Ogudos Scholars News

Don't Just Spend It, Plan It. It's the best notification you've ever received. That bank alert hits your phone, a digital chime that sounds like freedom. The feeling is electric. After years of studying, of surviving on allowances and instant noodles, of dreaming of this very day, your first salary is finally in your account. It's a moment of pure, unadulterated accomplishment. The temptation is immediate and overwhelming. It’s a powerful urge to solve every problem you've ever had—to finally buy that new phone with a good camera, to get a wardrobe that doesn't scream "student," to take your parents out to the nicest restaurant you can find. And you should absolutely celebrate. But the financial decisions you make with this very first paycheck will echo for years. They will set the tone and the habits that determine whether you build real wealth or end up living in a stressful paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Before you spend a single kobo, take a breath. T...

  A Step-by-Step Guide to Proving Your Value and Negotiating Your Worth Without Fear. You've been at your job for over a year. You work hard, you consistently deliver, and you've taken on responsibilities far beyond your original job description. You know, deep down, that you are more valuable to the company now than you were on your first day. And yet, your salary has remained exactly the same. The thought of asking for a raise sends a jolt of anxiety through you. The conversation feels awkward, confrontational, even ungrateful. What if your boss says no? What if they think you're greedy? In a competitive job market, it's easy to convince yourself that it's safer to just keep your head down and hope your hard work gets noticed. But hope is not a strategy. Advocating for your professional worth is one of the most critical skills you will ever learn. This is not about confrontation; it is about communication. It is a calm, professional business discussion about the v...

From "Allawee" to "PPA," This is the Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Language of the Service Year. You've just arrived at the NYSC orientation camp. You're surrounded by thousands of other graduates, all dressed in white, a sea of excitement and nervous energy. And then you start hearing it. People are talking about their "LGI," complaining about "SAED," and asking when the first "allawee" will be paid. Someone mentions they hope they get a good "PPA," and you just nod along, completely lost. Welcome to one of the first and most confusing challenges of the National Youth Service Corps: learning the language. The NYSC has its own unique ecosystem of acronyms, slang, and terminology. It's a language you're expected to understand from day one, and not knowing it can leave you feeling like an outsider. But don't worry. This guide is your personal translator. We will break down all the essential ...

That Moment of Panic: Where is My WAEC Centre Number? The exam date is getting closer. You've spent months, maybe years, preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). You go to finalize your registration details, check your admission status, or print your slip, and your heart sinks. You can't find your WAEC Centre Number. It's a frustrating, panic-inducing moment that thousands of Nigerian students face every year. But don't worry, this guide is here to walk you through exactly what to do. Your centre number is crucial—without it, you can't check your results, print your original certificate, or even sometimes sit for the exam. Let's solve this, step-by-step. What is a WAEC Centre Number and Why is it So Important? Think of your WAEC Centre Number as the unique address of your examination location. It's a combination of digits that identifies the specific school or institution where you are registered to write your exams. It ...

It's Okay to Not Be Okay. Here's How to Manage Stress, Avoid Burnout, and Protect Your Well-being.   Let's be honest. It's Sunday evening, and a familiar knot of anxiety is tightening in your stomach. It's the thought of your desk, the endless tasks, the pressure from your boss, the unspoken expectations. You've landed the job, you're earning a salary, and you're supposed to be happy. So why do you feel so incredibly overwhelmed? This feeling is the silent epidemic of the modern workplace. We are taught how to write a CV , how to ace an interview, and how to climb the corporate ladder. But no one ever teaches us how to protect our most valuable career asset: our mental and emotional well-being. In a culture that often equates "stress" with "success" and "busyness" with "importance," it can feel like you're failing if you're not constantly running on empty. But this is a dangerous lie. Burnout is not a badge...