An Open Letter To My President

Your Excellency, first of all I want to let you know that on more than a few occasions during the past few months a reminder of the fact that you lost four presidential elections before finally securing the public's mandate to govern Africa's largest, albeit docile economy has been a great inspiration and encouragement to me. Your tremendous achievement reminds me that divine destiny doesn't necessarily mean an easy journey.

A few days ago I came across an article in the Economist - The Secrets of their (Nordic Countries) Success.

The article focussed on two main areas - 1. Welfare, and 2. Pragmatism

It was no surprise to me that a nation with a good welfare system as its' foundation is more likely than not to be a prosperous and successful one.

Why?

Because a government governs best with its' people in tow and in support; and a nation prospers most when its' people and its' government are in unison in Ideology, Desire, and Implementation.

If I were to score the performance of your government so far I would give it 25% - a score based entirely on your desire to build a new nation in which the less privileged are well catered for. I passionately agree with this desire, but unfortunately I'm not able to support your policies because as yet there don't seem to be any.

Has your cabinet actually studied the principles of a welfare state? More importantly are the members of your cabinet fully in support of a welfare state? The unfortunate demise of your first budget suggests there are many within your cabinet that couldn't care less about the less privileged.

Furthermore does the public you serve understand your vision? And the policies / strategies you intend to utilise in achieving it? Surely the support of your cabinet and the people that voted you in is key to your success?!

There's something that political leaders of developed nations have learned to do with such aplomb; and that is winning the support and backing of the public in order to enforce the support of your cabinet. Power is addictive. Once ministers recognise that failing to toe the line can lead to an angry response from the electorate, and thereby a loss of their seat in the cabinet, they tend to behave themselves.

But unfortunately we the public have absolutely no idea what your vision is and even less an idea of your policies. After nine months in office, not once have you addressed the nation -the very people that voted you in - to explain your socio economic policies. A nation is built on the attitude of its people. The attitude of the people is often determined by the Ideology, Policies, and Attitude of the government. The two are intertwined; hence the saying 'you get the government you deserve'.

We have no idea what you desire and how you want to achieve it. All we know is that you dislike corruption. We also dislike corruption; but surely there comes a time when anti-corruption news for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is no longer enough for our well-being??!!

At some point we need to start believing in something else as well - such as a well structured economic policy. What really concerns me is that the statement many have been making for several months, but which I refused to accept is now starting to ring a little too true for comfort; and that is the grim possibility that your government doesn't actually have an economic blueprint. Please please tell me these statements are gravely misguided.

The longer your administration remains silent on the direction we're heading, the less we believe you know what you're doing.


Another prominent feature of successful nations is the ability of their governments to be practical.
Surely it's time to be practical regarding the exchange rate?!! I'm as passionate about self sufficiency as anyone can be, but I also recognise that we cannot be an island. Allowing foreign investments to dry up completely (which is what leaving things as they are will inevitably lead to) is tantamount to economic suicide!

And if you refuse to be practical then at least explain to us why you insist on not devaluing the exchange rate. Is there a cunning plan that will somehow make everything better? Or is this a case of sit tight and hope for the best?

History tells us that no matter how long you sit tight for, you will eventually have to agree to officially devalue the naira. By the end of March the naira to dollar exchange rate will most likely have reached NGN500 to US1, if not more!

I do wonder whether we the electorate are presently behaving like the Israelites did in the wilderness after God delivered them from captivity in Egypt. They grumbled on a daily basis; wondering whether it would have been better to remain in Egypt where they at least had a routine and knew when they would eat. However their situation was fairly different. They knew they were being taken to the promised land.

Does the average Nigerian know where you're taking him / her?

Mr. President, the nation's economy is in a critical state. Corporations are laying people off by the second, small businesses are barely existing, most people are struggling to make ends meet, and to make matters worse nobody has any idea where we're going.

We put our trust in you by voting for you.

It's time for you to return that trust by telling us where we're going, and how you intend to get us there. Kindly reciprocate  the trust we put in you by respectfully explaining your plan for the next three years to us - in person, and not through your media spokesman.

We deserve that much.

Can Nigeria Ever Be Corruption Free?

First he verbally assaulted the National Assembly for excessive and insensitive spending at a time in which 99% of the nation is in financial turmoil. Then he had a go at the nation's governors for parading themselves like demi-gods - blinded by the inevitable arrogance and pride that circles political power in Africa.

My former Mr. President, you were spot-on on both accounts. But in truth I'm a little suspicious of your statements. After-all wasn't the legislature even more insensitive to the plight of the prols during your government's tenure???
And isn't it your 1999 constitution that continues to enable the nation's governors to do whatever they want in the knowledge that so long as they stay in Nigeria absolutely nothing will happen to them??? Indeed if we want transparent, fair, and proper prosecution we're better served to somehow lure the guilty assailants to the UK or the US! Just ask James Ibori. Then ask Daizani in about 13 months.

Absolute Power

Nations have fought for it for centuries, political parties continuously strategise to not only attain but also hold on to it, African leaders have maimed and killed for it time and time again, western leaders, whether they like to admit it or not have committed all manner of atrocities to either maintain or expand it, men and women crave for it, and women are naturally attracted to it (when I asked a female friend what kind of qualities she wants in her ideal man a few days ago one of her expressed desires was 'a man who exudes power -confidence'.)

Power

What exactly is it?

Power as the world knows it comes and goes. It is impossible to hold on to power for ever; absurd to imagine one can be powerful indefinitely.

Or is it?

Imagine for a few seconds that you have direct access to the One that created heaven and earth; direct access to the One that holds the moon, the sun, and all the stars in the palm of His hand; that the One who is sovereign over all things not only holds you dearly but also in the very highest esteem; loves you unconditionally, and has you continuously in mind - not because of anything you've done or can do but because of what His son has already done.

And when I say access I mean direct access - you to Him.

This is who you are.

Power isn't how much you have in the bank. Neither is it how many cars or houses you own, how big your office is, what title you hold, or how many people there are in your congregation. ‎All such things come and go.

A man / woman of power is one that daily walks in the secure knowledge of who he/she is in Christ - a beloved child of the Almighty.

Finally this year be true to yourself - your talents, your strengths, your character, your passion, your career, your likes, and dislikes.

The essence of power is being true to who you are.

My challenge to you this year is to embrace the real and absolute power of who you are in Christ, who he created you to be, and what he created you to do; even if it means going against the norm.

I leave you today with two quotes from two outstanding individuals.

1. "If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?"

Steve Jobs

2. "Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are fools, and the rest of us are in great danger of contagion."

Thornton Wilder

Happy Happy Happy

In the most acute of shocks, and the grimmest of all horrors I looked on as that Republican candidate - what's his name again? Donald something or other I think (the fact that he's loaded doesn't mean one automatically remembers his name) - anyway I watched on pain of torture as that Donald something or other openly told the world that as president he would ban Muslims from entering the US.

Is this guy for real? So it's now okay for so called leaders of the free world to openly display hatred and animosity towards certain ethnic groups and faiths?  Is this what the world has come to? Has Hitler been reborn? Am I dreaming? - just a few of the questions that plagued my mind as I gawped with eyes and mouth wide open.

But this morning I feel elated. For not only is Donald whatever's desire nigh impossible to implement, but the idiot has played right into the hands of the Democrats; making it so much easier for the colossus that is Hilary Clinton to waltz into her destiny - First Female President of The United States of America. I look forward to her swearing in; and I thank Donald whatever his name is for making her journey to the White House that much easier.

There are two other reasons for my oh-so very happy feeling.

1. Arsenal!!!
What a come-back!! Admittedly I didn't watch the match, as I've discovered during the past year or so that when I don't watch my beloved Arsenal they tend to win - 90% of the time anyway. So as my older brother watched his beloved Chelsea in his sitting room on a cold winter's night I watched Marvel's Agents of Shield season 2 in the family room. But I couldn't help venturing into the sitting room every 10 minutes or so to not only check the Chelsea score but more importantly assess his mood. Such a loving brother is he that he wanted Arsenal to win as much as I did. The big grin on his face every time I sauntered in enabled me to enjoy Marvel's Agents of Shield so much more.
Three nil to the Arsenal. An awesome night.

And finally - do I really need to say this one???

It's been Three Years! Waiting for Three Whole Years!!!

Three years of desperately  trawling the Internet for previews, rumours, gossip, and even the faintest of plot summaries.

Three years of longing for the release of what is for me without doubt the most eagerly anticipated movie all time.

Now fairly familiar with the Knights of Ren, like every other star wars junkie I'm still wondering why Luke Skywalker hasn't featured in any of the trailers. Could he possibly be the founder / head of the Knights of Ren? Or head of the new (First) order maybe?

18th December means just one thing - The Force Awakens.

Thank God for Star Wars

Thank God for the Arsenal

And thank God for that Donald whatever his name is.

I Feel Like Crying

I've shed tears at some point during every day of this week. 

Today I cry for 15 more innocent lives in Yola; lost to the evil menace that is Boko Haram. As I do so I'm reminded of the thousands of lives that have been mercilessly cut short in the name of religion. 

Is it really religion? 

Or is it merely a mixture of angst, resentment, hopelessness, and a selfish lust for power and relevance disguised in the name of religion??

Can one man justly kill another in the name of God? For what exactly? 

I cry for the 129 lives that were cruelly snatched from their families; parents mourning their children; loved ones inconsolable as the bitter reality of life without their better half dawns on them. 

And let's not forget the 224 lives decimated by last week's horrific airline explosion. 

I cry tears of fearful concern regarding the likely increase of fascist voices within Europe - calling for a closure of borders and encouraging all around them to look upon foreigners with suspicion and disdain; precisely what the terrorists want - mutual suspicion, fragmentation,bewilderment, hatred, and fear. 

My tears free fall as I wonder how on earth we can ever defeat an ideology so blinded by evil that it shamelessly spouts the absurd notion that the reward for taking another man's life is the warm embrace of 70 virgins in the afterlife. 

Serving the interests of God or Satan???

Boy would I love to see the look on their faces when they get to whatever their afterlife is and realise their reward is something not only completely different but altogether undesirable.

I cry also for the mess we humans have made of this our planet earth. We had everything. We still have everything. But we continue to destroy it - bit by it, chunk by chunk,limb by limb,  life by life. 

And don't you dare blame God!

He gave us free will - the choice to choose whether to do good or bad. Would you rather your son /daughter loves you as a result of his or her desire to do so, or because he or she is forced to??

Too many of us have chosen bad - war over peace; money and power over love; cheating and stealing over service; evil over good. 

Mankind's depraved hunger was taken to new and incredible heights by Nigeria's former NSA chief, who syphoned millions of dollars that were supposed to fight Boko Haram; and as result indirectly caused the death of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. 

But is he more evil than nations and leaders who act in their selfish interests of oil and arms?

I recently heard the sad story of a man and woman at war over the custody of their five year old son. The man relates that he and his ex wife were so focussed on their bitter and frenzied thirst for revenge that they lost sight of the importance of the well-being of their child. It took a frightening dream in which the child completely disappeared as he and his ex continued their bitter duel for the man to realise he had lost focus on what really matters; not him, not his ex, but their five year old son. He swallowed his pride, and allowed his ex to have her way - for the sake of their son's wellbeing. 

I judge no-one. We are all at fault. 

But amongst my tears of anguish and grief are tears of hope. For where there is love there is hope.

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear. There is love in us all. 

We just need to let go and allow it to roam freely within us. 

How?

By recognising what is important.

Life, not money

Peace, not war

Humility, not pride

Forgiveness, not angst and bitterness

Unity, not segregation

Selflessness, not 'me'

Service, not fame and power

Selfless Love, not self interest. 

The media has a part to play.

Every Faith has a part to play. 

Governments have a part to play.

But it begins with you and I.

Hopeful

 

It is with great excitement and fervent glee that I write this week's State of The Nation article. 

The reason for my gleeful optimism is threefold.

1. Nigeria finally has a cabinet of ministers with actual portfolios!!!

2. A genuine consensus for change is most apparent in their opening remarks to various parastatals. 

3. Fashola is in charge of three vitally important ministries.

Let's begin with Fashola.

I may be incredibly naive and way too confident in this man's ability to perform, but the mere fact that he's been tasked with resolving our nation's systemic power failures is not only a great relief, but also makes me believe that a much much brighter future lies ahead - not only for the Power sector but as a consequence small and medium sized businesses, national productivity, and improved health for all. 

Doubting the basis of my optimism? 

Simply look at the transformation of Lagos State during his eight year tenure - Roads, Security, Transportation, Commerce, Beautification of previous eye-soars - the list goes on and on. 

I recall having to go to Ikorodu Town earlier this year on a mystery shopping assignment for one of my clients. I hadn't been there for yonks; indeed the last time I went to Ikorodu Town was during the initial stages of chasing a most delectable and pleasant ex girlfriend whose parents have a gorgeous house there - over a decade ago!!

I kept postponing my trip because of my dread of the traffic and horrendously awful roads. 

Boy was I pleasantly shocked when I finally went?!! 

The roads were absolutely amazing - so smooth, so well planned; bus stops also well planned - almost as though one was in a developing country (not quite the level of 'developed' yet but I have no doubt we'll get there sooner rather than later). 

If this ardent professional can achieve even half of what he achieved in Lagos then Nigeria is in for a treat. 

One more thing on Mr. Fash - is he being groomed to be the next President of Nigeria (2023)? It certainly seems that way to me. What better way is there to prepare someone for governing a nation than to give him three crucial and very complex portfolios to manage?!!

Sir, I will remember you every day in my prayers. I have no doubt that God is with you, and that you shall most certainly take Works, Housing, and Power to unimaginable heights of excellence and progress.

Judging from the statements made by several ministers to their parastatals, there seems to be a general consensus that;

1. PMB has made it very clear he wants quick, effective,  and lasting positive results.

2. We have a Cabinet that is focussed on positively changing this nation.

So yes, though things are still extremely rough and tough for the majority of us, I'm excited by what I see. 

At the beginning of this year I felt a strong desire to play my own part in changing this country by stirring up your desire to vote for a new and better Nigeria; to oust a corrupt and incompetent regime in favour of a regime of discipline and vision. Now that we have a fully fledged administion in place it's time for me to focus my attention on my two passions - Sales and Purpose. 

Hence, unless something happens that particularly irks me, there will be fewer political/economic articles going forward. Friday's articles will mostly be on Purpose from January 2016. Until then, who knows which way these winds may blow.

And as for the current State of Our Nation?

Hopeful. Very Very Hopeful.

A Wasted Year?

As we approach the end of 2015, - corporate and personal bank balances hovering just above zero, exchange rates gleefully waving two fingers at us as they spiral into the abyss, job losses becoming the norm, food prices increasing daily with gay abandon, ministers larking around without portfolio, and not a hint of any kind of economic policy or direction in sight, the question 'Has this been a wasted year?'comes to mind. 

Actually in truth that question has been hankering away at my subconscious for many weeks now, as one tries to rustle up the remaining residue of optimism to make plans for 2016. 

All that remains is for us to tell each other that "It Will Be Better Next Year. Horaaaaaay!!"

But will it? 

Will it really be better next year? 

How so? 

Based on what exactly?

Crude oil price will most likely fall to around US$30 per barrel; major corporations are all too likely to retrench extensively; the exchange rate will continue to kick us where the sun don't shine; and the economy will contract further before anything else. So why exactly will next year be better???

But let's get back to the matter at hand - 2015. 

I asked a cross section of people whether 2015 has been a wasted year. Here's what they had to say.

"Economy is shit. Our markets have been in the pits since the start of the year. Ministers still have no portfolios. It's as though it's been a whole year of campaigning. "

"We're coming from a situation wherein a country has been fully depleted of its resources. There needs to be a basis of something to build on."

"Not at all. Its been a good year in terms of dismantling and building proper institutions. But Nigerians should learn to face reality; these are bitter pills to swallow, and there are no quick fixes. 2016 is going to be tougher, but surviving will be the equivalent of winning next year. But rest assured after the storm will be 2017, the year of recovery and growth".

"No...it has been a slow year, but good nonetheless."

"I think it has. With the number of months we've gone without ministers a lot of things have stalled. It's ridiculous that we still don't know which ministers are responsible for what. Hopefully once the ministers get their portfolios things will pick up again. Too many things have been put on hold. There's too much uncertainty. It's almost like we're stuck in a never-ending show that should have ended after thirty minutes."

"We had historic elections; a wretched government got removed from office. At least we can count that as something."

"It feels that way. I'm just hoping that something is being done that we are not seeing."

"I wouldn't say so. Some good things have happened, such as successful elections. But people are still dying because of Boko Haram. There's hope sha. With the new ministers the economy will hopefully improve."

"I don't think it's been a wasted year. Financially definitely. I think we could have hit reality, and from now on we will build on proper and firm foundations, as against building on a false economy. In terms of how much money families have made, I can understand why many individuals would think it's been a wasted year."

In my opinion it's been a brutally tough year. I can't recall such a year as this - wherein the economy and business as we know it have literally come to a stand still. And let's stop telling ourselves that next year will be better. It could be - but not in the way we're thinking. 

The economy won't suddenly be buzzing again, business will not suddenly be free flowing, and you won't once again be able to send your kids to the most expensive schools at the slightest whim.

A levelling is taking place. It's time for us all to admit that reality and adjust our thinking accordingly. 

My advice for you and me?

1. Accept and embrace the reality that PMB's focus is on the following;

A. Plug every hole of corruption

B. Implement a system that is fair to all

C. Build a new Nigeria on the principles of Social Welfare

D. Education, Housing, and Healthcare

Then ask yourself how you can help him achieve his goals. 

By so doing you will not only help him achieve his goals but also derive immense fulfilment from playing your part in the building of a new Nigeria. Then, and only then is it possible that next year could be better. 

Buhari's focus is not you and me. His focus is on enabling those who have never had a chance or a say to make something of themselves - to be educated and to strive to be better. 

The question you should be asking yourself is;

"In What Way Can I Help?"