John ESENE

      Our political leaders, through the President, Governors, etc. should have adequate short term, middle term and long term planning in their manifestoes and nurture them for the growth of our Nation. If not done, they will waste our resources and keep the electorate suffering from generation to generation. How would it had been if the Udoji Awards of 1973 had been properly used on roads construction, establishment of Industries, infrastructural development and acquisition of knowledge! Government should have long term plans that will be religiously executed for the betterment of Nigeria.

 

      Senator Roland Owie said in Benin, Edo State in December 2019, “What is creating problem in Nigeria is this itching for acquisition and instinct to ensure that there is no justice because when there is no justice, there will be no peace. So, all of us know that we came into the world just to trade and return and that heaven is home but many of our leaders don’t know this. How can a man have 50 houses when he can only sleep in one room and he acquired this at the detriment of others?”

      Lack of vision is worse than blindness because a blind man can have vision. When you examine our present situation, you will wonder if our leaders are visionaries and competent. Those who govern a country should be the best and brightest of the land. Nigeria gained independence 65 years ago (1960), yet nothing to show for the longevities in terms of improvement in living standards, institutional development and social or ethnic harmony. Let us not just follow them because a person who follows the crowd will get lost in it.

   Parents should give education to their children. The future of a child is largely dependent on either education or trade learning acquired now! The character training/formation children obtain from parents, siblings, etc. will shape their lives in future.

 

    We wait for the very bad before we think of a miracle. But miracle does not just happen; it starts from inside of us. Miracle begins from a problem. Now that we have abundant problems, let us examine our consciences, repent and return to God as His prodigal children so that He can rescue us from the unfortunate climate, coming as a result of our leaders’ misdeeds.  There is no gain without pain!

       Are you destined to be a political leader to lead Nigeria out of the woods? Is your vocation that of a community leader? etc. In any sphere of life, you can be used by God to better the lives of His people. Your greatness does not depend on your physical structure, riches, position or popularity. What is your disposition regarding your positive contribution to the growth of Nigeria?

      So, in our difficult situations, we should not write ourselves off because God has not finish with us. Great things happen when God meets with man!  “Those who put their trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken” Ps 125:1. We are not defeated until we accept defeat. 

    Our happiness and salvation is more important to Jesus than the troubles we cry about today. He is eagerly waiting for us to repent and be saved.  Our duty is to abide by him that we may bear fruit. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” Jn 15:4. In Isaiah 43:2, God said, ”When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you” Is 43:2.  God does not lie! 

     “But because of our sins He was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment He suffered, made whole by the blows He received” Is 53:5. There is need for us to appreciate Jesus for His generosity to man and see Him as the best friend we can ever have and abide in Him! It is only then that our Christianity will be meaningful in our lives. So, seek the Face of Jesus!

     2 Chr. 7:14 says “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” So, in your difficult situation, do not write yourself off because God has not finish with you. Great things happen when God meets with man!  “Those who put their trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken” Ps 125:1. You are not defeated until you accept defeat. 

      Good intention is not good enough until it is put into action. So, we all should pray to God to inspire our politicians to have compassion on hungry Nigerians and allow us to experience democracy. Pray and fast for Nigeria in distress without crying to God for intervention may not be enough to change this ugly situation. The Lord Himself has invited us saying, “Now, let’s settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you clean as snow” Is. 1:18.

       Let us pray earnestly for God’s intervention. Asking is the beginning of recovery. We are not going to the ocean with tea spoon anymore: we are going to God to ask for his intervention as we weep and cry sincerely as the oppressed children of a nation hijacked by wicked money mongers who have no value for lives. “O Lord, how long shall the wicked exults? They crush your people, O Lord, they oppressed your inheritance. They murder the widow and the helpless hunger protesters without remorse. ‘The Lord does not see’ they say, ‘the God of Jacob does not care.’ Ps 94:3, 5-7. 

       Father, the hour has come!  You who made the ear and eyes hear and see their evil deeds. You who pulled down the walls of Jericho and leveled the Tower of Babel; you who led the Israelites out of Egypt and took them to the promised land, please give us leaders to restore sanity and peace to our nation, Nigeria in Jesus’ Name! Give us democrats to run our democracy. We will praise you and tell generations yet unborn that you saved Nigeria from anarchy and doom. Glory to God!