The Road to Kigali: The Story of Annonciata Mukandoli

I visited Rwanda in 2017. That is one holiday etched indelibly in my memory. For days after my trip, I found it difficult to sleep because of what I saw. On one of my several tours in Rwanda, I went to the Catholic Church at a town called where a lady, Rachel was my tour guide. Over 10,000 people who had sought refuge in the church during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 were killed.

WHAT TO DO IN A TIME LIKE THIS
(I wrote and shared this on our church platform today. Hopefully, it will be a blessing to someone here too). Read on.............................

Let me quickly share what has been a burden upon my heart throughout this week. There is a lot of confusion in the nation as a result of the economic challenges and I believe there is a need to address this.

What do we do at a time like this?

Life Doesn't Stop For Anyone

I was so shocked that I still recollect the event as vividly as it happened then around 2004/5. The guy was very popular then in Warri. A high-flyer who always dazzled everyone at our meetings. His presentations were always top notch. He always looked dapper in his pin-stripe suits. His bulging biceps showed even in his suits. He always looked like someone that stepped out of a GQ magazine.

The Breakthrough Idea

Whatever you see around you started in someone's mind as an idea. Every product or service started as an idea. One idea that is well thought out and clinically executed can guarantee your breakthrough. That's the breakthrough idea. 4 guys sat outside a gate at a time of national crisis. Things were so bad there was no food and everyone was starving. Their country had been hit very badly by the war. The situation was similar to the Russia/Ukraine War- just that theirs was worse.

Don't Ignore Your Candle

That organization was the rave that year circa 2003/4. Everyone I knew wanted to work there. The branding was impeccable. I remember all their buildings were painted white inside-out. They were the first major corporate to do that then. The aesthetics in their offices made one breathless. The look and feel was top notch. The organization was the highest paying then.

Adeola Fayehun's Testimonial Video

I was discussing with my Oga, Rev Victor Odunjo yesterday on the influence of believers in the marketplace when he asked if I had seen the video of Adeola Fayehun titled 'I Almost Died'. Apparently, my wife had watched the video but I hadn't. It was released almost two weeks ago.

If that's the only thing you'll do today, I urge you to please watch it- especially if you're pregnant or know anyone close to you who is.

Leadership Feedback: "Who do people say that I am?"

"Oga, don't you know what we used to call you? We called you Oloro", she said. "Oloro" is a moniker for someone perceived as tough, terrible or wicked. I thought I didn't hear well. This lady had worked with me in two different organisations and her words that day was like someone putting a dagger into my heart. That was the day I took stock of my leadership and decided to be intentional about how I lead others.

You Grow When You Allow Others To Grow

We were having our monthly review session that morning circa 2010/2011 when it dawned on me. I looked around the small meeting room on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos and realized I had about 5 people seated around that table who had been my Relationship Managers before.

Understanding The Supernatural

I visited a customer that particular day circa 2007/8. She sold cement and was prominent among the distributors in the city. While discussing with her, I saw she had a prayer book produced by Mountain of Fire and Miracles. I opened the book and saw a few prayer points I really liked and when my customer saw that I was fascinated by the book, she gave that book to me and said she would get another copy.

Lessons From Bruce Lee

One of the best movies I saw during my childhood was Fists of Fury starring Bruce Lee. That was circa 1985 and my dad had just bought a Video Cassette Recorder. I recall that he was the first to buy one in our neighbourhood and we used to have many people visit to watch movies in video cassettes. I also recall that we had The Ten Commandments, The Bible and Sound of Music.

Be Careful How You Handle People

It was our monthly performance review meeting many years ago. I noticed one of my team members was unsettled when it was his turn. He appeared disoriented and confused. One would have taught he was playing games or trying to be dodgy but I knew it was more than that. So I stepped him down and asked him to see me the next day.

The Law of Preparation

It was in 2018 when I received a call that the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibajo would be in town for a town hall session with the youth of Oyo State and I had been selected to give a speech at the occasion. I had a few days to prepare. I didn't know the criteria for my selection but I made up my mind to maximize the opportunity given. I had spoken at different platforms but one that would have the Vice- President of the nation and the Governor of Oyo State was indeed exceptional.

Money and Your Heart

I once had a driver who had a big ego. Many usually thought he was the owner of the car because I sit in front on the passenger's seat. You'll never catch me sitting at the 'owner's corner'- a habit I picked up during my Standard Trust Bank days. Many times, we've had policemen stop us and they talked to him like the owner of the vehicle while I just kept quiet and watched.

Trillion Game

One of my best Netflix series is 'Designated Survivor' but I find it difficult to binge watch a series. So I've not been able to watch all the episodes. Ditto for "How To Get Away With Murder"- another one that I like but can't finish watching. I've only seen snippets of "The Good Doctor" which seems like a good one. One that I watched from the beginning to the end is "Squid Game". I love it.

Do You Have The Capacity?

On my way from church yesterday, I observed a man whom I always bought newspapers from every Sunday in Lagos some years back. I always saw him at a particular traffic point and he knew the newspaper I preferred. I continued to patronize him even when I had read all the news online. I just bought the newspaper because I felt a sense of loyalty and the man also had to eat.

On Minister Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo (Minister of Interior)

I'm breaking my own rule to refrain from discussing politics or politicians but I have good reason to do so. I just watched the interview of Dr Bunmi Tunji-Ojo on Arise TV's Morning Show and I've not been as impressed as I was with a political office holder in a long while like I was this morning.

Authentic Leadership: Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin

I wanted to break the good news to him. He was my professional mentor and I knew he would be glad by the news. I had just picked up my offer and I had levelled up with him. I didn't even think about it when I called him. His response was what I expected and even more. He burst into prayers for me on the phone and ended with a Yoruba proverb which loosely translated means a child will eventually catch up with an adult.

The 'Best Man' Principle

I've always wondered why Jesus gave him that exceptional accolade. Of all men ever born by women, he is the greatest. Why would the Greatest Person Who ever lived call him the greatest person who was ever born? Really? He never performed a single miracle. He was even weird by all standards. Lost his temper occasionally and had a bad mouth. He was very popular at a time but deliberately went into oblivion.

Will You Also Go Away?

I was having a discussion with my wife this morning and she reminded me of an incident that happened a few years ago. As is customary with me, I had called my bosses at the beginning of that year to wish them a great year. Those I don't call get SMS from me. One particular former boss of mine told me that he really appreciated my call and that I'm one of the few people who still call him from time to time since he left his privileged position.

No Market Share Is Guaranteed

I just watched a video on tiktok analysing the recent losses of DSTV. Premium subscription dropped from about 50% to 33%. I stopped renewing my DSTV subscription last October. So I've stayed off DSTV completely for 8 months and I was previously on their premium package with extra view.

I only watched two things on DSTV: news and football. I did movies sparingly.

You're Only as Effective as Your Support

I love the Hilda Baci story. It's one of audacity, grit and courage. It's even more fascinating to me because her cause united the nation for the period it lasted. Almost everyone rallied behind her and prayed for her success. It was similar to Nigeria playing in a major football tournament.

However, the most salient issue for me is the support of that male Chef Sunny who was with Hilda throughout.