The Joy of Making a Difference: Chronicles of a Random Woman’s Dream
“It must have been Canadian-loud you took and I must have taken some of it to have agreed to join you on this journey”.
This famous joke was only shared between 2 people. It captured our thoughts on what we had decided to do — not we though, what Khadijah had decided to do, and what I had agreed to support her through.
You see, I did not start out wanting to be part of a political campaign and I certainly did not start out looking to work on the campaign of the youngest-ever female presidential aspirant in Nigeria to date — It just happened and I am grateful that it did.
August 24, 2021, was just an ordinary day, I was working at my desk in my previous job — 2 computer screens, and 2 large printers across the room whose love language was physical touch — they’d require that I touched them before they ever printed anything and I was minding the business that paid me like I always did. I received a call and on the other end, I heard the voice of someone who sounded excited at what she was about to tell me so I paused and paid attention.
She introduced herself and later went on to interview me (yes, all under 3 minutes) the conversation that followed would change the course of my life for the next several months. When we met, even before I took my seat in the office, she said “I have decided, I want to run for office”. At first, I was hesitant — I wasn’t sure if I heard her correctly so I responded “sorry” as every Nigerian would. After I was sure I understood what she meant, I didn’t know if I had the time or energy to commit but something in me had been stirred, and I decided to take the leap.
When we think of nation-building, we often think of big, monumental efforts by governments or organizations, or typical politicians. But the truth is, nation-building can also be accomplished by seemingly ordinary individuals like you and me. It’s the small, everyday actions that we take as members of our communities that add up to create a bigger impact. Whether it’s volunteering for a political campaign, cleaning up a local park, or simply being kind to our neighbors, these seemingly small efforts are what creates a strong foundation for a healthy and prosperous society. We may not always realize it, but by being engaged and active citizens in our own ways, we are all contributing to the process of nation-building.
When a seemingly random woman announced her candidacy for the presidency, many people dismissed her as an unlikely contender. Her lack of political experience and unconventional background made her an easy target for criticism. But as her campaign gained momentum, something remarkable began to happen. People who had never before been engaged in politics started to take notice, and they were drawn to her message of hope and change.
Suddenly, this “random” woman was no longer just aspirant — she was a symbol of a new kind of politics, one that welcomed all voices and perspectives. Though she ultimately did not emerge as the flag bearer for her chosen party, her impact was undeniable. She had inspired a movement of people who believed in the power of ordinary citizens to effect change. I can attest to this firsthand because I was there — in the midst of the uprising, with the over 3,000 volunteers who signed up in less than 2 months, I witnessed what a dream could do and how it had the power to stir seemingly “random” citizens scattered across the country — from Lagos to Kano and from Benin to Enugu to challenge the status quo and make a demand for the kind of leadership they deserved and at the same time be willing to play a part in its emergence. This was new to me, It was fuel to whatever was driving me on the inside. It rekindled “hope” in me in all dimensions. At long last, we had woken up!
What started as a seemingly small candidacy has since evolved into a much larger movement. This “random” woman’s message of hope and change resonated with people from all walks of life, and in doing so, inspired a whole generation of individuals to get involved in the political process.
It’s clear that this movement is more than just a passing trend and is certainly bigger than one person — it’s a reflection of a broader desire for change and progress catalyzed by a dream from a “random” woman and a team of people who were crazy enough to put in the work.
“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
As we go to the polls in a little over 72 hours from now, I am comforted by the fact that despite the results we have moved past a point of no return. “The quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, ‘The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions’, has never been more relevant than it is today. In the past, the process of nation-building was largely left to established political leaders and institutions. However, in recent years, we have seen a growing trend of ordinary individuals (there will be more) stepping up and taking charge of the process.
This is a reflection of a changing mindset, one in which we realize that we have the power to effect change in our communities and our country. As we have been exposed to this idea, there is no going back. We are no longer content to sit on the sidelines and let others make decisions for us. Instead, we are actively seeking out ways to get involved, make our voices heard, and shape the future of our nation. This is a powerful and inspiring shift, and it is one that has the potential to transform our society for the better. A new Nigeria is POssible and I am sure we will get there.
This journey has changed and inspired me and I am most grateful for the friendships I have made along the way, and the opportunity to have been part of the birthing of a new nation. I look forward to a Nigeria that works for us all.
P:S — There is still much work to be done. For now, we press toward the finish line of this particular race, with a firm resolve to finish what we started.
