NIGERIA

A NATION OF MANY QUEUES

A nation of many queues; that presently is our reputation; And it leaves us with many clues; as to where we are headed - this way or that.

We must leave our houses before dawn; So as to avoid the queues that encourage lateness on our roads; but we must sure be held by those of the dusk; to exchange lateness to office for the hoods.

To get our beast of burden energized; this is just another serious matter; you could spend half a day only to end demoralized; wishing if only cars could run on water.

This may again not suffice though; as can be seen in the clanging of bowls and buckets on our streets; men and women engaging in fisticuffs; and we say water no get enemy!

We queue even to get power supply; 3-hourly, 6-hourly, 12-hourly plans; a major factor being the number of influential men in your area; and the yardstick for influence is the size of your generating set.

So heart-rendering is it that we even queue for public offices; political parties select reps not by merit but by province; And now that Yar'Adua is absent from office; WHO IS NEXT ON THE QUEUE?

HOPE

LIFE HAS TWO SIDES. This was the thought that permeated Dimeji's heart this great Monday morning. He'd had many ideas, thoughts, imaginations, concepts. He had even turned some into plans, and had started taking the initial infinitesimal steps.

Getting up from bed, he opened his heart in communion with his Father to receive fresh instructions and illuminations for the day. He also consulted the Book of Hope. He learnt for the day that he was a strong man, and had been given the capacity and potential to expand his terrotory, howbeit many giants on his way.

As he set out for the day, the reality of present circumstancesbegan to dawn on him. He had not raised the fund for his training package - a training he'd started 7 days ago. He'd virtually no penny as deposit. He'd no job that gives him a predictable income. He was becoming overwhelmed.

Just that the thought that had woken him up gripped his heart again. As his thinking changed so was his countenance. Now standing before a mirror, he looked at himself eyeball to eyeball and said, "This is first half. Second half will be more interesting. It is not over until you win."

Dear friend, you must always remind yourself also that there is still an untold part of your story. You may not have a job now, or yo may even be working and have nothing to show for it. You might have waited several years and all your effots at getting married's being frustrated. You might even have been married for years and have no issue. You may have just one pair of shoes and have become the ridicule of town. You may have been living recklessly and given up trying to change.

Hey! Look up to the brighter side. What we know about you from conception till now is the told story. There yet remains an untold part of you. To be certain of victory, just team up with the Chief Coach with 100% victory record. The Man Jesus Christ. With Him you can be sure of this one thing: IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL YOU WIN!