Celebrity Status; an Asset or Liability?

A celebrity is a person who has a prominent profile in the media and is easily recognized.

According to Wikipedia, Some careers are associated with celebrity status; such as the top tier of the modelling, acting and sports industries. While people may gain celebrity status as a result of a successful career, in other cases, people become celebrities due to media attention for their extravagant lifestyle or wealth (as in the case of a socialite).

People like Prof Wole Soyinka, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu are examples of celebrities not from the entertainment world. Some people actually aspire to become celebrity.

Imagine someone saying that my life ambition is to be a celebrity. Hmmm, One thing is sure, and that is, it takes a lot of hard work (a little luck too) to become a celebrity in any sphere of life. It also takes extreme hard work and character management to remain a celebrity for life. Some people have become celebrities by being the first in the nation or category to attain an accomplishment, rank or status. You can become a celebrity by doing something noble like returning 5,000,000 million dollars you found on the road or toilet to the police etc.

Benefits of Celebrity Status
Endorsement deals
Product ambassadors
Access to other great individuals
Creating your own product line i.e fashion, perfume etc
You can be an advocate for a cause, red cross, NGOs
Platform to be a role model
free products or services
special welcome and reception in gatherings etc

Challenges of Celebrity
Loss of privacy
Rumor
security risks
cost of providing security
kidnapping potential (especially in Naija) etc
Why am i writing about celebrities. i have a hunch you will end up a celebrity. So i decided to help prepare you for that phase of life ahead. Many people don’t set out to be become celebrities in life, and when they are as a result of a grand achievement, the euphoria gets the other side of them out, they end up worse than their little beginning.


Scripture says "Have you seen a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings and not mere men........"

The Determining Factor

Mathematics
I look back at my secondary school days with nostalgia. The prominent subject mathematics and the phobia it carries still amazes me. We had math’s lessons every day. Students generally preferred to receive the lectures in the early part of the day. They claim their brain was more receptive then.

Students usually proceeded to the senior category based on their perception of mathematics. The student may opt for arts, sciences commerce or social science. If you are good in mathematics then you may be a good engineering material…if you are not good in mathematics then law may be your consideration. People with math skills are termed to be analytical.

In retrospect, I think mathematics is a very cheap course. We follow steps and procedure to arrive at the answer. I am of the opinion that courses like history, languages, government etc are more mentally challenging! The difference between students and their performance in mathematics is largely a function of their interest and practice. Individual perspective creates the divide.

In the larger society, what then is the determining factor?

The combination of multiple variables produces an output. Factors like, interest, hard work, motivation, opportunities, relationships, governance, location etc manipulated accordingly can birth success. Manipulation is switching between an unwanted position to your desired position. All this variables are available to all and sundry. Somebody said “we cannot all be a celebrity but we can all be great”. Greatness is from inside out. What do you have on the inside that you can draw out? My police friend will say wetin you carry?

What you carry may not be unique to you but your manner of presentation and delivery is peculiar to you. You may call it personal style or flavor. People will remember you if you are the first, best or different. Your beats has to be unique….personal…innovative. It should reflect your individuality. Something new has a way of attracting attention of the great and mighty. You need to stand out, stand tall. If your cv is in a pack of 100 will it be the one to be taken. If you go for an interview with 500hundred other candidates, will you be shortlisted.
Watch out for opportunities the crowd (masses) is rushing into. In fact that the masses are moving into a particular opportunity may suggest it’s time to opt out.

Music World
Any Artist who creates a niche in the music industry themselves ends up as super stars. Check out DBang, Nice, Lagabaja, Sunny Ade, Obey, Sunny Nneji etc. They all sing with unique style. Do not be afraid to innovate, improvise and do things slightly different from the norm. A new style is first strange before it becomes the fad.

Initiate the next fad.