Oluyomi Ola-David Insights

Resource is surplus Then, some may be idle Others may be useful Few may be relevant  Resource is scarce Then, some may be saved Others may be welcome None may be idle Door is open Then, some may be entering Others may be leaving Few may be resident Door is shut Then, some may be knocking Others may be yelling Few may be waiting Mountain is high Then, some may be ascending Others may be descending Few may be mid air Mountain is low Then, some may be running Others may be strolling Few may be crawling Ocean is deep Then, fish may be monstrous Others may be golden Few may be medium River is shallow Then, fish may be tiny Others may be little Few may be large First is predetermined  Then, some may go second  Others may go in between Few may be last First is uncertain  Then, some may seek preeminence Others may be optional Few may be out of place Now is focus Then, some may be used Others may be dumped Few may be idle Future is focus Then, some may be sown Others may be raised Few may be se

Ever baked in a cold oven? Ever found a simple pride? Ever heard a busy ant? Ever held a hot drop of rain? Ever seen a gentle wind? Ever beaten a listening heart?  Ever greeted a doormat? Ever traced the ocean's path? Ever mended a broken glass?  Ever bought a beggar's cloak? Ever read an empty book? Ever walked a lonely street?

Why do those with idle resources stir needless conflict? Why waste human resources that could be useful for global development? Why seek more territory when you really need less? Why disturb the airwaves just to assert superior might? Why act against the ideals of UN Charter? War always sets back the clock of development. Crisis troubles the business climate. Insecurity damages social trust. Invasion endangers human lives. Dialogue is the choice of wise agitation. Peace can heal the wounds. Global citizens build partnerships.  Those who are truly rich take pity on the poor. The goal of diplomacy is mutual understanding.  The history of conflict teaches a struggle for control. Climate-friendly and peace-loving conversations may be cheap but can save lives. Those who are truly strong protect the weak. Let us build back better with a balance of power. In diversity we can unite for peace and progress. #Russianinvasion #Ukraine #ceasefire  #savethepeace  #buildpartnerships  #savetheplanet 

Once I was starring alone Then I got matched Now I am fixing the puzzle And taking hope orders Once I was driving Then I got fired Now I am enduring behind wheels And hailing the windy wings Once I was schooled Then I got one certificate Now I am learning And living the creed Once I worked for self Then I got hired Now I am routing for us And choosing sovereign will Once I was important  Then I got a mission Now I am a royal soldier And grace daily occasion Once I sought friends Then I got lost  Now I am building on rock And managing a guest list Once I was exhausted Then I got good wine Now I am energy in motion And lighting up streets Once I could read Then I became a subject Now I am keeping the gate  And thinking through every entry Once I was crippled Then I got healed Now I am walking And minding my lane Once I was a teacher Then I got a case study Now I am a student And sift through every answer Once I took a theatre seat Then I got displaced Now I am standing And doing only the

When we tag a price We seek value When it is free as air We seek volume When we mystify things We seek significance When it is simplified We seek understanding When we race through lanes We seek rewards When it is slow and steady We seek sustainability When we reel the proofs We seek recognition When it is utterly truth and reason We seek depth When we grace the stage We seek a crowd When it is enclosed  closet  We seek supreme approval When we blow the trumpet We seek an applause When it is covered up We seek love When we rely on strength  We seek vain glory When it is never by power We seek heavenly grace When we dance with a crowd We seek human approval When it is a different song We seek sovereign seal When we settle on sea shore We seek comfort  When it is a voyage on deep sea We seek worthwhile adventures When we speak in blocked ears We seek folly's crown  When it is all action and not words We seek ready pupils When we drink from polluted waters We seek a disease When it is

Poverty is a robber Stealing treasures of time And sinking gold in oceans deep Wealth is a dreamer Sleeping out the day And thinking through the night Patience is a sickler Attending regular examinations  And grateful for the nurses Hurry is a depressed bug Stinging every passerby And keeping up with joneses  Folly is a shoddy builder Founding towers on sand And ķilling unsuspecting allies Wisdom is a traveller Packed with all little essentials And following through ancient paths Sloth is a boastful buyer Despising the good price And choosing the bad ones Diligence is a steady sun Lighting the open day And returning for evening rest Revenge is a dark alley Accommodating wild and crazy beasts Digging pits that drown themselves Mercy is a beggar Pleading only for token kindness And giving bottomless smiles Falsehood is a windstorm Sinking weak ship sterns And wasting precious lives Truth is a loaf Feeding many hungry poor  And opening blind eyes ... Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

As I reminisce on the brain drain Nigeria has suffered during the last five years, I am reminded of the  ancient Yoruba proverb that says "ewúré ilé k'òmo iyì ode, ajogún èwù k'òmo iyì agbádá nla".  The proverb literally means that the household-owned goat does not appreciate the kindness of the hunter and the one who inherited an expensive festival cloak on a platter does not appreciate its worth. Its English alternative would be: familiarity breeds contempt. A nation's stock of human resources is its most valuable capital, not necessarily its mineral resources. From resource curse arguments, we can observe how abundance of natural and mineral resources may translate to little or no economic development whenever underlying institutional frameworks are growth-inhibiting. This can be clearly seen in the dilapidated economies of resource-rich countries that pay limited attention to human capital development and living standards improvement.  While natural resources

Decoupling rapid growth in goods from increasing environmental bads is the current challenge of development managers. A stream of innovation that can reduce the resource-intensity of production activity in all economic units is imperative.  Strategic thinking and thought leadership moves beyond SWOT analysis. It processes the conversion of threats into opportunities and weaknesses into unique selling points. #innovation #leadership #strategy #finance #transformation #Policy #planet #economy #peace #Sustainability ... Photo credit:  Oluyomi Ola-David 

The simple fact that we pick up our mother tongue effortlessly signals the importance of secure motherhood in the construction of our identity. With #family-friendly policies, we can empower mothers to build social cohesion and mentally #healthy communities.  #MotherLanguageDay Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

Justice is the umpire of peace Impunity nurtures violence Mercy is the school of nature Unity can rally our strength Freedom is accountable! Yes it is! ... Pause and calmly think about that!  #Peace #Justice #Sharedprosperity #SDGs #WorldDayOfSocialJustice #unity #planet #people  Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David 

Nature is just Let us all eat a humble pie Be still and learn from nature Nature is a silent instructor #Education #SocialJusticeDay #WorldDayOfSocialJustice #Nature #Gender #SDG5 #SDGs  Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David 

Destiny calls can be: ✔️ Slow; ✔️ Steady; ✔️ Sure; ✔️ Urgent and; ✔️ Critical Here is a toast to social justice! Frankly speaking, only the rich can work for social justice.