Tinubu’s reelection: Abejide launches N600m empowerment initiative in Kano

A member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, is mobilizing two million voters from Yoruba extraction resident in Kano for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, with the launching of N600 million empowerment programme, targeting Yoruba women Corporative Societies, widows and other vulnerable people.

The empowerment programme which was launched under the auspices of Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF), was inaugurated at Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, on Saturday, under the chairmanship of Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Abejide, the Kano-based business tycoon, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Customs, called on the beneficiaries to ensure the reelection of President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf in the 2027 election circle, promising to do even more when they reciprocate his goodwill by massively voting for President Tinubu, Governor Yusuf and all APC candidates vying for electoral position in Kano.

According to him, the intervention was part of his commitment to giving back to the people of Kano, a city he described as his home and the foundation of his success in life.

He disclosed that he arrived in Kano decades ago, as a young boy from Alu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, adding that the city provided him with the opportunities that shaped his business career and eventual success.

According to him, his decision to extend the empowerment programme to Kano was driven by his longstanding relationship with the people, many of whom he had known for over three decades.

Leke Abejide, explained that the N500 million interest-free loan scheme to women Corporative Societies was designed to support them establish businesses that will enable them take care of their family needs.

He also revealed that another N100 million was earmarked for widows, including assorted food items that would be distributed to the beneficiaries.

He said the initiative was designed to ensure sustainable economic empowerment through a revolving loan arrangement that would enable other women to benefit after previous beneficiaries successfully repay their loans.

Abejide further disclosed that the programme covers women from eight Yoruba-speaking states, namely Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara, alongside Ebira, Igala and Bassa communities from Kogi state resident in Kano.

Abejide assured the beneficiaries that the programme would be continuous, stressing that it was not designed as a temporary political gesture but as a sustainable intervention capable of transforming businesses and lifting families out of poverty.

The lawmaker also announced that widows captured under the programme would receive direct financial support through their bank accounts to strengthen their petty businesses, while all participating women would receive rice and six yards of printed wax fabric.

He warned beneficiaries against misusing the funds, explaining that the foundation had established monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and minimise defaults.

Abejide also revealed that the Foundation would soon extend its empowerment initiative to youths and men in business, particularly unemployed young people, to help them become self-reliant and economically productive.

He said the Foundation had already collected the names of prospective beneficiaries as preparations for the next phase of the programme continued.

Speaking on his political commitment, Abejide called on the Yoruba community and other beneficiaries in Kano to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates in the forthcoming elections.

He expressed concern over the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Kano, where President Tinubu secured over 500,000 votes across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas, saying the result had challenged him to mobilise the Yoruba population in Kano for stronger political participation.

Abejide, who goes by the title of the Asiwaju of the Yoruba people in Kano, said arrangements were being made to appoint polling-unit coordinators among women and widows benefiting from the empowerment programme to strengthen grassroots mobilisation.

He declared his commitment to mobilising support for President Tinubu, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, APC senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates and State House of Assembly candidates.

The Foundation chairman maintained that the empowerment initiative would also promote unity among Yoruba associations in Kano, noting that the programme had brought together different groups that previously operated separately.

He cited the Foundation’s achievements in Kogi State, where it had provided free WAEC registration for more than 50,000 students and supported approximately 10,000 widows over the years.

Abejide expressed confidence that Kano, being the commercial centre of northern Nigeria, would record even greater success in the implementation of the empowerment programme.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the financial assistance judiciously, assuring them that the foundation would remain committed to improving their economic conditions.

He concluded by reaffirming his determination not to disappoint the people, describing himself as a man who keeps his promises and urging beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture through responsible participation in the programme.

Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, commended Abejide for the kind gesture, and assured the Yoruba people resident in Kano of the state government’s commitment towards their welfare and welbeing.

Governor Yusuf who promised to donate a land for the building of ultra modern palace for Oba Yoruba in Kano, also donated N500 million for the project.

He urged the people to support the rulling APC and ensure the reelection of President Tinubu and other APC candidates in the state.

Speaking at the occasion, former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said Kano is a very significant state, particularly because of its diversity and the harmonious relationship among its different communities.

He said: ‘The population of other ethnic groups in Kano may be relatively small compared with the indigenous population, but that does not mean we should underestimate our political strength. We have a responsibility to mobilise our people and ensure that their votes count.

‘In the last presidential election, our voting population in Kano delivered nearly 500,000 votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That performance was not satisfactory, and we must do better this time.

‘We are already reaching out to our people across different neighbourhoods. Our responsibility is not limited to voting for the President; we must also campaign actively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.’

Tinubu kisses sacred Black Stone at Makkah (photos)

President Bola Tinubu kissed the Black Stone, known as Hajar al-Aswad, at the Holy Kaaba during his visit to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The President kissed the stone before entering the Kaaba, adding to the religious activities undertaken during his visit to the holy city.

Located at a corner of the Kaaba within the Grand Mosque, the Black Stone marks the starting point for tawaf, the ritual circling of the sacred structure during Hajj and Umrah.

Tinubu had earlier performed Umrah on Friday, October 30, offering prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity and stability.

According to the Presidency, he also sought divine guidance for the country’s leaders and lasting relief from insecurity and other challenges.

At a dinner with members of his delegation on Sunday, the President prayed for Nigeria’s diversity to become a source of prosperity.

‘May Almighty Allah bless Nigeria, convert our diversity into prosperity as a country,’ he said.

BUA Group Chairman, Abdulsamad Rabiu, who accompanied Tinubu, said the visit had given members of the delegation an opportunity to pray for themselves, their families and Nigeria.

PAWS to pet owners: Sue firm for estafa

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) urged the owners of the 25 deceased dogs and cats that were dumped at a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, to sue the pet crematorium for estafa by means of deceit.

‘Pet parents paid for a service that was supposed to provide their beloved companions with a dignified farewell. Instead, their remains were reportedly dumped like garbage in a vacant lot,’ PAWS said in a statement on Saturday.

‘This is not merely a failure to deliver a service but constitutes estafa by means of deceit,’ it added.

According to PAWS, Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium, which is located in Bacoor, Cavite, told the pet parents that their departed animals had been cremated.

But in reality, ‘this was false and induced pet parents to pay for the service.’

PAWS said that although the incident did not directly violate the Animal Welfare Act since the animals were already deceased when turned over to the crematorium, the crematorium could still be held liable under Article 315 (2)(a) of the Revised Penal Code.

The group urged the pet owners concerned to preserve pieces of evidence, such as receipts, cremation certificates, communications, photos and other evidence and to seek legal advice in filing the appropriate case.

‘Each complaint, supported by evidence, can help establish the extent of the alleged wrongdoing and prevent other grieving families from experiencing the same,’ PAWS said.

Luna and Furry Siblings, an animal rescue service, first reported about the discovery of the dead animals on Friday on its Facebook account. It also said only 25 were found, not 29, and that all had been claimed by their owners.

On Sunday, the group said that 14 dead dogs were also found in same place on May 19, adding that only two had been identified: Caesar and Milo.

‘If you had your dog taken to Ahjay pet services and crematory around March to May this year, please have a look and let us know,’ Luna and Furry Siblings urged the public in the post, attaching a few photos of the deceased pets.

Crematorium closed

Following the incident, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla suspended the crematorium’s business permit and ordered its immediate closure in accordance with applicable legal procedures. He also directed the city’s legal, licensing, environment and veterinary offices to conduct an investigation.

Revilla likewise met with Ahjay Paws owner Jonathan Legaspi and over 30 of the pet owners concerned.

Legaspi, who said the company operates cremation machines in Bacoor and Caloocan, claimed that some animals had been transported to Caloocan, although he could not present proof showing they were cremated.

Legaspi also could not confirm whether the animals dumped in Bulacan had been entrusted to his company or that the ashes returned to customers were those of their pets.

The absence of closed-circuit television footage and other records further complicated the investigation although Revilla said the city government would pursue accountability.

San Jose del Monte City police chief Col. Nelson Sardin said the remains of the animals were initially buried by barangay officials and residents of Barangay Minuyan on Saturday morning. But these were later exhumed after pet owners and their families arrived in the area.

The remains, placed in seven large sacks, were allegedly dumped by two unidentified men aboard a van around 2 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, in a grassy area along an inner road in the barangay.

A strong foul odor emanating from the sacks on Saturday prompted residents to report the matter to village officials. Upon inspection, barangay officials found the animals placed individually in bags, with labels indicating their names and weight.

‘They made a mistake dumping the pets in San Jose del Monte. We are all pet lovers in this city,’ Sardin said.

Sardin said the dumping violated Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the city’s sanitation ordinance.

Missing UP student found alive in Laguna – PNP

The Philippine National Police stressed the need for mental health support on Sunday after rescuing a missing student from the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños who allegedly attempted suicide twice during her six-day disappearance.

The fourth-year student, whose identity was withheld, was found in San Pablo City, Laguna, on Friday and located through closed-circuit television (CCTV)-assisted tracking by the Taguig City Police Station (TCPS) and the Southern Police District (SPD).

The 21-year-old student’s family and members of the public had also helped spread information about her disappearance online.

‘We are grateful that this young woman was found safe,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Sunday.

‘Let this be a reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength, and every life is worth protecting. Life’s difficulties can feel overwhelming but there is always help available,’ he added.

The student’s parents reported her missing on Oct. 25, and her disappearance gained widespread attention after her family sought help in media interviews and on social media.

Police traced her movements using CCTV footage and coordinated with authorities in various locations she had visited before finding her in San Pablo City on Oct. 30.

Interviews conducted by the PNP Women and Children Protection Desk revealed that the student had left home due to family problems and severe emotional distress.

The student told investigators that she intended to end her life after she left home, first by drowning in Laiya, Batangas, where she stayed at a resort and rented a cottage, and second by hanging while staying at a hotel in San Pablo City. When she was found, police observed ligature marks on her neck.

Need for sensitivity

Nartatez said the circumstances of the case highlighted the need for sensitivity in handling missing-person reports and for police interventions to prioritize the welfare of those involved.

‘We urge anyone facing emotional distress to reach out to family, trusted friends, health professionals, or authorities before making irreversible decisions,’ he said.

The police referred the student to the Taguig City Local Social Welfare and Development Office for assistance, but her parents opted to bring her directly to a private hospital for immediate medical and psychological care.

Seplat discovers 157bcf of Gas, 19m barrels of oil at Aku-01 Well

Seplat Energy Plc has announced the discovery of an estimated 157 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas and 19 million barrels of oil in place at its Aku-01 exploration well in Nigeria, raising prospects for increased hydrocarbon production and future revenue.

The discovery, made after the end of September 2026, was disclosed by the indigenous energy company in its unaudited financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, released on Thursday, October 29.

The company said preliminary internal estimates indicated a mid-case gas resource of 157 Bcf and an oil resource of 19 million barrels in place.

It described the oil discovery as unexpected, noting that the original exploration programme had been designed primarily to target natural gas.

‘Post period end, the Company successfully discovered oil and gas in the Aku-01 exploration well. Preliminary internal estimates indicate a mid-case gas-in-place resource of 157 Bcf and oil-in-place resource of 19 MMbbls. Encouragingly, an oil discovery was not part of the original well plan,’ Seplat stated.

The company, however, said further evaluation would be required to establish the commercially recoverable volumes from the discovery.

Seplat disclosed that work was ongoing to complete the exploration well for potential future production, with plans to connect it to existing infrastructure to accelerate the commercial development of the resources.

It added that the discovery had reduced exploration uncertainty across four neighbouring prospects within the licence area, paving the way for another exploration well in the Aku area in 2027.

Seplat holds a 40 per cent operated interest in Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 2A25, where the discovery was made.

The development comes amid improved operational and financial performance by the company, which reported a pre-tax profit of N1.34 trillion during the nine-month period, representing a 52.75 per cent increase from N878.99 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Revenue rose to N3.78 trillion from N3.36 trillion, while profit after tax increased to N355.6 billion from N146.6 billion in the preceding year.

On the operational front, Seplat’s average daily working-interest crude oil and condensate production increased by 1.4 per cent to 103,173 barrels per day (bopd) in the first nine months of 2026, compared with 101,793 bopd in the corresponding period of 2025.

The figure was also higher than the 99,518 bopd recorded in the first half of the year.

Natural gas production averaged 194.9 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd), representing an 11.6 per cent increase from 174.7 MMscfd recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

This was also above the 182.9 MMscfd achieved in the first half of 2026.

Similarly, natural gas liquids (NGL) production more than doubled to 8,222 bopd from 3,719 bopd in the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of approximately 121 per cent.

However, the figure was slightly below the 8,459 bopd recorded in the first half of the year.

Overall, Seplat’s combined working-interest production averaged 144,999 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), representing a seven per cent increase from 135,636 boepd in the corresponding period of 2025.

Reflecting its financial performance, Seplat declared a third-quarter dividend of 19 US cents per share, comprising a core dividend of five cents and a special dividend of 14 cents.

The declaration brings the company’s cumulative dividends for the first nine months of 2026 to 40 US cents per share.

Seplat also retained its full-year underlying dividend guidance of $270 million, equivalent to 45 US cents per share.

In addition, the company plans to distribute approximately $140 million to shareholders following the anticipated completion of the sale of a 10 per cent interest in its NNPCL-SEPNU joint venture to NNPC Limited.

If completed as planned, the transaction would take the company’s expected total dividend distributions for 2026 to approximately $410 million.

Meanwhile, Seplat Energy’s shares closed unchanged at N16,000.10 on October 28, 2026, its all-time high, with 57,476 shares traded against 9,884 shares in the previous trading session.

The stock has appreciated by approximately 175 per cent year-to-date from its opening price of N5,809.

The Doom Loop

Most of the time, I reflect on this very profound rhetorical question: Why would an otherwise thriving business enterprise end up in distress? Also, what explanation can one offer when a business leader whom we all look up to falls from a towering position?

Let us examine this systemic cascade which we refer to as the ‘Doom Loop.’ It is the result of an unchecked chain reaction in an organisation. It unfolds gradually from the failure of a company and its leadership to regularly discharge their watchdog responsibilities of ensuring an all-encompassing accountability. Every unit and interaction within an organisation is interconnected and failure of a unit (or units) affects the others (it is a cascading effect).

The Doom Loop starts with a crack, and once the cycle begins, the entire system starts pulling itself apart from within.

A business leader must therefore operate with the awareness that the business environment is evolving daily. You must identify emerging threats and discover emerging profitable opportunities. The organisation must strive always to expand beyond its existing business model through continuous adaptation and innovation. There must be collaboration through strategic partnerships because we must move beyond limitations and conventional thinking. The leader must operate with the entrepreneurial capabilities of agility and agency.

CEOs must regularly translate bold strategic choices into sustained performance and recognise employee mobilisation as the critical differentiator for strategic success. They must measure the quality of their strategies and always move up the power curve.

Today, we have innovative business models that business leaders should adopt. These include redefining customer engagement, transforming the value delivered to customers.

Do not remain on plateaus for the sake of stability and convenience. The flywheel concept is a strategic principle that mandates leaders to build all-involving momentum in the workplace. Consistently engage and energise your people. Small wins accumulate and eventually become visible results. Keep turning the flywheel and ensure that its momentum remains consistent with your organisation’s values and principles.

Creative leadership intentionally drives energised team development.

John D. Rockefeller successfully used four (4) powerful people skills to build one of the largest business empires. He encouraged and developed talented employees; retained good employees and clients; disagreed without creating enemies; and aligned colleagues’ ideas and perspectives.

I challenged my colleagues and team members at our recent two-day brainstorming retreat to be committed to recalibrating, realigning and reinventing ourselves. The adoption of (our version of) the Agency Theory must always encourage selflessness and not the prosperity of favourites. We are all significant contributors to the growth of the organisation. We must exemplify optimism, energy, courage, dignity, integrity and high standards of complementary work ethics.

My charge was that ‘we must not melt from the heat of change and the tough business environment.’

I recommended our unique ‘Corporate Ladder.’ It is not about hierarchy but human dignity, ownership and impact.

We use hierarchy for coordination, not control; equity over titles; and agency over status. The top is not a position. It is the person you become through purpose, responsibility and influence.

We work as teams, not as individuals defined by titles. Every day, we must ask ourselves: Why am I doing what I do? Who am I impacting? What am I changing? And, in a constantly shifting market, how are we using our knowledge to create meaningful change?

We do not climb the ladder to rise above others. We climb to become better, create greater impact and move the organisation forward.

To stay completely clear of the Doom Loop, organisations must constantly evaluate and monitor performance. The Results-Based Management (RBM) method is particularly useful in this regard. It is made up of an array of objective performance dimensions, namely production measures and quality measures. These measures incorporate two (2) primary results-based approaches: the Direct Methods Approach (DMA) and Management by Objectives (MBO).

Through these approaches, a company assesses the outcomes of work and quantifiable results such as sales and productivity. Sales revenue is clearly an important indicator. Management by Objectives (MBO) involves setting specific goals to be accomplished within a particular period.

The Results-Based Management (RBM) approach has distinct advantages. These include roadmap setting, monitoring and evaluation, and feedback. RBM integrates strategy, resources, processes and measurements to improve decision-making, transparency and accountability.

Performance measurement is the continuous process of collecting, collating and analysing information on key indicators and comparing actual results with expected results. This enables organisations to determine how effectively projects and policies are being implemented.

It is very important that organisations do not suddenly become aware of changes in the marketplace after those changes have already occurred. You must monitor causal relationships rather than rely solely on expectations and assumptions. There are multiple levels of causality that determine daily outputs, outcomes and impact.

The questions you must constantly ask when tracking performance are: Are our decisions achieving the expected results? Is our workforce aligned?

Companies must deliberately and consistently ensure that they operate at the right pace and in perfect rhythm to successfully avert the Doom Loop. Everyone in the workplace must work at the right tempo, remain synchronised with one another and stay aligned with the operating environment. Organisations must always maintain the right level of organisational entrainment to remain responsive, cohesive and effective in navigating change.

NIPSS, DOMI to train 60 executives on strategic leadership

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, in partnership with DOMI Leadership Consult Limited, Lagos, will hold a strategic leadership retreat for about 60 business executives in Lagos and Abuja to strengthen their performance and prepare businesses for growth next year.

Founder of DOMI Leadership Consult, Dr David Oladipo, who made this known, said the retreat would bring together chief executives, managing directors and executive directors for strategic discussions, peer learning and action planning.

The retreat, themed ‘Navigating Growth: Alignment, Innovation, and Scale,’ will hold in Lagos on November 27 and 28, and in Abuja on December 4 and 5.

Oladipo said the programme was designed to help business leaders review their organisations’performance, address implementation challenges and develop practical strategies for sustainable growth.

The faculty will include facilitators from NIPSS and DOMI Leadership Consult, alongside leadership and management experts, including NIPSS Director-General, Prof Ayo Omotayo; Dr Alexander Faranpojo of Eternal Virtues; Dr Linus Okorie of GOTNI Leadership Centre; Dr Niyi Adesanya of FifthGear Plus Consulting; and Oladipo.

The Lagos sessions will hold at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, while the Abuja edition will take place at Reiz Continental Hotel.

The organisers said the retreat was intended to equip participating executives with actionable strategies for improving institutional effectiveness, strengthening leadership alignment and achieving measurable business goals in 2027.

Kwara Muslim community honours 14

The Igosunland Muslim Community near Offa in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State has turbanned four illustrious sons of the town.

The awardees were Alhaji Suleiman Kosemani grand mufty of Igosunland, Alhaji Shehu Tijani Kolawole, Akeweje Adinni, Kamarudeen O. Akanbi Maiyegun of Igosunland and Alhaji Dr Mudasiru Aliyu, Aare Musulumi of Igosunland.

They were honoured for their contributions and Islamic achievements in Igosunland and beyond.

One of the recipients who is also the Chairman of Oyun Local Government, Akanbi, lauded Governor AbdulRasaq AbdulRamon for giving him the opportunity to serve his community.

He praised the Muslim Community and vowed to continuing to provide dividends of democracy to the community and empowerment.

Ten others also given awards for their service, one of them an erudite Muslim scholar and renowned retired principal of schools, Alhaji Muritala Raji. The ceremony held at Muslim school playing ground was conducted by Imam Salimon Abdullah, with other Muslim scholars.

Sri Lanka pay price of fifth bowler.

Well, Sri Lanka lost the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series finale to the host country Pakistan. The result must have been rather disappointing for some, but no so for others who have been following the team’s progress in white ball cricket.

Not so long ago just two months back in September, Sri Lanka were thrashed 2-1 by England in the three-match ODI series. So inconsistent were their performances that sandwiched between a 16-run win at Headingley were two rather disappointing defeats in the first and third matches where Sri Lanka managed totals of just 176 and 132. It was exasperating to see the type of cricket they played, no fight back, but abject surrender.

Fast forward to October, it was a totally different Sri Lanka team we saw in the ODI Tri-Series. At the beginning of the tournament no one gave Sri Lanka a chance to even get closer to a final. It was to be a Pakistan-England final everyone was looking forward to.

But as the tournament progressed Sri Lanka began to gradually unveil their true potential. First it was that record run chase of 430 against England that would have lifted the spirits of the team sky high. It was then followed by the rout of Pakistan for 110 in the next match – a win that assured Sri Lanka a place in the final. There followed two back to back defeats against England in the final league match which was a dead rubber and in the final against Pakistan.

But what was most heartening from these results is that in three of their last four matches Sri Lanka topped 325 plus, which was something of an achievement if one was to look back on their performance in England. Mind you they scored these runs without one of their key top order batters Pathum Nissanka. After experimenting with several opening options Sri Lanka were successful with Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando at the top. Each of them made over 200 runs in the tournament striking at 97.73 and 98.07 respectively. Kamindu Mendis went onto score a century in the final demonstrating his ability to play long innings and take responsibility, and Avishka recalled to the team after more than a year, missing out on a century by three runs against England in that record run chase.

If one was to critically analyse why Sri Lanka lost the final to Pakistan even after scoring 325 it was the absence of a fifth bowling option. Sri Lanka had Pakistan down at 14-2 and still allowed them to reach their target of 326. Fakhar Zaman’s splendid knock of 127 off 83 balls and Saad Baig’s contribution of 74 in a partnership of 149 changed the complexion of the chase.

Even after dismissing both batsmen and Salman Agha, Sri Lanka still couldn’t finish the job. Arafat Minhas produced a stunning counterattacking innings of 61 off just 31 deliveries, while Hasan Nawaz provided valuable support. That late partnership of 94 off 65 balls exposed Sri Lanka’s inability to control the game during the crucial overs. This is precisely where Sri Lanka’s lack of a fifth bowling option cost them the match. It wasn’t that Pakistan had an extraordinary batting lineup throughout the innings. Fakhar was exceptional, and Baig deserves credit for his contribution, but Sri Lanka gave away too many opportunities through their bowling, and crucial catches were spilled particularly when the pressure was on.

Against England, Sri Lanka’s fifth bowling option of Arachchige, Liyanage and Shanaka conceded 82 runs off nine overs, and against Pakistan 81 off 10. In the high scoring first match against England, Sri Lanka’s fifth bowling option of Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis and Liyanage leaked 123 runs off 10 overs, but it didn’t get highlighted because of Sri Lanka’s extraordinary run chase. Sri Lanka needs to address this important area before bigger tournaments. The lack of a genuine all-rounder is also a matter of concern.

On the positive side Sri Lanka has made vast strides especially in their batting. They’ll have to build their batting around Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, and Janith Liyanage whose potential deserves backing.

The biggest positive is Pavan Rathnayake. What a tournament this 24-year-old cricketer from Mahanama College and CCC is having. Five innings, 427 runs, two centuries and two half-centuries, at an extraordinary average of 106.75. Beyond those numbers, what was most impressive was his resilience, patience, temperament and understanding of the game. His scores of 79 (74) against Pakistan, 130 (106) against England, 23* (26) against Pakistan, 118 (77) against England and 77 (65) in the final against Pakistan tell you the story of his consistency.

If ever a player deserved the Player of the Series award it was Rathnayake. His numbers tell the story. He was the highest run scorer of the tournament. No one came close! And yet the Player of the Series award goes to a player from the winning team. For all his brilliance on the field Rathnayake was presented with the All-Rounder of the Final and Best Fielder of the Final awards. Simply heartbreaking. Cricket is not just about who won the final, it›s about who dominated the whole series. And Rathnayake dominated it like no one else.

The one defeat in the final should not take away the appreciation the team deserves. The tournament demonstrated that Sri Lanka cricket had plenty of talent and character. The players deserve the encouragement, patience and unconditional support to attain greater heights.

Motive for action: ‘Capsules’ for consideration

Motivation is a mundane topic. Yet, ‘motive for action’ is much needed in many fronts in moving the country forward. It was a pleasure reading a book titled, ‘Hundred Capsules of Motivation’ by one of my ‘learning partners,’ Tharindu Dananjaya Weerasinghe. He motivated himself in becoming a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. Today’s column reflects on the ‘capsules’ in the context of individual, institutional, and national progress.

Overview

Motivation or, simply put, ‘motive for action’ comes from the Latin term movere, which means “to move”. It highlights the internal or external driving force that initiates, guides, and sustains goal-directed human behavior. From the time we wake up till we go to bed, some kind of motivation guides us to engage in multiple tasks in the personal as well as professional fronts.

Why I like Tharindu’s book is mainly due to its simplicity. It invites us for a ‘bite size learning,’ in consuming ‘one capsule at a time.’ Each capsule offers us a rich insight related to life, in prompting us to think and act energetically.

Contents in a nutshell

‘This book is the outcome of a long journey shaped by learning, teaching, observing, and experiencing life across multiple domains. It is not merely a collection of ideas, but a reflection of real encounters, real struggles, and real growth witnessed over the years.’ The way Tharindu starts his Preface is indeed profound.

The book is structured around ten themes with ten ‘capsules’ each. It begins with a foundation of personal growth and moved to mental strength and resource maturity. Then comes personal effectiveness and productivity. Professional growth and leadership comes then and advance professional excellence is next. Consistency, discipline and execution, High-performance mindset, Strategic thinking and self-leadership, Mastry, identity and life vision and Legacy, growth and life direction are the remaining themes.

‘Most people travel through life like they travel through Colombo in peak traffic. They know where they are starting, but not necessarily where they are going. The result is busyness without direction.’ That is how Tharindu starts his narrative.

‘Think of a fisherman in coastal area. He wakes before sunrise not because someone orders him, but because he knows the sea before dawn gives him the best chance of feeding his family. His purpose is not philosophical -it is practical. Purpose transforms suffering into sacrifice, and sacrifice into dignity. Your purpose doesn’t need to be poetic. It simply needs to be honest. You can choose it today. And you can choose it again tomorrow.’ Tharindu continues his reflection on purpose.

The principle of ‘One Thing’ is one of the interesting ‘capsules’ contained in the book. ‘In a world of multiple priorities, clarity comes from focus. The principle of one think is simple. Identify the most important task and give it full attention. Not everything deserves energy.’ Tharindu invites us to ask a fundamental question. ‘What is the one thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessary?’

‘This book is written with the hope that it will serve as a companion in your journey. IF even a single capsule creates a positive shift in your thinking or direction, then this effort has truly achieved its purpose.’ That is how Tharindu concludes hie Preface.

I see a novel way of addressing a much-needed yet often neglected aspect throughout the book. Each ‘capsule’ does it in style with insights and impact.

Fulfilling a void

The bookshops are full of self-help books. One may tempt to buy them but not reading and reflecting on the contents and thereby becoming mere book collectors. The true need, the way I see, is the appeal to read, reflect and relate in improving oneself. Tharindu’s book provides that skillfully as one ‘capsule’ is sufficient for a significant spike of result-oriented action.

The hundred ‘capsules’ contained in the book cover a wide array of insightful ideas leading to action. Tharindu, with his multiple role-playing as a learner, teacher, researcher, trainer, supervisor, communicator, and a counselor has presented his thoughts in a lucid and lyrical manner to appeal even to the lousy readers. His scholarly accolades such as an MBA with a Merit from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) and spiritual adventures as a religious preacher cum counselor are vividly represented in the book with a fitting style and the matching depth and breadth.

‘At some point, techniques, habits, and strategies are not enough. You need something deeper – a philosophy.’ That’s how Tharindu advises. ‘As your internal framework, it guides how you think, act, and respond to life. When principles are clear, decisions become simple.’ He highlights that your philosophy may include, what you value, how you define success, how you treat others, and how you respond to failure. ‘Because in the end, success is not only what you achieve; it is who your become in the process.’

It reminds me of what Theadore Roosevelt said. ‘”Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” It invites us to have a committed approach rather than complaining of issues. Tharindu’s book offers us many ways of overcoming obstacles in finding opportunities in them, by way of treating ‘stumbling blocks’ as ‘stepping stones.’

Way forward

‘This book was never meant to be an ending – it was meant to be a beginning. Every capsule you have read is not just a piece of advice, but a mirror reflecting your potential, your discipline, your courage, and your responsibility. ‘ Tharindu writes at the end stating that ‘the journey continues within you.’ As he concludes ‘the next chapter is not written by the author – it will be written by you.’

What Winston S. Churchill said makes sense here. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” I see a prolific emerging writer in Tharindu Weerasinghe, currently a doctoral candidate. His latest book will benefit the deserving readers immensely. Let the ‘motive for action’ begin.