When a community with a shared culture and history turns against one of their own, fueled by jealousy and greed, it’s a painful reality check; but remember, truth has invincible power though it may appear invisible and inactive from afar. When lies spread and reputations are tarnished, it’s natural to want to defend yourself. Yet, consider this: Is it a moment to speak, or a moment to trust? Yes, trust when you are convinced that God and Him alone is your defender and vindicator. Be assured, your righteousness will shine like the dawn, and justice will prevail. Standing still and letting your life speak can be the strongest statement and evidence of a true statesmanship.

Silence is not weakness; it is a restraint. You don’t have to accord every accusation your precious and economic time or seek to respond at all times as it has become the only hobby of many to seek to waste your invaluable and keep you busy over unprofitable things. People who know you will know the truth, and those who don’t will believe what they want. God sees it all and will bring clarity in His time. Choose dignity over defence. Trust that your name is safest in the hands of the One who is greater than the Heaven and the Earth and every other thin therein, including all machinations. Leaders take people through change. Change is difficult. People at every level resist change.

Special interest groups and others profiting from the status quo will resist change, using blackmail, intimidation, orchestrated attacks, and spreading falsehood, dangerous rumours to discredit credible leadership.

Deng Xiaoping, the father of modern China, suffered the same fate. He struggled mightily to convince the Chinese masses to abandon the unproductive, corrupt, and failed economic policies of his boss and leader, Chairman Mao, for years. Luckily for the Chinese, they were wise enough to buy into Deng’s vision, which resulted in one of the fastest economic turnarounds the world has ever witnessed! Deng Xiaoping’s progressive policies raised the economic output and living standards of the Chinese, so much so that 300 million formerly poor, impoverished, and illiterate Chinese went to school, became educated, and were technologically savvy enough to form a formidable, informed, powerful, and influential middle class, the backbone of the current Chinese economic miracle.

Our vision is to recreate the Chinese miracle in our little enclave and create wealth for our people. The ingredients for creating wealth are not hidden; they are known to us.

Today, other young men and women in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria are busy reshaping the world, spending endless hours on scientific discoveries, and finding solutions to problems confronting humanity via advanced science and technology. Other youths worldwide have streams of income-generating businesses. But in our case, people spend quality time creating and spreading falsehood rumours to bring down the change process that will eventually create wealth for our state.

History is replete with examples of cynical, jaundiced, and confused people fighting against their best interests. In psychology, it’s known as the “Stockholm Syndrome,” a condition where the victim displays unflinching adoration and loyalty to their captor and tormentor. For instance, the Jews chose Barabbas over Jesus Christ and Baal over Yahweh.

The Greeks sentenced Socrates and Pythagoras to death, while the Sophists and other assorted charlatans were honoured and cherished as the harbingers of truth and knowledge. That’s why the Hindus called our times the age of Kali, where ignorance, political expediencies, and machinations rule the day.

Yes, I can confirm that change is difficult, change will be resisted, and change is almost never initially popular. But a good leader must hone himself in the Lord, remain unruffled, and drive the change process to its logical conclusion via enlightenment campaigns.

The good news is that these situations of being misunderstood and discouraged shall pass away. Eventually, as history has shown, people will become more enlightened and key into the change process. As they become more enlightened, optimistic, and aware of their fundamental rights to opportunities, wealth, and resources that nature has abundantly blessed them with, they will participate more enthusiastically and passionately in the change process, learn a trade, master the trade, provide services, and live in absolute luxury instead of begging.

But the good news is that this era of discouragement will eventually pass away, and a lot of our youths will vigorously fight for their God-given rights to luxury living, thinking outside the box, right visions, and the know-how to bring them what they truly deserve – life, liberty, luxury living, and the opportunities to be the best they could be!

As we stand at this, I urge every Nigerian – Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Efik, Ibbio, and all our diverse ethnic groups – to unite in this moment. Let us reject the forces of sabotage, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities that seek to destabilise our great nation and draw the country back from the path of change and transformation which has long been the dream of all genuine patriots and which the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated irrevocable commitments.

Our heart is with President Tinubu as he steers our ship of state through challenging waters. We must rally around him; support his vision and work together to build a Nigeria that is prosperous, secure, and just for all.

To my fellow Nigerians, I say: Let us put our country first. Let us choose peace over violence, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. Together, we can overcome our challenges and build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. Tinubu must succeed, and Nigeria must succeed! Together we shall succeed, insha Allah

*Alabi Esq is the National Chairman, Ondo State Eminent Persons Group and Alternative Chairman, Eti Osa branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.