Me and My Mentors' Birthdays

For 22 years running, since 1993, to be exact, when i started relating with Pastor Femi Emmanuel, as Head of Publications, Livingspring Chapel International till date, that i enjoy the privilege of working with Archbishop Margaret Idahosa, both as management staff of Benson Idahosa University, where she is Chancellor, and as Governing Board member of Above Only Press, the Publishing organ of Church of God Mission International, it has been a case of sharing July with my highly -rated mentors. Pastor Emmanuel's birthday is 2nd,  Archbishop Idahosa is 29th. But perhaps, most dramatic, is that of Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, who i also enjoyed the grace of relating with, for more than eight years, in various capacities, such as being the pioneer coordinator of the Department of Christian Religious Studies Redeemer' University, Associate Chaplain of Redeemer's University, Editorial board member of The Trainers Magazine of RCBC and an External Examiner to the School of Post Graduate Studies of the Redeemed Christian Bible College. I share the same day, July 13, with her. Just as i do with the Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, Professor Wole Soyinka. I recall that in Ibadan, in the 1990s, just as it is happening in Benin now, during the last Sundays of July,  Pastor Emmanuel, myself and others, would dance to the pulpit to thank God for the gift of life. What a glory to share the same birthday and birthmonth with your mentors.

My July...My July...

I bless God for July. And this is quite personal. So please, generate a tenderness for my indulgence.  To begin with, i was born on the 13th day of the month. On the 8th of July, 2000, i got married to my damsel of invaluable relevance. Then came July 13, 2008. A birthday that co-incided with the formal inauguration of our ministry, Scripture Communication Network. This teaching, training, leadership  and publication ministry has birthed other arms such as Strategic Leadership Academy, The Mentoring Institute, The Home Institute and LeaderSpeak Magazine. Glory be to God.

The Dynamic Force of April 2015.

The month, April, came with a pack of landmark testimonies. It started with Sharon Ighile's appointment as Ag. Head, Central Branding Unit, Global Office, CGMI. Then came my research exploits on Re-inventing Oral Narrative Cuiture in Nigeria.  My appointment as Governing Board Member, Above Only Press is another breakthrough. And then came April 30, Majesty's birthday co-inciding with the successful Ph.D defense date of a twin brother in the Lord, a ministry partner and close friend, Dr. Stephen Dauda. Glory, Glory be to God for every testimony shared.

Leading and Speaking

I practise and teach mentoring, leadership, public speaking, publishing and media relations.

The Life of an Ag. Director, Academic Planning, Benson Idahosa University.

From the middle of January 2015, when i assumed the position of Ag. Director, Academic Planning, Benson Idahosa University, Benin- City, my experience of University administration has taken a more robust outlook. As Ag. University Orator and Coordinator of the Department of Christian Religious Studies, Redeemer's University, i had thought that i was at the steam of  tertiary leadership. How economical i was with reality!
From the weekly management meetings and unit meetings to the several committee meetings that have to be chaired and planned for, it is a whole phase altogether. And then, the perculiarity of the Academic planning unit as the regulatory arm of the University.
I bless God for His grace, strength, wisdom and understanding released for us to maximize  to his glory.

From the West to the South- South

I bless God for the gift of life and the blessings associated with the reality of dreams. When i picked my few belongings in mid- August 1987, to commence a degree programme in the Department of English, University of Ibadan, little did i know that i was starting a 28 year journey to the West.
From the University of Ibadan to Skech Press Limited. From Sketch to Livingspring Chapel, and from the Spring to Redeemer' s University. And then, 28 years got swallowed up in the belly of time!