The Nation Newspaper

Tag: greatness

  • Saraki: Nigeria has the potential for greatness

    •Condoles with NYSC on death of corps members

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has said Nigeria is a great country with lots of potentials.

    He said times may appear hard, but the leaders are working hard to lay a solid foundation that would enable the youths match with their contemporaries in any part of the world.

    Saraki spoke at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp at Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    He was was at the camp to condole with the management and corps members on the death of Miss Amadi Eva Ikechukwu, a ‘Batch A’

    corps member.

    Amadi (KW/18A/0135) died on camp last Thursday. She was a graduate of Oil and Gas Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Saraki said relevant authorities must take responsibility to prevent a recurrence.

    He said: “You are at a very critical point in your life and about to start the journey out there. I know times are hard, the future is not as promising as we hope, but we have a great country that has a lot of potentials, and we are working hard to ensure that we lay a kind of foundation that would enable you people, who have potentials and capacity, to match anybody in any part of the world.

    “Please, stay focused and committed and I promise you that we would do our best to ensure your future is bright.”

     

  • Herbert Macaulay: Celebration of greatness

    On April 17, an interesting letter to the editor appeared in The Nation. It was signed by Mr. Jaiye Ojeikere (MFR), a past President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS). The letter was a response to my column a week earlier, which was titled “Has Lagos forgotten Herbert Macaulay?”

    Mr. Ojeikere wrote: “As little barrack kids from Obalende Police Barracks, 1938-1939, we used to trek to Kirsten Hall in the hope of catching a glimpse of the grand old man and his famous moustache looking out from his balcony. We were lucky on one or two occasions and were rewarded with cheerful smiles. That was more than enough compensation. This was about the time of the song ‘Eki Macaulay, oyinbo alawodudu’.”

    He continued: “During the first half of the existence of Bendel State, I had the good fortune, as Surveyor General, to conduct heads of government and dignitaries round the Survey Division in Benin. We had two prized survey plans: the first was by C.T. Olumide, Benin GRA Layout, 1921, and the other, the 1928 Itsekiri/Urhobo Land-in-Dispute survey plan by Herbert Macaulay. Pa C.T. Olumide became the first President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors which body now has an Annual Memorial Lecture to honour him. Pa Herbert Macaulay had the first Nigerian Surveyor’s licence in 1897. The book on the History of Surveying in Nigeria had copious mention of how the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors revered him.”

    This is how the letter ended:  “His part in the birth and growth of Nigerian politics, which was then mainly practised in Lagos, cannot be forgotten. Let it not happen that the contribution of Herbert Macaulay to the growth and development of EKO (Lagos) will not be fittingly recorded, acknowledged and appreciated during the celebration of the 50th year Anniversary of the creation of Lagos State.”

    Indeed, Herbert Macaulay was an illustrious man of many parts. Mr. Ojeikere noted: “Herbert Macaulay was an engineer, a surveyor, an architect, an advocate for peace and equality, a publisher and a writer on contemporary events. He had a highly distinguished family background.”  Herbert Macaulay was all these, and more than these.

    With the support of the Lagos State Government under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, I was the coordinator of the inaugural Herbert Macaulay Gold Lecture (HMGL) which took place at the Lagos Country Club on May 25. The HMGL is a project of Golden Point Communications.

    The morning rain before the event created a cool atmosphere.  Interestingly, Mr. Ojeikere, now in his eighties, was there. Herbert Macaulay is widely recognised as the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism.”  In his era, he earned the tag: “Champion and Defender of Native Rights and Liberties.”  He was born on November 14, 1864, and died on May 7, 1946. Herbert Macaulay died 21 years before the creation of Lagos State on May 27, 1967.  His 71st death anniversary is happening as Lagos State celebrates its 50th birth anniversary. Death and birth meet in a celebration of life.

    Who was this man who is in the category of all-time greats? Long before Lagos became a megacity famed for its remarkable resilience, a mega figure did mega things to advance its development and the progress of Nigeria.  The title of the lecture: Herbert Macaulay and his relevance to the excellence of Lagos. The distinguished Gold Lecturer shed light on Herbert Macaulay’s greatness and its relevance to the pursuit of greatness by Lagos State, and indeed Nigeria.

    Ambassador Dapo  Fafowora delivered  the maiden Hebert Macaulay Gold Lecture. He is a trained historian and a respected retired diplomat.  His lecture was insightful, enlightening and enlivening.

    Fafowora, a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (FNAL), said: “I was only five when Herbert Macaulay died and never met him.  It was as a school boy in Lagos that my late father, who was a civil servant himself in the colonial civil service, and a great admirer of Herbert Macaulay, first told me about him and his relentless struggle against colonial rule in Nigeria. Later, when I was 12, he took me to see Herbert Macaulay’s house, named ‘Kirsten Hall’, at 8, Balbina Street, Lagos, near the water front (the Lagoon). I admired the house and, for years, visited it often as I lived near- by, at Ita- Faji. It was an impressive and elegant one-storey detached building which has, regrettably, since been demolished, giving way to what now looks like a grotesque Post Office junk yard. The site is now at the back of the General Post Office House on the Marina. Long after Herbert Macaulay’s death, the house remained a tourist attraction and a sort of political Mecca for his admirers and political associates. Given his prominence as an outstanding historic and public figure in Lagos, I think the house should have been preserved for posterity, not demolished.”

    Fafowora observed:  “The irony is that it was not the colonial authorities, but an indigenous government, that demolished the house to make way for the General Post Office, a singular display of the lack of a sense of history.”

    After painting a picture of the life and times of Herbert Macaulay, the Gold Lecturer asked a thought-provoking question: “What more can we do to honour and immortalise the memory of this outstanding nationalist and patriot?”  Fafowora’s suggestions:  “First, the Lagos State government should urgently set up a Herbert Macaulay Foundation, with the active and generous support of the private sector, to keep his memory and political ideals alive…Second, this lecture should be made an annual event to mark the anniversary of the death of Herbert Macaulay…Third, a major public educational institution in Lagos, preferably a higher institution, should be named after him. As an alternative, a Herbert Macaulay School of Politics and Government should be established in one of our leading Universities in his honour.  The Lagos State University should be considered for this honour.”

    Further suggestions by Fafowora: “Fourth, in the context of the compulsory teaching of Nigerian history in our secondary schools, particularly in Lagos State, a course on Herbert Macaulay should be introduced and made compulsory in our secondary schools; and Fifth, the Glover Memorial Hall on Customs Street, Lagos, adjacent to the Union Bank headquarters… should, with the permission of its Trustees, be renamed Herbert Macaulay Memorial Hall.”

    I will end with a quote: “Lives of great men all remind us/ We can make our lives sublime/ And, departing, leave behind us/ Footprints on the sands of time.”  That was the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

  • ‘Lagos’ future greatness assured’

    ‘Lagos’ future greatness assured’

    •Text of an address delivered by Secretary to Lagos State Government (SSG) Tunji Bello at the Lagos 50th anniversary Gala Night at the Lagos House in Ikeja…at the weekend.

    Uniqueness

    Lagos is 50!

    From tomorrow morning, another history begins.

    Lagos evolved as a formal political entity 50 years ago and since that time we have evolved from a city under the management of a Town Council to a recognised entity in a modern sense of a State within a Nation!

    In the process, we have molded our historical antecedents towards a progressive spirit of brotherhood.  We never abandoned our hospitality; our accommodating characteristics, our bonding nature; our large heart; our multicultural tendency; our religious tolerance; our colourful complexity; our rich amalgam; and then our resilience.

    Please recall the post- civil war returnees in the early 1970s. They were testimonies to our peculiar mannerisms, as they were warmly welcomed back to their homes and properties, with seamless integration to Lagos without any form of molestation.

    Lagos is making progress today, because, it is a melting pot. We have always welcomed everyone to live, to trade, to work, to explore and to enjoy. Out of this, we have become stronger, enterprising and always looking towards prosperity.  It is a loving spirit. And it is that spirit with which we celebrate our sojourn.

    All these, our governments, since 1967, be it military or civilian, have embraced and have continued to embrace. From these, we have consistently made progress; we have excelled, even when the nation is surmounting challenges.

    Without prejudice to the incursion of the military in governance and administration of the State, the first civilian government of His Excellency, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, CON (Commander of the Order of the Niger), set the template and the ball rolling for the development of proactive and progressive governance in the State, and this has never departed the streets of Lagos for any reason.

    Beginning from 1999 to be precise, the last 18 years of our dear state have witnessed a radical and sustainable development, which are great testimonies of progressive governance, as piloted by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, built further by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and now being consolidated upon by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    In the last two years, the Governor Ambode-led administration has sustained a blend of progressive vision and action that is not only remarkable but also exemplary. It is noteworthy that Governor Ambode, during the recent inauguration of Abule-Egba and Ajah flyovers and Freedom Road, Lekki, stressed that Lagos deserved the best. As he said “As a government, we are irrevocably committed to making Lagos an investment haven and we have made it a duty to put in place top class infrastructure.” The transformation in the security (Light up Lagos), housing, transportation, agriculture (LAKE Rice), culture and tourism and many others present striking evidence of development consciousness.

    The state, as a microcosm of all that is jolly, beautiful, noble and great, has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. The future promises even greater advancement as Lagos works with focus towards becoming a smart city, commercial and industrial hub of sub-Saharan Africa.

    In the midst of tonight’s merriment is embedded the journey to lay the template that would make the future better than today. From midnight, that important new chapter containing fresh pages of politics, development and renewed economic reengineering in our dear state begins.

  • Nigeria on the way to greatness, says cleric

    Nigeria is going through restructuring that will bring about the much-desired greatness, General Overseer of Sanctuary of Faith and Worship Word Outreach Lagos, Pastor Williams Okoro, has declared.

    He called on Nigerians to remain calm and believe in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to take the nation to the Promised Land.

    Okoro spoke during a prayer summit for the body of Christ and nation at the church’s headquarters in Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos last week.

    According to him:  ”There would be chaos, there would be confusion but in all these there is direction for the nation to be able to find a way forward in all those confusion.

    “The way forward for the nation as at now is that God himself is restructuring and reconstructing the nation.

    ”If this can get to the government because anyhow that is what God has moved them to be doing so that we can sensitise the general public to be able to bear with the government knowing that something good is already in place for the nation.”

    He went on: “God himself is already sealing the holes in the economy of the nation. We can now see that they are investing and the result is open for us to see.

    “There will always be difficulties but all those difficulties will lead to our greatness. So the future of Nigeria is great and it is great in the sense that God is concerned about the affairs of this nation.

    “Whether any man likes it or not, God is interested in the affairs of Nigeria, so our future is bright.

    Presiding pastor of Victorious Word Outreach, Adebisi Williams, dispelled the notion there are plans to Islamise the nation.

    He said: “Firstly those people spreading such rumours are not being sincere and they are not in the know of history.

    “The Christians we are talking about is not the church, not the religion but the person that lives the life of Christ.

    “Most of these shouts are just politically motivated. There’s nobody Islamising Nigeria.”

  • Godliness: God’s condition for greatness (2)

    Godliness: God’s condition for greatness (2)

    Last week, we discover that every child of God is ordained for “trans-generational” and a global greatness after the order of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).
    We, also, established that Paul’s greatness was a product of God’s grace, which is anchored on holiness. This implies that wherever sin thrives, grace is absent (Romans 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:10).
    In this week’s teaching, we shall be looking at how demonic agents orchestrate the fall of men from grace. It is written: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
    For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears (Hebrews 12:15-17). That means we can drop off the flow of His grace; and it is a disconnection from His grace that results in disgrace.
    Let’s examine how demonic agents orchestrate the fall of men from grace.
    First, we must understand that our greatest battles in life are against the spirit of the world. The Bible says: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12). The spirit of the world is the engine room for worldliness, and that is the exact opposite of godliness. This is because we cannot be worldly and godly at the same time; it is like darkness and light.
    Furthermore, the above scripture gives a vivid definition to the spirits identified in the following verses: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17). Therefore, we must overcome the spirit of the world in order to abide in God forever and walk in the greatness He has ordained for us. Again, we discover from this scripture that the spirit of this world operates through three main channels:
    • The lust of the eyes: wanting everything at any cost.
    • The lust of the flesh: sexual perversion of all kinds.
    • The pride of life: a destroyer of destiny, for pride goeth before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). The Bibles also says, If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (1 Corinthians 3:17).
    In addition, it is important to know that only born again children of God can overcome the spirit of the world through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Are you born again? If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”
    For further reading, please get my books: Walking in the Newness of Life, Overcoming the Forces of Wickedness, Walking in Dominion, Conquering Controlling Powers, Winning Invisible Battles and Force of Freedom.
    Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.
    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • A sacrifice for greatness

    Some students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA), Niger State are carving a niche for themselves in radio broadcasting. During the long holiday, they underwent free training at the campus radio station. ABDULSALAM MAHMUD writes. 

    IT was the long holiday, but rather than go home, they choose to stay on campus in order to join the one-air crew of Search FM 92.3, the radio station established by the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) in Niger State. They decided to stay back in Minna to hone their skill in radio production.

    Uzzy Aman, a staff of the radio station, was amazed by the students’ passion for broadcast journalism, praising their resolve to work, despite not being the station’s employees.

    Aman told CAMPUSLIFE that the programmes initiated by the students had turned the radio station to “listeners’ favourite” in Gidan Kwano community.

    Uzzy said: “The student-volunteers help us to achieve a smooth transmission of news, talk shows, documentary, discussion, interviews and other radio production formats daily. Despite the challenges associated with transmission hours and the fact that they are not being paid, the volunteers have shown uncommon dedication.”

    Azeeza Muhammad Lawal, a 300-Level Transport Management Technology student, who presents news, said her reason for joining the station as a volunteer was not to make money, but to pursue her passion for broadcasting. She said her time at the radio station had been rewarding.

    She said: “I didn’t have anything I would do if I return home to spend the four-month holiday. This was why I decided to join the radio station. Money was not the motivating factor, but my passion. I have always wanted to become an on-air-personality. I took the holiday as an opportunity to hone my skill.’’

    Another volunteer, Moses Dickson, a 400-Level Computer Engineering student, said he usually passed the night in the station in order for him not to miss presentation of Wake-Up, a two-hour morning show. Moses maintained that he could not travel home, because he would be idle.

    A graduating student of Microbiology, Faridah Tauheed, who anchors Lara, described her experience as a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. She said she kept working hard and persevered despite challenges.

    “I am ever-ready to sacrifice my comfort to pursue my dream,” she said.

    Joshua Sani, who presents sport, said:  “Most of us have our eyes on becoming radio personalities someday. As such, staying back to learn the skill became an obligation for us. Joshua said he was able to combine studio sessions and his studies by redesigning his timetable.

    On how the volunteers were recruited, Mr Odafe Imogu, the radio’s Head of Research, said the students were selected during an audition.

    He said: “We hold an audition every two years to replace crew members who may have completed their studies in the university. Those picked in the audition meet the Vice-Chancellor (VC), before they are taken through the training.”

    Imogu noted that some past volunteers at the station now work with reputable stations, such as Wazobia FM, Cool FM and Hot FM, among others. He said Search FM 92.3 was a breeding ground for youths to hone their skills in broadcasting.

    The VC, Prof Musbau Akanji, said the management had been supporting the radio station with funds and logistics to improve its operation for more students to benefit from the free broadcasting training. He praised the students for contributing towards informing and entertaining the university community.

    He said: “I have no doubt that the trainees would become sought-after professionals after graduation, judging by their readiness to learn and their diligence on air. I will advise them not to yield to challenges they may face. They need to be resolute, dedicated and optimistic. They are paying the price now. The free service they render in the radio station is, perhaps, a necessary price they have to pay now.”

    An avid listener to the campus radio, Mallam Yahaya Idris, said he admired the rich contents of the station and the programmes presented. He appealed to the radio management to consider transmitting its educative programmes in local dialects for the sake of those who do not understand English.

  • Nigeria heading for greatness, says Odigie-Oyegun

    Nigeria heading for greatness, says Odigie-Oyegun

    National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has said his dream for a great Nigera is being fulfilled, with the nation finally on its way to greatness.

    Odigie-Oyegun, in an interview to mark his 77th birthday, said with the turn of events today, he had no regret joining politics and striving to ensure the APC formed the national government.

    The former Edo State governor, who celebrated his 77th birthday last Friday, said his life had been that of service to the nation, adding that as long as he is alive, he will ensure Nigeria achieve greatness.

    He said: “I will do everything I can while the good Lord gives me health, gives me strength and gives me the possibilities to influence events. I will do everything in my power so that when my time comes, I would be on my dead bed with a smile on my face that yes, finally Nigeria is on the road to greatness.

    “I have that fulfilment today. I worked hard at every opportunity, I worked hard to ensure that this great coalition called the APC that removed an incumbent, destructive, unacceptable government came into being.

    “What that result did of course was that together with other imaginative and wonderful party leaders, today we are in government, today I have finally seen that yes, we are taking the turn, we are now on the road.

    “It is early days no doubt, but there is no question at all about the fact that we are now addressing these issues that held this nation down and so I consider myself fulfilled because we are now addressing them and we will get there. Nigeria would be great again”.

    Odigie-Oyegun said further that he has no regret going into politics, saying: “I have not had any regret actually. For me it has been an era of service to the nation and as I said, I think I only said that publicly once, the moment I embarked on politics and decided to be a full time politician and to seek elective office, my objective was clear.

    “I was growing up when we had these wonderful leaders like  Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Belewa. I don’t think any of them have that fulfilment of knowing that yes all our labour had turn out right, because the country is headed in a right direction and it is headed for greatness, it is headed for its manifest destiny as the most greatest. The largest and most highly populated black nation on the face of the earth, things continued to degenerate”.

    When asked to reveal the secret of his sound health despite his age, Odigie-Oyegun said: “I don’t know if I am doing anything special except that I don’t do anything that would worry me or that would lead to threat, or that would make or cause enemies.

    “Whatever I do I think even the worse critic knows that I am doing it with honest intention and not deliberately to undermine or deliberately to harm, and things like that, except politically, I have no natural enemies. I live my life quietly, go about whatever I want to go, drive myself, of course with the Office of the National Chairman, security is forced on you, but outside that, I am just like any other Nigerian.”

  • Nigeria, S/A key to Africa’s greatness, says envoy

    For Africa to move forward economically, Nigeria  and South Africa must show the way for other countries on the continent to follow, the new South Africa’s Consul-General in Lagos, Mr. Darkey Africa, has said.

    He spoke in in Lagos  at a ceremony to mark South Africa’s Freedom Day.

    Africa said Nigeria and South Africa were endowed to provide the fulcrum to move the continent to greater heights.

    He eulogised Nigeria for providing help to his country during its greatest hour of need, a reference to the huge financial backing Nigeria gave to South Africa during its bloody apartheid struggle.

    “We owe these 22 years of democracy to your unyielding support. We must continue to work together, despite the challenges we face in building a new and better Africa.

    “Our greatness and role to taking Africa forward must not be hindered or frozen by our perceived attitudes towards each other,’’ he said.

    The Consul-General said it was important for both countries to nurture a common goal reflected in how they treat each other.

    He argued that it was needless for businessmen in both countries to doubt their governments’ efforts in creating a conducive business environment.

    According to him, Nigeria and South Africa’s commercial diplomacy should be pursued in a congenial atmosphere.

    Africa urged the two countries to continue to imbibe the leadership roles played by Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Amadu Bello, Nelson Mandela and Tambo Mbeki.

    “Our people must renew their trust in each other and the collective future of Africa. Nigeria and South Africa are both pillars of the Africa we want and are therefore, central to the momentum of Agenda 2063,’’ he said.

  • Our strengths and greatness

    “Life is very interesting… in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.” – Drew Barrymore
    “Cognitive psychologists have shown that ‘outlook’ governs ‘outcome’, and what we focus on is often what we get. When we focus on bad things, bad things tend to happen. When we focus on good things, good things tend to happen.” That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” – Brian Souza

    It is another new year! And each year when we celebrate a new year many of us keep asking questions like – Will this be the turning point year towards greatness for Nigeria? When will Nigeria become the great nation it can become? Why does it seem like greatness is eluding us? What is holding us back as a people? How can we get to our promised land of greatness?  What can we do differently this year to help Nigeria get to her promised land of greatness?

    We can only become great by focusing on the good and building upon our strengths whilst protecting and managing around our weaknesses. For the last 20 to 30 years or more, we have focused too narrowly on our weaknesses and that in itself is sapping our creative energy. However, if we start focusing on our strengths and opportunities as a nation, we will be positively energized, giving us the necessary power we need to galvanize us and achieve greatness. Meir Kahane once said “It is incumbent upon us to understand our greatness and believe in it so that we do not cheapen and profane ourselves.”

    The British understood their greatness and believed in it, that’s why they were able to conquer the world using their strengths of organization, order and administration. The French understood their greatness and believed in it, that’s why they were able to use their strengths in fashion to make Paris the fashion capital of the world and a top world tourist attraction. The Germans too understood their greatness and they believed in it, that’s why they have used their strength of industry to develop different kinds of high quality machinery and equipment – from machine tools, printing machines, motor vehicles and to airplanes. The Americans also understood their greatness and they believed in it and they have used their strength of intellectual creativity to rule the world by continuously striving to become first in almost everything they can. And examples of such intellectual creativity are Disney, G o o g l e, M i c r o s o f t,T w i t t e                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          r and Facebook just to mention a few.

    For us to become great we must understand our greatness as Nigerians and believe in it! And to build a great nation we must build on the strong foundation and pillars of our strengths and use the lessons learnt from our past failures as stepping stones to greatness.  We need to see the possibility of our greatness so that we can begin to dream it and bring it into our reality! To give us a better understanding of ourselves and to help quicken our journey to the promised land of greatness, I have taken the liberty to list some of the strengths we have as Nigerians and as a nation.

    We have an awesome gift and incredible knack for finding the humour in any and almost every negative situation. We are a resourceful set of people who easily find loopholes in any system which we sometimes unfortunately use for bad. As Nigerians we are generally optimistic about life. We were at one time known as the most optimistic country in the world. We are high-spirited and go-getters.

    We are a dynamic set of people. We are energetic, vibrant, lively and self-motivated. We are good natured and very tolerant. We are highly intelligent. Quite a number of Nigerians have at least one family member that is a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer or an architect. Nigerians are sagacious, smart and sharp. And sometimes we are too smart for our own good! We are trailblazers (e.g. Nollywood and our entertainment industry). As Nigerians are easy going and fun loving people. We are ingenious – check out the various ways we use okadas (motorbikes) to transport anything and about everything.

    As Nigerians, we are resolute. We have the winning attitude.  We are animated. We are boisterous. We are not likely to suffer fools gladly.  We have an eye for quality goods sometimes too much of an eye for them. We are dogged, strong-minded and indomitable. We have great inner strength. We are extremely hopeful about life in spite of all the unfavourable and negative circumstances we face daily. We Nigerians have the incredible ability to turn the worst moments into joy, because we laugh out our many tears and our pain. We are FUN to be with.

    We Nigerians are competitive. We love the beautiful game of football. And this helps us to come together in unity and agreement whenever the Super Eagles (and any of our other national teams) play locally and internationally. We Nigerians have an instinctive understanding of the power of the spirit world; we believe in the spiritual nature of reality.

    Nigeria is famous. Like Emeka Eze said “Nigeria as presently constituted as a country is ‘FAMOUS for her NOTORIETY’ and “NOTORIOUS for her FAME.’” Nigeria is famous for her football stars, Nollywood stars, comedians, musicians and her entertainment industry.

    We are difficult to intimidate. We are outspoken. We are respectful. We are assertive when we want to be. We are industrious. As Nigerians we have the bounce-back ability.

    We Nigerians have the natural gift of the spirit of influence. We are extremely great party hosts. We are incredible. We are always thinking several steps ahead of the game especially in politics.

    We have a way of consistently surprising ourselves and others in spite of ourselves. You never really know what to expect next from Nigerians.

    We Nigerians think a lot of ourselves. And that is why we frequently hear the expression “do you know who I am”. We all seem to know who we are! We are quick-witted and tenacious.  We Nigerians connect easily with people. We are connectors. As Nigerians we are fashionable and fashion conscious. And Nigerian women are the embodiment of fashion, art and artwork – from their African hairstyles, to their creatively beaded jewelry, to their tie and dye clothes, to their artistically designed embroidered gowns, to their beaded bespoke ankara outfits and also their ankara bags and shoes. We Nigerians are a people full of possibilities waiting to happen someday, somewhere, sometime and hopefully soon!

    In conclusion Arnold Schwarzenegger aptly said”Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

    It is not what has happen to us as a people that matters, what matters most is what we have done about it! Let’s use our strengths as our foundation for building the great new Nigeria.

    • Ms Simoyan writes from Lagos.
  • Want to attain greatness?…Attitude is the key

    Want to attain greatness?…Attitude is the key

    It is simply a triumph of a weary soul over adversaries! It is explosively motivational and comes handy to those willing to snap out of obscurity to prominence.

    Using himself as a case study, Augustine Igbuku, author of The Pusuit of Sterling Attitude chronicles his life from his dismal performance  at basic through to secondary school level, to becoming the best graduating student with Second Class Upper division from the University of Benin in 1980.

    The Pursuit of Sterling Attitude, presents man with the harsh reality that life is neither partial, nor has favourites; yet it leaves him with two things- adversity and opportunity, with attitude being the chief determinant of man’s choice of the two.

    Components of attitudes, according to the author comprise beliefs, feelings, values and dispositions. Man, the author argues, is though presented with a negative or positive attitude; yet the author pitches his tent with the former, because of its ability to infect others.

    “A positive attitude is contagious like common cold,” says the ten-chapter book. “It is a priceless possession for personal fulfillment and career success. Working with or near a person with positive attitude is an energising experience; they change the atmosphere, the place of work and make others feel more upbeat.”

    Chapter Two of the book urges readers to cultivate a new mentality particularly the ones capable of breaking existing norms, and enforcing the ‘i-can-do’ spirit. Readers are equally admonishes to work against ‘victim mentality’ that is, a failed individual who keeps pointing accusing fingers to those he believes are responsible for his predicament.  The distinction between the aforementioned and the other who succeeds, the book argues, is because the latter picked up the pieces of his life from that point, determining to break the odds.

    “The game changer is the mentality that ‘there is something and somewhere better than here, let me go after it’.  The mentality is a huge part of the attitude of champions.  Even if at the end they fall short of their original objective, they are no longer the same people. They have left where they used to be, learn new things and forged new associations, all of which are very relevant in the quest for success,” the book sermonises.

    God has bestowed in man the right to determine his attitude. Man’s anger with himself for not being where he supposed to be may not get him anywhere further. All he needs do therefore is to simply take responsibility for being while who he is, make a decision to change course, and navigate to a new realm.

    Chapter Three espouses ‘hope’, describing it as the ‘important fuel’ in anyone’s ride. In addition, the book recommends a good company, saying it is instrumental to making hope function.

    Once there is hope, the individual can shop for the best team that can challenge one and give one reasons to aspire higher. …And then with hope come integrity, disciple and visualisation: three qualities to prod man on in his quest for the zenith.

    “They (integrity, discipline and visualisation) are must haves,” the author argues.” “Life, at all levels, is full of tests; tests to see what stuff you are really made of. The named dynamics are what will determine how you fare with exams life will set for you.”

    Further the author warns against fraternising with pessimists; people who are ready to burn off one’s ideas.

    Chapter four contains warning against begging which the author feels could erode one’s integrity, making one become a nuisance to the society. To stave this off, the book advises individuals to acknowledge their strength and weakness see where errors have been made and how to tackle them, build self confidence, let go off feelings of victimisation and develop a ‘thank you’ culture as a means of appreciation.

    Attaining success in life does not come on a platter of gold.

    “Life will never hand you your desire on a plate,” warns the book adding, “you will have to rise and demand what you want and that which you feel is due. Sometimes, very vigorously! Few things come to those who passively sit and wait. Save with certain exception, anything that can pass you by, will! This means that you will not only need to be alert but that you will on occasion need to fight for what you want.”

    Even when it is still at a gestation stage, optimism already makes a business idea a success, says Chapter five of the book. Originality is another, as people naturally fall in love with non-pretenders despite their flaws.

    However, in what seems a comic relief the book deviates into a rather light aspect of life. So laughter can play a significant role in man’s expedition for success? The book responds in the affirmative.

    The author explains benefits of laughter to include: relaxing the body, boosting immune system, triggering release of endorphins, insulating the heart, improving mood, aiding respiration, and increasing personal satisfaction, among others.

    Chapter six captioned: ‘Negative energy banned’ educates individuals on conquering negative thoughts and creating pleasant future. Chapter seven speaks glowingly on gratitude as a sine qua non to building goodwill among men.

    An extraordinary llfe comes with a vision, which is believable, and clearly spelt out so much that whoever comes across it easily subscribes to it.

    Every successful leader is also armed with a mandate as well as the BEST (belief, effort, strategy and testing) acronym to aid man performing at the top of his game.

    “Every remarkable leader has been someone who was in complete control of themselves,” the author posits.

    He continued: “The absence of boundaries and barriers means that anything and everything goes. There is no faster way to corruption than compromising your moral. This requires that every persons that would ever lead they make up their mind before they get started; exactly what kind of legacy they want to leave behind. “

    The proceeding chapter shows how man must not only exhibits traits like tolerance, expertise, honesty, self-discipline, forgiveness and courage, but must infect others with them. The last chapter admonishes man to make hay while the sun shines.

    For the sake of fulfillment, author recommends a tripod-education, enterprise and endlessness, saying they are constituents upon which man’s lifetime is anchored.

    The book describes education (Age 0-30) as the phase where man’s foundation is laid, and attitudes formed. The second stage-enterprise (age 30-60) sees man becoming adventurous and indulging in habits learned at the first stage (be it good or bad). The third stage (60 upwards) however perfects man’s attitude to achieve results and leave a legacy.

    “It is at this point in your evolution that you must become a visionary and see things as they can be, rather than as they appear to be. You then give birth to something that extends beyond the boundaries of one’s lifetime. You reach within and bring out the reserves of strength, wisdom and foresight and set out to create something that will continue to grow and affect lives beyond your lifetime,” the author concludes.