It starts with ONE! – Happy 51th Independence Day 9JA

Happy 51 Independence Day Nigeria

Image by JideOdukoya.com

Mohamed Bouazizi was just another street vendor on the streets of Tunisia yet he stepped out to demand a national change. His actions left a profound legacy and sent a strong message to the Arab World that “There has to be a change”. The actions of one Tunisian street vendor led to the outburst of the Arab Revolution (or Arab Spring) which took the world by surprise and has led to major changes in 18 countries in Northern Africa and the Middle-East. All these happened simply because ONE man dared to demand a change. Mohamed Bouazizi belonged to one of the lowest spectrum of people in the Tunisian society, he never had an arsenal of Political influence or advocacy groups backing him yet he stepped out to demand a change from the Government which led to a regional revolution.
Great Changes starts with ONE MAN who believes in the possibility of change and is willing to go the extra mile to fight for this change.

Everyone is not needed to cause a great change; all that is needed is ONE ordinary man that is willing to go the extra mile to do extra ordinary things to demand the change we deserve. Martin Luther King Jnr was just another American Preacher, yet this ONE Preacher demanded the change we see today. Abraham Lincoln was just another President yet this ONE President proved the possibility of ending slavery. MKO Abiola was just another business Man in Nigeria, yet this ONE businessman laid the foundation of the democracy in Nigeria. Orville Wright was just another Technician, yet this ONE technician when the Extra mile to prove to the world that Giant Metals can float in the Air. Mahatma Gandhi was just another activist in India, yet this ONE Indian Activist changed the concept of Public Protest forever. Nelson Mandela was just another apartheid activist in South Africa, yet this ONE activist spent a life time behind bars to demand an end to apartheid in the country.
One of the women rights activist in Saudi Arabia who led the women2Drive Initiative some months back in the country was interviewed after her release from a four day Police Custody told reporters: “They have made me to sign an undertaking that I should stop this, so I have no choice now but I can assure you that the flood of change starts with a single drop”. A bucket fill of water cannot start a flood, what we need to start a mighty flood that will change everything is a heavy down pour of rain that starts with a single drop. You don’t need a war chest of Political influence or contacts, what you need is that ONE heart that is committed to change.

Below is the lyrics of one of the most inspiring Advert Apple Inc (makers of iphone and ipad) ever made.

Think Different
Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things.
They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones,we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.
THINK DIFFERENT

Making Nigeria a better place starts with making ourselves a better person, building a passion within us for Change. Here are the golden words of one of the greatest Indian that ever lived Mahatma Gandhi – “You must be the change you want to see in the world”.

Adedoyin Adedeji

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