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Developing Your Mindset for Reasons in Seasons (Pt. 2)
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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.
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, identified as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, over the alleged attack on the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Calabar.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, around Watt Market Roundabout, along the Calabar Road axis of the capital capital, while Obi’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel, venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the attack occurred at about 2:20pm when suspected hoodlums, reportedly armed with machetes and sticks, emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles in the convoy.
The statement disclosed that the attackers smashed the windshields of some vehicles, adding that the exact number of vehicles affected was yet to be established.
Following the intervention of security operatives, one of the suspected attackers, Victor Edet Yellow Duke, was arrested, while others reportedly fled the scene.
According to the police, “the suspect has subsequently been transferred to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, for discreet investigation and to prevent possible reprisals or further breakdown of law and order.”
The Command confirmed that “normalcy has since returned to the affected area.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, directing officers to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the attack.
The police, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions from the arrest, emphasising that “the arrest does not establish the suspect’s guilt.”
It added that the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigations and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
The Command also reassured residents, political stakeholders and visitors of adequate security across the state, stressing that “all political parties, candidates and their supporters would receive equal protection irrespective of their political affiliations.”
Obi’s media aide, Ester Umoh, had earlier raised the alarm on social media that the NDC flagbearer had been attacked.
“Thugs are trying to attack our convoy,” she said while raising the alarm over the incident.
News
Nigeria-EU Investment Partnership: Boost Africa Highlights Mouthwatering Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
What happens after investment reaches an African business?
Beyond the financing figures and commitments, how does capital translate into business growth, innovation, jobs and economic opportunity?
These questions took centre stage as the European Investment Bank (EIB) showcased the achievements of Boost Africa at the Nigeria–EU Global Gateway Investment Partnership Lab, held on the sidelines of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
The event, convened by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the EIB’s Boost Africa team, brought together government officials, European development institutions, investors and private-sector leaders to explore how strategic partnerships and innovative financing can accelerate Nigeria’s economic
development.
In his remarks, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasised the importance of mobilising private investment to support Nigeria’s economic transformation.
H.E. Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the importance of translating investment partnerships into concrete opportunities, including stronger support for Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Bringing the Boost Africa story to life
A major highlight of the event was the session “Boost Africa: From Capital to Impact,” which brought together representatives of development finance institutions, venture capital funds and Nigerian businesses to examine what investment has made possible.
The session opened with a short video introducing Boost Africa and its contribution to supporting innovative African enterprises.
Moussa Nakoulima, EIB Regional Head for West and Central Africa, provided an
overview of the initiative, highlighting its achievements and the role of development finance in mobilising investment for African entrepreneurs.
Launched as a joint initiative of the EIB and the African Development Bank, with support from the European Union, Boost Africa combines investment through venture capital funds with technical assistance to strengthen Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The initiative has attracted more than €100 million in EIB investment commitments to
venture capital funds, supporting enterprise development across sectors including
technology, financial services, agribusiness and renewable energy.
From investment funds to growing businesses
Moving from the institutional perspective to the investment ecosystem, Daisy Leich, Director of Strategy at TLcom, shared insights into the role of venture capital in supporting African businesses.
Her contribution highlighted why financing alone is not enough. For growing enterprises, access to strategic guidance, expertise and networks can be just as important as access to capital. The discussion then turned to two Nigerian businesses whose experiences illustrated the opportunities that investment can help unlock.
Michael Babalola, Director of Operations at Beacon Power Services, shared the
company’s experience of developing technology-driven solutions for the energy sector, demonstrating how innovation can help address operational challenges in electricity distribution.
Representing ChipMango, Hamilton discussed the company’s work in developing Nigeria’s semiconductor engineering capabilities and creating opportunities for local talent to participate in the global technology industry.
Together, these perspectives illustrated the journey from development finance to venture capital investment and, ultimately, to businesses delivering practical solutions.
They also reinforced an important distinction: Boost Africa supports enterprises through its investments in venture capital funds, helping create the conditions for innovative businesses
to access financing and grow.
Looking ahead: Building on Boost Africa’s experience
Beyond reflecting on achievements, the session also provided an opportunity to discuss the future of financing for African innovation.
Participants were introduced to Boost Ventures, a successor initiative intended to build on Boost Africa’s experience and expand financing opportunities for innovative African businesses.
Backed by a €129 million European Commission guarantee, the initiative represents a further commitment to strengthening Africa’s venture capital ecosystem and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
For Nigeria, where innovative businesses continue to develop solutions across critical sectors, sustained access to investment, expertise and strategic partnerships will remain essential.
Investment as a catalyst for lasting impact
The Boost Africa session reinforced a central message of the Nigeria–EU investment
partnership: development finance can play a catalytic role in mobilising private investment and helping businesses realise their potential.
By bringing together the institutions providing finance, the funds investing in enterprises and the businesses translating investment into solutions, the discussion offered a practical picture of how development partnerships can contribute to economic growth. The story of Boost Africa is ultimately not only about how much capital has been invested, but about what that investment has made possible: stronger businesses, new capabilities, innovative solutions and opportunities for Africa’s future.
Learn more at
https://www.eib.org/en/products/mandates-partnerships/boost-africa/index
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the appearance of suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other questionable entries in its preliminary voter register to irregularities allegedly introduced by some registration officers.
The commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Lawrence Bayode, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.
Bayode explained that some registration officers across the country allegedly used their login credentials to introduce irregular records into the voter database.
He said INEC uncovered the questionable entries through its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which was deployed to examine the registration records.
“We have registration officers on the field. And these registration officers, they have login details to log into the system.
“So what we have found is that some of these registration officers, not all of them now, some of them across the states nationwide, they’ve done different things to bring these irregularities onto the register,” he said.
The ICT director explained that while some of the suspicious photographs were generated using AI, others were products of poor registration procedures.
“Some of these pictures are AI-generated. Some of them not AI-generated, but very bad registration. And this thing got into the register by the registration officers and because they have access to register people,” Bayode said.
“When the ABIS was run on the system, we saw these people. We know what they did. We know how they did it. But honestly, I don’t know why,” he added.
Bayode said INEC has begun cleaning up the voter register before making the preliminary version available to the public, noting that the exercise is being carried out within the statutory 90-day period.
His disclosure follows concerns raised over suspicious photographs and other discrepancies after the commission uploaded its preliminary register of voters to its website on October 26.
Screenshots circulated on social media had shown photographs suspected to be AI-generated attached to voter records in parts of Edo State.
Other complaints involved alleged duplicate entries and reports by some registered voters that their details were missing from the online register.
INEC had earlier explained that the online version was the same preliminary register displayed physically at Registration Areas across the country from October 9 to 15 for the Display, Claims and Objections exercise.
In a statement issued on October 27, the commission said it had identified and flagged some questionable records during the physical display and had commenced a review to correct the irregularities.
It also clarified that the published document was not the final certified register, adding that the online release did not capture all the data-cleanup activities still underway.
