220;It doesn#8217;t matter whether your business is large or small, if the principle of saving money is not employed, the chances of success are slim or none.#8221;
-G.H. Bey
#8220;I won#8217;t have any money to leave behind, but I just want to leave a committed life behind.#8221;- Martin Luther King (Jr.)
#8220;Conscience is an open wound only truth can heal It.#8221; #8211;Uthman Dan Fodio
#8220;In matters of principle, stand like a rock#8221; #8211;Thomas Jefferson.
#8220;Discipline is the foundation upon which all successes are built. Lack of discipline inevitable leads to failure. Discipline has within it the potential for creating future miracles#8221;

3.) A Life Style of Purpose, Personal development, focus, plans and
precision. This vision of a Nation Immersed Gorgeously, Entirely and Richly In Abundance requires people of great minds, voracious readers, thinkers and learners. People, who do not only plan, but also doggedly follow though to eventual accomplishment. Serious minded, God fearing people, who know that every good gift and every perfect gifts comes from above-comes from the Father of lights, the creator of the universe.

We must know that we are alive to make this world a better place than we met it. Live each day on purpose, with clear goals for each passing moment. Waste no time, because he who wastes his time wastes his life. And, according to Mike Murdock, #8220;the secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine#8221;.

#8220;The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them.#8221; #8211;Albert Einstein
#8220;Success is that old ABC-ability, breaks, and courage.#8221; #8211;Charles Luckman
#8220;The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which failed.#8221; #8211;Napoleon Hill
_____________________________________________________________

When we mix these ingredients proportionately in the pot of practice, placed on the fire of action, then September 20, 2003 will truly be the beginning of a new dawn.

Welcome to change! Welcome to the naming ceremony of our new baby- a Nation Immersed Gorgeously, Entirely and Richly In Abundance Though this change places a great challenge on our shoulders, we will not give up. We may be few tolling this noble track today, yet our decision remains steadfast. Do not sit on the fence. For men who sit on the fence stand the risk of being crushed from either side. Please join this highly priced cause today!

#8220;Never believe that a few caring people like you and I can#8217;t change the world. We can! For, indeed that#8217;s all who ever have.#8221;

.#8221; Progress is impossible without changes, and those who can never change their opinion can never change the world nor change themselves#8221;.

Arise my brothers! Arise my sisters! Boys, girls, men women, your religion notwithstanding, let us join hands in true brotherhood to nurture this day old baby unto maturity. This is the Nigerian dream. This is the Nigerian vision.

Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause. Guide our transformed leaders right; help our youth the truth to know. In love and honesty to grow and living just and true. Great lofty heights attain. To build a nation where peace and justice reigns. SO HELP ME GOD!

Thank you.




]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2003 19:10:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12070 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12053 A quick glance at Africa obviously depicts it as a continent in distress amidst its natural and divine endowments. Nigeria is ironically the giant of Africa and yet one of the poorest countries in the world. Reasons can be advanced for this impoverishment ranging from bad leadership to lack of opportunities. This has occasioned the youths that have lost hope in themselves and their beloved country, hence the yearning to emigrate to a land presumably flowing with milk and honey. Currently, there are over 30,000 Africans holding PHD who are living outside Africa.

It is not an overstatement that an average Nigerian is an embodiment of outstanding talents and potentials that need to be emphasized and showcased in the world but not as fraudsters or thieves in the making as we are most times considered by aliens. There are so many Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the growth of other countries and yet they are often regarded as third class citizens. For instance, an estimated 21, 000 Nigerian doctors work in the US alone.

It is in view of the foregoing that NIPRO, a group of young Nigerians living within and outside Nigeria has been on the list of stakeholders in the redemption of our already tarnished image. NIPRO’s coming to Nigeria will reverse the brain drain by retaining the trained manpower and attracting the trained Nigerians working abroad. It will work with donor agencies and companies to develop schemes designed to attract trained Nigerians back to Nigeria.

NIPRO adheres to the principle of relationship: You are not more than four (4) persons away that can connect you to your destiny. NIPRO will create an environment to facilitate networking and exchange of ideas and to help find support, human and financial resources, to assist professionals and organisations.

Prior to this time, Kamiludeen Olufowobi, a TIGNigerian, based in United States (Senior Vice President of NIPRO inc. US and UK) and I had a series of discussions online, on bringing this dream to reality. You wont believe that Kamil and I have not met eye ball to eye ball before. It will be an opportunity for us to meet also. I can say without trepidation that NIPRO is coming home to make the difference. And guess what? TIG members will get a discount to attend. For further information about the event please visit the NiPRO site : www.niproevents.com. TIG members in Nigeria, this is your opportunity to network at the beginning of a new year at one of Lagos finest venues-VINTAGE RESTAURANT AND GARDEN, PLOT 138 MUSA YAR’ADUA STREET, OFF IDOWU MARTINS STREET, VICTORIA ISLAND.

This will be an exciting and rewarding experience for all young Nigerians who will be in attendance.


]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2003 07:14:00 EST http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/12053 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/11003

]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2003 08:30:00 EDT http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/11003 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/10966 Mon, 15 Sep 2003 06:55:00 EDT http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/10966 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/10756
You will agree with me that the above text cannot be said to be a true reflection of the Nigerian society. Instead the youths have resorted to dreaming dreams, which is the sole responsibility of the old. Young people with their vigor and enthusiasm develop ideas and visualized their successes in no short time. However, the vision has been short lived in spite of their many assets and talents. The reasons for this are not farfetched. One fundamental issue that desires urgent attention is youth unemployment. According to the International Youth Foundation (IYF), an estimated 66 million young men and women are currently unemployed, representing roughly 40 %of the world total of 160 million jobless. This is obviously an international problem, leading to poverty, alienation and wasted potential. This brings to mind Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s remark during dictator Abacha’s era: “Abacha has wasted my generation.” However, with a sigh of relief following the introduction of democracy this view can be revisited and possibly corrected because we do not believe our generation is wasted. This position does not deny the stark reality of the peculiarity of high rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

It is not an overstatement to say that most Religious bodies are big in social gospels and small in social actions. We have seen quite a number of preachers forcing down the throat of their congregation the need for them to believe in God for a miracle for prosperity without doing what their predecessors did. That is, by providing the means for this presupposed miracle. One thing is to believe in God and another thing is to believe God. We see a lot of anointed men and women of God dressing in beautiful apparel while their members are languishing in abject poverty. It will interest you to know that people are tired of social gospels; no wonder then the word of God is becoming a cliché to a lot of youths, who do not want to waste their future in the hands of a pastoral leader that do not understand Saint James’ admonition: “Faith without work is useless.” The truth is that: nomen dat quod non-habet. You cannot give what you do not have.

It then buttresses the fact that unemployment is a problem which is not above us. It has to be addressed and solutions have to be provided. It was while I was pondering on the future of the Nigerian youths that the idea hit my mind and I am not mistaken to be led by God to challenge pastoral or ecclesiastical leaders to take on the challenge to overcome youth unemployment by empowering the Nigerian youths. This struggle is necessary because the old people in Nigeria want to see vision when they are supposed to be dreaming dreams. How possible is it? Hence, people like Prof. Jerry Gana, Adamu Chiroma and so many people are still in government since independence. The recycle bin cannot contain them any more. Does this mean we do not have youths who can replace these old wine skins? The time to drop that anachronism has come. It is not always true that old people are more knowledgeable than the young. That view is too authoritarian and anachronistic. This calls for the dividing line between chronological age and mental age.

It is time for us to wake up from our slumber and unlock the entrepreneurial potentials and ambition of young people who have been unable to find help to start their own businesses; helping them to start their own businesses can release one of the greatest areas of potential growth in an economy

Perhaps a reminder of this axiom will make sense out of what has been said so far: Life does not answer to wishes. This is not to the time to take consolation in luck, which is the disease of the small thinkers. Don’t wish it, work it. If sweat does not come out of us sweet would not enter. Good understanding will cause us to be outstanding. It is an acknowledged fact that if we don’t get inspired we will get expired. We cannot expire now rather let unemployment expire in Nigeria.

Have we ever wondered why there are so many graduates in Nigeria and yet the country is considered poor. I refuse to accept the reality that Nigeria is poor. There is a large pool of human resources that can redeem Nigeria from its present state of assumed pauperism. We want to appeal to the International bodies who are stakeholders in youth empowerment to help bring out the potentials in our generation. We need to be empowered entrepreunerially. A hungry man cannot feed another hungry man. We are not lazy. We are strong. It is not enough to educate a man on how to fish when he does not know where to cast his net to catch fish. We need to be empowered so as to be the difference that we make the difference in our community and the entire world.

]]> Sun, 31 Aug 2003 09:40:00 EDT http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/10756 http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/10755
It is our responsibility to make the world a better global village. We are indeed the leaders of tomorrow. Let us not bark like the proverbial toothless bulldog. This is time to make the difference in Nigeria. We must wear the glasses of John Mason by learning to "see the unseen". Let us therefore Arise and shine for there is a light at the tunnel.

The conference is not for the few. It is for the youths. This will serve as our sovereign national conference where issues ranging from oppression of the youths, health hazards, environmental degradation and cultural variations will be addressed. We need not fold our hands and sit like the old who are meant to be dreaming dreams. We are destined to see visions and actualise them because we are an embodiment of vigour and enthusiasm.

Please ARISE AND SHINE.

Victor Gotevbe
Head, Media and Publicity Committee
TIG Nigeria Conference 2003]]> Sun, 31 Aug 2003 07:50:00 EDT http://gotebs.tigblog.org/post/10755