TRANSFORMATION MEETS RESTORATION IN OYO STATE (Part 1)

TRANSFORMATION MEETS RESTORATION IN OYO STATE

By Martin C. Eneh

Part 1

He that desires to go the journey of a thousand miles should begin with a step. Let him that wishes to undertake this journey also understand that each step taken in the thousand-mile journey is significant. For instance, the size of the step matters. The size portrays the magnitude of his courage and strength. The pace is also important. The pace determines how fast or slow he would go on this journey. And also crucial is the direction of each step he takes. It defines his destination and shows how focused he is on getting there.

For Governor Isiak Abiola Ajimobi, his journey of a thousand miles began when he took the oath of office as the Executive Governor of Oyo state. His destination so far, as we have been observing, has been the transformation of Oyo state – a journey that is not over yet. Transformation continues in Oyo state and, with the right input, it is set to join hands with Restoration.

Transformation, in my opinion, is something many find very discomfiting. Every living human experiences it since it is part of natural growth. But, not everyone is comfortable with it. From birth to date, each one of us has had to undergo several transformations that I am sure, if we had our way, we would have wished some of them away. For instance, in my case, I have grown more body hair, a larger larynx (Adam's apple) and have become darker skinned. I am not ungrateful to my Maker for this transformation. And I hope you are not either for yours. He knows what is best for us. This is, therefore, my definition of transformation. It is the altering of the status quo to achieve desired goals. Transformation is an action one must make up one’s mind to execute. You see, the one who does the altering believes that it will improve the state of things, even if other parties that are involved may be opposed to it; most probably because they realized that they would be adversely affected by the transforming process. The one who embarks on transformation believes that it is a necessary sacrifice for a greater good.

With two examples, I hope I will be able to paint a clear picture of the meaning of transformation and restoration within the context of this write-up. The first example pertains to my mother's advice to us - her children. Most times when we got into a fix while trying to locate or retrieve something, she would tell us to first remove any obstacle in our path so that we would be able to see better and get that thing which we sought. But, to be frank with you, I found it annoying whenever she said that, but now I guess I know better. Have you ever upturned or scattered your house while searching for one very important item? If yes, then you have simply obeyed my mother's counsel. If you are the type that has layers upon layers of a large collection of books or DVDs stacked somewhere in your house or office, what would you do if you needed just one book or a DVD that is lying somewhere hidden at the bottom of that huge pile or stack? How would you retrieve this very important material without damaging the books or DVDs? You will agree with me that the most reasonable option to retrieving that book or DVD at the bottom of the stack would be to carefully take out the books or DVDs, layer after layer, starting from the ones at the top till you got to the bottom of the pack, where the one you actually need is resting. In this case, to get to the bottom, you must displace the top.

The thing is this, in both scenarios, you disturbed the normal state of things; you altered the status quo just to acquire your much desired item. That is transformation. Moreover, you feel fulfilled because after all the lifting and scattering, you were rewarded with the price in your hand. Nevertheless, there is something else. The whole task does not end after achieving your goal. There is still more work to be done. Who will arrange the scattered or upturned house after you must have found that item that you were searching for? Or would you leave all those books and DVDs in disarray without rearranging them? In other words, who cleans up the mess after you have found the missing item or retrieved that book or DVD that was lying at bottom of the stack? Despite your satisfaction after finding that lost-but-found item or retrieving that book or DVD that was at the bottom of the huge stack, it is obvious that you would still need to tidy up what you altered. This is Restoration.

The next example takes us to the Surgeon's office. We all know that the Surgeon is that fearless individual who cuts open the human body. Is there any living person who loves being cut open for a surgical operation? Even if there is someone who does, which I doubt, I am really sure that you don't love it. Notwithstanding, since the surgeon believes that such an operation will make a person better, he must cut. I understand that before an operation, the patient is given something so that he/she never feels the slightest pain. What a relief. The operation is the transformation the surgeon believes the patient needs to get better. It is painful, but for a greater good. I cannot even imagine the pain one would feel, without the anesthetics. On the other hand, what if, after a successful operation, the surgeon opts to leave the patient opened up; that is, he does not replace the patient's insides neither does he sew the patient up properly? What would become of this patient when the anesthetic eventually wears off? This is where restoration comes in. Opening up the body to fix a problem is not the end of a good job. It continues with the perfect closing up of the body and eventual reviving of a whole individual. This is the essence of restoration.

Transformation is good. Restoration completes transformation. Governor Ajimobi’s administration has altered and continues to alter the status quo in Oyo state all in a bid to make the Pacesetter State better. His transformation journey has undoubtedly brought security, sanity, order, and cleanliness to the State, though at the expense of some people's comfort.

Watch out for Part 2

 

Martin C. Eneh is a Media Practitioner and a Computer Technician. He loves ideas and believes in positive active change.

PACKAGING FRESH, CLEAN AIR FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Some years ago as a very fresh adolescent, I remember telling anyone who cared to listen that we could source for, collect and package pure, fresh air for human consumption. I likened it to the packaging of water that is now big business today. But they told me off, as they always did whenever I came up with "crazy" ideas but I never let go.

At that time, though, the idea was so raw and I actually could not picture how the collecting, packaging and consumption would be done. As for the source, that was not a problem because my beloved Nigeria still has many naturally fresh regions. Well I kept that idea, along with many others, somewhere in my heart.

It was not surprising, when on 3rd March 2014, while I was surfing the internet, I came across a CNN report from Zhengzhou, China about packaged fresh air.  The media giant reported that residents in that community were "lining up for a chance to breathe fresh mountain air via sealed bags". These residents were eager to put on the masks and inhale the naturally fresh air. CNN posted pictures showing three generations (grandparents, parents and children) putting on these masks just to sniff in the air. The air that these people were breathing in from those packs was brought in from the mountains around that region, where the air is clean. A Natural Reserve Development company was responsible for this. "The company brought in 2,000 cans and 40 bags of air that had been vacuum-packed in Laojun Mountain". 

The air was being given away for “free” by the company as part of its marketing campaign and to create awareness about air pollution in that nation. The strategy worked as many people came out to enjoy the packaged air in the various locations where it was being given out.

My point is that we could have been the ones being reported in the news here had it been such an idea had been worked upon way back when it hit me. But who was willing to listen? I said it then and this year it has come to pass but, not in my country and not by my hands. Packaged fresh, clean air for human consumption is possible. 

There are many good things we can start here instead of depending on other nationals to do them for us. They think. They act. They create. We too can even do better.  Think. Act. Create.

Martin C. Eneh is a Media Practitioner and a Computer Technician. He loves ideas and believes in positive active change.

Many of us are hasty to offer opinions about leadership. We are so prepared to teach people the nature of leadership. While doing this, we do not fail to include God in the expositions. I begin to feel that the inclusion of God makes this venture of leadership seminars, lectures and training more acceptable. But (there is a but), how many of us pray, sincerely pray for our leaders as God would love us to: 1 Tim 2:1&2, 1 Sam 15:35, 1 Sam 16:1,

The seat of leadership, who created it, God or man? If you say God, then why do we not totally seek his face in affairs of leadership? If we condemn all leaders without saying even a word of prayer for them, where is God in the matter?

Do you not know that when a man is set upon a throne, he becomes a different person? Before taking up the mantle of leadership, men may imagine or say many things that they would do or not do. Their plans and intentions may be good, ugly or bad. However, when they find themselves on the throne, it will most likely be a different story. It is as if they do not know what they are doing anymore. For those who had good intentions before entering the palace, it is as though they have forgotten the honourable purpose of their being on the throne. For those who glaringly had no good intentions before they were made leaders, it is as though something came over them and caused them to eventually lead honourably. God knows the tendency of men to change that is why He commands us to pray for kings.

You may even be a leader where you are. So, while you are praying generally for leaders, you will end up praying for yourself. Do not ask me what to pray. If you were in their postion, what would you ask God for?