END OF YEAR THOUGHTS

2018 has been a very great year. A lot of things happened.

When the year began, I didn’t see any of these things coming, in fact when this year began, I had no goal. Yeah, I didn’t know what I wanted to achieve by the end of the year.

Many things happened, many that I really wish to write about but certainly will not be able to.

The amount of work I’ve had to handle in this year has been enormous, I’ve never experienced a thing like this.
I’m still learning. I’m growing.
I have some real regrets, if I had my way, I would have written more letters, replied more of people’s WhatsApp and Facebook messages. I would have attended more occasions and visited more people. I always wanted that. But it was just so tough to do all of those. I've had to make so many major transitions during the year, transitions are not so easy folks.

FAMILY

It’s not been an easy ride for you guys. I know, I was here. Especially that I couldn’t do that you really want in this life. The gift of you in my life is a treasure that I constantly say Thank You to God for. I would never have asked for more. Keep praying, the dark days are soon over. God has answered your prayers already. I love you, not just because you’re family but because you’ve granted me a place to horn my talents, a place to read and not talk to anyone, a place to always expect “Good Morning Brother”, “Brother, food is ready”, “Brother, let me help you do this” and I also thank you for “Brother, can you help…” its sweet and beautiful. If at all I am thinking big, it’s because I want you in it.

BOOK-TROVERTS

We have been doing an incredible job with a group of 7 amazing people, we are working to make reading fun and enticing. We provide books and create the stimulation to read. I highly appreciate working with you all to do what we are doing. One of my greatest privileges is working with selfless people. Thanks for showing me how to die. You’re incredible folks. I admire you deeply.

JENTA READS

The days of wantonness, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, poverty, and hopelessness is coming to an end in Jenta. Some people are obsessed with the condition and have risen to do something about it. It is my privilege to be working in this team of world changers. This rut will pass away, and I know those who will bring in the needed change. Thank you, friends, for the gift of you. Thank you for being such a great team.

You’ve given me the rare privilege of growing with you.

NORRISOPOLIS CITIZEN

I am still unable to fully understand how God turned a Facebook acquaintance into such a big thing. My life has been changed by the acquaintance with Thaine Norris, more than anything else in 2018.

Let me tell you a story. When Thaine first told me he was thinking about coming to Nigeria, I didn’t even reply immediately. When he asked me of the nearest airport to Jos, I told him “Enugu”. I was as stupid as that, I didn’t take it to heart- Of course, Abuja is closer to Jos. I HAVE NEVER IMAGINED AND NEVER THOUGHT THAT ANYTHING WILL HAPPEN. Okay, okay, just let me leave this one here, I can’t explain it.

Anyway, the Norrisopolis affiliation has opened me to a relationship with a world I have never thought possible. When Thaine came into my life I was an ordinary kid that love fairy tales, especially Chronicles of Narnia, but now, Narnia is happening to me. How lovely.

Thank you for invading my world. I am excited by what God is doing through this citizenship. It’s my sweet privilege. Erika, Rosemary, Heather, Jeremy, Paul, Ian, someday I will give you all a copy of Narnia, you deserve more. The conversation back and forth with you have been lovely, and thanks to Mother for being a good glue for all of us.

Thank you to all the friends on that side of the world, especially “Very Most Reverend Dr.” Eberhard Roell, David Jack David Wolcott, Romelia Roney, and Dave Roney. Conversing with you has taught me how to enjoy a bit of the diversity we will have in heaven. It’s really great to have you guys.

FACEBOOK COMMUNITY

Even with my nonchalance, my Facebook community have been very amazing and interesting. Facebook has been a part of my story in an incredible way. FACTS:

1.        I am studying computer science because of Facebook, I was inspired by it and Zuckerberg.

2.       We started Jenta Reads on Facebook.

3.       We started Book-Troverts on Facebook.

4.       We became Brothers with Phidims on Facebook.

5.       I met Thaine Norris on Facebook.

6.       I met all the Book-Troverts team on Facebook.

7.       I met some close nit family members here. Sonia Sunday, May Joseph, Atong, Alandra

8.       Almost all my click is currently on these platforms.

My world has enlarged because of all the amazing that you all have done to me on Facebook. ONE PRIDEFUL THOUGHT; If Mark hadn’t created Facebook, I think I might have done that.

The things that happened here have been spectacular for me, I have learned a lot and soak up a lot from you. I cannot afford the price of having you all, you’re priceless.

TEAM POSTERITY

This year, “WE” contested an election and didn’t win. It was a very good thing. We lost the election but gained a team, team posterity and we also realized the confidence people had in us. I tell you the truth, there are good people in the world. While I was processing the pitching event with Abuja Global Shapers and Selfless for Africa, they asked for a name, I didn’t think twice, I just submitted Team Posterity. If I am doing anything to make a difference in this world, it is because you guys have inspired me.

One more thing here, the election humbled me. As I look back, I am really grateful that I lost, I saw firsthand the number of people who trusted me and were willing to spend their 1,000 Naira just to cast their votes. In a sense, we didn’t lose that election, because we earned trust and respect. I still shed tears each time I remember the love you have shown, and I feel incapable of the responsibility you’ve thrust upon me by the trust you’ve shown to me. I remember particularly when Peace Joshua was pitching to a guy to vote Team Posterity, she said “You should vote for this guy, I can vouch for him. I trust him completely, vote for him. Hold me accountable if you vote for him.” Oh man, this is the kind of trust that’s not found on earth. I cherish your friendship and I understand the gravity of what it means to me. I am working hard to not fail you guys. Thank you for love.

Arthur Ward “Blessed is the person who sees the need, recognizes the responsibility, and actively becomes the answer.”

ABUJA

So, my Uncle and Mentor, Deshi has been calling me “Dan Abuja” ever since I went to pick Thaine at Abuja on May 2^nd. Well, I’ve returned to Abuja several times for different things.

We were there again on June 14^th to make the case for Jenta Reads, we did and won 1.1 Million Naira for the project. There will be more about this story soon.

I also returned there for the Emerging African Leaders Conference, organized by the Center For Social Awareness, Advocacy, and Ethics (CSAAE). There is more about this on my blog.

One disadvantage of my reading is that it has dissolved every desire in me to travel, I don’t like traveling. I prefer to just read. Most times, I prefer to create a city in my head rather than see it for myself, and once I create a city and then visit it, it never just match up with my created image.

GOD

I cannot tell God what I want to say on Facebook, it won’t be enough.

I forgot to say something at the beginning of this that is that when this year began because I had no plan I tagged the year “The Year of God”. I didn’t know why or what it meant, now, I know! Our lives are not an argument for the Christian faith, they are demonstrations of the Christian faith.

Even as I conclude these thoughts, I know that none of these is about me. Yes, this is all about what God wants to do in this world.

When all is said and done, I don't want to be an entrepreneur, or a writer, or any good thing, I just want to be found in His Will- That's where I belong. 

I am walking away from 2018 with a few regrets though, I wish I was more intentional about relationships, I had more time to write like this, more time to see everyone I wanted to and more time to build more friendship. It won’t happen again, 2019 is the year ‘’OF OTHERS”. I’ll be intentional about relationships. It’s my project for 2019. Maybe if I take that serious, I will get a Girlfriend that will become the wife, who knows?

See you next year! 

P.S: BOOKS

When this year began, I committed myself to read at least two books every week. Well, most of the times, I read more than two, I don’t remember the last time I read just two. I honestly wanted to do a review of some of these books, but as it is evident I cannot, so here’s what I will do, I will post 5 book covers every day on my WhatsApp status for the next few days.