YOUTH: A Message To The Hustlers - by EldaDavid Samuel

In the spirit of keeping it REAL! I have a message for the HUSTLERS!

In the history of MANKIND, Hustlers never really make a significant impact in their Generation. Hustlers are not motivated to live for people, hustlers are only concerned about short-term pecuniary gains. Hustlers don’t think of the future. They want immediate gratification. An Hustler is not vision oriented. They are not driven by a purpose.

An Hustler will never really reach the peak of anything or be known for anything in particular because their attention span, focus and commitment to a cause is short-lived. Hustlers are not guided by VALUES, PRINCIPLES OR ETHICS in the conduct of their actions or attitudes, so long at they get that immediate benefit. Hustlers are mostly lone rangers, they don’t have the ability to develop relationships that can be leveraged upon in future. They are mostly predators. I can give you the endless qualities of an HUSTLER!

The word ‘I AM HUSTLING’ is self-derogatory. We don’t hustle, we work HARD and SMART. In working hard and smart, we clearly know what we want, our goals both short and long term are clearly defined and we are able to articulate same to people around us. As an hard and smart worker, you channel all your energies and passion into a particular cause, you are majorly concerned about making a significant impact and building a LEGACY that can and will outlive you. You are people and service conscious and will do all in your best to help others GROW.

In the game of LIFE, Never HUSTLE and NEVER even use the word to describe what you are currently engaged in. You can’t go to a place where you hope to get a million Naira contract and tell them you hustled to get here rather you use LOFTY words like I WAS DETERMINED, I WORKED HARD, I WAS SMART, I KNEW WHAT I WANTED etc...

Once your goals are clearly spelt out and you put in all your energies and resources into achieving them – Then you are not HUSTLING but working hard and smart.

One Love to all Former Hustlers who are now MAKING AN IMPACT WORKING HARD AND SMART.

Written by:
EldaDavid Samuel

NIGERIAN YOUTH, WHY? - Prof. Wole Soyinka

Where did we go wrong? WAKE UP Nigerian youth!

Awolowo was 37 years, Akintola 36, Ahmadu Bello 36, Balewa 34, Okotie-Eboh 27, and Enahoro 27 and they led the struggle for Nigeria Independence after the death of Macaulay. Only Zik was 42 at the time.

In 1966, the first coup was led by: K. Nzeogwu who was 29 years and countered by M. Mohammed 28, T. Danjuma 28, Babangida 25, Garba 23, Sani Abacha 23, and Yaradua 23, and brought into power Gowon 32, Ojukwu 33, Obasanjo 29, and Buhari 24. Most of the military governors who governed the states under the successive military regimes were under 30 years. The brief democratic.dispensation which interjected the military interregnums also saw some Senators, and the House of Representatives, in particular, populated by members under 30. Under 30's were also not in short supply with.appointments - we have examples of M.T. Mbu who became foreign affairs minister at 23 and Pat Utomi who became a federal adviser at 27 and so on and so forth.

NOW: Why is it that this age bracket is today still sleeping in 3 seater chairs in their parents’ homes? Why is it that this age bracket is today still collecting pocket money from their parents? Why is it that this age bracket is today still writing JAMB? Why is it that this age bracket today still sagg their trousers? Why is it that this age bracket is today still searching for jobs, and not yet married? Why is it that this age bracket is today no longer qualified to even be leaders of youth wings of political parties?

Why is it that this age bracket is today so docile? Why is this age bracket today incapable of feeding itself? Why is it that this age bracket is today barred from even aspiring to certain political offices? Why is it that this age bracket is today incapacitated, unwilling, unable and incapable of asking questions? Why is it that this age bracket is not even conscious of their predicament?

GOD BLESS NIGERIA!

Article source attributed to:
Prof. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate)

A NOTE OF CAUTION TO NIGERIANS (by Kunbi Adefule)

Kunbi Adefule is a young Nigerian-American adventurer who has traveled to over thirty (30) countries around the world. She is also an alumnus of Cornell University.

On the event of Nigeria’s independence celebration, she shared on her facebook status what I have titled as a note of caution, or rather a note of wisdom (depending on the reader's perspective) to all Nigerians especially the youth population.

Quoted in her own words:
"Dear Nigerians, Insulting Nigeria on Independence Day for not being like USA is like insulting your father or mother on his/her birthday for not being like Bill Gates or Oprah!

Happy Independence day to all the Nigerians that have faith and hope in Nigeria.

Naija o ni baje o! Eko o ni baje o!"

GREEN or GREED NIGERIA? (by Chunu Teajay)

As Nigerians commemorate their fifty-third (53rd) year of independence, there are variegated opinions about whether the day is worth celebrating or not. One of Nigeria’s renowned youth advocate and GEMSTONE Ambassador has aired his voice over the social media by posing a critical question that all Nigerians need to answer. Read the full article below…

GREEN OR GREED?
(written by Chunu Teajay)

Nigeria is not a place but a people. The colour on our flag is a representation of who we are but our self-seeking ambitions have discolored what we once called our pride. I keep wondering, are we still green or a colour full with greed?

We flaunt a colour green and call ourselves Nigerians whereas by our attitude we are more of aliens professing a creed not reflecting in deed, pointing fingers at others forgetting to realize that no one else is responsible for our lives and actions except us. When people say there is nothing to celebrate in Nigeria I wonder why event planners are still in business. If we glamorously celebrate our anniversaries and ‘achievements’ without a referral to sustainable communal development then we
are the perfect definition of mediocrity.

Imagine a future where we have all stolen from ourselves and have nothing left in common except the anticipation of being the first to kill the next loosed cow. That’s the future that awaits our misplaced valued and self-seeking attitude. In our angry actions & words against our ‘rulers’ and with our fights and complaints, we have gradually become more of what we most disdain.

No matter how far we run we can’t run from who we are, WE ARE NIGERIANS first before anything else; the most favoured and endowed among black nations who are yet to articulate a common vision and master the art of discipline to achieve same.

If Dubai that has Sun, Sand & Sea can in the desert grow a tree then for Nigeria I see a possible future waiting for you and me. As we celebrate 53, two numbers with great significance, let’s Step-Up with the grace God has given and walk in unity to achieve a common goal. Let’s recolour our pride from greed back to green.

We can be a Generation Empowered, Motivated & Stirred to Operate in Natural Excellence if we:
* Make a positive impact on everyone we meet and everywhere we go.
* Be a ROLE MODEL worthy of emulation.
* Be a solution to problems and not a problem to solutions.
* Be the best in all we do particularly the things we are good at.
* Do the right thing regardless of who is doing the wrong thing.
* Value time and make the best of it.
* Care and show that we care through our words and actions.
* Consciously build a great legacy starting today & every day.
* Live a life of INTEGRITY.
* Make our family, nation & God proud. Be someone’s claim to fame.

(NB: Included here are the 10 core values of GEMSTONE)

A happy independence wishes to those who are truly dependent.

I am your friend,
Chunu Teajay
Twitter: @unusualteajay
Skype: Chunu.Teajay