LET YOUR CONDUCT BE UNIMPEACHABLE
- YOU MAY DEFY THE SLANDEROUS TONGUE by D. Akinsanya Juliuson HonDBA, IOM
WHERE JUDGEMENT ENDS, PUNISHMENT SURELY BEGINS
A great thinker “Darwin” remains a controversial figure in some
parts of the world. Some people don’t like his theory of evolution
because it appears to contradict the Bible. The great thinker, though,
deserves to be questioned for another reason. What would that reason
be? His words have been used too often to justify the notion that life
is about, “the survival of the fittest”. Actually, it’s not. It’s
about survival – and the eventual triumph – of the kindest, the most
caring, the most loyal, the most patriotic, the most sensible, the
most humble, and the friendliest.
Therefore, let your conduct be unimpeachable and you may defy the
slanderous tongue. Remember, many are the kings who have ended their
careers sitting on the ground, while their crowns were worn by men no
one had heard of before. Many are the rulers who have suffered
disgrace. Many are the famous men who have fallen into the power of
others. Nigerians! We mustn’t be jealous of many ungodly people’s
success we don’t know what kind of disaster is in store for them. We
mustn’t take pleasure in the things that make some ungodly people
happy, they will all be held guilty as long as they live. 2007, is the
year of restoration. Where judgment ends, punishment surely begins.
Let us remember that today, and we will make the right selection.
A RESPONSIBILITY REVOLUTION TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY SOCIETY
Confidence alone does not create success. You have to combine it
with a little talent, opportunity, wits and effort. But as long as you
have confidence you only need a little of everything else. Confidence
causes that little to go a long way. Talent is not always a
prerequisite for success. Determination, motivation, a willingness to
work hard or be nice to people will normally get you further. Talent
helps, of course, but if you have too much you will surely create envy
by setting standards which causes others to feel threatened. Or worse,
you will set yourself such a tough yardstick that you begin to feel
nothing you do is good enough. Many people enjoy using their talent
sparingly and act as if they had no skill but merely a desire for
success. That’s the more reason why they get whatever they seek in
life.
Nigeria is a country blessed with everything. Our country needs a
new direction and new answers. We are all clear about the new
direction we must set for Nigeria. To meet the challenges of the
twenty-first century, and to satisfy people’s aspirations today, the
most blessed nation on earth needs divine intervention and a
responsibility revolution.
A revolution in personal responsibility – giving every individual
the skills, the resources and the confidence to take control of their
life. Giving our communities the power to shape their destinies, fight
crime and improve the quality of life.
A revolution in professional responsibility – giving all those who
work in our public services the freedom to fulfil their vocation. a
responsibility revolution to create an opportunity society – a society
in which everybody is somebody, a doer not a done-for.
Our leaders messages must be of change, optimism and hope. That
should be the mission of any Nigerian Political Party.
THE GREAT CHALLENGES OUR GENERATION FACES TODAY
Many of us upset a hell lot of Nigerians with our plan to rid our
country of corruption, child, drug and money trafficking, serial
blackmailers and of course bad people just as Christopher Columbus
upset a lot of people with his plan to sail around the world. 'Don't
be daft,' they shouted. 'You'll fall off the edge!' Christopher
Columbus was pretty sure of himself but there must have been a part of
him that was just a little worried in case his theory was wrong. He
(Columbus) took his risk and trust me, we will have to take ours. So,
how sure are we? We should be glad of our doubt. That's our sanity
check. It is the reason why we won't become overconfident and then
make some foolish mistake. Let’s allow it to slow us down, but we
shouldn't let it stop us.
A car, a road, a destination. Gas in the tank. Time on our side.
Just one thing. No key with which to start the engine. It doesn't take
much to turn an attractive scenario into an irritatingly
unsatisfactory one. But then, thankfully, the reverse is also true. A
dungeon, dark and dank. Malicious wardens. Vile food. Then, just one
more thing. A lowered ladder, leading to an open window. The addition
of this one hopeful factor totally changes the outlook. In Nigeria
today, even our biggest problem, has a solution and we must all be
part of that solution not the problem.
THINGS THAT MATTER MOST IN OUR LIVES
Like I said before, the worst has already happened the best is yet
to come. The time has come to focus on Nigerians general well being
rather than amassing wealth. This generation is calling for a change
in the way our politicians and the so called “elites” talk and think
about politics. I believe there’s still too much emphasis on economic
growth. This generation’s aim must be to focus on real life as it’s
lived rather than partisan point scoring or the tried and tested
traditional neat boxes of government that in the past ruined us
economically. For the love of God, Nigeria is a blessed country. It’s
time for Nigerians to look at things that matter most in people’s
lives – social justice, security, education, health, agriculture and
housing.
In Nigeria today, the most crucial importance of securing
investment, creating jobs and spreading economic opportunity is by
concentrating first on the world of work. Our politicians should
acknowledge a vital truth that the pursuit of wealth is no longer
enough to meet people's deepest hopes and aspirations. It is
increasingly clear that the spirit of the age demands social values as
well as economic value. We must be confident, committed and righteous.
Illiteracy makes it very difficult for most of our ill-informed
politicians to understand modern day democracy and parliamentary
diplomacy. We must put an end to the so called politics of sex; cheap
blackmail, and voodoo politics. This is not 1979 or 1983. This is the
21st century, when we must by all means put an end to the tried and
tested politics of tribalism and nepotism. The best time to grow up is
now and move forward is now.
Whether it is important or it isn't. Whether we mean it or we
don't. Whether we have got a real commitment or we are keeping up a
flimsy facade. We do not have to do everything perfectly. We don't
have to get it right all the time. We can make honest mistakes. Yet
our hearts have to be in what we are doing. If it isn't, nothing is
going to work out satisfactorily for us both now and in the future. Or
are we scared of acknowledging a true feeling? Not sure what we really
want? We must listen more carefully to our hearts and when our
intellect tries to water down its message, we must ignore it. Logic
won't fix anything now. Only passion will put everything straight for
us in Nigeria.
ALL THE LOVE WE NEED WILL FIND ITS WAY TO US
People all over the world, especially in Nigeria, these days, wear
similar clothes. They watch the same talk shows. They buy almost
identical products in carefully-cloned chain stores and supermarkets.
Where are the mavericks? Who is breaking new ground? Why are we all
following each other like sheep? Life now is issuing our generation a
challenge. It is daring us to be different. An old habit or pattern
can be broken. We can create a very different future for ourselves and
our children and most especially our most cherished country. Let’s
look at what’s directly in front of us. Let’s deal with the situation
as it actually is.
We are all encouraged to be ourselves. 'Dare to be different!' they
say. 'To thy self be true.' they opine. Our educational
establishments, though, take a rather different view. 'Fit in' they
say to the children who attend them. 'Accept our authority.' 'Behave
like everyone else.' By the time we're adults, truly out in the wide
world on our own, we can hardly remember how to be individualistic.
Today, a bunch of sheep is being herded in a particular direction. Do
we really want to join them? We don’t have to allow anything that’s
difficult to dominate our feelings, to the point where we can’t feel
love, share love or bring love into our lives. How much love can we
bring into our lives? A vast amount, I believe. Let’s find tolerance,
forgiveness and respect for the people we want to go forward in life
with - and find this, equally, for those we would prefer to go forward
without. Then, all the love we need, will surely find its way to us
and we’ll deserve it all.
Sinners often become the best saints. Fools often become the wisest
folk. Sufferers often become the greatest healers. There are aspects
of our past that makes us cringe when sometimes we think about them.
There are moves we regret making, deeds we regret doing, attitudes we
regret adopting. It’s time to stop regretting. We must start letting
go of the past. I welcome you all to a time, in which we transcend our
history, transform our present and transfer our energy into a
productive campaign to build a fantastic future for our children, our
nation and ourselves.
"Confidence
alone does not create success. You have to combine it with a little
talent, opportunity, wits and effort. But as long as you have
confidence you only need a little of everything else. Confidence
causes that little to go a long way. Talent is not always a
prerequisite for success. Determination, motivation, a willingness
to work hard or be nice to people will normally get you further.
Nigeria is a country
blessed with everything. Our country needs a new direction and new
answers. We are all clear about the new direction we must set for
Nigeria. To meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, and to
satisfy people’s aspirations today, the most blessed nation on earth
needs divine intervention and a responsibility revolution."
