7th World's Most Powerful Person clocks 60 today

WHO IS THIS MAN?

He clocks 60 years today (born Oct. 28, 1955) and married to his wife, Melinda in 1994, who bore him 3 children. According to Forbes, he is the world’s richest man with a net worth of $79.3 billion, though swiftly overtaken for some hours on Friday, Oct. 23 by 79 year old fashion mogul, Amancio Ortega, but that only lasted for some hours as the American billionaire retained back his No. 1 spot later that day, after a 10% surge in Microsoft. He is also rated according to the American business magazine as the #7 most powerful person on earth, a rating categorized by the level of influence to the world at large. His full name is, William Henry Bill Gates III.

You might have known this man today for his wealth and for the company he co-founded 40 years ago, MICROSOFT which today is the world’s largest PC software company but, here are some uncommon facts about the American billionaire business magnate.

1.       As child, he was a voracious reader, spending hours over reference books such as Encyclopedia and also relished in playing board games (Risk was his favorite) & excelled at Monopoly and has grown to become a book writer, having written quite a number of books.

2.       In the family where he grew, competition is encouraged; though it doesn’t matter the type of competition it is, there was always a reward for wining and a penalty for losing.

3.       He began to show interest in computer programming at the age of 13 at the Lakeside school and went into business at age 15 with his pal, Paul Allen, developing a computer program that netted them $20,000.

4.       He graduated from Lakeside school, a private preparatory school at age 18 as a National Merit Scholar, scoring 1590 out of 1600 on the highly prestigious SAT, showing his intelligence as a young student.

5.       He got the vision of Microsoft at age 18 while he was at Harvard University, with his friend and senior at school, Paul Allen and the vision then was "getting a computer in every person’s desk". Though, the vision seemed audacious then but now, it is a proven fact that 84% of U.S households own a computer.

6.       He launched Microsoft at age 19 while at Harvard, with his friend, Paul Allen and just like his friend, Paul, he also dropped out of school that same year in 1974, even with the support of his parents who had once stopped him from establishing the company while he was 15 years old, cos they wanted him to finish school and go to college, hoping he would become a lawyer.

7.       They got the name MICROSOFT as a portmanteau of the words “micro” computer and “soft” ware.

8.       He held the position of Chairman, CEO & Chief Software architect of the company in the past before finally stepping down as chairman of Microsoft last year and now focused on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Truly, hard work pays but only to a visionary. He who has no vision can have no account of success in history. However, with all of Bill Gates success and achievements in the public society, the truth is that even with his generous philanthropy and contributions to human and societal development, without an encounter with the Lord and savior JESUS CHRIST in his life, he would only burn in hell. JESUS IS THE “ONLY” WAY TO HEAVEN!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM

 

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YOU MUST GO FOR SERVICE!

IS NYSC A MUST?

Many have been asking me questions such as, when are you going for service? Where are you posted? Are you not going for service?  Why are you not going for service? And now, I’m tempted to ask the question, IS THE NYSC A MUST FOR ALL GRADUATES?

It is the mentality of the average Nigerian that after a student graduates from a higher institution; university or polytechnic; he/she is to go for service. However, the question many are yet to ask and
some, find answers to, yet remains; IS THE PROGRAM A MUST FOR ALL GRADUATES? In answering this question, one needs to know why the program was instituted and the benefits it's to serve. By this, many wouldn't just 'follow the queue' as it is today but would rather go when it is truly needed.
WHAT ABOUT THE NYSC?The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) was established by the Nigerian government by Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973 (later replaced with Decree 51 of June 16, 1993) to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the civil war, thereby involving the country's graduates in the development of the country. It's primary purpose is to inculcate in Nigerian youths, the spirit of selfless service to the
community, and emphasize oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background.
Without much ado, below are the two different types of people who should and shouldn't partake in the one year programme:
Any graduate who must work with/for the government and its agencies, whether as a civil servant or in politics must possess the certificate, or must have its equal; Exemption Certificate or Letter
of Exclusion, as the case may be.
Anyone who has no vision or plan of working with/for the government and its agencies, need not bother partaking in the one year programme. Examples of such people is someone who plans to leave the country to work and settle in another country; someone who already has the mind to settle in a certain kind of business before/after graduating; someone who has a vision of entrepreneurship after graduation without seeking for some job placement and other related examples.
Needful to say that there are some organizations that now require the NYSC certificate in giving appointments, though shouldn't be a pre-requisite to securing job appointments at any level. Hence, whoever must choose not to go for the one year programme, must have been sure of his/her destination before making the decision, just as Mark Zuckerberg was sure he need not continue at Harvard to make his Facebook vision a reality. It is a good thing to do good but is more better, to know why you are doing good. Don't just do things because others are doing it, but because you are convinced you should do it.

Now ask me, ”ARE YOU NOT GOING TO SERVE YOUR FATHER LAND?” My answer will be, “WHOSE FATHERLAND HAVE I BEEN SERVING?”

FOR INTELLIGENT & VIBRANT SOCIAL NETWORK USERS

Facebook has clocked the landmark of a billion user in October 2012 and according to BBC on 28 August 2015, the social media has nearly 1.5 billion users who log in at least once a month and for the first time, according to the company founder, Mark Zuckerberg, for the first time ever, over a billion people used Facebook on Monday, 24 August 2015. However, with all of these facts, many do not yet take the advantage of the social networks, but have rather chosen to abuse them in different ways. 

I once wrote about social influence, and if you are the type with a good social and internet reputation, this could be your open financial and career opportunity.

Sterling bank are excited to receive applications from both graduates and undergraduates of higher institutions possessing great communication skills and lot of enthusiasm.'

Parameters for qualification: 

1. Applicant must be resident in Lagos

2. Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate of a tertiary institution

3. Applicant must be very Social Media Savvy

4. Applicant must be between 18 - 25 years old

5. Applicant must have great communication skills

6. Applicant must have some writing skills

Please send your CVs (including your social media handles/accounts) to socialmedia@sterlingbankng.com

Source: Sterling Bank

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YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS ABOUT JOYCE MEYER

Sometimes when we see and hear of landmark achievers, it seem as if they came out of the blue moon without passing through the dark sky. However, it is not so, even the grown man of today has fallen many times while growing up. See the amazing story of another landmark achiever, Joyce Meyer, as she bare it all open, things some might be ashamed of sharing to the public.

LIFE BEYOND ABUSE

"I was sexually, mentally, emotionally and verbally abused by my father as far back as I can remember until I left home at the age of eighteen. He did many terrible things…some which are too distasteful for me to talk about publicly. But I want to share my testimony because so many people have been hurt, and they need to realize that someone has made it through their struggles so they can have hope.

More than anything, I want you to know and really understand that anyone who has been abused can fully recover if they will give their life completely to Jesus.

What Does“Abuse” Mean?

Abuse is defined as “to be misused, used improperly or to be wasted; to use in such a way as to cause harm or damage; to be treated cruelly.” Any time we are misused or used for a purpose other than what God intended, it’s damaging. And I realize many people can relate to this. For some of you reading this article, I’m just telling your story. You know what it’s like to live with a terrible, shameful secret that is eating you alive.

My father was a mean, controlling and manipulative person for most of his life. He was unpredictable and unstable. As a result, the atmosphere of our home was super-charged with fear because you never knew if what you did would make him mad or not.

The sexual abuse started when I was very young, and when he decided I was mature enough, he took things even further. From this point until I was eighteen, he raped me at least once a week. My father, whom I was supposed to be able to trust and who was supposed to keep me safe, was the person I came to fear the most.

We always do what he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it. We watched what he wanted to watch on TV, went to bed when he went to bed, got up when he got up, and ate the meals he wanted us to eat…everything in our home was determined by his moods and what he wanted.

Feelings of Shame and Loneliness

I was so profoundly ashamed because of this. I was ashamed of me, and I was ashamed of my father and what he did. I was also constantly afraid. There was no place I ever felt safe growing up. I don’t think we can even begin to imagine what kind of damage this does to a child.

At school I pretended I had a normal life, but I felt lonely all the time and different from everyone else. I never felt like I fit in, and I wasn’t allowed to participate in after-school activities, go to sports events or parties or date boys. Many times I had to make up stories about why I couldn’t do anything with my classmates. For so long I lived with pretense and lies.

What I learned about love was actually perversion. My father told me what he did to me was special and because he loved me. He said everything he did was good, but it had to be our secret because no one else would understand and it would cause problems in the family. It became my burden not to let my pain cause problems in our family. And as long as I kept this secret, I couldn’t get free from the pain of it.

You may be wondering, Joyce, where was God in all of this? He was there. He didn’t get me out of the situation when I was a child, but He did give me the strength to get through it. It’s true my father abused me and didn’t love and protect me the way he should have, and at times it seemed no one would ever help me and it would never end.

But God always had a plan for my life, and He has redeemed me. He has taken what Satan meant for harm and turned it into something good (see Romans 8:28). He has taken away my shame and given me a double reward and recompense (see Isaiah 61:7).

God Can Heal and Restore You

It may seem impossible, but God’s truth has set me free from a life of pretense and lies and has restored my soul. I am living proof that nothing is too hard for God. And no matter what you’ve been through or how bad you hurt, there is hope!

That’s why I’m telling my story. You need to know how good God is and that your struggle is worth it. If you will give your life to Christ and really trust God, you can be completely healed and restored so you can live the life Jesus died for you to have. Don’t give up!"

Are you also passing through situations that seems to you as if there is no God? Surely, there is God in heaven and He has better plans for your life, to give you an expected end. Sharing your past however, shouldn't be a thing of shame but a thing of joy for the present audience to learn from. 

DON'T GIVE UP NOW, YOU ARE MAKING UP A GREAT PROFILE!

Joyce Meyer (Picture)

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12 KEYS TO PURPOSE AND ITS DISCOVERY

           There is a growing concern now in the present generation as there are many 'copy-cats' in the different sectors of different national economy. This is getting worse by the day as many are living each day without a right direction on what to do with their lives and there are very few who succeed in what they do while many keeps failing, living on 'God bless my hustle and struggle'. However, a life of purpose is never a life of struggle nor hustle but a life enjoyed with pleasure.

Here are 12 experiential key points to help you understand what purpose is about and how to discover it...

1. "Life without purpose is like a body without soul". - Unknown

2. "The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose". - Myles Munroe

3. "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction". - John F. Kennedy

4. "There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honour your calling. It's why you were        born and how you become most truly alive"- Oprah Winfrey

5. "Purpose is not the reason for existence but the reason for being alive"- Olukotun G. Olushola

6. "You can make many plans but the Lord's purpose will prevail"- King Solomon

7. "If you can't figure out your purpose, figure out your passion; for your passion will lead you right into your purpose". - T.D Jakes

8. "Having a rough morning? Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? That's called purpose. Don't give up, you're alive for a reason"- Oprah Winfrey

9. "Circumstances and crises are God's tools to move you into your purpose and the maximizing of your potential"- Myles Munroe

10. "What is the why behind everything you do? When we know this in life or design, it is very empowering and the path is clear". - Jack Canfield

11. "Notice when your heart leaps up in joyous exuberance... In these moments, the voice of your spirit is speaking directly to you". - Justine Willis Toms

12. "If you organise your life around your passion, you can turn your passion into your story and then your story into something bigger - something that matters". - Blake Mycoskie

13... You can add yours and don't forget to leave your comments and opinions for others to learn through you

A COMMON MISTAKE OF THE RICH

Many today, even from their childhood, had ambitions of becoming rich, wealthy personalities but many do not live to see their dream fulfilled while some others who lived to fulfill such dreams do not end up enjoying such wealth to their old age due to a common mistake made by almost all rich people. This mistake, from study, has been in existence from more than 5000 years ago and has destroyed so many and will continue to destroy many until preventive measures are taken. As a matter of truth, this mistake has been in existent since the early days of creation. Should we now not desire to be rich, because of the fear of also falling victim of this common mistake? Definitely No! In fact, I love to be rich and know I would be rich; even a thousand devils can’t stop me.

The truth is this; it is not God who prospers a man, he has only chosen to prosper through the strength of God in him, likewise his fall from prosperity is only dependent on his choices; all men are products (income & outcome) of their choices. That is, even our mistakes are a result of our choices. Therefore, no rich man who died poorer or less rich died by accident, it is just by careless determination. There is just one mistake we are talking about and a man named Moses through the inspiration of God sounded a warning against this mistake. Here is his written account thousands of years ago:

“Make sure you don't forget God, your God, by not keeping his commandments, his rules and regulations that I command you today. Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up, make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget God, your God, the God who delivered you from Egyptian slavery; the God who led you through that huge and fearsome wilderness, those desolate, arid badlands crawling with fiery snakes and scorpions; the God who gave you water gushing from hard rock; the God who gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never heard of, in order to give you a taste of the hard life, to test you so that you would be prepared to live well in the days ahead of you. If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this, and all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!" — Well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors — as it is today. If you forget, forget God, your God, and start taking up with other gods, serving and worshiping them, I'm on record right now as giving you firm warning: that will be the end of you; I mean it — destruction.” [Deut. 8:11-19]

Be careful therefore that you do not fall a victim of pride. It is a word of wisdom from the wisest king of his time, King Solomon, that “pride goes before destruction” and we all must be careful to always observe this at whatever level or position we find ourselves. However, for those who have acquired their riches in a wrong way, pride will not destroy them before their ‘self’ does except they repent. LOOK IN THROUGH YOURSELF NOW, ARE YOU NOT ALREADY FULL OF PRIDE WITH YOUR SMALL 'CHANGE'?

Remember, money is not the root of all evil but the love of money is… TAKE CAUTION