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Present and Presence: A Reflection on Community Development

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In every community, there are people who are present but lack presence . This simple but profound difference explains why some projects flourish while others fade away, even when both begin with enthusiasm and promise. Being present means showing up, attending meetings, joining initiatives, or standing with others physically. It’s the visible participation that anyone can see. But presence goes much deeper. It is the energy, empathy, and sense of ownership one brings into a space. Presence transforms attendance into impact. It is what turns ideas into action, and action into lasting change. In the context of community development, this distinction is critical. A community might have many people who are present, but only a few who carry true presence, their influence, passion, and consistency become the backbone of progress. They are the ones who don’t just show up; they engage. They listen, understand, and contribute meaningfully. They bring life to projects, helping other...
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The Spirit of Error: When Gratitude Turns to Contempt

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In church today, I listened carefully to what my Pastor preached. It was one of those rare sessions that forces you to unlearn, relearn, and learn, a message that pierces the heart and exposes the quiet things we often ignore. He spoke about the Spirit of Error, and as I sat there, I couldn’t help but realize how dangerous, silent, and deceptive that spirit truly is. It’s when the spirit of error enters a man that he begins to see his benefactor as nothing. The same person who once prayed for his success now looks like a threat. The voice that once guided him now sounds like control. The path that once felt divine suddenly feels restrictive. That’s what the spirit of error does, it twists perception, making light look like darkness and wisdom feel like manipulation. The Bible captures this deception clearly in 1 John 4:6 , where the Apostle John wrote, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, ...
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Ajùbà and Atìbàbà: The Two Pillars of Nigerian Politics

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When I was a young boy growing up, I loved associating with the elderly ones and I remember sitting by my grandpa in the evenings, under the moonlight, as he told me a story that carried deep wisdom. This story has never left me. He said: “In every farming season, a wise farmer does two things before the harvest. First, he builds Ajùbà, then he makes sure of Atìbàbà.” I asked him what that meant. He explained that Ajùbà is the small hut a farmer builds on the farm before planting begins. That is where he rests, where he keeps his tools, and where he shelters when the sun is hot or the rain comes suddenly. Without Ajùbà, the farmer is exposed. Then he spoke of Atìbàbà. He said it is like the ceiling of a house. It is what shields the family inside from storms, from heat, and from danger. Without Atìbàbà, the house may have walls, but it is never safe. My grandpa would smile and say: “Omo mi, politics is just like farming.” And today, when I look at Nigeria, I understand exac...
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Politics Won’t Pay the Bills — But Work Will

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Sometimes I joke with my friends that if money made from politics was a perfume, half the youth would be choking by now. Because everywhere you turn, someone is “aligning,” “mobilizing,” or “waiting for appointment.” I always laugh and tell those closest to me one thing: may I never make my money from politics. Why? Because I’ve seen too many young people missing it. Instead of building, they are chanting. Instead of creating, they are waiting. And sadly, most of the people they are chanting for, when the lights go off and the cameras disappear, don’t even remember their names. It’s painful to watch, because I know how much potential we carry as a generation. The energy, creativity, and resilience of young Nigerians could build enterprises, products, and ideas that outlive any election cycle. Yet, in my state, every conversation still ends up in politics. Every gathering echoes with “ tani baba ni ile yi?” (“who’s our godfather in this area?”). Meanwhile, the real question...
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When Ekiti Decided to Shock the World — The Birth of Visit Ekiti

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Let’s be honest, if you ask most Nigerians about Ekiti, the first thing they’ll probably say is, “Ah, that’s the land of professors !” And they’re right. But lately, Ekiti seems to be proving that we can do more than just produce brilliant minds; we can also produce magic, the kind that flows through waterfalls, dances on hills, and hums through the laughter of our people. That’s why the air in Ado-Ekiti felt different that day — like the state itself knew something historic was about to happen. The banners fluttered with pride, the drums rolled in rhythm, and smiles stretched wide as the world witnessed the official launch of Visit Ekiti , a visionary tourism initiative birthed by Mr. Ogunro Ayodeji Success. It wasn’t your typical event with empty speeches and handshakes. This one carried purpose. It carried pride. It carried the heartbeat of a people who have decided that their story deserves to be told, loudly and beautifully. Representing the Spokesman of th...
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Why People Envy Those Who Bring Development

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(A long read, but worth your time, please read to the end.) I once listened to one of the preachings of Apostle Joshua Selman titled “ The Spirit of Envy ” which he gave in Kenya last year August. It was a message that didn’t just touch the surface of human behavior, it pierced deep into the truth about why people often resent those who carry the vision to build, change, and develop. Apostle Selman shared that one of the strangest battles of destiny is not against enemies from afar, but from those who should have been your biggest supporters. Those who should clap for you are often the ones who quietly hope you fail, not because you have done anything wrong, but because your progress exposes their comfort in mediocrity. Some time ago, I read a story about a young man from Kenya who decided to change the fate of his small rural community. The village had been forgotten for decades, no clean water, no access roads, no school beyond the primary level. He left home to study in Nairobi, and...
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Unveiling Isan-Ekiti official Website

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There are moments in life that remind us why giving back to our roots is not just a duty, but an honour. For me, Isan Unity Day 2024 was one of those defining moments. Standing before my people, I had the privilege of unveiling the Isan-Ekiti Logo, a symbol that represents our identity, our unity, and the pride of who we are as a people. I remember announcing that day that before the next Isan Unity Day, we would also have an official website, a digital home that would connect us all, preserve our heritage, and open doors of opportunities for our youths. That night, I returned home with mixed emotions, the excitement of the vision, but also the weight of its possibility. I wondered how it would all come together. But today, I am overjoyed to say that what began as a dream has become reality. The Isan-Ekiti official website, www.isanekiti.com , is ready to be launched at this year’s Isan Unity Day celebration. This remarkable achievement would not hav...
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