March 5, 2025, at exactly 11:03 p.m., a message arrived:
“Good evening, sir; I saw your article on Kogi’s report about No Condition Beyond Christ. It’s life-changing and so captivating. May the Lord Almighty supply you with grace.”
Words like these carry weight. They remind us that even in the darkest times, the human soul still searches for light. And if there’s one truth that must never be forgotten, it is this—no condition is beyond Christ.
Nigeria is a nation wounded, bruised by years of broken promises, battered by corruption, and suffocated by hardship. Kogi, like many other states, wears the scars of bad governance. Unemployment loom and few that are working their salaries are owed, roads are abandoned, hospitals are empty shells, and schools struggle to keep their doors open. The people are tired, their voices hoarse from crying for help. But amid this suffering, there is still hope. The same God who raised dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision can breathe life into this land.
The Holy Bible says in Matthew 19:26, “With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” When we look at the state of Nigeria today, it is easy to feel powerless and defeated. But God’s power is not limited by the failures of men. He does not need a perfect government to bring about change. He needs willing hearts—leaders who will rule with justice, citizens who will stand for what is right, a people ready to return to righteousness.
Yet, righteousness seems to be in short supply. Take Kogi’s recent political drama. Candidates desperate for power spent millions bribing delegates, believing money could buy their destiny. But on election day, these same delegates took their money and voted for others instead. The betrayed politicians wept, not because they lost honourably, but because their gamble failed. The irony is bitter—those who tried to manipulate the system became victims of the very corruption they promoted.
But this is bigger than politics. It is a moral collapse. We lament bad leadership, yet we sell our votes for a plate of food. We criticize corruption, yet we engage in it when it benefits us. A nation does not fall overnight; it crumbles when its people trade integrity for survival. The Igala say, “A goat that follows a thief into the market should not cry when it is sold and slaughtered.” If we keep following corrupt leaders because of tribalism, religious bias, or quick gain, we should not complain when they betray us.
The Holy Bible warns in Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” A nation built on lies, bribery, corruption and injustice will never stand. The problems of Nigeria are not just economic or political; they are spiritual. We have forsaken truth. We have replaced hard work with shortcuts, sacrifice with selfishness, and justice with favouritism. The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. Until we change from within, no leader—no matter how promising—can save us.
Look at the Niger Delta. Rich in oil, yet poverty-stricken. Billions have been spent on clean-up projects like Hyprep, but the land remains polluted, the people still drink poisoned water. The money meant to heal the land disappears into private pockets, and those who should be held accountable walk free. In this land, justice moves slowly for the rich and swiftly for the poor. A petty thief is beaten to death for stealing bread, but a politician who steals billions is celebrated in high society. It is a system where truth is twisted, and morality is up for sale.
Yet, no condition is beyond Christ. God has restored nations before, and He can do it again. Look at Rwanda—a country that once drowned in genocide, now one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. South Korea, once struggling, now a global powerhouse. These nations turned the tide because their people made tough decisions. Change is never comfortable, but it is necessary. If Nigeria must rise, we must first decide—do we want to keep sinking, or do we want redemption?
The Bible offers the answer in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Our healing is possible, but it will take more than wishful thinking. It will take discipline, sacrifice, and a return to the values we have abandoned.
We must stop waiting for a messiah in Aso Rock. The change we seek is in our hands. It is in the decisions we make daily—how we vote, how we work, how we raise our children. Churches must preach truth, not just prosperity. Parents must teach honesty, not shortcuts. Workers must embrace integrity, not just paychecks. The little things matter.
As the Igala say, ‘The tree that mocks its roots will wither under the sun.’ Nigeria has mocked its roots. We have turned away from God’s ways, chasing greed and selfishness. But it is not too late to return. No matter how dark the night, the sun will rise again. With God, Nigeria will stand tall once more.
– Inah Boniface Ocholi writes from Ayah, Igalamela/Odolu
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