A man of wisdom once said, “if you want to see afar off, climb & stand on the shoulder of a giant”.
I’ve been noticing lately how grateful I am for the people in my life who encourage me to keep becoming my whole true self. They do so by listening and by asking me open, honest questions with a non-judging heart. My son, sister, mom and dad, close friends, colleagues, other leaders I’ve come to know and trust, even bloggers and poets in my daily inbox . . .
Mentoring doesn’t have to be a formal arrangement to make a difference in your life. But it helps when we express a shared commitment to support each other’s growth.
I had the good luck & priviledge to be present a few days ago in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State (precisely with Alhaji Saheed Omogbolahan Adigun a.k.a Oba Mobil), when I came to realized the importance of being groomed & brought by disciplinarian though loving biological parents or a mentor , one of the key factors for being grounded in Truth,Courage & Perseverance for shining glory. It reminds me how reciprocal mentoring exists in the space of shared work and purpose. It’s a space full of trust, integrity, courage and love. It’s a space we can bless between us.
He’s not one of those politicians or a political jobber but his knowledge into the grassroot of our societal challenges is immense. Alhaji Saheed Omogbolahan Adigun is a philanthropist & peacemaker. Irrespective of your religion( though a staunch Muslim) or background, he would humbly, though insightfully relate & always want to be of help.
WHEN I THINK OF YOU, the great contributions you’ve made so far to Nigeria oil sector, Yoruba land,your home State (Ibadan, to be precised) & the humanity at large,in making lives easier for a common man on the street, not only by given them fishes but most importantly by creating employment ( given them net) & via this means , many once downtrodden & rejected in our midst have becomes a responsible & acceptable “big men”.
When I think of you
the day becomes clear,
though shadows remain
and I may continue to carry
burdens and demands
in my head and heart
And the music of the day
can be a happy Haydn symphony
that carries me along
in a light-hearted frolic
where my feet touch the ground
only now and then and
all is right with the world –
Or it can be a dirge fraught with pain
and the heavy sadness
of failure and regret –
and yet I sing!
Yes, when I think of you
the light suffuses, and
I can more easily
dance my way through
the days’ demands
knowing that you believed
in me
and in my gifts, that –
surprise! –
shine and sing
when I do
what we love ( helping people, putting smiles to their pale faces & given them life through a legitimate channel) to do,
my Mentor and my Friend.
Kolawole Oyepeju- Arapaja. Is the
MD, Strong Tower Oversight & Security Services.
