My name is Stephen, I'm not a Boko Haram part (1)
I spent the 80's and 90's in Maduiguri my birth place.
Bulunkuto,Taision Kano,Army barrack were places I was raised in that
city.I remembered my first school was an islamic school where I ...learnt arabic.
I was born to a christian family but always shared what Christian's
called the grace in islamic language when we resume school and when we
close from school.
Many times I used my T fair for lunch and
had to trek home in the hot sun of Borno state.I must say here that my
lineage is not as dark as I am,the hot sun of that state made me so.
As I'm writing this reflection article I can only ask;why is the place
I used to call home bomb down?For what gain and for what purpose?I find
myself thinking of what my fate would have been if I were to still be
in the north.Only God can answer that.How many of my class mate might
be members of the set?Only God knows.
One thing however that I
know was that all this was preventable.As little as I was, I knew there
was maginilization .I knew no human being deserve to live an Aalmagiri
life.It was so painful that I made a vow as a child to do something
about it.
I must confess that not much has been done to help
this set of people personally.The foundation I'm privilege to have
founded has impacted over 2000 orphans in the last 5years.The
Foundation's branch in Kaduna comprising more of students from ABU
Zaria has done a lot of outreach in orphanages in remote parts.Yet, I
still feel sad.
I remember once having few millions and said
in my heart,if I neglect this kids and buy a car,may that be the last
million I ever handle.Why should you have local government money,state
or federal money and spend it on you and your family when children are
suffering?Why should you be comfortable building 10houses for yourself
and people hail you without building any hospital or school for the
public?
If I ever want to make money in this world,its not to impress anyone but to impact men.
Looking at this issues genuinely,I see that the source of our problem is Greed and lack of Mentors.
A country that does not have a vision nor mission will end up in corruption.
A country that has nothing she is looking at becoming will end up a trash.
Even boko haram has a vision;To Islamize Nigeria.What is Nigeria's
Vision?When you don't know where you are going,anywhere will look like
it.
Greed
Quote me anywhere,Jonathan,PDP is not our
problem.You and I are the Problem.Tinubu nor CAN nor APC cannot change
this nation either,you can!A political leader whose firm tasks 25% of
task payers money will not change Nigeria.
Our collective
enemy is SELF!Greed means putting your personal comfort above the
collective.A nation where the average youth is crying, let me just get
a job and enjoy my life will not grow.Is it wrong to want a job? No!
but are you the only one that needs a job?And will your getting a job
solve our collective problem?No!but we seldom think like this;What can
I do to provide job not just for me but for those around me?
If I don't have the skill,can I go and get it instead of more
professional exams that may not add anything to me except papers.We saw
a man in Otunba Gadaffi whose impact in DMT was greater than being a
personal body guard for MKO.He made a name when he created solution for
the collective;Mobile Toilets.
You will see how Governors of
states react to national issues that does not directly affect them,once
it get to them, they react.
You see churches shouting money
and building more buildings instead of Universities,instead of
workshops to give skills.God does miracle but will still want you to
acquire skill for it.Paul was louder than other apostles because he was
more learned.Not just anointing but knowledgeable anointing give
extraordinary accomplishment.Pastors are shining and members are dying.
Sultan's are blabbing when northern Nigeria is crumbling.Why all this?They are our sons,don't name them terrorist.
I long to see a nation where an hausa man will die to defend an Igbo
man.A nation where we see our Nation bigger than our tribe,religious or
self.A nation where sentimental considerations for political
appointments die and only technocrats come into power.
Will continue tomorrow.God bless you and Nigeria.Am not a Boko haram!
Stephen Akintayo
Speaker|Author|Coach|Entrepreneur
@stephenakintayo BB:2283dc8f.
akintayostephen on facebook
My name is Stephen, I'm not a Boko Haram part(2)
I grew up in a traditionally respectful home.we had a culture of
respect so much that every younger sibling call the older one "Boda" so
and so.The size of our meal is determined by seniority.And this remind
me of the typical Nigeria way of life;the older 10% feed on 90% of the
national resources and leave the younger generation with left overs.The
old oppress the young.National cake is shared according to your title
and portfolio and not your impact.
Nigeria is said to have been the most religious country in the
world.yet all that has not translated into good conscience which is the
mother of good governance. Rather we have birth extremist at the bottom
of the ladder whom we feed off their misery.Hence,everyone answer to
who feeds him or her and not who made us.
My heart id full of questions that only God can answer.
Why does the Rich take from the poor?Why does the powerful oppress the
powerless?Why will a father find it hard to say sorry to his son even
when proven guilty?Why will Murderers gain amnesty and hard working
young citizen rot in prison cell for something he is innocent of?Why
will illiterate armed men(Boko Haram,Niger Delta Militants,OPC) get
75,000 naira,100,000,over 2 billion respectively and an NYSC Corp
member get 19,800?The Why can go on and on.
Worthy of note however was that,it is a generational Sin that naturally
pass itself on from one generation to another in Africa.It has eaten
deep into all spheres of society because of the lack of good
conscience.our conscience is dead and we have decided to keep it dead
forever .I have heard young people say; "when i get there,i will do the
same.i will eat all i can for myself and my family".That had been the
cycle of event for years now but things are about to change around
here.
An ancient Hebrew story talks about a young man named Joseph who was
sent to the wrong place by the wrong people for the wrong reason.This
young lad had a dream of a better future.No one believed his Dream but
God did.Everything was falling apart for Joseph but his Dream was very
much Alive.Even when he found himself in prison for crime he did not
commit he refuse to give up on his dream and that dream made a prime
minister out of a prisoner.
I have a dream today!I see a day when Africans will not class
themselves by Age nor title nor portfolio but by knowledge and
character.I see a day when Nigeria will not be afraid of Boko Haram but
that people will even fear to mention the name of any terrorist group
as it will be a taboo and they will be alien entities.i see a day when
Pride will give way to posterity.A day when my son will mention seven
role model and Nigerians will be 5 in that number.A day when everyones
voice and opinion will be heard without them using Guns to enforce
their will on Government.
Conclusively,i want to encourage our youth that their is hope for this
nation as long as we keep our dreams alive.you may not have a job today
but soon,you will have thousands of people in your pay roll.You may
look small now but greatness is on your inside.Soon the difference will
be clear who the future belong to.No matter the challenge you face,keep
hope alive.It will soon be your turn.I leave you with this
illustration; Life is like a ladder,some are at the bottom while some
are in the middle and others at the top.soon those at the top will
start coming down and those in the middle will be at the top and the
bottom become middle.It is just a matter of time before the person at
the bottom ladder gets to the top ladder.
You may look like no body today. Right at the bottom of the ladder but
very soon you will be lifted to the top.Only those who connect the top
and bottom ladder when in the middle ever becomes great.God bless you!
I need five hundred people to Mentor 500 orphans this year's Childrens Day MENTOR AN ORPHAN May 25th-26th at Silvebird Gallaria.
call:08039424917 for more.
Stephen Akintayo
Speaker|Author|Coach|Entrepreneur
@stephenakintayo BB:2283dc8f.
akintayostephen on facebook
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