A Letter of Motivation with which i applied for the ESD for Youths Forum held during the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development at WCCB, Germany in 2009
...............................................................................
I write to notify you of my interest in being considered as one of the participants in the upcoming workshop titled ‘Young ESD Voices from around the World’.
I am Kayode Raphael Adegboye, a Nigerian presently on a Masters study in Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics at the University of Bonn.
I have over the years studied extensively about sustainable development and i have built qualitative knowledge about its overarching objectives and focus. In my six years of working with private institutions, non-governmental organizations and regulatory agencies both in Nigeria and in Ghana, I have gathered noteworthy experience in different aspects of rural development, agriculture and environmental management. I have also gained valuable insights into the important role agriculture plays in developing economies while working with and providing for smallholder farmers in different aspects of sustainable agricultural practices, environmental sustainability and improvement of livelihood.
Capacity building and information management is one of my special focus. I have worked as a youth trainer for over ten years and have taught agriculture, biology and integrated science in secondary and special schools in Nigeria. I have volunteered for several youth empowerment and development-oriented organizations and my passion is to contribute my quota towards raising a generation of environmentally-conscious, development-oriented youths that will set new agenda for a safe, healthier and cleaner world.
To me, the issues around sustainable development are multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary. They are cultural, social, economic and religious in a way. Narrow-minded and strait-jacketed approaches will not address ensuing challenges. This is why, based on my well-rounded, cosmopolitan and articulate personality, I am applying for this opportunity to gain more insights into how the issues of sustainable development can be better understood in the context of agriculture, rural development and resource management.
With the experience and skills I will acquire from this workshop, I shall continue my primary responsibility as an agricultural resource manager with special focus on capacity building and training of smallholder in sustainable agricultural practices in my country. I shall collaborate with institutions and existing non-governmental organizations to take the message of sustainable development to the grassroots.
I shall particularly focus on transferring the skills to youths within my circle of my influence and organizational network. I presently volunteer for the African Youth Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Bonn whose focus is educating the youths to enhance their participation and engagement in socio-economic issues. Part of my plan is to utilize the skills i acquire from this workshop towards educating the youths of this organization across the world.
Finally, it will be my pleasure to sit with twenty-four other participants to brainstorm and deploy solutions to the challenges of our world.
I hope to receive a favourable reply from you.
Kayode Raphael Adegboye
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Statement of Motivation
Part of my statement of motivation for a Conflict Resolution Course I applied for sometimes ago.
I am from a country of over 250 ethnic groups speaking close to 600 languages. I am from Nigeria, a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-lingual country with the largest population of humans in Sub-Saharan Africa.
With close to 150million highly-opinionated, energetic and concerned people, ideology constantly differs and, disagreements regularly happen. Indeed, we are a nation of men and women who are tolerant, loving and committed to one another. However, in the wake of leadership failures and resource mismanagement that have gripped the country for decades, selfish tendencies and aggressive demeanours have found their way into our national character and national life.
Our post-independence history is laced with numerous conflicts most of which led to loss of lives, properties and trust. Some of these conflicts had started as simple disagreements and in the absence of effective disagreement and conflict management tools and skills, had grown into unmanageable fracas, clashes and fallouts. The national character and identity of this promising country have constantly being threatened. We are in a situation where we are trying to cement broken trust and build comatose institutions all because we could not identify potential fail-out situations in time and/or we did not respond promptly to some of the ongoing conflicting concerns.
As a nation, we have lost time and potential years of development owing to civil wars, religious misunderstandings and political unrests. More than ever before, we now need regular and effective disagreement management interventions to keep our nascent democracy going. We need improved conflict resolution competence to channel us in the path of growth and development.
One of our key disagreement hotspots has being in the area of natural resource management and governance. Nigeria is a country rich in natural resources – land, water, agricultural and mineral resources. Apart from being one of the oil-rich countries in the world, our agriculture has also over the years performed well. We derive considerable proportion of our GDP from exporting agricultural products alongside oil and natural gas.
Unfortunately, instead of these resources being a blessing for us, they have served more as a curse. Nigeria today is a classic example of resource management failure essentially owing to conflicts that have fuelled mismanagement and crisis; the Niger Delta region being a noteworthy case.
I do not hope proffer solutions to all the resource management challenges and conflicts Nigeria have. I rather want to focus on the agricultural sector of the country and contribute my quota to improving this sector. My passion for change and my conviction to be involved was what influenced my taking up a Masters Degree study in Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ARTS) at the University of Bonn, Germany. As a contributor to change, it was imperative I understood the state-of-the art dynamics and nexus between resource management and development.
While on this conflict management course, i hope to learn strategies for conflict recognition and also acquire skills in intervention and mediation of conflicts. I am of the opinion that we might not all have the same thinking and ideas but we can all agree to pursue a common cause. I believe that we cannot rid the world of disagreements but we can envisage potential disagreement situations and deploy tools and skills to intervene in these disagreements before they grow out of proportion.
I am poised to share the knowledge, tools and competencies gained from this course with hundreds of other concerned, committed and progressive youths that i am in network with and i believe that together, we can help to improve conflict management capabilities of stakeholders in the Nigerian agricultural and natural resources management circle.
It is in this light that i apply for this course and wish for a favourable review and consideration of my application.
I am from a country of over 250 ethnic groups speaking close to 600 languages. I am from Nigeria, a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-lingual country with the largest population of humans in Sub-Saharan Africa.
With close to 150million highly-opinionated, energetic and concerned people, ideology constantly differs and, disagreements regularly happen. Indeed, we are a nation of men and women who are tolerant, loving and committed to one another. However, in the wake of leadership failures and resource mismanagement that have gripped the country for decades, selfish tendencies and aggressive demeanours have found their way into our national character and national life.
Our post-independence history is laced with numerous conflicts most of which led to loss of lives, properties and trust. Some of these conflicts had started as simple disagreements and in the absence of effective disagreement and conflict management tools and skills, had grown into unmanageable fracas, clashes and fallouts. The national character and identity of this promising country have constantly being threatened. We are in a situation where we are trying to cement broken trust and build comatose institutions all because we could not identify potential fail-out situations in time and/or we did not respond promptly to some of the ongoing conflicting concerns.
As a nation, we have lost time and potential years of development owing to civil wars, religious misunderstandings and political unrests. More than ever before, we now need regular and effective disagreement management interventions to keep our nascent democracy going. We need improved conflict resolution competence to channel us in the path of growth and development.
One of our key disagreement hotspots has being in the area of natural resource management and governance. Nigeria is a country rich in natural resources – land, water, agricultural and mineral resources. Apart from being one of the oil-rich countries in the world, our agriculture has also over the years performed well. We derive considerable proportion of our GDP from exporting agricultural products alongside oil and natural gas.
Unfortunately, instead of these resources being a blessing for us, they have served more as a curse. Nigeria today is a classic example of resource management failure essentially owing to conflicts that have fuelled mismanagement and crisis; the Niger Delta region being a noteworthy case.
I do not hope proffer solutions to all the resource management challenges and conflicts Nigeria have. I rather want to focus on the agricultural sector of the country and contribute my quota to improving this sector. My passion for change and my conviction to be involved was what influenced my taking up a Masters Degree study in Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ARTS) at the University of Bonn, Germany. As a contributor to change, it was imperative I understood the state-of-the art dynamics and nexus between resource management and development.
While on this conflict management course, i hope to learn strategies for conflict recognition and also acquire skills in intervention and mediation of conflicts. I am of the opinion that we might not all have the same thinking and ideas but we can all agree to pursue a common cause. I believe that we cannot rid the world of disagreements but we can envisage potential disagreement situations and deploy tools and skills to intervene in these disagreements before they grow out of proportion.
I am poised to share the knowledge, tools and competencies gained from this course with hundreds of other concerned, committed and progressive youths that i am in network with and i believe that together, we can help to improve conflict management capabilities of stakeholders in the Nigerian agricultural and natural resources management circle.
It is in this light that i apply for this course and wish for a favourable review and consideration of my application.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Back then....
University of Bonn's delegation for the 2009 National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference in New York.
A formidable team of highly motivated, cosmopolitan and lettered students with great preparation, tirelesss resolve, unmatched eloquence and indescribable energy. They were representatives of the governments of Brunei Darussalam and Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the 2009 NMUN conference.
They were students from various academic fields whose passsion was multilateralism, diplomacy, change and global governance. They flew the flag of the prestigious University of Bonn in far away America in a week-long 'induction' exercise on the complexities and challenges associated with keeping our world free of nukes.
I was a part of the delegation but i missed flying with them to the conference. A great conference i was told it was.
I had poured a lot of myself into the preparatory meetings, consultations and simulations but eventually i couldn't make it to New York.
My presentation on Brunei Darussalam was top-notch. It was highly commended; I got an official invitation for the conference. I had all i needed but somehow i didn't travel to America's third most populous state. I didn't have the priviledge to slog it out in diplomatic discourse with thousands of other young and great minds from all around the world at the UN headquarters in the States.
It was then like a million-dollar opportunity that slipped off my hands. I wanted to see 'God's Own Country' for the first time.
Back then i felt somewhat unhappy but shortly after, i picked up myself, leveraged on the skills i acquired from the NMUN preparation and matched on to participate in several other Model United Nations conference where i won laurels and didn't have to worry about the one New York opportunity i missed.
Even with dotting every i and crossing every t sometimes, things can still fall out of place. Indeed, the expectation of failure could also be the crucible for failure. However, the ability to pick oneself up and utilize the lessons of missed opportunities as spring board for rising to enviable heights is the hallmark of a great man or woman.
Back then, even though i missed an opportunity, i didn't allow it to rob me of my identity - a great man, a man on a mission, an embodiment of God's grace and glory.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Some thoughts to borrow from
“Thank you for your discrimination; Sooner or later, I will make you regret it”
These were the words of Liu Wei - a disabled Chinese who got to the final round of ‘China’s Got Talent’.
Liu lost his two arms at the age of 10 through an accident but did not lose his will to carry on in life. His disability did not stand in the way of reliving his passion for music.
He was rejected by many music and piano trainers for his amputation, look and lack of skills. However, Liu later trained himself how to play the piano by foot-walking the piano keys with his feet.
Today, Liu won the ‘China’s Got Talent’ competition.
Do you feel a limitation upon your opportunities based on what people call your disabilities – race, gender, colour or belief? Borrow some thoughts from Liu.
You may not need to voice it like Liu did, but you will surely need to stay strong in your resolve to work around your disabilities.
Sooner or later, you will make those who rejected you regret they ever did.
..............................
To read more: http://english.cri.cn/6666/2010/10/11/1261s598646.htm
These were the words of Liu Wei - a disabled Chinese who got to the final round of ‘China’s Got Talent’.
Liu lost his two arms at the age of 10 through an accident but did not lose his will to carry on in life. His disability did not stand in the way of reliving his passion for music.
He was rejected by many music and piano trainers for his amputation, look and lack of skills. However, Liu later trained himself how to play the piano by foot-walking the piano keys with his feet.
Today, Liu won the ‘China’s Got Talent’ competition.
Do you feel a limitation upon your opportunities based on what people call your disabilities – race, gender, colour or belief? Borrow some thoughts from Liu.
You may not need to voice it like Liu did, but you will surely need to stay strong in your resolve to work around your disabilities.
Sooner or later, you will make those who rejected you regret they ever did.
..............................
To read more: http://english.cri.cn/6666/2010/10/11/1261s598646.htm
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates, I am on a mission.
A reminiscence of the days of attending various Model United Nation (MUNs) events across Europe saw me giggling and revelling. Great days they were.
MUNs are university or college-level simulation of the activities and agencies of the United Nation by students and young professionals from different walks of life. Hundreds of young men and women gather from various higher institutions to induct themselves into the world and psyche of leaders and global policy and decision makers.
To most students and young professionals, it is an introduction into the world of diplomacy and international relations and an eye-opener into challenges that world leaders faces in trying to manage the daunting problems of our age.
Undergraduate and graduate students from several parts of the world generally gather for a week-long, brain-tasking and energy-sapping debate on global issues. It involves several sessions of debates, lobbying and meetings which requires high-level of preparation and unmatched degree of intelligence, eloquence and articulation to succeed.
Owing to the nature of the simulation exercise, delegates cannot represent their country of origin. They have to act as the representative(s) of another country and advance positions on behalf of the country they represent.
I have had the opportunity to represent Poland, China, Sweden, Egypt, Iraq and Canada and functioned on the World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) and International Atomic and Energy Agency (IAEA). I have discussed and debated biopiracy, pro-poor and economic development, peace in the Korean Peninsula, north-south development cooperation and a host of other topics that have stretched me intellectually and shaped me globally.
I have won awards at three MUNs – Best Delegate, Special Mention and Honourable Mention and received standing accolade at one. Dedicating one of my awards to my committee mates, I had said ‘We were delegations who rose to motions to present our positions and even while we saw oppositions we were still able to draft resolutions’
I think of those days of chanting honourable chair, distinguished delegates and a sense of assignment is invoked in me. I am a man on a mission and those days were part of my preparation.
MUNs are university or college-level simulation of the activities and agencies of the United Nation by students and young professionals from different walks of life. Hundreds of young men and women gather from various higher institutions to induct themselves into the world and psyche of leaders and global policy and decision makers.
To most students and young professionals, it is an introduction into the world of diplomacy and international relations and an eye-opener into challenges that world leaders faces in trying to manage the daunting problems of our age.
Undergraduate and graduate students from several parts of the world generally gather for a week-long, brain-tasking and energy-sapping debate on global issues. It involves several sessions of debates, lobbying and meetings which requires high-level of preparation and unmatched degree of intelligence, eloquence and articulation to succeed.
Owing to the nature of the simulation exercise, delegates cannot represent their country of origin. They have to act as the representative(s) of another country and advance positions on behalf of the country they represent.
I have had the opportunity to represent Poland, China, Sweden, Egypt, Iraq and Canada and functioned on the World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) and International Atomic and Energy Agency (IAEA). I have discussed and debated biopiracy, pro-poor and economic development, peace in the Korean Peninsula, north-south development cooperation and a host of other topics that have stretched me intellectually and shaped me globally.
I have won awards at three MUNs – Best Delegate, Special Mention and Honourable Mention and received standing accolade at one. Dedicating one of my awards to my committee mates, I had said ‘We were delegations who rose to motions to present our positions and even while we saw oppositions we were still able to draft resolutions’
I think of those days of chanting honourable chair, distinguished delegates and a sense of assignment is invoked in me. I am a man on a mission and those days were part of my preparation.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Iyake – Happy Mother’s Day
Call her Iya Michael, Iyake or Iya Tasty, that’s my mum you are referring to. An incredible woman with an indescribable energy; An angel with a heart full of love for her kids.
She is rare, she is tough, she is principled; A godly woman with an uncommon passion and love for her family.
She is always a ready helper to her husband and an exemplary homemaker to her children.
You learnt responsibility and focus through her acts. She cautioned and guided you with her words and strokes.
She is at work dawn to dusk making sure however difficult it was, there was food to eat and clothes to wear.
Mrs. Deborah Adepeju Adegboye, on behalf of my siblings and i, we honour you today with every joule of energy in us and we joyfully say that we are so lucky that you are our mum.
We love and celebrate you Iyake. Happy Mother’s Day!
She is rare, she is tough, she is principled; A godly woman with an uncommon passion and love for her family.
She is always a ready helper to her husband and an exemplary homemaker to her children.
You learnt responsibility and focus through her acts. She cautioned and guided you with her words and strokes.
She is at work dawn to dusk making sure however difficult it was, there was food to eat and clothes to wear.
Mrs. Deborah Adepeju Adegboye, on behalf of my siblings and i, we honour you today with every joule of energy in us and we joyfully say that we are so lucky that you are our mum.
We love and celebrate you Iyake. Happy Mother’s Day!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Halleluyah! Jesus has risen
It’s Easter day today; a day of power, of liberation and of joy.
A day that what began with the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and ended with His death on the cross at Calvary finds full completion for the redemption of humanity.
Jesus, the saviour of the world, the destroyer of death and the lifter of all men is being celebrated today.
Halleluyah! Jesus is no longer in the grave. By virtue of His death and resurrection, I am forever changed.
Halleluyah! The chain of limitation is broken and the bond of retardation is destroyed.
I have received grace to bring down every gate of mediocrity and obscurity. I am going to fly like never before.
Halleluyah! Jesus has risen and His resurrection is making all the difference in my life.
A day that what began with the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and ended with His death on the cross at Calvary finds full completion for the redemption of humanity.
Jesus, the saviour of the world, the destroyer of death and the lifter of all men is being celebrated today.
Halleluyah! Jesus is no longer in the grave. By virtue of His death and resurrection, I am forever changed.
Halleluyah! The chain of limitation is broken and the bond of retardation is destroyed.
I have received grace to bring down every gate of mediocrity and obscurity. I am going to fly like never before.
Halleluyah! Jesus has risen and His resurrection is making all the difference in my life.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Jesus - My Saviour
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today and everyday.
I feel honoured to serve such a great saviour who loves me.
...........................................................
Written by Mary Omolola Awosolu
He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today and everyday.
I feel honoured to serve such a great saviour who loves me.
...........................................................
Written by Mary Omolola Awosolu
Thursday, March 25, 2010
It ended well.
A journey that started with uncertainty, worries and concerns ended with confidence, joy and comfort.
It was about two years ago that i started my postgraduate studies in Agricultural Science & Resource Management at the University of Bonn. As a fresher, so many things were new to me - the people, the environment, the daily experiences. Acclimatizing required some efforts and striking a good balanced with everything claimed substantial energy. Could i really claim i kept everything within balance?
There were many events that happened and scenarios that played out that were challenging enough to weaken my resolve to stay true to my purpose and keep my head above waters. But for God, i would have broken a lot sweat and suffered a lot of setbacks.
There were many days that i was down – financially and emotionally. There were countless days that i cried, worried and reminisced about the many things that were slipping out of control. I cannot but give praises to God that everything ended well.
Living in a country that many regard as a society that habours cold, regimented and racially-conscious people, God made it a place of grace and honour for me. A place where my life was beautified; a place of my lauch into glory.
Looking now at the whole period in retrospect, i can say there were some rounds i lost but with the fight, i came out triumphant. My studies went well, my experiences, well rounded and my life, better shaped. I have matured more and i am poised to take my place among the high and mighty. I’m so grateful to God that it all ended well.
It was about two years ago that i started my postgraduate studies in Agricultural Science & Resource Management at the University of Bonn. As a fresher, so many things were new to me - the people, the environment, the daily experiences. Acclimatizing required some efforts and striking a good balanced with everything claimed substantial energy. Could i really claim i kept everything within balance?
There were many events that happened and scenarios that played out that were challenging enough to weaken my resolve to stay true to my purpose and keep my head above waters. But for God, i would have broken a lot sweat and suffered a lot of setbacks.
There were many days that i was down – financially and emotionally. There were countless days that i cried, worried and reminisced about the many things that were slipping out of control. I cannot but give praises to God that everything ended well.
Living in a country that many regard as a society that habours cold, regimented and racially-conscious people, God made it a place of grace and honour for me. A place where my life was beautified; a place of my lauch into glory.
Looking now at the whole period in retrospect, i can say there were some rounds i lost but with the fight, i came out triumphant. My studies went well, my experiences, well rounded and my life, better shaped. I have matured more and i am poised to take my place among the high and mighty. I’m so grateful to God that it all ended well.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Some Thoughts on Faith.
What is Faith?
Faith is unarguably the most talked-about subject in Christendom and perhaps the least deployed ‘weapon’ by Christians in this age.
Being the bedrock as well as the hallmark of Christianity, faith occupies a key position in God-human relationship. With faith we deepen our understanding of God and get clarity about His will for us.
Faith as defined by the book of Hebrews 11 chapter 1 is ‘the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’. Faith has some invisible but tangible components and closes the gap between the future and the present.
Faith does not act superficially. It has a root in the word of God and in the promises and plans of God for humanity.
Why we do we need Faith?
Hebrews 11 chapter 6 says ‘but without faith, it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’
Coming to Jesus Christ at salvation has some elements of faith – confessing with our mouth and believing in our heart unto righteousness (Romans 10 chapter 9 & 10). Faith consolidates our testimony of salvation and revalidates our covenant of relationship with God.
Faith is our access to the supernatural. We link the Spirit of God and commit Him to delivering on His promises through faith. Without having faith in God, we become vulnerable to the antics and tactics of the devil.
What is the Process of having Faith?
The book of Romans 10 chapter 17 explicitly declares that ‘so then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God’.
‘Hearing’ as noted in this verse, is more than the physical listening and assimilating. It involves the Spirit of God opening our senses and connecting our spirit through revelation of His word to His plans and desires. In this process, we see into God’s purpose through the revealed word of God which some call ‘rhema’ and we are empowered to accept and act on what we have seen.
Under this circumstance, faith becomes planted as a seed in our spirit and mind and with more listening and acting on the word of God, we nurture faith until it grows and delivers what God wants for us. Unfortunately, the natural man cannot have faith because his spirit is dead and the Spirit of God cannot effectively connect with his spirit until he comes to Christ through salvation.
What are the rewards of having Faith?
The rewards of faith are countless. However, faith gives us uninterrupted access to the supernatural and makes us a friend of God. With faith we are able to please God and to bring His kingdom and dominion down on earth.
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