ATF urges men to have vital connection with God

SETTING the record straight on the roles of a real man in the society, the Coordinator of Awesome Treasures Foundation (ATF), Mrs. Olajumoke Adenowo has called on Nigerian men to brace up to their responsibilities and have a vital relationship with God.

This advice was given at this year’s July Summer Summit of the NGO which held at the Muson Centre penultimate Sunday with the theme: “Marriage: Where are the real men 3?”

One of the highlights of the event, apart Olajumoke’s message, was an interesting, educative and interactive session with prominent individuals in the society who have impacted lives in various ways. Their lifestyles set them apart as real men and they sure did have a lot to say about who a real man is, as well as the signs to watch out for when choosing a partner.

The panelists at the summit were Mr. Olukorede Adenowo, Managing Principal, Financial Institutions Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Akpo Kentebe, CEO of Verse 29 Ltd, owners of the Vincent’s Quick Service Restaurants, Mr. Jimi Tewe, CEO of Inspiro Consulting, Mr. Harris, Managing Consultant, EdgeEcution, as Adenowo moderated, assisted by Aderonke Adebanjo, On Air Personality at Smooth FM 98.1.

Analyzing who a real man is, the panelists said: “He must be responsible and loves unconditionally. A real man does not have a baby mama. He is a man God is proud of, not necessarily perfect but one who is open to correction, a great leader who inspires, a lover and one who other men aspire to be like.”

Explaining further, the panelists defined a real man as the man who understands the pivotal pillars of a relationship and takes up responsibilities not just in his household, but in his community. He is a man rooted in believe and his family.

Olukorede Adenowo reiterated: “A real man must be a man who leads, takes decisions and takes responsibilities for those decisions. He is one who respects his wife and consults her duly before taking any decision.” He expatiated further that a real man is one who does not rely on physical looks as a determinant factor in choosing a wife and his wife’s success never intimidates him.

On ways of identifying a real man, the panelists hinted women to check the man’s relationship with his immediate family and how he takes up responsibilities. He must be someone who values you as a woman, a listener, one who wants the relationship to work regardless of the woman’s lapses; he is neither selfish nor intimidated by his wife but interested in the wife’s complete well-being.

He is one who is not perfect but open to correction. He talks about his vision and works into his future, he is one that loves his wife more than he loves himself, selfless and supportive and very forgiving.

On the role finance plays in a relationship, a real man is also expected to pay his bills and take care of his responsibilities and family.

The audience was wowed by a short but intriguing interactive session with Dr. Dokun Adedeji, the Founder of Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry, an NGO, who revealed that in about nine private universities he has worked with, eight out of every 10 students use drugs inclusive of girls.

Dr. Adedeji named other substance abuses and further advised that real men and women should pay more attention to their children. He called on the real men and women to join hands with the association in curbing the menace.

According to Mrs Adenowo: “A real man is one with vital connection with God, he is able to hear from God and fears God immensely. A man should not allow a woman to take responsibility of paying the bills for too long, otherwise, his wife will lose her respect for him.”

Beyond the interactive session, attendees at the summit enjoyed free medical checkup by the Awesome Treasures Health Resource Group.

The next Lagos summit will hold on November 22, 2015.