The military coup in Niger draws attention to Africa’s leadership issues. The leaders of the coup have cited security concerns due to threats by jihadist groups and poor economic growth as reasons for the coup. Similar reasons were given for the military coups in Burkina Faso and… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… The regional body, ECOWAS, insists the coup must end and the former president must be returned to power. They say democracy remains the best form of government. But a large number of Nigeriens are taking sides with the leaders of the coup.

When trusting God for your finances:
1.CENTRE YOUR THINKING ON THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST
“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich”. (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT) You are rich already. Meditate on it. Let it sink into your soul and spirit. WHAT YOU BELIEVE DETERMINES WHO YOU BECOME. SHAKE OFF THOSE DANGEROUS LABELS SOCIETY HAS PLACED ON YOU (MASSES, COMMON MAN, etc.). The major difference between the rich and the poor is what they think.

1. To destroy worry on money issues as a believer in Christ, make a conscious decision to never value money more than you value God. Christ made the choice in the face of temptation and angels came to attend to His needs. God’s wisdom and power will resolve your money needs. 2. “You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.” (Matthew 6:24 The Message)

1. I was in Chicago, Illinois, to speak at a conference several years ago. Something caught my attention on the highway. I drew the attention of my hosts to the quality of a truck full of cows and remarked that, sadly, a lot of humans in Africa could not enjoy such quality. 2. As we approach a new year, we should consider the overall prospects of improvement in the condition of the average African and ask ourselves; will (not “can”) democracy deliver economic development in Africa?

1.Why is it predictable that when you throw your phone up it would come down? How come you get the same result everywhere on our planet? This scenario confirms the reality of a principle: gravity. Can success be predictable? #success 2. Some cultures value principles more than others. You know you’re part of a culture that does not value principles by the level of impunity (living above the law/policies). Acting above the law is proof of power. It is celebrated and rewarded.

1.I desperately needed a legal document (Power of Attorney), while we were on vacation in Florida several years ago. I got stressed up trying to figure out how to get it. #values #NewNigeria 2.Then I called my cousin, a Nigerian-American, for advice. He said, “Calm down, Sam. This is America. Someone has helped you to think about it. Go to Staples. You will see it there, along with other documents. Just fill in the blanks.” #values

1. In Nigeria, we need to fix the vehicle (government), the drivers (leaders) and the passengers (citizens) to arrive at a developed economy. To fix the vehicle, let’s encourage the National Assembly to act urgently on the REPORT OF THE APC COMMITTEE ON TRUE FEDERALISM. 2. For the passengers (citizens), we must discuss and agree on the destination (the vision of a developed economy), and on the values that will get us there. We won’t get there without each of us committing to value for life, honesty, equality, innovation, excellence, etc.

1. Many have heard of Solomon, son of David and one of the most famous leaders in the Bible. He is highly reputed for his wisdom, his wealth and his love for women. But this story is about his son, Rehoboam. #leadership 2. Soon as Rehoboam succeeded Solomon as king, he had a town hall meeting with his citizens. The citizens pleaded for him to reduce the taxes. Solomon had built massive infrastructure that he later needed to tax citizens heavily to maintain.

1. My planned closing remarks for the #UrgentConversation organised by @RadioNow953FM.
@channelstv
@elrufai
@kfayemi 2. DEVOLUTION OF POWER is very urgent: to states, local governments and most importantly, citizens. We citizens are the bonafide government in a democracy. @RadioNow953FM @channelstv

His nickname was “Sholay”, derived from Sola, a Yoruba name. He was two years ahead of me in high school. He did something that shifted my paradigm and that has stayed with me for four decades. #NewNigeria The Inter-House Sports Competition was one of the most prominent highlights of the school year back then. But long before the competition that particular year, I observed something unusual. #NewNigeria

“God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19 NLT). “Listen, I received a command to bless;
God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!” (Numbers 23:20 NLT).

1. I didn’t think I was leadership material while young because of my introversion and shyness. It changed when I was loaned a book on leadership, where the author listed the qualities of a leader and said we all have some of the qualities already and can develop the rest. 2. I looked at the list. He was right. My self-esteem soared. The world is negative and teaches us helplessness by making us focus on our failures. Remind yourself of your positive qualities and achievements right now, and every morning and night. Be your own cheerleader.

1. My friend, Pastor Agbo Oni-Orisan, said his family once contracted a tiler to replace the bathroom tiles at their home in Germany, while they were away on vacation. #NewNigeria 2. When they returned, he observed the tiler had done a near-perfect job, except for a pretty short line. He called the tiler to let him know he did a great job. He mentioned the spot that wasn’t perfect but said they could leave it since it wasn’t easily noticeable. #NewNigeria

1. Let’s explore the leadership dynamics in this statement:
Matthew 15:14 NLT
“Forget them. They are blind men leading blind men. When a blind man leads a blind man, they both end up in the ditch." #vision #leadership 2.A leader with vision has profound effects on the group. The group is filled with conviction about the future, hope, a sense of direction, motivation to work, discipline, and staying power to hold on when there are setbacks. I always pray for my leaders. #vision #leadership

1.Dear young citizen, as you consider the way forward for the #ENDSARS movement, I wish to offer some ideas. First, it’s time to transmute from protesting to nation building. (You will protest as a tactic once in a while). The protest was like the takeoff of an aircraft. 2.You need to now focus on navigating the movement into the future and providing leadership for the nation. Police brutality, as you now realise, is symptomatic of our country’s problems. It has invisible roots in our mindsets, values and leadership culture.

1.Dear young citizen, you were given a strong welcome to the game of power last week. PHYSICAL FORCE (sometimes expressed as VIOLENCE) is the basic form of power. #ENDSARS 2.Life is about interpretation. Some say the violent stop to your street protest means failure. It doesn’t. Rather, it proves you were effective, and shows you need to now be power-literate.

1.Dear young citizen. It’s time for everyone to reflect. The massive destruction of properties in Lagos and other cities is so sad. Some want to blame you, but you must not buy that narrative. They know those that introduced violence. #ENDSARS 2.Those that looted and destroyed property are also not part of you. They are products of a system that does not value its youths and has left them with little or no hope. They are part of the reason you raised your voice against injustice and want a new Nigeria.

1.Dear young citizen, the turn of events on 20/10/20 is very sad indeed. I know you are deeply disappointed that the country you love and seek to improve hurts you this much. ENDSARS 2.We mourn the loss of those who passed. We will not forget them. We pray for comfort and strength for their loved ones. We pray for speedy healing for those hurt. #ENDSARS

1.Dear young citizen, it is understandable that you are hearing many voices, like the biblical David, but you’ve been called to be unconventional. Be comfortable with that. #ENDSARS 2.Your movement did not start on the streets, it started on your phones. Your ability to move from being an invisible force to being a visible one is a miracle. “The word became flesh”. #ENDSWAT

1.Rarely does a generation have the opportunity to lead change as the one handed the youths of Nigeria right now through #SARSMUSTEND. It cuts across the fault lines that divide Nigeria. 2.My dear young citizen, you must use this rare opportunity to secure deep changes that will lead to Nigeria’s development. The systems you confront are strategic and tactical. They may be steps ahead. You need to think long term and pace yourself.

1.Our dear President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, members of the Federal Executive Council, members of the National Assembly, our Governors, and all parents. We have an unusual opportunity with the #ENDSARS protests. #SARSMUSTEND 2.Many of us in government were protesting on the streets 26/27 years ago after the annulment of a free and fair election. Some had to escape out of Nigeria. Our heroic acts birthed this democratic dispensation to a large extent. The young ones are only continuing the journey.