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A New Nigeria I

We all have a voice, we all have a gift, and we all can make a difference.

Over the past few decades, the Nigerian space has witnessed ugly events intermittently punctuated by beautiful moments. Unfortunately, because our nation is highly polarized and heterogeneous, we have often addressed our problems sensationally and not strategically. As a result, no lasting solution to make Nigeria liveable for all has been implemented, except for the occasional daubing of iodine on a deep-rooted wound. Now, our nation is bleeding from misrule and corruption; we cannot afford to continue hemorrhaging this way!

The very first step is to identify what the problems are. This should then be followed up with implementable action plans. Indeed, the problems of Nigeria are alarming: Our resources are over-exploited, and our giftings are definitely under-utilized. We are yet to realize our potential as a nation. This is not the best we know we can be as a nation.

At this time when we badly need to salvage our nation from its current state, there are mistakes we have to avoid. We cannot deny the past and hope to save the future, just as we cannot continue to make excuses for our present situations and expect a change. More so, we cannot resort to solely blame games, trusting that things will improve.

Another thing is sure: A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. The “divide and rule” maxim says precisely what it states. The oppressors of Nigeria will continue to bear the rule for as long as we let them divide us. By emphasizing more religious bigotry, partisan politics, and cultural differences, we endanger the tie that connects us as a nation. Definitely, we can no longer go in this way of destruction. We have to focus on what unites us together at this time. We have to focus on our strengths. We have to stand as one against oppression.

It is important to note that the collective change we clamour for is the overall sum of the changes we allow in ourselves as individuals. We all have a voice, we all have a gift, and we all can make a difference. It’s high time we stopped putting our salvation in the hand of others. The Western World is not our Messiah! Nobody can help our nation better than ourselves! Ineptitude leadership across the various levels of government must be phased out. Responsive followers must show up.

Here is a straightforward question: What tools do we have to achieve a new Nigeria? And a sensible follow-up question will be: How do we employ these tools to achieve our desired end, a New Nigeria?

The sequel will discuss how to use the resources at our disposal to achieve a new Nigeria. See you soon!

Depths before heights

There are depths before heights. And indeed, the hope of resurrection is an offspring of an event called death. It is when you die that we can expect you to live. However, I am beginning to sense that you detest the word death. Your muscles tighten, and your teeth clench at the picture death brings you. Be relaxed. I don’t want you to die. I am only pointing out a fact: Life starts from death. I hope you get it now. It is such a paradox.

Come to think of it. To grow maize, its grain has to be buried in the ground. Then, the sprouting, the shooting forth of the blades. You can see it. You are even seeing something different, I guess. You are seeing a fully budded maize, and your thoughts are already going into how that will end up in your buccal cavity. It’s good. But I want you to ask yourself: where did this miracle begin? How is it that I can expect some kind of nourishment now? Well, you should have figured out the answer by now: some seeds were buried in the soil. That was how the whole story started.

What happens to someone the whole time they are buried? Obscurity! No one sees a buried man, except by illusions of course. That moment you are buried, that moment you are experiencing death, you don’t get noticed. You don’t have to worry about that. Nobody nominates you for Miss World, nobody invites you to the treat of the who-is-who. You are just all by yourself. Does that truth hurt? It doesn’t have to, actually. It’s just a normal phenomenon.

The very essence of depth is to afford you the stability your desired height requires. It makes you last. You don’t want to be a nine-hour-wonder, I believe. So, don’t jump the guns. Stay in line.

And here is a profound truth: the very grave where death is consummated is where resurrection begins. And the brilliance that resurrection exudes, who can stand it? That brilliance is ever-increasing, upwards tending, and never diminishing.

What is all this death stuff? Find a purpose to live for, avoid distractions, and put all of your focus on that purpose. That’s the tripartite summary of death. Be single-eyed. Very shortly, you will cross the line between death and life. And once you are in the folds of life, you are far from the suction of death.

Take some time to die! And you will live again!