Competition is Good for Your Development

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August 25, 2019

I was privileged to attend a seminar where the man was talking about competition among youths. He said competition is not good in our society but I think I don’t buy his idea. Fine, some people see competition as a way of forcing themselves into what other people do. But for me, I see it as a motivator. I love healthy competition. It brings out the best in me. That’s why I always surround myself with people that motivate me even when I think I can’t.

Here’s what you should know about competition

Competition is an activity or condition of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others.

In other words, Competition arises whenever at least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared: where one’s gain is the other’s loss.

The main reason why many people don’t want to compete is because of shame that comes from losing. Perhaps, if in the end, they didn’t win, they look like a failure. Nothing comes easy in life. You fight to get what you want.

The hard truth is – even if you don’t wish to compete with people, they are ready to compete with you. Compete with the best to get the best out of your life. Competition brings out the best in someone and also accelerate someone’s journey in life.

A lady told me she hates competition. I objected and told her competition makes me know myself better. There are so many reasons why you should compete. The fear of losing is what scares many. But the focus should be on getting better irrespective of the outcome. I do say that if you try, you may fail but if you quit, you will definitely fail.

There is no harm in trying because you never know what you can do until you find yourself in a place of no going back.

I know that the feeling you get from competition is intense, nerve-wrecking, and it requires more mental strength than anything you can ever imagine. In spite of it all, no one will cross the line for you. If you can’t do it for yourself, no one will do it for you.

The benefits of competition:

It brings out the best in you: You never know who you are or what you can do until you find yourself in a situation where the hard way becomes the only way. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are a good example of a healthy competition. The two dominated the world of football for straight ten years. Recently, Ronaldo admitted that Messi made him better. CR7: Messi Makes Me a Better Player

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that both he and Lionel Messi have benefitted from their long-running rivalry.

“I really admire the career he has had so far and, for his part, he has already said that he had trouble when I left the Spanish league because it is a rivalry that he appreciates,” the Juve forward told Portuguese channel TVI.

“It is a good rivalry that exists in football, but this is no exception. Michael Jordan had rivals in basketball, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were great rivals in Formula 1, the only common point between all the big rivalries in the sport is that they are healthy.

“Messi makes me a better player and vice versa.”

Increases your courage: Yes, until you start, fear will keep tormenting you. But when you start, your courage increases. Nothing gives you much courage than the competition.
Determination to succeed: It triggers the determination to win (succeed) in you. It becomes your mentality. Your competitor stretches you above your limit.
It gives you experience: I want you to know that you can’t win all the competitions but can gain valuable lessons from all competition. That’s why I said sometimes failure is good. If you fail, you gain. If you win, you gain. There is no competition without its benefits.

“Of all human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than that of competition” -Henry Clay

I want you to know that It’s not just about winning trophies and medals; it is about you evolving into the best version of yourself.

So, go on and compete. Experience all the benefits competition can bring to your career. Until you try, you never know.

Remember —win or lose; the journey is always a learning experience.

We’re Nigerians, We’re Amazing

By

Ndubuisi Ekekwe

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August 25, 2019

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Young Nigerians, many of your fellow citizens in America are doing great things. America offers huge opportunities and it knows how to honor everyone – including Nigerians. Sure, bad news move very fast. But that does not mean we do not have a tradition of adding value in America.

Few months ago, I reported that I offered assignee rights to a Patent to the United States Government. That patent is going to be used in the space. It is already deployed in medical equipment. There are things many of us do that we cannot write because they are either proprietary or classified. But Nigerians are awesome in America.

I have worked in NASA matter anti-matter annihilation project under the project manager, Prof Ben Oni, a Nigerian. He is a busy man to talk to the press or have a social media account but he is a Nigerian.

These crazy people must not shape how you see your fellow citizens living in America: most are honourable.

We will get over this challenge – we always, as Nigerians

The SIGNAL’s #80Nigerians

By

Ndubuisi Ekekwe

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August 25, 2019

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I am happy if the Lord’s grace in my life can help make the case that many of us come to the beautiful America and do the right things. The SIGNAL’s #80Nigerians campaign on Twitter is thoughtful. I remain one of the inventors in America who the United States Government sought and acquired assignee rights to their inventions. I am a Nigerian! Do not allow those crazy people to define the destinies of many amazing Nigerians. Yes, we are Nigerians, and we have added value in America. We must treasure that opportunity and continue to live on the tenets of decency, honor and value. The crazy 80 cannot change that fact!

https://www.tekedia.com/u-s-government-gets-assignee-rights-to-my-u-s-patent/

Petrolex Is A Smart Alternative To Apapa Oil Logistics Paralysis

By

Nnamdi Odumody

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August 24, 2019

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Apapa, Nigeria’s premier port city, has lost its glory. A destination which was created to serve only 1500 trucks now grapples with about 6,000 which convey cargo to and fro its two ports (Apapa, Tin Can), and petroleum products from the tank farms of crude oil marketing companies daily. This congestion paralysis causes a nuisance to Apapa residents and the organizations located there. The traffic gridlock has caused the collapse of the roads, leading to deaths from tanker fires and armed robbery. The impact has been closure of and relocation of several enterprises including hospitality and entertainment.

Petrolex Oil and Gas founded by a patriotic Nigerian, Segun Adebutu, to fix the friction in Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics in order to help petroleum marketers with a viable alternative to the Apapa congestion, plans to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil as well as petrochemical imports. It has built a state of the art mega oil city at Ibefun, Ogun State which will play host to the biggest tank farm in Sub Saharan Africa at 300 million litres with 30 loading gantries, a scheduled truck loading and fuel management system, marshaling yard with 4000 truck capacity park.

Also, it will have a jetty to supply the hub as well as ensure operational efficiency in distribution of petroleum products and vessels. Its fleet consists of 10 barges, 2 tug boats and a daughter vessel to boost the distribution of petroleum products.

To make Nigeria a petroleum and petrochemical product consumption nation which will preserve our imports of about $10 billion which consumes the bulk of our foreign exchange, this project will play host to 250,000 barrels per day petroleum refinery which will be the second biggest in the country and Sub Saharan Africa upon completion, a petrochemical plant expected to serve Nigeria’s manufacturing firms with critical raw materials for their competitiveness, a lubricant plant whose products will power the nation’s automotive, and a gas processing plant which will manufacture 50,000 Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders for affordable LPG Gas consumption by consumers.

Petrolex’s Oil and Gas City is expected to create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians with an economic impact on the lives of over two million Nigerians and will help to decongest Apapa and Ibafo tanker traffic gridlock as well as eliminating potential associated hazards.

Considering the strategic location of Ogun State which plays host to the highest concentration of manufacturers in Nigeria and borders Lagos State as well as the gateway to other parts of the federation, Petrolex’s intervention is a patriotic and strategic gesture which will help solve a major paralysis which has plagued the nation causing daily erosion of capital that could have boosted our national GDP.

Nigerian petroleum marketers should utilize this hub to solve their logistics needs so that Apapa residents can smile once again and restore the lost glory of their beautiful city.

The State of the Nation for the Youths

By

Chinedu Junior Ihekwoaba

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August 24, 2019

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The State of Education in Nigeria

The world is changing. It seems what students study in school, and grades scored is no longer a big deal. The certificate seems irrelevant after graduation. It’s disheartening to spend your large chunk of hard-earned money on school and employer offering you a bizarre salary package that doesn’t compliment your effort. It’s easy to understand why employers would pay you more if you learned some useful stuff, but why would they pay you so much extra for stuff you’re never going to use?

Most of the things we learn in school is not needed in the labour market.

We see education as the only way of solving our problems, yet graduates are roaming the streets doing nothing after going through a lot of stress to become a graduate.

I love education but the state of education in this country is not encouraging. Why would I spend 4 – 7 years in school and there is nothing to show for it.

They said Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits but the reverse is the case in a country like Nigeria.

My question – Is Education a Waste?

Education is the best legacy parents can give to their children. Seeing graduates turn Okada rider, Bet9ja vendor, Cyber fraud – Yahoo Yahoo, and many more, grieves my heart.

Often times I do ask myself, what does the future hold for the youths in this country?

They said – we are the “leaders of tomorrow”, but as far as I can see, there is no sign. The leaders of tomorrow are yet to be born.

The strength of every country is in the hands of the youths. Likewise, I would say – the downfall of a country is in the hands of the youth.

I stumbled on a friend of mine who struggled to finish school. When I asked him about work, I was shocked when he told me he’s into buying and selling foodstuffs.

He said he regretted going to school. Perhaps, if he had known then, he wouldn’t have gone to school. He would have invested the money into business. After all, what he learned in school wasn’t needed in the labour market. I don’t blame him. Many youths out there believe in getting a lucrative job after completing their NYSC Program. The wise ones will follow a different path.

I think it’s time for every Nigerian to wake up. I’m not disputing the fact that education is bad, but what’s the essence of going through the stress of learning, and at the end of it all, you can’t practice what you’ve learned.

More than 70 percent of the nation’s graduates said their certificates are not relevant to their jobs. I don’t blame them for this.

Job hunting these days is now down to connection.

If you are well connected, it’s easier to get a job. Must I be connected before I get a job? It says a lot about our educational system.

I do tell my friends that I don’t think education is more important, but in our country, you must just try to lay your hands on at least a certificate should in case the future calls for it.

Why am I saying all this?

I’m not against education and I’d never be against it. In fact, I am also the academician type. To me, the only advantage of a degree is – it shows you have undergone a formal education. Anything else, it is either luck or connection. Also employers value formal education. So it has a value in the job market.

Conclusion

I want youths to realize that they should lay their hands on something else while they are still studying. Learn some digital skills as the world is running at the fastest pace. We are getting to the era of certificates becoming less effective. All that matters now is – “what can you do”.

Youths, it’s time to discover yourself but my question is – “What can you do?“