issues

The Convenience Paradox: Are We Losing More Than We Gain?

I was watching my daughter get immersed in her Number Blocks learning channel on YouTube when I felt a sense of guilt. Even though I was refereeing that learning experience, it appeared someone else was the coach on the sideline showing her what to learn. Eventually, I waved off the feeling, thinking that at least, she was acquiring new knowledge. However, I couldn’t shake off the truth that my convenience was playing out here. Getting her to learn this way was about my convenience. That was my invitation to a journey down the rabbit hole of thoughts about the convenience paradox. 

In today’s world, convenience is no longer a luxury but an expectation. It permeates every aspect of our lives, from the instant click of a smartphone to the door-to-door delivery of groceries. We crave it, and technology promises to meet our demands faster than ever before. But this raises an important question: Is our relentless pursuit of convenience truly improving our lives, or is there an unacknowledged cost lurking in the shadows?

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issues

Nigeria’s Oil Sector: Tinubu’s Opportunity

In the intricate dance of leadership and governance, timing and ethics are paramount. I do hope President Bola Tinubu understands this. When we fail to do what is right and at the right time, we often find ourselves ensnared in a web of unnecessary efforts to resolve the consequences. This truth is painfully evident in the Nigerian oil sector, where malfeasance and unrestrained interests against the common good have led to a credibility crisis. This photo-op simply reveals more about curbing interests than bringing solutions.

The Nigerian oil sector once heralded as the backbone of the nation’s economy, is now a cautionary tale of missed opportunities and ethical lapses. The principal characters in this sector have, for too long, prioritized personal gain over national interest. This has not only stunted the sector’s growth but also eroded public trust.

When leadership fails to address corruption and self-serving interests, it sends a clear message: that the pursuit of personal gain is acceptable, even at the expense of the nation’s welfare. This unchecked behavior breeds inefficiency, and in the end, discourages investment as we are currently experiencing. The ultimate decline in the sector’s performance is nothing that could not have been easily predicted 25 years ago. Continue reading →

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Education, issues

DOING THE BAREST MINIMUM?

ARE YOU DOING THE BAREST MINIMUM?

I was catching up on TV news this morning and the producers were having audio challenges with the guest. This got me thinking about why this often happens with our local media stations and you rarely find this in foreign ones. I’m not making a comparison, but I’m concerned about the little “foxes” that typically lead to these kinds of outcomes wherever you find them. I call it the concept of the barest minimum.

Barest minimum often refers to the most basic level of effort, resources, or standards needed to achieve a result. It’s about doing just enough to meet the requirements without extra effort or enhancement. This concept can apply to various contexts, such as work, projects, education, personal tasks, and even human character.

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