Hi,

Today, I launch another category for discussions. We live in a world full of problems – that is an understatement. Today, our world economies are being hit very hard by a biting global recession, environmental degradation, global warming, nuclear warfare threats amongst many others. The Earth is indeed crying for HELP!!!

How are individuals, entrepreneurs, corporate organizations, nations and world markets responding to these unexpected experiences? Are people giving in and ending their lives as a solution to these crises? What companies have become the latest victims? What strategies are the wise employing in times like this to remain afloat? What solutions are being worked out at the moment? When shall we finally come out of this? These and many more questions are the issues we will deal with in this category – “Around The World”.

It is my desire that as we feed you with this news, it’ll help you recession-proof yourself against a problematic world. Remember, “tough times never last, but tough people do”. So, for up-to-date information as we move around the globe, please subscribe to this feed and you can be sure, you’ll never miss out of the action.

We kick off this category with this story that came in Wednesday, 22nd April, 2009. Obviously, the global credit crunch has claimed yet another victim. A David Kellermann, the acting chief financial officer of money-losing mortgage giant Freddie Mac, was found dead at his home early Wednesday in what police said was an apparent suicide. (How are the mighty fallen?)

The police responded to a 911-call at 4:48 a.m. at the suburban Virginia home Kellermann shared with his wife Donna and five-year-old daughter Grace. The police would not release the exact cause of death, but spokesman Eddy Azcarate said Kellermann’s body was found in the basement. Kellermann (just 41 years of age – such a young man), lived in Hunter Mill Estates, a well-off neighborhood of large single-family homes with manicured lawns. County records show Kellermann’s home is worth about $900,000 (isn’t that enough money in itself?).

A neighbour who lives across the street from the Kellermanns, called the family a “solid, salt-of-the-earth kind of family” that hosted the neighborhood’s Halloween party. “He was just a nice guy … You cannot imagine what kind of pressures he must have been under” (for God sake, everyone’s under pressure!!!). Some said Kellermann had lost a noticeable amount of weight under the strain of the job, and some said they suggested to him he should quit to avoid the stress. (Good advice from good neighbours).

Kellermann, a University of Michigan graduate who went to business school at George Washington University, worked for Freddie Mac for the past 16 years and was named acting chief financial officer last September when the government seized control of the company and ousted top executives. Freddie Mac lost more than $50 billion last year, and the government has pumped in $45 billion to keep the company afloat. (meaning, something is being done to help)

Kellermann’s death is the latest in a string of blows to Freddie Mac, which owns or guarantees about 13 million mortgages and is the No. 2 mortgage finance company after sibling Fannie Mae. The company has been criticized for financing risky mortgage loans that fueled the real estate bubble, and its first government-appointed CEO, David Moffett, resigned last month after six months on the job. (At least, he’s still alive – where there’s life, there’s hope).

As the company’s financial chief, Kellermann was working on the company’s first quarter financial report, due at the end of May, with federal regulators closely overseeing the company’s books and signing off on major decisions. That relationship has been tense at times. Freddie Mac executives recently battled with federal regulators over whether to disclose potential losses on mortgage securities tied to the Obama administration’s housing plan, said a person familiar with the deliberations who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Federal prosecutors in Virginia have been investigating Freddie Mac’s business practices. But two U.S. law enforcement officials said Kellermann was neither a target nor a subject of the investigation and had not been under law enforcement scrutiny. (he wasn’t even a target? Can u imagine that?)

Well, folks, the story is still developing and I’m staying on top of this one. I’ll be updating as new info comes in. However, with our initial analysis, I dare say, this is an unnecessary solution. You don’t need to end your life as a means of solving a problem. Again I say, “tough times don’t last, but real tough people do”. Toughen yourself up, this is not the end of the road. If you can just hold on a little longer, the problem will pass. That’s guaranteed!!!

See you next time.

It’s been an interesting drama since Wednesday, 8th April 2009, when pirates hijacked a US-flagged cargo ship carrying about 400 containers of food aid about 350 miles off the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean. Ever since I got wind of this event on CNN, I have been a keen follower of the actions, reactions, escape attempt, reports of reinforcement, family trauma, negotiations and Sunday’s eventual rescue of the captain of the ship, Captain Richard Phillips.

One would wonder why this situation was of any concern to me. Well, the very first thing that caught my attention as the drama unfolded was the fact that this was a problematic situation with international implications and I was keen to know how it would be solved. Then came information that the crew of the ship had regained control of the ship but the captain had been taken as an hostage. It became known a little later that Captain Phillips voluntarily offered himself as a hostage to the pirates in a heroic move to save his crew members. Now, unthinkable as that may sound, that’s a show of TRUE LEADERSHIP which I’m afraid we lack, not just in Nigeria but perhaps the whole of Africa. That single self-sacrificing decision certainly turned around the entire situation, completely reducing the pirates’ operations to a mere hostage-taking case with only one hostage instead of an entire ship with all crew members onboard.

Furthermore, I am excited at the response of the US Navy. The presence of their warships in the waters close to the lifeboat where Phillips was being held by four pirates ensured that the pirates couldn’t escape with their catch to safer waters. Even when news of pirate reinforcements trying to locate their comrades started filtering in, there was also cheering news that the Navy was also sending reinforcements to the area. I guess it was their closeness to the scene that informed Phillips attempt to escape by diving off the 28-foot, covered lifeboat Thursday night. Unfortunately, one of the pirates dove into the Indian Ocean and retrieved him, so says one story. The other has it that he swam back to the lifeboat himself after shots were fired by the pirates. The situation was becoming really dicey and whether Phillips desperate attempt to escape was a wise decision in any sense is another issue all together.

By Good Friday, I travelled all the way to Calabar, the capital city of Cross River State to spend the Easter season with my family. It was a joyous reunion for us and most families I guess, but one family certainly wasn’t finding this Easter funny. In Phillips’ hometown of Underhill, Vermont, his family must have been going through hell, a wife wondering if she would ever see her husband alive again. That can really be traumatic, considering that any wrong move by either party could see just one bullet put a sad end to the story. In that little town, someone used a four-line roadside display sign to put up a message in block letters: “PRAY FOR CAPT PHILLIPS RELEASE AND SAFE RETURN HOME.”

How did God answer that prayer? By the evening of Easter Sunday, one of the pirates had surrendered and was on board the USS Bainbridge, probably in a desperate attempt to negotiate their way out of this end-of-the-tunnel situation. Earlier on Saturday, a message from the White House to the USS Bainbridge: If Phillips’ life is in danger, take action. It is reported that negotiations with the remaining three in the lifeboat with Capt. Phillips was growing heated and there seemed to be no way out. By this time, the pirates had Capt. Phillips tied up. And then it happened in split seconds. The crew of Bainbridge saw something: One of the pirates had an AK-47 rifle aimed at Phillips’ back. That was enough evidence that the Captain’s life was in imminent danger and the commander of the Bainbridge gave the order for Navy snipers (who’d long been waiting for that order) to fire. All three pirates on the lifeboat were killed with military alacrity and precision. Phillips was spirited to safety.

Phew!!! What a dramatic end to this episode and thank God, a good one for that matter. Kudos to everyone who played their part in the event, including those of us from all over the world who showed our solidarity by offering prayers for the safety of this man. This is certainly not the end to this problem. It behoves on our leaders to take appropriate action to stop the menace of hoodlums in our society, be it on land, air, sea etc.

Resolved to end piracy

President Barack Obama has already issued a statement: “We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region (Somali Coast). To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes.”

What have our African leaders said? Nothing! Meanwhile, this incident happened off the coast of an African country and was executed by Africans. Even back home in Nigeria, what have our leaders actually done to stem the upsurge of this “militancy-kidnapping business”? Nothing! Today, we hear a person has been kidnapped, and the kidnappers are demanding so many millions as ransom. Tomorrow, the person has been released, no news of any militant caught in the process, nothing. The only statement our leaders are good at making is the claim that “no ransom was paid”. They can tell that to the Egyptian mummies, we know better. Government needs to rise up to the challenge of security. It is high time we took a definite stand on criminals, no matter what name they bear and under what disguise they operate. If we continue to keep quiet and allow their continued existence, I’m afraid what this country is going to turn into. God help us!!!

Once again, let me at this juncture hail our hero: Captain Richard Phillips. Ahoy Sir! You’ve shown us what true leadership is – a life of self-less service. You choose to lay down your life, like a good shepherd, for your crew, a true example of the Easter message. No wonder God ensured that you came out of that situation, alive and well. I doff my hat for you. Your courage is not just a model for Americans only, but for people all over the world. Wish you many more and better years ahead. Happy Unforgettable Easter!!!

GLORIOUS

UNITED States president, Barack Obama, will visit Nigeria on Friday as part of his five-nation tour which will last eight days.

The 47-year-old who was elected the first black president of the US is expected to arrive Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power at about 3.45pm on Friday, according to White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs.

Obama, who arrived London on Tuesday with an entorage numbering over 500 to attend the G20 summit is also due to visit four other countries, including Turkey and France.

A White House press released made available to Nigerian Tribune indicated that Obama will hold a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, President President Yar A’dua at the State House shortly after his arrival.

Top on the agenda of their proposed meeting are global economic crisis and bilateral relations, with emphasis on trade. They are also to discuss the continued unrest in Darfur and by extention the Niger Delta.

Obama accompanied by his wife, Michelle, will depart for the United States Information Centre, Lagos, where the he will commission a new library complex dedicated to the legendary Martin Luther King Jr. He is also expected to visit the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akinolu.

The released added that Obama and his wife will be honoured with chieftaincy titles by the Oba.

Before leaving for Lagos, the US first lady, according to the release, will visit an unnamed motherless home in Abuja, which islikely to be named after her. She is particularly known to have high regard for moral values in the family. She once said White House staff should not make her children’s bed, claiming her children must continue to make their beds as was the case before they moved into the White House.

The son of a Kenyan father rose to become the first African-American president of the US in a keenly contested presidential election which was conducted on 4 November. He was sworn in an historic occasion that was watched by billions of people worldwide.

The world’s First Couple will depart Nigeria for Russia on Saturday.

Stories like this are cute ways of making you feel the season of April Fool’s Day. So, enjoy it while it lasts.

Happy April Fool’s Day!!!

GLORIOUS

We live in a world full of problems – challenges, unpleasant surprises, unfavourable conditions, accidents, incidents, aches, pains, penury – call it what you will. In fact, from the very moment he is born, through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and to his grave, man’s journey through life is dotted with problems every step of the way. Even those born with the proverbial silver spoon are not left out. On the contrary, I dare say, the higher your social status, the ‘bigger’ the problems you face. You can ask Barack Obama and OBJ. 

The higher you go, the hotter it becomes

If I asked you to reel off what you consider are the problems facing humanity, I am sure that your list will be endless, just like mine. From poverty to diseases, HIV/AIDS, global warming, conflicts, hunger, terrorism, education, air pollution, nuclear programs, war and rumours of war, religious intolerance, political dictatorship, unemployment etc. The list goes on and on.  In fact, every new day presents man with fresh challenges. In May 2008, a group of 80 university students from 37 different countries met and prioritized the best solutions to ten of the world’s greatest problems. You can find that comprehensive list here: http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/Copenhagen%20Consensus%202008%20Youth%20Forum%20-%20Home.aspx. Interestingly, they never envisioned the next wave of problems that was going to befall the world. Did you notice that the one key challenge the entire world is currently facing is missing on that list. I am certain even a child in the densest slum in US can tell me the right answer – The Global Economic Crisis, which has torn economies apart from America to Africa, Europe to Asia. Did I hear you say the Middle East? Hmmm, perhaps when they are done with all their conflicts, they will face their own share.

Let’s come back home. President Yar’adua has clearly stated what he considers Nigeria’s greatest problems in his much talked-about 7-point agenda: power and energy; food security and agriculture; wealth creation and employment, mass transportation, land reforms; security; qualitative and functional education. Is it true he added the Niger Delta recently? Guess, that’ll make it 8 now. I call these “Nigeria’s Problems Summarized”. Well, if we take a trip to the very basic fabric of society, the Family Front, it’s a whole new world of problems. Wanna name them? Just forget about it, that’s a Herculian task.

Or maybe not, you can give it a try. Seriously, let’s give it a try. Write down ALL the problems/challenges you are currently facing in your personal life. If you like, give a name to anyone that seems nameless. Ready? Now, take a good look at all the problems you have written down (I hope you did this?). Nay, I mean take a long look at your list and surgically dissect it. You should notice something, do you? Very simple, no matter what you’ve written on your list, check this out – they are all man-made problems. Yes! Caused by you and I. And that’s  some good news, anyway, because since we caused them, it simply means WE CAN SOLVE THEM. YES WE CAN! (thank you, my brother Obama).

So, my friend, where do we start? Good question. Of course we can’t handle all our problems at once, but I believe there are three key areas that constitute what I call the bedrock, the foundation and the pillar of all problems. These are: Your Mindset, Your Education and Your Employment respectively. I call them my 3-point agenda for Glorious Solutions Centre. Trust me, if we don’t get it right in these three areas, we will never be able to solve our problems. So, come with me as we explore this world of problems and find lasting solutions to them. Let me reiterate this in the words of J.F.Kennedy himself: Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. See? It doesn’t matter what problem you are currently facing, be it miniature or gigantic, temporary or permanent, hereditary or acquired, physical or spiritual, if you are willing to do something about it, you are just a step away from getting it solved. Someone once said, “I must do something” always solves more problems than “Something must be done.”

Wanna get a solution? It begins with YOU.