Though totally unplanned and unscripted, our emergency session, “Leveling Up, Getting Ahead”, showed how much such conversations are necessary. Whenever a person like me charges people to rise to power… the system often fights back. When I say ‘charges people’, I don’t mean the fake confessions that make you feel like you’re conquering the world, but it’s just all in your delusional mind. Big egos, tiny pockets. Only wealthy in your mind, but you’re still jumping buses in Lagos. Therefore the system is tolerant of public voices that make you feel good but in practice, keep you on a motivational treadmill - inspired but running nowhere fast. Do you remember how back in Primary/Secondary School, you’d come home with a C in Math or Chemistry, your parents would scold you and insist on an A? Some of your parents probably saw your report card and declared an immediate state of emergency on your academics. They swung into action and hired lesson teachers (private tutors) or sent you to after school group classes (cheaper but almost just as effective). Remember? Good. I know you do. All of us that grew up in Nigeria (and most of Africa) have a lot in common pertaining those early years. Well, as an adult, your freedom and sovereignty can be a BIG PROBLEM! Because… you have no authority in your life capable of scolding you for carrying a C on the report card of life. Money is not everything, we know. But it’s like O-Level Mathematics - Love it or Hate it - without it, you will not graduate. It’s only in the school of life, that people pat you on the back for carrying an F, and if you get a C, your testimony is allowed in church. You see why I shout? Should I continue shouting, or should I calm down and face my front? Do you see it now? We will have future engagements in this matter. Until then, remember… You can always play a bigger game. There’s always a higher level. Keep making the rest of your life, the best of your life. — J.O.