Who the HELL is Ibikunle?
Hi, crazy as it may sound, I often ask myself this question from time to time as i am known to many people in different ways and they refer to me based on our relationship; business, friendship or otherwise. I am known by many names; #Lereboy, #TheQuiteOne, #TheVisaProf #TheTravelGuy, #TheForce and lots more!!
My name is Ibikunle Foresythe known as #Lereboy because I have been resident in Surulere, Lagos Nigeria for almost 30 years and it is a city I know like the back of my hands. I know the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Surulere. I know where to eat, where to drink, where to have fun, where to worship, where not to be at certain times of the night, I am the quintessential Surulere boy. Over the next few weeks and months, I would share many insights into the city I love, yet love to hate.
For those that refer to me as #TheQuietOne, it comes from one of my favorite quotes “I think 99 times and find nothing. I stop thinking, swim in silence, and the truth comes to me.” – Albert Einstein. A good number of people I know tend to talk a lot and lie a lot too. So as #TheQuietOne i am silent in anger, choose my words carefully, as words spoken true or false cannot be taken back. Poetry, Self reflection and analysis are better in silence, as empty barrels make the most noise (as the old saying goes). Being #TheQuietOne definitely has its downside as I tend not to blow my trumpet enough, there is no plus side to caging ones’ greatness.
After a careful analysis and step by step breakdown of a clients’ visa application a few months ago, he looked at me and smiled – “You are #TheVisaProf” he said. From then on many of my students and clients refer to me as the #TheVisaProf. I love to teach, and I realise teaching what I love is a whole new level of satisfaction. Over the next few months, i would be teaching various topics i am passionate about which would include “The Ultimate Travel Guy – How to be a high in demand Travel Consultant”, “Fundamentals of visa processing” and lots more, it is going to be fun!
Although I have been to only 9 countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Seychelles, Kenya, Benin, Ghana and Senegal) across 4 continents, i have visited them a few times over. On the odd occasion, i get a phone call and the client realises i am out of town and next thing i hear was “hmmm #TheTravelGuy, you are off again”. Strange as it may sound, travel appeals to me not mainly for the tourist sites and experiences , but for the change of environment, the rest, the personal time and space. One of my favorite parts of the trip is the actual flight, the transit zones and boarding gates. I would highlight this in some of my future posts.
“#TheForce in whom i am well pleased”, this always rang in my head as a young adult and as far back as 2002, it has been the signature on one of my older email accounts. It was also inspired by friends that shortened my surname Foresythe to Fores, however I changed that to Force instead as inspired by the almighty (true story). Well i believe i am #TheForce to be reckoned with and time would tell.
Thank you for taking time out to get to know me and I hope you join me on this new journey by commenting and sharing my posts from time to time.
Creatively Yours,
Ibikunle Foresythe
@lereboy – follow on all platforms
This is a very inspiring read. I have always known you were deeper and greater than you let out.
Keep it up my friend! God keep blessing you
Amazing and inspiring write-up. You inspire me to be a better person. Keep the good work going sir!
Floreat bro
Love this
This is a nice read and interesting too. I am blessed to have met #lereboy #visaprof #Quietone#travelguy#theforce; simply put, nothing short of the write up.
Thank you for the comments
Nice one chief, never knew you reside @ Lsr all this while.