RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE

Wow! I think you should pat yourself on the back right now if you are reading this. Trust me having to lay your hands on this article is without doubt one of the best thing that has happened to you this year. And the best way to make the most of it is to be consistent and follow this blog with every article it rolls out. As you know, your ultimate success in life can never be isolated from the books you read and the company you keep.

Once again, warm welcome to the maiden article of this epic Omni-information platform for the preservation of the Nigeria image. I must say that I am super excited about this journey together with you, as well as the opportunities that comes with every moment you spend here. While I was pondering on what I was going to pen down scanning through my thoughts and imaginations, it struck me to share a little story of my job search after NYSC and ultimately part of the journey of my pursuit of happiness. I believe it’s timely to share this experience, so you can relate to it, either as part of your own experience or something to learn from as you create and take on the opportunities in the year.

Permit me to start in this local jargon by saying, what I have been looking for in Sokoto is right inside my ‘shokoto’. I mean who would have thought what I have been looking for in the most farthest places was right under my nose. This experience is one of the reason I have reaffirm my love for my country Nigeria and Lagos in particular in this instance, however, with other states seriously pursuing and even trying to overtake Lagos, when it comes to availability of tangible opportunities. Perhaps some of us might also refrain from criticizing some of these motivational speakers in town, with their big talks of; discovering your potentials, a life of endless possibilities, building empires and conquering the world. Although the reality of most of the people being motivated might be far from what they make them believe; like waking up every single day with no hope of a meal for that day, however, their potentials are quite impressive and great if fully explored.

Again, you can’t really blame anyone for criticizing some of these big talkers? I mean we cannot turn blind eyes to some of the happenings in this country, of how a few bad eggs (as common everywhere in the world) put up fake identities, just to prey on the naive and innocent ones amongst us, who end up given up the little penny they have, to be added to the pounds of these imposters. However, with what happened to me some months ago, may I humbly say that the notion I used to have about them (motivational speakers) has change greatly for the better.

Alright, where am I even going with all these talk? I think I needed to ask myself this question at this point, because I know it’s a question that is perhaps already causing a thunderstorm in your sane mind. Truly if I were you, I would at this point ask the same question.

Now who would have believed, what I have been looking, searching and scrambling for the past couple of months, and after spending the remains of my NYSC ‘allawee’ on job search. The answer was right where I am, but I just kept looking and couldn’t or refuse to see it. Now this is it, I have been telling friends, family and even enemies ‘kpakpa’ of how I really long to get employed in Advertising and Marketing Communications/Media establishment to pursue my long loved career where my imaginations matters. This is a special career where the practitioners ‘mind other people’s business to be in business’. Maybe that phrase didn’t sink well with you. Now this is it, whereas every other person wakes up every morning to mind their business to be in business, we in the media mind other people’s business to be in business, or to make money if you like. If you like resent at the idea behind my business and beloved career, or perhaps tag it any name you like. But in my opinion, we are just unique! ‘Shikena’!

Now to the matter, it will interest you to know that the flat downstairs, of the double floor apartment building where I live with my brother is an established communication media house annex! I wonder if I ever had a figment of an idea something like that was under my very nose. And trust me, at this discovery, without wasting time, infact in what some vocabulist or vocabulary enthusiast would describe as with ‘immediate alacrity’, I did made my intention known to them to be part of their establishment, particularly by submitting my CV and verbally communicating my interest to them, especially based on the fact that what drove me to them in the first place was my talent in copywriting, branding, media and the passion behind this dream, before even the issue of job security.

My encounter with the staff I must say was very warm and free of any tension whatsoever, imagine tendering my CV to a company wearing a joggers trousers, a flip-flop on my feet and casual round-neck top, although you may like to excuse me for that, looking at the proximity of the office to where I lay my head every night, and the circumstances surrounding the whole event that morning of my discovery. At the end I did found the career organisation I have been sorting out for, right under my nose in the most unusual manner. Either literarily speaking or not, I am still correct when I say ‘right under my nose’. I was very optimistic about this and believe something worthwhile will come out of this engagement in the preceding days ahead. And trust me, the whole process eventually came out great. However, I learnt the lesson of starting small in terms of salary, but the experience and opportunities that presented itself alongside was far more than the immediate monetary benefit anyone could ask for.

Now you see what I meant when I started with the issue of most of these motivational speakers and how some of us have stereotyped them and their endeavour, thereby their counsel becomes less effective in our circle, due to our unbelief. Next time you see another motivational speaker talking about things like; possibilities in impossibilities, the riches of ones potentials, and the need to continue to dig in the success field of life, you might just need to lend a second ear, because you never know when you will strike gold!

From this little story, I have also learnt that truly there are opportunities in this country. Never say never, no matter how bad it seems right now. All we need is a clear vision and the determination to keep pressing, one day the mountain will give way. Many people have died in abject penury when they were actually sitting on a gold mine. The story of the famous painter Vincent Vangoh is a typical example, who died poor, but his paintings became the most priced artwork after his death. All because he kept ‘looking’, but never ‘saw’.

A major lesson I have learnt in life is that one must always keep an open mind, life's treasures most times are hidden in the most unlikely places. That land that you bought today that seems worthless and cannot support agricultural gains, might just be the next oil well site yet to be discovered.

Furthermore, this also applies to the people we meet on a daily basis, some people have missed chances to a great destiny because they judged the book by its cover. When you get the chance, make the best use of it. Cherish every moment because it's actually those piece upon piece of the various moments that sum up your whole life’s essence. If you keep waiting for the right moment before you will smile, love, forgive, or take charge of issues of your life, sorry to announce to you, that moment might never show up.

Believe it or not, there is a Nigerians dream, a dream of possibilities, of becoming whoever you want to be, a dream of walking among the stars in this world, a dream that made people like MKO Abiola from a poor and wretched newspaper vendor to an influential multi-billionaire, a dream and spirit that made Kanu Nwankwo (Papilo) after traumatized from health issues came back to become one of Africa’s most decorated footballer, a dream that made Pastor E. A Adeboye from been called the ‘poor’ by the poorest in his community, to becoming one of the most influential men in this century, name them, the list is endless. But the issue is, only those who can see it, ask the right questions and put themselves to work, with unwavering faith will eat its fruits. Let me draw my story to a close here before you call me a motivational speaker myself.

And so, today is a gift that is why it's called the present, cherish it and make the most of it. Keep pushing, keep believing, keep praying, and remain grateful, one day it will dawn on you that you have actually realized your dreams, without even knowing it all the while.