Feat of a Paragon

228 Pages·2016·1.83 MB·English

INTRODUCTION

Adults tend to give little thought to
the idea of being a role model as
this regards to the quality that
children seek from the adults in
their lives. Studies show that
through a process known as “vicarious
reinforcement” we start to model the
behaviour of individuals whose
actions seem to get recognized and
rewarded. If those around you have
questionable ethics and seem to be
getting away with it, it is easy to
lose your own moral compass and come
to believe that you too will get more
of what you want by unethical
actions.
Adults tend to see it as a
burden to be an example through hard-
work and character; some parents
think they owe their children a
living instead of being a good
example. They believe work provides
primarily economic benefits hence;
they tend to center their lives on
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the social benefits rather than
setting up a healthy legacy which
youths can follow. Adults who do some
form of low paying jobs e.g. lawn
care, courier service, gate keeping,
secretarial, market selling, house
cleaning, etc may think they can’t
create a legacy except having to be
in big offices but this is not true.
The Bible book of Proverb 22:29
says “Seest thou a man diligent
in his business, he shall stand
before kings, he shall not stand
before mean men.”
Paragon refers to a model or pattern
of excellence, worthy of emulation
(role model). A paragon however is
needed to lead, shape and guide ones
view, ideas and actions. It is
important for paragons to be positive
and responsive in instilling good
morals and values because future
generations are dependent on today’s
paragon.

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Feat is described as a noteworthy or
extraordinary act or achievement,
usually displaying boldness and
skill. Hence the caption “Feat of a
Paragon” refers to the extraordinary
or rare accomplishment of a person of
preeminent qualities which acts as a
pattern or a role model worthy of
emulation. As Jesus, son of God was
able to achieve his ministry in his
time and was able to pass a
noteworthy example to his disciples
according to the gospel by Mathew,
Mark, Luke, and John, we see him as a
perfect example in his generation. So
also youths of today requires notable
achievers which can serve as a see-
through (sight glass)

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Having healthy role models place a
great significance in the process of
growth because humans are naturally
hard-wired to imitate behavior and to
learn from other people’s actions. It
is based on these, that the book
“Feat of a Paragon” tend to observe
and portray Major General B.O.
Ogunkale who is a lover of youth, a
father, a leader, a modern time
paragon who never folds his arms to
see any youth he comes across not
transformed positively. We the youth
corps members serving in NASME are
very privilege to sit under the
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impactful ministration and leadership
of this dynamic figure. Not only is
he interested in teaching us as
youths, but also ensures our
stability in the things of God. He
takes us to Living Faith Church and
Shelter of Glory, Makurdi and other
anointed churches of our choice. The
anointed ministration emanating from
these churches has further enhanced
our growth and stability in Christ.
God bless Pastor Benjamin Oluyemi
(Living Faith Church) and Pastor Dr.
King Omudu (Shelter of Glory).

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Major General BO

Ogunkale

This book is an initiative of
National Youth Service Corps members
of 2015/2016 set in NASME Barracks
whom Major General BO Ogunkale has
impacted their lives tremendously and
have set them on the move to reach
out to others. It is in reaching out
to others that inspired the writing
of the book. It is our own way of
inspiring youths who never had the
opportunity to be a part of this life
transforming encounter and it is also
aimed at challenging adults to living
a life of impact to the benefit of
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people who will come in contact with
them.

So as you study this book. I trust
God to instruct and guide you along
definite lines, giving you a reason
to accomplish your duties towards
being a true paragon to your
household, friends, family, co-
workers, church members and the world
at large in a noteworthy manner.

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CHAPTER ONE

WHO IS A PARAGON?

The Youthful stage could be a
frustrating time in life. It is that
period when one is hardly old enough
to be “On his own” and yet he is
feeling a sense of independence.
Youths are ever attempting to find
some sense of identity. That is why
they sometimes act in the strangest
of manner. The scripture represents
“youthful stage” as a time both of
danger and challenge. For the
imagination of Man’s heart is evil
from his youth (Gen 8 vs. 21). By way
of contrast, the creator also
recognizes the importance of youth to
the divine cause. As Youngsters we
have energy, we are daring, our
hearts are filled with vision of the
future. Again Paul would say to
Timothy
“Let no man despise your youth,
but be an example to them that
believe, in word in manner of
life, in love, in faith, in
purity (1 Tim 4-12)”.

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The two most important factors in
building young people’s resilience to
life challenges are access to a
charismatic adult and the chances to
be around people who are socially
capable. Living in a world today
where social media influence the mind
of youths and immoral messages
constantly swarm around infecting and
clouding their thoughts. Youth which
have access to people of high moral
and Godly standards have a higher
chance of being successful. To win
the cause we all believe in, that is
the spread of true moral values among
the youths all over the world, we
need to win not with might but by
example.

A paragon is someone of exceptional
merit, a model or pattern of
excellence worthy of emulation.
Considering the global fact that our
media crazed culture is inundated
with worship and praise of
celebrities and professional athletes
it suffice to state that the title
paragon or “role model” is earned
based on character and not the sizes
of bank accounts. Today’s
materialistic culture measure some
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impact based on what finance they
possess leaving out the details of
character.

True role models are those who
possess the qualities that we would
like to have and those who have
affected us in a way that makes us
want to be better, to advocate for
ourselves and our goals and take
leadership in the issue that we
believe in. we often don’t recognize
our true role models until we have
noticed our own personal growth and
progress. People who are constantly
trying to improve themselves will
tell you one thing they all have in
common are role models in their
lives. The bible approves of having
role models as it talks about it in
the following scriptures
“be imitators of me, just as I
also am of Christ” 1 Corinthians
11:1.

“People seldom improve when they have
no other model but themselves to
copy” Oliver Goldsmith.

ATTRIBUTES OF A PARAGON
Role Model
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