Revolution.come 3

The Obamatic Revolution! Yes! I envisaged it. It’s like I have stepped into the sacred shoes of a seer! For some time now, I’ve sensed the emergence of a revolution in our country – that’s one of the reasons why I’ve been writing under the title “Revolution. come”.
Barack Obama’s eventual victory in the US elections threw the world into a mood of celebration. It was jubilation galore! Finally, what many skeptics thought would not happen happened. We have so much to learn from Obama’s courage, brilliance, tenacity and his ability to inspire his audience which cuts across the globe. He was able to convince Americans and in fact anyone who cares to know that he was the change United States of America has been waiting for. He successfully sold himself, then his message of peace, hope and change. Obama’s victory is already causing ripples across the globe.
All of a sudden, people are beginning to see things differently. The mental revolution has begun in earnest! And that is what I call the Obamatic revolution! People are beginning to see possibility in the Impossibility called Nigeria! It is obvious that many Nigerians have lost hope – they have this “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” attitude. There’s this craving in the hearts of so many of us – we want a New Nigeria where our votes count, where there is justice and where leaders are all out to serve our best interests. We want leaders who care about our needs and our future.
Barely a week after Obama’s victory, our own Adams Oshiomole was declared the new Governor of Edo State. From his days as the NLC President, Nigerians have always seen him as their President. I watched the swearing-in ceremony and I was amazed at the huge turn-out of the people of the state. In fact, it became very obvious that Oshiomole’s case was a case of a stolen mandate. Shouts of “Obama, Obama, Obama” rent the air. The revolution has started! Things are changing! It is a matter of time. What we need is someone to blaze the trail in good governance.

Democracy is probably still in its primitive form in Nigeria, but things can change. The “New Nigeria” is already emerging. It’s high time we embrace the rule of law and follow due process in this country. Adams Oshiomole represents the “paradigm shift” we need in Nigeria. I watched the interview he had with journalists. He said he would not want to be addressed as “His Excellency” or “Executive Governor”. He said there was nothing “executive” about someone who has been elected into an office to serve the people. It was heart-warning to hear his political perspectives. I see a wind of change blowing through Edo State, indeed the country.
Note that this revolution starts in our thinking. Our thinking affects the way we act. We must come out of this money-driven, title-conscious and self-aggrandizing culture and embrace a culture that celebrates positive, noble and enduring values. Let’s build the “New Nigeria” on values such as tolerance, integrity, responsibility, temperance, service, diligence, patience and the likes. My people, let’s place value on values.
In the spirit of revolution, you can start making a difference in your corner – in your community, in your workplace, wherever you find yourself. It starts from refusing to do something you know to be wrong, writing a letter to a newspaper, teaming up with some people to clean up your street, organizing conferences or programs that can improve the lives of people around you. My fellow Nigerians, let’s make community service a top priority. By doing this, we can develop a new way of thinking - we will then see life as an opportunity to serve others and add value.
Nigeria would definitely become a better place when we understand that “the essence of life is living for others”. A seamstress died and nearly the whole town put on a mourning gown. Widows were weeping, holding in their hands the aprons the woman had sewn for them in her lifetime. Everyone was willing to do anything to bring her back to life because she was a channel of blessing to them. I am throwing a challenge to you to make your life count. On the street where you live, what are you doing to touch lives positively? What will you be remembered for? One of MTN’s ads reads, “Go start something”.