Community Forum

The 8 external borrowings: Malaria Control Booster Project (2007, $9.47m; N6.18bn outstanding), Third National Fadama Development Project (2009, $7.18m; N6.03bn), Health System Development Project II (2009, $4.12m; N2.82bn), Malaria Control Booster Add. Fin. (2009, $4.43m; N4.37bn), State Education Programme Investment Project (2013, $48.33m; N51.50bn), Community and Social Development Project (2009, $4.84m; N5.11bn), Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Mgt Project (2013, $37.89m; N48.08bn), Value Chain Development Project (2013, $7.5m; N3.28bn).

Government says it pays hundreds of millions of Naira monthly servicing these debts 'and we are not complaining', adding Obi left no functioning water schemes, dead public schools/hospitals (44% of communities - 78 of 179 - without public primary schools), decrepit infrastructure and huge urban slums. (Modified 10:45am.)

Suddenly I felt an overwhelming joy and energy at the same time. And in an instant my eyes were directed to a vision: I saw a lady walking and then I heard a voice telling me that this lady was going to hell.

The energy in my physical body burst and triggered me to start running towards the direction I saw the lady.

I ran with an unexplained urgency in an attempt to save this lady. I was not in control of my body - I was conscious of my environment but not in control of my body. It was like fire and electricity but it never hurt. I was held down for some time; I almost bit my friend holding me down - all that was on my mind was to save this lady I saw.

Later I was calmed. This is my story of how the anointing flowed through my body. I never remained the same.

And for many Nigerians, this is a familiar story. The problem isn’t always that people don’t want to own property.

Sometimes, they simply don’t know where to start. Some are afraid of buying land with questionable documents. Others believe they need millions before they can even begin. Some keep waiting for the “perfect time” to buy, while land prices continue to change.

There is also the issue of priorities. A new phone, car, rent, family responsibilities, business expenses and other needs can easily take priority over an investment that feels like something for the future.

But the truth is, property ownership usually starts with a decision before it becomes an achievement. You don’t necessarily have to build a house immediately.

Sometimes, the first step is simply securing a genuine piece of land in a location with potential and having a realistic payment plan. If you’ve been working for years without owning land, what has been holding you back?