NIGERIA @ 50: Growing or Groaning?

NIGERIA @ 50:
Growing or Groaning?
By: Uche Ohagwam
“…both literature and history are replete with man’s unending quest to break free from internal imperialism.”
Leadership failure in Nigeria has been a major impediment in our march to nationhood and real independence. Year after year, decade after decade, administration after administration, system after system, policies after policies, have all pointed to one singular fact: our leaders are purpose-barren and vision-finished. As we celebrate independence annually, we the followers, go home after every 1st of October, bowing our heads down in shame, in agony and in tears. Sure, we have been unsuccessful and unworthy of emulation; even if we have leaders who would dispute this with their “white papers.” Sometimes I wonder, “What is wrong with our land?” “Is it in our land even?” But as I contemplate further, I remember Shakespeare, who once said that,
“The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we’re underlings”
(Julius Caesar, I, ii, 140-141).
Sincerely, neither our colonial masters nor fate is responsible for the prolonged poverty, corruption, maladministration that have plagued us as a country in the past fifty, I mean, fifty good years; but the selfish and dishonest leadership style we have had in the past fifty years.
One major undoing of our country is that we have always had leaders who never feel what the masses are feeling. They feign ignorant of our collective pain. Like the proverbial elephant who stepped on a poisonous thorn, but made light of this thorn deeply imbedded in his foot, judging his size, as his strength and resistance; unmindful of the fact that as time wore on, this thorn became infected right inside his body and eventually led to his death. In the same way, Nigerian leaders have shown a carefree, indeed an “I dey kampe” attitude to the numerous thorns that are about to put out our national life.
That our shame and tears are brought upon us by own leaders are no longer debatable. Like many African writers have lamented and insisted, through fiction after fiction, play after play, verse after verse, that: Nigerians and only Nigerians can clean up this country. Citing Chinua Achebe’s The Trouble with Nigeria, a little book I read during my undergraduate days, Achebe proved that our leaders should be held accountable and responsible: “Corruption goes with power, therefore to hold any useful discussion of corruption; we must first locate it where it properly belongs---in the ranks of the powerful” (38). In this 63-page work published in the 80s’, I feel, he had submitted a guide on how to recover our beloved country. Yes, Nigerians have gained a global reputation for being densely corrupt, owing to the blatant display of wealth by our politicians and public office holders, without any sense of accountability. This has further heightened the lust for political positions by almost every Tom Dick and Harry.
In summary, a better Nigeria is possible. Our leaders must show a sincere commitment to serving the people and re-building our fatherland. We must have a national re-orientation; where our motive for leadership would be redefined: to build a strong, secured and economically- buoyant nation. A nation where our children can smile again, a nation where our youths can see hope in promises and willingly let down their arms; a nation where a vast population of our people could live their dream. Truly and really, We will make it, if only we choose to. God Bless Nigeria! Happy Independence!

Uche Ohagwam, is a strong campaigner for A Better Nigeria
uchemy@hotmail.com

A GRATEFUL HEART

Many are land lords of the CEMETERY
Lots are tenants of the MORTUARY
Many more are candidates of OBITUARY
But we are worshipers in His SANCTUARY
Because His love has been keeping us right from JANUARY
Couple with His goodness written in our DIARY
And all these He has done without demanding a SALARY
So instead of complaining about your SITUATION
See many struggling to be in your POSITION
Even if you cannot thank Him for His PROVISION
Why not thank Him for His PROTECTION?
I mean those testimonies that are far beyond human COMPREHENSION
When enemies wanted you in great LAMENTATION
He stepped in in His divine INTERVENTION
And ended your mystery like slave trade ABOLITION
So praise Him with a shout of ACCLAMATION
Gain His attention and be the center of ATTRACTION

Your SKILL will pay your BILL

This was written by a friend and it realy inspired me so, I decided to post it here to be an inspiration to many. Enjoy!


YOUR SKILL WILL PAY YOUR BILL
By: Uche Ohagwam

“To understand one thing well is better than understanding many things by halves.”

---Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832)
German poet, novelist and dramatist.

The concept of skill plays an important role in personal and national growth and development. Experience has shown that it is the man of skill, not the muscular man that will always and eventually win the competition and fulfill the task life bring before us. It is the man of skill that can successfully beat deadlines. Many entrepreneurs kill their business concerns as quickly as they started, while a few others wont go too far because they allow sentiments and other anti-business factors to override their senses, choices, indeed, their recruitment process. No doubt, it is far better to acquire skill, recruit skill than to kill the dream, vision or interest.
Skill, by definition is the learned capacity to carry out an assignment for excellent results, often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Skill is put forward as, ‘an ability to do something well, especially because you have learned and practiced it.’ Put differently, skill is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability. It is business tactics that guarantee efficiency and positive excellence. A simple classification of skill gives us:
• General and
• Specific skills
Taking the work place for example, in the work environment, some general skills would include time management, teamwork and leadership, self motivation and others, whereas specific skills would be useful only for a certain job. Skill usually requires certain environmental stimuli and situations to assess the level of skill being shown and used.
People need a broad range of skills in order to contribute to a modern economy and take their place in this technologically-driven society of ours. Studies and activities within and not too far from our immediate environment have continued to emphasize and lay bare the fact that through technology, the workplace, the school, the church and the society at large is changing; thus, the skills that employees must have and acquire, to meet changing times and needs have become inevitable. There is nothing you can ever get done well without knowing how to do it. More so, the quality of your skill will determine the quality of your output, your worth and your growth in whichever environment you find yourself. The truth is, every man’s skill, if rightly used is capable of paying his bill.
Unfortunately, some folks around us are ignorant of the power of skill, and this is a major undoing of our time. The Nigerian society and more specifically, people from oil-bearing communities do not believe in skill acquisition but in “money accumulation.” Regrettably, even the few who have indicated some form of interest in skills acquisition are still not fully convinced on why they should be submissive to a non-indigene, who has the skill and is willing to pass it on to them via training. Hence, they end up with half-baked or zero training. Even among some of our religious friends, there is an erroneous conception that fasting, prayers and other religious activities are equal to skill, indeed, could substitute for it. But no sooner had they become addicted to these, than they will realize that these activities, though strong and effective, are poor substitute for skill.
Skill is not a gift, so you can neither pray it nor covet it; it is not tricks, which is the “strength” of today’s traders; it is not natural resources, which we as indigenes can lay claim to. It is ideas and specific knowledge that are consciously acquired through training for results. Deutshe Bank has this interesting slogan which holds that, “ideas are wealth, and the rest is money.” So, if this be true, then, skills, ideas, knowledge will continue to be fundamental for our country, if we mean to actualize the vision 20:2020. We must shun tricks and discontinue with all these “mouthing” and lazy outlook on life. As an individual, you must expunge tricks from your business dealings. As a student, if all you are using at present is tricks, then, be sure that you will have the paper, but you won’t have much relevance in this knowledge-driven society. So, if skill is this vital, then how can I acquire it?


HOW TO ACQUIRE SKILL
By Training: There is a saying that the more you know, the more you are known. So, stops living your life to chance, because you will soon be so frustrated to realize that you don’t have chance after all. You can imagine how plainly foolish and time-wasting it is to embark on any business journey without the least and basic information. It doesn’t matter what you know, there is much more that you don’t know than you all you have ever known. I fully agree with Mark Twain that, “There is nothing training cannot do. Nothing is above its reach. It can turn bad morals to good; it can destroy bad principles and recreate good ones; it can lift men to ‘angelship.’” In life, whenever you’re being trained, you’re expected to learn and if you learn well, you will not only sell yourself at a very high price, but you will also employ yourself and by extension, pay your bills. You Will Make It!

WAIT AND BE A WASTE, START AND BE A STAR + TARRY IN HIS PRESENCE TO CARRY YOUR PRESENT

WAIT AND BE A WASTE, START AND BE A STAR

There is always a passion in every man’s heart; a passion for greatness. No wonder the popular sayings “a beggar has no choice” has now been reformed to “a beggar is not a chooser.” Meaning, every common man, even a beggar in the street desires something great in life. But why is it that not every man always attains the greatness desired? Is it because greatness is not meant for everybody? Or because life has chosen to dance to the music of some and treat others’ with disdain? No! All is because not everyman is ready to pay the price greatness demands. Life is an investment; the quality of price paid determines the quality of reward offered. “If you dare approach life as fun, you’ll surely end up as a fan.”

It’s the truth that everyman craves for greatness and a better tomorrow, but it is not everyman that is determined to do more than just desiring it, but taking the required actions? Many have forgotten that there is no accidental success, every success is desired and planned for. Remember, “If you wait for things to happen, you’ll waste before things happened.” Until you are ready to offer to life responsibility required, you remain a nonentity and may die a liability. Success in life is meant for men who can “respond to ability,” [Responsibility] and not for mere “dreamers.” God forbid it that you still remain a liability and die a victim of life with those great potentials you possess. It’s high time you stood your ground and let your world celebrate you before you become expired and turn an additional nutrient to the cemetery. Instead of still waiting for God to help you to jump, why not jump and expect him to give you succor especially when He has shown you His purpose in life? DON’T WAIT AND BE A WASTE, WHEN YOU CAN START AND BE A STAR! I can see you fly in Jesus Name.

TARRY IN HIS PRESENCE TO CARRY YOUR PRESENT

I may not know precisely the particular “present” you desire from God to turn your life around. May be it’s the promise of a glorious future? Or the promise of a good-caring husband or wife? May be yours is the promise of the fruit of the womb? Or a good job, car and accommodation? Perhaps, yours is the promise of good health and long life? But I’m very sure of this fact that: we all crave for one particular “present” from God at one point in time or the other. But remember, you cannot get God’s best when you are outside His “presence.” Do you really desire that glorious “present” that God has in stock for you? Then, hold on to your dreams no matter what you are facing right now. They might have taken your coat of many colours away, but if you still have it inside of you; you can produce it again. They may take anything visible from you, but don’t give them your dream and the confidence you have in your future. Jabez was Mr. Nobody. The enemies had taken away his destiny and turned him to a potential man of destitute. He had even lost so many opportunities and became a write–off in the society. But when he dared to dream big and tarried in His presence through prayers; God surely gave him the present he desired at last. So, no matter whom you are, where you are, what your circumstances speak right now, or what the enemies have taken from you; never you allow your dream die. Remember, God has a special present for you, don’t give up. Don’t also forget the Apostles: they did not just wait for their own present, (the promise of the Holy Ghost) but they waited at the right place. Don’t go to Samaria when you are expected to tarry in Jerusalem except you want to miss your package.

Remember, if God wants to bless you in Nigeria and now found you in America; that may hinder your blessing simply because there is always a divine ALLOCATION to every divine LOCATION. So, tarry in his presence to carry your present.

Be Careful of Being Too Careful

The person who takes no chance has to take what’s left when others are through choosing. Life is filled with elements of choice and it’s only those who dare to fail greatly that can ever achieve enormous results. Life is a risk, and to risk nothing is to succeed at nothing. No wonder a wise man once said, “it’s risky not to take risk.” A man that fears suffering from a thing, is already suffering from what he fears and so I ask, what are your secret fears? Fear in the past has been defined as False Evidence Appearing Real. I dare ask again, what are the things that you are afraid of on your way to greatness? Remember, they are false evidence appearing real.

Nothing happens by chance, and even accidents are propelled by a force. Why are you afraid of making a decision that could cause you pains today and yet improve your life tomorrow? Life, like goods and services, demands before it delivers. Do you desire tremendous success in life? Pay the price because nothing goes for nothing. The amount of price paid to life determines the reward life delivers. Life doesn’t just deliver your desires, but what you deserve by the accumulation of prizes earned through the seasons of your life. What seeds have you sown into your destiny? I ask again, what steps are you taking rightnow towards the achievement of your dreams and what are your investments into life? Don’t be deceived, life can never deliver to you what you don’t deserve.

Remember, you don’t just sit down and wait for your season, but you walk into it. If you don’t take charge, you will never be in charge. And if you are not in charge you can be discharged without a charge. So don’t just wait and expect things to happen; work out your miracle by doing what is required to acquire what you desire. Why not take responsibility for your life? If you don’t build a road to market your ability, you may die with your ability.

On a final note, don’t just live and count your days; live and make your days count.

MY GOD….

My God is awesome and mighty

The brain behind every mortal and deity

Traced back beyond the oldest antiquity

Yet, lives till eternity

He made and composed my complexity

Structured my nitty-gritty

In absolute cognizance of my personality

Nothing about me puts Him in anxiety

Even at the point of my dark uncertainty

When am in high perplexity

Passing through serious difficulty

He rescues me from terrible obscurity

And established me in divine prosperity.

Quotable Quotes

The thing you hear is called information, the one you discover yourself is called revelation and revelation is the mother of revolution.

Write history with ink, plans with pencil because you may need room for adjustment.

A wise man who refuses to rule will suffer the misrule of an idiot.

A singular conversation with the right thinking person could be more valuable than years of association with a wrong person.

Winning doesn’t start around you, it starts within you.

It’s impossible to avoid failure if you desire success because every great achievement is a refinement of debris of failure.

The only necessary thing for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE

My blog is finally up and running. To God be the glory! I have looked forward to this day for about a year now and thank God the day is here. I see this as another medium to motivate and reach my teaming audience across the world. I have been a publisher, motivational speaker, actor, singer and an entertainer for a long while and this will also give me an opportunity to be a blessing to everyone who visits this blog.

What to expect? A lot I must say. This blog will capture my thoughts, experiences, creativity and flexibility, jokes and lots more. I hope that every of my post will inspire, motivate and make you smile. Please note that because of my busy schedule, I will update this blog fortnightly and sometimes, earlier when I am less busy. I promise that each post will achieve my vision and aim for this blog. Please, try to invite your friends over here and let’s rock together.

This is my first post. I hope you enjoy it.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE

Instead of complaining about your situations

Look back and see many struggling to be in your position

Even if you cannot thank Him for what He delivered to you as provision

Why not thank Him for what He delivered you from as protection

Those testimonies that are far beyond human comprehension

When enemies wanted you in great lamentation

God stepped-in in His divine intervention

And ended your mystery like slave trade abolition

No wonder your enemies are now in great confusion

So praise Him with a shout of acclamation

Sing for joy in a loud ovation

Gain His attention and become the center of attraction

Remember, no matter how critical your situation

If not for God, it could have been worse

WEEP NO MORE

You never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems far. You have to stick to the fight when you are hardest hit because it is when things seem worse that you must not quit. Remember, winners must not quit because quitters can never win. When the going gets tough, the tough must keep going. If there is no one to encourage you, become a David and encourage yourself. If there is no pastor to pray for you, don’t forget you are a royal priesthood and God’s ears are not deaf to hear your humble cry. If there is need to weep, weep but after weeping, get off the dust because failure to face a fear never solves it; It only gives it more time to grow. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Don’t give up! Failure is never a failure until you accept failure as a failure.

Please don’t laugh

A young boy named Junior came to his pastor one day and expressed his observation to the man of God.

Junior: pastor, as you can see whenever you put on a trouser, I also put on one. Whenever you wear a suit, I also wear one. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! It’s like we have FAMILIAR SPIRIT.

Pastor: I bind you in the name of Jesus.

Quotes of the day.

* When you mind opposition, you suffer frustration and lose your position

* No matter the size of a padlock, it can never intimidate the right key

* When your focus is constantly focused on your focus, you will be a focus.

* When a man is not grateful, he is not better than a great fool.

* What lies behind and before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.