During today's Second Service in my Church, This Present House, The Dome, Lekki Phase One in Lagos, my Pastor and Esan sister, Pastor Mrs Isi Igenegba (whom we fondly call PI), shared a very powerful message about Deborah, who was one of the Judges in the days when Israel had no king.
PI laid much emphasis on Judges 4: 1 - 9 and Judges 5: 6.
"......village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel". [New King James Version]
Below are some nuggets from PI's message which inspired me to write this artice:
* Like Deborah, we must arise to fulfil God's Purpose for our lives. What are we doing to make a difference?
* You may never know how your life impacts on others. The only certainty in arising is the Word which God has given you.
* As you arise, God's Wisdom and Anointing will come upon you. Be bold enough to break out of the status quo. There is much more; but we must arise.
Hmmm.... Deborah, a Mother in Israel.
Who are the Mothers in Nigeria? Does Nigeria have Mothers?
Who are the Fathers in Nigeria? Does Nigeria have Fathers?
With the recent release of the Electoral Time-Table for the 2015 General Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the season of politics and politicking for elective offices has officially begun.
There are many Nigerians who have a strong passion to see positive change in the polity. Social media like Facebook, Twitter, BlackBerry Messenger and other internet fora have given voice to many Nigerians to freely express their political views. Millions of Nigerians have engaged in various discourses about how to move our nation forward.
But it is not enough discussing Nigeria's problems. It is not even enough proffering solutions to the problems. The bane of Nigeria's politics is that the nation has been held hostage by a political class whose only interest is the stomach of its members who have made gods of their bellies. They have made our commonwealth their private estate. There is no genuine political ideology. The only philosophy is narcissism. It is all about the self.
Most Nigerians feel left out. The only role they believe they have is to vote. And even then, many are not sure their votes matter. Many still doubt the efficacy of our democracy. They are intimidated by what politics has been over the years in our country. Politics has come to mean thuggery, banditry, godfatherism, cultism, gangsterism, corruption and thievery. So decent people feel locked out of politics. Those who want to serve in the public space are even viewed with suspicion: they probably just want to join the fray and be part of the kleptocrats! With a few exceptions, our best people are not involved in politics. Kakistocracy reigns: the Government of the Worst of the People.
But this is a recipe for disaster. It has been so for the past five decades. It should not remain so. Good Nigerians must not be content to bemoan our woes from the flanks. Criticism alone means it is those we criticise as incompetent that we still look up to for solutions to the problems they created.
It is time more good men and good women become politicians. Being called a politician should no longer be perceived like it is a dirty word. The Yoruba word for Politician is "Ose'lu"; it literally means Builder of the Community. We need politicians who are truly Community Builders and Nation Builders.
We cannot stay at the periphery and say we are "praying" for our politicians. We must arise, like Deborah did, and become Mothers and Fathers in Nigeria. We must get involved in the leadership and governance of our beloved country. Of course, not all of us are called by God to be politicians. But many who know they are so called are simply scared of stepping out. There are many excuses: politics is corrupt and corrupting; politics is violent and deadly; the godfathers determine all that happen; you must be a money-bag to make a headway in politics in Nigeria.
Politics is not easy. But what really is easy in life? Getting an education? Marriage? Parenting? Doing business? Excelling in employment? Succeeding in one's career? Why would you expect politics to be "easy"?
The time to arise is now. It is not just about vying for an elective office. It is about influencing people and activities in the political space. It is about influencing the course of your future. It is about your posterity.
Personally, I will not stand aloof anymore and hope the politicians will bequeath a great country to Omoseona Isaiah Chukwuyenumkekanma Tobore Onyekachi Eghes-Eyieyien, my son. In God and with Him, I am going to do my bit in ensuring that Nigeria truly becomes a better country for Seona than it has been for me.
I am a Father in Nigeria.
I have arisen.
I have arisen.
God bless Esan Land.
ESAN DI FURE!
God bless Nigeria.
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