Professional Documents
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SOFT SKILLS
BLAST
B - BELIEVE We believe that we are saved by God through His Son and that all our fears and doubts were buried. "But having the same spirit, according to that which is written, I believed, & therefore I speak; we also believe and therefore also we speak.: 2nd Cor. 4:13 L - LIVE We live to fulfill Christ mandate's for us on earth; we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceed out of the mouth of God. " We shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord"( Psalm 118:17) A - AND
S - SUCCEED There is therefore no doubt in our minds that our success is assured, for we are like a tree planted by the river side whose leaves don't whither and whatever we do prospers. For if we believe and live by the word, we will have good SUCCESS. T - TOGETHER We are winning together not forsaking our fellowship; but ensuring our success is global and contagious. "For all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to his purpose" We are blessed because we know the Joyful sound and it's a BLAST!!
The Plus factor. Even after all God will do for you, there's more. He won't stop at saving you for heaven- he'll give you heaven on earth
Marianne Williamson
ALERO
else up and therefore not need to stop on any floor before it got to mine so I let it out. Twas a loud and rich fart. I smiled at my work. Suddenly, the elevator stopped on the 8th floor and I hoped it was someone who was going down. Up or down, the receptionist on the floor hollered. I said up and she beckoned someone who was waiting in the lobby to get in. Oh no I said to myself. I wished I had the night crawler's teleportation ability when I saw who walked in. Oh God I said to myself. Hello, Alero said smiling as she got in. Hello, I weakly replied and stylishly positioned myself under the small fan on the elevator wall. The doors closed behind her and it was me, Alero and the foul stench from my innards. I put on my straightest face and prayed this lift rode faster. We rode in silence all the way to my floor and I quickly got off. I heard her muffle a chuckle as I walked as quickly as I could away from the elevator. But whether or not she thought the incident funny, I resolved to never take the lift alone and avoid every opportunity to encounter her. I got into the office and slumped in my seat, throwing my hands behind my head. Chai, my life! My boss was headed home as I walked in and just before he walked out the door, he went, Oh by the way Tony, you have been seconded to the System Integration department temporarily to work with Alero's team on that IBF project. My heart stopped beating. That's right, I died.( Culled from the notes of Deinma Charles) As I read this tale which I must say has been briefed to fit into this month's edition (link to
ALERO
the full stor y can be found on our page www.facebook/4sqblast), I couldn't help but remember just how much God loves us, even in our most embarrassing moments. He takes pleasure to make us perfect and conform to his image. With God there's no forming or posing for He knew before you formed in your mother's womb and loves just the same way. I am guessing that Moses didn't appreciate that he was a stammerer, no way did he see himself making speeches and giving orders to men not just sheep, The woman at the well I'm sure didn't like human interactions maybe except for business purposes, but when she met Jesus and something in her changed the shame, fear of name calling just disappeared, hope was re-born and that hope can make you become an evangelist. That my friend's is what real love does to you, it doesn't leave you the way you are but makes you a better person; Romans 5 tell us that that this love was commended to us that while we didn't even have a plan for our lives Christ died for us. He came and took all our embarrassment on his shoulders, the embarrassment of poverty, of sickness, of shame and exchanged for his Love that covers a multitude of sins. Real Love is joyful in every circumstance, peaceful in times of trouble, patient to stick with you when it seems like you just don't want to get it, gentle to warn you of impeding dangers ahead because of your decisions, always good even when your mind tell you it's a bad day, there's always something to be thankful for. This Love believes in you and will not let you go till you are conformed to the image of perfection then you can learn how to control your urges in this world. (Gal 5:22-23). So the real question is have you found true love, because its standing right in front of you, all you have to do is ask (Romans 10:9), and say Jesus, I am tired of searching the things that can't last, I want you to be the love of my life, the savior of my soul and the hope of my future. I repent of all my sin and I choose to be called yours, Amen. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothingnothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkableabsolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. (Roman 8: 38-39). It's a always great to remember that even when the world laughs at me, It's comforting to know that I'm laughing with the one who one who owns the entire world, I wonder who should be embarrassed?
@ FOURSQUARE,YABA.
Every 3rd Sunday of the Month
N WARM CON
ECT
IP WOW WORSH
O WORD WISD
UNCOMMON
DAVID APAFLO
(Creating a Blast with his mind)
n 2009, David Apaflo, then a 19-yearold Nigerian undergraduate at the University of Lagos, bagged the prestigious certificate of the Institute for Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Perhaps in a bid to prove to himself and unseen critics that the certificate wasn't a fluke, he graduated from school with a First Class in Accounting and a bag load of experiences from top notch organizations in Lagos all before his National Youth Service programme. At age 24, the future looks even brighter for this Ghanaian indigene who's already digging his nails deep into investment banking and running his own tax consultancy organization and other business spin-offs that the road of business opens to him. The Blast crew caught up with this handsome and extroverted young man, who personally reminds us of Bruce Wayne of the popular Batman story and had a chat about his background, his
exams, his relationship with God and opinions about government policies. What is your names? David Kwesi Apaflo What's your family background like? I was born into a Christian family of four children as the only boy. We are of Ghanaian descent but have lived in Nigeria for over 20 years. Your educational background? Well, I attended Evergreen Royal Private School between 1990 1998 then I had my secondary school education in Kings College Lagos between 1998 2004 before proceeding to University of Lagos for tertiary education between 2008-2011. When did you start preparing for ICAN? I started ICAN (ATS) in 2005 shortly after secondary school at about 15 years of age. How did you cope with doing ICAN at such an age, didn't you feel too young? At that time I hadn't gained admission into the university, so to me, it felt more or less like my own university at that time and I had mates in university already so I never felt too young for once. It was awkward, sometimes attending classes with a lot of elderly people but it didn't bother me that much. Did being a Christian have anything to do with your success? Yes, that for me is the bedrock. Determining in my heart not to cheat in examinations and asking God for help to keep me through was the vital ingredient. I started being successful academically after I turned it all to God and made the resolution never to seek or provide
assistance during examinations. Also, the Spirit of God directs me to read certain areas more than others and I get to the exam hall and I find just those things I majored on. I remember my first ICAN ATS Paper, the day before the exam I had revised five topics and I got to the exam hall and met those five topics. There have been many other occasions like that , So Yes, being a Christian has helped me a whole lot. Your going to University of Lagos and working; How did they mix? When I started school, I didn't plan to work except during holidays but then I had a gap year in school shortly after my UNILAG Diploma in 2007 where I finished as the fifth best in UNILAG but JAMB had allocated my registration number to another person and so I had to defer my admission. During that gap year, I got a job with Guaranty Trust Bank and I started earning some money. I got back to school and focused on school until an ASUU strike came up. It was about a four month strike and I got a job with an accounting firm during that period. My employer was impressed with my work and he allowed me continue while in school. It was tough combining the two but leveraging on technology, I worked from home sometimes, missed some classes, delivered some office jobs late but I just always had to know what my priorities were. The bottom line was I was in school
to excel and so at critical points, I chose school over work. It was a no brainer. Entrepreneurship and today's youth seems at par; but at your age you run your own firm(s), what's your take on this? I think starting a business early is one of the best experiences you can get. You might not make a lot of money, emphasis on might. It helps you make all your mistakes early. If you can't find a job, try to start a business as they say (smiling)at all at all na ihn bad pass so whether you have passion for entrepreneurship or not, start something. Start with what you have, it might not be so glamorous but as you progress, things will change with discipline and commitment. There was a time when I was selling past questions in school, hence if its bead making, cake making, phone repairs whatever, do something today! To succeed however, you need business wisdom read business books, speak to people in business and never forget to market yourself. Do not put your light under the table. You don't have to do newspaper adverts since you are still coming up but you can post on forums and blogs online, speak directly to people w h o yo u fe e l m i g h t n e e d yo u r products/services. The sky is the limit. Who are your mentors and what inspires you ? A lot of people have mentored me in various aspects and I would say a lot of what I have achieved has been due to the fact that I had people to look up to and to guide me. Some mentor me silently and they probably do not even know that they are my mentors so I will just list their names in no particular order My parents, my elder sister, Pastor Dupe Adebanjo, Oribi Charles, Temitope Ayeni, Adeyemi Sanni, Abiodun Sanusi, Bamidele Ogunlowo, Toluwani Adeseri, Olatilewa Sanusi, Dcn Tunji Adebakin, Rev Okey Onuzo. You had an active role in your faculty, how was that experience and do you see yourself going into politics somewhere in the near future? I was elected Vice-President in 300 Level in School. It was an overwhelming victory. I
had 5times more votes than the opposition. It was an interesting adventure from the campaigns to debates, elections and the actual tenure. I learnt more about service and how to manage people, especially dealing with lecturers. It was tasking but I survived it despite threats that we would not graduate. Politics is definitely on the cards for the future. I believe the people who should make a change are staying out of politics but then again I also understand how the political climate is; however, I still intend to participate. I feel I have a lot to offer to the public.
skills were used in achieving all I have done so far and would continue to be used. Asides the skills, relying on God for lifting and actually seeing Him do His thing has been amazing. I have been favoured in so many ways. So definitely, YES the church played a very vital role in all these. What's your relationship with family like? Very cordial. My family has been extremely supportive. They have been everything I want in a family. My parents sacrificed a whole lot of comfort for my siblings and I. I really appreciate that. They are usually the first I tell about any victory or challenge. I love them so much. What's your view on Taxation and today's Christian? A Christian should pay taxes and not just paying taxes but paying the right amount. What I have come to find out is that a lot of people want to comply with tax regulations but they do not understand them and that was a major driving factor in starting my tax practice to help people comply so we can have a better society. In developed countries, tax is the mainstay of the economy and very soon it will be taken much more serious in Africa and Nigeria. One would take you to be a nerdy and over serious young man, what do you to relax? *laughs* If you get really close to me, you would know I am not one bit nerdy, rather entrepreneurial. To relax, I produce music, listen to music, play the keyboard, go swimming, hang out with friends and watch movies. Oh yes and I play video
Interview by Oribi Charles, Photo sessions by Bola Oguntade,
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? By God's grace, in the next five years, I should have just completed an MBA from Harvard Business School and most likely joining the International Finance Corporation. ICAN at 19, 1st Class graduate of Accounting at 22, Tax consultancy and Managing Director at 20, Did the church play any role in this stories? Yes, the church played a very vital role. The ver y first Microsoft word document I typed was on a church project. I was in the events and planning team of our teens' church so I learnt administration, planning and the church also gave me a platform to develop my leadership skills. All these
games too.
SOFT SKILLS
your next sentence in your mind while someone is speaking to you, you are doing injustice to the conversation. You will get more out of the conversation if you understand, comprehend and assimilate what is being said BEFORE responding. Good etiquette = listening! Do you make these common listening mistakes? The difference between being a good listener versus a great listener is using your heart in addition to your eyes and mind while listening. Do you do this?
Etiquette and polish, both in personal and business settings, are linked to how well we communicate. Most people think communication is all about speaking and devalue the importance of listening, and many others don't realize what a vast difference there is between simply hearing what is being said and really listening. People who know how to listen learn more, care more, and end up being the ones we want to be around socially as well as professionally. Want to improve your listening skills? Understand why you need to listen and remember to practice these tips the next time you conduct a conversation. Are your eyes listening? Your eyes are a dead giveaway if you are not listening. When your mind wanders and you begin thinking of something or someone else, your eyes show your disinterest. And the person speaking to you is well aware that you are not paying attention. And this is true even if you don't look away. Blank stares don't conceal boredom! How can you know if you are a bad listener? A good listener uses his/ her eyes and mind while listening. If you find yourself already formulating
Similarly, 'boring people get bored'. You don't need to know a lot about a subject to have a conversation. You just need to have a desire to learn, understand and make things interesting. For example, if someone tells you they are a teacher, instead of saying, "That's nice," and moving on to the next topic, try to find out why they are teaching, how they decided on this profession and what their current thoughts on teaching are. Dig deep and create meaningful conversations. How do I get others to listen to me? i. Listen more intently, question more, and speak with emotion. Build interesting conversations instead of one-way lectures. ii. Engage people while you speak. Ask questions like, "What do you think?" or "Do you agree?" Try not to speak continuously for long periods. People tend to have short attention spans. When you do not listen to what others are saying and only care to listen to your own voice, this is an indication that you really do not care for other people's opinions. Think about who you really enjoy being around, at work or in your personal life. Usually it is those who really listen and care about you. Are you listening?
If a friend tells you something is wrong, you immediately tend to give advice or criticism. If a friend tells you about something wonderful that has happened, you usually chip in with something similar that you have experienced.
Rarely do we share joy or sympathize with pain. Rarely do we just let others speak. To improve your listening skills, practise with those closest to you. When family members or friends share their thoughts and feelings, curtail the urge to relate what you hear to one of your own experiences. What if a conversation bores you? I believe 'interested people are interesting'.
Adapted from Project Dad: The Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide for Becoming a Great Father, by Todd Cartmell. www.revellbooks.com.