REVD CANON DR. KIN J-EGWUONWU
I had intended to simply send my regards for a happy independence anniversary, but my conscience over-ruled that simple intention. Before we wish each other a happy independence, we need a good measure of sober reflection.
For example, what manner of Jubilee are we celebrating when five NYSC members abducted by hoodlums in Port Harcourt are still in bondage? What manner of freedom are we celebrating when fifteen abducted innocent children- some as young as three years of age- are kept in captivity and mortal danger by other Nigerians?
What manner of nationhood are we celebrating when the family of Dr. Stanley Uche are today mourning his death at the hands of fellow Nigerians who had abducted him as he returned from the burial of his younger sister and then went ahead to kill him after collecting 30 million naira from his wife?
If we find it in our hearts to simply go ahead with our so-called celebration without deep sober reflection, then we are simply insensitive to our hurting and suffering compatriots.
Let us together reclaim the good old days, when the average Nigerian was his brothers and sisters's keeper.
In many a nation volunteerism (the use of private time for public service) and philanthropy (the use of private funds for public benefits) form two aspects of generosity that oil the wheels of a humane and caring society. Volunteers are human angels; philanthropists give wings to angels.
Let me give three quick examples.
Corporate philanthropy: the Tata group, the largest Indian conglomerate which accounts for 3.2% of India's GDP, devotes two-thirds of its profit every year to charity!
Family philanthropy: every year the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation devotes as much funds to global health as the World Health Organization!
Individual philanthropy: Warren Buffet said: More than 99% of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death. He not only committed himself to this ideal but convinced more than forty of USA's billionaires to take his "Giving Pledge," committing at least 50% of their wealth to charity.
Far too many Nigerians are living the opposite of these ideals“ we instead channel time for public service to private ends and divert public funds to private use.
Therefore, what we need is not just rebranding but a moral revolution. If we are to become a great nation of good people then we must individually make up our minds to become radically different.
Winston Churchill said We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. If those words are true, how many Nigerians can be said to truly be alive?
Our collective selfishness has resulted in our low average life expectancy; most Nigerian children and youngsters who join today in celebrating this nation's Golden Jubilee will not live to see their own 50th birthday.
The moral revolution must start now!
Next month from the 15 th to the 22nd of November, 2010 the mass medical mission's National Cancer Prevention Programme, the nongovernmental organization which I coordinate will be marking Philanthropy Week, an international event aimed at the promotion of giving in all its ramifications.
We shall be collaborating primarily with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Communications Commission to mark this event, but all Nigerian individuals, families and corporate establishments are invited to join us.
Although we shall this year be focusing on the fight against cancer, there is hardly any aspect of our national life that is not begging for passionate attention from those who would give sacrificially of their time and resources to bring about a transformation.
We shall be making a National Philanthropy Declaration and signing a National Philanthropy Pledge in Abuja on Saturday the 20 th of November, 2010. Our dream is that many Bill Gates, Warren Buffets and Tata Groups shall arise in this blessed nation.
Fellow Nigerians, we shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that we can do or any kindness we can show to any fellow human being let us do it now. Let us not defer nor neglect it, for we shall not pass this way again.
Whatever is our religion, we need to hear afresh the divine imperative in the cry of the suffering masses of Nigeria. Bill Gates does not consciously subscribe to the tenets of any religion, but in the aspect of unselfish generosity he is living out the great ideals of a godly life. In contrast, for the last fifty years we Nigerians have quarreled, fought and even killed each other in defense of religion while neglecting to imbibe the religious ideals which would have made us veritable agents of national transformation. We must change.
At times like today we often go to our mosques and churches to pray for our nation. But it is not our nation that is most in need of prayers, as she is already so richly endowed by divine providence. It is ourselves as individuals that need all the prayers we can get. It is you and I that should be the chief prayer focus of today.
Will you join me today in praying, not just for Nigeria nor even for her leaders, but for yourself? Let us take this prayer together:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy where there is cancer and disease, let me work for health and wholeness; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
MAY GOD TRANSFORM THE POVERTY OF OUR NATURE BY THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE. AMEN!
LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!!
WE SHALL OVERCOME!!!
***HAPPY NATIONAL GOLDEN JUBILEE TO YOU AND TO ALL NIGERIANS***
REGARDS FROM,
THE REVD CANON DR. KIN J-EGWUONWU
NATIONAL COORDINATOR,
medical mission's National Cancer Prevention Programme
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