” I learnt a lot about public engagement as a public servant” – Ohimai!! #31Days31Writers

Ohimai has been a friend and brother for years now, from the days of compering events for him (Ohi do you remember?), to strategizing as part of the Enough is Enough family, and more recently, meeting his betrothed, the lovely Tessy Oliseh.

We’ve disagreed, agreed, but at the heart of it all is a mutual respect and fondness for each other. And so, leading us up to Christmas, I present Ohimai Godwin Amaize!

2013 came as an exciting year. The year began on an excellent note and proceeded with a flurry of activities and events. From friends announcing wedding dates to birthday parties, political meetings and engagements, workplace activities and a host of other issues.

In 2013, I learnt a lot about public engagement as a public servant especially on social media platforms. In a cyberspace where anything government is easily demonized, many times, silence can indeed be golden. So I have learnt to be quiet on many issues I would normally be vocal about because often times, what we have reduced engagement to in the new media space is a “conversation of the deaf” where nobody is listening to anybody.

More significantly, in 2013, I have learnt to pray more, read my bible more and seek after the things of God more. More than ever before, it occurred to me in 2013 that most of us, especially the youth are trapped in a rat race to succeed at any cost. There seems to be a pervading notion among the youths of this generation that success, happiness, fulfillment and greatness are a function of our brilliance, hard work and ability to scheme ourselves to the top. In 2013, I saw young people pursue one achievement after the other forgetting that money and material accomplishments do not guarantee greatness. True greatness is a gift from God.

By the grace of God, 2013 is the last year of my bachelorhood. So as I prepare for my wedding in 2014, I am learning fast what it takes to be a real man. I am grateful to God to have met my fiancée Tessy Oliseh. She has made my life beautiful. I am also grateful to God for the lives I have been able to impact in 2013 through my work in public service and my private endeavours. I can’t thank God enough for keeping me alive from the beginning of the year till this moment.

Sadly, I lost two friends this year, Bankole Taiwo and Henry Amadi-Emina. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace. Amen. Their passing has further deepened my constant reflection upon the vanity of life and the temporal nature of the physical man. I have learnt to invest my time and resources more in things that have spiritual relevance above the material things of this world.

In the coming year, if Jesus tarries, what are the things about me I would like to change? I would like worry less about the ignorance of fellow men. I would like to worry less about the wickedness of fellow men. I would like to worry less about changing the world. I guess nobody can.

I love a quiet life. Disregard the once-in-a-while noise about me on Twitter. I don’t know how they manage to do it but somehow, some of my friends have found a way to make me trend whenever politics and government is the issue at stake.

In 2014, I would like to spend more time doing God’s work and quietly building systems and structures that would change my nation forever. So help me God.

Ohi!!!!!