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Developing Your Mindset for Reasons in Seasons (Pt. 2)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“Adversity is known to the wise as a weapon or a tool which we must manipulate and engage to build our “muscles” in all spheres of life in a bid to bear the “weights” of glory. It is our responsibility to be responsible at all times, most especially in trying moments, and never to give excuses for not fulfilling the mandate of MANifestation, the intents of the Maker, God Almighty! I need you to understand clearly that an excuse is a beautiful way of describing why you have failed to MANifest at any given task or opportunity! I charge you to be responsible by engaging your gifts which have been lavished into you by the Maker to MANifest the Great Light (solutions) in the gloomy days of the world, and never to take credit or glory for it but to the Giver, The Maker, who is the Greatest!” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD., FIMC, CMC, CMS, CIV, MNIM
It would be best if you never judged your success by other people’s accolades. You should only judge your success by God’s instruction for your life and how well you are with those instructions, because I have found out something in life that the average human being in life is so mediocre that to be a genius, just to do a little extra. People are so normal, but to be an expert, just go one inch abnormal, and they will think you are great. So, don’t judge your successes by what the masses think of you, but by what God told you to do. When experience is your best teacher, then progress is imprisoned. Experience could be a curse. Dr. Myles Monroe (of blessed memory) mentioned in one of his teachings, “I have been taught by my parent years ago, that experience is the best teacher, I don’t believe that anymore.
Experience could cause you to stop progressing, because you keep judging your dreams by your what you have been through, and you end saying, I tried that before, or I never saw anyone do it that way, then you begin to use those encounters to stop your progress.” That is why God always make history with young people, old people have got too much experience. You all remember the story of David and Goliath? The problem with Saul who was king at that time was that he had experiences, and he tried to put them on David. He told David, wear my armour, carry the burden of my shield, use my sword, use them to fight your own battle(s). And David puts it on and says these things are just too heavy, such that, he dropped them at the feet of Saul. David then went out and fought the giant with something the giant had never seen before.
How do you fight a sword with a rock? The giant says. What is this thing he’s using? How will you bring a stone to a battle of steel; a sling to a battle of sophisticated, experienced and award-winning sword?! The giant is highly trained, and experienced with the sword, to the Philistines, his sword was legendary, so he was expecting an experienced sword-man to come and fight him, but here comes a little boy with just an equipment the giant hasn’t seen before. Honestly, we simply need some people like that (David) in this generation, in this century of ours who would defy the traditions, break the norm, conquer the odds, and come out with something the world has never seen at the office, in the community and nations; people that would think of some ideas that will wreck the whole system. That’s why Steve Jobs will always be in the top place of history as a great inventor. He keeps defying his own experience. While watching a documentary about him some years ago, it was said that when the iPhone came out, they said to him “That’s it! You are the ultimate, this is it!”, but he responded by saying “No! there’s more”, and he came up with this idea about the iPad. And he mentioned that the people in the company said that it would never work! Why? It’s an abnormal size. A size that hasn’t been seen before. It is either you get a computer or an iPhone. As for the phone, it’s either you put it in a pocket or briefcase, but seeing this thing in the middle (iPad) isn’t going to work. Steve Jobs says, “Look, we are going to make this.” Now, the iPad is (one) of the most common machinery people make use of in the world! Sometimes, you have just got to defy your own board to take or make progress! As for experience, you are permitted to consult it, but never allow it (experience) to rule you.
William Shakespeare says, “Sweet are the uses of adversity… he says, you must learn to use adversity for your benefit.” One of the wealthiest men in the United States of America wrote a book titled “Cheaters Never Win.” He’s a multi-billionaire; he probably has products that almost everyone in the world uses. He is the largest manufacturer of plastics, paper, cups, plates and forks in the world. The company is called “The Huntsman Enterprise”, here is what he says in his book, “ if there is a silver lining to bad times, it means that, when facing severe challenges, your mind is normally at its sharpest.” I wonder why he’s a billionaire. When facing challenges, he says your mind kicks and thinks beyond the norm. He also stated some fact that I find very interesting which is that “humans seldom have created anything of value unless they were tried or hurting”; and I simply interpret the statement as benefits of crisis. I have concluded that adversity is a weapon or a tool that we must engage to build our “muscles” in a bid to bear the “weights” (responsibilities or demands) of glory.
Many people don’t even recognize that “glory” is a weight. It isn’t just a blessing, but purposeful responsibility on our shoulders to respond to and with the abilities created within us as HUMAN to MANifest Ab(ove)-normally, because the creations are waiting for the MANifestation of the Sons of God! (as seen in the Holy Book of Life – Romans 8:19). It is our responsibility to shine (reflect or MANifest) the Great Living Light to the world in their gloomy days. That’s why we have been charged never to sleep on purpose, never to sleep on the abilities lavished upon us by God, by responding with these abilities (Light) to meeting the goodly and Godly needs of Mankind and his environment.
Adversity is known to the wise as a weapon or a tool which we (must) manipulate and engage to build our “muscles” in all spheres of life in a bid to bear the “weights” of glory. It is our responsibility to be responsible at all times, most especially in trying moments, and never to give excuses for not fulfilling the mandate of MANifestation, the intents of the Maker, God Almighty! I need you to understand clearly that an excuse is a beautiful way of describing why you have failed to MANifest at any given task or opportunity! I charge you to be responsible by engaging your gifts which have been lavished into you by the Maker to MANifest the Great Light (solutions) in the gloomy days of the world, and never to take credit or glory for it but to the Giver, The Maker, who is the Greatest! Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 5:16); For we have this treasure (abilities/solutions) in earthen vessels (us), that the excellency of the power (MANifestation) may be of God, and not of us, that He may be better known (revealed) to the world through us – 2Corinthians 4:7-10. This is why you are supposed to be a greater leader, a better leader because your skills must be tested. Put in another way, Abraham Lincoln was an amazing personality, he became the greatest president in the midst of trials. Today, many sages are convinced that he’s the greatest of the United States in history, because, he used adversity to create a federation that lasted over 300 years and still working, but it came out of the heat of crisis.
Dr Myles Monroe’s (of blessed memory) definition of leadership is straightforward, yet complicated, “leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, not manipulation, and that inspiration comes from a passion which is motivated by a sense of vision, sense of purpose. So, leadership isn’t something that you pursue, but something you discover. Leaders are born when human discovers something much more important than their personal ambition. True leaders do not seek followers; leaders are actually pursuing a passion towards a purpose that gives them a sense of destiny! The likes of Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa never sought followers. He discovered a purpose that was much more important than his private preservation and private ambition. He pursued his purpose privately and then attracted people. Leaders are more concerned about discovering a purpose for improving the life of humanity, which is much more important than their personal ambition. So, they sacrifice themselves to accomplish something for the greater good. We find that very rarely. Most people we call leaders are simply professional manipulators. And they actually are more concerned about their promotion than promoting the well-being of the people. We are simply the product of everything that we have been through! The best for us isn’t to regret or try to change what happened but to interpret it properly, maximize it and use it to serve other people. Arise and shine! It is simply an instruction from the Holy Book of Life in Isaiah 60:1 to MAN up! MANifest and show up! See others through, and not see through them in their gloomy days…and that’s simply leadership! Take responsibility responsibly!
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke is an accredited ISO 20700 Effective Leadership Management Trainer.
National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has defended the legitimacy of the party’s registration, dismissing allegations of irregularities and urging Nigerians to ignore what he described as propaganda.
Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, in a X post on Monday said the party’s formation was the result of a long-standing process dating back to 2017, contrary to claims that it was recently granted recognition without due procedure.
“For the record, the annexures show that we initiated the registration process for the NDC as far back as 2017 and that INEC granted approval at that time before the process was halted,” he said.
He added that the party revisited and updated its application when the Independent National Electoral Commission resumed registration of political associations.
Dickson’s comments come amid controversy triggered by allegations from Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and promoter of the All Democratic Alliance, who accused the electoral body of unlawfully registering the NDC in violation of constitutional provisions and its own guidelines on DCL Hausa.
Ardo claimed that while his group and others met all requirements for registration, they were ignored, whereas the NDC was allegedly recognised under questionable circumstances.
“The reason is that NDC obtained registration without applying, without meeting the requirements set by law, without meeting the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, and without meeting INEC’s guidelines,” Ardo said during an interview.
“With my experience in politics, I am fully aware that an ambitious project of this nature will attract distractions—rumours, gossip, propaganda, and even blackmail,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to remain focused on what he described as the party’s broader vision of national renewal.
The development comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the defection of key opposition figures including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the NDC.
Dickson described their entry into the party as part of a broader coalition-building effort aimed at creating a strong ideological platform.
“What we are witnessing is a powerful convergence: my role as a party organiser and builder, alongside two political heavyweights with immense grassroots support, popularity and political experience,” he said.
He added that the party aims to build a durable political institution comparable to established global parties.
“As I have consistently stated, our goal in the NDC is to build an ideological political party, one that can be compared to the ANC in its finest years in South Africa, as well as established political parties across Europe, America, India and even the Communist Party of China,” he said.
Dickson also highlighted the party’s focus on youth and women, describing the NDC as a platform designed to promote inclusion and mentorship.
“The NDC is a party with a special place for young people and women, one that prioritises mentorship and prepares citizens for service,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to join the party and participate actively in its activities, including contesting elections.
“I call on all Nigerians to join the NDC, register, participate, and contest elections. Together, let us reclaim and rebuild our country,” he added.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has thrown its weight behind the Senior Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), whose members are currently on nationwide indefinite strike.
SSANU and NASU, under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC), had declared indefinite strike on Friday, May 1, 2026, protesting the Federal government’s delay in signing a new agreement with them.
The two unions, after repeated ultimata given to the Federal Government to finalise their long-standing 2009 Agreement renegotiation and come up with a new agreement and its immediate implementation, accused the Federal Government of using delay tactics to, among others, punish members for rejecting the once controversial IPPIS payment platform.
Speaking at a monthly impact dialogue organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) held virtually, ASUU President, Prof Christopher Piwuna, said the body language of the Federal Government delaying the signing of the new agreement with other unions in the university system called for serious concern.
He spoke on the theme “Delayed Salaries, FG Workers’ Agreement: Averting Impending Crisis in Nigerian Universities.”
The dialogue also featured the National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, and his vice in charge of the South Zone, Dr. Abdulsobur Abdulsalam.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Dr Shamseeden Ogunjimi, as well as the Director of Tertiary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Joel Samuel Ojo, who were equally billed as panelists, were unable to attend.
Speaking further, Piwuna said the Federal Government should realise that industrial harmony in the university system does not mean one union is working, rather working together of all unions is required to move the entire system forward.
He noted that even though the Federal Government had already signed an agreement with ASUU and that its implementation has “remained at best rudimentary and haphazard,” leaving SSANU, NASU, and NAAT in the cold is unacceptable.
He explained why ASUU is taking that stand, saying salaries of lecturers and other workers in the system are being prepared by SSANU and NASU members and not the ASUU members.
“So, it is very unkind and unfair for the government to keep SSANU, NASU, and NAAT in the cold for four months after signing our own agreement.
“It will be very demoralizing for me, for example, to continue to prepare salaries for my colleagues in the university when I don’t even know whether my own agreement is going to be signed or not.
“And so ASUU would want to state in very clear terms and, in the clearest terms possible, that we stand with SSANU, we stand with NASU, we stand with NAAT to ensure that their collective bargaining process is ended on the table that it started.
“Even though, this position is not part of our agreement, it’s not part of what we signed with the government, I think for fairness and justice, it is very important for government to conclude with other unions without further delay.”
Piwuna, however, also expressed displeasure over the delay in salaries that ASUU members have been experiencing in the last four months, even with the signing of the agreement, declaring that ASUU is totally against such practice.
He explained that a standing resolution by ASUU is that any month salaries of members get delayed beyond the third day of a new month in any of its branches nationwide, the lecturers there should withdraw their service until their salaries are paid.
He noted, “That was the case in January when some universities sought permission from the national leadership to embark on an action, and we pacified them based on what the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, told us then.
“The Minister told us that the delay in the full implementation of our agreement, especially salaries, was a result of the non-passage of the 2026 national budget.
“And we have stated this many times before that we don’t know which budget Nigeria operates.
“This is because recently, the government publicly claimed that some aspects of the 2024 and 2025 budgets were still in operation even at a time when passing the 2026 budget, and that part of the 2025 budget will remain operational until June or July.
“So, we don’t have a clear-cut budget cycle as a country, and this is very unfortunate.
“We were all taught, even in elementary school, that the annual budget starts and ends within one year.
“But it appears that the operators of our economy now seem to have an argument for any bad thing that they want to do.
“So, the salaries have not been consistent even though the budget has been passed.”
Piwuna, who equally accused the Federal Government of taking the issue of education development with levity, said there are lots of issues pressing for government attention to address.
He pointed out that ASUU would certainly take a concrete and comprehensive stance on each of those issues when the leadership of the union meets either on May 9 or 10.
He mentioned parts of the issues to include, but not limited to, delay in salaries payment and the establishment of the National Research Council that will be financing research and development, not setting aside the Stabilisation fund, infractions by some pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils, accused of interfering in the normal day-to-day running of universities, as well as a proposal to remove some academic courses from curriculum.
He said these issues are critical to the development of university education in the country and therefore need to be addressed by the government.
He declared that “ASUU is going to respond to all these issues and any other ones that may emerge before the NEC meeting.”
In his own contribution, President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, also expressed displeasure over what he described as insincerity of government in addressing challenges faced by the public universities and their workers, which the “pending new agreement is aimed to address.
According to him, university workers are supposed to be treated well to enable them to put in their best to solve part of Nigeria’s problems.
“But these delays in payment of salaries is like cancer, dampening the morale of members and generality of workers in the universities,” he stressed.
Giving insights into why JAC declared the nationwide strike, SSANU’s Vice President, Western Zone, Dr. Abdulsobur Abdulsalam, said it was simply because government had pushed them to the wall.
He accused the government of a lack of respect for collective bargaining with the unions, stating that the renegotiation process that has been taking place for more than two years could be addressed within two weeks if there is genuine intention and willingness on the part of the government.
Abdulsalam said JAC had given the government more than enough time to conclude the renegotiation process and commence implementation, but it was still delaying the process with no timeline in sight, and instead, introducing wage awards.
“So, our last ultimatum to government was till the end of April and there is nothing we can do again than to embark on strike as our last instrument to react and the action is going to be total and comprehensive,” he stressed.
Giving welcome remarks, Chairman of EWAN, Mr. Mojeed Alabi, said the move by SSANU and NASU to go on strike is not unexpected, noting that the signs were very visible for more than five months.
He, however, noted that the essence of EWAN’s monthly dialogue is to brainstorm on a workable solution to any pressing national issues as related to education with a view to moving the sector forward.
He said there is no country that can attain true economic prosperity without quality education in place.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states have the highest number of children who are not in school in Nigeria.
The organisation also said Nigeria has about 18.3 million out-of-school children, the highest number in the world.
An education expert from UNICEF Kano office, Aisha Abdullahi, shared this during a two-day meeting for journalists from Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina.
She said that nearly 30% of these children come from the three states due to poverty, insecurity, cultural beliefs, and poor early education.
Abdullahi explained that early childhood education is very important because it helps children build basic skills before primary school. She said it can help reduce the number of children who drop out of school.
She added that children who attend early learning programs are more likely to stay in school and finish their education. She also said that most brain development happens before age five, so early learning is very important.
Although Nigeria has a policy that includes one year of pre-primary education, access is still low, especially in rural areas.
She also noted that areas with good early childhood centres have higher school enrolment and better retention rates.
UNICEF also raised concern that few fathers take part in early childhood education, with less than 15% involvement. They said more father involvement could reduce dropout rates.
Stakeholders at the meeting called for stronger government action, including more funding for early education, and expansion of early learning centres.
They argued that improving early child education is key to solving Nigeria’s out-of-school problem.
