THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER

Optimism I believe is the fuel of change. This is predicated on the time tested premise that all those who in one way or the other spearheaded major revolutions in their time achieved such great feats by first defeating pessimism – a hydra headed change killer, which probably explains why I gave this piece an ‘optimistic caption’. For a pessimist following the developments in Nigeria, his/her submission will be that things are going from bad to worse but I beg to disagree, I for one believe that things are getting better (you might wish to call that a statement of faith and not a statement of fact), you however need to bear in mind that as sacred as facts are they can't always be sacrificed in lieu of truths hence my conclusion that the fact is not always the truth (I hope a pessimist will agree with me on this one). That Nigeria is grappling with an overwhelming arsenal of challenges is a statement of fact to however conclude that Nigeria is a failed state based on this fact is in my opinion several kilometers far from the truth. The truth is things are getting better.

Probably a trip to the dictionary will shed more light on this powerful word. The English Thesaurus gave the following words as synonyms to optimism; hopefulness, cheerfulness, sanguinity, confidence, buoyancy and brightness. The following definitions from the dictionary further lends credence to my stance on this matter; Optimism is...
I the tendency to believe, expect, or hope that things will turn out well
II. the attitude of somebody who feels positive or confident
III. a philosophical doctrine, first proposed by Leibnitz, that ours is the best of all possible worlds
IV. the belief that things are continually getting better and that good will ultimately triumph over evil
For me all these capture the very virtues we need in Nigeria right now in the face of the myriads of challenges that we face as a people. Needless to say that we need to keep hope alive because after all said and done whatever we as a people can conceive, we sure can achieve albeit in the process of time.
Taking a cue from a colleague of mine who always says that the best thing about a disaster is that it can’t get any worse and also from the way God works - He steps in most times when man has reached his wits end because most times we as humans will not relinquish the steering wheels to him until we have ran the ship aground and it becomes obvious to us that there is absolutely no humanly possible way to get the ship up and running, that is when we crave for divine intervention. It is time for God to step in and trust me he specialises in turning seemingly hopeless situations around, just as man is putting the final full stop to a story, He opens a new page and writes his-story: with time we call it history. To be sincere, I am one of those who are beckoning on the almighty to navigate for us because you and I know that the leaders we have in this ‘ship’ seem not to know which direction to turn the rudder of this large ship called Nigeria. They seem to have gotten to their wits end which to me is good news.
Permit me to submit that we will get there with time. As we move along the way we are sure to make necessary adjustment which will require us to either adopt or adapt to the various situations that might be encountered. We sure will adapt as occasion demands as this will further bring out the genius in us. The world stands still for the man who knows exactly where he is going, this will serve as our guidepost as we journey on in this all important cruise. I believe that things will work out as we synergize to cause the change that we all have been praying and hoping for in our beloved country. Things will not continue this way, I have a strong faith that things will take a turn in the right direction as we steer the course of our land in the proper direction that is our responsibility and the task to which we have been betrothed by the almighty creator who is committed to making sure that we succeed in charting the right course that will land us at our safe harbour - the Nigeria of our dream. To this I say bon voyage. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

WAZZUP?

I’m pretty sure you are wondering what this is all about. I’m also sure that instantly your wonder has metamorphosed into curiosity which surely has further graduated into inquisitiveness all of which will fuel in you a quest to read this write up (Oh my God I hope am right) of course with a poignant question in your mind: “what is this all about”? Yeah let me lay my cards on the table before we journey too far in this discourse. This caption just flashed through my mind and I decided to ruminate about it peradventure there is a succinct message embedded in this cliché and to my greatest surprise I saw this common slang in a different light. There is no gainsaying the fact that we live in a dynamic world where everything including language is changing and with the change came a word that has been introduced into our lexicon courtesy of the western world, that word is no other that wazzup. From the market place to the academic circle not leaving out the work environment, wazzup though not an official language has come handy as a way of expression especially between friends. I have come to discover in my life’s foray that life is an unconventional teacher – her lessons are delivered in ways that at best are eccentric and several times we just miss out of the lessons of life because we are looking for the spectacular when for our 'teacher LIFE' ordinary is spectacular. It is against this backdrop that I invite you to come along as we just spend a few moments to X-ray this 'ordinary' word and see if we are missing out a thing or two from this question?

The entire Wazzup phenomenon began with a delightful Budweiser commercial played during the Super bowl. In this television advertisement, Philadelphia residents were seen yelling "Wazzup" at each other from across the room, over the phone, and even via intercom.

Wazzup is a poignant question (what is up?) and for us it comes in handy when greetings between close acquaintances is to be expressed so much so that we already have a programmed response – the four letter word FINE. But alas! Are we fine indeed and in truth? Is the answer to this question fine? For me wazzup is more like a reality check question more like what are you up to or what are you doing? It’s more like a rhetorical question which should send a right thinking individual thinking. Am I really passing through life doing something worthwhile? am I adding value to the system am operating within? Am I making every moment count? Am I making sacrifices for the greater good of humanity? Am I taking steps that will shape history and steer it in the right direction? Am I ...? believe me, WAZZUP is pregnant and can birth a zillion other questions that each of us must sincerely provide answers to of course with a dogged resolve to make a difference and make our life count because ultimately we will be remembered for one of two things either the problems we solved or the ones we created. So when next your friend asks you wazzup, think well and deeply before you answer because he/she might just be asking you a question that will generate other questions that will ultimately set you on course to make your life count for posterity sake, it might just be a wakeup call for you.

MUCH ADO ABOUT UNIFORM

Just like most Lagosians, I was at the bus stop as early as 5:45am (to beat the normal rush hour traffic gridlock on Lagos roads) en route the office. Not long had we taken off that we encountered a scenario which though is normal in this part of the globe gave rise to this piece.
In their characteristic manner, an 'okada' rider was trying to wriggle his way through a narrow opening beside the road (off course you are greeted with this kind of situation every day on Lagos roads) and before we knew it, his 'okada' was in the gutter without my driver even knowing let alone touching him. Pronto, the 'okada' rider went on rampage as he sprang to his feet suing for a fight with my driver and before we could say Jack Robinson, he had pulled the mufti he was wearing (he needed to disguise with mufti which further proves that he is not proud of the uniform – except of course to use it as a means to an end) just to announce to all of us that he is a policeman of the federal republic of Nigeria. One event lead to the other and before you could spell G-O-D his kinsmen in the force started arriving the scene one after the other as if they had received a distress call, one of them dangling a thick belt in his hands to deal with our driver and whoever is bold enough to challenge them. Every explanation fell on deaf ears (as if most of them are not deaf – at least figuratively) and my driver was compelled to pull out the motorcycle from the gutter which he obediently obliged defying his passengers insistence not to since in all honesty he wasn’t at fault.
This brings to the fore the reckless abandon with which most of this uniformed guys intimidate ‘civilians’ turning them into ‘villains’ in their quest to prove that they are in charge. Needless to say that many evil is perpetuated in uniform and I ask should we continue to fold our hands and watch as these guys take the law into their hands? These are guys that will not pay their fares should they enter a commercial bus all in the name of ‘staff’ – excuse me, staff of which company. They have erected illegal toll gates on almost every street where your receipt is a tally of arbitrary numbers given to the driver once he has paid his toll fee. They have neglected their primary assignment of upholding the law cum maintaining order and have over the night metamorphosed into symbols of lawlessness. I am perplexed nay flabbergasted at the rate at which these guys bend the rules just to milk innocent citizens dry and the length to which they will go to lace their pockets with miserable naira notes that can’t solve a fraction of their problems (needless to say they have loads of problems which paradoxically money can’t solve) – these guys have perfected the act of sacrificing their ultimate on the altar of immediate. What else can i say (or write or type as the case may be), that occasion further accentuated the reason several Nigerians have no jot of respect for the Nigerian police - I am not their greatest fan either.
If only they can change for the best, would Nigerians be asking for too much? I guess not for we deserve a lot more than this...YES WE DO.

LESSONS FROM A LEGEND

Boxing Legend George Foreman
When he was a boy his sister taunted him, "You'll never be anything." He skipped classes and slept during the day. But that taunt hurt him. It angered him. It awakened the fighting spirit within him. He wanted to change but he didn't know how.George Foreman became heavy weight boxing champion of the world. Today he is a preacher, entrepreneur and the spokesperson for the George Foreman Grill with over 1 million units sold. And yes a motivational speaker.
What could George Foreman, a former boxer, say that might motivate you?
"Look at me."
That was his opening line at a seminar he presented in Toronto and one that he repeated like a refrain throughout his presentation.
What did that mean? "Look at me." Don't look at my scars, my color, education or obstacles. "Look at me." See the fighting spirit within me. See me for who I am and can be. Although Foreman shouted that to his fight manager - the phrase is one that he might have shouted at his sister, his teacher and at his own reflection in the mirror. His own self talk - to push himself to look at himself.
And maybe the best lesson he offered that day was for each of the participants to have the courage to look in the mirror and look at themselves. To see the possibilities and to fight for what they believe they can be.
I dare you, look in the mirror and shout, "Look at me."
George Foreman fits the role of motivational speaker exceptionally well. He told his own story - a poor black kid who did not fit in, who didn't want to go to school, who only wanted to use his physical advantage to intimidate and beat up other kids…
As a child, George Foreman did not have a future nor a direction. The only motivation he had might have been anger and a fighting spirit.
A guidance counselor told him - "If you only want to beat up people you might as well become a boxer."George Foreman pointed out that he was never a boxer - he was a fighter. The difference as he illustrated was that a boxer was one who took the perfect stance - hands and feet in the perfect position - looks pretty - almost like a dancer. A fighter was one who ignored the blood and pain and simply fought.As a true motivational speaker, George Foreman talked about his inner fears and doubts. He laughed at himself and encouraged his listeners to do the same. A true motivational speaker knows that it is not about appearing superior to his audience. You can only motivate people who can identify with you and your pain.When he started to fight, he confessed that he got scared, closed his eyes and swung his huge fists at his opponent. He was the surprised one when he opened his eyes to discover his opponent on the floor.That strategy worked until he met better boxers who danced out of the way of his blind-fury fists. The new surprise for him was that after he opened his eyes his opponent was still standing and grinning at him. That demanded a new strategy - time to keep his eyes open when he swung his massive fists.A motivational speaker must demonstrate the power of his opponent. No one is motivated by an easy victory.George Foreman talked about his fear of fighting "Smokin' Joe Frasier". George Foreman had to knock Joe Frasier down six times to win that fight. Six times! And each time that Foreman knocked Frasier to the mat Foreman prayed that Frasier would stay down this time. How many of us are willing to do the same thing six times just to win one fight? How many give up too soon?
Then it was time to face Mohamed Ali. Five rounds and Ali did not throw a punch. Ali simply danced. George thought he had Ali beat. In the fifth round as they embraced - Ali taunted him with "Is that all you got George?" That taunt chilled George and foreshadowed what was still to come.George was spent and Ali had made an accurate analysis of his opponent's endurance. Mohamed Ali won that fight, not because he was tougher, but because he fought smarter.George Foreman was defeated that day by more than a boxer; he was defeated by a smart fighter.In his presentation Foreman honored his opponent. George did not whine nor complain. A real motivational speaker tells life the way it is - not the way it should be.As he marched purposely off stage, motivational speaker George Foreman closed his presentation with this message: Fight - Fight - Fight! and i make bold to say to you my friends FIGHT.

THIS BOAT CANNOT SINK

Trying all you can to keep your boat afloat
The wind so boisterous against you blow
You want to sing but you can only sigh
It seems from the cradle you've thrown away the paddle
Vulnerable and defenseless you stand on the river of life
Hey fellow comrade before you throw in the towel
A second look i plead you take
The master is on board! oh what a relieve
With him be rest assured this boat cannot sink

The journey for you appears to be without direction
The compass seem to have been lost with your daily struggle
'It is finished' is the only lexicon left in your dictionary
Hard as you try the shore seems unreachable
Several questions all begging for answer
Cascade from your head to the crevices of your heart
Relax! The master is an occupant of the boat
Unequivocally I can hear him echo..."This boat cannot sink"

How I wish for a moment you will just pause to check
If by your labor you've not left him at the harbor
For no doubt in this all important journey of life
He remains an anchor both sure and steadfast
And if by chance he is not in the boat
Invite him I beg of you my friend
For without him a safe landing cannot be guaranteed
But with him I make bold to declare
Surely this boat cannot sink