HOT SEAT MONDAYS
Today we are starting off a new segment on the blog where you my dear readers get to be on the hot seat every Monday. We just want to celebrate you dearies and get to know you personally.
if you're a regular follower of this blog, you are no doubt familiar with the name Austin Uche, a commenter here. He is our blog celebrity for today. After we had a rummage around the blog, we thought this was a man we needed to interview and luckily for us, he agreed. For y'all who are curious to know the real personality behind the name, well yay you've got it!!!
so lets set the ball rolling...
TILB: Welcome to Hot seat Mondays on Lailasblog
Austin: Thank you
TILB: You are a popular name on Lailasblog and we are sure many of our readers would like to know the real you .Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Austin: First things first, I feel honored to be the first TILBer to be interviewed. There are more TILBers who deserve this feat. So thank you Laila and Bonita .I really appreciate this a lot. The real me is not totally different from Austin the TILBer that everyone has come to know. I can be pretty straight forward ,optimistic, sometimes impatient and hot tempered. Other times, I could just be laid back and chill. The one important thing you should know about me is that I have many personalities. Not in the twisted way you see in movies sha lol...But I always strive to project my good sides much more than my bad sides
TILB: Okay let us into your family and Educational background?
Austin: I come from a small family of four. My Dad, Mum, my younger brother and myself. Family is everything. My primary and secondary school were in Lagos. Did my university at University of Port Harcourt, studied Economics education and presently I am a business development executive at a printing and publishing firm, right here in the FCT.
TILB:What was growing up like? Walk us through your childhood most memorable experience.
Austin: Growing up was fun. Those days in the streets of Bariga, Lagos wasn't shabby at all. Now, its just senseless cult related violence and killings. Back then everybody was close knitted, we derived pleasure in playing football, laughing and playing different characters in movies. Just basically being children and happy. Now people derive pleasure in despicable acts and it breaks my heart. My fondest memory has to be during Christmas period, kids in my compound (Yours truly inclusive) will organize singing, dancing and drama shows for our parents and in return, we were rewarded in gifts and cash. I will never forget those times.
TILB: You seem to be a likeable person, going by the birthday shout-outs you received on the blog a few days ago. Who would you say largely shape you into who you are today?
Austin: I always make a conscious effort not to try too hard at things. Just be real (that is being myself),confident and actually knowing what you're made of, you will naturally attract people. There are so many things and persons that shape one, not just one thing and person. Like right now, someone is shaping me to become a nurturer when I become a business owner and he does not even know it. You see ,he's terrible nurturer and he is shaping me unknowingly not to ever be like him.
TILB So is Austin married, single or in a relationship?
Austin: I am single right now Lol...
TILB: Do you believe in love at first sight?
Austin: Well ,we have to first understand that love is not something that just magically appears when you wish it. It is not mystical Lol... It is more of a lifestyle, more of an obligation than a myth or a noun. Better than believing in love at first sight, is my believe that anything is possible
TILB: What do you do when you are not working?
Austin: I am always working. My job description ensures that I'm always on the move. There's nothing like having your own business, so that you can have time for other commitments.
TILB: Lets go back to your career. You said you are a business development executive, is that what you've always wanted to be or its the Nigerian factor that pushed you there?
Austin:I was fortunate by God's grace to get a job immediately after my service, but to be honest with you, it isn't what i'd like to do. But I always believe that there is a reason for everything and every situation and no knowledge is a waste.
TILB: What do you spend the most on: Clothes, Accessories, Perfumes, Underwear or anything else?
Austin: I used to be naïve and unwise when it comes to spending. I would spend on frivolous things. But now, I spend most on investments. Trying to build a solid future. Also, it is a wise thing to do when you spend some of your money on charitable causes and also for the propagation of the gospel of Christ.
TILB: Tell us about your most embarrassing moment?
Austin: To be honest I cant think of any Lol...I cant even believe I don't have one
TILB: Who is the smartest person you know personally?
Austin: God. But when it comes to humans, I don't believe in the tag "smartest"
TILB: What is the biggest decision you've had to make in your life? Why was it so big?
Austin: I don't like to categorize when it comes to things like life decisions so as to avoid regrets. Every decision I make has to be relevant to my present situation and possibly my future. But if there is anything like biggest decision, then it would have to be deciding to get closer to God cos I believe you cant go wrong with God piloting your affairs.
TILB: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way, either growing up or as an adult?
Austin: To be honest with you I never liked reading books growing up. I used to feel that these writers write their books just to make money off of the 'gullible' people that read them, and what they wrote were most times not applicable to real life situations in Nigeria. But I was wrong Lol...Right now, I'm reading a book called " Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" by T Harv Eker.Its a fantastic book.
TILB: What is your vision for a perfect Nigeria?
Austin: A time will come when employers will treat their workers right with respect and the government will give hell if they violate these rights.
A time will come when obtaining an American or European visa will not resort to giving of testimonies in church like a jackpot won.
A time will come when the North, East, South and West would really live together in peace .
A time will come when our education, our findings, our researches, our educational theories and styles will be a reference for the rest of the world.
TILB: Where do you see yourself in the next 5years?
Austin: Being a married CEO with 2-4 kids
TILB: If you could ask Laila ONE question, what would that be?
Austin: When am going to meet you?
TILB: If a kid walked up to you asking for advice and you only had a few minutes to give them your best tip, what would it be?
Austin: Love for God, ten times better
TILB: What is your definition of hard work?
Austin: Being selfless and passionate in whatever task you undertake ,whether they be yours or was handed to you
TILB: When Lailasblog contacted you to be our guest on the hot seat, what was your gut reaction?
Austin: I didn't wanna do it honestly. I'm basically the behind-the-scene type of guy. But anything I can do to make TILB succeed, I'm most definitely gonna do it.
TILB: Is there anything you would like to say to your blog fellow readers and fans?
Austin: Hahahahahaha ,fans? That's funny. TILB is like family to me because TILBers make it a home, and we should always do whatever it takes to make this place a home. We should please be consistent with our comments and our mutual love and respect for each other. We should always remain loyal to this platform
TILB: Anything else you would like to add?
Austin: Long Live TILB!!!
TILB: Thank you for your time dear
Austin: You're welcome
Sweethearts, that was Austin Uche and he just spilled it all. For further questions, you can drop them on the comment section and we're sure our guest would be more than willing to reply you .
Next week Monday, one of you gets to be on the hot seat. Who could that be? Until then, always remember that every TILB reader is a celebrity!!!
See Ya next week. Muah...