WITNESS 2026/2036 BROADCAST
OUR WITNESSES ARE RISING
The Next Frontier: From Diaspora Success To National Rebirth_
MY FELLOW COMPATRIOTS, in the recently concluded midterm elections in the United States, something happened that we must not miss. Our own rose. Nigerians — born here, raised here, carried in the hearts of their parents to foreign lands — stood, contested, and won.
They are our WITNESSES. And we must showcase them, not to boast, but to encourage ourselves.
THE WITNESS IN NEW JERSEY. Look at Shirley Uche Emehelu. Born in Nigeria. Taken to America at three years old. Raised by two physician parents who taught her that service is honour. Today, she is sworn in as the 5th Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, and concurrently serves as the 36th Secretary of State.
First immigrant to hold that office. First time in New Jersey history that women hold both Governor and Lieutenant Governor together. This did not happen by settlement. It did not happen by connection. It happened by merit.
WHAT SHE PROVES. She proves that our values travel. That a Nigerian child can carry Nigeria in her heart and still rise to the highest places without losing her soul. That honesty is not foolishness. That excellence is not arrogance. That hard work still pays — when the system allows merit to speak.
And she is not alone. Across America, our brothers and sisters are rising in classrooms, in courtrooms, in councils, in state houses. They are proving what Nigeria can become.
The WITNESS Assignment — The 5Cs. This is what we must now reproduce at home:
CONSCIENCE — to know right from wrong, even when wrong is profitable.
COMPETENCE — to earn by merit, not by expo, not by connection, not by settlement.
CHARACTER — to refuse the little advantage that corrupts the big future.
COURAGE — to stand alone for truth when the crowd is clapping for evil.
COMPASSION — to protect the honest man who is suffering for doing right.
If Shirley could live it in America, we can live it in Nigeria.
Our Encouragement. So let this broadcast be our encouragement. If a 3-year-old immigrant girl can become Lieutenant Governor, then a Nigerian child in Lagos, in Enugu, in Kano, in Ibadan can also rise — if we give them truth instead of expo, merit instead of connection, character instead of cutting corners.
Let us celebrate our WITNESSES. Let us showcase them. Let us tell our children: _Look, it is possible. Look, honesty still wins._
In Conclusion, My Fellow Compatriots: Every true rebirth in history was resisted by those who benefited from the rot, yet it still came — because ordinary men and women refused to bow. Our weapon is not violence. Our weapon is CONSCIENCE, COMPETENCE, CHARACTER, COURAGE and COMPASSION, lived daily, in small places, until the whole nation is changed. This is therefore a clarion call — a call to social reform, and ultimately, a call to the much-expected NATIONAL REBIRTH.
Richard Olanrewaju ODUSANYA
_Convener and Author — WITNESS 2026/2036_
_Author of NIGERIA NEEDS A NEW NATIONAL MODEL_
_CONSCIENCE • COMPETENCE • CHARACTER • COURAGE • COMPASSION_
