Firewood is a log of dried wood suitable for the generation of both domestic and industrial sources of heat and illumination. When added to the word millionaire, one of the ideas that come to a sane mind is, “someone who has made millions from the sale of firewood.” The other meaning is probably derogatory in that it implies that the persons concerned were once millionaires but now, they have dried up due to stress and other adverse conditions to the intent of reducing to non-millionaires.

            But that’s pretty jargons! The real meaning of a firewood millionaire as we will consider it here is, a group of young guys making impact and money in an adverse environment. These boys bring out the common sense in entrepreneurship. They see the potential worth of a pitiable economy, locate the overall community’s prime needs, push for the release of unavailable funds and create valuable products and services in the society.

            Even when the banks declare that the funds are not available, these boys seek other honest means of capital and make more money! To all of them, I say I respect o!

 

Greenshotz, Wonderful photographs describe him. Plus, he is a pastor!

 

Panayo, he wears a jersey that says forex, Nigerian stock market & DSTV

 

Emmandus, he does everything books...except stealing, looting, toyboying.

 

Goshendraw, this is the sharp “pastor” guy that first got my 3k for Corel Draw training! He is a publisher!

 

Stanley. This boy-looking man can solve any computer problem! Incredibly, he doubles as a gifted writer!

 

Afo. This guy himself is a program. He can write a program that makes your pets see to their own upkeep themselves

 

Akinwumi. All his life, Ak has been a consultant. Alata, Satisfier, and everybody knows him! It’s good to know that he knows their monies too!

 

Ibukun. IBK is an utility guy but I know him more as a distinct compere

 

Fasdel. Right from PDSP, dele started speaking to everything, both living and non living.

 

Emmy. In 100Level, Emmy bought a motorcycle and employed someone to run it for him. When he bags his Ph.D., I expect it to be in business.

 

Kirk: y’all lucky that he’s around. Now, pack up your sounds and let the master teach you how it’s done.—Archbishop Kirk.

 

Sylvester Usein: don’t mind this guy, he can write a program that writes any program you need to write. Looks like he cannot kill a fly with an insecticide- like a nice air freshner. But really, this guy can kill two birds with a third bird.

 

Nifemi. He talks, poeticizes and dramacomediates! One more thing, he gets paid.

 

XG. I knew him for fashion but now, Gbenga mixes sounds and does compuras (not yahoo). Also, proudly Naija! Yes o!

 

IB. Ibrahim does everything from data wreckage/disaster prevention to their recovery. Plus, he is RHG media redefined!

 

Akinlolu: He studied farming. Has made money from the rearing of bees, is absolutely into music, does MC, can repair your PC, can cook more than some Aso Rock chefs, can…What can’t he do? Yes! I remember, he can’t play football.

 

Prof. Lowo: he’s done business and business has done him. And now, he still does business. Beyond that, he is a graduate in chemical engineering.

 

Amusan Olusola: when you think of electronics and get confused, call this guy. I don’t know why, but he’s always known what to tell you. While what he tells you may not make any sense to you initially, when the deed is done, you’d be tempted to hand him a blank cheque or even your ATM card and its PIN code.

 

Olaide Olawuwo: I’m still wondering why BusinessDay newspaper has not given this guy any award yet. He sells it and smells of it! Bro Laide is an entrepreneur.

 

Niyi: this is the chicken guy, the fish man and the mango farmer. And he is a maaaan of God.

 

The Transparent Mind is probably the least of them. At age 7, he sold mangoes to some people while living in Letmurk Officers’ Qtrs (his parents still don't know about it).

The list is endless, there are many whose names I am not worthy of typing. It will take an incumbent Larry King to do so. Besides, as at the time this piece will be published on facebook, there will be many more of these guys.

 

 

The one who learnt from everybody hails you all, knowing he will still learn from anybody.

Written: December 2010

 

 

If the world refuses to give the women folk a voice

If the scheme of opportunities remain less favourable to ladies

If the girl child is not chanced to maximise her potentials

Then the tale of exploits we keep telling would be a cooked fable

 

We have told the eternal tale of good deeds

We have written the amazing stories of glorious titans

We have witnessed the unmatchable endurance of fearless heroines

Yet, we have remained silent to the indifference of this sitting generation

 

How many more women must die with undiscovered potentials?

How many more must die with unmatchable inventive ideas?

How long more shall we attempt to keep female geniuses from the spotlight?

Yet, we clamour the realization of indiscrimination and the arrival of civilization

 

We praise the ape man for his persistent inventive ability in the medieval ages

But we forget the women who were there to assist and motivate him

We give kudos to the masculine geniuses that ever lived

But we ignore the motherhood that nurtured and trained them

 

Many a woman is as brave as Kudirat Abiola the kind

A good mother, a faithful wife and a supporter of scarce justice

Many more women would do as well as madam Tinubu the deliverer

Whose wealth and wisdom comforted the lives of countless slaves

 

The peak of scholastic work is only neared by diligent academicians

But the same was reached by an intelligent Grace Alele Williams

The fight for human rights was reckoned to be a feat for bold men

But the same exploits as performed by Diana Wiwa cannot be forgotten

 

There has not been another lioness as fearless as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

The Lioness of Africa and a colossal force against colonial rule

Yesterday has enjoyed the bravery, brilliance and beauty of the Nigerian woman

Today is pleased to witness the continuity of such exceptional exploits

 

The sun that shines today has witnessed the commitment of greater women

Dora Akunyili’s contribution to national health security is an indelible mark

Lives of the innocent were kept by her tenacity and commitment to good works

Many ghosts would wish she had received the baton of salvation earlier

 

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s efforts on our crying budget was dynamic

Her skilfulness in economics worn her a top seat in the bank of this world

Her exploits regarding our national debt cancellation cannot be forgotten

And, the good woman from Nigeria keeps a home and a family together

 

 

 

 

Abike Dabiri is a woman of great dreams and outstanding aspirations

The poor of this nation have taken solace in her good works

The orphans in this land have found their lost childhood in her efforts

The politics of this nation have seen the clean hand play of a dirty game

 

My mother has the spirit of a mighty hero living in her heart

Her commitment to hard work has bred a giant in my little heart

Her words of enthusiasm and persistence have killed my many doubts

I am indebted to her with the coin of expectation to succeed in life

 

This is a debt whose remembrance puts a smile on my lonely face

I will pay her with a wife having a good character and a valiant spirit

I will shame her troubles and be the answer to her prayers

And only a virtuous and diligent companion will give these dreams a chance

 

If there is a good woman in Nigeria,

There can be a good wife in Nigeria

If there can be a good mother in a good wife,

There can be more good women in Nigeria

 

Indeed, yesterday was good and today could be better

Tomorrow is promising and the future will be the best

For, if one woman can change anything

Then, many women can change everything!

 

 

 

By Ayo Morakinyo

(c) 2009

CHD Africa submission

www.moraks.blogspot.com/2010/02/good-woman-in-nigeria.html

If the world refuses to give the women folk a voice
If the scheme of opportunities remain less favourable to ladies
If the girl child is not chanced to maximise her potentials
Then the tale of exploits we keep telling would be a cooked fable

We have told the eternal tale of good deeds
We have written the amazing stories of glorious titans
We have witnessed the unmatchable endurance of fearless heroines
Yet, we have remained silent to the indifference of this sitting generation

How many more women must die with undiscovered potentials?
How many more must die with unmatchable inventive ideas?
How long more shall we attempt to keep female geniuses from the spotlight?
Yet, we clamour the realization of indiscrimination and the arrival of civilization

We praise the ape man for his persistent inventive ability in the medieval ages
But we forget the women who were there to assist and motivate him
We give kudos to the masculine geniuses that ever lived
But we ignore the motherhood that nurtured and trained them

Many a woman is as brave as Kudirat Abiola the kind
A good mother, a faithful wife and a supporter of scarce justice
Many more women would do as well as madam Tinubu the deliverer
Whose wealth and wisdom comforted the lives of countless slaves

The peak of scholastic work is only neared by diligent academicians
But the same was reached by an intelligent Grace Alele Williams
The fight for human rights was reckoned to be a feat for bold men
But the same exploits as performed by Diana Wiwa cannot be forgotten

There has not been another lioness as fearless as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
The Lioness of Africa and a colossal force against colonial rule
Yesterday has enjoyed the bravery, brilliance and beauty of the Nigerian woman
Today is pleased to witness the continuity of such exceptional exploits

The sun that shines today has witnessed the commitment of greater women
Dora Akunyili’s contribution to national health security is an indelible mark
Lives of the innocent were kept by her tenacity and commitment to good works
Many ghosts would wish she had received the baton of salvation earlier

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s efforts on our crying budget was dynamic
Her skilfulness in economics worn her a top seat in the bank of this world
Her exploits regarding our national debt cancellation cannot be forgotten
And, the good woman from Nigeria keeps a home and a family together




Abike Dabiri is a woman of great dreams and outstanding aspirations
The poor of this nation have taken solace in her good works
The orphans in this land have found their lost childhood in her efforts
The politics of this nation have seen the clean hand play of a dirty game

My mother has the spirit of a mighty hero living in her heart
Her commitment to hard work has bred a giant in my little heart
Her words of enthusiasm and persistence have killed my many doubts
I am indebted to her with the coin of expectation to succeed in life

This is a debt whose remembrance puts a smile on my lonely face
I will pay her with a wife having a good character and a valiant spirit
I will shame her troubles and be the answer to her prayers
And only a virtuous and diligent companion will give these dreams a chance

If there is a good woman in Nigeria,
There can be a good wife in Nigeria
If there can be a good mother in a good wife,
There can be more good women in Nigeria

Indeed, yesterday was good and today could be better
Tomorrow is promising and the future will be the best
For, if one woman can change anything
Then, many women can change everything!