“A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your successes” Cullen Hightower salesman and writer
I met a couple on Sunday and by Tuesday I had changed my vacation plans. They were representatives of a property company in Dubai, and the information they gave me, was just too good to be true. In case your appetite is getting wet already, save it for my return, I’ll be posting many big and small deals from this my short visit. Our extensive conversation about Dubai made me certain that there are a lot of things Nigeria could learn from this country. I knew coming here would birth many articles too, I’ll just take it one day at a time.
There are lots of lessons to learn from Dubai, both for us as individuals and for us as a nation Nigeria. It is not only amazing that we were virtually in the same state, if not better, just less than 30yrs ago, before we both discovered oil. Today, any comparism would be mockery.
I don’t know if you have ever thought that it was impossible for all the nationals of a country to be rich, that this would create an economic imbalance. Well, Dubai is one country that defies this theory. Dubai’s indigenes are rich…I’m still asking around and searching for one, as I write, no one can lay claims to knowing any Dubai indigene that is not rich.
Dubai has breathtaking masterpieces and architectural wonders, but none of those pictures will quite depict the glory of Dubai, without a picture of one of her nationals. The Dubai indigene is rarely seen, they live in an exclusive part of town, wear only white and come out either on stately horses or the best of cars (not Camry 2007 which is a regular taxi), the best of cars! When you see wealth, comfort and royaltly, you probably have met with an indigene of Dubai. The city is a city of expatriates, over 80% of the population of the city is made up of skilled expatriates, but not enough to take from the national his/her birthright.
Why? Are you wondering why? Why is the citizen of a backside city in the desert land of Asia have wealth as his birthright? Why? Simple, because just like us, they discovered oil in their country, less than 30yrs ago, but unlike us, rather than some of our leaders amassing our resources to themselves, being plagued by a scarcity mentatility, they decided to exercise a higher principle of abundance, that the wealth of another does not necessitate the poverty of one. They decided to ensure that the National cake went round. Interestingly as well, Dubai has since moved on from having oil as it’s primary economic driver, today, less than 3% of Dubai’s revenue is generated from oil.
“People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me. The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality, the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being, achievements, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to…rather than detracts from…our lives.” Stephen R. Covey
Can you picture that? A city where outsiders can come and fill the lowest layer of the food chain, where every indigene is comfortable? Can you imagine a country where the expartirates would rather be hired as house cooks than vice versa? As I reflected about the Dubai citizen today, my mind went back home, first to the Nigerian citizen, and then to my Niger Delta family. When will unappointed but followable leaders arise from the heart of our nation and set things straight? When will we become a land that favours it’s people? When will we rid ourselves of the philosophies that make us stack money in sacks, or the mindframe that says we cannot all be successful? When? When will we live and let live?
Someone once hilariously said, that the worst part of success, is looking for someone who is happy for you. The skies are big enough for all the birds to fly, and nobody needs to lose before you win. Let’s get our thinking right, it’s not when we become influencial, it’s from today that tomorrow’s weather is diserned.
Within this my short stay here, I must find an Indigene to partner with. Dubai has established it’self as a Crime Free, Fraud Free and Accident Free city, and has in the same breath empowered it’s indigenes to succeed proving that it is possible for all to have enough, it is possible, to live and let others also live.
Quick Lessons.
1. What you are doing today is not all there is about you…oil was their backbone, now it accounts for less than 3% and their reserves are projected not to last the next 20yrs. Don’t say you must continue with what you have always known, dare to grow.
2. There is enough available for everyone, someone doesn’t have to go down before you go up…all Dubai citizens are rich. Their policies have made it so.
3. Being in Government is great repsonsibility, with the right policies and bills in action, the average national can immensely benefit. For your individual life as well, set your guiding rules and watch your life soar.
4. Helping to make others around us successful doesn’t undermine our success, rather it reestablishes and makes it undeniable. In Dubai today, most of the indigenes earn wooping amounts just collecting rent on their properties.
5. Don’t limit yourself to the scope of what already exists, there is more available. The resources on earth are not limited, you can always create. Don’t come to the river of life with a seive, come with a bucket. There is enough for all of us.
“The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car… a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.” Ben Sweetland
30 thoughts on “Dubai 001 – Live and Let Live”
Deolu,
I trust you will not let us down,I know you will continue to nourish us with great and inspiring soul lifting post from younder!!! we are with you just take note of every details that we make us and our great country successful.
Thank God for the power of technology. I warned you to just go with your tablet PC! Thank you for just lugging that with you.
Im glad you’re firing on all pistons again (honestly i almost thot you would not blog for this break), and as usual, its so classic, it just touches every bone in me.
Pictures speak volumes, we need pics Chairman! Stay blessed.
deolu,
like i always say you never cease to inspire me. may God continue to give you wisdom and enlarge your coast. i have heard pepole say that curses dont have any effect but i have always pitied them cos they are ignorant of the fact that the power of life and death lies on the tongue, so as we all use our tongues to bless you the effects will bring you greaat blessings in jesus name. one of the pains of my heart is that nigeria is a wonderful country a place where just a liitle effort can do great wonders, a place where you can express your talents and skills and get great results, but the ‘rich’ and the ‘powerful’ and the ‘influential’ will not allow things to work. imagine some people not wanting the power sector to work becasue of their selfish interests, the general hospitals can collapse they dont really care afterall they dont receive treatments there, the schools(unity) should be privatised afterall their children go to the best of schools here and abroad. its so sad that it seems there is no hope for the common man. it seems it is the rich that will get richer and the poor that will get poorer.
i dont know if you heard the latest about soludo’s proposal about the nigerian currency thing. well, it might shock you to know that it has been ”suspended”. to me that sounds like cancelled for the sake of those who will not want their dollars to be useless! imagine our selfishness! its as great as a mountain, almost insurmountable.sometimes i weep. i was in luth when i had my baby he was jaundiced. he was placed under phototherapy in the incubator but can i tell you that the boy died because there was no power in luth? there was no generating set either. that is our nigeria, my nigeria your nigeria, where some people stuff up money in the refridgerator and in their toilets! i pray to God that He will rid this country of those who do not wish it well for their selfish reasons.
keep up the good work, and i know that very very soon, God will look on us with mercy.
gbemileke i feel ur pains my sister.Am so so sorry about what happened to ur baby it gat me almost crying there.but it baffles me how most people have given up hope on nigeria already most especially the youths who are meant to be vibrant ones fighting for their tomorrow.Well what i knw is it takes a my and you thing to get naija(OUR BELOVED COUNTRY) moving.i for one aint stopping at nothing.
Peace
@ Chaiman,
I trust you say you go keep the post comming. Thanx
I believe so much in this country & that if the people of my generation will work together, we can restore the lost glory of our father land. We don’t have to run to other contries to pursue greener pastures & in the process building other countries & negleting father land.
This is our home let’s build together.
See you @ za TOP.
Josh
08034389504
Deolu,
We appreciate this words that shine’s light on our path.
I do know ur trip to Dubai will open a new door of opportunities.
Enyoy ur holiday
DEOLU THANKS AGAIN FOR THIS.
INDIVIDUALLY WE CAN MAKE POSITIVE MICROCHANGES IN OUR NIGERIA.
WE CAN NARROW DOWN THE THE PROBLEM WITH NIGERIA TO CORRUPTION ENGENDERED BY THE WEST AND HE ONE ENGENDRED WITHIN.FOR INSTANCE MORE THAN 80% OF THE LOANS RECENTLY PAID BACK WERE NEGOTIATED ,APPROVED BUT NEVER GOT TO THE COUNTRY.I ACTUALLY READ THE CONFESSION OF ONE OF THE GUYS WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THESE COMPLICITIES!WHAT DO YOU MAKE OUT OF A CORRUPT LEADER FIGHTING CORRUPTION.I THINK IT IS LITTLE PROGRESS COMPARED TO THOSE LEADERS WHO INTITUTIONALIZED CORRUPTION.THERE IS ACTUALLY ENOUGH TO GO ROUND BUT FOR THE B——DS WE HAVE AS LEADERS.
LACK OF EDUCATION,INFRASTRUCTURE HAVE ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR OUR LACK OF DEVELOPMENT.
HOW CAN LEADERS WHO HAVE NOT GONE BEYOND FORM5 BE RULING OVER BETTER EDUCATED NATIONALS.THEY CAN ONLY BOAST THAT”WE ARE NOT ONLY IN GOVERNMENT BUT IN POWER”
THE BLIND CAN ONLY LEAD INTO THE PIT!
WHAT JUDGEMENT CAN YOU PASS ON A GOVT THAT WAS IN POWER FOR 8 YEARS THAT CANNOT IMPROVE POWER PLANT.
I ALMOST DIED 3 DAYS AGO WHEN I WAS CONVEYING MY GENERATOR MECHANIC FROM MY HOUSE TO MY OFFICE AND EVENTUALLY HAD AN ACCIDENT ON THE WAY TO MY FACTORY!
WHAT DO WE SAY ABOUT OUR SISTER WHO LOST A CHILD AT LUTH BECAUSE OF LACK OF POWER?MAY GOD PUNISH THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS KIND OF RAMPANT SITUATIONS.MAY THE LORD CONSOLE YOU MY SISTER.
THE SOLUTION TO THIS BACKWARDNESS IS INFORMED GOVERNANCE.ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES AS EXPERIENCED DURING THE LAST ELECTION WILL CONTINUE TO SET US BACK.
I WILL CONCLUDE BY SAYING THOSE WHO MAKE PEACEFUL CHANGE IMPOSSIBLE WILL MAKE VIOLENT CHANGE INEVITABLE.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Guys, World Solution has been defaulting on payments. So if you do NOT want to lose your hard earned cash, be very careful of investing with them. A word is enough for……
Gbemileke, the Lord will give you a REASON to laugh. I’m simply short of words on what you experienced but I know that you will surely laugh again in Jesus name. Amen
Chairman, this is really inspiring. Keep up the good work. I believe Nigeria will definitely turn around for good someday, however, we all have our various roles to play on the way to achieving it. Can’t wait for the follow up.
But as much as you can, pleeeease take a well deserved rest. Remain blessed
Oga D, its not easy seeing the world from a much better angle….one gets to be astounded by the gulf b/w development and under development…..
its down to us…i mean our generation..to learn from the errors of our heroes past to endeavour that their labours were not in vain…as regards the progress of Naija.
The revolution that needs to take place is mainly in the mind…..
..we really need to transit from this poverty mentality to………
Deolu………as usual, you dished it like its hot. Each time i restrain myself from speaking, you inspire the words in me.
I have once been to dubai before, and everything you said is very true. I am still surprised at the level of development. You need to visit the airport, and you’ll tell from it that its a 1000% more sophisticated and maintained than our MMA.
I believe in the fact that we can be great again only if there is a change of citizens orientation and a call to action….
Hmmm….
@ gbemileke. Deeply sorry about your baby. I know you will yet smile again.
I share in Gbemileke’s grief about Nigeria. I work in Ibadan and live in Lagos. Work also brings me to Lagos quite often and I come to Lagos twice or thrice in a week sometimes. Most if not all the time, I drive myself. I have come to know the route so well like the palm of my hands, but not because I have followed the route severally, but because I HAVE TO STAY ALIVE! There exist big craters on this highway which is supposed to be a freeway (ona marose as Yorubas would call it) designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles. These are not common potholes. Sometimes I wonder if it wasn’t digged up by some unscrupulous elements. You have to be avoiding potholes so much that you feel as if you’re driving through a maze. This issue of Lagos – Ibadan expressway is particularly touchy to me today because I met an accident at the berger end on my way to Ibadan involving one of these small Edo buses that ply the route. I saw a man (obviously dead) and another one laid beside the dead one looking blank (probably in a state of shock). These are valuable resources being thrown away. That dead man is the bread winner of a family. It is saddening that this is avoidable.
Gbemileke, God is working all things together for ur good and He is bringinig joy ur way…
Dubai sounds too good to be true but am sure since thie story is coming from u, it must be true…hmm,we still believe in our country, though it tarries it will surely come to pass.
Deolu,
A great write-up inspired by the wonders of a foreign country. I just seem to be tired of Arabian Singaporean, Chinese, and Malaysian folk tales, though the truth about economic transformation lies in their brains not under their feet. I can’t wait for that time the western world will copy what we do, what we create from our brains not from the thoughts of oil in the Niger Delta. Deolu, keep your fingers tapping on the keys until that day when the inspiration for your thoughtful words spring from a new Nigeria.
Gbemileke,
I cannot even say ‘sorry’. That word is as epileptic as a NEPA that shamefully (whether names changed or not) shares the same acronymn with its inefficiency (Never Expect Power Always). I can only say that what happened is a challenge to the future you dream of. Your next child (by the grace of GOD, subject to your will) must not experience power outage, disfigured roads, endless lecturers’ strikes, the alarming unemployment rate, and the disrespect being suffered by the elderly dying everyday on queues waiting for their pensions. I am with you on this, ready to partner you on that venture that will end with a satisfying nod even when you look back at the tragedy of your innocent child.
We move on, unshaken by the failure of my country, embolden by the prospects of a future success. it is coming, i know. And Yar’adua is starting a revolution, I believe. As for the suspension of the naira policy, Yar’adua did well by checking the excesses of a Soludo who has become a demi-god @ the CBN. This is not Obasanjo’s era when a Governor could be kidnapped by a private citizen without a blink coming from the president’s eyelids. Can you imagine Soludo telling the FEC that the CBN act grants him autonomy on naira policy. Well, the AG has proved him wrong. So this is not a matter of Dollar scare, it’s a matter of due process and taking decision after due consultation with stakeholders and not consulting his ingenuity alone.
I am not a PDP member, not even a politician, but a moderate leftist in ideology ( the Tony Blair, Bill Clinton way). On this platform I see Yar’Adua.
Chairman,
Hmmmm… Reporting LIVE from DUBAI…. We can’t wait for you to come back with the full package. We know it’ll be deals GALORE. As usual, you will do everything in order to return with lots of goodies for us, your protégés. Please find some time to RELAX and REST also.
God Bless
God has not finished with us yet. i guess why we can not be like Dubai now is that we r still passing through the fire! Gold pass through processes to get to the finished product, i know that that is what we are. The Arab world have pass through their own fire, i guess it our turn. At the end of the tunnel something good await those that are patient.
everyone should, at every point think of things that will better the lot rather than self.
cheers
There he goes again! The Master of the Thinking Game. I am deeply impressed with this article and I hope you can get it to be published in all of our national dailies, it should not just be read by members of this forum alone. We need to join hands together and start sensitizing Nigerians that we can get to the promised land not be fraud or being a government official or sorts…Thanks ‘Deolu once again for this your visit to Dubai will open our eyes further down the horizon. I am eagerly waiting for the “Small Deals, Big Deals” article.
We will succeed.
I am hoping Small deals and Investment Opportunities come from your trip to Dubai.
Thanks all the same and keep us updated.
Cheers!
Nigeria definitely has a great future. We just need to believe enough in her to contribute our quota to make our dear nation great. Deolu has his niche already and he’s doing a tremendous job to make Nigeria a great country. Lets go on and find areas where we can best use our giftings for the good of our country. Long LIVE NIGERIA.
Deolu,
Your write up on Dubai was quite insightful. May the Lord open our eyes of understanding to live and let live, to believe in the dictum that by helping others we also help ourselves. Only in these can our country be truely great.
Enjoy your vacation and God bless you and continue to make a blessing to others
Binah
@all
What can I say, you guys/gals have taken my little meat and converted it into a feast. I’m really impressed, and trust me, we don’t need 1million people to believe in the future of Nigeria to start a revolution. Just a few passionate people, and we can cause a ripple that will reverberate to corners unimagined.
Great heights are not reached by sudden flight, they are the products of little by little.
I’m touched by Gbemileke’s story, moved by Femi’s passion, impressed by all and I know that many Nigerians… have suffered loses due to our current state, let the labours of our leaders past, and the blood of our loses, never be in vain.
The New Nigeria is in my life time. Not when I’m old and worn, but while I’m young and vibrant enough to laugh hilariously and say “these are the days we spoke about few years ago!”
chairman,
Good to know we still have catalyst for change in this coun try who not only think of the people but for the nation that are ready to bring about change in their youth and when they are old and out .
Earnestly await your return.
DEAR CHAIMAN DE,
THANKS FOR YOUR SITREP ON DUBAI.
IM JUST WORRIED WHEN WE KEEP SAYING NIGERIA HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE.IT A VERY GOOD THING TO BE OPTIMISTIC.MY WORRY IS THAT IT IS TAKING TOO LONG.
ROADS BAD FOR TO LONG,ELECRICITY BAD FOR TOO LONG,HOSPITALS EVEN WORSE THAN CONSULTING CLINICS,BASIC EDUCATION IS ALMOST WIPED OUT,CRIME?
ONE DAY ONE DAY E GO BETTER,NA WHEN E WAN BETTER?
FOR THE TWENTY SOMETHINGS ,THEY WILL THINK THERE IS TIME;WE FORTY SOMETHINGS WERE ALSO HOPEFUL WAY BACK.RATHER THAN FOR THINGS TO IMPROVE ,THEY HAVE WORSENED.
WE MUST ALL FIGHT TO ENTHRONE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP-THE KIND THAT IS TRANFORMING THE DESERT, WASTELAND CALLED DUBAI INTO THE PARADISE IT HAS BECOME,THAT IS TRANFORMING COMMUNIST CHINA INTO THE SECOND LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD.
WE ALSO NEED A NIGERIA WHERE EVERYBODY IS CONFORTABLE AND NOT ONLY A FEW!
WHAT FUTURE LIES AHEAD OUR CHILDREN?
IS IT TO TRAIN THEM ABROAD AND FOR THEM NOT TO WANT TO RETURN?
YOU CANT VISIT DUBAI AND NOT BE SAD ABOUT SITUATION OF THINGS IN NIGERIA.
WE MUST ALL PROFFER SOLUTIONS.
I START BY SAYING EVERYCHILD,I MEAN EVERY CHILD MUST BE EDUCATED TO SECONDARY LEVEL.
IF YOU THINK EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE TRY IGNORANCE.
THANKS FOR YOU TIME.
Chairman
You inspire me…….
What a rare gift you are Deolu to this generation, may the Lord continue to increase you in wisdom.
Small wonder it really is to hear you say so much about Dubai, The first time i heard about it was from Pastor Adeboye G.O. He said when he got to UAE, Kuwait to be precise, He saw Wealth, For Baba to have said he saw wealth, then it must be something out of the ordinary.
One thing that still baffles me about the Nigerian situation is that alot of people still get caught up in the wind Taking Everything….
I thank God for making you a blessing to this generation, i share your dreams of Nigeria becoming a country for all and not for some in this generation and in my prime, not when my bones are weak and back aching. I see the new Nigeria in you and few..the very few turning into majority in little time. We all want Nigeria to be great, but that greatness must start withing us.
You and I must be the No.1 to make Nigeria great…work towards self today…
what do nigerians there do?are there better jobs for nigerians than jut being a cook or security?can i start my businees in dubai?
“The New Nigeria is in my life time. Not when I’m old and worn, but while I’m young and vibrant enough to laugh hilariously and say “these are the days we spoke about few years ago!”
I have finally seen the word i am looking for. I am excited to know that the New Nigeria will happen in our life time. Not when we are old.
We will make it happen individually and collectively.
I believe every of this statement.
God bless you real good.
God have mercy on Nigeria and on us all