Nigerians hope in the Olympics for the return of honor!

Yesterday, I wept as I watched the Nigerian female athlete: Blessing Okagbare won one of the 100M semi-final race to qualify for the final rounds. I wept because the name Nigeria has been disdained and dishonoured. And here is a lady running to bring honour back. Here is a lady pushing the envelopes, giving her all, working hard to bring honour and glory back for her nation. She ran in such a way to overcome a slow start, blasting through from behind the rest in the first round of the 100 meters race. She finished first in one of the semi-finals.

Certainly we have not seen the finals yet. But as far as I am concerned, I have seen something worth celebrating! I saw energy! I saw attitude! I saw the indomitable power of the human spirit to overcome set-backs! I have seen the will to succeed in a "woman-being" I have seen a good reason to be hopeful! Why I am making a big deal out of this lady? Why am I writing about one athlete when there are countless participants in the Olympics? Why am I excited over a process than the end-product? Are there not countless athletes already decorated with medals at thesame Olympics? Of course, there are. However, I picked the moment Blessing Okagbare crossed the finished line in the Semi-finals as one of my personal memorable moments in the ongoing London 2012 Olympics; because I see national honour returning to Nigeria!

I see honour coming back not just through our athletes, but through those whose lives will be influenced by them! I strongly believe that as long as we have people like Blessing Okagbare, there is still hope for our nation-Nigeria. I see the restoration of lost glory. Nigeria will not remain dis-credited forever. We shall rise to the place we have been yanked off in history. Honour is coming back! Nigerians be prepared! Honour is returning to us! Although, We have been stripped of respect. We have been regarded as a corrupt nation. We have been doubted and stripped-searched especially at every Airport in the world. We have been blacklisted into terrorist nation. We have been second-guessed as the headquarters of Cyber-crime.

But honour is coming back! Honour is coming to Nigeria as surely as God is God. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream (Psalm 126:1). I see restoration of lost glory and a great future! I see the grace to rise above the present darkness!

So what do we need to do for honour to return to our nation? It is not enough to shout and scream with excitement. If we are going to be celebrated. If We will birth great victories out of our small victories. There is work to be done. We must not just create a system, without respecting that system we have put in place. Nobody should be above the law. Disorderliness must be punished. Criminals must be prosecuted as examples for others. Our leaders cannot make rules which they do not obey.

We cannot allow any misrepresentation of Nigeria. We must take such moments when Blessing Okagbare crossed the finishing line in the Semi-finals of the 100M race as sacred moment. A moment worth reflecting over. A defining moment. A moment that meant something significant. A sacred moment of greatness that gives birth unto other great moments. Much more, the motivation of this athlete should begin to stir us towards good works. Why because such moment brings to our youths a level of inspiration that words can not describe.The aggregates of such moments is what transform a nation. Anyone can run. But not many can win. And as we allow that victory to gradually transform us, our nation will be changed. One victory at a time. 

I know the whole world is still waiting for the finals. But i celebrate this one moment in the semi-finals because it is part of the process. Many people wants to do great things for their nations but they are at loss concerning how to do that? We sometimes fail to realize that life is a matter of process. That great things are birthed out of small things. That there is no small success. That we can achieve much more through our chosen career. That by working diligently around our corporate goals, we can even achieve national victories. That this thing is not a matter of your size, but your role. That it is one step at a time. That you don't even have to be an Olympic champion to do greater works. That all you need is: be the best you can be. That your career is relevant regardless. That your best will inspire others, and it will light their candles. That by igniting others, the fire will go from one person to another. Until the entire nation is aflame!

Value of restlessness in creating intentional economy: Case study of Egypt.

 Today, as we witness the value of restlessness in the stepping down of the Egyptian oppressor of three decades. Something valuable came to mind. The importance of intelligent resistance cannot be displaced on the match to democracy. Lets recall how valuable it will be for all and sundry to pick a lesson from hereon. 

For Hosni Mubarack, he may learn that honor is the peak of all achievements! A man that cannot live and die for honor is not worth living. And Great leaders learn to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest! For us, the moral lie in: the power of protest!

For instance, Canada is a peaceful country. We don’t want any unrest. So we allow everything? It is okay to be just quietly nice? It is cultural to go with the flow? You don’t offend anybody? Don’t disturb your neighbor? Always sit patiently on board for the Bus driver to have his lunch while you run late for your appointment? Activism is evil? It is impolite to protest? Be agreeable in everything? And never ever raise any dust? These are all implied and imbedded in the Canadian culture?

On the other hand, Nigeria (a West African country) is where you are free to protest at your own risk! It’s perilous to speak against the Government of the day. It’s like cutting your own throat! Most African countries face intimidation, oppression and corruption with fear of the consequence of protest. We are scared of being killed. We worry about being jailed. Nobody wants to lose his head. “They” will arrest us and imprison us”; we say. I am the last born in my family, how dare you expect me to protest? I am the only survivor of the civil war in my lineage, how can you push me to War again? Why should I end up in jail or on stake for the masses? As a result of such fear, evil continue at its bliss in Africa?

 The opposite is true of Egyptians. Despite their piety and religious culture, resist oppression and prevailed. Theirs, was one of the rare protests that ever succeeded in Africa? Usually the Military and the Police would have disbanded such protest? Again, it points out the fact that the Military have crucial role to play in any democracy anywhere?

 If the glory that passes away could be this glorious in Egypt today, how much more is the eternal weights of glory going to be like? If the Egyptians fought for honor and won, how much more should we? It is imperative we stand against evil in all ramifications?

The case study of Hosni Mubarack of Egypt is a lesson for all African leaders. Don't overstay your visit by seeking a third term in power like one of our politicians. Leave political office honorably when you're no longer wanted. Nobody is indispensable. How so true was the statement of the Patriarch who said: “…But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck." (Genesis 27:40). The yoke we see today are more than oppression. Until we become restless, dominion will remain an illusion.  Until we learn to see evil and resist it, we won’t break the hold of evil! 

Just because oppression does not appear in guise of “Hosni Mubarack”, it is easier to merely cast a glance and walk away. We can casually let the sleeping dog lie? But the sleeping dog may continue lying forever, even making more mess on the threshold? The principles  we break will boomerang to haunt us.There is value in intelligent resistance.

Is it okay for a Clergy to run for Political office?

I was studying very recently and i came across some mind-blowing stuff concerning the connection between this Faith thing and the world system. What some people dont understand is that: this thing called Christianity is not a religion or a mere organized system of worship. It is more than mere dancing, shouting and clapping hands on some Sunday mornings! 
Talking about the need for the church to transcend her four walls in influencing the world system. It is a mandate! It is very crucial. It is a role that we are called to play. If we are not doing that, we are just fooling around! This Faith thing is beyond the four walls of any church location! We are the body which Christ uses in acting upon the earth. 


There are two important things worth noting here. We call them:
the knowledge of the glory of God; 
and there is another thing called: 
the knowledge of the wisdom of God.


Without understanding these two concepts, we cannot bring down the glory of God to bear on earth. For God wants his glory to be revealed. And this has to be done through His sons and daughters here on earth. So, in bringing down the glory! The prophet said in Habakkuk 2:14 
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
 There is a connection between the heavens and the earth. And we must acknowledge that. We must not bring a disconnection through religion. These two realms depends on us. These two realms cannot connect without our deliberate bold steps. 
Psalm 19:1 said that: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
 The heavens declare the glory of God. The earth has to be filled with this glory of God that was declared by the heavens. One of the ways these can happen is through the knowledge of the glory of God. The world system dont read up our Bible. The word has to become flesh in us first. So we are the epistle that men are now going to read. How can the world read us if we dont go out to where the world system are hidden? How can the earth be filled, if I do not contribute my own quota in the earth? For in this earth, I am the representative of God. I am meant to bring down the glory of God! I am supposed to bring into manifestation what is hidden in the mind of God. I am meant to arise and shine for the glory of God. It is through my idea, through my ideologies , through my works, projects and vocations that i can achieve this! This is where i can bring down His glory!  The glory of God must be revealed! All flesh must see it. The unbelievers have got to see that glory!  I must bring down this glory by all means! 


Believers should not be scared of going out to influence the world system! The political sectors inclusive! If individual Christians dont contribute their quota in all fields of life? We cannot bring down His glory. By merely warming up benches in our churches on Sunday morning, who will take care of these ruins? For the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it! (Isaiah 40:5). 
Martin Luther King Jr. was a Preacher before he left to lead the human Rights movement in the USA.That changed the Black History forever. Let us get out of religion! Daniel was knowledgeable in all manner of wisdom, (Daniel 1:4) he served under kings.  The Dake translation shed more light on how Daniel was educated in science, mathematics, archeology, history, metallurgy, anatomy, astrology,etc. It was in all manner of wisdom. He read all literature. Little wonder. He was relevant. Moses was trained in the language and the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22). Moses understood how the Egyptians perform magic. Yet Moses was a minister of God who led a whole nation of Israel out of slavery onto freedom.  He had to confront the world power of his day. That time, you got to know what you are saying before confronting the king. Then, Pharaoh was like Barack Obama of today.


In bringing down the glory, we need the knowledge of the wisdom of God. Proverbs 24:14 said: So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. We really need to search for this knowledge of wisdom in order to get it. That knowledge of wisdom has to be found. Why? Because there are two fold dimensions of benefits once we find it. 
The first is that: there is a reward. 
The second is that there is fulfillment.
Our individual expectations shall be fulfilled. Meaning that we have certain desires that will be fulfilled once we find this knowledge of the wisdom of God. Our dreams and aspirations will come through and true. They shall not be cut off once we find it. 
So, there is a reward coming from God. This is called a divine reward. 
Again, there is another reward. It is the material reward; which is our earthly gain for finding the knowledge of the wisdom of God.  
1 Corinthians 15:19 said: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. There is still a Hope beyond this present scope of things. There is a hope which we must not lose sight of. It is the hope of glory. We will stand before the Lord to give account of our earthly works. Works shall be tested...passed through fire. Some works will endure while some will burn. 
How can you tell which of your work will endure or burn off ? I believe it is by understanding what God has called you to do. Each one of us has a calling to fulfill here on earth. Not minding misconceptions, controversies, and rejections. You got to find it and run with it! Just following your heart is the key. Answer your call. Read the signs of the time. It is getting late!
 To ask the question again: Is it okay for Clergy to run for Political office in Politics? I will let you answer. Personally, i will say yes! Why not? It does not matter if you win or not. What matters is that you stand out. What matter is that you stood for what you believe in. What matters is that you know what is right. And you did it. It may not be popular. You just choose to stand! Choose to be counted! Differentiate yourself ! Influence your world!

Political Transition in Nigeria: Nigerians Awake!

As i peaked through the windows of internet, i peered into the present political transition in Nigeria. I began to wonder. As a speaker, is this the time to speak up? If we are not orientating people in the direction of National change; we may help them to attain temporal individual change, but the policy of the politics will squash that which we have planted in them. Is it true that we may need to review what we are speaking per time based on the immediate societal need? Martin Luther king moved from the pulpit to the Civil right movement..."I have a Dream!".If we sit in our arm chair , hiding in our corner under the guise of fear. We stand to lose all what we got.

It dawned on me that one of the things Nigerians need most at this season is to appreciate the power of standing up and getting counted. You have to stand up for something. And it does not have to be popular. But you got to stand up for something! The question is: Are we standing up at all? And if we are standing up, our stand for something could be our last chance to turn the tide around at this crucial moment. There must be a deliberate move towards democracy in Nigeria which goes beyond who you are standing with.It has to go beyond buying into the common bribery with some Naira notes to win voters' support.It is now a matter of what you are standing for!

I'm just thinking of the power of synergy and what it can create if the new breeds of Aspirants out there can tap into it. We all understand that there is a Global SHIFT. As it happened for Barack Obama & Hilary Clinton in the USA.It can happen in Nigeria beacuse it takes more than one of these New Breed of politicians to chase that devil of disorder & corruption out of Nigeria. I mean our National destiny is about to be shaped and birth afresh. I believe this is an era of the new breeds. There is a global shift in the world's political sphere. Everything that has been like monument is moving...the old order is shifting. It is no longer about the power of incumbency or godfather-ism. It is now about who is the man of the people? Who is that leader with a vision? Who is seeing the change? Who is the Aspirant of the future? And then what am i standing for?
Yes! "Maximus is the son of the future..." (we know according to "The Gladiator") but are we recognizing our own Maximus? Nigerians! Are we seeing the potentials of leadership in our Maximus? Are we identifying the leader with a vision? How are we supporting our Maximus? Do we understand that this impending shift in the global politics must not pass us by? This global phenomenon must rub off on Nigeria, if we don't want to fall in misalignment and out of sync. Going contrary will affect our international trade, economy and more? Hence, we are doomed for the next decade ahead! The moral is: Listen for the Manifesto and follow the leader with a vision. What are you doing to help the new breed of Politicians get into power?

What is the most important thing to you in this life?-A tribute!

If I ask you this one question that: what is the most important thing to you in this life? What will you tell me? In my limited version of experience, I have come to realize that in the final analysis, Life is the only thing...it's the most important thing. Not our dreams, not our visions, not our ambitions but breathe. Those things we are able to do while we are still living here. Those noble deeds we are able to do are the things we will be remembered for. Those opportunities we are able to seize, those lives we are able to touch and the service we have offered unto God are the truest valuables.

Just like fire will be remembered for the ember. The smokes that we leave behind us are our deeds, service and relationships. What we have built or broken? Who we have helped upwards or held up? From the ashes of our history will remnant of stories come, out of the lips of those we have impacted. Those things we have been able to achieve for God and others will stand out like embers from dead fires. The ashes of memory that remains on the altar of time after our life is over are those who will miss us or not.

Yes! I know that people are taken up daily and they are blown off this earth. Death cannot be as extraordinary to everyone as much. Very recently in Jos, Nigeria was an uprising that claimed many lives. The crisis was of political, religious and unclear. It was crudely fuelled by ignorance, hatred and wickedness. Churches have been reported burnt in the massacre of many innocent lives, even sucklings were killed. I saw a photograph on Facebook taken during the crisis. It was of a burnt suckling lying side by side with her dead mother as though both were roasted game.
Another photo taken on the location revealed an amputee girl with her intestine busting out of stomach. Her hair and roasted-body were the remains we could identify. Corpses were laid on the floors. Most were covered with wrappers of survivors who stood by and wept as attendants.

My vocabulary could not capture the experience. I was not there present but how I felt when I saw the numbers of those who had died was not as one sedated. Why would people with gut kill their neighbours? Humans with the same breathe like them. Having blood like them. It is still a mystery to me. What saddens my heart was the reality that is dawning at us. Will this become a norm? Can’t we truly live together as brothers and sisters that we are? Despites all our love songs and debut albums on peace and unity?! And this is not the first time this cruelty will be happening in the same region of the same country.

Worst than death is death…worst of all is to experience the death of a friend amidst the news of metropolitan deaths! It tends to make you vulnerable, humble and mumble. You tend to utter such questions like: what is the most important thing? What is more important to you? About the same time, I heard of the passage of a lady who was one time my old friend and loyal “disciple”. I was privileged to lead her while we pioneered a campus fellowship during my final year in the university in Nigeria. It was during those days of small beginnings in a small town of Ayetoro in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

I still remember vividly those times. I remember her commitment. The way she sang in the choir and when she is alone. She once told me about her dreams, desires and vision. She wanted to grow up in the Lord to impact lives through preaching of the word and singing of life-transforming songs. She admired the lady preacher Joyce Meyer. She wants her life to make a mark like hers. She once asked me how she can become a impactful preacher of the gospel. I remember how she did everything with all her being... The smile on her face was encouraging… The way she played innocently like a baby… She would often serve her last food to entertain her guests while she goes without eating much. She just wanted to give and give. She is an epitome of sacrifice. She will hardly show it on her face when she is going through tough times. She may be cracking on her inside but you will hardly know it. She could handle pressure to a very large extent without complaining.

Although, you may not know Sholape Joto, she was a friend who touched my life in a remarkable way. She would often tell me to slow down in the middle of overwhelming school-workload. She was a pretty lady a guy would love to marry. But she did not get marry before passing on to glory. She graduated from a stressful university program, where for one whole year the penultimate year students are subjected to a farm life that can be likened to the slavery experiences of the Pre-cambrian era. So tedious was their farm practical year in that program that whoever went through never came out the same. The instructors were full of sadism. The farming activities itself was done with crude implements rather than improved technology. Activities such as weeding, planting, harvesting, processing and more are the order of the day.

All proceeds from the farm produce must be brought in to the instructors of the program. Coordination was so ruthless that even diseased crops, failed crops and pest infested crops had to be accounted for. They were evaluated as though they actually got harvested fresh as other germ-free produce. Failure to pay for crop failure is tantamount to a fail grade for the affected students. It was despite of weather, natural disaster, and genetics that students were to pay for the proceeds of their planted crops. The seeds are brought in at the beginning of season by students. The harvests are sold and proceeds brought in at the end of season. It was irrespective of outcome if you want to earn a passing grade.

Sad to say, that my friend graduated from such difficult program but she did not get to enjoy the victory. The tradition has it in Nigeria that fresh university graduates get enlisted to serve the nation in a certain National youth service corp called NYSC program. This is where fresh graduates get to sing some patriotic songs and anthem daily in a mock military camp. This service is regarded as an honourable period where patriotism displayed. Fresh graduated go through military drills daily as they dress up in mock military kits singing “Ajuwaya” songs (patriotic songs). My late friend would not be singing nor serving along with her comrades this year because she died just few days to the commencement of this year’s service program. She will not be serving her fatherland for the next one year or ever. Unlike others she already served her heavenly father when she could. Although, she won’t be singing any “Ajuwaya” song in the NYSC, she will be singing Halleluiah song in heaven amongst the host of Angels. She had sung so much in her daily life when she was here. She would usually wake up singing. When bathing, cooking and at her leisure times, always caught singing.

So sad about her story is that she did not wait to release that album before she died. She loved singing and she did sing as many times as possible especially during ministrations in the church choir. She sang on Sundays and week days. She preached her heart out when she finally became the Coordinator of Ogun Varsity Christian fellowship. As at the time I knew her, her priority was obvious. She was not thrilled by frivolities. She stood out of the crowd. And deliberately associated with greatness… much more on her mind was her dream. She wants to live a life of impact. As I looked back on her life, I came away with several lessons. Whenever we talk about vision, dreams and more; one thing that is certain is that these things are grand but that breathe within us is the most important!