My Life...
Born the first son and child of eight children of his polygamous family, the myth surrounding his birth give tell tale signs that he is a child of destiny. Like every lad his age will be quick to mention what they hope to be in future, he perhaps was such an ambitious child or choosy or a very confused one in the choice of what he hoped to become in the future. His first love was to become a pilot, globe trotting all over and seeing the world. Some time later he latched unto the 'bug' of wanting to be an engineer (being totally ignorant of whether there were branches of this that he could choose from, rather all that was in his head was becoming an engineer). At another time later he wished to become a lawyer. After a while he lost interest in the wig and gown profession and finally settled for becoming an architect. Indeed he grew up a 'confused' child as far as the choice of a future career was concerned. After the dust of confusion of what to become settled, this boy like a few of his peers discovered early what he loved. Talk entertainingly, he loved. His mother once revealed to a body of gentlemen of the press at an event hosted by him that he began speaking at the age of four. However, he loves to amend that claim that his own earliest remembrance of his speaking-publicly craft was another eight years after his mother's 'proud' claim. At age twelve, he was not just speaking and doing so entertainingly, but he was also acting. It was in the play titled: "The School Play" in which he played the Second Prince to commemorate the graduation of his class from Abati Nursery and Primary school in Lagos Nigeria that he officially cut his teeth in acting. Right from his form one (now Junior Secondary School 1-JSS1) in the renowned (first co-educational school in West Africa) Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Ogun State Nigeria (Established February 4, 1946), all through to his form six (then Higher School Certificate-HSC, now Senior Secondary School 3-SSS 3) that this talking boy who at the time had grown to be a very eloquently expressive teenager joined and soon became a frontline active player in RSS' theatre troupe-The Finemates Performers. His creative capabilities in acting and speaking found full blown mutli-faceted expressions in stage classics such as Olu Alabi's "Incorruptible Judge", Wole Soyinka's "Trials of Brother Jero", "Jero's Metamorphosis" and "The Lion and the Jewel", Zulu Sofola's "Wedlock of the Gods" just to mention a few. These plays graced his school's gate-feed stage and also went on tour to sister schools such as Mayflower Junior and Senior Schools, Ikenne, Federal Governent Girls's College, Sagamu, Federal Government College, Odogbolu, all in Ogun State Nigeria etc.
As a boarding house student then in RSS, having the opportunity to speak from early morning devotion in the house (hostel), to speaking at the school's morning assembly, speaking on behalf of his class etc. he was finding fulfillment in the discovery of his passion, (perhaps destiny unknowingly) the pursuit, development and dedication to same. Just like his passion for acting had at the time substantially gained ground, his speaking drive too began to take its place in his pursuit. He soon began to take advantage of compeering events (Birthday, Easter and Christmas parties etc.) for friends and family. He joined and became an active member of his school's press club and soon found his writing passion which birthed a number of inspirational articles, poems etc. that graced the lofty school's press board and journal weekly. He also found a very influential foothold at the school's Literary and Debating Society as he began representing his class in inter-class debates and winning laurels for his class at various levels. His oratorical prowess soon caught the attention of the leadership of the school's Literary and Debating Society which called on him to join the school's team of sterling debaters. In a short while after joining the school's team, he began leading the school team of debaters to inter-schools' competition and continued his laurels winning streak. The soaring personality of this young, dynamic and vibrant speaker as arguably the school's best speaker was put to test when a school-wide debate was organised which also doubled as the electioneering campaign to elect the then Literary and Debating Society president. The keenly contested presidential debate threw up three finalists. Of the three excellent finalists this talking boy was one. In the grand-finale among these three, this boy emerged in a landslide victory as the school's Literary and Debating Society president, through his admirable and unparalleled oratorical skills, hence 'stamping' his authority as unarguably the school's best speaker!
As an undergraduate student at The Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, studying Land Surveying and Photogrammetry, his knack for acting, speaking and writing clung to him and kept driving him in the path that only an overwhelming force will. Despite being in a different discipline, his relentless pursuit, development and dedication to that which he had discovered he loved ; acting, speaking and writing had helped him to grow his talents in these areas of interest. With a trail of accolades and awards, he had built a reputation as one of the most sought-after inspirational speakers, quintessential Compere and dynamic actor on and off his alma mata's campus. One of those awards was the one he got for acting as the capmus' best male actor in his 300 level.
All through his journey through the world of self-discovery, pursuit of passion and "Facing Up With Destiny", this young man never knew where this sweet adventure will lead him till he had a never-to-forget remarkable encounter with insight into his destiny in his 200-300 level (second to third year). He came out of that encounter with a conviction that his destiny pursuit lies in the three discovered areas of his passionate interests; acting, speaking and writing. From them on though he was still in 300 level studying Land Surveying and Photogrametry, he gave more purposeful approach to his acting, speaking and writing. At the end of his formal course of study in the University he graduated with a second-class upper with combined honours. Filled with high hopes for his future and indeed it was set before him. His father asked him to go run his master's programme in the UK, to which he bluntly refused. He said: " he had discovered the path destiny was leading him and it was nothing in the arena of the 'land-measuring and demarcating' business. But acting, speaking and writing." His father was infuriated with him in no little way. Felt he was setting a bad precedence for his siblings and casting the pearl of his future before the swine. Armed with only his passion and unrefined talents at the time without any formal trainings in these regard, he set out-determined to pursue his destiny in the areas of his professed passion. He found the road ahead rough and bumpy. As a non practicing graduate thirteen years ago, still trying to hone his skills and find his feet, with no jobs that could have brought him some income, many times he couldn't tell where his next meal was coming from as he often went ahungered for days. He had seven shirts, three pairs of trousers and one faithful pair of black shoe for wardrobe.
As he unrepentantly continued on this seeming path of self-destruction, he was summarily (unofficially) disowned by his father for 9 years. He also incurred disapproval from his mother, disrespect from his siblings, ostracism from his friends and jilt from his fiancée of four years. Overwhelmed by chagrin, he lost ten kilograms in weight. He courageously and doggedly kept on, working hard at developing his talents by taking formal and informal trainings; engaging in self-development studies- reading relevant books, making researches, taking courses, getting mentored etc. and growing his budding businesses. Today, (years on) from his three areas of interests he has facilitated four businesses! One of which is World Class Productions through which he has in the last twelve years of his active and passionate practice, acted in, directed and produced over four hundred and fifty theatrically excellent and world class stage productions. Most of which he played lead roles. Through World Class Scribes; his creative writing platform, he has scripted over four hundred and fifty plays/playlets, including two film scripts, authored over one hundred poems (on different subjects of life) and over two hundred and fifty articles. He manages columns for two local and two international magazines on the subject of Mentorship with sales outlets in America, UK, Ghana, Liberia and 27 outlets in Nigeria. He is a publisher of two blogs (Mentor Me For Destiny and My Life...My Lessons...) through which he publishes inspirational articles weekly. Though he considers theatre as his greatest area of passion, he has become more known for his contribution to humanity through his speaking work in recent times. He is no doubt much sought-after as an Inspirational/Motivational Speaker at seminars, conferences, workshops, empowerment trainings and youth development events in corporate, spiritual and tertiary institutions. He made a major breakthrough in his Compere career (which he pursued through his Compere and Events business platform-World Class Comperes) after a little over a decade of assiduous practice of Compere, by establishing the first ever Compere academy (World Class Compere Academy) on the continent of Africa. This human capital development academy trains people in professional compeering or anchoring of events, effective communication and event consulting. Headquartered in Lagos with a network of four campuses crosses Nigeria. It has turned out three hundred and ten graduands, one of which currently consults for the United Nations (an opportunity he secured after taking World Class Compere Academy's programme in event consulting).
His modest contribution has gained recognition and has been rewarded with laurels from a few organisations that value his contribution. These laurels include:
-Best Christian Male Actor Award, awarded by WORD IN ACTION MINISTRIES a.ka BODY NETWORK, Minna, Niger State-1998.
-Best Christian Theatre Ministry ( under his leadership as Director-The Joel Company) at Union of Nigerian Christian Movie Makers 1st Drama Competition in Lagos-2003.
-Award of Commendation for his contribution to Youth Empowerment-awarded by Anointing Youth Forum of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye,Ogun State-2006.
-Award of Outstanding Performance as Master Compere at Celtel (now Airtel) sponsored 1st National Youth Interactive Forum, facilitated by RISE MAGAZINE, Lagos-2007.
- Toastmasters International (International Professional Communication and Leadership Skills Development Club) Competent Communicator Award Recipient-2010.
Understanding that strategic synergy is one of the 21st Century concepts for forming a more formidable business front for global relevance, our young man has since moved on to become the Chief Operating Officer of an internationally reputable human capital development and peak performance academy (with impact in three continents)- The Richmond Johnson Academy For Social Polish, where serving humanity by helping to change minds and achieve personal re-invention through systematic desensitisation is their forte. Our young man who was once scorned by family and friends is now the toast of all. This humbling story of mine, can be yours too...as a matter of fact, a better episode!
My Lessons...
1. The greatest discovery in life is not that of the rich oil fields of Saudi Arabia or Nigeria's Niger Delta, not the discovery of the diamond mines of South Africa's Johannesburg but the discovery of self!
2. Until you discover yourself you have not made any discovery that could be termed real.
3. It is self discovery that leads to all discoveries and recoveries. Early discovery leads to early recovery.
4. Deposited with us already by providence are all we need to be earthly relevant, productive and profitable.
5. Your talents, gifts or innate capabilities are sone of the strongest pointers to where your purpose lies. Look no further.
6. True and real treasures of life are hidden within.
7. Talent - Training = Trash
Talent + Training = Treasure
Talent + Training - Trading = Toiling
Talent + Training + Trading = Profiting
8. Personal development is one of the most effective forms of self education.
9. What you don't pursue never expect to possess- no success comes by accident!
10. Discovery does not automatically lead to recovery. There is a time to discover, get educated (on your area of discovery) pursue, persist, persevere endure, be patient before recovery.
11. Parents should realise that they in addition to parenting, are not destiny deciders for their children but destiny guides.
12. The first set of 'enemies' of your self-discovery are your closest folks-family, friends etc. You will NEVER win them over by simply talking your discovery (vision) but by working assiduously on it and delivering incontestable results! For it is result and NOT age that commands respect!
13. The discovery you are not willing to 'die' for is not truly YOUR discovery.
14. Let the world desert you for your discovery, if you will not bulge (with commitment and God's grace) you will soon be celebrated by your detractors.
15. No glory will ever bloom till a story has first loomed! Before you see your glory, you must first live your story.
Life is a journey, a journey of discoveries. The earlier you set out, seeking out the path that providence had predestined for you, though you may be in obscurity for a while your notoriety will soon be undeniable as you "Face Up With Destiny" just as I did! Yet my story to glory is still an unfolding one. Watch out for other series. Yours too will soon hit the box office and make headlines! See you at the top my friend!
Born the first son and child of eight children of his polygamous family, the myth surrounding his birth give tell tale signs that he is a child of destiny. Like every lad his age will be quick to mention what they hope to be in future, he perhaps was such an ambitious child or choosy or a very confused one in the choice of what he hoped to become in the future. His first love was to become a pilot, globe trotting all over and seeing the world. Some time later he latched unto the 'bug' of wanting to be an engineer (being totally ignorant of whether there were branches of this that he could choose from, rather all that was in his head was becoming an engineer). At another time later he wished to become a lawyer. After a while he lost interest in the wig and gown profession and finally settled for becoming an architect. Indeed he grew up a 'confused' child as far as the choice of a future career was concerned. After the dust of confusion of what to become settled, this boy like a few of his peers discovered early what he loved. Talk entertainingly, he loved. His mother once revealed to a body of gentlemen of the press at an event hosted by him that he began speaking at the age of four. However, he loves to amend that claim that his own earliest remembrance of his speaking-publicly craft was another eight years after his mother's 'proud' claim. At age twelve, he was not just speaking and doing so entertainingly, but he was also acting. It was in the play titled: "The School Play" in which he played the Second Prince to commemorate the graduation of his class from Abati Nursery and Primary school in Lagos Nigeria that he officially cut his teeth in acting. Right from his form one (now Junior Secondary School 1-JSS1) in the renowned (first co-educational school in West Africa) Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Ogun State Nigeria (Established February 4, 1946), all through to his form six (then Higher School Certificate-HSC, now Senior Secondary School 3-SSS 3) that this talking boy who at the time had grown to be a very eloquently expressive teenager joined and soon became a frontline active player in RSS' theatre troupe-The Finemates Performers. His creative capabilities in acting and speaking found full blown mutli-faceted expressions in stage classics such as Olu Alabi's "Incorruptible Judge", Wole Soyinka's "Trials of Brother Jero", "Jero's Metamorphosis" and "The Lion and the Jewel", Zulu Sofola's "Wedlock of the Gods" just to mention a few. These plays graced his school's gate-feed stage and also went on tour to sister schools such as Mayflower Junior and Senior Schools, Ikenne, Federal Governent Girls's College, Sagamu, Federal Government College, Odogbolu, all in Ogun State Nigeria etc.
-Best Christian Male Actor Award, awarded by WORD IN ACTION MINISTRIES a.ka BODY NETWORK, Minna, Niger State-1998.
-Best Christian Theatre Ministry ( under his leadership as Director-The Joel Company) at Union of Nigerian Christian Movie Makers 1st Drama Competition in Lagos-2003.
-Award of Commendation for his contribution to Youth Empowerment-awarded by Anointing Youth Forum of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye,Ogun State-2006.
-Award of Outstanding Performance as Master Compere at Celtel (now Airtel) sponsored 1st National Youth Interactive Forum, facilitated by RISE MAGAZINE, Lagos-2007.
- Toastmasters International (International Professional Communication and Leadership Skills Development Club) Competent Communicator Award Recipient-2010.
Understanding that strategic synergy is one of the 21st Century concepts for forming a more formidable business front for global relevance, our young man has since moved on to become the Chief Operating Officer of an internationally reputable human capital development and peak performance academy (with impact in three continents)- The Richmond Johnson Academy For Social Polish, where serving humanity by helping to change minds and achieve personal re-invention through systematic desensitisation is their forte. Our young man who was once scorned by family and friends is now the toast of all. This humbling story of mine, can be yours too...as a matter of fact, a better episode!
1. The greatest discovery in life is not that of the rich oil fields of Saudi Arabia or Nigeria's Niger Delta, not the discovery of the diamond mines of South Africa's Johannesburg but the discovery of self!
2. Until you discover yourself you have not made any discovery that could be termed real.
3. It is self discovery that leads to all discoveries and recoveries. Early discovery leads to early recovery.
4. Deposited with us already by providence are all we need to be earthly relevant, productive and profitable.
5. Your talents, gifts or innate capabilities are sone of the strongest pointers to where your purpose lies. Look no further.
6. True and real treasures of life are hidden within.
7. Talent - Training = Trash
Talent + Training = Treasure
Talent + Training - Trading = Toiling
Talent + Training + Trading = Profiting
8. Personal development is one of the most effective forms of self education.
9. What you don't pursue never expect to possess- no success comes by accident!
10. Discovery does not automatically lead to recovery. There is a time to discover, get educated (on your area of discovery) pursue, persist, persevere endure, be patient before recovery.
11. Parents should realise that they in addition to parenting, are not destiny deciders for their children but destiny guides.
12. The first set of 'enemies' of your self-discovery are your closest folks-family, friends etc. You will NEVER win them over by simply talking your discovery (vision) but by working assiduously on it and delivering incontestable results! For it is result and NOT age that commands respect!
13. The discovery you are not willing to 'die' for is not truly YOUR discovery.
14. Let the world desert you for your discovery, if you will not bulge (with commitment and God's grace) you will soon be celebrated by your detractors.
15. No glory will ever bloom till a story has first loomed! Before you see your glory, you must first live your story.
Life is a journey, a journey of discoveries. The earlier you set out, seeking out the path that providence had predestined for you, though you may be in obscurity for a while your notoriety will soon be undeniable as you "Face Up With Destiny" just as I did! Yet my story to glory is still an unfolding one. Watch out for other series. Yours too will soon hit the box office and make headlines! See you at the top my friend!
