(1903-1978)

By Essa Thaim-Kurugba, Maryland, USA.

If I were asked to describe my late father – Pa Thaim-Kurugba Kamara – of Kambia in two words, I would like to say “complex” and “impenetrable.”

I lost my father in 1978 due to a long-term illness when I was twenty-three years old, but I had no trouble recalling vivid images of him. He was such a perplexing person. He was very caring, and as warm and comforting as a cozy fire on a cold winter evening but also as hard as a concrete sidewalk. He was the No Nonsense Pa Kurugba. This loving father was called to rest thirty years ago by the Almighty God on the fourth day of March, nineteen hundred and seventy-eight(May his soul rest in perfect peace).

My father loved his family and all his children. He might not say it but he showed it. His eyes conveyed it to me with a peculiar smile, big and brown eyes like the skies on September evening when the sun sets on the horizon. I can still remember the feel of his arms around me. I would crawl into his lap, his arms enveloped me in warmth and I would feel as safe and content as a newborn held in his mother’s arms.

I love my father, yes; I still do for that matter. Seeing him come home at Bayande when I was a teenager from his trading trips (Kambia or Kawulla) was very exciting to me. It’s like a child waking up on Christmas morning walking straight into a pile of gifts under a Christmas tree full of all types of gifts.

My father – Pa Thaim-Kurugba was the kind of man who let nothing worry him. He is a disciplined father, dedicated, adoring, loving, quick-tempered and committed to help. My father never got to enjoy life much like a teenager on a Saturday night – who does not have many worries in the world except to enjoy life to the fullest. On many occasions, his behavioral attitude will lead the entire family to dire straits. If my father did not like the way his fellow merchants or customers talk to him, he would just ignore the personal and walk away. He was a carefree, true, but very meticulous father.

My father was a merchant (trader) who was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As a young man, he hustled in his trading area along the Great Scarcies River. He traveled to places like Ro-Sharkah, Ro-Yaylie-Boyah, Ro-Point and Ro-Korthima, respectively to meet with his trading partners to exchange salt, tobacco and spices.

The first time I saw how angry my father could become was a very frightening experience. I did not remember why he was mad or at whom, but the vision of my father’s rage is still with me. With a medium height in stature, he was built more like a bantam rooster, and, on that day, he looked exactly like one. I ran for cover and hid from this terrible person who was no longer my father, but when he came to find me later, he had miraculously changed back to the loving man I knew. I was really perplexed: how could he be so gentle and loving in one minute, then so terrifying the next? Being young, I did not realize that is how many people are.

On the next to the last night in the month of March, 1978 before he expired, as I sat closely to my dying father, a cool happiness, impartiality and aloofness ran down my spine. The wind had curled up to sleep in the distant mountains. Leaves hung loose and motionless from the silent trees, while birds perched on the branches like little statues. As I sat on the edge of the clearing and held my breath, I could hear a squirrel scampering through the underbrush. Somewhere far away a dog barked twice, and then the woods were hushed once more.

On a mild early hour of the morning of March 4th, thirty (30) years ago, my father peacefully passed away. Fortunately, my late brother (Uniss Nabieu) and I were the ones who were around him when he took his last breath. My life took a different course from that moment on. The pain I felt on that day, along with the shock of seeing him dead, can only be compared to the pain you must feel when a hot red knife plunged into your stomach. Sorrow was all I knew for a long, long time. Losing our loved ones is devastating at my age, but, at twenty-three, it was as if my whole world had suddenly shattered, like an icicle striking the ground. The details of my sorrows and pain have dulled over the years but the memory of my father’s love is still very much alive.

Losing my father (THAIM-KURUGBA KAMARA) has taught me a lot about life and love. My father married to three women. They were separately and individually nestled in different towns.

Conclusively, let me again remind you all my brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunties, grand sons, grand daughters and great, great grand kids and etc, that, Late Pa Thaim Kurugba Kamara, the man with the militant attitude and masculine character in his administration, is No More! I mean, No More! He was laid to rest thirty years ago. On this day today, July 6th 2008, this generation has to accept to unify this family and set up it on firmer ground. Let’s adore this family as the Kurugba Royal Family of Kambia.

I have to appreciate the relentless, inexorable, unalterable and unstoppable efforts of my wife Mrs. Omolade Kamara, my children (Fatmata, Ola, Modupeola, Opeyemi and MaMusu), Mrs. Memuna Turayson, my brother Alfred M. Kamara and his lovely wife Mrs. N’yama Kamara who came from Atlanta, Georgia to be part of the organizers and to help make this memorial service a success. Thanks and God bless you all.

Freetown — The people of Port Loko and its environs over the weekend welcomed President Koroma and his entourage including the Adviser to President Koroma Kemoh Sesay amidst thunderous applauds, drumming, dancing and singing.

In a short meeting held at the Port Loko town hall, chairlady of the Women of Port Loko District, Neneh Turay, presented a position paper to the President, calling for increase of women’s quota in government representation and state decision making bodies.

All People’s Congress (APC) District Chairman, Hon. Buya Kamara, in a statement informed the President that they have about 10,000 SLPP women from various constituencies in the district that have consented to cross over to the APC. Hon. Kamara said the already-defected SLPP women were only waiting for the green light from the President to fix a convenient date for what he described as a festival.

He attributed the willingness of the SLPP women to join the ruling party to the hard work of the APC Women of Port Loko District. He further informed that the Chinese were currently in Port Loko working on the Bank Asoka Hydro Dam.

Speaking during the meeting, President Koroma thanked the people of Port Loko for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage on entering district. He described such a reception as an indication of their commitment and willingness to come together and work in the interest of the country.

According to President Koroma, if the women do come together they will provide answers to the district’s numerous problems. He urged them to maintain the peace and bring more people on board the party’s bandwagon as “politics is all about numbers”.

With regards their presented position paper, President Koroma welcomed the paper and noted his government’s willingness to look at it deeply and act on it accordingly. Government, he said, will recognize women and that “A Women’s Day” will be recognized as a national holiday. He used the opportunity to again thank the people for their massive support during the last general elections and their participation in the 50th anniversary celebrations.

Sierra Leone, President Koroma, noted has reasons to celebrate, and above all he said “we must be proud of being Sierra Leoneans, as this is the time to move forward as a nation. We will now lay the foundation for a better next 50 years. I predict that in the next 25 years we will cease being a dependable nation to a donor nation”.

“But first we as a nation have to work very hard, refrain from petty squabbles and do more in areas like roads, education, health and energy. I will convene a national conference on how to move the country forward,” he promised.

According to President Koroma, he will accept all changes to the constitution but not one to extend the ‘Two-Term Presidency’. He promised to continue to support the people of Port Loko, stating that Sierra Leone will rise again.

In another engagement, President Koroma visited his counterpart President Alpha Conde in the District Office of Forecariah in Guinea for the officially opening of a bridge used by both countries and the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of an international road linking both Sierra Leone and Guinea.

President Koroma, accompanied by ministers and top government officials, were given a rousing welcome at the Forecariah Stadium by various groups and institutions including Sierra Leoneans living in Guinea.

According to the Guinean authority, funds for the construction of the road to serve both countries were provided by the European Union and the World Bank.

Addressing the crowd, President Koroma said it was a great pleasure for him to be in Guinea and be given such a big reception. He said the crossing of the bridge was dear to both peoples and therefore both countries have come to celebrate together because “we are relatives with strong ties”. He said “had it not been for colonialism we would have been one people”, noting that “the commissioning of the bridge will bring us closer”.

“This is a Mano River achievement and we commend the people of Guinea for their democratic process in electing their president. Guinea no doubt is another shining example in Africa,” he said.

President Koroma told the Guineans that “we will succeed if we hold on together and build bridges”, adding that both countries have the same destiny due to the Mano River Union and ECOWAS. He said Sierra Leone still remains grateful for Guinean support and sacrifice during the country’s civil conflict and hospitality to Sierra Leonean refugees.

The President said “we must jointly oppose criminals, drug barons and violence and focus on peace”.

He informed that together with President Alpha Conde they will jointly submit more projects to the European Union for the construction of more roads between the two countries.

By: Concord Times (Freetown)

These Are The Problem Solving Techniques

1. You have to clarify what a successful solution you are about to carry out, and make sure the said solution guides your efforts. In fact, sometimes just by clarifying the desired outcome of a solution which you will suggest as an immediate solutions of a problem that will be helpful.

2. Get opinions and/or advises from several people not including the enemies of progress around you. These good people might have good ideas, and you’ll be sure you’re not overlooking the obvious. Also, you should always try to clarify a problem when you explain it to your advisory committee (if any), and that may help in solving itself.

3. Challenge assumptions (supposition or hypothesis) and try to verify the fact. If you are trying to solve the wrong problems eating this branch, avoid members who gossips (Gerr-go & Bring-Kamm). Ask yourself if you do really need a vacation, or is your leadership role is the problem? Please, don’t let your assumptions limit your possible solutions. Go by your instinct Mr. Chairman.

4. Mr. Chairman, try to study your problems around you and the ones within the branch. Break these problems into parts, and solve the parts individually. Many problems are really a collection of smaller and easier-to-solve problems.

5. Change the style of your perspectives on how you approach issues. What would the problem look like if you were rich, poor, or from another camp that did not vote for you? Einstein imagined riding on a beam of light, which lead to his theory of relativity, so this technique has been known to work. Get everybody on board before you personally pick up the phone and call for truce.

6. Solve the problems while you sleep. Leave a tape recorder or pen and paper next to the bed for those middle-of-the-night ideas.

7. Write it down, and then find another way to express the problem. Write down all solutions and ideas that come to mind. Later you can pick the diamonds out of the dirt.

8. Mr. Chairman, please try “random presentation.” This is the fun part. You have to randomly pick an object and ask what it might teach you about your problem. A speed limit sign might suggest that you’re speeding too fast on a residential neighborhood. Don’t be too dismissive of all the silly ideas this technique creates, as they’ll sometimes trigger more useful ideas. This is also great for obeying the speed limit, obey the law (bylaws) and by putting driving time to good use.

9. Look at what others have done. Problems aren’t usually unique in every aspect. What have others done in similar situations?

10. Find the ways how problems and stresses are cause. Are they caused by too much over-promise, sleep poorly, be constantly interrupted by calls or pop-ups, and that leaves you with many decisions unmade? Each of these ways that causes stress has solutions to all the problems: Try to sleep more, talk less, don’t allow interruptions when you start talking, make decisions now, and follow your instinct.

Conclusively Mr. Chairman, don’t let them cajole you. Before you start showcasing yourself around about “PEACE TALKS”, you must first revoke all suspensions you issued to members, publish these letters in all news outlets and open the lines of communications. Your trusted confidants, you surround yourself with, are ready to destroy you, damage your reputation and flush your political career down the drain if you don’t wake up and smell the coffee.

 http://www.apc2012.com/

NUMBER 1 – THEY THINK, SAY, AND DO NEGATIVE THINGS: Yes of course. They see problems in every opportunity. They will complain that the sun is too hot. They will even curse the rain for ruining their plans for the day. They blame the wind for ruining their hair and will blame everyone for nothing. They think that everyone is against them. They see the problems but never have the solutions. Every bit of difficulty, exaggerates to the point of tragedy. They regard failures as catastrophes. They become discouraged easily instead of learning from their mistakes. They never seem to move forward because they’re always afraid to come out of their termite zones.

NUMBER 2 – THEY ACT BEFORE THEY THINK: They move or react based on instinct or impulse. If they see something they like, they buy at once without any second thought and then they see something better. They regret and curse for not been able to take advantage of the bargain. Then they spend and spend again until nothing’s left. They don’t think about the future. What they’re after is the pleasure they will experience at present. They don’t think about the consequences. Those who engage in defaming others, sabotaging progress of our “Power House”, behaving like a nincompoop, and the like includes in this group.

NUMBER 3 – THEY TALK MUCH MORE THAN THEY LISTEN: They always want to become the stars of the show. So they always engage in talks that would make them heroes, even to the point of lying. Oftentimes, they are not aware that what they’re saying is not sensible anymore. When other people tell them, they close their ears because they’re too proud to admit their stupid mistakes. In their mind they’re always correct. They reject suggestions because that will make them feel inferior.

NUMBER 4 – THEY GIVE UP EASILY: Successful people treat failures as stepping-stones to success. Incompetent ones call it quits upon recognizing the first signs of failure. At first, they will start trying to be excited. But then they lose interest fairly quickly, especially when they meet errors. Then they go and search for a new one. Same stories and same results are never-ending. Incompetent people don’t have the time to go on and fulfill their dreams.

NUMBER 5 – THEY TRY TO BRING OTHERS DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL Incompetent people envy other successful people. Instead of working hard to become like them, these incompetent ones spread rumors and try every dirty trick to bring others down. They would’ve asked these successful ones nicely. But no, they’re too proud. They don’t want to ask advice. Moreover, they’re too negative to carry out anything.

NUMBER 6 – THEY WASTE THEIR TIME: They don’t know what to do next. They may just be contented on eating, getting drunk, watching or worse, staring at the blank wall with no thoughts whatsoever to improve their lives. It’s perfectly fine to enjoy once in a while. But time be managed efficiently to succeed. There is a proper balance between work and pleasure.

NUMBER 7 – THEY TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT: If there are two roads to choose from, incompetent people would choose the wider road with less reward than the narrower road with better rewards at the end. They don’t want any suffering or hardship. They want a good life. What these people don’t know is that what you reap is what you harvest. Efforts and action will not go unnoticed.

Conclusively, if only they were willing to sacrifice a little, they will be better off. Successful people like our current political leaders, party supporters and the faithful among us, have made it through trials and error. They never give up. They are willing to do everything necessary to meet what they aspire for in life. Stay blessed and God will protect and guide us all.

(1) If you’re locked up in prison, you cannot move around neither able to meet with people nor with friends.

(2) You also break the barrier that stops you from caring and sharing of your own live with others, especially the ones you grew up with.

In my early childhood, the only comradeship and boon companion I had, happens to be my sweet mother who was enough in caring about me. Meticulously, take an inside look in a child if you are a caring parent. Try to see the pain on the face of this child who has no friends to play with. You will then realize by the looks of this child why friends are so important. Why does even a small child need friends; if I may ask? Can he/she surely play with parents and enjoy life? Friends are needed because most of them are from the same age group and they relate better with people of their age group or within same political party. Give it a thought very seriously to what I had just cited above.

Many of us carry a childhood friendship in our adult life. That gives us an opportunity to share memories of the childhood spent together. That’s why, when we meet an old childhood friend after a long time, we love to go back to our memories – the good old days. We go back to those days, when things were better. Moreover, one is also known by the friends one keeps. What does this mean? This means, people of similar taste become better friends. That is a big advantage of friendship. To share thoughts about things of common interest, here are the few things you need to share with friends like: “Thinking Of You” Card Or “Happy Birth Day” Card

Many a times, some things in our lives, some incidents etc. cannot be shared with anyone but good friends who cares. A friend will understand your problem and not lectures you about mistakes. A friend will be with you and will always be for us. A good friend is always proud of his/her country of origin. That is friendship. Good friends share every thing including the love of their lives, their country and the life including the intimate details. One who has such friends is very lucky. To care and share is very important. To rebrand Sierra Leone, commend the leadership of our party, to talk with people in your community, to discuss non bipartisan issues, to exchange meaningful ideas, to smile when meet at cross roads, to laugh and to cry together; these is why we all need friends. If we have good friends, we should always take care of the friendship and make the bond even stronger. A friendship lost is a very big loss. We cannot go back to childhood days and make friends again. Value friends, and value the friendship as a treasure. Life is too short to cry over spill milk. Try to connect with good friends with love and care. Send them greeting cards from time to time to share your care. Build and share your friendship. Treasure the share because you care.

The Meals For School Campaign Program is a huge project, and its works is earsplitting and thunderous in all online news outlets, Freetown News tabloids, T.V. screens in all living rooms in Sierra Leone and in diaspora. It’s now the talk of our Nations Capital in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. This program will benefit the school going children in Sierra Leone and it will also help our political leaders to succeed on their political agendas.

The newly launched project “Meals For Schools Campaign– Program” by our able brother Mr. Ahmed Kamara of the News Times Africa will enable his visionary dreams which will help reduce hunger in Sierra Leone. Moreover, in other for us to carry out this goal, we must start to place ourselves, try to plan very successfully and by putting modalities in place.

This Meals For Schools Campaign – Program is awesome and overwhelming. Even though, it’s seems so very obvious that, most of our folks back home, are very few whom we get only so far as to plan and be successful. There is even a saying about it: “The road to Heavens is paved with good intentions”. People, who think like our brother “Ahmed Kamara”, are hard to get. With his little time, he came up with this project about the school children in Sierra Leone and God will reward him, the team and all donors a dreamland. He had also worked so hard to set up the goals and created an Action Plan to help the campaign on “Meals For Schools”. For most unpatriotic citizens in diaspora, very few are against it. Patriotic Sierra Leoneans will see reason and help this program reach at the desired level.

Powers are wishes when we all tie together as one (success). Failure to follow our desires and refusing  to do what it takes can most time drive well intended programs to be done without achieving the intended result. If all Sierra Leoneans in diaspora unify and hold tight to this program “Meals For Children Campaign”, It will shed the light of success and human indulgence. I would like all volunteers of this program to know that, success requires heart and soul effort, and it takes want to succeed. The only way to use our power is to go right ahead, work as a team and do whatever it takes to do for our children and our nation.

In retrospect, when we surrender ourselves to our worthy causes for our Mama Salone, our clear focus brings us with it physical power, energy and enthusiasm. Our subconscious mind continuously works on the goal to meet success. But when we spend a few minutes each day or week reviewing our goals, the subconscious mind will be reinforced to do more. When you affirm your willingness to bring your goals into reality about what our man (Ahmed Kamara) does, this will bring us the strength and the subconscious mind to do more. That’s why pronouncement works very easy in all works of life.

The Meals For Children Campaign goals are intense goals which can keep a person alive when nothing else will. We have all heard of other people who lived beyond expectation because they wanted to see their child graduate from college, a wedding or other important occasion. Goals can help you to live longer. No medicine in the world is as powerful in bringing about long life as is the wish to carry out something. Let’s help our schools and our school children, in order for God to reward us all in Paradise.

HUNGRY SCHOOL CHILDREN – NO BREAKFAST – NO LUNCH AND NO SHOES

Essa Thaim Kurugba,

Director of Operations, USA

Meals For Schools Campaign Project

FROM the sound of various traditional Igbo tunes, one might conclude that it was sure going to be a cultural festival. The various traditional Igbo attires adorned by the dignitaries, who arrived with their supporters, nearly gave credence to the belief. But while people, were still savoring the prospects of an Igbo carnival in Lagos, the perception changed with the sound of blaring sirens, which signaled the arrival of Abia State governor, Theodore Orji.

From that moment, Governors Sullvian Chime of Enugu State, Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State, Peter Obi of Anambra State, Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, arrived within short intervals. And that raised the curtain for the celebration of Igbo Unity, Culture and Transformation, held at Tafewa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The event, which was convened by two pan-Igbo socio-cultural organizations Ohaneze Ndigbo and Aka- Ikenga, was chaired by Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo.

The forum, which was described as a ‘carnival” by the special guest of honor President Goodluck Jonathan, whose arrival was the highpoint of the occasion, attracted eminent Nigerians across party lines. But Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains were more visible, a reason some analysts are still asking if it was a solidarity rally for Jonathan by Southeast geo-political zone.

Dignitaries like, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, First Lady Patience Jonathan, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, PDP Chairman Dr. Halliru Bello, Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Mike Ajebo, Dr. Sylvan Ebigwei and Chief Cletus Ilomuanya among others were present.

On hand to add color to the event was popular female musician Onyeka Owenu, who held the crowd spellbound with her hit song One love keeps us together.

While welcoming guests to the event, which attracted crowd from all Igbo speaking states in Nigeria, President of Aka-Ikenga, Dr. Ebigwei urged Nigerians to compliment the efforts of President Jonathan in conducting credible elections to ensure that the right people were voted into office.

He commended the president for “setting the stage for free and fair elections, “adding that as the elections draw nearer, people should ensure that they partake in the exercise.

“We are happy to belong to a tribe that has contributed immensely to the economic growth of this country. We also use this occasion of celebration of Igbo unity to stress that we would not relent in our contribution to national growth. The President has displayed determination for meaningful development by setting the stage for free and fair elections, it is important that we ensure that the 2011 elections are free and fair,” he stated.

Others speakers were unanimous in commending Mr. President for what they described as a level playing ground for politicians.

Nonetheless, while Jonathan’s arrival was the highpoint of the event, his speech also unveiled the level of support he commands among the guests. The crowd cheered the President as he was being accompanied to the podium by his wife and other well wishers.

Dancing and singing One love keep us together, with Onyeka Owenu, Jonathan mounted the state box where he was surrounded by all the state governors present.

Mrs. Jonathan set the pace with her commendation of the Igbos for supporting the president in every way, just as she urged them to support the president’s bid for the presidency.

The first lady, who spoke in Igbo language said, “I am so happy with the level of support you give to your in-law, we are so overwhelmed. I want to assure you that your contribution to the success of your in-law will not be forgotten. I am appealing to you for more support, thank you,” she stated amid cheers from the crowd.

Also, President Jonathan, whose remarks were usually, interrupted by solidarity chants from the crowd, urged Nigerians to take cue from the event and work for a nation where there are no ethnic boundaries.

He observed that ethnic borders should not constitute a barrier to people’s aspiration in Nigeria, adding that the unity of the country should take preeminence over tribal sentiments.

Jonathan called on Nigerians to dismantle ethnic sentiments, saying that it constituted hindrances to national development.

He also commended the Igbos for contributing to the economic growth of Nigeria, noting that the Federal Government would accommodate Aba and Nnewi in its industrial development plan.

Jonathan, who stressed the need for Nigerians to rise above ethnic affiliations, said: “My coming to this occasion is by divine arrangement because I’m just through with my South-East campaign and today I am also here to grace this event organized by Igbos. The uniqueness of this event would have necessitated for its name to be called Nigeria without ethnic borders.

Remembering our roots is good but as much as we remember our roots, we have to embrace national unity. Even in the United States people still remember where they come from, but that does not constitute a hindrance to national development. That was why Obama was able to emerge as president. The Igbos have demonstrated this unity today in Lagos.

“Igbos in Aba, Yenegoa, Lagos and everywhere are the heart of commerce and the life wire of Nigerian economy, the more Igbos we have in a community also translates to the level of economic growth of that community. I recognize your contribution and will assure you that your contribution will support my plans for the industrial development of Lagos. You contributed to  the success story of Kano, Kaduna and everywhere in Nigeria.”

WRITTEN BY:  CHARLES KUMOLU

The only way forward come 2012, is to ignore the Sierra Leone Problem Party with their political rhetoric, full of deceit and deceptions. The APC party is here to stay and H.E. President Dr. Earnest Bai Koroma is doing a great job for our nation. We all knew our political rivalries (SLPP) who they are but painstakingly, they are in a lame duck session till 2025. They can’t do anything to disparage the APC party, nor the image of our beloved leadership. It’s about time we all try to reclaim our self-esteem, and try to show ourselves and party supporters around us with some admiration and respect as true APC members in diasporas. Let’s hold back our venoms and ignore the political ideologies of the Sierra Leone Problem Party.   Let’s stay focus on how to rejuvenate this political empire (APC) in North America and around the world. The SLPP propaganda machines are full of it; lairs, braggarts’, empty loudness, deceitfulness and sycophants.
I want all APCiers to be proud of President Koroma leadership and also try to reclaim the self-respect that could have an impact on everything that will promote President Koroma’s politics agenda. Comrades, if you feel good about who you are, then whatever you do, will be an outside reflection of your political innermost thoughts and feelings. Contrary to popular belief, self-esteem is not something anyone or any accomplishment can give you. Just because someone loves you or you receive an award, does not mean that you will be adored to cherish it. Positive self-esteem in politics comes from within and does not change because the scenery or circumstances change. President Koroma’s constructive self-esteem in politics comes from within him. Moreover, to have an admiration inside a political party, or something you believe in or someone you loved, must be regarded highly or favorably. High self-esteem is relatively stable even when the future of our politicking looks with presentiment.

In retrospect, I want all comrades to remember one thing in politics; Self-esteem in politics is like a star at night that shines brightest when it is in the darkest. It simply means your inner light that burns brightly and freely no matter what is happening around you or your political party. President Ernest Bai Koroma’s self-esteem as a leader was perfectly intact the very day he was nominated to lead our nation. He never loses his focus even a little of it whenever he meet challenges, or even when one of his ministers make mistakes, misbehaves, found guilty, refuse to forgive or do things we are ashamed of as politicians. So, it is your birthright to love and work hard to honor yourself and your political career and take President Koroma as a role model. The good news is, you can reclaim the self-respect which is yours and ignore the political sycophants wth the following recommendations:

1.     You Must Define The Life Of Success Within Yourself As An APC Member: One of the most empowering things which you can do for yourself is to define your political criteria for success of your life. This requires reflecting on what the key elements and the experiences you wish to have for the rest of your political career.

2.     In Politics, You Have To Choose To Be A Happy Politician.  Happiness is a state of mind. The Dalai Lama says that the very purpose of life is to seek happiness. He also believes that if you train the mind to be happy, you will be a happy camper. Likewise, you can train yourself for higher self-esteem in our branch and even in your constituency.

3.     Set Up The Challenging Goals For Your Political Party: How much you like yourself, often reflects the level of goals you would like to set for yourself. Generally, people who love themselves more than their comrades and feels like they are valuable asset need to set higher standards and more challenging political goals more than the others to move our party forward.

4.     Honor Your Core Values As A Politician: When you live, honor your political career by a clear set of good moral values, it is easier to align your political career with what is most important to you today. When you honor your core values, especially those things you would fight for, you had really honored your true self.

5.     Enhance Your Political Participation And Pump Up Your Energy To Be More Active: People with high self-esteem in appearance, seem to have a reservoir of energy, and seldom get under par or let life’s setbacks and keep them discourage. Believe it or not, comrades with energy and enthusiasm for life are good to be encouraged in other for them to take care of their political thoughts, mind and soul.

6.     Always Maintain A Positive Attitude Around Your Comrades:  Attitude determines your political success. The more positive you think, the more positive your feelings are, the more positive the outcome is. There is nothing more powerful and creative than your thoughts, so you may as well make them positive and uplifting. Don’t be categorized as a political naïve.

7.     Live by vision and work with purpose: When you know your life vision and purpose in your political life, it gives you more meaning and sense of direction. However, vision and purpose provides a sense that matters which you have as a part to play that you truly belongs to you.

Conclusively, set yourself up for success by breaking big goals into your daily action, steps and take some time off to acknowledge and celebrate the small successes of our political leadership success. This will feed our needs for recognition and provides the extra push to keep us moving forward here in diaspora. Ignore the propaganda news outlets of the Sierra Leone Problem Party and give President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma two thumps up for his job well done.

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

AS Lagos State commences preparation for 2011 Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca, it announced that in line with the directive from the Saudi-Arabian authorities through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, no pregnant woman will be allowed to travel with the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrim Board for the annual Holy Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year.

Also, in order to make the 2011 Hajj less tedious and facilitate the prompt processing of the travelling documents for all intending pilgrims from the state, Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will tomorrow commence the sale of year 2011 Hajj forms.

Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Abdul Adewale, disclosed these to newsmen, yesterday.

He directed Intending pilgrims in the state to purchase their application forms at the appropriate designated point within the state secretariat.

Meanwhile, as Lagos lawmakers resumed, yesterday, arrangements are set for the consideration and eventual passage of Lagos State Public Finance Management Bill 2011 into law.

The bill is part of measures towards improving on transparency and accountability in governance.

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN-FOUR years  after he left office, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday,  admitted that the people in the South West did not vote for him in 1999 and 2003, saying they did so for reasons best known to them and commended the people of Northern Nigerian for voting  for him during the 1999 and 2003 presidential elections.

This came as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, carefully avoided the former president who went to his palace to pay him homage.

Unlike, in the past, when the relationship between Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Chief Obasanjo was cordial, a source told Vanguard that the monarch had traveled out of the ancient town of Oyo even though, the ex-president had reportedly informed the monarch of his visit.

Just last week, the son of the monarch, Prince Akeem Adeyemi and some lawmakers in the domains of Alaafin defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

Vanguard also gathered that the rally recorded some casualties as two buses of the loyalists of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala who had gone to the rally somersaulted on arrival at Moniya area of Ibadan.

The buses reportedly skidded off the road when they got to Moniya area of the city.

Though, it was not clear if there was any casualty, an impeccable source told Vanguard that the occupants of the buses sustained injuries. A source told Vanguard in confidence that residents in the city pelted some of the loyalists of the governor with stones as they arrived the town.

Chief Obasanjo said, “we want the PDP to rule and run the affairs of Nigeria and Oyo State. I was voted twice as president. But, those people at my place of birth did not vote for me. But, those who voted for me in the North and other places did not look at my tribal marks, religion or place of birth, but they looked at what I would be able to do”.