In the course of feeding our posts into our channels and also sourcing for feedback, Terrific Headlines meets several people from all parts of the world online. We pay particular attention to Nigerians in the Diaspora followed by African Diaspora. We encourage these ‘’Distinguished Nigerians in the Diaspora,’’ with unquantifiable contributions to national development to overlook the past and let us face the future with great hope. Many of these Nigerians – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Siyan Malomo, Segun Aganga, Akinwumi Adesina, Kingsley Moghalu et all) have at various times served Nigeria faithfully and diligently; joining hands with their local counterparts like Nasir el-Rufai, Oby Ezekwesili, Nuhu Ribadu, Chukwuma Soludo, and Bright Okogwu – who was literally sleeping in the Budget Office of the Federation where he worked as Director-General. Okogwu has since been snatched from Nigeria by the African Development Bank Group. I feel sure they know his worth.
GIVING NIGERIANS ABROAD A VOICE: Terrific Headlines resolved a few months ago to give these great brothers and sisters a voice by encouraging them to write about occurrences at home with a view to getting them deeply interested in our country again. In line with our mandates, we would prefer that contributions are limited to suggestions on THE WAY FORWARD in order to ensure the emergence of viable solutions to our problems. One of such people cultivated – Morin Carew sent in the piece below.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” – Proverbs 14:34. This is the verse of scripture that comes to mind whenever I think of my country, Nigeria. Nigeria, a land so full of promise yet lacks the ability to rise to its full potential. When I think of the constant and consistent brain drain of which I am among, my heart bleeds at the thought of the glory that remains elusive to this country.
A nation once labelled the giant of Africa. I searched high and low for answers to this great tragedy and one thing that stands out amongst many others is the lack of leaders who have a genuine love for its nation and people. Leadership in Nigeria is about power and status; and not love for its people. This is the reason why positions are bought in Nigeria and not voted for. We talk about corruption today; alas it started from the top and now it is found in every nook and corner of the nation.
There seems to be an insatiable appetite for what belongs to another person leading to killings and extortion. Bribery is the order of the day, to grab what rightfully belongs to others. How long for, my heart cries. When will there be an end? Hope is fading fast, yet I know that there can still be redemption. I cannot allow myself to drown in despair and unbelief, Nigeria must rise but it will be at a cost. There has to be people who will be willing to sacrifice for the good of the nation.
NELSON MANDELA: My mind goes to Nelson Mandela of South Africa. Surely if he could do it then there must be others like him. An ordinary man who achieved greatness through the personal qualities he demonstrated. He showed the world that it was possible to be a politician and a human being. In researching Nelson Mandela’s legacy, I came across this piece and I quote: “The big truth is that Mandela, like Lincoln, achieved the historically rare feat of uniting a fiercely divided country. The feat is rare because what ordinary politicians have always done is seek power by highlighting difference and fuelling antagonism. Mandela sought it by appealing to people’s common humanity.” John Carlin – Nelson Mandela’s Legacy – The Cairo Review of Global Affairs.
Nigeria as we know is greatly fragmented along religious and political lines, and each fraction is crying out for blood. and our leaders Rather than try to unite, the leaders are further widening the gap by playing the ethnicity card.
THE WAY FORWARD: Nigeria does not need a revolution; it needs a resolution! It needs individuals who will resolve in their minds that they want change and they are willing to pay the price. Our nation needs people who will go into politics for the love of the people not the love of personal gain. Our nation needs people who will search history for the purpose of learning what worked and applying those principles for the good of the people. There can be no change without a changed mind-set and the change must start with our leaders. Is anyone willing to answer the call?
Morin Carew (not a relation – only names are same) who lives in London, United Kingdom, and makes very rich and informed contributions on LinkedIn. She is the Founder and Lead Consultant of Right Impressions Ltd, UK
DON’T HOLD PEOPLE RANSOMED TO YOU YOUR KINDNESS — Luke 6:38 By: Morin Carew: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”This is one life lesson that shook me to my core but God has enabled me by His grace to walk in this truth.
It has not only liberated me but others that I have had the privilege to be a blessing to. Just because God used you to be a blessing to someone does not mean that they owe you nor does it mean they are obligated to repay you in any shape or form. For how else will kindness go around if it’s contained within a certain circle?
Time and time again, God has demonstrated in the scriptures that He is a mould breaker! There are two things here; if you look to people you have been kind to, to repay you then where is the supernatural in that? Where is the miraculous in that? Secondly, you do not know God as your source and consequently you are limiting God in your life.
The above promise did not state that your friend will repay you; it says men (plural, signifying abundance) shall give unto you. So my dearly beloveds, let’s release people from our expectations and let them freely pay our kindness forward.
Morin Carew (not a relation) is one of the articulate ‘’Distinguished Nigerians’’ (my own description of our brothers and sisters abroad) who have consented to write for Terrific Headlines under the title: ‘FROM THE NIGERIAN DIASPORA’ created to promote dialogue among Nigerians in the Diaspora, Nigerians at home and Governments at the three tiers.
For the avoidance of doubt, Terrific Headlines is a non-political, non-partisan information outfit that places emphasis on ethics and professionalism. We would appreciate views that are not personal but are written for the common good about Building a Greater Nigeria.
Please send your contributions to info@terrificheadlines.com.
