God Bless Nigeria - Part One

I have heard leaders of the United States of America say this phrase ever so often, "God Bless America", it’s not often that I hear leaders of our nation, Nigeria say the same.  In America, it’s almost a cliche, but not the same with us here in Nigeria.  

A very good friend, Kemi called me the other day and insisted she had to come see me to discuss something important. It happened to be one of those busy times in the life of a #NewsMan, and saying yes immediately was really not an option, but her persistence was such that my hands were forced and I obliged.

We had a breakfast meeting and the story of Kemi's eating habit would be told one day *big smile*, but I am thrilled we had this meeting and the information shared truly delighted my heart, or should I say, was amazingly heartwarming!

Kemi weaved a short tale about a group of people who come together on Sundays to ask God to Bless Nigeria.  They do not do this by just praying and repeating a pointless mantra but they practically become the blessing to Nigeria that a lot of our leaders have failed to be.

This group of people gets to the meeting point as early as 6.30am and some from about 7am on Sunday mornings.  There are Medical Doctors, Nurses, Caterers, Cooks, Drivers, Psychologists, Barbers, Hairdressers, Cleaners, who come in bright and early, artisans and professionals dressed in casual outfits and ready to be the blessing to Nigeria that some of us only dream about and sometimes pray God will send to this nation.

Kemi warned me to be dressed casually, so I put on my blue trainers, my Jeans and a polo shirt, short-sleeve and ready to blend in.  She was kind enough to drive all the way from Victoria Island to Opebi, just to pick me up at home, and then drive down to the meeting point just on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, where I am meant to join the people who have chosen to dedicate their Sunday morning to answer the prayer, "God Bless Nigeria".

We arrived at the meeting point at about 8am, I felt like we were late because of my morning coffee, it takes almost 5 minutes to warm my semi-skimmed milk without cooking it, so I can enjoy a coffee latte that has a drop of honey and it’s the heavenly taste that makes my morning exciting. Ignore me on this one, I am silly like that... *laughing*. It’s one of those pleasures of life formed out of habit.

I was introduced to a lady called Ehi, she coordinates the multi-media side of things here, Ehi welcomed me with a big, bright smiles and a warm handshake. Ehi asked me to wait a minute and she called a "well-rounded" gentleman, his name is Nonso, to join us. Nonso was introduced as one of those who go out on the field.

OK, these people who have opted to be blessing to Nigeria, by the grace of God, go out on Sunday morning looking for Nigerians that need a blessing, that need a helping hand, that need support, that want their lives changed, but do not have a clue of where to start from. 

I left the premises with Nonso and we headed for Oke-Afa.  Nonso told me tales of prostitutes that have been invited and taken care of, counseled, supported, given opportunity to change their life choices and in essence, change their lives.  

Nonso talked about drug addicts who have lost hope and are just resigned to beg or steal to feed their bad habits, but God, in blessing Nigeria through these professionals and artisans who are trusting God to make them the blessing Nigeria needs, these addicts have been washed, cleaned, fed, then taken into a place of refuge and treated by doctors that have weaned them off their addictions.  These people have come off drugs and are now gainfully employed or been given a chance to be one of the few people now enjoying grants provided to start small businesses.

I listened and was there wondering where all these Nigerians who choose to be a blessing to the nation came from. Anyway, it did not take long, we were at Oke-Afa, and Nonso parked his car.  Once out of the car, I looked up and it looked like a shanty town built on a refuse dump. It simply reminded me of BBC's documentary series "Welcome To Lagos" which I watched and recorded in London a while ago.

The stench was overwhelming when you are not used to it. Nonso warned me to keep my eyes glued to where I was heading to avoid stepping on waste, both human's and dog's.  A couple of hundred yards and we were in the thick of it, as in the smell of human waste, refuse dump fused together with cigarette and marijuana.

There were smelly young and middle-aged men who looked like they have not seen water for ages because the only liquid they had around happened to be Gin, Stout, Gulder, Ogogoro, Schnapps and other alcoholic beverages, emphasis on the very cheap and strong ones. Virtually everyone of them had marijuana in their hands, as they say, how do you like it, thin, slim and cheap or thick, fat and "orobo", almost the size of "igbo" you will see in the hand of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti of blessed memory.

A small number were hiding their "igbo" (marijuana) from Nonso, saying, "good morning pastor, how now, I go come church today ooo, I jus wan finish sumtin wey I dey do now now".  Nonso moved close to each one, shook hands and asked them why they were still smoking hemp? "You know you have given your life to Christ and you are now Gideon's Army, you should be here winning souls and encouraging others to come to church" Nonso chided.

Almost all the time, he got a wry smile and a mumbled response that sounded like an apology of some sort.  Nonso told me these people needed help, they need re-housing, as long as they are left with no choice but to come back to this same environment, they will be just like pigs, washed, groomed and dressed up, then thrown back into the dirty sty and mud, it will roll in it again and again.

I sat with quite a few of them until I was getting a bit heady from inhaling the strong smell of marijuana being blown in my face. I listened to their stories and encouraged them to be open and tell me all.  While some are desperate to kick the habit, some have given up hope and just believe they will live the rest of their lives like this.

"Sebi, you too be pastor, abi, look all dis God tin no dey sell again, if you wan helep me, give me money make I start business or give me job wey dey pay well well." One of them shouted at me. There were stories that could easily become epic films and will sell out on the bookshelves worldwide.  I cannot sum it up in one go.

After about 2hours of walking around, talking, listening watching Nonso persuade, encourage, negotiate and reason with even some that were unreasonable, we had to leave. A 16 Seater bus was waiting, next to Nonso's car and it was packed full with a few men, but more of women and young children.  Obviously the young men don't mind their partners and wives going to God Bless Nigeria, but they were way too busy smoking hemp and drinking themselves into a stupor.

I have intentionally opted to keep the Church part out of the God Bless Nigeria Church.  It is a church and place of worship that is an initiative of Pastor Tony Rapu's ministry. When Nonso and I got back to the church the place was buzzing, there were children, women, including pregnant ones, there were men, young and old all milling around, some seated in the various classes, some in the clinic to receive treatment or run tests, other that were having a haircut and women having their hair washed and set for them without paying a kobo.

I saw and listened to a man who said he has just come out of prison and he did not want to do anymore what he did that led him to prison. So, all he wants is God, and he has been told God is here at God Bless Nigeria, so he came to meet God and see his life changed for good.  A member of the Gideon's Army took him around to get him washed, fed, given fresh clothes and they were looking into finding a home for him.

The stories are incredible and compelling, I waited to be part of the service after a short chat with the Pastor in Charge for this Sunday.  She was a pretty and soft-spoken lady called Ronke Akinnola.  The worship session was almost like watching a concert with Obesere, Ayuba, Wasiu and throw in Iyanya, P-Square and Tuface all worshipping God. It was an awesome praise and worship experience.  

Watching some of these people dance reminded me of what King David of Israel must have looked like in 2 Samuel 6:14-23.  They danced with "reckless abandon" and unlike some other churches, there were no "forming" or pretentions.

I can write a book about God Bless Nigeria, from just one experience, and I probably will do just that in due course.  But today Part One in the God Bless Nigeria series has just been completed.

I will end this with what a wise man of God told me during our last conversation in my office, Bishop Matthew Kukah, told me about his experience in America.  He was offered a very juicy position with very fantastic financial package and perks, but he turned it down.  His reason was that he will spend his entire strength, might and abilities in America to have minimum impact, but just a sizable amount of his strength, might and abilities spent on something positive in Nigeria will generate impact that will surely warm the hearts of men and God in Nigeria.  That just reminded me my reason for being back home in Nigeria and my reason for being "raison d'etre'.

If you have doubts about the work of God Bless Nigeria Church as I explained above, watch what they recorded in the story of Fatima, whose life was transformed - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHrqQnV2v88&feature=player_embedded