PREVIOUS MUSINGS....

Some musings of mine.....in times past (forgot to put 'em up)

JUST WONDERING ....(July 25th, 2011)

You don't have a champion that has not been challenged.

It's overcoming the challenge that brings out the champion in you.

It is said that it's the hot water that brings out the content of the tea bag.

Honestly, it's smart to get up, dust yourself and move on after you've been knocked to the ground

But how much knockin's can one take?

Is it that life delibrately hits leaders harder than others.

Just wonderin'..........

How soon will the day break again?

When will the tide turn....to what its supposed to be?

Just wonderin.........

Just Wonderin....

MAY DAY!!!! (April 9th , 2011)

The reopened wounds of my childhood

The anguish of the absence of fatherhood

Casting a brood upon my moods

Makin me feel like i’m lost in the woods

Thought dat after these years i had healed

Now ‘tis like those years of need

When i longed for someone to lead & trim my weeds

Come around once again a’ hauntin my noble deeds

Behind the polished exterior of a gentleman

Lies the wishes of a lad whose Pa didn’t give the plan

I hurt & sometimes glisten my face with the tears

But since He’s there, i’ll let go of the fear.

30 Random Things about This Dude..... (June 22nd, 2010)

In the spirit of continuity, kindly put up ur own version of this write up if u've ben tagged.

1. I am so special to God, the name He gave me and the one my parents gave me are the same! (Jedidiah & Oluwafemi) NOTE: My parents were not close to God when they had me.

2. As a result of 1- above - I love God so much....a times, i just blank out everything/everyone around me to be alone with Him...

3. My nickname - APEX was given to me in 1992 by a friend and it was derived from my last name APESIN and it fully describes how far i'll get in life - (ministry, marriage, career & purpose)

4. I had a crush on my Pry. 1 teacher Mrs. Ladejobi in UNILAG staff school - (please don't trip, i am being real & don't ask how old i was) - I loved her so much i passed my exams very well cos i didn't want her to be angry

5. The comments on my Pry. 1 report card read - He's a BRIGHT, CONFIDENT, LITTLE CHATTER-BOX, so if i u wonder why i talk...sry...its bn a long time comin.

6. People say i am an alpha - male with a strong personality, what they don;t know is whenever i worship God deeply, i cry pints of tears and when it comes to people i love, i can be really, really soft & mushy..y'know. lol (THE STRONGER A MAN BECOMES, THE MORE GENTLE HE CAN AFFORD TO BE)

7. I am a voracious reader, i have a way with words and someday i hope to be doing what Frank Edoho's doing on WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE. (I guess i love the spotlight - well a part of me)

8. Once upon a time, 80% of the ladies i dated were older than me ( Haba, Pastor Femi.....well, i wasn't born again from mama's womb nevertheless...look up 2 Cor 5:17)

9. My prayer for the family God will bless me with is that we will be described as - "and they lived happily ever after"

10. If i was in the US, I would have been a US Marine or a Navy SEAL.

11. I find fulfillment in helping people discover their uniqueness & the greatness that lies within them.

12. I am very handy in the kitchen, hey Miss, lookout for numerous breakfast(s)-in -bed when we eventually hook up for good.

13. I have a tendency to spoil my wife...I guess i will, afterall she's my wifey (y'know, fragranced bubble baths, hide an expensive diamond in a her favorite pie i bake, dote on her,luv, luv & luv her)

14. Something about me scares me - THERE'S NOBODY/NOTHING I CANNOT DO WITHOUT (apart from God of course) if you think u can hold me to ransom cos u gat me locked down, ur mistaken

15. I detest nagging , people who nag tick me off big time.

16. I used to have a thing for very fair ladies...

17. I love managing people - based projects , look out for me in the near future - APEX, the foremost project manager in Africa.

18. I love writing, infact, capturing memorable events/happenings by chronicling them. I have all the relevant prophecies, divine instructions, action plans from 2004 till date. Phew.

19. I have a good voice, just that God has not permitted me to do music, years ago, i used to to do Hip Hop & Rap, but i had to give it up. (MC PINTU - PINTU)

20. I love adventure a lot....I hope to sky dive and also buy a power bike someday.

21. I'd love to have a getaway condomium somewhere in the Bahamas or Barbados.

22. If i could turn back the hands of time i wouldn't have studied Biochemistry, i won't have even been in the Science dept....

23. Deep down within me, i feel i might end up in ministry even though i love entrepreneurship and i long to be the CEO of a multinational someday

24. My dream ride is a custom - made BMW... BMW - APEX...(Inbox me if ur interested in the details of the model)

25. I know what i want out life and i always go for it.

26. It sounds odd, but i don't have best friends, i guess that's just me, (20 kids can't play for 20 years)

27. In addition to (26) above, when i meet people, i try to locate why they are in my life for that season and i simply fufill the purpose with them.

28. When i consider the magnitude of what God has called me to do, atimes in my closet, i sigh & cry. Then i pray, receive strength from Him...then step into the public to deliver.

29. Ladies with a chip on their shoulders (all in the name of appearing polished) tick me off.I simply appreciate ladies who are real......

30. I am a focused young man, my motto is "Live & let live, and in all things, put God first" !

GOD PASS DEM.

Knock, Knock....

Checking in again....

Alright, It's Xmas day and I'm chilling at home with a can of Pepsi and fried turkey.

Had church online : www.cozanigeria.tv. The service was brief but on point.

Well been a while peeps since I last put stuff on this wall and a lotta things have happened.

I guess one of my resolutions in 2012 will be regular blogging.

GOD PASS DEM!

It's funny how people tend to pay lip service to glaring issues in life....

I've been working in a place for close to 21 months now and I have witnessed how painfully short - sighted people can be.

I came into the system at a time when the firm was in disarray - animosity, pettiness, sharp practices etc. were the order of the day.

Like a knight in shining armour, I led a crusade of Hard Work, Professionalism, Transparency.

Coincidentally, my HOD who had served for 18 years stepped out. (retiring honourably)

I was next on line, she (HOD) had trained me well and after a lotta dilly dallying, the management directed me to step into her position as acting HOD.

A lotta beef resulted from my "promotion". But trust your boy.. I held my own, I confronted when I had to, laid low when necessary, more importantly, divine grace was at work for me.

But what pissed/pisses me off more are the "so called plans" the management say they have in store for me.....

It's been 5 months and despite the "acting allowance" they mercifully bestowed on me, my take home is still less than one - third of what my predecessor used to earn (they don't know I'm privy to this info)

In fairness to the management, they put some things in place for me - once a month supply of beverages - Milk, Tea etc - , Increase of my monthly phone airtime allocation from 1500 to 3500 or so.( ridiculous right? lol)

Dem try abi? But considering the fact that a car is attached to that position alongside some major perks - which they haven't deemed me fit to enjoy....

Well I ain't complaining, just saying 'cos I am young, that don't mean you should pay lip service to the benefits I am entitled to"

Coupled with the fact that I have been instrumental to the restoration of some values in the firm as a whole viz. professionalism, honesty, diligence, team work etc, I honestly feel I should be appreciated more than what is being done and if you ain't gonna appreciate me via my remuneration....For Chrissakes, DON'T PATRONIZE ME VIA LIP - SERVICE.

But guess what? After praying about the situation and reporting them (management) to God.

The Most High told me to stay focused, keep on keeping on and expect my reward from Him not them (management).

Guess what? I'm about to shock them BIG TIME!

All in All.....GOD PASS THEM

Stay tuned to the jaw dropping testimony......

Been a while

Alrite,

It's been a while since I put pen to paper.

But seeing a friend of mine put up her blog spot and commit herself to it, is kinda inspiring/challenging me to resume writing.

Last time i put up something was in January 2010, Between then and now, a lot has happened.

Keep in touch.. I sure will fill you in .

I get the point...Lord

The Prayer - Have your way Lord may sound religious or good,

But when God is really having His way, it could be painful.

Especially when He is "circumcising" your heart, your life and attitudes.

Circumcision involves, cutting off, removing e.t.c.

In natural terms, it is NOT a pleasant experience...it involves a great deal of blood, tears, pain and endurance.

When i prayed sometime ago - Lord , have your way, i didn't know i was setting myself up for a "massive attitudinal circumcision".

I took some privileges for granted, i strutted like a prize bull with a chip on my shoulder, forgetting that God resists the proud...

Well this process has lasted for months and i can confidently say that:

I get the point...Lord

IDEAS RULE THE WORLD

From the time of the great philosopher Plato until now, Ideas have proven invaluable to humanity and the progress of the quality of life. According to The Merriam Webster dictionary ”an idea is a formulated thought or opinion”

The importance of ideas cannot be overemphasized. Every notable invention started with an idea, the best books written, the best musical pieces composed, the most effective movements and revolutions, the best speeches given can all be traced to an idea. A man’s greatest asset is his mind; therefore refusing to develop one’s mind is absolute disservice to one’s destiny because when you sow an idea or thought which develops in your mind, you reap an action, when you sow an action you reap a character, when you sow a character you reap a destiny.

Nelson Mandela had an idea which later became an ideal which he lived and was ready to die for. It was the actualization of a democratic and freely elected government. Though the idea suffered massive opposition, it initiated the birth of an apartheid – free South Africa. The idea Nelson Mandela believed in and fought for has not only liberated South Africa from oppression but also conferred on him a status that very few attain in history. He is unarguably one of the most respected personalities ever and this can be traced to a major source; the idea of a free and democratic South Africa.

Orville and Wilbur Wright, the two brothers credited with the feat of inventing and building the first ever airplane described their experience with a toy they had children as the initial spark that created their interest in flying. This spark can be referred to as ‘an idea’. The brothers nurtured this spark and the whole world is grateful to them for the aeroplane.

The statue of David in Florence, Italy is an example of the far reaching effects of ideas, the legendry sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti had a block of marble standing over seventeen feet high in his studio for close to twenty – five years. However, when a committee of artists of the ancient city of Florence commissioned the sculpting of this statue, the idea came into Michelangelo’s mind. While looking at an almost abandoned piece of marble, he saw with his mind the finished statue of David. This statue is the most popular of all the sculptures he worked on during his brief life, truly a statue of global recognition.

It is worthy to note however that a lot of people treat ideas with levity, they scorn inspirations and thoughts that if valued could generate millions monetarily. Many people fail to understand that money, people, power and generations answer to men who think up and cultivate ideas.

In conclusion, the popular “spark of genius” or “waoh effect” that a lot of organizations nations and institutions seek is simply a great idea that any disciplined mind can generate. How I wish that my active, fast – paced, impatient, present day Nigerian youth would slow down, be still and stir up some stupendous world – changing ideas after the order of Philip Emegweali the father of the internet.

Wetin b ur Nomba? (What is your Number)

I was returning from Ilesha where I had gone to give moral and spiritual support to 2 friends who had lost their father.

We journeyed down the Ibadan – Ife Highway and along the high way we came across nothing less than 4 checkpoints manned by mobile policemen “armed to the teeth”.

Some of these checkpoints are legal while some aren’t, legal in the sense that they serve the purpose of monitoring the speed of motorists and also stopping and searching suspicious vehicles / drivers for smuggled/ banned goods.

The illegal points however are simply “unauthorized extortion posts” for shameless policemen who have gotten their priorities WRONG.

Well we journeyed further, got to Ibadan and accessed the Lagos – Ibadan Highway and surprisingly, there were no illegal checkpoints along that road. I thought inside me “maybe there’s hope after all”

My positivity was short lived because, alas, we arrived Lagos and I had to get a bus to my crib (Eric Moore Rd) from Ojuelegba Bus Stop.

What alarmed me was not the number of illegal check points (2) between Adeniran Ogunsanya and Bode Thomas (a brief distance of 200m)

What disappointed me was not the bumpy, pot hole – ridden surface that characterised the aforementioned roads.

What really pissed me off was the audacity, credibility & stupidity with which these shameless, armed men of the Nigerian Police were demanding for money from the commercial bus drivers.

If any driver attempted to drive by, a mobile policeman was sure to raise his rifle, cock it and attempt to shoot if he did not stop “to pay his debt“ (There have been cases of policemen shooting commercial transporters over refusal to consent to extortion)

Along Adeniran Ogunsanya, the dude driving the bus I sat in told his conductor “ Go give am 100 naira, make you collect nomba”. I was still trying to figure that out when we approached Bode Thomas and a policeman jumped in front of our cruising vehicle brandishing his gun asking “Wetin be your Nomba , Wetin be your Nomba” The driver and his conductor quickly answered thus, he let us go.

Therefore, questions arose in my head.

Do these policemen understand "dignity in labour" at all?

Were the guns purchased by the government to protect the citizens or to harass them?

What if any of these policemen was my brother, father, uncle e.t.c. How would I describe this undignified conduct of his to him?

The policemen give various excuses ranging from low salaries, late payment to rising cost of living for their actions.

I do not concur, I choose to believe that they (bribe collectors & extortionists) have gotten their priorities wrong. I think it is a mindset issue, there is no difference between the shameless policeman at the illegal checkpoint and the bribe – collecting legislators I the corridors of power or the gap – toothed, former Head of State who looted this country to the tune of billions of dollars.

Despite all these, I choose to be content with what I have, I choose to travel the narrow but legitimate way because sooner or later, a time will come that, patriotic, honest citizens will have the opportunity to lead this country and her states, parastatals, states, ministries e.t.c. until then, let us live our lives with a sense of accountability putting this in mind, we will sow what we reap and some day, GOD WILL JUDGE US ALL.

IS THIS LUV OR “HAVE I GOT IT BAD”

I had seen her once or twice before without occasion

Guess I was working thus I didn’t notice her

But even now when I “saw” her, I was working, wasn’t I?

I can’t even explain, Is this luv or Have I got it bad?

Her expressions, her choice of words, her lady – like carriage

Her piety, her attitude, her ambitions, her background, her genotype

Her humility, willingness to step into His service “a higher calling”

All these combine and even make her already beautiful self “more beautifuller “

No….The right word is EXQUISITE

I had shut my heart, built a wall (fortress around it)

Reinforced the concrete of the wall, with reasons why I should NOT be involved

But a brief glimpse at her exquisiteness melted my seemingly fortified walls.

I didn’t dat kinda love yet, I had concluded,,,,,,

Physically, it is said that if u wanna know if a woman is really beautiful,

U need to see her when she is just waking up

Well, I did see her early in the morning right after she woke up

And she looked like a rare flower about to fully bloom.

I coulda sworn that we exchanged glances intermittently and sparks flew.

I wanna bet the chemistry exists, cos though its been a while ,I felt them butterflies

Also, one to many times, I think I caught her looking/ glancing at me

Is there a possibility that, Is this the real thingy,

The discussion was brief, but I bet the connection was deep.

Okay Lord, what do I do?

Have I got it bad or is this love?

All I ask is before u sink this wall to its foundations, is ; please Lord

Give me a Word…………….P – L- E – A –S - E