Take Your Place in Nigeria

This is Nigeria.

It’s a land of promise and hope. It’s also a land in need of help.

It is not an accident that you are a Nigerian or that you’re living in Nigeria or connected to Nigeria, somehow. God could have created you as an American, a Belgian or a Kenyan, but He made you a Nigerian. Or He gave you links to Nigeria. It’s not a coincidence; He’s a purposeful God.

As an individual, you have been created in a unique fashion and there is no one like you in the entire universe. There is darkness in the land, and you have been sent to shine your light in the darkness. You were created to be a solution and to use that solution to resolve one or more of the problems plaguing this country. There is no point in you, the solution-bearer, leaving the problem intact and folding your arms or running off to a place that does not need your unique solution.

It doesn’t matter what part of the earth you live in, if you have a solution to a Nigerian problem, please do your part to solve it.

Admittedly, things are really bad in the country. But Nigeria will not be fixed by gremlins, aliens or even angels. So, if you’re a Nigerian or you love Nigeria, it is time to be responsible. Take your place in the country and do what you have to do in your own little way to make this country great.

It is daunting, I know. Where does one even start from?

Here are a few tips:

• Understand yourself and the gifts and skills that you have to offer this country.
• Develop great competence in your skills. Strive to attain mastery in the things you do. Competence will help you to stand out and give your best in your current season of life as a student, a worker, business owner, politician, or whatever your role is.
• Develop good character. Competence will make you stand out, but it is character that will make you endure as a nation-builder. Being a person of character means that you’re a person of honesty and integrity. Various systems in the country have collapsed because of a lack of character and many of us have thrived in this lawless system. Now, it is time to start rebuilding in our own little corners of the country.

This is a great nation with plenty of opportunities. It is what you take the pains to build that you will enjoy. Now is the time to take your place in this great country. We will build Nigeria and we will enjoy Nigeria!

Happy Independence Day!