SATURDAY BREAKFAST with TONY OKOROJI
Several times in recent years, when I have been asked how I am able to do the many things I do, I have replied that I drive on a full tank of faith. “I drive on a full tank of faith” has become my mantra. Many people have told me that they find the line intriguing and want some explanation. The truth is that I do not believe that the Almighty will send me on an errand without ensuring that I have the means to get there.
I was born a Catholic and remain a Catholic but my older sisters and Madam complain ceaselessly that I do not go to church as regularly as I should. I just do not believe that God is only in the Catholic Church. I believe that He is in every Church and in fact in the Mosque, in the market, in our offices, on the streets and in our homes. Now and again, I still worship in the Catholic Church but when I can, I attend an Anglican Church or any of the several Pentecostal churches. I have been to the Mosque several times to join in prayers and it felt good.
I honestly do not accept that there is one God for the Catholics, another for the Anglicans, a different one for the Pentecostals and a patently different God for my brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith. I do not accept that you will go to hell because you are not Catholic. I believe that the divisions that exist among us are man-made, more social, sometimes political and certainly not spiritual. Each time I look at the many problems, quarrels and wars across the world, I see the consequences of the divisions that man has created among the children of God. These divisions result in hate and ultimately, in bloodshed and strife.
I have also publicly said that I am not driven by personal wealth. I do not dream of owning all the houses in Lagos. In fact, I own none and it does not bother me. I choose to invest in human beings and in initiatives that help people when they are in need, bring people together, give them true joy and the opportunity to feel that indeed, we are children of the same God.
Soon, I will regularly be spending five unbroken days and nights a week, in the office working on the events of the forthcoming COSON Week 2025 with seven back-to-back spectacular events, at seven key venues in Lagos, over a period of seven days, running from May 25 to May 31. Our prime objective is to lift the mood a nation facing severe challenges.
To successfully organize one of those events is truly energy sapping. To organize the seven events in seven days is a monumental challenge. It is my duty to make sure that each event is remarkable and rewarding for all who attend and that we positively lift the mood of our nation.
In the following four months, whether it is 1 am, 2 am, 3 am or 4 am, the lights at COSON House will be on and the computers practically on fire. I have been through it before and I know what it takes to achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves. It takes an unbelievable amount of personal sacrifice, of planning and execution. It takes a lot. This is one big omelet you cannot make without breaking a lot of eggs.
During the week, a very close family member, who in the past, had seen me up close take up such tasks, was on the phone with me for about an hour. She was deeply concerned. She asked whether I still had the physical and mental energy to wrestle with the many obstacles we will find along the way. She asked how under the present economic environment in Nigeria, the significant resources to galvanize such undertaking will be obtained. She asked about the usual bad belle people who will spring out of the woodworks once they smell that something good is about to happen. I very much understand and appreciate the concern.
What was my answer? “I drive on a full tank of faith!”
Three days ago, I was presented with two awards, in one day, at COSON House, in Lagos. Each of the award presenters spoke for a significant period about what they said were my many achievements which made me deserving of the awards. The truth is that all the accolades should have gone to the Almighty who truly takes the credit. I have simply been a tool in His hands. The other factor is: the good people I have been blessed with who have worked with me over the years. In most cases, I have been more or less the lead singer in a band. Everybody praises and sprays the lead singer but without the drummer and the bass guitarist, there might indeed be no rhythm and no music.
I must thank the young people who have been engaged with me in our labour of love. We are already mobilizing in full to ensure that we tie up all the loose ends with respect to every event of COSON Week 2025.
I have stopped trying to explain to people that I do not subject myself to the sleep deprivation and personal torture I go through because I want to make money. I appear in many law courts across the country defending the rights of creative people and making enemies along the way not because I am cantankerous. I have written elsewhere that if you lead a collective management organization, a trade union, a professional association or an advocacy group of any type and you are driven by personal profit or acquisitiveness, you will be a monumental failure. Your driving force at all times must be the welfare of the people you lead.
I believe strongly that the job of nation building should not be left just to the politicians and elected officials. We must all contribute in our different ways.
I have been in many situations in my life when it appeared that there was no way forward. Not once has the Almighty let me down. He always-always makes a way. People complain that I do not appear to worry about anything; my health, my safety; my finances or tomorrow. As long as what I am doing is to the glory of the Almighty, I do not worry. I drive on a full tank of faith! I verily do not believe that the Almighty will send me on an errand without ensuring that I have the transport money to get there.
Please starch your clothes and shine your shoes. Get ready for the show of all shows: the COSON Week 2025, coming May 25 to 31.
See you next week.
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