Woooooooow!
What a year!
From making the top 20 in Africa in the Etisalat Flash Fiction
contest to Nigeria’s victory over Ebola, the emergence of Buhari/Osinbajo as
APC’s presidential/VP candidates and to my victory in the Paradigm Initiative
Nigeria digital Jobs contest, it’s truly been an outstanding year for Nigeria
and for me. However, the focus of this piece will be on 6 super-hot categories
that defined my 2014. Here we go:
1
Outstanding events:
FIRST POSITION: DIGITAL JOBS CONTEST [PARADIGM INITITIVE NIGERIA]
Thanks to the BBM group Change Nigeria Alliance, I got to know
about Gbenga Sesan’s Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s Digital Jobs challenge. Long
story short, I applied and despite stiff opposition from every corner of
Nigeria, I won the ultimate prize of a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. Since I was in
Kogi at the time and the prize presentation was going to be at PIN headquarters
in Yaba, Lagos, Ayobami Fawole [girlfriend to my friend Tobi] represented me
and picked up my prize. Ayo & Tobi, thank you. PIN, you’re the best.
And by popular demand, here are the tweets that thrilled the
judges like sweets:
1
Workers are not limited by physical location, physical appearance,
disabilities, so millions of youths benefit @pinigeria #Digitaljobs
2
Today, there is an app for everything, #Digitaljobs is the future
& present of workplace, fast strengthening Africa’s ICT sector @pinigeria
3
More options, more money: A digital worker can work with multiple
firms at different times of the day & earn globally @pinigeria
#Digitaljobs
4
Companies would hire more digital workers because they lower
hiring & training costs and more jobs=less unemployment @pinigeria
#Digitaljobs
NYSC KOGI CAMP
I have already written an epistle on my camp experience (ASAYA
CAMP EXPERIENCE) but for the sake of first timers, It was a fantastic
experience for me. In camp, I was the best trainee for Millenium Development
Goals [MAC family] & was subsequently named valedictorian, I initiated the
verdict, a 5-star interview series which interviewed every single outstanding
Corp member in camp, anybody that was somebody was put to the test by a
professional crew that had it all. Catch up here.
Became zonal cord NCCF, General Sec MDGs
In October, barely 2 weeks after resuming for duty at Omala local
government, I gave an inspiring speech (I am a Nigerian) to over 500 secondary
school students at Abejukolo Stadium. In the same week, I was named as the
Zonal coordinator of Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship of Omala Local
Government. And one week after that, I became the general secretary of MDGs
Community Development Service [CDS] group. In November, CDS took us to Agah
Unique Secondary School where I delivered yet another cracker “Get SMART”.
Royal Grace: started a multimedia unit
I currently attend Royal Grace Chapel, a Pentecostal church
founded by Rev Dave Faruna. Immediately I joined, I noticed there was no banner
in front of the church and suggested it to Corper Ade who made it his legacy
project. I also discovered there was no projection/multimedia & heard that
there was a projector but no handler. Two weeks later, I started a
multimedia unit. Several designs, PowerPoint presentations & a white paper
later in December, the church organized a Jeans Carnival for youths where
issues relating to living well & succeeding were dissected. We also had
games & a quiz competition which I won.
Buhari won APC primaries
It’s no secret that I want change, and I believe Buhari is the
best candidate to lead that change. This is why I followed the presidential
primaries of the APC via social media all through the event. In the end, the
never-say-die General won the day. May the best candidates emerge at the polls
in February as I join other Corps members to preside over the elections.
Abduction of Chibok girls:
There is God video
In the words of Honorable Patrick, the Nation was thrown into a
state of quagmire on the 15th of April as 276 girls (with 219
still missing) were abducted from Chibok by the deadly, world-famous Boko Haram
Sect. As usual, FG made empty promises, Boko Haram delivered on its promises
with escalated bombings & kidnappings and almost everyone got used to one
week-one bomblast scenario. On a lighter note, Patience jonthan provided some
comic relief in a time of tragedy with her viral hit “There is God o”. Theyoutube clip has been viewed over 1,085,575 times (as at the time of filing
this report) and is a testament to the grammatical sagacity of Jonathan’s sweet
heart & Nigeria’s first lady.
The conquering of Ebola
Ebola became a national concern after Sawyer, a Liberian inflicted
Nigeria with the virus. Lagos, under the leadership of the ever dependable
Fashola, made light work of Ebola. Isolation units & quarantine centers
were set up, persons who had come in contact with carriers were followed up
and in no time, Ebola became history. By the way, smart business men made a ton
of cash selling temperature checkers, hand gloves and the likes while some unlucky
folks lost their lives due to mis-information on social media about using
salt-water to bath. Luckily, you didn't join them or did you?
World-Cup
Despite the initial hiccups, Brazil hosted the world to a
beautiful soccer fiesta. The super eagles of Nigeria managed to qualify for the
second round and were eliminated by France in a particularly forgettable
fashion [2 late goals….still hurts]. In the end, my favorite & everyone’s
favorite, the German machines took the day!
#ProjectGiveBack
#ProjectGiveBack is a global movement of inspired & inspiring leaders who are committed to selflessly raising a new generation of youths in their core competencies, eradicating poverty, making our environment sustainable and making the world a better place one community at a time. 3 free events were held in Osun State, Ogun State & Kogi state by ambassadors Ogunbowale Olugbenga, Ebenezar Adeyeye & Adebowale Helen Abidemi.
Appointed brand manager for TedXIfe
In January, I was appointed as the brand manager for TedXIfe.
Though I couldn't attend the November event in Ife due to some NSYC assignments
in Kogi, the rest of the team ensured it was a resounding success.
Fellow: Desplay Africa
In September, I became a fellow of Africa’s most prestigious &
longest running youth democracy training program, DESPLAY Africa (funded by
National Endowment for Democracy, Washington USA and organized by Youngstars
foundation). To fully comprehend the implication of this, imagine getting
selected among 35 youths from all over Africa for a 9 month program (3
semesters, once in 3 months) after thousands of applications involving essays,
recommendation letters and technical leadership/democracy based questions.
To qualify for the next semester, we had to organize a seminar,
called a PiO (pass it on), where we taught what we learnt to at least 25
youths. PiO’s took me to Youth Rescue Club, Association for Reproductive &
Family Health, Ibadan (alongside the indefatigable Dr Abayomi Ojo) and later to
Communion Christian Center where the fabulous host of life, Ayo Atitebi was the
MC.
Not only did I become a fellow, I was the Head of Media group for
3 consecutive semesters and I emerged as the most organized DESPLAYer & the
most competitive DESPLAYer at DESPLAY season 9.
Place of Primary Assignment: Ife Community Secondary School
I set a new record as the first teacher to finish marking &
recording scripts of almost 200 student’s in less than 24 hours. The school
management also treated all members of staff to a lavish get to gether. It took
me 3 days to finish the chicken! The next two weeks saw me register Corpers,
INEC staffs and members of the community for INEC adhoc positions.
Top 20: Etisalat flash fiction
Due to the selection by judges and massive votes by the members of
the public, my story ‘BIOLA’ made it into top 20 in Africa at Etisalat's flash
fiction awards. We were treated to a lavish dinner at a hotel in Lagos
(February).
EPOWER’S LEARN FROM THE BEST
#TeamEPOWER organized learn from the best 4.0 followed at Obafemi Awolowo University followed by FLY at
Oduduwa University. Many thanks to all our students for their kind comments
& powerful testimonies and the team for ensuring the success of the events:
The two Funke’s, Prince, CEO of Shypes and later Gideon, Segun, Grace, Mercy,
Ife, how can I possibly forget your labor of love? God bless you.
I taught Branding at Joshua Igba’s Business on breakfast just
before the first training and 'created' the Business Proposal Writing package right after.
2
Outstanding Clients:
First of all, I’d like to say a big thank you to every single
epower client. Your belief in us and continuous patronage continues to inspire
our creativity and we truly, truly care about you. Gospel Students Fellowship
OAU, Desmond & friends, Egbewande, Samson, Mope & the Obafemi Awolowo
University Teaching Hospital Interns, Shish Kebab, Geography dept OAU, Darbot,
ECWA student fellowship OAU, Charis, Yinka, Wande, Oshinloye, TIti of Reedemers University, Havann & Osaze of BBQ, Samson of HighGrade tutorials, TopSAM Bow
tie, Don Billion et al, May 2015 witness an acceleration of your ventures.
3
Outstanding friends:
CLEMENTINA
NSIKAN
SAYO OFFMC
Sayo OFFMC was simply phenomenal. He was one friend who kept
checking up on me, kept caring even when I was too busy to return those calls.
Thank you for loving me unconditionally, may God grant your heart desires. Lets
do it again in 2015. Thank you. Fadoju Ayoade, Clementina, Nsikan, Joseph, Mr
Arume, James & John for truly caring, thank you.
4
Outstanding corpers:
For your Gifts and your kind words: Austin, Ade, Kanu, Toyin, Joy,
John Cross, Fmr CLO Emmanuel (who helped me secure Ife Community as against
Icheke which was pretty far), Ade (who took me in), Kanu (who was my predecessor in NCCF and initiator of Aside Astray Conference which I spoke at), may the flood gates
of heaven be open unto you as you navigate and ultimately dominate the favor
market. To all my fellow NCCF zonal coordinators, the state coordinators, and
especially to Jesus Corpers of Omala Local Government, May God continue to
embarrass you with big blessings.
5
Outstanding movies/documentaries
Its true what they say: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
In 2014, I saw the hottest movies (I read online reviews before committing my
time, and most of the time, I struck gold). Colombiana taught me how to be a
professional, The internship taught me to reach for the stars and never to give
up, John Edgar taught me how to be a revolutionary and the documentary Standing
on the shoulders of giants showed me how to get to the top.
6
Outstanding personalities:
FEMI IROMINI
PST TOPE
ROBIN SHARMA
AYO ATITEBI
OLUMIDE
Pst DAYO (My immediate elder brother who will get married in March 2015!)
FUNKE & I [YES...SHE'S THE ONE]
Dad for your awe-inspiring stories, life lessons and practical
advice and for your courageous deeds, Mum & Miss Kemi for your kindness, P.
Dayo, P.Tope, Rev Dave for being such deep thinkers & wonderful
speakers/preachers, Robin Sharma for your mind-blowing insight &
motivational dynamites, Femi Iromini for being a role model, a trusted advisor
& confidant, the kind of friend who would spend 2 hours on the phone with
you, who you could pour your heart to, Olumide for being a dependable friend,
for remaining your loving self, and for introducing me to Trevo, thank you!
Funke Ajayi for being the girlfriend of my dreams, ever caring, ever smart,
ever supportive, the kind of girlfriend who would do the crazy and go the extra
mile to help, the lady who would fantasize about the future and set ambitious
goals, I love you.
TO MY FRIENDS & FANS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, TO EVERYONE WHO MADE MY
2014 ROCK, I’M HAPPY FOR YOU, PROUD OF YOU AND TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE YOU. LET’S
DO IT BIGGER IN 2015.
I AM OGUNBOWALE OLUGBENGA.
PROFILE:
Ogunbowale Olugbenga, C.E.O Epower, is a vast, fast rising ICT
trainer, brand strategist, lyricist & nation builder with five years’
experience in visual branding & a dream to see Africa’s tech industry burst
into the global scene.
In 2013, He graduated from Psychology department, O.A.U, was
nominated as the most outstanding young Nigerian by Junior Chamber
International, his short story 'BIOLA' was named as one of the top 20 in Africa
by Etisalat and He also coordinated/volunteered at FeedOne project which fed
& empowered over 4,000 families in Akure, Ife & Lagos.
He facilitated at 10/10: a regional impact tour by Global Paradigm
Shifters to over 1,000 Secondary School Students, delivering Powerful Lessons
in Purpose & Leadership for the emergence of Africa’s next vibrant &
visionary young leaders.
In 2012, He won the Social Sciences Faculty prize for best
presentation. In 2006, He came first in Oyo state at the Junior Engineers &
Technicians project exhibition. At 24, He is one of the youngest fellows of
Africas most prestigious & longest running youth democracy training
program, DESPLAY Africa (funded by National Endowment for Democracy ,
Washington DC and organized by Youngstars foundation).
Under his leadership, Epower has created 500 stunning PowerPoint
slides, 800 fantastic graphic designs with over 2,800 people trained in live
seminars.
He is the initiator of Project Give Back, a global movement of
inspired & inspiring leaders who are committed to selflessly raising a new
generation of youths in their core competencies, eradicating poverty, making
our environment sustainable and making the world a better place one community
at a time.
In November 2014, He won the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria digital
jobs contest. A corp member, serving in Kogi state, He is currently the General
Secretary of MDGs CDS group, zonal coordinator of Nigerian Christian Corpers
Fellowship, started a Multimedia unit at Royal Grace Chapel and has delivered
inspiring speeches to over 500 students, across 10 schools in less than 1 month
of service.
Gbenga is an astute business man and a bastion of change &
innovation, who combines experience with excellence to deliver astonishing
results every time.
I Celebrate You Sir! I've learnt and still learning from observing and following you Sir. Your greatness, impact, service and uniqueness is profound. Greater year ahead Sir!
ReplyDeleteWoooow! This is Awesome bro! You definitely had a wonderful 2014. You're going places, big great places!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by this article. I am inspired to do more and be more.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Mr Olugbenga