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Soludo’s Success Tips for University Graduates

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2024

OCHEFA

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LAST week Tuesday, 7th November, 2024, the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, delivered the 13th Convocation Lecture at the Veritas University, Abuja.

“May I, at this moment, congratulate all the 800 graduate students for having been found worthy in character and learning to deserve the degrees of this University,” said Soludo.

He then offered the following advices to the graduate students:

Making money cannot be an objective; adding value is what makes money.

▪︎Jobs are not there, and about 80 percent of you will not practise what you studied. It is scary and I am not sure how adequately the University has prepared you for survival in chaotic times. As I draw the parallels between my time of graduation and yours, I am not sure whether to say congratulations or commiserations.

But what you make of the current situation depends on whether you see it as a challenge or an opportunity.

▪︎ For me, Nigeria remains the Black man’s greatest opportunity. National Youth Service The next year–your one year of National Youth Service may be the year for re-setting.You will meet new people; you will stumble on new ideas—good and bad; and you

may even try some adventures. Community Service One day a week, you will have what we used to call a day for “community service.”

Make that day count! It might be your rehearsal for selfless public service. Start with Volunteerism: volunteer to serve at every opportunity.

Do something good for the benefit of society from which you do not expect to be paid. It is a pivotal year, your balcony moment, and you must make it count.

During my youth service at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife), I attended all M.Sc classes in the Department of Economics—though I was not a registered student. Perhaps, part of the impetus for me to resign from Coopers and Lybrand after five months to go back for post-graduate studies may have come from my NYSC experience.

My tailor in Abuja, Mr. Adekunle from Osun State, is a graduate of Geology from the University of Maiduguri.

He sold used clothes during his NYSC in Akwa Ibom and, from there, learned tailoring during the same service.

Today, he has more than 150 tailors, 30 graduates in Management, and other staff—all totalling over 200, working for him. I can cite over 100 similar examples. Thus, what happens in this one year of your ‘national service’ might determine whether Nigeria ends up as a half-empty or half-full glass for you.

▪︎Still, on your personal survival, let me add a little digression. Many of you probably only studied/read seriously while preparing for examinations, and believe that henceforth, the torture is over. Bad News for You I have bad news for you. Your bachelor’s degree (B.A.) might mean “Begin Again.”

In today’s world, there is a connection between continuous learning and earning. If you stop learning, you start decaying, or you can sum it up in a slogan: learn more to earn more! I have heard several of the richest people in the world brag about how many non-fiction books they read in a year. I will not say more.

▪︎ As you venture into the uncertain world, you will need all the help you can get. You will need all the networks and partnerships you can get. Success in life is not just about what you know but even more so about whom you know.

▪︎ As the saying goes, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. So, you will need the help of others to get ahead. “Anything” Cannot Take You “Anywhere”

▪︎ Soon, you will start looking for jobs or other ‘help’ from people to jumpstart a new life. For some decades, I always had young people approach me to help them find a job, and when you ask, ‘What do you want to do,’ a common answer was, “Anything.” Of course, “anything” cannot take you “anywhere” because as the saying goes, “if you don’t have a destination in mind, any road will take you there.”

So, my only tip to you on this occasion is to always seek intentionally to add value.

Before you approach someone for help, there is a minimum investment/preparation you must make to be ready to be “helped.” 7.

When you approach people, start with what value you will bring to the table—how you intend to ‘help them.’

This might sound counterintuitive. Paradoxically, that is also how you make money.

Making money cannot be an objective; adding value is what makes money.

The Richest People in The World Think of it for a moment.

The richest people in the world (through enterprise, and not through rent or criminality) are those who set out to solve specific problems for society and money followed as a reward—naturally!. Think of the inventors, the software developers who set out to connect people socially (Facebook, Twitter, etc), industrialists, consultants, tailors, traders, or anyone seeking to create value for customers, and how money followed them consequently.

So, the next time you approach someone for help, start by telling them what you can also do for them, and you will see that they are more likely to listen to you than if you approach them for charity. When You Are Applying for a Job

▪︎ When you are going to apply for a job, spend time researching how you can help to improve the fortune of the company. Instead of just “applying for a job,” write them a proposal on what you can offer, and you will see the difference. Try it! Sorry, I veered off into advisory which I promised not to get into.

▪︎Let me share some statistics that may jolt you to action. Without a doubt, the first need of man is survival and safety. Maslow prioritized human needs as physiological needs (air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, sleep, and health), safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Incomes Distribution

▪︎Again, the reality is that given Nigeria’s current income distribution, more than 60% of you may not go beyond satisfying the first need –physiological needs. When I was Governor of the Central Bank, we had a study that gave us a casual inference about the income distribution/inequality in Nigeria (beyond the Gini coefficient).

We discovered that 92% of the millions of depositors in Nigerian commercial banks had bank balances of N300,000 or less. But this 92% of depositors controlled about 7% of the total deposits, while the 8% that had over N300,000 controlled 93% of the total deposits.

I understand that a similar exercise was repeated several years later with a threshold of N500,000 and the distribution was largely unchanged.

Someone can crudely interpret this to mean that about 8% of the population controls 93% of the income, while 92% of the people control just 7% of income. Crude as the statistics may seem but it tells a thousand stories and highlights the context of a society in which our new graduates must thrive and excel. Unemployed or underemployed

▪︎I know many of you will already be casting and binding and praying that it is not your portion to end up among the 92% or among the many who may remain unemployed or underemployed for several years after your national service.

The point, however, is that if we all do not work to alter the meta-level architecture that produces such outcomes, much of our efforts at individual survival might be circumscribed.

My Core Message to YOU

This brings me to my core message to you: the current situation in Nigeria is not destiny. Everyone—I mean, everyone including you, the new graduates, can and must do something about it.

Nation-building is too serious a business to be left to the politicians or public servants alone.

To our young graduates, Veritas University has imbued you with knowledge, skills, and social thought to mobilize you for the public good.

The future you seek is in your palms, and only those who plan can control the future. As I look into your eyes, I can see hope.

Yes, Nigeria may not have offered you much, but in fulfilment of your divine purpose on earth, you will be expected to give more than you have received. I therefore urge you all to show up and participate in shaping the destiny of this nation.

We are Nigerians and this country belongs to all of us. We are all birds of passage but each of us must account to our Creator what we did while at our pilgrim post here on earth.

As I look around, I do not see many of the doyens of Nigeria’s first, second and even third republics.

Let no one tell you that you are the leaders of tomorrow. That tomorrow is here: take it and shape it so that Nigeria can realize its manifest destiny as the greatest Black power and the leader in the 22nd century.

May your road be rough, and let us get it done, together!

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JUST IN: Governor Mutfwang Disassociate Self From Motion Expelling Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, others From the PDP

Published

4 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Charles Flames

11 Views

….Fintiri Abandons Convention after Wike’s Expulsion

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike; former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; Samuel Anyanwu alongside other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In a press statement, Governor Mutfwang clarified that the subject was neither discussed by Governors Forum nor at NEC before the motion was presented. He emphasized that the proposal does not reflect his position on the matter.

Governor Mutfwang further noted that expelling the party leaders at this crucial time is not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.

He reiterated the need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.

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UPDATE: Gov Fintiri rejects Wike’s expulsion from PDP

Published

4 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Charles Flames

24 Views

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has kicked against the decision to expel Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ohibaba.com had reported earlier how Wike alongside Senator Samuel Anyanwu and ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose were expelled at the ongoing convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Chief Olabode George, former National Vice Chairman of the party (South) moved the motion for the expulsion while Hon Samaila Burga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, seconded it.

But in a statement issued after the decision was taken, Fintiri said he was not part of the action.

“I wish to categorically state that I dissociate myself from the position of expelling the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, @GovWike from PDP. I believe that this decision is not in the best interest of the party, and I will not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into unending crisis.

“As a faithful party member, my position is clear: I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP, and I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration. I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party.

“I urge all stakeholders to work towards healing the divisions within the party and to strive for unity and cohesion. As a party man, I am committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, stability, and progress within the PDP.

“Let me reiterate that my position is guided by the desire for peace and reconciliation, and I will continue to work towards achieving this goal.

”Fintiri, one of the four governors attending the convention, is the Chairman of its Organising Committee, Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers). are the PDP governors who shunned the exercise.

Meanwhile, the motion for the expulsion reads:

THE EXPULSION OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONS FROM THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR ANTI PARTY ACTIVITIES AND GROSS BREACHES OF THE PARTY’S CONSTITUTION IS PURSUANT TO ARTICLES 10 (6), 33(1),(2),(5) (J) & 58(1), (B),(C),(F),(I), (J) & (L) AND 59(1)(G) OF THE PDP CONSTITUTION 2017 (AS AMENDED).

1.H E.Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON,

2.H.E. Ayo Fayose

3.Senator Samuel Anyanwu,

4. Hon. Umar Bature;

5.Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN,

6.Mohammed Abdulrahman

7.Senator Mao Ohuabunwa

8.Hon. Austine Nwachukwu

9.Abraham Amah

10.George Turner;

11.Chief Dan Orbih

MOVED AT THE ELECTIVE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY HELD AT IBADAN, OYO STATE ON THE 15TH AND 16TH NOVEMBER, 2025.

WHEREAS by Articles 33(2) (1), (2) (j) (n) & (r) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution 2017 (as amended), the National Convention of the Party shall have supremacy in all matters pertaining to the Party and all officers and organs of the Party including matters of discipline of officers and members.

WHEREAS it is important to underscore the fundamental principles that a political party is a voluntary organization and members are expected to join it out of their volition as allowed by Section 40 of the Constitution of the FRN 1999 (as amended);.

WHEREAS one of such fundamental principles of the PDP Constitution is its supremacy over all members as stipulated in Article 2 of the PDP Constitution;

WHEREAS any member who is dissatisfied with the decision(s) of the party has the liberty to exit the party at any time and join another party of his or her choice; LET it also be placed on record that between 1999-2025, each of them has benefited from the Party in various ways especially Nyesom Wike who has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the party as evidenced below:

(i) He was elected for two terms as Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State between 1999-2003; 2003-2007;

(ii) He was appointed Chief of Staff to HE Rotimi Amaechi Governor of Rivers State elected on the platform of PDP between 2007-2011;

(iii) He was appointed Minister of State for Education by President Jonathan between July 14 2011-April 2011; and

(iv) He was elected for two terms as Governor, Rivers State between 2015-2023.

1. For the first time in the history of the 4th Republic, Nyesom Wike when he was the Governor of Rivers State stopped PDP, his political party from holding a State rally and or campaigns in Rivers State. On the contrary, he allowed other political parties especially APC to campaign in the state with his active support. Indeed, he did not just stop the party from holding the State’s rally and campaigns in Rivers State but he and his supporters molested, intimidated and freely assaulted supporters of the party who dared to campaign or hold meetings for the party contrary to Article 10(6) & 58 (1) (f),(h), (j) of the Constitution of the Party.

2. Nyesom Wike and the above named individuals openly campaigned against the PDP in their various states. For instance in Rivers State, Wike’s slogan was that he would tell his supporters who to vote for on Election Day. On the Election Day he told his supporters to vote for the presidential candidate of the APC. When President Tinubu won election in Rivers State he paid the former Governor a thank you visit for two days on May 3-4, 2024. President Tinubu in appreciation of Wike’s support for his victory also appointed him Minister of the FCT contrary to Article 10(6) & 58(1)(a), (b) & (f) of the Constitution of the Party.

3. On October 18, 2022 the former Governor was in Lagos State campaigning for the 2nd term bid of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu when PDP had a candidate for the same position in Lagos state in the person of Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adeniran (Jandor) contrary to Articles 10(6) & 58(f) of the Constitution of the Party.

4. Nyesom Wike directed 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly elected on the platform of PDP to defect to APC and has been supporting them to retain their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly through various law suits sponsored by him in spite of the clear provisions Section 109 (1)(g) of the constitution of FRN 1999 contrary to Articles 10(6) & 58(1)(f) of the Constitution of Party.

5. On August 21, 2024 the former Governor who purports to be a member of the PDP in a widely published television interview boasted in a clear case of anti-party that he is supporting the 27 APC members to continue to remain in the House of Assembly obviously for the purpose of impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State contrary to Articles 10(6) & 58(1) (f) of the Constitution of the Party.

6. Nyesom Wike and the other individuals have severally openly declared that they will support President Tinubu of the APC in 2027 presidential election to be re-elected and to retain his seat. He said this when he met with Rivers Chapter of the APC on October 26, 2023 and on June 5, 2024 during the commissioning of projects in the FCT by the President contrary to Articles 10(6) & 58(1) (f)& (j) of the Constitution of the Party.

7. Nyesom Wike and the others individuals listed here have severally sang President Tinubu’s campaign song “On your mandate we shall stand” both privately and in the public between 2023-2024. He sang it on December 3, 2023; December 7, 2023; December 24, 2023.

These are all reported and hosted on the YouTube contrary to Articles 10(6) &. 58(1)(a), (b), (f) of the Constitution of the Party.

8. Nyesom Wike accepted the appointment to serve as a Minister of the FCT under President Tinubu elected on the platform of the APC as if the APC was running a government of national unity. This was done without the authorisation of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

He was sworn in as Minister of FCT on August 16, 2024. The acceptance of the appointment of the Tinubu’s administration as the Minister of the FCT by the former Governor in the manner done tantamount to and is a clear confirmation of the unpretentious support of the Tinubu/APC’s administration in manner never done before in the political history of Nigeria contrary to Articles 10(6) & 58(1) (a), (b) & (f) of the Constitution of the Party.

9. On March 12, 2025, Nyesom Wike granted a widely publicised interview where he castigated, insulted and took to the cleaners the PDP’s NWC members calling all of them “stupid”. In the same interview he insulted the Governors elected on the platform of the party variously. Wike has also severely insulted PDP Board of Trustees Members contrary to Articles 10(4) & 58(1) (a), (b),(h), (i) (j) of the constitution of the Party.

10. On May 25, 2025 Nyesom Wike issued a public statement challenging the NWC and the Governors elected on the platform of the party for failing to retain Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the party and promised to fight the party. Indeed in the said statement personally authored and signed by him he was happy that INEC did not attend the North Central Zonal Congress which in his misinformed opinion has invalidated the results of the Congress contrary to Articles 10(4) & 58(1) (a), (b),(h), (i) (j) of the constitution of the Party.

11.The above individuals have directly and indirectly sponsored so many cases against the Party some of which are: Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/505/2025 Chief Dan Orbih & Ors. V INEC & Ors. and Suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/ 2025 between Hon. Austine Nwachukwu & Ors. V INEC & 8 Ors seeking to stop the 2025 Elective National Convention for no just cause contrary to Articles 58(1) (l) of the Constitution of the Party.

12. In both cases above all the individuals were in concert to stop this National Convention from holding. In short the decision of the court was basically based upon what the court called the admission of the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary and the National Legal Adviser which on their own amounts to serious and gross misconduct.

13.The above individuals in concert purportedly formed a parallel National Working Committee and Board of Trustees and locked down the National Headquarters of the Party contrary to the express provisions of Articles 10(6) & 58(1) (a),(b), (c), (f), (h), (i),(j) &(k) of the Party.

14.The party has completely lost its esteem, regard and respect in the eyes of the public on account of the despicable conducts of the above individuals contrary to Articles 58(1) (b) & (i) of the Constitution of the Party.

PRAYER.

It is our prayer that,

1.HE.Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON,

2.HE Ayo Fayose Senator Samuel Anyanwu,

3. Hon. Umar Bature;

4. Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN,

5. Mohammed Abdulrahman

6.Senator Mao Ohuabunwa8.Hon. Austine Nwachukwu

7.Abraham Amah

8. George Turner;

9. Chief Dan Orbihbe expelled from the PDP forthwith for the reasons outlined above in the interest of the Party and the protection of democracy in Nigeria.

MOTION MOVED BY CHIEF OLABODE GEORGE

MOTION SECONDED BY EDWARD PERCY MASHA

News

BREAKING: PDP Expels Wike, Anyanwu, Fayose, Ajibade, others over alleged Anti-party activities

Published

8 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Charles Flames

18 Views

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled several prominent members, including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kamaldeen Ajibade, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, and others, over alleged anti-party activities.

The major shake-up occurred on Saturday at the party’s ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates deliberated extensively on internal discipline and the future of the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to party officials, the expulsion was adopted after majority of the delegates overwhelming voted in support of the National Working Committee’s recommendation, citing the need to cleanse the party of persistent internal sabotage and factional crises.

Party leaders described the move as a “decisive step toward restoring unity, discipline, and focus,” noting that the PDP must reposition itself to regain national relevance and electoral competitiveness.

The expulsion marks one of the most sweeping disciplinary actions in the party’s recent history and is expected to trigger political reactions across the country.

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