MORNING TONIC REVOLUTION FROM THE MIND OF ALL (1 Pet. 3:10; 2:13-15) “An important job had to be done and everybody was sure that somebody would do it, anybody could have done it, but nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that anybody could do it, but nobody realized that everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that everybody blamed somebody when nobody did what anybody could have done” – Anonymous. Far be it from me, that I be unpatriotic, to ignore the relevance of today in our lives as a nation. From a philosophic perspective, the above quote almost impeccably alludes to the near-volatile state of our beloved nation 53 years after independence, and though things are far from being rosy, thankfully, I still admit that if it were not for the Lord who hath been on our side, we had been wiped out as a Nation (Ps. 124). It won’t be a misplaced conception that a large percentage of Nigerians are boiling in wrath against our leaders, past and present, based on their trail of atrocities and heinous crimes. I know we are learned, and know well enough of the problems, but permit me to give a few highlights in retrospect: ** Erastus Akingbola, the one-time intercontinental bank Chief, a “Christian”, probably a clergyman too, had his testimony soiled by condemnable fraud allegations, what went wrong with such a man held in high repute both in the Christendom and Nationally? Check yourself too. Dimeji Bankole being young and learned, sat as the Head of the Lower house, to debunk our thought or opinion of the need for fresh blood in our polity, as a panacea to our protracted problem, courtesy: the allegation raised against him, of fraudulent practices. Reuben Abati, a Special Adviser to Mr. President, having graduated as the overall best from his Alma mater with scholarly articles and columns to his credit of being a worthy spokesman for the interest of the common man, is ironically no less of a disappointment now that he’s in the polity himself, what went wrong with him? Mr. President himself proved to us how easy it can be to forget ones “shoeless days”, and have ones eye shut against those in penury, once he gets into this seemingly mythical world of Nigerian Polity. I might not have displayed any better trait myself, different from the boxers in our Houses, when in the heat of argument and though quite jokingly I threw a soft object at my colleague vexed by his understandably pessimistic view of Nigeria’s future; Perhaps with a mace at sight I could have been Chidi Lloyd of some sort. God forbid and help me! What essentially could be wrong? Maybe truly, not everything is as it seems. While admittedly, our anger, rage, frustration, hot curses, despondency or whatever ends we might sometimes be driven, by the obvious impiety, craze and impunity with which oppression continually get perpetuated before our naked eyes in our own very land and by own people; it would also be wise for us to sit and take a sober reflection on what really has been making things tick; Like a Yoruba adage goes, and running in tandem with the words of the scriptures (1 Cor. 10:12) “A child that scorns his father as being unsuccessful, is ignorantly forgetful of how ironically he’s also finding it easy making ends meet”. Amongst our many near-justifiable bitterness and criticisms, we remark our President as being weaker than a weakling and duller than a toddler, despite being an academic; well enough, there’s no problem with that, as long as we do not forget that he passed through the same institution of learning we are passing through. Do we sincerely sit to ask ourselves if we can outdo this half-witted leaders (as some would have them called), in terms of intellectual, administrative or professional delivery, considering the kind of training we have received. I can only guess that you’re already raging to ask: “Is it my fault?” – Then whose, is it? Agreeably, the government has a huge chunk of roles it has left unattended to, but for how long would we wallow in this state of self-pity? Would we keep on shifting responsibilities? “The world “aint” ready for excuses for failure, deliver! Then, are they ready to listen to your tortuous route to success.” If we are not like this, then we ought to consider it twice before we scorn our leaders as ignoramus, we just might not be any better; Perhaps, rather than wasting our energy in raining curses on them, while they lavish in extravagance, in utter disregard for our existence or whosoever is dying; proactive works and prayers should be a better means to channel our energy. Are we making consistent efforts to become a better person? A better Engineer, Accountant, Barrister, Educator, Health worker, Clergyman, Trust worthy Politician etc. ready enough to sacrifice our life on the altar of service for God and for our country. Forget about what insignificant results those rigorous strivings of ours might amount to, JUST DO IT!!! We have a God who brings countless opportunities our way, but alas! It is when we are ready for them by launching out in faith, in the face of these obvious discouragements, that they can be properly exploited. The change we desire must start with us, as a people, as a sane religious group and as a nation. The revolution must start from our minds. We have to be the Change you wish to see! And on a final note, please, if you are so understandably discouraged to foresee any good in this country, you can still serve a useful purpose by helping to keep quiet, ceasing to speak discouraging words that could shatter the enthusiasm of the few who are still vivacious enough to make a positive impact. There’s really not much harm in trying. Nigeria my Country, with God, I know someday you would be a most desirable abode for any person. Amen! BOTTOM LINE!!! Think of a hitch-free Nigeria- It begins with you. Work and Pray!
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 10:22:26 +0000