TIME: HOW MUCH?

I just realized very few waste money like they waste time. While playing games could sometimes worth the while, most times we simply take too much time playing games that add little or nothing. But take a pause and ponder on this fact that you can’t re-created or recover a minute you have wasted. And think of it, we have very limited time to be around. The best we could have perhaps is a 100 years which I’m sure many will not mind 70.

There is too much money, in fact Zillions of them in the world; dollars, pounds, euros, nairas, you name them. I get confused when I see very many people who task themselves for wisdom when it comes to spending money yet very few spare a thought when they waste their time away in unprofitable gossips and discussions. Yes, I dare say so because when one is in the right place doing the right thing, money is bound to flow.

See how people go after money like it’s going out of circulation the next day when it is indeed their life they can’t guarantee they can still have the next day. Life itself is time. When Life stops, your time stops ticking. When your time stops ticking definitely your life has come to an end.

The worst any government can do to its citizens is not stealing their wealth blind but keeping them waiting for promises that can never be fulfilled. It is not about how much money they have stolen from them but how much of their time they have succeeded in wasting. How do we recover the decades wasted in military government? As if Nigeria has not suffered enough, look at how the politicians have been frugal with our time.

It is becoming clearer by the day that this generation of leaders will not provide Nigeria with un-interrupted electric power. Our children will continue to learn under mango trees or sit on bare floors as barely-literate teachers blow chalk dust on their disillusioned faces. We don’t need clairvoyance to tell that till the end of this regime corruption will continue operate unchallenged in our public institutions. Nigerians will have to adjust to live with insurgency until this generation of inept leadership is replaced.

Each time we are told to be patient with our fledgling democracy, I feel short-changed. How much time will it require to mature when it is apparent that the whole thing is turning childish by the day. To refer to our democracy as fledgling is to means we are making progress, how has this progress being proved? When Abati pleads for time to deal with all the corrupt officials in government, I wonder if this man understands he is asking for what he can’t replace.

How much more time does this government need before it starts fixing Nigeria? We can afford to be frugal with money but certainly not time.
(I really didn’t want to talk about this GEJ’s government as I don’t relish talking about it again and I sincerely wish I can refrain)

June 6, 2014

ON MY BIRTHDAY

I attended a clinic 2 weeks ago to take a body fat analysis and other things were tested too. One striking result was my body age which the system showed was 7 years younger than my life age. The ideal is usually 5 years younger. The medics started to quiz me on my lifestyle perhaps to discover the mystery:
Medic: Do you exercise regularly?
Me: No. I exercise when I feel like.
Medic: Do you eat fruits regularly?
Me: No. Na when I see, I chop.
Medic: Do you use food supplements?
Me: For where? Na food I still dey look for.
Medic: You are always happy?
Me: Na Naija boy I be; suffering and smiling.
After many other quizzes she looked more puzzled. And I laughed.
Medic: Why are you laughing?
Me: You want to know? I guess the secret of my body age is in the rate at which I’m losing my fears with age; even the fear of death. Again I’m learning not to be disappointed in whatever circumstance.

There’s an ANCHOR, firm and secure behind the veil to which I have hooked by boat. While other boats are tossed by the storms and winds of the high sea, my boat is stabilized by the ANCHOR. So in place of fear, is a certain faith and hope that it is well.

As I thank the Lord for the gift of life and good health, I remember to thank God for the gift of a sweet family, who will have to like others, send their wishes from across the seas. I thank God for the gift of friends including you, reading this piece. Still in thanksgivings, today I have decided to relieve my faithful and vital organs of some joules of work by converting to a vegetarian, I’ll try to exercise more, drink more water and enjoy the company of loved ones. Above all I will dedicate my life to the service of God and humanity even more for the years allotted to me.

February 6, 2015

THE RIGHT TO CHOICE: What Choice?

Some people keep harping they are entitled to an opinion but I rather think they need help. Granted, civility demands that everyone is allowed to hold opinion and even share same. However, where such opinion is inimical to the holder’s wellbeing and that of others such is usually discouraged or helped to drop the opinion. In the junction of history where Nigeria finds itself today, there’s an urgent need to extend help to people who are bend on making choices that is obviously injurious to themselves and others.

Nigeria will be making choices on 28th March and 11th April 2015. These choices before Nigerians will define the wellbeing of Nigerians and Nigeria for decades to come. Anyone with the privilege of possessing the instrument of making that momentous choice must recognise the huge responsibility on her since the choice will not only affect the decision maker alone but so many others who can’t vote as a result of indifference, age and others. In fact this choice will affect many millions yet unborn. It’s the reason I feel that some may need the help of others to make that important decision.

I may not recommend a party as all political parties in Nigeria are a mixed grill of the good, the bad, the ugly. However, there Individuals in this disfugured parties who can be distinguished by their track records. These are the ones Nigeria must identify and vote. I tried to profer reasons that must inform our choices. But I know there will be people who will insist on making their choices on other criteria even if only for the sake of choice. Then the saying will be true that “a people get the leaders they deserve”.

What freedom of choice do you have when marauders come in the dead of the night shooting sporadically? If you tell me you have the choice to wait then I can confirm you need help.

When you are thrown into darkness because of epileptic electric power system, and you tell me you have the choice to stay in the dark, I would rather suggest you beed help brother.

Schools are closed for one year and you say you have the choice to keep your siblings or wards at home, then I think you need help to make a choice.

When leaders steal our commonwealth and you say you have the choice to sing their praise, then it’s not a choice but you simply need a help to make a choice sir.

When you live in your Kaduna home and you need to buy water from water tanks for household chores, and you think you have a choice to keep queuing to buy, then it’s not a choice but you need help to make one.

When your people are facing genocide and you still lead a choir to praise your traducers, it’s not a choice but you need help make a choice.

When structure of government is unconstitutionally skewed to give advantage to your competitors and you think you will wait till your traducers create a state for you, I think it’s not a choice you have there, you simply need a help to know.

I wrote this with two people in mind. Each time they are told to abandon their fears and try CHANGE they advance they feel insulted not to be allowed to make their choices including wrong choices. And I assert that they don’t have a choice, because they need to be helped to where they can make choices without making the wrong one.

All those in support of Yero and GEJ: how many of you send your children to public schools? How many send your wives to public hospital for child birth? How many of you drink from public water pipes? How many of you don’t have heavy duty electric generators?

So you don’t want the less privileged to enjoy what you enjoy, right? This is sheer WICKEDNESS taught only from the pit of hell.

I wish Nigerians will be allowed to make their choices based on their conscience and let those choices count for them in an atmosphere devoid of coercion, inducements or use of force.

God bless Nigeria!
March 20, 2015

Writing a Winning CV

April 3, 2013

In my years of practicing as a Human Resource Consultant, I have come to understand that many job applicants are unable to prepare winning Curriculum Vitaes (CVs), mainly because they do not fully understand its purpose. When the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable; and this is also true for a CV. Simply, the purpose of a CV is to earn you an interview, and it must be enticing enough to make that happen.

Difference between a CV and a Résumé

Many applicants and employers erroneously believe CVs and Résumés are the same, yet they are different. What differentiates CVs and Résumés are in the length, content, and usage, but with the same intent, which is to give information, succinct or detail, about the owner.

The word Résumé is a French word, which means ‘summary.’ This is why a Résumé is a summary of your skills, experience and education – usually prepared in one or two pages. A Curriculum Vitae (CV), on the other hand, is a Latin that means ‘course of life’ which is why it depicts substantial information about the bearer. A CV is usually more than a page depending on the length and vastness of the owner’s experience.

Both Résumés and CVs should be written in third-person tenses so as to appear formal and objective. It is also to be presented in reverse chronological order with recent information appearing first. What is common among employers and job seekers in Nigeria is a CV; which is why I will lay more emphasis on how to write an endearing CV.

Format of a CV

There is no standard one-size-fit-all format of a CV; what is important is the orderliness displayed in presenting the different segments of the document.

Contents of a CV

A CV should have the following information:

ü Contact Information: You may wish to have this as an ‘header’ so it appears on all other pages of the CV, as this may help to identify other pages of your CV should it get unstapled and mixed with others. It includes the bearer’s Name, Contact Address, Mobile Number, and Email address.

ü Career Objective: This can be as short as a sentence or as long as a paragraph. It is a brief professional description of you. It succinctly illustrates the skills, experience, personal strength, and value you possess. Your career objective may either entice or dissuade a prospective employer from reading the remaining parts of your CV. Avoid using clichés. Stand yourself out by emphasizing your expertise and intellectual interests yet don’t box yourself. It is unprofessional to use someone else’s career objective as yours. Note that while a career objective is suggested, it is NOT a must.

ü Biodata: This includes biological information about you, that is: Date of Birth, Nationality, State of Origin, Marital Status, and Gender. Except otherwise requested, do not include your height, colour of eyes, colour of hair, number and age of children, spouse’s name, and other seemingly irrelevant information.

ü Education: This details the institution, period, and qualifications you have acquired. If you are currently undergoing a course, it should precede others, and be sure to write ‘In view’ in front of it and when you are expected to complete the course (e g. In View, December 2013.)

ü Employment History: This outlines the organizations you have worked (or volunteered), dates, job title, job summary, and your achievements (if any) while on the job; e. g. increased sales by 15% within the first year.

ü Trainings: Include training programmes you have undertaken and itemize the skills you acquired which should be relevant to the position applied for.

ü Honours and Awards: State any award, honours, or scholarships you have received.

ü Leadership posts: State if you have held (or currently hold) leadership positions. E. g. Head Boy of Maryland Comprehensive High School, 2008/2009 Session; Led 107 members of the Press Club from 2010 to 2011; etc. Be specific!

ü Publications and Presentations: State here if you have authored, co-authored, or contributed to any publication, including papers you have presented.

ü Professional Membership: List your membership of any professional body, especially the ones relevant to your profession and the position applied for. E. g. Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

ü Interests: These include your hobbies and leisure activities especially those relevant to your profession. Avoid solitary interests e. g. watching action films, playing Nintendo games, etc.

ü Languages: State if you can speak more than one language, including foreign languages e.g. French, German, Latin, Chinese, etc.

ü Reference: While you may wish to simply have ‘Available on Request,’ it is advisable that you provide details (name, address, phone number, and email address) of at least two (2) people who can give you a work and/or personal reference. Professionally, at least one of your referees should be a former employer; however if you are a fresh graduate with no work experience, you may include someone who can attest to your suitability for the job. It is imperative to inform the referees before including his/her name. Ensure your reference is updated when the need arise.

Dos and Don’ts of CV Writing

Do not type ‘Curriculum Vitae’ on the header; it is already implied.
Avoid abbreviations. Assume the reader does not know the meaning. E.g. Member of ICAN (ICAN should be in full, you may then add ‘ICAN’ in bracket).
Ensure your CV is not looking ‘choked’, provide some space in between yet avoid large spaces that will make your CV too long.
Use action words like: Increased, Modified, Conducted, Developed, Led, Planned, etc. E.g. Successfully planned the 1st Job Fair of the company.
Avoid using informal email addresses, e.g.: iamabigzgurl@yahoo.com, pamelahotchic@gmail.com, or fineboynopimples@hotmail.com. You may combine your first and last name e. g.: ebun.oke@gmail.com; chiomaorji@yahoo.com; mabubakar@ymail.com.
Do not give false information, including your age; it is a criminal offence.
Do not fold your CV; use an A4 or foolscap envelope to post or submit it.
Play down on your weaknesses and failures; focus on your strengths and successes.
Avoid typographical and grammatical errors; and make proper use of punctuations. Edit and get someone to help you vet it.
Except by request, do not include, or scan a picture or passport photograph on your CV. It is unprofessional.
Avoid using big or small fonts; a size 12 Times New Romans or Arial is moderate.
Do not include salary details of former employers or expectation from the prospective employer. Wait for the negotiation table.

In all, remember less is more! Make your CV as simply irresistible as possible.

Success wishes.

– Bukky Shonibare
bukky@555ng.com
bukkyshonibare@gmail.com

Trying my Hands on Ruby on Rails

I have no idea in the world what Ruby is. I have only read how one can easily develop websites speedily using the scripting language and even faster with the framework Rails. I have just downloaded the installer from http://railsinstaller.org. I have gone through the screen cast which of course looks fuzzy at first. However, I am determined to go through it again before I retire for the day. If anyone is interested in going it with me he can click play button below:

It looks promising and I am going to stick to it for sometime to come. I only hope my interest does not wane by the day. And if it does not as I expected, I think I am going to build the future of my web development around Ruby on Rails.

Gov. Yakowa Turns Father Christmas in June

I was scanning through the radio airwaves this evening and I made an unusual stop over at the Kada FM station. And it was a Hausa program SIYASAR MU A YAU. I heard the PDP chairman of zone 2 hailing PIY over money distribution at Igabi. The chairman explained that the money distribution has become necessary to cut down on the excruciating poverty ravaging the populace.

And I wondered so loudly how on earth could the government led by someone who prides himself as the most experienced governor stoop so low to reduce governance to that. It goes to say in bold terms that this government have ran out of idea on how to turn around the economy. How does Yakowa think he can build an egalitarian society by sharing cash to some select few? I grew up to know government collecting monies in form taxes from it’s citizen, even from the poorest to provide infrastructure and fix public utilities for the benefit of the general public.

PIY would have been justified if he had done this in an election year since our democracy has remain stunted-growth after 13 years and still runs on patronage. How long will the money last before the people are hungry again? Will he continue to dish out the fish every month? And how many people were beneficiaries? On what criteria was the money shared? Did people from other political parties enjoyed the loot? How much does PIY have to resort to this money sharing policy? Could Gov. Fashola have considered a policy as this even in the face of pressure from his principals?

And the irony is that the same government does join other focused government to cry over paucity of funds to execute needful projects. The roads are still bad. The hospitals are under-staffed and lack essential drugs. In some remote areas, pregnant mothers are still conveyed in open coffins to so-called health clinics 10s of kilometers away. The public water supply is erratic and not fit for drinking when available. For want of options people have resorted to buying unwholesome water from hawkers for table and domestic use. Children of school going age still loiter around during school hours. School teachers are barely literate particularly in our rural areas. Classes still hold under the mango trees, in Mai-anguwa’s parlors, church holds, etc.

Why would the government of PIY not be rated below average when he has loaded his government with people who have little or nothing to offer? The government is filled with persons whose generation have brought Nigeria to its present predicament and do not believe Nigeria has any future after their generation. These people most of whom have lost touch with reality are old and tired and so cannot grasp with today’s complex need of the society in which we live. In a knowledge economy in which cost of governance is been cut down through the applications of Information and Communication Technologies the government cannot but under-perform giving the calibre of personnel PIY has invited to run the government. As a technocrat PIY should know better why retirement age was made a part of condition of service. There most be critical reasons why a tired and perhaps expired hand should be recalled from retirement to serve when young men and women bustling with energy and innovations are kept at bay.