Obanibasiri Trading Stores LTD

01/10/2017

Imagining new pathways for new prosperity!
__Asking new questions and listening to voices yet unheard...

What is the biggest development challenge your own nation will face in the next 20 years, and what are you doing about it NOW? Let's talk! As I mentioned in my last post, I was recently invited by Melinda Gates (co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) to serve as a co-chair of her new Pathways for Prosperity initiative, along with Indonesia's dynamic Minister of Finance, Hon. Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

Last week's Goalkeepers Conference in New York, organized by the Gates Foundation, shows how this new Initiative can bring new energy, voices and approaches to development. At the conference, Trevor Noah (the famous South African comedian), Stephen Fry (another famous British comedian) and Malala Yousafzai (a Nobel Peace Prize laureate) all gave their unique perspectives.

At the same event, Canada's President Justin Trudeau and President Obama shared thoughts about some of the progress being made in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and especially what more we can and must do...

Now most of you know that I sit on several boards and have been thinking about key development questions for a long time:

# If economic growth in many nations isn't creating opportunity for everyone, especially the poorest of the poor, what exactly can and must be done better? What role can business play?

# What and where are the best practices in the world?

# How will new technologies impact the framing of the above questions, and many more?

# Who are the world's top development experts who really focus on such matters today?

Now it was this last question that inspired Melinda to initiate "Pathways for Prosperity," with which I'm really honored to take part.

__First announced last week and still in its formative stages, we see this as becoming a thinking, innovating, inclusive space where new ideas and policy options are not just imagined, researched, and debated by a few top international experts in various traditional fields, but by many new voices, too.

As most of you know, I'm particularly interested in the impact of technology on the future of jobs in all sectors, from agriculture to manufacturing, especially on the African continent. Technology like artificial intelligence is already changing the workplace everywhere in the world. By this I mean, how we do our work, with what skills, and with which tools...

Young courageous women like Malala, comedians like Trevor Noah, global luminaries like Obama, and just as important, YOU, all have valuable contributions to make, going forward. Don't be shy because you think you're not a development expert. New voices from new places may be the exact ones we can learn from most.

So back to my earlier question: What is the biggest development challenge your country will face in the next 20 years? Think...

# Smart (technologies)
# Job and skills transformations (in agriculture, education, health, manufacturing, the list goes on).
# Best practices.
# Innovation, and more innovation.
# Inclusion.
# Entrepreneurship!
# # New pathways for new prosperity...

What new questions should we be asking? Please don't write me long essays. One brief paragraph will be sufficient today. Your new voices are part of the new solutions!

End.

Image credit: Pathways for Prosperity Co-Chairs - Strive Masiyiwa, Melinda Gates and Hon. Minister Sri Malyani Indrawati, last week in New York.

19/03/2017

Who would be on your "dream team"?
__Always look for the "game changer" (Part 3).

One of the ways you strengthen your business is to look for opportunities to partner with the best in your game. You're never too big or too small to look for partners that will fit your needs. When you partner with the best, you learn to improve your business dramatically. In the best partnerships, they win, and you win, too.

Finding a "game changer" for your business through partnerships is extremely important. This is an ongoing process for me. I've always looked for opportunities to partner with those who can help give me access to technology, business systems, intellectual property (IP), and general know-how for my people.

Let me give you some examples: When I started Econet Wireless, I was approached by one of the largest telecoms companies in the world which wanted to buy a stake in my company. Sitting over dinner one evening, the Vice President of the company asked me what was my vision for the business.

I told him passionately that I wanted to run the business myself, and build it as an African-owned company. A deeply compassionate man, who has become a lifelong friend, Jim Myers (an American from Texas) said, "We can help you achieve that, and it really makes no difference to us if we don't own a stake your business. We'll find lots of other opportunities."

"Really? You would do that for me?!"

"Why not? I'm happy to help you in any way I can."

He agreed to let me go to the US and spend a few days looking around their business. Later he agreed to send some people to visit us. Whenever I needed some help, I would call Jim.

He made introductions for me, and gave me access to people and places I could not have imagined. He did it all for nothing! Years later when he retired, he agreed to serve on one of my boards, just to impart his experience and knowledge... all for nothing.

You might not have noticed it, but as much as there are some bad people out there, there are also some really nice people out there, too!

# Finding a "game changer" for your business through partnerships is extremely important.

It's not just about trying to get investors. It's also about finding unique products and services that can enhance your business and make it more competitive. You don't have to invent everything yourself.

Here are two more examples, this time with Kwesé TV:

The National Basketball Association (NBA) recently announced that they're sending two teams to play basketball in Africa in August. If you're a basketball fan, you'll know that it doesn't get bigger than that!

The NBA is a $9bn revenue organization! That''s an absolute behemoth. And yet they are keen to develop this great sport in Africa!

We already show all the NBA games live on Kwesé Sport. We also have a 24-hour basketball channel.

# Finding a "game changer" for your business through partnerships is extremely important.

Have you heard our newest exciting news yet?

__ESPN, the largest sports broadcaster in the world, is now our new partner on Kwesé Sport!

If you have a Kwesé decoder, you'll already know that we just launched a new sports channel called "ESPN on Kwesé."

They're also helping us with our sports website, KweseSports.Com, the fastest growing sports website in Africa, thanks to their help. Can you spot how they're helping us become the best sports broadcaster in Africa?

If you ever find yourself facing an 800-pound gorilla, it makes sense to find a bigger gorilla to stand with you!

What about you? Have you started putting together your own "dream team"?

By Strive Masiyiwa

African sports news, live scores, fixtures and more from Kwesesports.com

30/11/2016

Goto www.otstoresltd.com to see more of what we offer

We are the leading providers of Building Materials, Roof painting, repair and installation services. At Obanibasiri Trading Stores Ltd, Sales and Distribution of Building Materials, Roofing and Roof Painting is our forte. Ask around, we are the best. SERVICES  Sales and Distribution of Building Mat...

23/10/2016

23/10/2016

06/10/2016

DATE WITH A WOMAN…!

Read on..you will be touched too..!

After 21 years of Marriage, my Wife wanted me to take another Woman
out to Dinner and a Movie.

She said I Love You but I know this other Woman loves you too and would Love
to spend some Time with You.

The other Woman that my Wife wanted me to take out was my MOTHER who has been a Widow for 19 years,
but the demands of my Work and my three Children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to Invite her to go out for Dinner and a Movie.

'What's wrong, are you well,' she asked?

My Mother is the type of Woman who suspects that a Late Night Call or a Surprise Invitation is a sign of Bad News.

'I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you,'
I responded. 'Just the two of us'

She thought about it for a moment, and then said,
'I would like that very much.'

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit Nervous.
When I arrived at her House, I noticed that she too seemed to be Nervous about our Date.

She waited in the Door with her Shawl on.

She had set her Hair and was wearing the Dress that she had worn to Celebrate her last Wedding Anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as Radiant as an Angel's.

'I told my Friends that I was going to go out with My Son, and they were impressed, '
She said, as she got into the Car.

'They can't wait to hear about our meeting'.

We went to a Restaurant that, although not Elegant, was very Nice and Cozy.

My Mother took my Arm as if She were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the Menu. Large Print.
Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting
there staring at me.
A Nostalgic Smile was on her Lips.

'It was I who used to have to Read the Menu when you were young,'

She said.

'Then it's Time that you Relax and let me Return the Favor,'

I responded.

During the Dinner, we had an Agreeable Conversation, nothing
Extra-ordinary, but catching up on recent Events of each others Life.

We talked so much that we missed the Movie.

As we arrived at her House later,

She said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.'

I agreed.

'How was your Dinner Date?' asked My Wife when I got Home.

'Very Nice. Much more so than I could have Imagined,' I answered.

A few days later, my Mother died of a Massive Heart Attack.

It happened so suddenly that I didn't have Time to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an Envelope with a Copy of a Restaurant Receipt
From the same place Mother and I had dined.

An Attached Note Said:

'I paid this Bill in Advance.

I wasn't sure that I could be there;

But nevertheless, I paid for Two Plates
One for You and the Other for Your Wife.

You will never know what that night meant to Me.

I Love You, My Son.'

At that moment, I understood the Importance of saying in Time:
'I LOVE YOU!'

and to give our Loved Ones the Time that they Deserve.

Nothing in Life is more important than God, your Family and friends.

Give them the Time they Deserve, because these Things cannot be
Put Off till 'Some Other Time.'

Pass This msg on ..
To A Child,
To An Adult,
To A Parent,
To a Friend
To your Mate or
Someone You care for 😊
Must read! So beautiful had tears in my eyes after reading this

Got this from another forum and wanted not only to share but to tell all of you that I love you. God bless our family. Family is not made up of perfect people.

04/10/2016

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14/08/2016

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10/11/2015

The worry-proof roof

For many people, choosing a roof is primarily about style, and in this respect, a modern, lightweight Gerard roof offers a myriad of different options to suit architecture of all kinds.

But equally important is peace of mind. You want to feel confident that your roof will continue to protect your home and its precious contents even under the most extreme conditions imaginable.

Gerard roofs have been thoroughly proven over time right throughout Nigeria and in other countries around the world.

You won’t need to worry about the weight

While a concrete tile roof on an average home can weigh around 10 tonnes, the equivalent Gerard satin finish steel tile roof would weigh just one tonne.

You won’t need to worry about the wind

Because Gerard interlocking tiles are fixed horizontally, a Gerard roof is significantly more secure in high winds than vertically fixed roofs such as concrete tiles or longrun iron.

You won’t need to worry about the rain

A properly installed Gerard steel tile roof is fully weatherproof, and unlike traditional concrete or clay tiles, Gerard tiles won’t crack and let in water.

You won’t need to worry about sea spray

The protective coatings on Gerard roof tiles include a special combination of aluminium and zinc, which provides up to eight times the corrosion resistance of alternative steel roofing products.

You won’t need to worry about snow or ice

Gerard roofs have been well proven in the cold. They are unaffected by snow, frost or ice and because the tiles are made of steel, they can easily withstand heavy snow loadings.

10/11/2015

A roof is part of a building envelope, both the covering on the uppermost part of a building or shelter which provides protection from animals and weather, notably rain, but also heat, wind and sunlight; and the framing or structure which supports the covering.

The performance of a roof is measured based on its life span and it's effectiveness to retain their strength, chemical and physical properties, appearance and resistance to all forms of failure. Our long span has a life span of over 100 years.