Tag Archive 'Change'

Jan 08 2010

If Nigeria Fails

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Yesterday was quite a full day for me, it was a day in which many things simply came to a head. I had deliberately refused to comment on a number of issues for a while, hoping that in the period of my silence things will bounce back to normalsy. The more the days pass however, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that we are approaching a failed state. Optimism is good, if it is bound at the bottom by reality, at the top by faith and at the sides by work. Baseless optimism is a cancer, it’s false hope and mere lies.

Rather than confront our issues and do what we need to do to save our nation from a head on collision course with failure, we tell ourselves it’s all going to be well, God will do it, we make God out to be our slave. In the face of unconstitutional behaviour, in the face of  televised dishonesty, of forgeries at the highest levels, of being labelled as terrorists, of no power at home and a vacuum in the seat of power, the elite in Nigeria have not heard the drums of war. We pacify ourselves with phrases that show that even if we lose all, we still have something. We are voiceless in our own country, slaves where we should have been princes, our young sons and daughters flee from our shores preferring to be slaves abroad than at home, and our elders have nostalgic memories of when they were slaves to colonial masters. This house is falling, and those who exercise the power of faith limit it to their words and are slow to back it up with action.  My brothers and sisters, if we continue to fold our hands we will soon have them cuffed. History is replete with trends we can learn from, the distance between our current state and people seeking refuge in other nations as refugee is not as far as we have been deluded to think. The time to have a stand and stand for it is now! Continue Reading »

43 responses so far

Nov 20 2009

Is Your Church Relevant?

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“Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them, is a dry-as-dust religion.” – MLKJR

In the days we live in, the world celebrates Martin Luther King Jr, even the church is apt to identify with him and with what he stood for, but it was not so in the days that he lived in. When I listen to people refer to great men like this, I’m often ashamed when I discover that those that speak know little more than their listeners about the life of the people they speak about. Many are shallow, from not reading  in depth enough, to not engaging their minds when they read, to  having insufficient experience to draw from to connect with the lives of these great people. Read this slowly and understand it clearly – “The “Organized” Church Opposed Martin Luther King Jr, in his days!” If you need to read more about this, find articles like the Letter from Birmingham Jail or his book “why we can’t wait”. I daresay, that anybody interested in change in any nation must read the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”.

“But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.” – MLKJR.

The question today, is simple and straight forward – “Is your Church relevant, or are you gradually becoming an irrelevant social club?”. I  must warn you that NOW requires urgency. Our nation is in on an auto-cruise that is collision bound with annihilation. We are failing as a state, with all our metrics and indexes for measuring progress plummeting, in a few years we may well be history and the last hope of this nation is currently rubbing shoulders with those who may enthrone it as the headquarters of cowardice and complacency. So answer the question, “Is your Church relevant, or are you an irrelevant social club?” Continue Reading »

30 responses so far

Sep 02 2009

Change your LIFE

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Very early this morning I woke up with a startle. There seemed to be a strong message on my heart, for me, and for all that care to listen. I had known for a long time that the determining factor of anyones success or failure is his/her thoughts, but very early this morning it got reinforced. Our minds are the battle grounds in which our battles are won or lost, it is the last frontier before our victories. You and I can get to anywhere from where we are, we can become anything we dream or chose to become. It’s totally up to us, we’ve been given the power. Great things however do not happen to us by coincidence, to become and arrive at the right destination, we must become the right people.
If you desire the financial prosperity of Bill Gates, what you need is not his company or a financial leverage. What you need is to think the thoughts of Bill Gates. If you want to play golf like Tiger Woods, then you need to think like Tiger woods. Change your thoughts and your life will change. Think poverty and you will become poor, think wealth and it will be. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Your life will move in the direction of your most predominant thought. I hold firmly the opinion that you can change your life. That you and I have a choice in the way our tomorrow will be. I believe that inside everyman and woman, lies the keys to a better life, that no matter how bad, we can change, not matter how low, we can still rise. Do you feel the need for more, for better, for greater, for more impact? Then this is your time, and this post was written to guide you.
Right there from where you are, you can begin to live a brand new changed life, from right now. The greatest change that can happen to any human is a change of paradigm. A foundational change in philosophy or perspective. We are who we are, until we challenge who we are, empty our cups and open up ourselves for greater possibilities. Let me be frank with you, the reason you are where you are currently is because that’s how far the way you think can take you. If you are broke, angry, frustrated or unhappy, you were led there by your thoughts. If you want more, better, or greater, then you need to think differently. Einstein said it correctly, when he said that the level of thinking that solves a problem must be different from the level of thinking that created it. Here are a few things you can do
1. Challenge your current paradigm. One of the greatest limitations that man faces, is that we get used to what we have always done. We get so used to this that we get stuck into a philosophy of way of thinking we neither questioned nor challenged. We live our lives with stereotypes, more often than not, we stick with our vocations at the age of 40, because 22yrs ago, and 18yr old boy made the mistake of studying that course. Ask yourself, must I continue like this?
One of the greatest ways to challenge your paradigm is to switch on your imagination, to allow yourself to dream big. Many of us grow up get jobs, struggle with our work, cower to our bosses and bury our dreams. Challenge your status quo. Imagine yourself as the president of a global organization, imagine yourself owning a big business, heading a franchise, being a blessing, influencing millions of people. Imagine yourself going on vacation when you want, driving the type of car you like, living in the side of town that suites and satisfies you. Imagine yourself investing time in your childrens development, attending their competitions and special sport outings rather than sending a coach. Does your current life contain your big dream or are you clearly in the wrong box? Challenge your choices, challenge your options, ask how human beings have achieved greatness, ask why not you?
2. Think Positive thoughts with positive emotions. The average person is so negative, perhaps that’s why he is average, or is it merely average to think negative? You can make wonders happen for your life, by deliberately thinking positive thoughts and having positive emotions. Take a loan from your future, place and advance request on your goals. Don’t wait for perfect things to begin to happen to you before you exhibit perfect behaviour. Tell yourself where do I want to get to, and begin to exhibit the traits for that place, NOW! Start living your dream now, don’t think successful, feel successful. Don’t think royalty, feel royalty. Let your bounce, your carriage and posture align with your aspirations.
Expect the best, be positively paranoid – expect that all things, good and bad are working together with the entire universe to make something good happen for you. See the cup as half full, see the future as bright. This possibilities, enjoy the best of today. Don’t prospone your life, have no regrets. Think I an become, think, I will become!
3. Engage in Positive-Self Talk. Words are spiritual, they have the capacity to create, or to destroy. Words are the programing language of our mind, with our words we can influence our minds, we can scribble on our minds and stirr ourselves into action.
We all engage in negative self talk unconciously. It’s the reason we think we are shy, the reason we hide, the reason we stay within our comfort zone. Our propensity to want to impress others, to do everything for the sake of who sees, and who gets to hear, puts pressure on us, and we put ourselves down. Tell yourself, you can! If it is to be, it is up to me! Tell yourself, I will be great! I can’t be small! I will be big – (As in, I must be Bigs, as in, you know, ouush). I am beautifully and wonderfully made, gentiles come to my light and kings to the brightness of my rising. I am exceptional! I am a king! e.t.c.
4. Just do it! Rather than regularly analyze it, frequently condemn it, or often give excuses. Just do it! Move into the action lane and face your fears. Do the things you know have the capacity to change your life. Like start your day well – pray and confess the right things, form the right habits, exercise, prioritize, practice deliberate kindness.
Don’t go slowly through life wondering what could have been, make things happen. Leave the spectators, join the actors. Embrace change. Make mistakes, unmake them, learn, improve, grow. Dare big things, have a life of adventure, live the good life, be happy, help someone else, live life, don’t watch it. Own your life!

Very early this morning I woke up with a startle. There seemed to be a strong message on my heart, for me, and for all that care to listen. I had known for a long time that the determining factor of anyones success or failure is his/her thoughts, but very early this morning it got reinforced. Our minds are the battle grounds in which our battles are won or lost, it is the last frontier before our victories. You and I can get to anywhere from where we are, we can become anything we dream or chose to become. It’s totally up to us, we’ve been given the power. Great things however do not happen to us by coincidence, to become and arrive at the right destination, we must become the right people.

If you desire the financial prosperity of Bill Gates, what you need is not his company or a financial leverage. What you need is to think the thoughts of Bill Gates. If you want to play golf like Tiger Woods, then you need to think like Tiger woods. Change your thoughts and your life will change. Think poverty and you will become poor, think wealth and it will be. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Your life will move in the direction of your most predominant thought. I hold firmly the opinion that you can change your life. That you and I have a choice in the way our tomorrow will be. I believe that inside everyman and woman, lies the keys to a better life, that no matter how bad, we can change, not matter how low, we can still rise. Do you feel the need for more, for better, for greater, for more impact? Then this is your time, and this post was written to guide you. Continue Reading »

28 responses so far

Aug 25 2009

It’s your turn

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We are in exciting times! We are the times when history is being made and documented. We are in one of the best times in the world to be alive. Time has never been so fast, technology never so advanced and the world never felt so small! It’s a great time to be born, and a great time to be alive!

I know that what you are reading might sound contrary to your present experience, I know that there is a lot going on right now that make it all look like there is nothing good in sight. With bank chiefs losing their jobs and their rights to walk as free men – you might wonder who is free. With so many of our applauded wealthy men neck deep in non-performing loans – you might wonder who is rich. With our elected political office holders telling us to go and form our own country, it all looks bleak and hopeless.  The headlines these days are sensational, the big ark Nigeria seems rocked by the storms. With all these happening all around you however, it takes special revelation to know that we are right now, in the midst of GREAT times! Continue Reading »

43 responses so far

Aug 04 2009

Change 2011

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“Today is my birthday, and I want a gift! The gift I want is for you to on my behalf credit the following account with whatever is laid on your heart to give. Little Saints Orphanage, Skye Bank. Acc No: 133170005200. Please do it on my behalf and kindly let me know about it. Thank you.”


I would love to write about my birthda, but I’m sorry, I can’t. I must pour out my heart in another direction. My eyes have seen the evolving of the glory of the country called Nigeria. Nigeria will be great again! Out of the shambles of the current hopelessness, out of the fabrics of this current decaying state, out of the depths into which we have plunged, Nigeria shall arise again!

A new crop of leaders are arising in Nigeria, a blend of people who have participated in the old, yet remained untarnished and those who have hitherto considered themselves too principled to participate in valueless politics. A new breed without greed, a generation that will raise, build and repair the foundations of the New Nigeria. My eyes have seen the glory to come, the exciting days ahead, and the desirable paradise that will be crafted out of the once deplorable nation. While I see the beauty and the spendor of the glory however, my eyes are not disconnected from the sacrifices that need to be made. The challenges that lie ahead, and the hurdles that must be crossed. I have interacted with the future, shaken hands with them that are about to be, I have viewed the Resumes of great ones, and tomorrow excites me. Change is coming, change is here. Change is looking for volounteers and my answer is totally yes! Continue Reading »

39 responses so far

Jan 28 2009

The Nigeria we deserve!

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I’m sorry if I’m digressing from the better life gist a little. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel really really moved when I think about Nigeria. Do you? I know I am not alone, I certainly am not. I’m not even the first to feel this way, but I feel so strongly that I must contribute my quota into transforming Nigeria into the future I know it has.  We might be divided in our past, but we are united in our future. We might have diverse tribes and languages, but we can aspire to one vision. My destiny and if you think about it, yours as well, is tied to this country! When we pray for the peace of our Jerusalem, we are qualified to prosper in it!

I’ve had an opportunity to attend a few brainstorming sessions recently with Fela Durotoye and a number of other passionate change agents in Nigeria, and I know that the cloud is gathering, and the rain will fall! I have had the opportunity also of speaking with accomplished Nigerian business leaders, and the question I find on the lips of the ones with the right values is, “after we have made all this money what next, what legacy will we leave to generations unborn, is this our best as a country?” Continue Reading »

46 responses so far

Nov 24 2008

The Miracle of Nigeria

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It had never happened before in the history of Nigeria, but it just happened, or was it a dream? The Electoral process this year was impossible to toy with, the nation was almost unanimous in it’s vote for a true leader. The voice of Nigerians was not muffled, it was loud and clear! The time for change had come, and even the weather bore witness with it’s stillness and calmness. A rainbow stained the skies, it was as if the divine supported us with a message of not forgetting. With the unity characteristic of Nigerians only in the support of our national team, Nigerians were united and with a landslide victory declared the end to the rule of recycled furniture (sorry I meant leadership) and substandard officers. The wind of change blowing all over the world, had made it’s way to Nigeria! The results had just been announced, and the people had been rewarded with a leader they could call theirs.

The government has not started to operate, it hasn’t been sworn in, but already the hope in the air is so thick it can be felt. The people are celebrating and excited! They say beginning is half done, it feels like it truly is. All our unsubstantiated proclamation of a New Nigeria now seem real, all our cries to be the most desirable seem no longer a pie in the sky. Our differences seem buried in a new vision to be a part of the new, and dissociate from the old. We score more airtime on foreign stations than even our own, the world is awed. The world seems as confident in our future as we are. It all seems amazing and like a dream. I cast my mind back and asked my self,”How did this happen, how did we do it, what did we do?” I remembered the faces, some names, some voices, one by one it all came back to me, I remembered the people that brought about this great change, and my heart was gladdened. It had taken us a few years, but alas! Here is how it all started. Continue Reading »

37 responses so far

Nov 08 2008

We can make a difference!

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I’m sure by now it’s no longer news, that a convoy of armed Navy men, maltreated a young lady by the name of Uzoma Okere. They beat her up and stripped her of her blouse, leaving her bra exposed on the streets in broad day light. This constitutes a breach of fundamental human rights, a lack of respect for human beings, and a national shame at the time when the world celebrates democracy.

There are some things within the events that have unveiled that I actually am happy with, and I want to take it up as a conscious effort we can make. Within 3 days, the media had responded, the matter had reached the senate, the Governor of Lagos had called her up and a lot seemed to be happening. It seems like it deserved to happen like that, but that’s not the Nigeria I knew some years ago. The speed of circulation of information about this matter could not have happened 8yrs ago! As a nation, we are changing, to get better, we must take responsibility, and yes we can!

Here are a few key highlights of what happened that was good, and how we can all help to replicate it. Continue Reading »

33 responses so far

May 12 2008

Nigerians? – Be Very Careful

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Today, history was made. We successfully closed a business deal that will become the biggest business in a particular industry in Africa. I have, by God’s grace been able to close a business deal to be an exclusive business partner for a high profile business for the entirety of Africa. About two months ago, the same deal was closed for almost all of West Africa, but in the course of the last two days in the UAE, we have the whole Africa covered. I’m still steaming from the movie of the secret that I watched, but I can understand the dynamics of our chemistry working, somehow I believe that things have worked so easily because the laws of the universe were in alignment, and God was in control.

In the course of the meeting however, something stood out for me, and made me feel bad about my homeland. I had a meeting with two German guys, we had to move to a number of places so I could see their factory and their sales offices. We moved in between my apartment and their offices and back, so they could drop me off, while they attended another meeting and later come back to pick me. It took almost two hours to come back in their Ford Explorer to pick me up. When they came, we chatted and laughed as we had somehow gotten our chemistry and flowed well together. In the course of our chit chat, they relayed to me an incident that happened in their last meeting. They wanted to close the meeting quickly so they told the person ( a Dubai Citizen), that they had to go back to the hotel to meet with their partners from Nigeria. The person they were meeting, blurted out almost instinctively – “Nigerians? – Be Very Careful!” That’s painful, and really heart renting. Continue Reading »

23 responses so far

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