On Monday the 4th of August, 2008. Barack Hussein Obama and I will be celebrating our birthdays :). He is older by 16yrs.
While I have had it in mind to post an article titled Barack Obama and I for a while, I have not given much thought to what the content of the article will be. Haven thought about it now though, I believe there is a lot I can learn from Obama, with 16yrs ahead of me, and an enviable present, there is a lot that I can learn from him, and there is a lot you can learn too.
1. Your background is not the reason why your back is on the ground.
Barack Obama did not have the most fantastic of backgrounds. His parents seperated and finally divorced when he was age 2, his father was able to return from Kenya on a visit before dying from a car accident in 1982. He lived in a Honolulu with his maternal grandparents, in Indonesia with his step father. Black Kenyan decent, Indonesian step father, these do not sound like the background of a now formidable presidential candidate. I don’t have great backgrounds as well, and like Obama, I’m ensuring that my back doesn’t stay to the ground!
2. Show up for the big fights
The contest between Obama and Clinton was that of an underdog against an established and formidable force. It’s the fight between a David and a Goliath. Big fights come for everyone, some of us run away out of fear, some of us stay and fight. It’s the big fights that you stay for that will bring you to prominence. Never run away from big challenges, problems and issues. Face them, and seek solutions. When on account of God’s name, a 13yr old shepherd boy decides to face an unchallengeable and undefeated Goliath, history is about to be made. Listen out for that problem they say is bigger than you, make sure it’s for a good course and stay and fight. Today I’m regularly picking up fights bigger than me. Maybe in 16yrs time I also can campain for president of Africa 🙂
3. Leverage on the Internet
Obama leveraged on the internet to clinche the Democratic Parties ticket. Obama was able to break records in the amount of money he raised for his campaign – $58m in 6months ahead of primaries and $36.8m in one month in 2008. He started a blog, became popular online, raised money for his campaign all on the wings of the internet. I’m currently doing the same thing, maybe in another 16yrs, I’ll have perfected the art. What about you? Are you living like the internet is useful, or you are merely using it for checking mails and chatting on facebook? The internet is your own private PR tool, leverage on it. The world is now flat… but to someoene who doesn’t use the power of the internet, it’s not.
4. He didn’t just arrive, he had a history of doing good.
Many of us think, when I become this or that, i will do this and that. Don’t wait until you become, look for opportunities to do good today. His profile shows that he’s been on the board of a number of foundations and sponsored a number of positive initiatives. What are you doing? Are you a part of NNC? Are you volounteering to lead? Are you participating in anything that can become useful in the future as some history? Dont’ just arrive, get your story rolling.
Yeah, so Barack Obama and Adeolu Akinyemi, are celebrating their birthday’s tomorrow, take this as an invitation to join us. Join us, not for just the day, but for the journery. Get your back off the ground, show up for big fights, Leverage on the Internet and Don’t just arrive!
Thanks.
31 thoughts on “Barack Obama and I”
Hi Deolu, Keep the motivation string strong. About Obama, I am sorry to say that while some of the analysis you gave in your article “Barack Obama and I, I believe is mainly to motivate your readers. But I strongly believe that most guys outside United States really does not know the real Barack Obama. I live here in the US, and we know the real Obama.
I know that as we are both from Nigeria, we have real values that makes destiny achievable, I don’t know about you, there is every possibility that America would be worse off if he becomes the president. God forbid. But if God allows it, it is not because he is the right man. If he becomes the president, it may just be that it is time that God’s people wake up. He stands for basic issues that are angrily opposed to the values of the kingdom of God.
I may not blame you guys outside here because the media is behind him and that is one major scary thing at the moment.
He has achieved some stuffs in his 46 years on earth but remember, the values you present to your generation and the behaviors that follows will write your legacy.
If u want more discussion, I can give u my contact, but that is my email though. By the way Gbenga Sesan is home boy from primary school. Keep the advance guys, u are all really doing wonders. God bless you.
This is great, a colourful coincidence that you are birthday mate with Barack Obama. Well both of you are doing one thing in common and that is making History.
Keep up your good works Adeolu, God is your strenght and help, the future is surely brighter and greater, we are learning a lot from you and you are highly appreciated.
Happy birthday to you once again, more successful years of celebration, God who has began a good work in you will surely complete it.
16 years from now, at the rate at which you are going, heaven is your limit. A great army of people are rising behind and beside you, who are ready to part of great tasks together with you.
You are undauntedly an outstanding leader, peculiar in our generation and as you continue with tools of the internet and NNC, millions of people of your likes are being made, 16 years from now we will be a marvel to the whole world in great values, remain blessed.
Happy Birthday Deolu!!! my sister is also 4th, perhaps she too will follow in your footsie……Amen!
I showed up for one of such big fight yesterday, it was to end a long suffering business relationship. Whilst delibrating, I realised my integrity was as stake, I suddenly recalled a part of your profile that read, one of your highest virtue was integrity!
so i made my final submission to the debate and i quote
” my integrity is not up for negotiation “, guess what happened;……
lets just say I have been praising God ever since.
The very best wishes for your day and always,
mee
I will say this – your post headline was attention grabbing.
happy buffdai!
@ Temi O
Thanks, can you share some specific anti Kingdom things about Obama that we don’t know? The Media is powerful, I know, but we need to hear close up facts and correct news to douse these powers.
@Peter, Mee, Emeka,
Thanks, I am very grateful
Ok Deolu,
There is no reasonable person in history that understand what makes America truly great that won’t agree that traditional kingdom values like family(the crux), personal responsibility, morality, among many others is behind what makes the country great despite all her shortcomings. America is not perfect and that is what I want the haters of this country to know.
1. Obama would not support federal constitution amendment to protect marriage as being between a man and woman. Most gays and lesbians interest groups are behind him. I got his wife on record saying she would fight for equal rights for the homosexuals. Common Deolu, u are in nija not being tormented with this unbelievable moral degrade.
2. I believe you are married with children. Abortion is a great tragedy to us in africa, at least for most part. Obama’s plan would not fully protect the unborn. By the way, how did he arrive here on earth. If his mother had slained him in the womb, would be here at this point running for president? I know there are time that pregnancy is due to rape and unbelivable circumstances. But you know still knowing that an unborn child is legitimate and come from God should make abortion a serious issue. He is even confused about when life begins man. He said in one of the debates that I watched that he is yet to make a final conclusion on that.
If a potential leader of the greatest nation on earth is confused about this, what would happen to the future of America. I can go on.
3. Then he has this unbelievable socialistic agenda that has not succeed anywhere in the world. It always lead to repression and dictatorship as we have in Venezuela, cuba among other country.
Take yourself for example. U sat down and came up with a great website that is having traffic like this and u make money on it. And as you increase wealth, what Obama want to do is to tax you more, penalizing you for improving the life of others? Common, Is it not entrepreneurial spirit are what you guys trying to foster in Nija at the moment, U and Gbenga Sesan. Telling young brains that they can succeed by strong work ethic and personal responsibility.
4. Even if you believe that the iraq war is a mistake Deolu, Saddam Hussein deserves to go(I may be wrong, but that is my opinion). U cannot end a war badly for political reasons started by the US govt and leave iraq to be devastated again by insurgents. He is shifting a little bit now but u know, doing the moral thing in life has a long way to influence what people would say of u after u are gone.
Don’t forget that the media is behind him and u may never get other side reporting on what he stands for truly.
Obama is a great man, I wish he had stand for values he professes, but he know the left in this country would fry him to death if he shifts. We live through this everyday but I know God is not silent.
Anyway, Happy birthday. We can connect better if you want, should be in nija later this year, don’t when. keep the motivation hot and strong.
Happy birthday love. It’s the beginning of a new set of “best days” of your life.
Deolu,
Of course u’re amazing! It just neeeded repeating.
Happybirthday. To more!!
Happy birthday!i strongly believ you can become the president of Africa. i’ll be your first vote.
Again,this is another insightful piece. Sharing the same b day with one of my heroes,shows that you are a great guy giving to us all to help many discover and attain their God given destinies.
Happy Birthday CM,
You have constantly being a source of inspiration and motivational to me. An excellent role model. I believe that this is the least you will ever be and many more returns.Long live and prosperity ……
Happy Birthday Dear Brother and Friend!!! I wish you many victories over all the FIGHTS bigger than you(well, is not about you, but HE that’s on your side).
I personally thank God for your life! Deolu, may God continually increase your strength, may you obtain help from God to COMPLETE and FINISH your assignment.
You will have the dew of Heaven daily and you will Finish the race Strong!
i pray that by divine speed of God you will out shine the hallmark of Obama in your God’s given assignment in due time!!!
Though, miles apart we together in the journey!
once again Happy Birthday Oree.
cheers
Kunle Ogunbayo
Happy Birthday!!
You a blessing to this generation. Thanks to God for your life.
Happy birthday! Great man,
They say, “some are born great, some have greatness bestowed on them and some achieve greatness”
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“Life is a school, everyday is a classroom, every experience is a lesson and everyone we meet, a teacher”-Myles Monrue
Just 31 and you are full of great experience and wisdom to tap from.
It amazes and challenges me how u have been able to acheive this much at such age though, still a tip of the iceberg of your full potential.
You are inded a teacher among teachers and an asset to our generation.
Don’t intend to flatter you but to state the obvious, you, like Obama, are a phenomenon and at 31, you can only get better and grow from strength to strength.
Happy birthday once again and many more years of trail blazing and epoch making accomplishments in JESUS NAME!
Luv U!
Chairman i perfectly agree with you and one thing i know is that in the next 16 years, the equation will change from what it is,it will be Adeolu Akinyemi and Barack Obama.Happi Birthday.
Happy birthday, Deolu. You have both dared to do things bigger than what you can by your own powers alone and in so doing, have grown and inspired and achieved. Wish you many fruitful years ahead and look forward to seeing our efforts result in real upliftment of Africa and of mankind. Igba odun, odun kan o!
CM,
Don’t stop doing your thing. It comes as no surprise to me though that you and a significant man like Barack Obama share birthdays.
He who was born on August 4th and May 24th (LOL!) that isn’t significant is certainly living below potential and circumventing his destiny.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CM……16 years from now, when your name is mentioned, I pray my own will be a brand recall in the minds of all the peoples of the earth.
@ Bros’ Deolu… i say, Many more flourishing and impacting & inspiring life ahead! Congrats!
@ Temi O……. I know strongly within my spirit that Obamas becoming the president of Most powerful nation on earth will surely be a great ‘paradigm shift’…
whether for good or worse am not sure……
But what am sure of is …USA will NEVER remain the same and the future and continual USA being the world power is going to be put under GREATER test and at stake!
Hi deolu what a great job you are doing.16years to come is going to be great for you. I know some people may not know and appreciate what you are doing right but ride on for the sky is not your limit but your stepping stone.Say me well to your wife mrs Tope and mr Felix Ekpa
ABOSEDE frm UNCOMMONMAN NETWORK
Happy birthday
@ Temi O…
I have heard a little about his exploit in the US ( i mean Obama) and i think i strongly believe in ur stance about is Presidency of America. (oju wa o ni ri Ibi). I support his dreams because he’s black just the way i love 2pac(RIP) bcos of wat he preaches and not his way of Life, but i won’t be found behind any man whose dream is not kingdom focused, being black is not just enough.
I was blessed to be under the ministration of my pastor when he mentioned some issues about the stand of Obama on certain issues concerning The church, Her service to the community and the Conditions Obama was giving for his support for this movement.. It’s like telling the Church make Gays, Lesbians and just anybody a part of his trustees if they are to receive support from his administration, If he is a Christian, then where was his ears when the bibles says in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?…..
Temi O.. God is not asleep and i believe He will never leave or forsake his people, lets just keep praying…
GOD Bless Naija! my home, my motherland His Footstool
Dear Deolu,
“Obama and I” makes very good reading.
I am an Obamaman very much as I am Deoluman.
May your shadows never grow less.
“Ohun to wa lehin ofa oju oje lo”je what is after 60 is more than 70.
Happy birthday.
Happy belated bday.lol my bday is also aug4
PAPA D,
you exemplify that great adage of giving and it coming back to you. Keep doing what you are doing.
HAPI BUFFDEA……DEOLU
Its so good to know that Obama is your birthday mate…
Greats things always have similarities…
@Temi…..its his time to shine……..lets join him……..
Dear Deolu,
Missed ur birthday. Many Happy returns and I pray that our God will increase your greatness and comfort you on every side.
Keep the Light shinning.
Cheers,
OpeOnifade
good post to read. Obama is a politician and u deolu you are not a politician. beign political is not just about personal values, it is about NUMBERS; being on the spotlite and beign on the side of the majority. if blacks n white. what is Obama fighting for? the majority.
lets not turn turn this into a political debate, cos their is more to it than what the media tells us, the picture is alot bigger.
cheers at all.
Great. Really great.
Deolu,
Happy Belated Birthday.May u be all u were born to be .Amen.
@ Temi
I am still studying some of Obama’s books…Will share my opinions when I am done.Meanwhile, thanks for sharing.
this guys victory inspired many people around the globe. it tells us that our background doesnt determine success or failure in life but determination,passion,discipline,the right positive outlook and most importantly the grace of God are what determines one’s outlook in life. i know this is just the beginning of great stories like like because it will certainly happen in Nigeria. yes.
i have been to the mountain top and have looked over and i see the promise land. one thing is certain.we will get there. you may not get there with me but we will certainly get there(Nigeria will get there)…..Martin Luther King Jr.