Opinion: Words work Wonders

by Jesusparrot Godwin

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‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter’ says Martin Luther King. Never, should we allow this ‘Vultures’, ‘pour san san for our garri’.

Each time I hear people use this phrase ‘Talk is cheap’, I beam with smiles. It could be cheap to some; while others, talk is the most powerful art and it is indispensable in every sphere of life. Words can create and also destroy. Words are so potent that they can ignite fire in a community, organisations and nations. It can tear and pull down. Hence, the Book of Books admonishes us to be careful how we use our words.

Check out our social life, the religious setting, cultural setting and political scenes, words are influential in the day to day living. You remember the president’s speech on Boko Haram that caused pandemonium in the political scene; Basket Mouth’s rape joke; Baba Iyabo’s open letters; Asari Dokubo’s vibrating stand on the Goodluck 2015 campaign; and APC’s attack on the presidency. On and on, you could tell how words have sharpened us as a people. The power of talk has stirred armies to battle in war; it has inspired peace and silenced the roaring guns. Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, and Martin Luther King are products of spoken words and the power of talk. It elevated them to the height of self-sacrifice and heroism. Indeed, WORDS WORK WONDERS!

Prior to 1999, Nigerians have been shut out and our lips sealed with the fear of the guns. Preachers pray in their silence except for the bold ones; activist roars from foreign lands; poets write with their pens with fear without their profiles attached to it; market men and women never dare attend a community meeting for fear of the khaki boys. Nigerians kept faith still in the midst of chaos. And low and behold, there comes democracy ‘the government of the people, by the people, and for the people’ says Abraham Lincoln; but since Nineteen Ninety Nine, our people have experienced ‘DEMOCRAZY, which is the government OFF THE PEOPLE, BUY THE PEOPLE AND FAR FROM THE PEOPLE’.

As a comedian, emcee, actor and publicist when I am given a chance to speak, even at a small gathering, I have at my disposal a great opportunity, a great power and a great responsibility. The moment I hold the microphone, all my fears are gone; I have REAL POWER and I have always used it well, if not I would let down my audience and myself. I have spent time learning the skill and I keep learning everyday as I mount different platforms; also, experience has helped me awesomely.

The New Year brought about prophecies upon prophecies about the nation, how the wave would move in 2014; the pains, gains and Cain killing Abel stories. To me, it would be an amazing year but Nigerians must speak! Democracy is all about majority decision, and the compelling force to talk out in this wanton environs, spare heard by the devil’s incarnate.

As the 2015 election approaches, I want to charge Nigerians, that it is our season of rising, to grow up and, to be respected is to take up responsibility which is ‘Talk!’, even if they (selfish leaders, marauders) won’t allow us. If you’re too shy to stand in public or platforms, get on your twitter handle, your Facebook wall, comment on the media platforms via call-in radio shows or political TV shows. Just keep the talks going. ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter’ says Martin Luther King. Never, should we allow this ‘Vultures’, ‘pour san san for our garri’. Nigeria is a nation that would rise beyond the stars. This, I strongly believe. Join the talk movement!

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 Okhawere, Godwin popularly known as “Jesusparrot” is a Comedian, Master of Ceremonies (MC), Publicist and Actor. A graduate of Mass Communication, University of Benin, Nigeria. He is an alumnus of the World Class Compere Academy, Africa (WCCA) affiliated to Richmond Johnson Academy, London. He is a co-initiator of the Edo State Children Art Festival. Also, He is an advocate for kids.

 Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

 

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