Thinking Aloud Magazine: Jul-Sep 2018

THINKING ALOUD

ISSUE

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

JUL - SEP 2018

CONTENTS

Cover Photo: Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede

Mrs. ‘Yemisi Ayeni Chairperson, Board of NASCON Allied Industries Plc. Non-Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd.

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

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

Dr. Mrs Olayinka Opadiya Senior Pastor, Every Nation Church Sydney Australia.

Mrs. Abimbola Komolafe Founder/Executive Trustee, Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Oladeinde Joseph , Chairman, Board of Trustees Mr Samson Igbokwe Mrs Roseline Igbokwe Mrs Ronke Osikoya Mrs 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

@2018. Thinking Aloud Magazine, a publication of Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation.

Edison Egere Othniel Komolafe Felix Eguabor

THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

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

3 JUL - SEP 2018

Dear Readers, I welcome you to the Q3 - 2018 edition of the ‘Thinking Aloud’ Magazine. ‘Thinking Aloud’ is the brand name of Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation’s (RDSF) international initiative for information sharing.

In this edition, we present interesting articles in pursuit of our Magazine’s vision and mission to promote, entrench and improve societal values.

Our cover profiles Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, the erudite and award-winning Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, a foremost and prestigious University in Nigeria. The interview is loaded with his experiences and shares numerous life lessons. Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede was the keynote speaker at the maiden edition of the annual lecture series of the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation held in August 2018.

This edition provides a special coverage of the 2018 annual lecture with the topic “Public Education in the 21st Century: A Reappraisal of the Nigerian Education System since Independence”.

Our regular columns offer interesting topics for your reading delight. The Finance Coach Column features ‘7 Keys to Financial Freedom’; the Parenting column focuses on the importance of good communication for effective parenting while the youth corner highlights the potential enemy that Social Media influence can become, and offers encouraging antidotes for overcoming this.

We would like to receive feedback from our readers on our content and features. Send your comments on any of the featured articles to ThinkingAloudPublication@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you.

We invite you to sit back and have a delightful reading experience.

BIMBO KOMOLAFE Editor

connect with us on social media | thinkingaloudmagazine

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A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

parenting

10 tips to using communication as a tool for effective parenting

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t is important to define who a parent is and what communication means in order to place the topic in the right perspective. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes a parent “as a person who brings up and cares for another” while Communication is defined as “a process by which information is exchanged and understood by two or more people, usually with the intent to motivate or influence behaviour”.

Absence of good communication channels between parents and their children is the fastest way to throw a child to the wolves. Parenting is hard work and communication is a major tool for effective parenting. In today’s turbulent environment where children are exposed to influencing factors such as social media, peer pressure and busy parents, communication should be at the top of every parent’s needed skills. Communication is very important in the family because it enables members to express their needs, wants and concerns to each other. Information is passed through words, which could be written, verbal or non-verbal through facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. Below are a few tips: 1. Deliberately seek to maintain good channels of communication Parents should make deliberate efforts to keep an open channel of communication with their children and ensure the children are aware of this window. When parents communicate with their children, it enhances the quality of their relationship and the children will grow up with a sense of safety and security. In addition, it creates a climate of love, acceptance, hope and support that can inspire children to reach their potential as well as sustain them during times of stress.

2. Understand children are different and adopt appropriate style of communication Understand your children and apply a beneficial style of communication as appropriate to each child. No two children are the same. Parents need to learn how and when to use the different communication skills. Although it is hard, it is worth the effort. Work hard to use the right choice of words, tone, body language and listening skills with each child.

3. Avoid anger in communication Generally, parents should watch the language and tones used when discipline is required and control their temper to avoid losing the lesson or message with the use of wrong language. Communicating when you are angry or need to discipline your children requires that parents choose their words carefully. In order to achieve your goal, all disciplinary actions should show love. Avoid blame culture - when a child is down, let your language lift him/her up. Do not compare children and their peers and/or siblings; rather learn to encourage a child to do better without making the child lose selfconfidence.

4. Start early and don’t give up It is never too early to start effectively communicating with your child. It is also never too late. Recent studies by Christy Moon, a Professor of Psychology at the Lutheran University in Tacoma indicates that babies begin absorbing language THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

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10 tips to using communication as a tool for effective parenting while still in the womb, earlier than previously thought.

Sensory and brain mechanisms for hearing are developed at thirty weeks of gestational age and the new study shows that unborn babies listen to their mothers talk during the last ten weeks of pregnancy and at birth can demonstrate what they have heard. Talking, singing and reading to your unborn baby can be a way to foster early social interaction and later learning. Parents, who have good relationships with their children, would typically have opened a good window of communication early in their lives and worked to improve this over time. Do not give up where you face resistance. Keep the efforts up and they will eventually yield results.

5. Create time to be available for your children Parents are encouraged to create time to be available for discussions with their children. It has to be deliberately planned; otherwise the pressure of work will take over.

Spending time with our children is more beneficial than spending money on them. Take note of the time they are most likely to talk with you. It could be in the car, over a meal or at bedtime. Find time each week for one-on-one activities with each child to learn their likes, dislikes and how best to handle them.

6. Do not be a victim of social media influence Parents must be aware of the potential enemy of social media influences. Discourage the use of cell phones when spending time with your children to avoid divided attention. Television sets should also be kept in the common sitting rooms instead of in individual bedrooms.

Also, family prayer times can bring the family together and help to break barriers in communication.

7. Learn to be a good listener Listening is an important element of effective communication. The importance of learning the art of listening, determining the right time to talk, when to teach and when to let your children figure out their own solutions can not be overemphasized. Also, using humour to ease tension is highly recommended. These skills will assist parents in their daily interactions with their children.

Listening to our children when they are talking about their concerns will make a huge difference in family relationships. Parents need to understand what their children are talking about and have two-way discussions with their children. Do not just lecture, criticize, threaten or say hurtful things; listen carefully to what they say, encourage them to talk and they will share their stories.

Focus on their feelings instead of yours; when you give your child room to express himself/herself at home, he/she is likely to grow up to be able to express himself/herself confidently outside the home. Your child must feel confident to discuss all manner of things with you. A child who knows his/her parents will listen will be more willing to discuss his/her struggles and this will help to manage

stress and depression.

8. Speak the language they understand For communication to be an effective tool, parents must seek to appreciate the generational gap between them and their children. The world is changing; what constituted effective communication during the parents’ time is not what it is now. A good parent must speak the language the children understand. To achieve this, read and update yourself on current issues and techniques to keep up with the times. Parents, apart from being there or wanting to address the concerns of the children, will gain a lot by doing this. It is amazing the things children can teach their parents. There is great value to be derived from this.

9. Both parents must maintain an open communication channel It is important to note that the commitment to communicating effectively with the children must come from both parents because men and women communicate in different ways. It will also go a long way to help the children understand how to communicate with both genders. In our society, men tend to leave the bulk of the parenting responsibilities to women. This is not the case in all homes but tends to happen a lot more than we think. This in one way or another affects children differently and can cause some type of gap in the communication channel on certain issues.

10. Seek counsel if you struggle to communicate with your kids Parenting is challenging since parents are dealing with many other pressures. If you are struggling with communicating with your children, irrespective of their age, seek counsel. There are different resources available for parents who have problems in communicating with their children. Seeking counsel is one sure way of getting help.

Mrs. Deborah Ezenwanyi Alade is an experienced educator who has worked in various capacities in the education sector. She has spoken extensively in various fora addressing topics to do with child development, quality of education and educational services. She has been married for almost thirty years with adult children.

Mrs. Alade holds an M.Ed from the University of Bristol England. | 5 |

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

the finance coach 7 simple keys to your financial freedom

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veryone desires to be financially independent and able to meet his or her financial obligations from own resources.

No one wants to be partially or wholly dependent on another person for basic needs and wants. Everyone should be able to have financial freedom. However, many people remain in a financially dependent situation because of certain reasons, mainly ignorance. One of the definitions of ‘independence’ in the Cambridge dictionary says it is ‘the ability to live your life without being helped or influenced by other people’ while ‘Freedom’ is defined as ‘the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited’. From these definitions, we can define financial freedom and independence as the ability to live and meet your financial obligations, without being helped or influenced by other people. We can also define Financial Freedom as ‘the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to (financially), without being controlled or limited’. There are many good habits we can adopt to help us live with financial discipline which in turn will allow us have financial freedom. These habits are applicable to those struggling financially as well as to those who might not be struggling financially, but nonetheless desire a higher level of financial independence. The following 7 keys are some of the ways we can all have true financial freedom.

1. Understand and value money.

A person who desires to have financial freedom must understand money and its’ numerous attributes. Money serves three main purposes; it is a medium of exchange, a store of value and a unit of account. In practical terms, everyone needs to understand and know how much they need to meet their immediate needs, how much financing they need for the future and how much they are currently worth. Understanding money means ‘understanding how much money you have and where it goes. It means being in a position to make the most of what you have. There is a lesson in the advert we see in recent times on the popular CNN program ‘Quest Means Business’ hosted by Richard Quest which says ‘Just a penny?’ In the advert, a young lady drops a coin and when someone picks and returns the coin to her, she says ‘oh it is just a penny’….. The person who desires financial independence must know ‘it isn’t just a penny’ but that every penny counts.

Knowing this guides your monetary choices and decisions. Most wealthy people do not waste funds. They get good value for every penny committed. They understand that money, when properly managed, has the tendency to grow. They also learn to pay themselves first by putting away a percentage of their earnings as savings. Another attribute of money is that it is not defined by the work done to earn it, so do not look down on any job. Be humble enough to do anything legal to earn some money. Lastly, treasure what you earn, no matter the sum.

2. Create multiple streams of income Multiple streams of income mean that you have income from several different sources. If one source stops or is eliminated you can rely on another source. Most people do not maximise and generate income from the opportunities they have.

Everybody has 24 hours in each day. Time is the most valuable resource to man. It is common to all, rich or poor and is equal for all. The difference between the financially independent vs. financially dependent person is the utilisation and application of these hours. Whether you work for yourself or for someone else, you can allocate more time to earning income in addition to your main source of income. What is important is that you do not breach the terms of your paid employment. Those with funds should diversify their investment portfolio by investing in a variety of income generating assets. Others with limited funds can learn a skill and equip themselves to offer a service in addition to their main jobs.

THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

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7 simple keys to your financial freedom Look around you and identify a need in your immediate community and find what you can sell, or the service you can render to generate additional income.

3. Identify your money mistakes and weaknesses A person who desires to have financial freedom must understand his weaknesses, be honest about past money mistakes and be determined to overcome these weaknesses.

Money mistakes range from living above one’s means, living extravagant lifestyles, not having savings, spending on impulse, borrowing to finance excesses, poor financial planning, poor knowledge of financial matters, living for the moment and improper planning for future needs, and complacency with current state of achievement. Identify which bad habit(s) you are struggling with and make deliberate efforts to stop it (them).

4. Maximize your strong days (Make hay while the sun shines) “Make hay while the sun shines" is a popular old saying that is essential for being in control of your own financials.

To make hay while the sun shines means that you take advantage of the chance to do something while conditions are good. It also means you make good use of your time or make the most of an opportunity while you have the chance. To have financial independence irrespective of the stage of your life requires that you sow the right seed at the right time. The financial seed sown today will grow and yield fruit down the road.

Shun the word ‘procrastination’ and take action ‘today’.

Make every second count. Learn a trade/skill when you still have the physical strength and when fewer things are competing for your time. Sacrifice the leisure of today to study for a professional qualification, obtain additional certification that can boost your resume (worth). If you are an entrepreneur, build up your capital by increasing what you plough back (retained profits) into your business and see your business grow.

5. Look ahead Financial freedom isn’t only for your days in active employment but includes the season of life when you can no longer actively work. Everyone must take financial decisions consciously aware that retirement will eventually happen to every one. Retirement has been defined as ‘the action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work’.

Even if you love work so much, your physical form will restrict you from working so hard in your later years.

Some people have lived a lifetime of work with nothing to show for it, irrespective of what they earned.

When you retire, savings from your active years should fund your living expenses. It is therefore important that from the date you start working, you set some funds aside for your retirement years.

Your financial decisions and choices during the years when you earn high income should tend towards saving

maximally such that your savings and investments can finance your lifestyle when you have retired or left such high-paying jobs. It is important to be aware that whilst certain expenses during your active years (e.g. buying first home, children education) may not continue into retirement season, you pick up new expenses (medical bills from age-related ailments, higher insurance premium etc.).

If we live below our means while the going is good, we will be able to live as if we never retired even after we have retired.

No matter your current level of income, it is essential to begin saving for retirement. If you have not started, begin now, as it is NEVER too late. There are many resources to support you in this area so seek professional advise where unsure.

6. Your money, your relationship.

Whether you are already married or planning to get married, it means you are in a serious relationship.

Financial freedom requires that you and your partner are fully aligned on money matters. Transparency is essential and there should be no assumptions regarding what your financial goals are. There should be open discussions about your finances where both parties will agree on what strategy to pursue. 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.

7. Understand that everyone can have financial freedom.

No matter your current circumstances, understand that no man was born to remain poor. There is a popular saying, ‘If you are born poor it's not your mistake, but if you die poor it's your mistake’. Attain financial freedom by refusing to be condemned into living a life of poverty. With the understanding that your financial circumstances can change positively, begin to take little steps towards growing financially. Improve your knowledge of financial matters and apply the knowledge gained. Where possible seek expert support and guidance from professionals to enable you maximise the opportunities currently available to you.

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 Blog: www.financecoachbk.blogspot.com.ng | 7 |

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

generation next

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ound familiar? How many times have you heard that? How many times have you said it?

The human nature is designed to crave acceptance and we intuitively desire to have a sense of belonging. Be it at home, in school, or among colleagues, no one really wants to feel like an outsider. It is a good feeling to know that we can freely express ourselves and would not be judged for our 'who' and 'do'.

'You do you and ama do me'... does that sound familiar too? More often than not, the way you do you will be different from how I do me ... and that should be OK. Every individual should have the right to live as they deem fit without the pressure to conform to individual or collective expectations.

Our diversity makes us a whole lot of things. We can be kind, generous, loving, friendly, protective, patient, selfless and loyal. We can also be rude, selfish, dishonest, irritable, violent and abusive. Still, no matter who we are, we require, scratch that, we demand that other people accept who we are. The wife beater wants acceptance. The paedophile craves an accepting environment. Even the rapist wants to 'do him' and be accepted. Yes, we all want unconditional acceptance whether we deserve it or not.

I have come to see that 'accept me for who I am' is a phrase a lot of people use to manipulate others to condone mistreatment and destructive tendencies. It helps nobody because while you keep ‘accepting' them and all their crappiness, you could get destroyed and they won't get any better because there is no entropy to be different. When you accept, you endorse and what you allow is what will continue. The refusal to condone mistreatment and crappy behaviour places an invariable call on proper conduct.

Can I preach? You are NOT under any obligation to accept people for who they are. The word acceptance means endorsement in it's totality. What you need to do is RECOGNIZE people for who they are and then decide how to proceed.

Maya Angelou said, 'if someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.' Of course, people do change but we must never seek to make them change. We can help them see reasons why change is needed but we must learn to get out of the way and let God do what only He can do.

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Recognizing people for who they are means believing the truth about them, rather that what you would have them be. It doesn't mean you are better than they are because you also have/had your own faults, it just helps you know what you can deal with and what you can't. It also doesn't mean you have to stick with it if it has a negative effect on you. That kind of thinking has kept one too many people in destructive relationships. Jesus didn’t die for that. He died that you might know who you are, what you are worth and love and respect yourself enough to not settle for less than He died to give you.

Just before we demand that people embrace us for who we are, we need to sincerely answer this question; ‘if you were them, would you love you?' Are those differences that require acceptance harmless or destructive? Are you asking to be accepted for being the guy who squeezes the toothpaste in the middle or are you asking to be accepted as the guy who talks condescendingly and disrespectfully? Is your request for acceptance based on your tendency to snore or to cheat on your partner?

“Our diversity makes us a whole lot of things. We can be kind, generous, loving, friendly, protective, patient, selfless and loyal.”

Would you stick around while they use and manipulate you, like you do others? Would you be ok with it if they constantly lied to you and deceived you?

Would you still be happy with them if they treated you like crap ... just the way you treat them? How would you be if they were emotionally and physically abusive towards you like you are to them? Would you be so accepting if they were never there for you like you are never there for them? Can you take it when what you do to others is done to you?

It is actually very selfish to continue to be a certain way (with no evident desire to change) when you know it has negative effects on other people. It is even more arrogant to expect them to stick with it. If you cannot be better for the ones you say you love, then you don't deserve them. Relationships are meant to foster growth, improvement and positive change not set back.

You cannot remain abusive, self-centered or dishonest and expect the other person to keep up with you. That decision is solely theirs to make. Feel free to be yourself, but don't expect people to embrace a crappy version. You cannot have a smelly mouth and demand that people not turn away when you talk. You better brush your teeth then!

God may see your heart and ‘good' intentions but people can only see your behaviour, how you treat them and the hurt and pain you bring. Even God does not condone old crappy behaviour. The Holy Spirit gets grieved, silent and withdrawn when we do things that displease Him. When He is patient with us but we refuse to change, our sinfulness separates us from Him because His nature cannot condone sin. He still loves us but the relationship is rekindled when we repent and forsake our sins because certain behaviour does drive a wedge. Our conscience tells us when God is not happy with us, we feel the void when He withdraws. This discomfort helps us to get our act together and make that quality decision that we know will please Him so we can experience His presence in our lives all over again.

We cannot continue in wrong behaviour and expect acceptance to abound. Attitude is everything. Are we willing to change to become better or do we want to comfortably continue in the path we know is wrong and harmful to others, yet expect everyone to ‘accept us for who we are?' Who exactly are we? #YouDecide

Mo' Omoregee is passionate about the Truth. She employs her writing skills to spread God's perspectives on various subjects to the populace. With a degree in Adolescent and Reproductive Health, she is also interested in helping adolescents and young people make healthy choices that will inform their future. She currently is building her career in Health Systems Management and is actively interested in policies and initiatives that will improve Healthcare systems in Nigeria.

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A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

generation next

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on't deny it, Instagram has a tendency to suck sometimes - and by suck I don't mean to call social media evil or that it's a terrible idea. I'm not here to tell you to delete your accounts, but I truly think Instagram sucks because it can honestly drain the life out of you if you're not careful.

I've never tallied up the amount of hours I've spent on Instagram but I know that whatever the number is, it's a high one. On average, each user spends about half an hour* every day perusing through posts and double tapping pictures. Just add a few more minutes to that mix and you're probably getting closer to my average.

However it's not so much the hours on Instagram that started to scare me but the time spent after I had mustered enough mental strength to put the phone away and actually decide to do something that didn't require my eyeballs being plastered to a tiny screen.

Because of this need to check Instagram every day (often more than once a day) my life never felt "there" enough. I was never where I wanted to be in the way I dressed, my career, my home, my photography, love life, and regular relationships. To help console myself and compensate for that I found my way back on Instagram (and some times Pinterest) under the excuse of "trying to get inspiration", trying to "better" myself. I falsely believed that if I could see how others were living I could also apply their ways to my own life.

Maybe for some that method does work (ain't no shame in that game) but for me and maybe some of you that will never be the case. It all became less and less of a constructive critique and comparison of other people's lives to mine and more of a consuming THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

need to see others doing what I wanted to be doing myself - to live through their photos while never having to really do anything myself.

Living through them made it so that I was never living for myself. Time would progress but no progress was actually being made.

However, even with all that said it's not from me that you'll ever hear that social media is the root of all evil. Although I will put it out there to simply be careful. Don't let Instagram, or any social media platform for that matter suck you dry of your precious time or invaluable ideas. Don't let what you see on the screen dull your mind or lead you to put your life into a box of how you think it ought to be because you believe it will make your grass look greener.

You can be inspired until the last of the sheep come home but ultimately only you have the power to do all that you want. No one else is going to live your life for you and you cannot vicariously live through others.

Teniola Komolafe called Teni for short; is a blogger and a creative and freelance photographer who now calls Sydney, Australia home. http://www.tenikomo.com | 10 |

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inspiring personality

INSPIRING PERSONALITY Interview with Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.

Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, BSc Hons, BChD (Ife), MPH (Lagos), DDPH RCS (England), FFD RCS (Ireland), PhD (UWC) is the current ViceChancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, the institution he has served for over three decades.

In this incisive interview with Thinking Aloud Magazine, Prof Ogunbodede shares the exciting story of his life and his journey as a notable academic in a top Nigerian University.

1. Could you share a bit of your background with us by telling us about your childhood, education and family?

I was born in Owo, Ondo State, and I had both my Primary and Secondary School education there. My parents are both from the town and are still alive and healthy. I attended Methodist Primary School II where I was exposed to the doctrine of the Methodist Church, and I still cherish my completion certificate signed by the Bishop, then at Ilesa. I also had the privilege of attending Owo High School, founded by the late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, who was also the Principal. I am proud to say that all of us trained by Chief Ajasin are doing very well today. Apart from being a foremost educationist, Chief Ajasin also had under him a crop of dedicated teachers who were future-focused and committed to ensuring the success of their students. I remember an incident in my fourth year, Form 4 as we called it then, when all the Secondary Schools in the then Owo Local Government Area (which included the current Ose Local Government) had to write an Essay as part of the Independence Day celebration, with two representatives selected from each school. St. Johns/ Mary’s Teacher Training College and the Government Technical College also participated. Tope Alonge, now a Professor and the current Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and I were selected to represent our School. The Two Topes, as we were fondly referred to back then, represented the school even though we were still in our penultimate year. Surprisingly, Tope

Commissioner of Education Kaduna State, Alhaji Jafaru Ibrahim Sanni, Guest speaker Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede and Former Director of Education Nigeria Rear Adm. Almu (Rtd).

Alonge won the first prize, and I got the second while one of the two candidates from the Teacher Training College won the third. Although we were on the parade ground where the announcement was made on Independence Day, we didn’t have the boldness to step forward to collect the prizes. Chief Ajasin had to collect the two prizes on our behalf under thunderous ovation. It was a show of class and Owo High School students on that day held their heads so high to the admiration of all that were present. Looking back, I am sure that would have been one of Pa Ajasin’s happiest and proudest moments as a teacher.

I was admitted to the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977 through the concessional entrance examination, to read Dentistry.

There was no JAMB examination then. I applied only to read Dentistry and no other course because Ondo State had only one dentist then, the late Dr D. K. Omole, who trained in the USA and came back home | 12 |

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to serve in the State. He was operating a Mobile Community Service and his destination for each day was announced on the radio. Before then, I had nursed the ambition of reading Medicine with some of my other colleagues who had formed the “Young Scientists Club”. I later changed my mind and opted for dentistry at the point of filling the concessional entrance examination form. I also wanted my name to be announced daily on the radio just like the new dentist, Dr Omole. I got to the University only to find that Dentistry was not so highly regarded after all and that students who could not make the grade for admission to Medicine were the ones admitted to Dentistry. I am glad I have contributed to changing this outlook for Dentistry in Nigeria.

2. How about your career and family?

I joined the services of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria, as a Medical Training Fellow in March 1987 and rose to become Professor in the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry in October 2000. I am currently the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University for a 5-year term ending in June 2022.

Before I was appointed as Vice-Chancellor, I served as Head of Department of Preventive Dentistry for 12 academic sessions and Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria from 1999 to 2002. I was also Provost of the College of Health Sciences from 2007 to 2009. I also served as Member, Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, from 2009 to 2011 and member of the Governing Board of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, from 2007 to 2009. I have been Honorary Consultant in Preventive Dentistry to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile -Ife, Nigeria from 1993 to date. I was a member of the Central Committee that developed the first Strategic Plan for the Obafemi Awolowo University, (2002-2011) and I was a member of the Central Monitoring Committee for External Grants and Sponsorships of the University from 2006 to 2011.

Also, I was Honorary Visiting Professor to the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, one of the oldest universities in Africa from 2000 to 2010 and Visiting Professor, Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, USA, from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013.

I am a member of the 12-member International Governing Board of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), the only globally recognized organization for all dental researchers in the world, headquartered in Alexandria, USA. I have representTHINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

“I am the only African member on the Oral Health Working Group of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM)”

ed Africa and the Middle-East on the Board since 2015. I am also President of the African and Middle East Region of the organization. Also, I am the only African member on the Oral Health Working Group of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM), a global organization founded on the principle of value-based health care.

I have been External Examiner at both graduate and postgraduate levels to several Universities outside Nigeria, including the University of Nairobi, Kenya; University of the Western Cape, South Africa; University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa; and the Kwame Nkrumah University in Ghana. I was the Regional Councillor for Africa and the Middle East Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network from 2013 to 2016; and Honorary Visiting Professor to the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa from 2000 to 2010. Earlier in my career, I was Commonwealth Medical Fellow, Joint Department of Public Health and Community Dentistry, University College London, London, from 1991 to 1993; Honorary Clinical Fellow, London Hospital Medical College, Whitechapel, London from 1992 to 1993; and Distinguished Visiting Scientist, Medical Research Council of South Africa from 1998 to 1999.

3. The dictum in the academia is publish or perish: To become VC, we can take it for granted that you must have published yourself into prominence in your field.

Is that correct?

Absolutely! I have published widely and performed what you might call professional tasks in my area of specialization. For instance, I have published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles in highly reputable journals internationally. I am also the sole author of the only book on the History of Dentistry in Nigeria, published in 2015. I have attended over 120 scientific conferences in countries as diverse as Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Republic of Benin, South Africa, Ethiopia, England, Scotland, Netherlands, China, India, Ireland, Sweden, Kuwait, | 13 |

inspiring personality Australia, France, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Spain, Tunisia and the USA. I was a Principal or coinvestigator in 15 Grant-supported national and international researches, and also the Foundation Editor-in-Chief of the African Journal of Oral Health (AJOH). I currently serve on the Editorial boards of four leading international dental Journals (Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, Gerodontology, Tanzanian Dental Journal and Annals of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery) and two National journals (Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences and the Nigerian Dental Journal).

For these services, I have received several distinctions, honours and awards among which are the Distinguished Alumnus Award, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (2002); Distinguished Leadership Award, College of Health Sciences Alumni Association, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (2012); and Award of Honour by the Nigerian Dental Association for Outstanding contribution to Dentistry (2008). I also received the Honorary Fellowship/Membership of many Associations such as the Nigerian Library Association (2015), the Dental Technologists Association of Nigeria (2016), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (2017). I am a Diplomate of the Royal College of Surgeons, England; and a Fellow of Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.

God used me to establish the First and only Dental Museum in Africa (DEMA Foundation Dental Museum, Ile-Ife), which is also the first specialized museum in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. It houses my personal collections and was commissioned by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in September 2015. It has since been open to the general public at no charge. It has attracted visitors from all over Nigeria and abroad, contributing not only to dental enlightenment but also the training and education of the health professions.

“I thank God for my father’s visit that day and will enjoin parents to pay surprise visits to the schools of their wards.”

4. We mentioned your family a while ago.

Yes, I am married with children.

5. Could you also share some memorable events that impacted your life positively or negatively that can be a lesson to the younger generation?

There are several memorable events, but I will restrict myself to only three cases that have to do with the company you keep, your peers. In my third year in the secondary school, I was introduced to a group of students whom I thought, at that time, was enjoying the best of life. While others would be in school, we would stay in a rented room in town to play games, eat mostly cooked beans and drink tea and garri from the same pot. We were all contributing financially, but mine was highest as I was a relatively privileged child compared to the others in the group. However, I was enjoying the communal living and the fact that I was a champion in draught game. We would appear in school in the afternoon to eat lunch, to the admiration or condemnation of other students who knew we were skipping school.

We were nicknamed “Omo yo” meaning “the child suddenly appears”. Fortunately for me, my father came to school one day to see the principal and discovered that I was absent. I was informed when I appeared for lunch that my father had come to see me and that the principal had issued a “search order” for me. I initially thought it was a joke, but when several students confirmed that it was true, I became panicky. I immediately ran to the principal’s office (ignoring lunch), and lied to Chief Ajasin that I left the class to read under a tree in the nearby bush because my classmates were disturbing me with their noise. He believed me and warned me never to do that again as a snake could bite me. I prostrated to thank him and ran out of his office before he could ask any other question. Victory number one! I took my bicycle and left for home. My father was very cross with me. He said: “I paid to put you in school and you have decided to be wayward. Where were you when I visited your school?” I told him the same thing I’d earlier told the principal, but he saw through me and shouted. “You are a liar! You didn’t go to school!

Have you seen the principal today?” I answered in the affirmative and told him the advice the principal gave me. Then he mellowed down, saying “Olorun yo e” (God saved you). That was the last time I ever associated with the group. I am aware that the group later graduated into smoking Indian hemp. Members of that group are the least accomplished among our colleagues today. I thank God for my father’s visit that day and will enjoin parents to pay surprise visits to the schools of their wards. They never can tell | 14 |

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what the young ones are up to.

The second example had to do with one of my roommates at OAU who happened to be the only smoker in our room. One day his father visited while he was smoking and he ran out through the back door when he heard the father's voice. The father entered our room and perceived the cigarette odour. He was very cross with all of us and described us as a disappointment, wondering how his son could stay with smokers like us without complaining. We were not bold enough to tell him that his son was the culprit. He left in annoyance. His son graduated from OAU as a doctor without being able to quit smoking.

The incident only helped us to ban him from ever smoking again in our room! In retrospect, perhaps we would have been able to help our friend and roommate if we had told his father the truth.

There was yet another example of a roommate whose friends taught him to smoke Indian hemp in his first year. He immediately turned hysterical and started shouting and misbehaving. The incident occurred in his faculty during his first year. He was taken to the University Health Centre and discharged the second day. The campus magazines had a field day making caricatures of him. I am not sure he survived the shame, even after graduation.

The lesson in all this is do not succumb to peer pressure. Youths can easily ruin their destiny by so doing.

6. You are known as a principled man, what values have guided you so far in life?

An aspect of my core principles is in my answer to your last question. You should be able to look at people in the face and tell them your honest opinion on any issue. Do the right thing always because what is right and godly can never be wrong. Do not be swayed by financial gains. Decisions based on purely financial consideration don’t often stand the test of

“I am ever ready to sacrifice my comfort if it will be of higher value to my friends and neighbours.”

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time. Certain positions are temporary and whether you like it or not you will leave them behind. Always have at the back of your mind the legacy you want to be remembered for. You must also be ready to resign at any given time instead of mortgaging your conscience or core values in life. Live with the knowledge that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ or even death can come suddenly. I am ever ready to sacrifice my comfort if it will be of higher value to my friends and neighbours.

7. Young people of your generation had all the advantages they needed: they had various job opportunities. What motivated you to go into academics and how did you rise to become the ViceChancellor of OAU, one of Nigeria’s most reputable Universities?

Well, I came into academics rather fortuitously. I also believe that God had ordained it to be so. It was never my intention to teach in the university. My intention as a student in Ife was to graduate and move to Ibadan to practice. I visited Ibadan for the first time in 1974 to sit for the Ordinary Level GCE London examination. It was the closest examination Centre to Owo, my hometown. I was at Ibadan for four weeks, and I stayed with my aunt in Bodija while my exam centre was at Oke-Ado. I fell in love with Ibadan and secretly nursed the ambition of coming back to work in UCH after qualifying as a doctor. The then UNIFE and Ibadan (UI) were my universities of choice, but I preferred Ife because of the double degree awarded to doctors and dentists; the BSc. (Honours) Health Sciences and the final Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees. As God would have it, after my Housemanship, I applied to come on the residency programme at the OAU Teaching Hospital in 1986, and I came first in the interview. However, my position was given to another applicant who was not even found appointable at the interview, and the result of the interview was deliberately kept away from me.

The then Dean, Professor Olusi, did not believe me when I told him I was looking for a job because he was at the interview and knew I came first. He took me to the CMD of the hospital where it came to light that the appointment letter had been issued to another applicant. The CMD immediately ordered that his appointment letter be withdrawn and a fresh letter issued to me. I was asked to come back the next day to collect my letter of appointment. I was later told a fresh letter could not be issued because the other applicant had written a letter of protest which was yet to be considered. I was going back and forth the hospital for about six weeks without obtaining the letter of appointment. | 15 |

inspiring personality Professor Olusi then asked me to forget about the hospital appointment and promised to find a job for me on the University payroll. He wrote to the VC and three of us were appointed Medical Training Fellows for Dentistry. That, in a nutshell, was how I found myself in academics!

I also never thought I would become ViceChancellor. It just wasn’t part of my aspirations. I was just acting according to character, putting in much effort and assisting others selflessly whenever the opportunity arose. I was at one time the statistician for virtually everybody in the College of Health Sciences. I did all their analysis for them at no cost. Incidentally, they also were not in my area of speciality, so there was no room for me to enjoy joint authorship with them. The best I got from all that was acknowledgement. I was also very respectful to my elders and seniors. It was, therefore, not surprising when I was invited by my colleagues to contest for the office of Provost of the College of Health Sciences. Three of us contested, and I won overwhelmingly. It was the first, and only time a dentist would be Provost of the College in its almost 50-year history. I believe God's guidance, being formerly Dean, Provost, Member of Governing Council and several Committees of the University coupled with prayers, paved the way for me to become Vice-Chancellor. Believe it or not, I am convinced that these leadership positions are settled in heaven before they manifest on earth. I have several testimonies to corroborate that, but that is not for this forum.

8. As Vice-Chancellor of OAU with a student population of over 30,000, what do you think are the priority needs of our youths and how can we turn their talents and raw energy into an advantage?

The major challenges facing our youths now are moral decadence and unemployment, and the University has a key role to play in curbing both. No matter how brilliant or gifted young people could be, an immoral or ungodly character can never truly make them succeed in life. If they make it to the top, the chances are that they could die young. In OAU, we have two primary schools and two secondary schools on campus, which means we try to extend our intervention to primary and secondary levels of education. We need to create hope and confidence in our youths through motivation and mentorship. We also need to come up with curricula that fit into present-day realities. Universities must now produce graduates that are innovative and who are not only employable but also able to employ others. Support must be given to those identified as future entrepre-

neurs to enable them overcome the frustrations associated with such ventures in poor economies such as our own. The aim of university education and training must now be to maximize the potential of all enrolled students and impact positively on the general society. We can then be able to turn the talents and raw energy of our students and youths to advantage.

9. You were recently applauded in the press for your handling of the recent case of sexual exploitation of a student in your campus. Given the widespread occurrence of such issues across educational institutions in Nigeria, what do you recommend as best practises for the students and teachers/lecturers to curb this occurrence?

You will agree with me that sexual harassment is not only rampant in educational institutions, but it also pervades the entire society. No organization, community or country is excluded. What makes the difference is the preventive measures put in place, and the way reported cases are handled. Our educational institutions should lead by example, particularly tertiary institutions. All institutions should have a Sexual Harassment Policy that should not just be in theory but must be fully implemented.

The environment must be made very conducive for victims to be able to report and obtain justice without being labelled, further harassed or blamed. “Victim blaming� should be avoided in all cases.

Lecturers should act in loco parentis to the students, and it can never be justified for any lecturer to claim that he was first harassed by the student, either through provocative dressing or direct invitation.

The lecturer is the higher authority with every right and instrument to correct or punish any erring student. Students are subject to the authority of their teachers and are the weaker partner in almost every case. There should be Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees at Departmental, Faculty and University levels and the Committee at the University level should have credible external members with impeccable track records. This will ensure that cases reported are not suppressed or negatively influenced by the leadership of the institution. All institutions must also work with other agencies both governmental and non-governmental with a similar mandate.

10. What are your goals and what vision do you have for the Obafemi Awolowo University during and after your tenure?

My major goal is to move Obafemi Awolowo University to number one in Africa in terms of the ranking of Universities and among the first 1,000 | 16 |

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Universities in the World. I am convinced this is possible and we have already laid an excellent foundation for us to achieve that goal. As I said earlier, I also would like to see a change in the curricula that will allow our graduates to employ not only themselves but others also. I want to leave behind a University that is making great impact in the immediate community and contributing substantially to national and global discourse, policies and development – a University in the forefront of Science and Technology and that is also the reference point in Africa for Arts and Culture.

All these will be sustained through the increased drive for alumni contribution and establishing the vision of the founding fathers to use the vast expanse of university land for agricultural production.

11. Have you noticed any transition in the development of young people in Nigeria over time?

Yes, the youths are now more inquisitive and increasingly exposed to foreign values as opposed to African or Nigerian culture. Geographic boundaries are rapidly being broken. What used to work before are now failing as the means of curtailing the youths.

12. One of the ways to mentor young people in a society is to point up role models for them to emulate.

Nigeria has a lot of great people, yet there is a scarcity of role models in public view. How do we manage to have such a paradox?

I do not agree that we have a lot of great people. We used to have them but not anymore. I was addressing my students in a large hall one day, and I told them they had impressed me by their behaviour and that if they continued that way, they would reach the top. I then added that when they get to the top, they should fear God and must not join to embezzle public funds.

They all shouted NO! in unison. By their reasoning, why must they struggle to get to leadership positions if they are not going to embezzle public funds? What is in it for them if you take away “free funds”? This is what our current leaders typify for the youths of today. It is unfortunate that that is the type of mentorship they get from our present leaders.

13. Africa has one of the largest young populations in the world, and so does Nigeria with a median age of 18.4 years. How should a country like Nigeria respond to the youth bulge in terms of cultural, technological and social planning?

We are not the only country in a similar situation.

We should stop paying lip service to youth unemployment and collate best practices from other THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

countries, especially in Africa where we share similar attributes. States within the country can also learn from each other.

14. How can we get our young people to break the barriers inhibiting the demonstration of their talents for our common good?

It is everybody's challenge although the solution really is mainly with the government. The government should partner with the industries and nongovernmental organizations to proffer workable solutions. The governments should encourage the talented ones to showcase their skills and support them to set up their own establishments.

15. How do we get our youths to be the social planners of a progressive Nigeria rather than the victims of poor planning that they seem to be?

Here, the educational institutions are pivotal. The curriculum at primary, secondary and tertiary levels require total overhauling. We cannot be teaching what was required to solve the problem of 1950 in 2018 and hope that we will be able to meet the global requirements for survival in 2050. The earlier we realize this as a nation, the better for us. The world is moving at a very rapid pace, and we are not even aware of it not to talk about catching up.

16. Could you comment on the role of culture and the school curriculum in your growing up years and today? Have they played a significant role in shaping our population?

In those days, we used to have cultural plays as part of our closing ceremonies at the end of every session.

It is no more. We have embraced other cultures at the detriment of our own. See the way we support football clubs in Europe and relegate our local clubs?

The same is happening to our culture. Technology has exposed us to western ideas and our weakness as a nation has given foreign ideas an edge. The motto of Obafemi Awolowo University is “For Learning and Culture” and we are just struggling now to revive the cultural aspect, which had long been neglected.

17. Let’s look at the social media: what positive or negative impact has it had on our culture and society?

I will assess the influence of social media on our culture as being generally negative. This is because the youths are more at home with the social media and they are very conversant with the culture to be able to promote it. | 17 |

inspiring personality 18. Do you think our country is underestimating the impact of drug abuse on the society, especially the crime rate in the country?

Yes, drug abuse is on the increase, and this is easily noticeable on the campuses. The government should review and strengthen the functions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) saddled with that responsibility. They should be funded to coordinate their activities and work with other stakeholders.

19. Nigerians are excelling in every field of endeavour abroad, yet the picture we are getting back home is that of a negative influence in the diaspora world? Is that a correct assessment?

The Nigerian news media have always been focusing on negative reports on Nigerians, including leaders.

We generally don’t see balanced news reports in our country. News is not reported if it is not negative because Nigerians are not interested in reading such news. We cannot rely on foreign media to promote our own people when we are either ignoring their achievements or busy looking for news that will sink them.

20. Many Nigerians seem to prefer foreign education to that in their home country, even though the fees and other expenses and challenges are incomparable.

What do you recommend to Government to stall this?

The government must handle workers’ issues promptly. Most people prefer sending their children abroad because the sessions are stable unlike the situation at home where there are incessant strikes.

The instruments for training are also not modern in some disciplines. The world of technology is developing at a very rapid rate, and we need funding to keep pace. The funding available is also largely misdirected due to individual interests as opposed to societal needs.

requires continuous investment.

22. On a lighter note, given your schedule as a busy top executive, how do you balance your role as a VC, father and husband?

There is no doubt that the Office of VC in a University such as OAU takes an enormous amount of time. We have a student population of over 30,000 and a staff population of over 5,000. There are over 400 full professors not to talk of Associate Professors, Senior Lecturers and the Senior Non-teaching staff. OAU has two Primary Schools, two Secondary Schools and nine full-level banks (in addition to several ATM outlets). The campus is fully residential with both Senior and Junior Staff quarters. There is a broad market where you can buy everyday needs and even electronics. The University has an Investment Company with several subsidiaries. There are also several government agencies affiliated to the University.

The campus is like a municipality. All these are under the purview of the VC who gets daily reports on virtually everything from academic attainment to the security situation and even things as minor as the need to repaint the Zebra crossings. If you want to make a mark and leave an enduring legacy, you cannot afford to sleep for more than six hours a day, and you have to cut down on socials.

Luckily for me, I have always been a system person and have learnt over the years to shun things that are unproductive. The duration of engagement as VC is one term of five years and this is comforting. I regard the period as that of sacrifice. However, it is possible to simply follow the traditions established over the last 57 years since the establishment of the University without adding anything new. I am sure nobody would wish that even for his or her worst enemy.

My children are grown up and are already on their own. We communicate on a regular basis.

21. Nigeria has experienced a proliferation of private universities, what is the effect of this on quality of education offered?

23. What is your exercise regime? What are your hobbies and how do you relax?

It is good for the country to have many private universities. It is my prediction that within the next twenty years some of the private universities will be better than some first generation universities. We must also realize that not all of the private universities will survive. Some may have to revert to secondary schools since the intention of the proprietors in the first instance is to make money. A university is not where you can make money; it

I do long distance trekking, and I do not drive around campus. It has, however, been impossible for me to do that again since I became Vice-Chancellor because many people seize that opportunity to stop you in order to ask questions or offer comments. You then lose control of your time and a distance that should take 15 minutes may take one hour or more.

My hobbies include reading biographies and visiting historical places. | 18 |

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RDSF SUCCESSES special coverage of the maiden edition of the rdsf annual lecture, 2018 THE 2018 RDSF ANNUAL LECTURE

On

the 9th of August 2018, RDSF organized the maiden edition of the RDSF annual lecture. The aim of the lecture was to create a forum and platform for discussions that will contribute significantly to the improvement of access to quality public education in Nigeria. It was also to create awareness about activities of the Foundation since its establishment in 2009. The theme for this year was ‘Public Education in the 21st Century; an appraisal of the Nigeria Education System since independence ’. The lecture was delivered by Pro Eyitope Ogunbodede, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.

In his lecture, the Vice-Chancellor stated that poor funding is not the only problem faced by the Nigerian education system. He stressed the need for strengthened research, policies and strategic plans, maintenance of regular calendar, University autonomy, staff discipline and work ethics among others.

Another highlight at the event, was the discussion of the presented paper by eminent personalities comprising of academics, a State Commissioner of Education and veteran school administrators. The discussants highlighted issues associated with the Nigerian education system to include examination malpractice, falling standards, cultism, inadequate research, poor teaching quality and over- regulation by controlling agencies.

The special guest of honour was Architect Sunday Echono, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education. He commended the RDSF Board of Trustees for their contribution, to the Nigerian education system and other areas relevant to socio economic development. He highlighted the Ministry of Education ’s strategic plans in improving the standard of education that will address areas such as: • Out-of-school children • Youth & Adult literacy • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) • Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) • Basic Education • Teacher Education, Capacity Building and Professional development • Curriculum and Policy Matters • Tertiary Education • Education data and planning • Information Technology • Library science | 19 |

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rdsf successes Also in attendance were captains of industries, school principals, teachers, students, school administrators, legislators, academics, journalists, military and paramilitary representatives. The Foundation also used the platform to showcase testimonies of past and present beneficiaries of her scholarship awards, skills acquisition and mentoring programs.

What is your greatest joy/achievement as a teacher?

THE RDSF TEACHERS’ EXCELLENCE AWARD

I don’t believe that teachers’ reward is only in heaven. Teacher’s reward is also here on earth, for example the Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation Annual Teachers’ award in which I came first in August 2018.

The aim of this award is to encourage teachers in the public sector who have contributed to improve access to quality education in Nigeria. The award ceremony took place at the maiden edition of the RDSF annual lecture. This year’s award was limited to teachers in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos State, and Mrs. Felicia Olugo, a basic science teacher of Badore Community Junior Secondary School emerged as the winner. Below is the interview we had with her as well as the interviews we had the 1st and 2nd runners -up.

My greatest joy/achievement as a teacher is that I mould lives of students.

Do you subscribe to the school of thought that says ‘A Teacher’s reward is in heaven’?

How best do you think government can contribute to the educational system in Nigeria?

Government should provide enough facilities for teaching and learning, and also improve teachers’ welfare.

What is your advice to other teachers?

All teachers should put in their best in teaching the students because they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Rear Admiral Mrs Itunu Hotonou (Rtd) presenting the award to the winner Mrs Felicia Olugo.

Can you introduce yourself to us briefly?

My name is Mrs. Felicia Olugo. I am a Basic Science Teacher in Badore Community Junior Secondary School, Badore.

It is a general belief in this part of the world that teachers are under-paid when compared to professionals in other fields. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

I decided to become a teacher because I have interest in teaching so as to make positive permanent change in the lives of students.

What can you say you have been doing differently from other teachers that made your students nominate you for the award?

I was chosen among other teachers because my teaching is more student-centered. And I use guided discovery method of teaching with adequate instructional materials.

THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

What's your area of expertise?

My area of expertise is in Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

What can you say you have been doing differently from other teachers that made your students nominate you for the award?

I will say my love and care for my students coupled with my ability to help in solving some mathematical and real life problems. My firmness in dealing with the students and the equal treatment being accorded to them. | 20 |

rdsf successes What is your greatest joy/achievement as a teacher?

My greatest joy and achievement as a teacher was the day I got nominated by my students as the best teacher in my school.

Do you subscribe to the school of thought that says ' A Teacher’s reward is in heaven?

No, because the greatest joy of every teacher is seeing his or her students excel in their doing or career.

How best do you think Government can contribute to the educational system of Nigeria?

Without much emphasis, the educational system can be influenced through Government partnering with the private sector in areas like Information Technology, Library and Infrastructural Development; as well as in improvement in total welfare package, employment of more teachers and Training and Retraining of more teachers to be more productive.

Knowing fully well that "Knowledge Is Power ".

visit, I was asked to teach. The way the pupils responded was fulfilling as I saw the impact I made within a short time and with that I developed an interest in teaching. I decided to obtain a postgraduate diploma in education and I took it up from there.

I realized that anything I teach as a teacher comes back to me and therefore enhancing every area of my life as it keeps me on my toes. Though I would love to get paid like professionals in other fields but nothing beats being fulfilled when you see your students attain great heights.

When you were nominated for the RDSF Teachers’ Excellence Award by your school, what was your first reaction?

I was happy and encouraged to have been nominated for the RDSF award in my school as it meant my work over the years was recognized and appreciated.

How did you feel as the 2nd runner up in the just concluded RDSF Teachers’ Excellence Award?

I was extremely happy and honoured to have received such an important award for my contribution to education. The position meant nothing but the fact that I was one of the awardees is such a great honour.

In what other areas do you think you can better improve on your teaching skills in order to enhance the performance of your students?

I intend to acquire more knowledge in my field and more valuable teaching skills in order to improve the quality of instruction as it has great impact on the achievements of my students. I'll make my students know how much I believe in them. This would foster teacher-student relationship, which has a great impact on their educational success.

Can you introduce yourself to us briefly?

I am Mrs. Victoria Damilola Adejumo-Abe. I am a teacher with The Lagos State Ministry of Education.

I teach English and Literature in Ilasan Junior Secondary School, Lekki.

“

RDSF COMMITMENT We do not just give scholarship to students on one time basis, but monitor, mentor and motivate our awardees to ensure a successful completion of their program and to be well placed in the society. ”

It is a general belief in this part of the world that Teachers are underpaid when compared to professionals in other fields. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

I became a teacher by chance and interest. During my NYSC programme, I was fortunate to be part of the education community development group, though I was serving in a bank at that time. We usually go to a French-speaking school to teach and on our first | 21 |

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Chairperson Editorial Board of the TA Magazine, Mrs ‘Yemisi Ayeni, Member Editorial board of the TA Magazine, Mr Akin Adejuwon, and representative of the Chief or Naval staff, Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abbah.

a selection of photographs from the event

Trustees of RDSF, Pharm Sam Igbokwe and Mrs Rose Igbokwe.

Mr Alfred Okoigun, GMD Arco group of companies and Major Gen Isola Williams (Rtd).

Special Guest of honour, Arch Sunday Echono discussing with RDSF Trustee, Rear Admiral Kehinde Komolafe (Rtd).

Trustee of RDSF, Mrs Ronke Osikoya delivering a speech on behalf of Admiral Oladeinde Joseph (Rtd), Chairman RDSF Board of Trustees.

Senator Bode Olajumoke.

a selection of photographs from the event Mrs Bimbo Komolafe, Trustee and Executive Secretary, RDSF.

Mr Micheal Armstrong.

Dr Mrs Kimberly Scollard.

AVM Femi Gbadebo (Rtd) & RDSF Sponsor Miss Seun Imam Lawal.

Mr Dapo Oguntayo.

Mr Femi Saliu.

a selection of photographs from the event

Mrs Salma Sadiq and Mr Dipo Ojo.

Mrs Muhidat Bello and Mr Amos Opanuga.

RDSF Beneficiary Dumi Okiemute and her interpreter.

Cdre Olatunde Oladimeji (Rtd), Rear Admiral James Oladimeji (Rtd) and Pharm Sam Igbokwe, Trustee RDSF.

a selection of photographs from the event Mrs Remi Soyannwo and Mrs Chikodi Wiggle.

Mrs Comfort Ukpong, Paper Discussant.

Mr Benjamin Eze anchoring the Testimony segment of the event.

Paper Discussants; Prof Audu Nanven Gambo of University of Jos, Commodore Amatere Kpou (Rtd) and Prof. Remi Ogun of the University of Ibadan.

Students at the event.

a selection of photographs from the event

Students at the event.

Students at the event.

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.

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rdsf board of trustees

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.

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rdsf board of trustees 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. | 30 |

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rdsf board of trustees 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.

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rdsf board of trustees 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.

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success story Background My name is Edison Egere and I am the first child in a family of six children. I come from Uvwie Local Government Area in Delta State and I have a B.Sc. in Banking and Finance and an Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business. I am currently the Administrator of Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation and also involved in foreign exchange risk management and business development.

How It All Started I got introduced to my mother in Ekiti State in 1993 and I was only 4 years old then. My mother at that time was training to be a tailor, while my father was a storekeeper at what used to be NEPA in Ekiti State. We were not rich but had access to basic needs of life and were very comfortable. In 1994, I noticed my father had changed his lucrative job and the quality of meals we took to school had deteriorated. Years later, I discovered he had been sacked and we had fed on his meagre savings. All effort to secure another job proved abortive so he decided to bring us all to Lagos in 1996.

The Search For Green Pastures I attended nursery school in Lagos while staying with my paternal aunt before going to join my family in Ekiti State. For me, moving to Lagos was a long journey but would be worth it because there was always food available. Parents usually do not talk to their children about the situation of things but they forget that we read the family’s situation and even want to advise if possible even though I was just 7 years old at that time.

We passed all the beautiful houses and skyscrapers only to settle in Jakande Estate, Lekki. Things however became tougher in Lagos as my parents just had the 4th child. Our situation had become so bad that my parents borrowed powder to bathe my little brother and six of us were squatting with my Aunt and her family (eleven altogether) in one room. At this point we did not know where the next meal would come from.

We eventually had to move back to Ekiti while my father worked on getting a job; he finally got one as a security guard at a Redeemed Church after that he came to move us back to Lagos again. For the most part, I grew up in Jakande Estate, Lekki and joined RCCG in 1998. The church was a place of succour for us; I remember wedding ceremonies taking place almost every Saturday at our parish we made sure not to miss any because lunch or dinner was guaranteed. I was very active in the children ’s church and passionate to learn but was not going to school as my parent could not afford money for uniforms at a government school, until one of the children teachers in church got to know and offered to help. As strange as this might sound, I got flogged in school every day for not coming with lunch money and would not bother to inform my parent because I felt there was no point aggravating their anxiety or get them worried. I preferred to mingle with children and teens in my church instead even though I felt inferior to them at that time. At some point, I was the only child in the choir walking to church for rehearsals but the then choir coordinator (Mrs. Chikodi Wiggle) never treated me differently. This made me feel loved in church and I became regular and committed.

The Struggle To Access Education I spent only one year in a government secondary school because we did only three subjects in my first year.

My mother was forced to withdraw and enrol me in a new but unregistered private secondary school. I was happy about this even though I knew my parents would be unable to pay the fees. In actual fact, most of my fees were paid by the same teacher from the church. The most difficult thing for me back then was going to tell my sponsor how much I would be paying next because I saw it as an extra burden on her. Most times, I go to hers after spending days at home hawking to assist my parent generate part of the money. I spent all my after school hours hawking all kinds of vegetables and kerosene and went through school without buying a THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

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success story: single textbook. Going to school on an empty stomach was the norm but in SS2 I was made the food prefect – meaning, I had free access to meals. My sponsor however was unable to continue with the usual support and because I felt she had tried her best, I stopped going to school in SS3 first term and started subsistence farming with my mother. When it was time for my set to write SSCE, I enrolled as an external student in 2005.

In July 2005, I started work as a cleaner at New Nigeria Bank (now Unity Bank) in Victoria Island.

One day, I was privileged to enter the MD’s office, stood there and asked myself “what could be the difference between this man and my father?”.

Coincidentally, the cleaning company that posted me there had called for a meeting in Lekki Phase 1 the next day. As I walked through Admiralty Way, I saw children being driven to school in luxurious cars, that made me decide to work towards obtaining a degree. I resigned to get a teaching job despite being offered 50% less than what I was earning as a cleaner. My mum had told me that a teaching job would remind me that I need to take part-time classes.

The church had posted Pastor Kehinde Komolafe to teens’ church, he was a father and we all loved him because he was indiscriminate in handling everyone irrespective of your background. His teaching had inspired many especially the indigents into being focused and determined and the best news he always wants to hear is that of admission into tertiary institution.

Taking Action In 2007, I met Sis. Adetola Ogunjimi. She was an active youth in church and was doing pretty well in the bank. In one of our rare conversations, she had told me that I can never save and go to school hence the will to school is more vital. This triggered me to write JAMB in faith.

I was working as a teacher in a local private school but about 70% of my income was from private coaching. However, during this time, my entire savings and my parents’ had gone on a mini flat project we had struggled to erect. Few months later, we were in church when we received calls from friends that a bulldozer had demolished every building located in that axis. This was a huge setback for us; so we had to move under a tree at Leisure Land but at night I slept in friends’ houses while my little sisters would sleep in a shop. I would like to state that I am eternally grateful to the friends (Chijioke Chukwu and Friday Agbama) who gave me shelter during that period. I was so determined to go to school because most of the teenagers we grew up together had travelled abroad to school. I didn’t want

them to come back and tag me a dropout. In March 2008, I was offered admission after staying at home for 3 years; this was the happiest day of my life as nobody I knew in my extended family was a graduate.

The day I was leaving for school, all my parent had at home was N5 and two cups of beans. I was given nothing, not even transport fare but I knew they were happy somebody in the family has finally broken the trend.

While in Ekiti State University, I usually took advantage of the ASUU strike to come home and work. I would resume late and leave the school early at the end of every semester. I knew where in the bush to pluck fresh vegetables for free to cook. Only my best friend Bolarinwa knew what I was going through as I would always wear a humorous face but could not participate in most extracurricular events with my mates. My level coordinator also never understood whenever I tried to explain to avoid any form of embarrassment at school.

Turning point One day, I had nothing on me and I had to do my registration, pay fees, buy compulsory textbooks and get a hostel. I felt frustrated and was on the verge of giving up. I composed a text message to send to Mrs. Bimbo Komolafe to come to my aid but could not send it. Few hours later, I was shocked to see my phone ring and she was the one calling; I thought I had mistakenly sent the text but I did not. She called to see how I was doing and wanted to come visit; I could not contain my excitement and told my friends. From that day, she became a mother, mentor and has contributed immensely to my success today.

Due to my background and my journey thus far in getting an education despite the lack of finances, I have always dreamt of working hard to liberate other indigent families through educational support.

However, we plan but God always knows how and when to make our dreams come through. I never knew God was preparing me for a place at Rehoboth Dream Solid Foundation (RDSF). Today, I can proudly say that I have impacted the lives of many; personally and through the Foundation. This could only have happened as a result of the immeasurable kindness shown to me by Rear Admiral Kehinde Komolafe and Mrs. Bimbo Komolafe who are also members of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation. The success stories of many of us they assisted personally, led to the establishment of RDSF. Whenever we offer to help someone in need, we often do not think of the ripple effect of our actions. I make bold to say that being part of a person’s success is the best legacy you can leave behind. I would like to appreciate everyone that has contributed to my success today. | 34 |

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HEALTH H

ypertension, which is popularly known as high blood pressure, is a disease that is not new to most individuals and this is because they either have a relative who is hypertensive or they are hypertensive themselves. Hypertension is one of the cardiovascular diseases that affect approximately 1billion individuals worldwide. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

In Nigeria, studies have shown that about 14million people above the age of 15 years are affected by this chronic and lifelong disease. The aim of this article is: • • •

To create awareness on hypertension and its complications.

To enlighten us on ways to manage and prevent such complications.

To educate us on need for early detection, prompt treatment and follow up of hypertension treatment.

What is Hypertension?

According to World Health Organization’s criteria, Hypertension can be defined as a rise in blood pressure of greater than or equal to (> or =) 140/ 90 mmHg at rest after 2 or more readings at least 4-6 hours apart. But according to AHA (American Heart Association) on hypertension 2017, a new definition for hypertension has emerged. Hypertension can now be defined as a rise in blood pressure of greater than or equal to (> or =) 130/80mmHg at rest after 2 or more readings at least 4- 6 hours apart.

Who are those affected by Hypertension?

The occurrence of hypertension increases with age, and affects more males than females. It is more rampant among urban dwellers than rural dwellers because of westernization.

Classifications of Hypertension Hypertension can be broadly divided into two types: 1. Primary Hypertension In this type of hypertension, the cause is unknown. It is more common and occurs in about 95% of all cases.

2. Secondary Hypertension This can be described as a rise in blood pressure due to other causes like kidney disease, drugs, pregnancy etc. Once the cause is treated the blood pressure will normalize.

What are the risks of developing hypertension?

There are certain risk factors that can predispose people to developing high blood pressure. They include:  Age: Blood pressure rises with age.  Gender: Research has shown that there are higher occurrences in male than in female population, especially in pre-menopausal women. Some schools of thought believe that estrogen levels in premenopausal women may play an important role in this.  Genetics: Family member(s) with history of hypertension increases one’s risk of developing hypertension.  Race: Hypertension is more common in blacks.  Stress: Excessive physical and mental strain on the body can lead to an individual becoming hypertensive.  Sedentary Lifestyle: Little to no physical activity on a regular basis increases one’s risk of being prone to hypertension.  Obesity: Being over weight increases one’s risk of becoming hypertensive.  Smoking: Smoking increases blood pressure temporarily while habitual smoking can lead to hypertension.  Excessive Alcohol consumption: Red wine is said to be cardio protective.

What are the symptoms of Hypertension?

The irony of this condition is that 1 in 10 Nigerians have high blood pressure, about 1/3 of whom are unaware. Also, only 1/3 of those aware are on treatment and only about 1/3 of those on treatment go for regular check ups and are drug compliant.

THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

In most cases, hypertension is symptomless and that is the reason why it is tagged “the silent killer”. An individual may have an outrageously high reading and yet be without symptoms until it leads to death. | 35 |

health & fitness However, if an individual begins to show certain symptoms it might be suggestive of an elevated blood pressure and these symptoms include: • Persistent headache • Sleeplessness • Palpitations (fast and irregular heart beats) • Blurry vision

What lifestyle changes can I make?

Hypertension is a multi-systemic disease that can affect any organ in the body especially when it is long standing and not properly controlled.

HEART EYES BRAIN KIDNEYS

BLOOD VESSELS MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN

BLOOD PRESSURE REDUCTION

BMI (Body Mass Index) 18.5 24.5kg/m2

5-20mmHg per 10kg weight loss

Healthy Eating Habits

Eat diets rich in fruits, vegetables and low fat diary products

8 – 14mmHg

Reduction in Salt Intake

Less than 5g per day

2 – 8mmHg

Increased Physical Activity

Regular aerobic activity e.g. brisk walking30minutes per day, 3ce a week

4 – 9 mmHg

Reduced Alcohol Consumption

Limit intake

2 – 4mmHg

Weight Reduction

What happens if Hypertension is not controlled or detected early?

PART OF THE BODY

RECOMMENDATIONS

MODIFICATIONS

COMPLICATION HEART FAILURE BLINDNESS STROKE, DEMENTIA KIDNEY FAILURE, INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS PAIN AT THE BACK OF THE LEG, TINGLING SENSATION IN THE HANDS AND FEET ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Are these statements true of Hypertension and it’s management?

There are lots of misconceptions about hypertension and it’s management; they include: • If you feel fine, you do not have hypertension • Hypertension might be symptomless.

• Once I get a lower reading, I can stop taking my anti -hypertensive medications • You need to continue taking your medications.

• Red wine is good for the heart so I can drink as much as I want • Excessive alcohol consumption in itself is a risk factor for developing hypertension.

• I do not think excessively so I cannot develop high blood pressure • Excessive thinking has not been shown to cause elevation in blood pressure.

•

Drug therapy: The drug treatment for hypertension is tailored to individual needs and specifications.

There are numerous anti-hypertensive medications available; therefore, there is a need to visit a general practitioner so the appropriate drugs can be prescribed.

What are the take-home lessons?

The complications that ensue from uncontrolled hypertension can be prevented if the disease is well managed and properly controlled. These are some of my recommendations for individuals with hypertension and how to prevent complications: • Regular blood pressure check.

• Regular taking of your anti-hypertensive drugs once you have been diagnosed to be hypertensive.

• At least one follow up visit every 2 months at the hospital.

• Avoid over-the-counter medications.

• Avoid self-medication.

• Avoid taking other people’s medication

How do I treat or manage Hypertension?

Hypertension is not curable but it can be properly managed. The modalities of treatment include: •

Dr. Banke Adenola is a Medical Doctor, a devout Christian with passion for writing, traveling and caring for children.

Lifestyle modifications: With changes in some of the modifiable risk factors of hypertension (stress, obesity and unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption), the blood pressure can be controlled to an extent. | 36 |

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health & fitness

FITNESS SPOTLIGHT Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

You could describe me as a typical Nigerian woman living an awesome life - wife, mother, daughter, sister, and niece; working 28 hours a day to keep the family happy. On top of that I work full time as an engineer, write an inspirational blog and serve as a minister in my local church. My life has 2 gears; sleep and “Go”, so it is either I am buzzing around like an energizer bunny or I am passed out on the couch recharging my batteries. As my fitness journey evolved, I now spend more time in “Go” mode than in my younger years.

How have you managed to juggle all these things and stay fit?

Adrenalin and endorphins (lol). I used to hear that exercise energizes one and would roll my eyes and snigger "yeah right!” But now I know it is true. A short walk in the middle of a stressful day energizes you and clears the cobwebs in your head. But seriously, I also live by a regimented schedule with every activity pencilled down on a daily, weekly and even monthly basis. A few ad-hoc activities can be incorporated according to their importance or urgency but most will be regretted. It is the only way I have been able to get by. Some friends call me inflexible but others prefer the word predictable.

I prefer the word organised.

Where did your passion for fitness come from?

Hmmm, like I said for most of my years I was in sleep mode. I would joke that I was allergic to sweat and would sleep till 10am on Saturdays while my husband went running. Rule no 1 on Saturdays was "Do not wake mum except for emergencies". But as I began to THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

approach 50years on earth my body started to give signals, my blood pressure was rising, my lower back was hurting etc. I would go in for check-ups and run all manner of tests and the outcome would nearly always be watch your diet, watch your posture, get some exercise, loose some weight. I did not want to be on blood pressure meds so I got off the couch and cleaned up my diet. It started with walks and one day I googled "How to run 5k" and for 3 years now I have moved from 'trying to run 5k without passing out to running 10-15k 3-4 times a week. With each day in “Go” mode, my alertness increased, my attention span improved, the weight on my back reduced, blood pressure normalised, my skin improved, My sleep improved... life got better.

Today people tell me to stop loosing weight but weight loss is not my primary goal, it is just a nice outcome of a healthier lifestyle.

How important are your food choices in your fitness journey?

Very important, I have learnt that eating/drinking the right things give you the right levels of energy to be active. Wrong foods drain you of energy. I now understand why I was sleepy and tired all those years.

Also, depending on your peculiar medical reasons, some foods need to be avoided - know your body, listen to it, what works for you may not work for me – it is not “one size fits all”. I have also learnt that eating at the wrong time puts the body under undue pressure; my personal experience since I stopped eating solid meals after 7pm has been amazing! Initially, I would drink a basin of pepper soup to get me through the night but today I am fine with a healthy sized lunch and then fruits for dinner. I sleep so much better without my body | 37 |

health & fitness struggling to work and digest late food. While I sleep, my body also sleeps and we both wake up alert and ready to go on full throttle in the mornings. Food is required for energy, we do not use energy at night therefore we do not need food. My colleagues always act surprised at my 'normal' lunch "ah ah, so you still eat like this?”. Of course! Being healthy does not mean starving your system, I eat a decent sized lunch but if you are careful to inspect what the content is you will see it is good stuff, 50% vegetables, 25% good carbohydrate and 25% of protein.

Before

After

What you drink also counts; water is life. It cleanses your system. We wash our externals twice a day to keep it clean; we should also cleanse our internals with a personal formula I call twice a day - 1 litre of water before lunch and another after lunch. It makes for plenty trips to the toilets but better a trip to the toilet than the doctor’s consulting room. Packaged and fizzy drinks! Do everything to stay clear, they are just sugar in liquid form, sugar gives you a nice short-term energy high followed by a crash which leaves you tired. We can substitute the cravings for freshly squeezed orange juice, fruit smoothies, water infused with fruits etc. Raw sugar is the enemy; it reduces my “Go” time. Last word on food choices, eat as close to the farm as possible.

Foods move from farms to factories then to the shops, in your choices always go for foods that have not been processed in a factory, a lot of unhealthy chemical preservatives and sugars find their way into those cans or boxes. Minimizing processed food intake is best for your body.

that, be you. My daily goal is 1 hour of activity, depending on my timetable, it could be a run, walk, aerobics on a CD, a prayer walk, dance like crazy to my favourite music, walk to pick up lunch during my lunch break - just move. I have a lot of runner friends that laugh at my speed, Elo you are too slow. But hey, I am not training for the marathon; I am competing with no one but myself. Also note that I did not start with 1hour, and I did not start with every day. It is the benefits from 30 minutes 2ce a week that got me to increase gradually to where I am. Do not go on crash programs, your body will resist, reduce portions slowly and with time you will reach your target. I have successfully weaned myself off milk and sugar over a period of 1year, I loved my cereal and my hot chocolate with hefty daily servings of milk till I read about milk being a source of cholesterol and my Doctor had been warning me mine was rising. 1 day at a time, 1 spoon at a time I gradually weaned myself and I have adjusted to oats and honey and a nice cup of tea - no milk or sugar.

It tastes good too and I am healthier for it. I am not perfect and that ice cream gets me once in a while, but I eat it with my 2 eyes wide open knowing I will have to work it off with extra exercise.

Any fitness tips you would like to share with our readers?

Know your body. Do what you love. I do not go to the gym because I will probably waste my subscription money, I would rather lace up my shoes and run outdoors. I do not do exercises that put pressure on my back. I experiment with food, healthy food is said to be boring but hey make it fun. I ensure every meal is at least 50% vegetables and I grill rather than fry. Rice is off my diet except for weekends (party jollof is hard to ditch). Bread and fast food are off limits, they go straight to the waistline and only abs exercises can get rid of them. I am not a fan of abs exercises so I eat those troublesome foods in limited doses, do abs workout once in a while and keep doing what I enjoy - running. I am deliberate in what I do and what I eat, I make it fun for me. When it is fun, you will want to do it again.

Mrs Elozino Olaniyan holds a Bachelor’s of Engineering Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Benin-City, Nigeria and has 25+ years industry experience as a Petroleum Engineer.

She is married to Engineer Olafemi Olaniyan and together they have 3 children. She lives in Lagos Nigeria where she serves as a minister in her local church. In her spare time, she writes an inspirational blog www.Elozino.wordpress.com. She is passionate about her fitness regime and shares some tips with TA readers.

What motivates you to stay fit and healthy?

Being able to stay awake and enjoy my family. Being able to stay out of the doctor’s office. I sometimes bump into the nurses and they say "long time", I joke with them that it's best that way. Best inspiration is the mirror (I am allowed to be a bit vain right?).

What advice do you have for people out there trying/ struggling to stay fit?

Start small and stay in your lane. There are so many gym bunnies that you will want to emulate but do not do | 38 |

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

POETRY CORNER Love.

Companionship.

What would you do For love And companionship?

You'd dream And hope to find.

You'd gaze And fantasize About how cute you'd be.

Hashtag He&She. Hashtag Bae&Me. Hashtag BaeCaughtMeSleeping.

Instagram wouldn't be ready For your love.

Seems like reality isn't either.

So, when you snap back into it, How do you feel?

Are you sad?

Are you bitter?

Do you ponder Till you yell, "Why not me Lord?!"

Like I did?

Like I'm still sometimes Tempted to do But choose not to Because now, I know better.

See, Perhaps like some of you, I was so caught up In this search for Love and Companionship That I almost missed them.

I was so caught up In this desire for Love and Companionship That I didn't stop To ask myself, "What is love?

What is companionship?”

Is it holding hands?

Is it candle-lit dinners?

Is it romantic walks And late-night talks?

Or is it That patience, That kindness...

Is that selflessness That caused His highness

To want me At my lowest?

I mean, Seriously, What is love?

What is companionship?

Is it promises of forever From lips That speak truth As easily as they lie?

Or is it A commitment So deep That God would cause His begotten To die So that I Could be redeemed?

And set free?

See, The more I thought about it, The more one definition Started to pale in comparison To the other.

The more I thought about it, The more I realized That I hadn't even scratched the surface Of something Much deeper.

But there I was, Focused on the lesser, While looking past the greater.

There I was, Longing for the created While ignoring the creator.

There I was, Looking for love Outside of the arms Of my Saviour.

It doesn't work like that.

It cannot work like that.

Why? Because God is Love.

He is companionship.

Outside of Him Are mere imitations Of the truth That we would somehow rather deny For the lie Sold to us By a society

THINKING ALOUD | JUL - SEP 2018

| 39 |

That confuses Lust for love, Infatuation for devotion A feeling for A commitment.

And He is committed.

So committed.

In fact, While He may be farthest from our thoughts, We are always on His mind.

His love for us is nothing short of divine.

We are meant to be branches Because He is the vine.

Don't you see?

Without Him, We are incomplete— Always longing, Always searching For a love that will satisfy.

Well, My friends, I’m here to tell you that The love we seek Is laid bare before our very eyes.

And It flows from a well That will never run dry.

And God calls to us, "Drink.

Drink And let me fill your every desire, Your every want, Your every need.

Drink And let me show you what love is.

What love should be.

Drink.

Walk with me.

Let me show you where love is.

Love is where I am.

Love is in me."

Onaopemipo (“Ope” for short) Abiodun is a self -proclaimed Jesus-lover who dabbles in spoken word and poetry.