The Crowd as the Untruth

Hello y'all, here is one piece that has always been on my mind for some years now.

Do not loose yourself in the crowd.
A crowd in its concept is the untruth, by reason of the fact that it renders the individual completely impenitent & irresponsible, it weakens his sense of responsibility by reducing it to a fraction. Being in a crowd in short unmakes one's nature as an individual by diluting the self.

THE CROWD IS THE UNTRUTH.

.... excerpts from the philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard

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Consumer Credit Regulation gets a boost

Nigerians are enthusiastic with the introduction of the National Consumer Credit Regulatory Commission. The Bill which is aimed at increasing the level of consumer credit has currently passed its 2nd reading at the National Assembly. Chances are that the Bill will be passed into law before the present administration comes to an end in May 2007. While it is likely that a consumer credit system may enhance the power of consumers and help alleviate poverty, it is also true that if the FG does not put in place strict control measures, the desired result may not be achieved as it may pose challenges of sustaining inflation within single digit. For more information, please visit http://www.natconsumercredit.gov.ng/.

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What’s in the Black Box?

Some of us may be familiar with this phrase (the black box) known to all avid readers of Jim Collins’ ‘Good to Great’. In his book, he affirmed that inside the black box is yet another black box – namely the inner development of a person to Level 5 Leadership. The Level 5 leader is one that builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. But I do not intend to talk about Jim Collins & Leadership, I am only challenging us all that inside us (may be in the inner black box) is that inherent ability to build enduring greatness, to change our own destiny, to move the unmovable, to step out of the usual and to be the person we are created to be.

I believe, in my years of living on this planet, getting to that point would begin through a process of self awareness, looking inside and discovering something that you are able to live and die for. Something YOU, something you love and would make you be at peace with yourself.

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Lagos BRT Lanes

Hello peeps,

It's one of those crazy ideas again, I wonder how the Lagos state Government expect the BRT buses only to move on the yellow lane and the fact that they expect all cars and buses to stay off the lane is also crazy. Mid Last week 21-02-07, on my way home from work, LASTMA officials placed their usual orange plastic polls on the yellow lane to serve as a deterrants, but the whole episode was a big joke, as the orange polls created more traffic than envisaged. As expected, the orange polls were no where to be found the following morning. Honestly, I don't know what was on their mind when they thought about the BRT buses and its workability.

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How to become a high performer: 7 point plan

1. Be You
2. Be Focused
3. Learn & Grow
4. Maintain your position
5. Be Kind
6. Fly high
7. Do not be Afraid

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Self Improvement in 2007

A note from me:
Hello peeps, it’s easy to get lost in abstraction when discussing issues concerning personal development, but continued investment in ourselves hold promises of more prosperity. As such, I consider this write-up as an idea whose time has come and I deem it appropriate to speak of the potentials that exist within us in very simple terms. I wish you all a prosperous New Year. Please do not forget to make goals that will transform your life within the following months. Happy reading!

¨ thought of the day
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” – Iss 40:31

¨ your career
Planning on jumpstarting your career: 3 things are key:
1.Discover your skills to achieve your potentials
2.Acquire requisite knowledge to develop it
3.Be willing to help others….

You are on your way to the top!

¨ the basics
Did you know that there is a Research Tool in all MS Office Suite, just right click any word and click on ‘look up’ in the drop down menu.

¨ get IT savvy
To Become a Techno:
Get the latest software update and be sure to look up the ‘What’s New” section of the Software. Visit the Internet regularly, Google any topic that comes to mind, it’s amazing what result you would get!

¨ political correctness
Don’t call that landball “FATTY”, the fellow is “PHYSICALLY EXPANSIVE & NUTRITIONALLY ENDOWED”

proverbs
“Humor is but another weapon against the universe” – Mel Brooks
“New ideas have the power to shape and entertain the future.” - STB

¨ English 101
Bespoke: past tense of ‘bespeak’. Meaning: Modified, tailored, adapted, made to order, personalized, custom-made, mass produced.

¨ Ol’ Saying … still relevant
“To be at peace with yourself, you must engage in what you love doing” Author Unknown

¨ feedback
Your suggestions and feedback are welcome. Is there something you want to see but not contained in here? E-mail achieversnest@gmail.com. PS: If you enjoyed reading this, please do not hesitate to refer this page to a friend, remember, ‘be willing to help others.

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Rising Foreign Reserves against a declining US Dollar:

The Declining US Dollar
The U.S. Dollar position is constantly deteriorating in virtually every region of the world and in virtually every category of trade. It fell by 30% against floating currency from its peak in February 2002. Recent statistics show that the world central banks were net sellers of US assets in March for the first time since September 2002. World Central Banks net sales stood at $14.4billion with the Central Bank of Norway leading the sale. Indicators point to the fact that the dollar may not be a great bet says David Bloom, Currency Strategist – HSBC. The dollar was at its peak in 2001, but ever since, it has fallen over 37% against the euro, over 22.7% relative to the Japanese yen, 22% against the South Korean won, 24.6% versus the Canadian dollar, and 16.1% against a broad basket of currencies in 2004. Indices are that the dollar will likely continue to experience an extended and substantial decline versus foreign currencies, as the U.S. struggles to resolve its trade deficit, as foreign exporters sell dollars and more importantly as world central banks continue to fear the dollar downtrend.

Foreign Reserves and the Price of Oil
Clearly defined, Foreign Exchange Reserves are assets of Governments which are held in different hard currencies such as Dollar, Euro, Yen and Pound Sterling. Nigeria holds her foreign reserves in US Dollars. Thus all exports from Nigeria abroad are kept in dollars. As we all know, Crude Oil constitutes the largest export source for Nigeria. Nigeria’s foreign reserves have reached US$43 billion as at November 2006. This is due to the rising oil price trend. The impact of oil on Nigeria’s financial position has been substantial and is likely to last. In 2005, the government of Nigeria maintained that it will ensure an increase crude reserves to 40 billion barrels in the next 2 - 3 years and totally eradicate gas flaring. As at July 2006, the nation's proved reserves stood at 35billion barrels in June says Funsho Kupolukun, GMD, NNPC.

“Rising Foreign Reserves”, the value of the Naira against a declining US Dollar?:
With a declining dollar and stronger international markets, Nigeria’s (crude oil) export returns have “increased” and are still increasing; Nigeria thus converts the profits to a progressively greater number of dollars as “Foreign Reserves”. Implications are that the declining dollar rate would have an adverse effect on the value of our foreign reserves. It is either that Government realizes it has the means to probably finance sound monetary and development (productive investments) policies or continue to reserve the money in a declining dollar. Government may need to revisit its monetary policies. While it is the ultimate that a stable Naira & foreign exchange rate is maintained, it is also good to know that the value of the Naira should not be measured only against the Dollar but against other currencies of the world like Euro. A stable foreign exchange rate with respect to the US dollar in the face of a rising foreign reserve and falling dollar is a false stability. After all, a stable Naira with respect to a depreciating US dollar means a declining Naira with respect to other major currencies.

Nigeria's Foreign Exchange Reserves Growth Trend
1999, US$5.8b; 2000, US$10; 2001, US$10.6; 2002, US$7.8; 2003, US$7.7; 2004, US$16.9; 2005, US$ 28; 2006, US$43

I welcome your thoughts on this article.

Best wishes,

STB

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