ADEREMI'S NOTEBOOK

What is a Parliament? (1)

Parliament is more than ever like a grand club, whose members have in the past few years voted themselves huge pay rises, increased support facilities and expenses, far shorter hours, and much more power. No wonder MPs are unpopular.
- Luke Johnson

2005 Graduate Class (3)

Imperial College showed some sympathy confirming that I graduated with a degree honours any parent would be proud of. I should probably mention that I studied Chemical Engineering (the judge sentenced it as 4years). Along with my partners in crime, it was a case of suffering and
smiling. I guess it paid off!

I want to encourage you as others have encouraged me with this quote;

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.

Don’t you just love them? Series (0)

I started reading Motley Fool since I decided my student loan was better placed in the stockmarkets. My bank manager is still happy so it can’t be all bad. One of my favourite boards is TheCornishman’s Foolish Friends.

Recently one gentleman took his time to produce the “Don’t you just love them?” Series. I don’t agree with all the descriptions but nevertheless it makes a good read.

• Auditors – don’t you just love them? link
• Lawyers – don’t you just love them? link
• Bankers – don’t you just love them? link
• IT – don’t you just love them? link

Spirit of London (0)

It is just over a year
Events of today bring fear
Intimidation their weapon
Many stations a destruction
Very purpose grips souls
Constant ringing mobile phones
Fundamentalism against the 8
Breeding the ideal of hate
Lives irrevocably touched
Friends and family dead
Strangers exchange a glance
Itineraries become a farce
Though shaken I’m resolute
I am London, its spirit
My heart flutters not fails
For terrorists many assails

- Obinna Onyekwelu

African Entrepreneurs (1)

I find that each time I bring up a conversation about investing in Nigeria, I get greeted with a pessimistic reception. This suggests that some individuals believe Britain and United States were built in one day and by all their countrymen.

Recently I proposed that creating small pots of money ($0.5 - 1 million) will be a good start and immediately everyone was like Nigeria needed $20billion (the number was plucked from air) in order to be in the same league as some European countries. I disagree. Where are you going to get that amount from? I have to say in advance that I am a debt relief skeptic. America did not certainly start with $20billion, it started with individuals with a small initial capital layout which was built up and has since formed the basis of the American Economy.

If anyone thinks General Electric was always a big company, please email me for free counselling, otherwise enjoy this piece on African entrepreneurs. (via Timbuktu Chronicles)

London Blast (0)

I can confirm that I am still around. I work very close to Liverpool street station and a couple of my friends had to be evacuated from the building adjacent to the station. I understand everyone is safe. As I walked home from Liverpool street to Lewisham (for most of way - used DLR partly), it was interesting to see Londoners just standing around the pubs talking with a pint of lager. For me it showed support that “we will continue our lifestyle no matter how many blasts go on here”. I am encouraged, so I will do my part by smiling all day.

Stimulating investment in Africa (0)

Canto [free registration required] has audio interviews with the Canadian Finance Minister, Ralph Goodale and Global Insight’s Andrea Bohnstedt on what needs to be done to stimulate trade and investment in Africa.