One Day Millionaire

Becoming a millionaire - Yesterday, an elderly man from Nigeria called me. During our conversation, I mentioned the giveaway I’m hosting on my blog. To my surprise, he told me he has never had one million naira in his life and that his wish is to hold one million naira in cash. I responded, saying, 'Oh sir, that’s a good desire; you just want to be a millionaire.' He agreed, and we ended our call. I started reflecting on our discussion and realized I should have asked him what he planned to do with the one million naira. He also pointed out that one million naira isn’t much in Nigeria today. I have friends who asked me for ten million naira when I first arrived in Europe, even though I didn’t have a single cent in my account. One of them owns a shop in Abuja where she claims to sell gold. She seems to have more money than I do, but the common belief in Africa is that anyone who has traveled abroad is wealthier, leading them to seek financial help from those abroad. The irony is that many Africans living in Europe are just as poor as those back home if they don’t work hard. The jobs available to Africans in Europe are often ones that many in Africa wouldn’t consider doing, even if they are in dire poverty. My dear brother Ademola taught me about the principles of giving, saying, 'Don’t wait until you’re a millionaire to start giving; give in your small ways.' He then asked if I understood why he said that, and I replied no. He explained that if you wait until you’re a millionaire to give, you might never give at all. It’s important to give from what you have. Now, after many years, I realize that giving is a grace because it takes grace to share with others when you have little. Don't hold any resentment towards those who don't give you money, as it's not a wrongdoing even if they have the means. I recall a boss of mine in Nigeria, the son of a former governor of Lagos state. His family is wealthy, with properties in Ikoyi, Lekki, and even abroad. He would often invite me for dinner, and afterward, he would give me money for my taxi ride from Lagos Island to the mainland. One evening, I was invited for dinner again, but I arrived very late due to the heavy traffic in Lagos. When I got there, my boss, Mr. O, was waiting outside their gate, about to get into his car. He approached me and said, "You are truly a Queen." He noted the time of my arrival and mentioned that they had already finished dinner and he was heading to the casino. He opened his briefcase to show me it was filled with dollars, explaining that he planned to use all that money to gamble that night. I told him I wanted to head home, and he gave me my taxi fare. I didn't feel upset that he didn't share any of the dollars with me; I understood he had his own plans for his money. Just being able to dine with the wealthy was an honor and a privilege. The last time I was with them, I enjoyed the finest red wine and delicious egusi soup with pounded yam. It truly takes grace to give. Everyone should strive to earn their own money.

There Shall Be No Poor: for a Better Society

End Poverty- I never truly hated poverty until recently. Years ago, as a teenager, I went to a church crusade organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, led by Evangelist J.T., who was a regional pastor at that time. While he preached, he stated, "I can give you 1500 reasons why poverty will lead you to hell." My young mind didn’t fully grasp it then, but his message stuck with me. Later, during college, one of our lecturers entered the classroom and said, "If you don’t have money and you don’t know God, who are you?" I reflected on his words and realized that knowing God is essential, but having money is also crucial in life. Many people in underdeveloped countries like Africa suffer from poverty because they view money as a luxury or a matter of luck. Some even think that money can lead them to hell, choosing to stay poor instead. I heard about a place in the world where the locals are not allowed to become wealthy; they must remain in poverty. The Bible refers to money as a necessity, stating, "Money answers all things." In my view and experience, poverty is like a disease that needs to be tackled and eliminated. While the poor will always be among us, poverty can be linked to various other factors. As the wealthy dine with golden spoons, the poor struggle to survive. Some can afford to eat whatever they want, while others are limited to what they can find. For instance, how does a family with no income manage to survive? This is the reality for many people in Nigeria, who lack means and receive no government assistance. Some even blame their creators for their poverty. Everyone comes into this world with nothing and will leave the same way. If those in power choose to address poverty, they can, and if we as individuals decide to fight against poverty, we can too. Provide food instead of weapons Someone once mentioned that I should refrain from giving money to individuals in Africa. He went on to say that the wealthy remain rich because they do not share their money. Similarly, it has been said that wealthy Africans are not assisting their own people. I question whether they realize that even the richest person in Africa is still considered poor compared to the wealthiest individuals in the Western world. Those who claim that Africa does not require assistance should reconsider their viewpoint. Africa needs support in numerous areas. I recently read a book by Femi Otedola, where he recounted how his late father was given counterfeit aspirin to control his high blood pressure. This same issue persists in Nigeria today, where people are succumbing to their illnesses due to fake medications. They are dying from poor food, contaminated water, and a low quality of life. Instead of European leaders providing aid to these self-serving leaders, they should invest directly in the impoverished individuals they aim to assist.