#Ayékòótọ́ Onígeewura (the parrot with the golden pen) @ 60.

Today, as I arrived at the sixth floor -‘super-golden age’, I indulge in the reminiscences of my life as a child of destiny by the reason of providence. It is gratifying to unveil my unique experiences.

Exactly, 60 years ago in the beautiful city of Enugu, known as the ‘Coal City’, a child was born on February 13, 1962. That child was a product of an inter-ethnic marriage between parents of both Northern ‘Middle belt’ (Idoma) and Southern Nigerian (Yoruba) extractions.

As a child, I witnessed the three most dreaded elements: poverty, deprivation, and oppression. Life was like a rollercoaster ride with so many moments of high and low; fear and anxiety; pressure and excitement; as well as exhilaration and what not.

Looking back, I realize that it was all by reason of providence. Little did I know that I was going through a training session like the trajectory of the biblical David, the shepherd boy, and Joseph, the slave-turned-prime minister.

My survival, battling with poverty, deprivation, and oppression as a child, all turned out to be training sessions for me.

February 13 is always remarkable, and a day of mixed feelings for me. I came from a home that did not place premium on the education of a child. This is like the trajectory of his Excellency Atiku Abubakar, although, my own father was lucky not to have been sent to prison.

Apart from so many other issues, my 14th birthday, was a day of chaos; a day never to be forgotten. Our beloved nation Nigeria was in grief. General Murtala Ramat Mohammed was brutally assassinated. However, some amazing things also happen to me on February 13’s. The one that has ever been engraved in my heart is a unique opportunity with Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo, the President and founder of Living Faith Church, a.k.a Winners’ Chapel.

On the 13th day of February 2002, I had the singular honour and privilege of working with my mentor and father in the faith, Bishop Oyedepo, all through the day and later part of the evening. While seeing the servant of God off, at the entrance of his aircraft shortly before embarking on a late evening flight, I whispered gently and announced that it was my 40th birthday.

The servant of God turned back and laid hands on me. Immediately, I noticed a transference of grace. He went ahead to make some dangerous pronouncements and blessings from the depth of grace, and he handed to me a mantle of peace.

Today, I can unequivocally say that I see the manifestation of all the prophetic words, blessings and unction coming to fulfillment.

My relationship with Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo goes beyond his fatherly blessings on me on my 40th birthday. He was the one that destroyed materialism in me and replaced it with selflessness and service to humanity.

One of his admonishments to me each time I am in a meeting with him over the last two and half decades, is that I should focus more on service. He even went further to explain to me how selflessness and dedication drives success. He once said to me: “God will not use you for a mighty thing and then leave you a dwarf”. That was the turning point in my life.

From that day, I resolved to live a life of service, and the rewards have been massive and mind-blowing. Indeed, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

I am also a disciple of the famous philosopher and former US President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. He had said, “Courage is life; it has never failed me.”

“Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it”, is a famous line by Uthman Dan Fodio. I take that further by submitting that conscience is nurtured by truth. Truth is sacrosanct, constant, consistent, and sets free.

Antecedents in my life unveiled in me the audacity of courage. Courage is being bold enough to stand up for the truth. I will continue to be on the side of the truth until my last day comes.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to state that aside being a product of an inter-ethnic marriage, I married from the Eastern part of Nigeria, and I have had the privilege of working with many Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds. Given this, I am bold to say that I am a miniature map of the country.

I live, drink, and think Nigeria. I prefer to be a Nigerian before tribe, and an apostle of ‘One Nation’ in a critical time as this, when calls for disintegration gain momentum each passing minute.

I wouldn’t want to live my final days in regret. Regret of being blinded by the quest for materialistic prosperity that I folded my hands and watched as Nigeria go to the pits. I am deeply motivated to do better for the sake of posterity. Therefore, my prayers for our beloved country Nigeria is PEACE anchored on equity, fair play and Justice.