Oluyomi Ola-David Insights

Learning is life-long for those who lead. Education is as constant as air, whether or not you realise it, the breeze breathes on you. Whatever you do with the available 'air' is important for your sustainable development.  #education #humancapital #MentalHealthMatters #mindset

Glass is useful It may be fragile So are human lives Handle with care Our collective humanity is invaluable. As a unified whole, we can work to protect all and prevent genocide, crimes and ethnic cleansing.#savethepeace #Sustainability #peace #savetheplanet #savethechildren

Finance is growth fuel Influence is gold standard Know-how is water To have one is normal To have all is supernormal To have none is abnormal ... #finance #business #fuelsubsidy #investment #MentalHealthMatters #health #sustainablefinance #financialinclusion #financialeducation 

Achieving efficiency in waste management is important for a thriving  circular economy. Every economic unit can embrace the #culture of sorting from its point of waste generation. #Efficiency  #Economics  #Recycling  #Wastemanagement  #Reduce #Sort #Reuse  #Households  #Firms  #Policy 

Language is a vehicle But you have to know the destination Knowledge is a tool And you need to see its use Power is a bulldozer But you have to weed its field Influence is a sailor And you need to guide its wind Pride is a spring But you need to study its fall Failure is a factor And you need to solve the equation Life is a gift But you need to hold its worth Love is a verb And you need to read its footprints Time is a treasure But you need to find its chest Work is a stage And you have to know its audience Skill is a star But you need to spot its night Salt is a spice And you need to taste its limit Profit is a signpost But you need to judge its service Tongue is a leaf And you need to eat its fruit Trade is a door But you need to screen the goods Greed is a drunk And you need to use a bed Speech is a seed But you need to till the ground Gossip is a hot stove And you need to get its ice Life is a marathon But you need to mind your mile Sleep is a refresher And you need to learn daily

They all display Brilliant ideas Just up until  We vote them in They all speak  Truth Just up until We unmask the masquerade They all do Right Just up until We balance the scale They all hawk Goods Just up until  We unwrap inedible bads They all know Everything Just up until We ask a question They all claim Innocence Just up until We use a test kit They all see Clearly Just up until We have distant placards They all like Prosperity Just up until We have problems to solve They all hate Mediocrity Just up until We raise the standards They all play Well Just up until We kick a lone start They all work Hard Just up until We tune into the roadshow They all have Faith Just up until We need to feed a crowd ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

Being a pupil You may need to choose between Reading a subject And subjecting a discipline Being a plant You may need to choose between Growing in random places And placing where to grow Being a star You may need to choose between Shining in your story book And booking your shine Being a horse You may need to choose between Working for the visible And invisibly doing the work Being a mind You may need to choose between Running through your thinking And thinking through your run Being a hireling You may need to choose between Waiting for sheep to pay back And backing sheep to wait Being a door You may need to choose between Opening throughout time And timing your opening   Being an agent You may need to choose between Purchasing goods and services And servicing good purchase  Being a wall You may need to choose between Guarding a city And situating the guards Being a merchant You may need to choose between Trading your treasure And treasuring your trade   Being an eye You may need to ch

What is education Without enlightenment Vain is knowledge  That darkens the mind What is education Without conscience  Vain is perspective That hardens the heart What is education Without culture Vain is tradition That clogs the wheel What is education Without virtue Vain is lesson That corrupts the mind What is education  Without audience Vain is stage That omits the crowd What is education  Without principle Vain is means That negates the end What is education  Without thought Vain is practice That enslaves the mind What is education  Without history Vain is parrot That ignores the past What is education  Without wealth Vain is tutelage That impoverishes the rich What is education  Without boundary Vain is nurture That deifies the mind What is education  Without faith Vain is subject That weakens the strong What is education  Without ancestry Vain is process That excludes the source ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

Opt To serve Volunteer  To grow Opt To lead Volunteer To follow Opt  To farm Volunteer To grow Opt To wait Volunteer  To go Opt To learn Volunteer To grow Opt To watch Volunteer To tend  Opt  To read Volunteer  To grow Opt To act Volunteer  To have Opt To think Volunteer To grow Opt  To thank Volunteer To smile Opt To change Volunteer  To grow Opt To live Volunteer To speak ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

They are young At heart But you are ancient In heart and mind They are dynamic At heart But you are static In heart and mind They are learning At heart But you are learned In heart and mind They are growing At heart But you are grown In heart and mind They are open At heart But you are closed In heart and mind They are humble At heart But you are tutor In heart and mind They are innate At heart But you are extrinsic In heart and mind They are peasant At heart But you are elite In heart and mind They are sheep At heart But you are goat In heart and mind They are functional At heart But you are frictional In heart and mind They are thoughtful At heart But you are careless In heart and mind They are investors At heart But you are spent In heart and mind ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

Give me some fish And I will return for more Get me a net and some lessons And I will return with thanks Give me some words And I will return for more Get me a book and some notes And I will return with thanks  Give me a ride  And I will return for more  Get me a vehicle and some rounds And I will return with thanks Give me a meal And I will return for more  Get me a stove and some game  And I will return with thanks Give me some friends And I will return for more  Give me a family and some time And I will return with thanks Give me a hand And I will return for more  Get me a skill and some knots And I will return with thanks Give me some fruits And I will return for more  Get me a field and some seeds And I will return with thanks Give me a room  And I will return for more  Get me a ruler and some clay And I will return with thanks  Give me a match  And I will return for more  Get me a race and some shoes And I will return with thanks Give me a title  And I will return for more  Get m

Some were born Chewing on silver spoons Others were raised Brushing sticks and fingers Some were born Crawling on soft rugs Others were raised Courting sands and stones Some were born Riding on horse backs Others were raised Tending goats and donkeys Some were born Sucking on pearly curds Others were raised Cracking meat and bones Some were born Calling on waiting hands Others were raised Running to and fro Some were born Looking on passing fun Others were raised Handling weights and scales Some were born Reading on tutor's go Others were raised Fiddling night and nature Some were born Feasting on royal bounty Others were raised Fending plants and water Some were born Spending on wealthy house Others were raised Making bricks and mortar Some were born Sitting on the fence Others were raised Cuddling numbers and letters Some were born Standing on giant shoulders Others were raised Honing fins and wings Some were born Counting on ancient stool Others were raised Burning coals and cha

Poor Yes they are But I wish to make them rich All in one day Malnourished Yes they are But I wish to make them healthy All in one day Stunted Yes they are But I wish to make them grow All in one day Ignorant Yes they are But I wish make them learned All in one day Lost  Yes they are But I wish to make them sheep All in one day Slow Yes they are But I wish to make them quick All in one day Hurt Yes they are But I wish to make them whole All in one day Myopic Yes they are But I wish to make them see All in one day Young Yes they are But I wish to make them old All in one day Caterpillars Yes they are But I wish to make them fly All in one day Volatile Yes they are But I wish to make them stable All in one day Distracted Yes they are But I wish to make them focused All in one day ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David 

Truly crushed Riding in the wagon The lizard could afford Just a few nods Truly bleak Sitting in the street  The beggar could afford Just a few cries Truly white Dwelling in the cave The leper could afford  Just a rare visit Truly weak Struggling in the mud The ant could afford Just a timely bath Truly short Lounging in the tree The rich could afford Just a meagre catch Truly little Ringing in the ear The tot could afford Just a humble grace Truly proud Gliding in the status The heir could afford Just a ready burden Truly false Thriving in the present The simple could afford Just a clear vision  Truly spent Waiting in the wheel The worn could afford Just a pearly reach Truly bent Passing in the porch The lady could afford Just a caring ruler Truly poor Swimming in the debt The peasant could afford Just a patient wait Truly chosen Living in the dream The fish could afford Just a wise coin ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

You have But it's never enough You lack  But you are not wealth You know But it's never enough You hide But you are not show You fetch But it's never enough  You taste But you are not trend You plant But it's never enough  You drip But you are not rain You win But it's never enough  You lose But you are not late You fly But it's never enough  You crawl But you are not ant You forge But it's never enough  You beg But you are not gifted You thrive But it's never enough  You dive But you are not fish You drink But it's never enough  You thirst But you are not filled You sell But it's never enough  You buy But you are not gain You act But it's never enough  You speak But you are not voice You pay But it's never enough  You tag But you are not valued ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David 

Strong When you are weak Bright in your dark Make the wheel in will Bold When you are afright Help in your way Make the wheel in will Up  When you are down Wise in your folly Make the wheel in will  Fire When you are cold Warm in your night Make the wheel in will Rich When you are poor Oasis in your desert Make the wheel in will Star When you are dim Sun in your noonday Make the wheel in will  Voice When you are still Water in your thirst Make the wheel in will Pure When you are unclean Rain in your drought Make the wheel in will Victor When you are weary Warrior in your battles Make the wheel in will Truth When you are confused Hope in your dream Make the wheel in will Garment When you are naked Shelter in your storm Make the wheel in will Lone When you are crowded Crown in your praise Make the wheel in will ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David 

You listen But you do not hear You hear But you scarcely grasp You look But you do not see You see But you scarcely discern You read But you do not know You know But you scarcely have You toil But you do not find You find But you scarcely keep You lead  But you do not follow You follow But you scarcely heed  You crawl But you do not walk You walk  But you scarcely run You grab But you do not get You get But you scarcely give You move But you do not go You go But you scarcely fly You talk But you do not think You think But you scarcely act You like But you do not love You love But you scarcely hate You ask But you do not receive You receive But you scarcely rejoice You cook But you do not eat You eat But you scarcely grow ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

The performing artist And faithful servant As the righteous judge Must know when to bow out The roller coaster And spinning wheel As the vending robot Must know when to cease awhile The eloquent parrot And stage genius As the city gate Must know when to keep shut The cooking stove And baking oven As the blazing furnace Must know when to burn down The running sprinter And enduring trekker As the night owl  Must know when to quit the day The fruitful womb And baby factory As the green fields Must know when to brown out The busy street And restless sea As the midday sun Must know when to go down The burning lamp And battle torch As the shining star Must know when to humbly dim The swimming pool And playing ground As the day school Must know when to empty out The victorious soldier And thinking general As the worn workman Must know when to go home The people's choice And ruler's boy As the jungle lion Must know when to roar a rest The work horse And steaming hothead As the master&#

When the crowd is sitted And the stage is set When the back is empty Then there is a multitude to study When the race is on And the sprinters are on course When the lane is marked free Then there is steady walk When the meal is served And the cooks are weary and worn When the chair is empty Then there is a slow eating spree ... Latecomer developing countries have the benefit of hindsight and opportunities to learn from the blunders of early industrialisers. Thus, they are equipped to take proactive steps towards building inclusive, circular and climate-friendly economies for a sustainable future. With the 5Ps of sustainable development in focus, we can reduce the threats to our collective existence. #savetheplanet .. Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

As prospective candidates resume giving hints on their strategic plans for the 2023 Presidential race, it is apparent from the body language of the poor and media reactions of the enlightened, that authentic Nigerians are simply fed up of chips from the old block. We are all well aware of the past wins of divisive propaganda, influence peddling tactics, a false change mantra, recycling of puppets, religious appeal, bullying strategies and many more. All these may not work for 2023. The sensible Nigerian now knows the actual difference between true national transformation and an engineered 'change' message. We can now recognize those in the polity who have struggled in their pursuit of national interest and those just driven by self-interest. The Nigerian dream may not be clearly written on many walls yet, but it is clearly engraved on most of our hearts. We need a truly enabling NATIONAL environment for our enterprising spirits and ingenious minds to thrive. We need a coun

There are many parts to change There are many areas to cover There are many grounds to seize Start where it matters most There are many steps to take There are many lines to draw There are many curves to turn Start where it matters most There are many trips to make There are many paths to chart There are many rooms to fill Start where it matters most There are many minds to meet There are many books to read There are many thoughts to think Start where it matters most There are many teachers to ask There are many helpers to call There are many guides to meet Start where it matters most There are many hands to get There are many feet to send There are many eyes to catch Start where it matters most There are many goals to score There are many targets to meet There are many themes to keep Start where it matters most There are many battles to win There are many causes to watch There are many territories to conquer Start where it matters most There are many gates to lift There are many figur

What is despised By humans May be truly signficant By nature What is esteemed By humans May be truly despicable By nature What is fashionable By humans May be truly outdated By nature What is priced By humans May be really invaluable By nature What is nought By humans May be really something By nature What is dated By humans May be really current By nature What is problematic  By humans May be truly fortunate By nature What is nutrition By humans May be truly poison By nature What is funny By humans May be truly serious By nature What is loved  By humans May be really loathsome By nature  What is popular  By humans May be really base By nature What is deemed waste By humans May be really wealth By nature ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

You forget Because you care less I remember  Because I am mindful You rush Because you care less I wait Because I am mindful You skim Because you care less I study Because I am mindful You aid Because you care less I make Because I am mindful You look Because you care less I see Because I am mindful You race Because you care less I fly Because I am mindful You feel Because you care less I choose Because I am mindful You laze Because you care less I watch Because I am mindful You show Because you care less I think Because I am mindful You laugh Because you care less I wail Because I am mindful You get Because you care less I give Because I am mindful You use Because you care less I love Because I am mindful ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

To the rich Debt is capital To the poor Debt is shameful To the rich  Play is work To the poor Work is play To the rich People are machines To the poor People are humans To the rich Solitude is fun To the poor Party is fun To the rich Time is priceless To the poor Time is money To the rich Failure is progress To the poor Failure is terminal To the rich Knowledge is tool To the poor Knowledge is power To the rich Risk is return To the poor Uncertainty is risk To the rich Life is good To the poor Struggle is life To the rich Investment is real To the poor Saving is real To the rich Passport is thought To the poor Education is passport To the rich Yesterday is best To the poor Tomorrow is best ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

When I was young I sought the validation When I got younger I embraced the competencies When I was young I sought the books When I got younger I embraced the book When I was young I sought the ladder When I got younger  I embraced the process When I was young I sought the audience When I got younger I embraced the message When I was young I sought the company When I got younger I embraced the desert When I was young I sought the approval When I got younger  I embraced the rejection When I was young I sought the pace When I got younger  I embraced the pattern When I was young I sought the snacks When I got younger I embraced the greens When I was young I sought the walls When I got younger  I embraced the air space When I was young I sought the voices When I got younger  I embraced the voice When I was young I sought the scorecard  When I got younger  I embraced the culture When I was simple I sought the security When I got simpler  I embraced the risk ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-Davi

Once I was blind  Now I can see And it's time to be expelled By the hypocritical company Once I was weak Now I am strong And it's time to be torched By the gatekeepers Once I was slave Now I am free And it's time to be followed By the waiting press Once I was lame Now I can walk And it's time to be released By the beggarly troop Once I was asleep Now I am awake And it's time to be searched  By the rugged scrolls Once I was fed Now I am cooking And it's time to be served By the waning horsemen Once I was reading Now I can think And it's time to be pulled By the chief cornerstone Once I was latent Now I am active And it's time to be made By the wailing watcher Once I was fishing Now I am fished And it's time to be missed By the usual kin and fellows Once I was dumb Now I can speak And it's time to be selling By the core once a periphery Once I was timid Now I am courageous And it's time to be assessed By the mirror that matters Once I was old N

The workhorse Who came through here Galloping and following blindly Where is it today The mind  Who passed through here Reading and restless like machine Where is it today The troop Who lived through here Enduring relentless failed promises Where is it today The eye Who saw through the vision Charting a path for the blind Where is it today  The donkey Who carried through the burden Leading the calculated race Where is it today The beggar Who combed through the streets Seeking resource worthy for progress Where is it today The slave Who laboured through wind and rain Shunning own reason and future Where is it today The light Who shined through the night Paving the way in weary land Where is it today The money Who was valuable through ages past Buying goodwill now expended Where is it today The name  Who was sounding through hearts  Fixing the broken and lifting the wounded Where is it today The subject Who was contributing through nature Dying for the sick to live Where is it today The

When I am not working I am thinking When I am not thinking How can I live When I am not eating I am drinking When I am not drinking How can I live When I am not loved I am loving When I am not loving How can I live When I am not sleeping I am awake When I am not awake How can I live  When I am not speaking I am listening When I am not listening How can I live When I am not full I am empty When I am not empty How can I live When I am not walking I am crawling When I am not crawling How can I live When I am not leading I am following When I am not following How can I live  When I am not learned I am learning When I am not learning How can I live When I am not reading I am writing When I am not writing How can I live When I am not getting I am giving When I am not giving How can I live When I am not static I am growing When I am not growing How can I live ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

Culture is everything. More than you may realise, culture engineers the entire global economy. The wheels of culture drive day-to-day decisions of economic agents in the global space, viz: individuals, households,  firms, governments, and institutions.  Here are some scenarios of pervasive culture: Wherever the culture of superstition prevails, the awareness creation about evil forces tends to be more pronounced than the knowledge of good forces. Wherever the culture of mediocrity prevails, how we are seen and perceived tends to become more important than how we actually are when no one is censor. Wherever the culture of slavery prevails, the people tend to be habitually intimidated and coerced into submission. Wherever the dragon culture in enterprise prevails, the substance of humanity may not count and draconian including shaming policies tend to rule the day. Wherever the culture of competition prevails, the pursuit of short-term self-interest tends to over ride the concern for lon

Where there is  Corruption We will need a new Breed without greed Where there is  No dream We will need new Architects without walls Where there is  Mediocrity We will need new Teachers void of ignorance Where there is  Hatred We will need a new Nation without prejudice  Where there is no  Knowledge We will need new Thinkers without masters Where there is  Injustice  We will need new Judges without bias Where there is Error We will need new Speakers without guile Where there is no Safety We will need new Soldiers without interests Where there is Collapse We will need new Engineers without fault Where there is Hunger We will need new Grainfields without boundary Where there is  No vision We will need new Leaders without myopia Where there is Time We will need new Agents without ceasing ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

Transformational turning points are the real 'new years', every other movement along the continuum of time is just for keeping the records.  Economies, individiduals, households, firms, governments, and institutions  can experience my concept of a 'new year' at whatever point in time they decide to effect game-changing ideas, policies, and structural changes, however minuscule. Check through business cases as well as economic history and you will observe how some nations advanced in development while their counterparts stagnated or retrogressed through time. Some firms from yesteryears are now defunct because they simply refused to innovate in development strategy. So, if you, unlike me, decided to commence 2022 with a static business-as-usual mindset, then it is not your own 'new year' yet. You would have to start yours at a later time. It is my deep seated hope that you will not be caught napping, flying with worn wings that need replacement. With no structura