FirstBank Virtual Community for women: A platform for women's empowerment
In a world that is resonating with varying technological advances especially in the area of Information Technology [coupled with human's fascination for different kinds of hand-held gadgets], it can only be reasonable to seek out ways of engaging and/or optimizing the avenue for greater gains and adding value to lives. This appears to be the inspiration that has led Nigeria's premier financial institution, First Bank Limited, to create a virtual community where women from all works of life can meet to share what they have got. It is worth noting that this latest feat only goes to show FirstBank's commitment [and continual effort] towards women empowerment; it should be recalled that back in 2016, the bank came up with the FirstGem initiative which was designed to help women actualize their financial goals.

According to a report on ThisDay, the Group Head, Products & Marketing Support, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Abiodun Famuyiwa while speaking during the launch of the virtual community asserted that: "FirstBank is focused on creating opportunities that are instrumental to ensuring healthy financial decisions are made by women with a view to living their dreams and achieving fulfillment in not just their careers or business ventures but all areas of life". In essence, it can be said that this latest initiative will not only complement the bank's vision [in respect to women empowerment] but could also help to fast track the rate with which businesses are done.

A check on the website further reveals that the bank's objective is to create an interactive platform where women can share ideas and get inspirations that will aid their progress in whatever they venture into. As it stands, a good number of women have already keyed into the initiative, and it does look as though the encomiums will not stop pouring in just yet. It is really good to know that- rather than logging on to a social media platform just to satisfy pleasure- you have a place (that is, the virtual community) where you can turn to for informed advises on how you can move your business forward and also interact with other professionals who can make immense and/or important contributions towards ensuring that you have a commendable financial standing. But as Mr. Famuyiwa earlier emphasized, it is not all about business and finance alone as there are benefits [which cut across other facets of life] that women can derive from joining the community.
This (initiative) is coming at a crucial time considering the rise in the number of self-starters who are aiming to find their feet in business with the hope of taking their enterprise to the next level. Although it might still be early to judge how successful this would be but going by the buzz it is already generating [and with the bank's reputation], the handwriting on the wall seems positive. And it must be said that FirstBank has indeed taken a bold step as a pacesetter in the aspect of women empowerment, and it remains to be seen if any other bank beat her to it.

Being rich or poor can be said to be a thing of mind and/or lifestyle. It becomes a lifestyle as an individual begins to live the mental picture of what he had already conceived in his mind- though someone with a 'poverty mentality' may not even be conscious of this as he keeps striving to live a better life. The irony is that even if an individual with 'poverty mentality' dwells in the midst of abundance, he can still remain poor because his mind has been programmed to see and/or do things in a particular 'self-limiting' way. But then, put a person with an explorative mind with a scintilla of resources, and watch him blossom after maximizing what he has around him. It's no wonder that Napoleon Hill once said: " There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge. Both poverty and riches are offsprings of thought".

The difference
The rich and the poor are men and women who have the same amount of hours- 24 hours in a day- allotted to them but how they spend their day goes a long way in determining what they become and what becomes of them. It is in this view that I have chosen to talk about the difference between the rich and the poor by looking at the following:

Knowledge
'The way of the poor is hard'; this, I say not because of the possibility of him not having the cash to settle his rent, put food on the table or take care of some other exigencies but for his 'narrows-mindedness'. The poor finds it hard to add to what he already knows- as it were, he is 'okay with how he is', and is not open to self-development. Even if such a one eventually attends seminars and read as many motivational books as possible, he may still remain poor because his mind is fixed on 'his own way of life'. On the other hand, the rich not only adds to what he already knows but also employs the services of those who may be more knowledgeable than he is.

Creativity
To the rich, 'the norm is not just normal' as he looks into innovative ways of making things better. This stimulates his creative groove and ideas [that add value to life] are generated. At this point, it is important to note that those who are rich today did not set out to 'make more money' but made it a point of duty to add value to the lives of others; it is this value-adding tendencies that end up bringing in the riches for which the poor jostle.

Decision-making
We often conclude that rising up early every morning to go about a routine is a panacea for breaking free from poverty but the truth is that far more than that is needed for one not to be 'eternally enslaved' by poverty. It is necessary that the right decision be made and acted upon without delay. The poor takes pleasure- albeit ignorantly sometimes- in going through a narrow strait called 'comfort zone' without making efforts to do things differently. The rich is however daring and ready to take decisions that are needed for his growth. Here comes a call for setting one's priorities aright.

Vision
Both the poor and the rich get to face some challenges from time to time but something keeps the rich going, and that's his vision. While the poor lives for today; the rich projects into the future. Again, it's possible that the poor quantifies his vision by what he is getting in the 'now' while the rich dares to dream big and keep his vision in full focus even in the face of challenges. Vision is more like 'the vehicle of destiny' that drives life, and make life worth living.

Discipline
When it's all been said and planned out, everyone requires discipline- and maybe determine- to become anything great in life. While the poor may not stay committed to the course of development, and rich hardly jokes with his commitments. In fact, with discipline, the rich gets richer, and for the poor [who chooses to break free], discipline enriches; discipline gives everyone a lift in life.

Nigeria and the long-standing battle against corruption
Corruption is a word an average Nigerian may not even need to look up in the dictionary to get its meaning. The reason is because it is all around us, and it's often encouraged in both low and high places. While corruption is no strange thing in Nigeria; the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International shows that Nigeria is still 'highly' corrupt as it places 148 in the list of 180 countries that were under review. Compared with the 2016 report, Nigeria dropped 12 places to occupy the 148th position as one of the most corrupt countries in the world- Nigeria scored 28% out of 100, and ranked 136th in 2016 and in the current index, the score is 27/100.
The present result is coming against the backdrop of the Federal government's claim at making efforts towards fighting corruption. The rank can be seen as a dent to the government's assertions, and could even give credence to claims that the government's anti-corruption fight has been a rather selective one since there exist top government officials [who are perceived to be corrupt] that are yet to be tried.
Though the Corruption Perception Index defines corruption as "the misuse of public power for private benefit" and Nigeria may feel that it is logical to make the government run the gauntlet for not doing enough to quell the proliferation of corrupt practices, it is expedient that we [Nigerians] look inwardly and see ways through which we may be encouraging corruption in our immediate communities. Corruption is not just about the government alone; the ordinary Nigerian out there could easily- without a second thought- engage in an activity that would pass off as a corrupt practice without him/her even being conscious of it.
In compiling the report, Transparency International used data generated from surveys and assessments obtained from some reputable organizations [such as World Bank, World Justice Project, International Institute for Management Development, Economist Intelligence Unit, African Development Bank and a couple of other relevant bodies] to create the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). CPI focuses on indicators such as bribery and embezzlement among public office holders, the judiciary and security agencies; government's adherence to the rule of law; press freedom among other important parameters. Based on the report, the agency observed that countries that scored in the index were those with higher degrees of press freedom, access to information about public expenditure, stronger standards of integrity for public officials, and independent judicial systems.
Maybe it's high time we took a clue from countries such as New Zealand, Finland, Denmark and even Botswana- which happens to be African country with the most impressive anti-corruption tendency as it occupies the 34th position on the index. It is really pathetic that Nigeria is yet to break into the first 100- not to even talk of the first 50- countries perceived to have an effective corruption-fighting model in place since the inception of CPI.
For this plunge [into the abyss of moral decadence as highlighted by the indulgences in corrupt practices] to be abated, all hands- from the government to NGOs and other private organizations as well as individual citizens- must be on deck. We all owe this nation the civic responsibility of being faithful and honest in order to uphold her honour and glory before the world at large.

Peace Corps of Nigeria and the quest for prominence
For awhile now, the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) have been up against different oppositions particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). In fact the police had to seal off the national headquarters of the body sometimes last year; arresting some members of the group in the process, and till this very moment, the police still maintains a presence within the premises of the national headquarters of PCN despite the fact that the body is a legitimate organization. It is in the face of all these oppositions that PCN has been striving to survive and create a solid foundation needed to outrightly carry out its activities without any disturbance.
The latest challenge this Peace Corps of Nigeria has to contend with is the Preaident's refusal to sign the establishment bill transmitted to him [by the Clerk of the National Assembly] on behalf of the group. Although there has been no official statement from the presidency as to why the bill has not been signed but speculations are rife that since the time frame- a 30-day period- stipulated by law for a bill to be signed has passed, there is a likelihood that the bill has been turned down by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to a report in Vanguard newspaper, a top official in the presidency stressed that "the president could not have assented to the PCN bill because there was no need for such an outfit under the Nigerian security architecture".

A brief history about the Peace Corps of Nigeria
Peace corps is certainly not exclusive to Nigeria as there are similar entities in different countries across the globe. Looking down history lane, the American Peace Corps once had a presence in the country as it envisioned establishing its Nigerian arm.
However, the Peace Corps of Nigeria was founded in 1998 by Amb (Dr.) Dickson A.O. Akoh who is also the group's national commandant. The group is incorporated under the Company and Allied Matters Act of 1990, Part C, and has the backing of the United Nation's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The vision of the Peace Corps of Nigeria is centred on youth development and ways of actively involving the Nigerian youths in nation-building.

The Challenge
The major challenge PCN is presently facing is that it is yet to get the full backing of the government as there have been allegations that its functions overlap that of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies. It has been a tug of war between PCN and the Nigeria Police Force who have [at various times] flouted court orders that were in favour of PCN.
Meanwhile, going through the functions of PCN, it is clear that there are distinctions in the activities performed by these two agencies. The Peace Corps of Nigeria does not disturb the Police Force from carrying out its duties rather, it (PCN) will only complement the security framework. Furthermore, PCN is more inclined towards harnessing the energy of the Nigerian youths for the nation's development.
Some of the functions of PCN [as drawn from the papers made available by the group's media consultant, Mr. Rogers Ochela] are stated as follow:

• list itemEmpowering and providing gainful employment for youths through peace facilitation, volunteering, community service and other credible avenues.

• list itemFostering social and economic development by working hand-in-hand with the government, nonprofit organizations, schools, NGOs, etc.

• list itemTraining youths on models of conflict resolution, mediation, peace education, reconciliation and confidence building.

• list itemTraining youths on how to build commendable moral attitude and also evoking a consciousness of patriotism and nation-building in them.

• list itemProviding security- be minded that PCN is not an arm-carrying security agency- in educational institutions and checking examination malpractices.

My Submission
Instead of trying to 'snuff life out' of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, the President should earnestly support the movement since it will help, to some extent, in ensuring that unemployed youths are engaged in something gainful, and also help in promoting peace across the nation. And I do not think the police have any reason to be worried over the existence of PCN- there is no way PCN will make NPF less relevant as it will remain the nation's primary crime-fighting agency. PCN needs the support of the presidency as well as that of other well-meaning Nigerians.

So much banter about a 'panther'
Black Panther has been out for about a week now, and we are really loving it. Ears have heard; eyes have seen and the mind is filled with memories of scenes from a 'panther' like no other. Well, it is no surprise that the Black Panther has become a blockbuster already since it was previously adjudged to be the second most anticipated film of 2018. Moreover, considering the powerhouse (that is, Marvel) from where it emerged, one cannot expect anything less than 'amazing'. For the records; in its opening weekend alone, Black Panther generated over US$370.8 million in the global box office- that figure has since been surpassed with the movie having raked in something in the excess of US$400 million.
But wait a minute; what do you go to see when you visit a cinema? - Movies, of course, you will say but the truth is that not all movies are the same; while some may not appeal in a special way, there are those that stand out; taking their place at the top of the box office- and you know what? Black Panther is one of such.
So, why the rave reviews- or shall I put it this way: what makes Black Panther ticks? Here is what I feel:

Cultured
We are already aware of Marvel's 'culture of excellence' but one thing that sets Black Panther apart as we make foray into 'Wakanda' is the 'Africanness' it oozes out. The film's cast was predominantly African-American, and some inspirations were drawn from some African tribes. One can be forgiven to conclude that this is a movie by Africans- with Marvel's backing- for Africa and the world at large. From the cast down to the plot and even the premiere [at Dolby theatre], the African undertone was never amiss.

Cinematic
For me, if a movie has got an outstanding visual then it's worth my time. The filmography is another area where Black Panther scores a huge point; this is a wonderful complement to a great piece from Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kudos to Rachel Morrison.

Captivating Storyline
The African nation of Wakanda was formed after a superhuman warrior- who happens to be the first black panther after ingesting a heart-shaped herb that had been affected by a meteorite- succeeded in uniting some warring tribes. The plot hovers around the sustenance of political prominence as T'Challa (Black Panther) made his way back to Wakanda to take over the really reins of power after his father's (T'Chaka's) assassination. Then, at different times came challenges against the leadership of T'Challa- one of such challenges [that was instigated by the antagonist, Erik Killmonger] overthrew him (Black panther) from the throne and nearly terminated his life. One exciting twist to it is Wakanda's technological prowess that projects the nation as a world power.

Coogler touch
In Ryan Coogler, Marvel did find a director with an unquenchable passion for comics. The selection of Coogler is very well justified as we can all see the outstanding result. It's obvious that Coogler went into production with his whole heart in what he was doing. We can be sure that there will be more works for him [from Marvel] in the future.

Commandeering Cast
The Cs- though the movie has an A+ rating- will not be complete without the cast. When you have got the right ingredients, you should be on your way to making a sumptuous delicacy, isn't it? From Chadwick Boseman (T'Challa) to Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia), Winston Duke (M'Baku), Martin Freeman (Everett K. Ross) as well as other seasoned artists, Marvel brought together the right mix that was needed to feed our eyes with pleasurable scenes. They all masterfully played their parts, and what we have is truly a masterpiece- Black Panther.

Divorce: Who got the script wrong?
In our society today, people have varying dispositions towards marriage; some hold the union of a man and woman in high regard and some go into relationships just to have a fling. Yet there are those who cherish being single parents probably because they are wary of having a broken home or marriage. But still some dare to go where others dread to tread only to get hurt emotionally and end up with a failed marriage. It is with this in mind that the ensuing question popped up: why divorce?

"I (...) take you (...) to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, TILL DEATH DO US PART".

The above statement is one the two main characters (that is, the bride and groom) eagerly anticipate with great excitement as they transit from singlehood to what is meant to be a lifelong union. The exchange of marital vow [and rings] is the highpoint of any marriage, and that vow ends with 'till death do us part'. However, in some cases, couples do not even need something as strong as death before calling it quit. Why is this so? Inasmuch as the question 'who got the script wrong?' was raised in the topic, I will like to address the issue from the angle of what could have gone wrong. So, I will now make my humble submission under the given headings:

Deception
When the heart of a man is deceived, there is a possibility of seeing what is not meant for one as 'apparently good' enough for him/her. Relating this to marriage; going into a relationship with the wrong motive- desiring to marry just because of beauty or material gain. Those who took their marital vows without good conviction can end up having a troubled marriage.

Lack of will
It is very easy to point out that lost love is the primary reason why most divorces happen. Though I will not outrightly strike out this claim but I strongly believe that the willingness to do certain fundamental things could be responsibility for failed marriages. It takes two willing individuals to make love work in the first place. Again, the lack of will can be evident in neglecting to add 'fresh wine' to the union- talk about instances of going on a date and engaging in activities that will strengthen the bond.

Pride
Pride is a 'silent killer' that is capable of ruining an individual as well as whatever he/she has laboured to build. Pride in a relationship can result in a situation whereby a person is always proving his/her right over another. A union where pride thrives will always give rise to the root of bitterness which could make 'things fall apart'.

Infidelity
Another stark reality that could make individuals in a marital relationship part ways is infidelity- and this is really rampant today as the world keeps plunging into moral decadence. Unfaithfulness has killed many relationships let alone marriage. Being unfaithful to one's spouse simply denotes a lack of satisfaction which could eventually make him/her feel 'unwanted' and then walk away from the relationship.

Well, despite the probability of divorce, I earnestly believe that marriage is a 'beautiful thing' but it should not be rushed into; those who desire to get married have got to take their time; be sure that they understand what they are stepping into and also pray.
And I will like to leave you with this: that the marriage vow ends with 'till death do us part' does not mean you have to tolerate an abusive relationship. It is advisable that you seek help if you are in an abusive relationship before matter go from bad to worse.

The evil that men do
Evil resides in the hearts of men and it is hard to tell how dangerous man is until he shows his 'true color' for all to see. Talking about men who harbor evil in their heart, we have an exemplar in Ade Lawyer- a notorious hired assassin who took delight in seeing families mourn. Ade Lawyer (born Adeola Williams) who had been on the wanted list of Nigeria Police Force was arrested in Akure by the police officers attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) which was mandated [by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris] to arrest the culprits of a murder that occurred around Lagos Island on the 23rd of January, 2018.
Luck ran out on the serial killer who have been connected with a number of notable murder cases- the assassinations of Hamburger, Babajide Dosunmu, Salawe and the killings of five (5) occupants of a car in Ajah area among other atrocious deeds- in Lagos state as the Police followed up on a lead in connection to the killing of a certain Ganiyu Ayinla (A.K.A Pinero). Pinero was the personal assistant to the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Azeez Lawal (A.K.A Kunle Poly). In his confession, Ade Lawyer said he was contracted to kill Kunle Poly by the ex-chairman of the Lagos chapter of NURTW, Alhaji Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa but he eventually missed the primary target only to kill Pinero who was with his boss on that fated day. Mr. Olohunwa who has since been arrested, affirmed that he knows Ade Lawyer but denied ordering him to kill Kunle Poly.
Although the link between Olohunwa and Ade Lawyer has been the point of attention as the police is presently making frantic efforts to arrest other members of the murderous gang but we cannot overlook the fact that Ade Lawyer's client base seems to be somewhat large, and as he said, he had previously carried out assassination jobs on behest of some traditional rulers- the question is: who are these traditional rulers?
What struck my mind as I watched the video of Ade Lawyer's interview with the Press was his meanness and the pride he takes in his heinous job. One can hear him boldly stating- after being about the nature of the job he did for his client- that his job is 'killing work'- truly so, you will say. With such statement, one can begin to imagine how ruthless he would have been in his 'field of operation' after the 'price of a soul' has been paid to him. Here, is a killer whose ears would have been shut to the cries of mercy his victims raised as they came face-to-face with his notoriety which was smeared upon them by his weapon of destruction. Ade Lawyer has really tormented Lags state, and many families whose loved ones' lives have been cut short by his bullet will only be wishing he had been apprehended- or have not been born into this world- right before he pulled the trigger and hit 'target'. Notwithstanding, with now in police custody, and as we look forward to the police making further arrest, Lagos state and its inhabitants can, at least, heave a sigh of relief. Ade Lawyer's evil is right before him and will remain long after he is gone.

What a thriving foreign reserve implies
Nigeria's foreign reserves have been going through some ups and downs in the last couple of years. These fluctuations are strange considering the changing patterns in international trade and some other dynamics in the economy of the state. The nation's foreign reserves, in particular, have been affected by the reduction in oil prices, increased demands for foreign exchange and the instability of the naira- a situation which had often made the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to defend the currency by falling back to the foreign reserve.
However, some discrepancies and the non-implementation of watertight economic policies may have also contributed to the fluctuations. Back in December, 2011; Nigeria's foreign reserve stood at US$44.6 billion but in the space if three (3) years- by the end of 2014- there had been a reduction of about 22%. That downward spiral continued into 2015 and 2016- although there were some minor rise recorded around 2016- as the we had to grapple with the devastating effects of recession and pipeline vandalization on the nation's economy, and by October 19, 2016, the reserve had fallen to US$23.89 billion. As the country came through the turbulent waters of recession [with the increase in oil price and a crude oil production rate in excess of 1.7 million barrels per day], we began to see a considerable rise in the foreign reserve- from US$26.0 billion in January 2017 to US$34.53 billion by the end of the same year. That figure fell below CBN governor's projection [of US$40 billion] for that year but in no distant time, that prediction was surpassed as the foreign reserve hit US$42.8 billion in February- the highest we have had in thirteen (13) months. The US$3 billion raised from the sale of the Eurobond issued by the federal government late last year also played a major part.

But what does this accretion in the foreign reserve imply?
Before I proceed, it is important to point out that the government's decision to clamp down on the importation of certain commodities is now heeding dividend.
Now, while a thriving foreign reserve could be indicative of an economy that is set on the right track, it is worth noting the specific ways this (foreign reserve) can affect the overall economy of the nation. With a continual accretion [and the eventual realisation of a large foreign reserve], the following advantages are probable:

• list itemCushioning effect against external shock: A thriving foreign reserve makes it easy for a nation to hold its economy in shape- albeit temporarily- when incidences of financial crisis or unfavourable market trends occur. For instance, a robust foreign reserve can serve as 'saving grace' in moments of dwindling oil prices.

• list itemMakes the country investors' destination: In some instances, the state and/or strength of the foreign reserve is one of the indices investors use in measuring how friendly or safe a particular economy is to do business in. With a flourishing foreign reserve, investors' confidence is won, and the likelihood of them doing business in the country is high.

• list itemGives CBN more control in the foreign exchange market: Since foreign reserve can be used as tool for monetary policy, and with Nigeria's inclination towards a fixed exchange rate, a healthy foreign reserve will enable the Central Bank of Nigeria have some degree of control in the foreign exchange market thus ensuring that the rates are stabilized.

Child-voting: A dent on democracy
Elections in Nigeria have not always been free from eventualities; from the spates of violence that may precede the D-day [at the polls] to incidences of certain individuals [that are not officially saddled with collation responsibilities] being found with thumb-printed ballot papers and the unraveling of voting taking place at unaccredited centres, the list of misfortunes plaguing our electoral system just seems to keep broadening.
One disturbing drift that came up in 2015- but was never taken so serious- is the case of child-voting which is prevalent in Northern states. This was brought to the fold again as images of children queuing up at polling stations flooded the internet. The images were supposedly taken during the February 2018 local government elections in Kano state. As we have all come to terms with; only those that have attained the age of 18 years [and above] are legible to vote, and anything to the contrary is a stark disregard for the constitution of the nation. This, in turn, means those who encourage the act are punishable under the law, and votes from the areas of it is noticed to be rendered invalid. But the thing is that most of the pictures did not give a hint on the specific location where child-voting took place.
It is definitely not possible to leave the Independent Electoral Committee (INEC) out of this very matter. But the crux of this is that while we may not want to leave INEC out, the national electoral body, through one of its directors, Oluwole Uzzi did say that under-aged voting [as it concerned the recently concluded elections in Kano state] was out of its control as the election was conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission- KANSIEC, in this case.
From the submission of Mr. Uzzi, it can be drawn that INEC is not ruling the possibility that child-voting was indeed allowed to go on. And since SIEC was meant to work with the list of registered voters it obtained from INEC, the national body cannot just come out to tell Nigerians that the anti-democratic practice of under-aged voting was out of its control. If INEC is claiming innocence; how then did those children get registered in the first place. Plus if INEC had supplied the list [of voters that are legible] and KANSIEC failed to adhere to that list then is not logical for INEC to question the activities of the state electoral body in a bid to sustain the sanctity of the electoral system? It is often said that 'to whom much is given, much is expected. That INEC aims to stay within its legal purview- being the national electoral system- should not stop it from canvassing for the sustenance of ethical standard of elections anywhere within the nation. Moreover, under-aged voting is a breach of the constitution, and failure to address it [by taking the necessary correctional actions]- irrespective of the elections in view- is not only a dent on democracy but also a slap on the nation's electoral system.

The voice of man and the voice of God
'Vox populi vox dei' (the voice of the people is the voice of God) is a popular statement we are quite conversant with especially when a crucial decision is about to be made- for instance, during elections. But let me consider what a voice really is for a moment: one can easily conclude that a voice is a projected sound that emerges from an individual's mouth. Beyond that however, a voice is meant to carry a message or relate one's stance on a particular issue...a voice can therefore be said to be an 'instrument of communication'.

Every man has got a voice even when he chooses not be expressive in his assertions; this means silence could pass across a message to those around him/her. The focal point of this discourse is that as man has got a voice so does God have His but then is the voice of man really the voice of God?
To answer the question raised above, I will like to go into the Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:7: And the Lord said to Samuel, hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them. From this (Bible verse), it possible to infer that 'the voice of the people' is 'the voice of God'. But let us ponder on the precedent that brought that made God to make that proclamation: God took delight in ruling the people of Israel but then they started desiring- the people's voice- to have a king like the other nations thereby making it clear that they are not satisfied with God's original plan for them, and since God will not strive with men, He decided to let them have a king (that is, Saul). So, we see here that there is a 'permissive will'- which does mean that God's hand can be forced though- and a 'submissive will'. Basing one's judgment on the permissive will of God, you can end up concluding that the voice of the people is the same as the voice of God.
However, if one is to follow God's original plan, it obvious that the voice of man is not always the same as that of God...as the Lord says in Isaiah 55:8: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

Furthermore, when one reviews what became of Saul [in the end], it is very clear that prioritizing the voice of the people over the voice of God can be detrimental to the fulfillment of an individual's destiny [Ref.: 1Samuel 8:7].
So, it is from the foregoings that I will like to submit that the voice of the people is not necessarily the voice of God. In this wise, it is advisable that before taking certain steps in life [and not just go with popular opinion], you should seek to know what God is saying about your situation, for God truly rules in the affairs of men. As it is written: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5 - 6).

But you may ask; how then do I hear the voice of God?

• list itemBy studying and meditating on the Word of God regularly. God speaks through the written word.

• list itemThrough prayer. Prayer here should not be seen as monologue but a dialogue whereby you get to listen to know what God has to say to you [concerning a particular matter] after making your supplications.

• list itemYou can also hear God through visions.

One thing I will like to leave you with is this: while the voice of the people can be distorted or manipulated, the voice of God is always original, and helps you to ARRIVE at a glorious destination- irrespective of the rough tides you may encounter along the way. God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent...(Numbers 23:19)