A LETTER TO MY UNBORN KIDS

A LETTER TO MY UNBORN KIDS - By Prince Joshua Oyeniyi

Please, my dear unborn babies, you have to be patient with me. It’s not been easy down here. I have been doing all I can; praying, observing, et al. But getting you the best mum, one good enough to pilot you to this world is not as easy as it seems. It’s not that there have not been prospective mothers. Fact is, there have been a number who have caught my fancy but I wouldn’t choose one who would fail to lead you aright after you are brought in (since you are going to be spending more time with her than with me in your growing up years). I wouldn’t get you a mum who I am not sure has the fear of the Lord and a love for family. I am convinced there is a deep connection between my desire to get you a best mum and to get me the best life partner.

Dear unborns, you know daddy has got to be your role model, a father who can meet all your needs; a spiritual leader, a successful career dad, a blazing light in the society and a family head par excellence. One who would have enough experience to guide you properly through the dangerous paths of life. You must believe me when I tell you that it’s really evil down here. People even kill babies right before they are born and others throw them away into canals, bushes and water right after they are born. Infact, only recently did I read online that a mother dropped her new born baby in a latrine but the baby miraculously survived. It is that wicked down here!  Your dad-to-be earlier in life, wished he was never born too and now he wishes he never has to bring innocent little souls like yours into this terrible place to go through all he has gone through.  But like it is said, “man proposes, but God disposes”, I am leaving Him to lead my paths. But if and when I do eventually have all three of you down here with me, I want to be very happy everyday of your lives. I want to give you the best any man can give his kids. I want to be able to give you good food so you wouldn’t long for another man’s meal. I want to be able to put the best clothes on your bodies and put a homely shelter over your heads to protect you from the harsh elements of this part. I want you, my sons, to be as plants grown up in their youths and you, dear daughter, to be as a cornerstone, polished after the similitude of a palace.

You know what, dearies? My parents walked so I could run, but now, I have to run so you can fly. It’s highly competitive down. I hear of many children who are out of school, others attend poor schools, while those from privileged homes attend the best schools in town. Many go through school and are unable to find jobs but if I do my part, I believe and am convinced that I can give you the edge to go very far in life. I believe you would see my achievements and be challenged to break the records I would have already set. I know if only other parents thought about these, I wouldn’t be hearing about mindless abortions. Oh, your returnee baby friends who were terminated from their mothers’ wombs would have given you an insight into the cruel world they paid a short visit to. My world down here is terribly sick and needs its Creator to help heal it but they wouldn’t just let Him.  These are the reasons for imploring you to wish me the best in preparations for your future arrival.

For a mum, you need one who would respect your daddy in everything as the head of the home. A mum who would help him further the course of his divine purpose as much he’d do hers. One who would love his family, live at peace with them and not attempt to severe him from God or from his friends. One who would fan his spiritual coals and help him to keep the kingdom of God as top priority. One who would not be enticed by the transient things of life as to push him to spend our family resource on unnecessary commodities because other women are buying same. You deserve a mum who knows the importance of prayer over you right from conception and would ensure you are taught to know, love and serve your Creator right from cradle. You deserve a virtuous mum who would not condone your excesses or breed a Jezebel for a daughter. But would be an exemplary Christian wife to daddy as well as a caring mum to her children.

In the meantime, boys and girl, your dad is still in college and in no hurry to get you over here even though his world believes in marriage in the twenty-somethingth years. Be rest assured that daddy would take that step when God says it’s time and would go for the woman God chooses for him.. But for now, he remains married to purpose. You know he has to fulfil God’s plan for him and best the best bachelor any man can ever be and when you do eventually become his kids, you would be so proud of him and mum. Till then, please bear with me!

Professor M.A. Kenku @70: A Worthy Model for Young People

PROFESSOR M.A. KENKU @ 70: A WORTHY MODEL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – By Prince Joshua Oyeniyi (As published in the BusinessDay Newspaper on Tuesday, 15^th January, 2012)

If there is a hall of fame for academics who have made their mark in the field of learning and research, professor Monsuru Akangbe Kenku is unarguably a distinguished member of that caste. This celebrated mathematician and administrator, who recently clocked seventy years, is a quintessence of value and excellence. He is one who has proved his mettle in the ivory towers as well as in government circle.

Born on the fourteenth of December, 1942 to Alhaji Nojiu Buraimoh Kenku and Alhaja Nimota Aduke Kenku, Professor Kenku briefly attended Ireti Primary School, then went on to Lagos Government School in 1953. In 1956, he was admitted into Ahmadiyyah College, Agege before taking his school certificate examination in 1960. He later gained admission into the premier university in 1961, where four years later, he graduated with a first class degree in mathematics. That same year, Kenku got admitted into Balloil College, Oxford for his doctorate degree which he completed three years later and then joined the payroll of the University of Ibadan. He rose through the hierarchies to become an associate professor in1981. He was, however, appointed a full professor of mathematics in 1983 in the University of Lagos.

            In a chat with this soft spoken man, he reminisced that studying mathematics was one of the most beautiful decisions he ever made. In his words, “I was lucky to have passed through some very good teachers in secondary school and then, mathematics was my best subject. These factors motivated me to go into mathematics as a career in the university.” This goes to underscore the all-important role of competent teachers in the early stages of education. Our educational institutions are long bereft of astute a professionals whose calling is teaching and who have got the content to deliver.

In 1983, Professor Kenku was appointed commissioner of works and transport in Lagos, serving for three and half years before returning to lecturing. He recounts, “When I was a commissioner with Lagos state, I am sure that the government realised that with my mathematical background, I could help in solving problems that would not have been so without the luxury of that background. I remember a particular incident when there scarcity of essential commodities such as food items and the federal government started the distribution of essential commodities to the populace. I, as one of the commissioners of Lagos state at that time, had the duty of supervising the distribution in some of the local governments. So we paid visits to various centres where the distribution was being carried out. When I got to one particular place at Somolu, I  realised that the queuing system was problematic and there was no way that enough people would be served through the system that was in operation. So, I quickly changed the system such that we had more service points and outlets and things improved rapidly.” From his experience, it is an obvious fact that the imperativeness of developing creative ingenuity by students cannot be overemphasized as this would transform them from being victims to being problem solvers when they get into the workforce.

Besides these, Professor Kenku had some stints in Berkeley, California and the Institute of Advanced Studies, Princeton, where he made contributions to the field of number theory, particularly arithmetic of elliptic curves. He became an associate fellow of the Institute in ‘80s which led him to participate in sponsoring an insurance company, a group that invested in Crusaders Insurance. The group eventually made him the chairman of Crusaders Insurance, a position he has held from 1993 till date whilst working as a lecturer in the University of Lagos. As a mathematician, ‘Baba’, as his students fondly call him, is a man of intellectual ascendancy and mental immensity. In fact, he did his doctoral research in an area that is cut-off from International world of research and was still able to make an impact owing largely to tenacity of purpose.

            One striking virtue that you would leave with from a visit to this iconic mathematician is the humility. He is a man of lowliness despite his many national and international achievements. Professor Kenku would never raise his shoulders neither use his position to intimidate his colleagues and juniors. What a lesson to our current generation of young people.  The holy book says “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses” but by imparting lives positively.

 Academically, administratively and morally, this septuagenarian professor is an embodiment of values and virtue is as well as a worthy model for those who aspire to be great. Remember, “If you are too big to serve, then you are too big smaller.

Tobi Phillips Wins World Miss University Africa

Phillips, current World Miss University Nigeria 2012 national title holder, represented the country at the just concluded 25th Edition of  World Miss University pageant held in Seoul Korea. With 54 beautiful and intelligent undergraduates from all over the World.  Miss Phillips did not win the ultimate crown but she won World Miss University Africa. Becoming the first African woman to clinched the title and also Nigeria to be crowned World Miss University Africa.

Miss Denmark . Mia Hasanagic of Aarhus University is the World Miss University 2012.

Four Nigerian teenage girls develop a urine-powered generator

Four Nigerian teenage girls - Duro-Aina Adebola (14), Akindele Abiola (14), Faleke Oluwatoyin (14) and Bello Eniola (15) have created something truly incredible, even if it's a little dangerous..:-).

The girls invented a urine powered generator which was showcased at this year's Maker Faire Africa held in Lagos aAccording to Maker Faire Africa, an annual event which showcases inventions, the system works like this:

• Urine is put into an electrolytic cell, which separates out the hydrogen.
• The hydrogen goes into a water filter for purification, which then gets pushed into the gas cylinder.
• The gas cylinder pushes hydrogen into a cylinder of liquid borax, which is used to remove the moisture from the hydrogen gas.
• This purified hydrogen gas is pushed into the generator.
•  1 Liter of urine gives you 6 hours of electricity.

 Why is it a little dangerous? Maker Faire Africa ended their report by saying - Along the whole way there are one-way valves for security, but let’s be honest that this is something of an explosive device… 

And I agree...but great one girls. All they need now is people who will collaborate with them to improve on it.

Should Our Pastors Be Living This LARGE?

Bombardier Challenger-601-1a Interior

A lot of comments have trailed the news of the new jet acquired by President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Judging from the comments I’ve read, a lot of people think it is such a bad idea for the man of God to acquire a jet.

The USA manufactured 10-seater Bombadier/ Challenger 601 aircraft was marked N431CB. The Challenger 601 is a heavy jet that sits up to 10 passengers and has a range of 3,900 nautical miles. It has a full enclosed lavatory and a flight attendant for additional comfort. The luxurious and spacious cabin of the Challenger 601 is perfect to conduct meetings or simply relax.

“l am not interested in pastor having or not having a private jet but how much is the church paying as tax to the government for them to have this kind of luxury? Simple.”

“Pastor,your mother challenged God for a male child in a better church than what you founded.It would have been better if you have been serving God in the baptist church.By now,you would have understood that you do not need this private jet that you have just acquired.Vanity upon vanity.”

“One would think maybe even jesus had some real pimped out donkey with gold and diamonds all over it. Utter foolishness and clear 419. When do pastors have so much money while there are people in the same bloody church who find it hard to afford 3 square meals a day.”

“There’s indeed money, stupendous MONEY IN THE WORD. Little wonder there’s no shortage of potential dealers (some call them Pastors) and aspiring dealerships or churches if you may. LORD HAVE MERCY!”

“Can one buy shares in these churches ?”

“I would’ve been very happy to read that Pastor Ayo is inviting men of God from UK, USA, and those in Nigeria and other African Countries for an interdenominational crusade in the city of Maidugri.
I strongly believe too that people all over would’ve been happy to hear that the leader of CAN in Nigeria in conjunction with Nigerian prays had stage a day national prayers in Jos to mark his 40th yrs on pulpit.
If the CAN president would’ve channeled the huge amount in acquiring private jet into evangelising, holding crusade in the entire northern region, holding talks with his counterpart in the north i sincerely believe there would’ve been a turned around in the life of terrorist and their sponsors as in the life of Pual,”

“God knows about d serious problem of mammon worship. Your advice, prayers and help is needed not your condemnation.”

These are the kind of comments readers of published stories about the new jet made, most as you can see condemns the new acquisition.

Forbes recently made a list of the wealthiest men of God in Nigeria, followed shortly by a report from a UK-based newspaper about alleged accusations by members of Bishop David Oyedepo’s UK church that they were being extorted.

Most of the arguments I’ve heard about the riches of the men of God are geared towards seeing them live modestly and give back to the society. As good as this is, people seem to go too far in challenging and condemning every step men of God take.

They are men of God, they are supposed to watch over God’s people, but they are also humans; men like you and me with families and children who would live after them. Tell me why they should live only for others. What will be the lot of their families?

They are men of God, but being a man of God is their profession as we all have ours. As we get promoted in our works and our wages gets increased, they also deserve better. They shop where we shop, live where we live, they are humans just like us and they deserve good lives.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has been a pastor for 40 years. If you are in a profession for 40 years and still can’t live as well as you’d love to, it means you have failed. More so, reports say the jet was a gift from his church.

We should stop condemning every step they take. They are not superhuman because they are men of God; they are just like you and me, and they can make mistakes, even worse mistakes than you make. There are even mere men that are as close to God as the people tagged ‘men of God’.

Yes, they should help the poor, give as much as possible to their societies, but it doesn’t mean they should not live well.

I’m not disputing that there are some pastors that are in the ministry for business, but who are we to judge? They don’t answer to us, they answer to God. Even the churches with the weirdest of doctrines have members; part of us.

Now, let’s move on to better things and stop condemning, or for some people, feeling bad about the success of men of God.

A White girl Takes on UNILAG Students

Professor Bello Becomes UNILAG'S 11th Vice Chancellor

The Governing Council of the University of Lagos has appointed Professor Rahamon Adisa Bello, a Professor of Chemical Engineering as the eleventh Vice-Chancellor of the University. The appointment which is for a period of five (5) years takes effect from Monday, November 12, 2012. The Governing Council at its special meeting held on November 10, 2012 unanimously adopted the report of the Selection Board that Professor Rahamon Adisa Bello be appointed Vice-Chancellor with effect from Monday, November 12, 2012.   Professor Bello who was the Deputy Vice-chancellor (Management Services) has been serving in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor in an acting capacity since May 12, 2012. Born on October 6, 1948, in Iboro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Professor Rahamon Adisa Bello attended Egbado College, Ilaro, Ogun State for his secondary school education and passed out in 1966 with Grade One in the West African School Certificate Examination. He later attended Technical College, Ibadan, now The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and obtained the Ordinary National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 1968. Professor Bello proceeded to University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he graduated with First Class Honours degree in Chemical Engineering (1974). Professor Bello started work as a Mechanical Engineering Technician with the Nigerian Tobacco Company in 1969, and after graduation at Ile-Ife in 1974, he served his NYSC year with the then North-Eastern State Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Maiduguri. He worked briefly at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources as a Petroleum Engineer before proceeding to the University of Waterloo, Canada, where he earned M.A.Sc (1977) and PhD (1981) in Chemical Engineering. He joined the service of the University of Lagos as Assistant Lecturer in 1977 and rose steadily to the posts of Lecturer II, Lecturer 1 and Senior Lecturer, in 1981, 1982 and 1985 respectively. He was appointed Associate Professor in 1991 and Professor of Chemical Engineering in 1998. Professor Bello specializes in Biochemical Engineering Processes and has carried out researches and consultancy in Industrial Biotechnology. He has supervised many postgraduate students and taught courses in Chemical Process Industries, Transport Phenomena, Biochemical Engineering and so on. He has also been a reviewer of various national and international journals including the Journal of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineering, African Journals of Science and Technology and Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering. Professionally, he has offered consultancy and professional services to various organizations including; Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Nig. Ltd., Elf Petroleum, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Proceng Limited, among others. He was the National Project Manager for the UNDP/ILO project on “Strategies for Self-Employment Promotion” in 1991/1992. He later in 1994 became a member of the Ogun State Executive Council as the State Commissioner for Special Duties, a position he held till 1996. Professor Bello was a member of the Central Working Group of Vision 20-2020 and served as alternative Chairman for the Energy and Transportation Sub-section. He has also been a member of the Governing Council of Olabisi Onabanjo University (2007-2011), and Ogun State College of Education. In the University of Lagos, he was the Head of Department of Chemical Engineering between 1999 and 2002; Chairman, Biotechnology Group from 2000; Chairman, Human Resources Development Board (2003-2009); Chairman, UNILAG Muslim Community from 2005 and Member, University Senate (1988-1992 and 1998 to date). He was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) in April 2010 and became the Acting Vice-Chancellor in May 12, 2012. Professor Bello is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers; Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers and Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Engineering. Professor Bello is a community man. He has been the Chairman of his own community’s association in Lagos, Yewa Union Lagos since 2000. Professor Bello is married and blessed with four children, all of whom are alumni of the University of Lagos. The Governing Council, Senate, Staff, Students and the University Community in general wish Professor Rahamon Adisa Bello a very successful tenure as the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Nigerian Professor becomes First Black VC of University of Illinois

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 An Ifon, Ondo born Professor, Ilesanmi Adesida, a former Dean, becomes the first black Vice Chancellor of University of Illinois, USA. 

The 63 year old professor is a naturalized American physicist of Nigerian descent. He was the Dean, College of Engineering at the University before the University Board of Trustees selected him to be the next Vice Chancellor for Academics Affairs and Provost, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor Adesida assumed that position last month, August 2012.

 

CNN African Journalist of the Year Interacts with UNILAG's bright minds

L-R; Mr Kolade, fresh computer engineering graduate, Mr Philip, 400level Mechanical engineering, Mr Oyeniyi, 400level Mathematics, Toyosi Ogunseye, CNN African Journalist, Mr Esan, engineering graduate, Mr Tola, law graduate and Mr Zimuzo, surveying and geoinfomatics.

Prince Oyeniyi, writer and editor of the INFOMATH magazine with Toyosi Ogunseye of the Punch Newspaper after a workshop in the University of Lagoswww.google.com

The victorious Nigeria paralympics team which made us proud