TODAY ON FRANKLY SPEAKING - THAT WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT

Being right is very important to your present and future success as an individual, do you do the right things or the easier stuff? Let's talk about that this morning; that way that seems right.

A truth that some of us Nigerians are disregarding today is that our current pressures and challenges as a nation is not a cause, but a consequence of many years of mistakes, mismanagement, wrong choices, irresponsibility and bad behaviours.

Today, we are paying the price of not doing things the right way and seeking purely after pleasure and easier ways out, not disciplined and proper ways of doing things.

In this life, no matter how prolonged a season of wrong doing, one day we shall be confronted with the consequences of our choices.

Collectively and as individuals, many of us are paying the price of the past and we are actually not victims of the current as many people insinuate.

One development I'm so pleased with though is the alertness of the electorate, Nigerians have woken up suddenly and they are beginning to question and interrogate the activities and policies of the elected, it's a sign of growing democracy.

We are gradually recovering from the bad effects of a prolonged dictatorship leadership and we have regained our consciousness as a people and we now ask to know what is going on and we can freely express our views and opinions unhindered.

This awakening however should not be a licence for us as citizens to blame public officials irrationally and negatively judge and criticise them for problems they didn't cause.

It is a good time in my opinion for us as individuals to reflect as well and identify when and how we also made bad choices and decisions that we are today, paying dearly for.

Some of us know we are the architects of our problems but we choose to blame the government and the system because it's easy to make them look guilty. Please allow me illustrate some real life situations this morning.

As a young secondary school leaver, you didn't pass your exams well and couldn't obtain university admission on merit and on time. You subsequently didn't get your preferred course upon admission but you wanted admission so desperately cause you kept seeing your classmates and junior getting into the university, so you sacrificed a good, rewarding and valuable course of study for a course you don't really like, don't have a passion for and can't relate with all because you just wanted to get into the university on time.

Today, you're struggling with relevance and unemployment; you probably finished with low grades and you don't love your course and can't effectively use it for anything. You lack passion and interest, so you just want an employment for income reasons, not because you have anything meaningful to contribute to your employing organisation. You've failed many employment exams and interviews. Three to five years after graduation you still don't have a stable job and can't hold unto anyone, now you blame the government for your career problems. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction.

Well, maybe out of your desperation to be rich and to hit it big early in life, instead of retaining a job or profession you love, enjoy and you're passionate about, you jumped at a better-paying job without any passion or interest in the industry and the company's purpose. Your motive and drive was purely salary and personal benefits. Consequently you're doing badly on the job, can't learn fast, and hardly deliver on targets, tasks and responsibilities because you're truly not interested. As a result you get fired when the company carried out a retrenchment exercise and now you choose to blame the economy and government policies for your sack, was everyone sacked? There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction.

Maybe you were doing well in business and making so much profit, subsequently you became overly ambitious and your greed got the better side of you. You chose to indulge in unethical deals and practices; everyone is doing it you said, now you've been caught, it's payback time, you can't run your business as usual, a new sheriff is in town, your illegitimate business system is crumbling, now you're blaming the government not your errors and bad choices. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction.

You're a happy man, doing well in life and in family, you've over time built a great reputation and earned the respect of many in the society. After being satisfied, you begin to seek dissatisfaction, you go after a girl young enough to be your daughter. You underrated her intelligence, her wiles, desperation and experience. You fall into her trap and sadly became a victim of blackmail. She has something on you the public must never see or hear. You've lost your peace, confidence, zeal and enthusiasm, you're in trouble, your reputation and family life at stake, you don't know a way out, you're paying her a lot of money as a result of blackmail and you take the frustration out on your wife, employees and kids and you say it's the current economic situation making you cranky. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction.

You struggled with your husband through thick and thin, in sickness and in health you were together, you've laughed together and cried together, you've remained together under the sun and in the rain, you endured the hard times and encouraged yourself through the dark times. Now he's successful, very rich and famous, loved and desired by all, male and female admirers alike. Suddenly you allow those who weren't there in your struggling-days plant insecurity in your heart. They tell you to hold him tight if not you may lose him to some lady somewhere. Your insecurity brought forth anxiety, suspicion, distrust and fear; consequently you begin to complain, nag, manipulate and you became a big burden to your innocent husband. In his attempt to avoid your many troubles, he stays away from you. In his loneliness and isolation, some dangerous babe sees through his problems, pays him attention, offers him peace and comfort, encourages him and gives him all the support, eventually, you've allowed your insecurity, and fears and bad councillors make you sabotage your marriage. You have messed up your own home. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction.

You want short cuts and want to cut corners in life. you bribe your way through school, offered gender favours for grades, you obtained a certificate without knowledge and competence, you applied the same wiles in getting a job, unfortunately you can't perform and you're frustrated, subsequently you get laid off and of course who do you blame? We all know who. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction

You are a young beautiful lady with potentials, but due to greed and covetousness you meet a young man probably in his mid or late-twenties who's already a multi-millionaire, he collects the most expensive cars, lives in the most expensive part of town, he spends millions on you as one of his many girls and you have no idea what he does for a living. He says he's a business man and you're contented with his explanation. You eventually become a victim of his source of wealth and everyone around says it is economic hardship bringing about this wickedness in the society. Dear sister, could it be your greed? There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction

You are such a beautiful girl with great potentials but perhaps too laid back and indolent to work with your own hands, you lack self-worth, dignity and a sense of personal value, you want a shortcut to money and fame and you schemed and desperately attach yourself to a reigning celebrity.

You decide to get pregnant for someone who will definitely not marry you, and you're proud to be listed amongst the many ladies having babies for an immature talented star without self-discipline, character or scruples.

You become a baby mama forgetting one day these babies will all grow up and become men and women who will ask you questions. By then the fame and honour will be gone, everyone would have forgotten all about your celebrity boyfriend, your superstar lover will no longer be that popular; probably broke, tired and retired, with a pot belly and his talent and voice completely gone. And of course married to his true love. When that time comes and it will surely come, you would understand why you shouldn't build permanent structure with temporary people, situations, trends and thrills. There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction.

Ladies and gentlemen, yes, we can criticise the government and make them accountable, but please take responsibility and be accountable to yourself too. When you judge, decide and plan in life, do it with your personal future in mind.

Dear friends, I hope you've been encouraged by today's episode. You can follow me and tweet your views on twitter immediately after this show, my handle is @franklyafolabi. You can also visit my website, its www.muyiaafolabi.com.

Till I come your way again, same time same station for another inspiring episode of your favourite talk show, my name is MUYIWA AFOLABI, please enjoy your day.