BISHOP OYEDEPO STUNNING SPEECH AT LANDMARK 8TH CONVOCATION

 

Let me begin by saying that size of any problem is not really the problem. It is getting started at seeking solutions that have been the problem. I have always believed in finding indigenous solutions to indigenous problems. You will agree with me that in the animal kingdom, all animals find local solutions to all their local problems. They don’t travel, they don’t get visa, yet they knew how to be protected from wild beasts.

 

They knew what to eat, to stay healthy. They are animals, no one is feeding them but they are there for generation to generation. They do not import goods and services, yet they succeeded in providing solution to all their problems.

 

It is also common knowledge that plants have all they need to stay alive wherever they are found. Trees do not move about, yet from the same position, they are able to access all they need.  But man is the most intelligent creature of all of God’s creation, yet because he will not take responsibility, he has not succeeded to find solution to his own problems.

 

Someone once said, “you are not a failure until you start looking for who to blame for it.” Waiting for someone else to solve your problems, you will be waiting forever. Each one has enough burden to bear. We have what it takes to solve our problems in Africa, I believe, but we lack the will and the commitment to take on these problems and deal with them. We are all busy wishing for change that we desire without taking any step whatsoever.

But no one goes forward sitting down. No one goes forward taking steps. Taking steps is the only way forward. No one runs with another man’s leg to win a prize.

Lack of inertia is our greatest challenge in Africa. Many will do nothing because they think they can only do a little, but the little you can do can end up making a huge difference.

A one-time American President, Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can with what you have where you are.” How that applies to us in this part of the world.

I have always believed that we all have what it takes to deal with the issues of our lives if we only would think enough. Every great problem is solved by starting from known to unknown. What we are doing here may look like, “what about?”

 

Revolution begins from one spot and it starts to spread and to spread. Only changed people can bring about changes. No short cut. We must come to recognize that everything global started local. Just like everything great has a small beginning. Every heavyweight wrestling champion today began his life as a baby years back. But most young people hate to come to terms with this reality. They want it all and they want it now.

 

Those who detest the days of small things hardly see great days. From the beginning of times, God always deliver His divine agenda little by little, lest you will be overwhelmed by it and crumble under it.