In Africa my country to be precise we are advocates of respect, in Nigeria we so much believe in living a respectful life, and as children, while growing up we are being taught to be respectful no matter where we find ourselves. Nigeria is a country with different tribes and cultures but I can say my culture (Yoruba) is the leading culture when it comes to respecting. Looking at our society today I realized that people don't give much respect as it is expected of them and that's because humility is lost among children of nowadays especially the so-called celebrities.
Humility is one of the important factors in living a fulfilled life, humility is doing what is right at the right time. In our societies today our young lads no longer give ears to what humility is all about, bad influence and lack of proper home training have taken over the world. Having self-esteem is not a sin every human on earth needs to possess self-esteem to be respected but in doing this humility must not be lost. Humility brings about self-control as an individual you will be cautioned to live just and follow the right path in life.
Talking of celebrities, it's so heartbreaking that in our world today most of these celebrities have forgotten their source, they have forgotten how they rise to stardom. Many of these celebrities suffer a great deal before becoming who they are today but immediately they arise to stardom they forget that humility is all they need to keep them at the top. Nature can never be cheated, humility is not something you develop suddenly it is a quality you build gradually and it becomes part of you.
Nigeria is a country blessed with different talented individuals and lots of these talented ones are at the top and making waves but I will love to introduce two to three of them to us. These individuals maintained their humility even after rising to stardom they kept on the good work and it has pave way for them to rule and dine with men and women that matter in society.
Above is the first celebrity in my country who has gone far due to how humble he is, he is named Odunlade Adekola, I'm a fan of his, and ever since he had come into the limelight in 2003 he has remained the apple of many Nigerian eyes because of his talent, physique, and humble nature. He is an actor, a songwriter, a producer, and a director of movies who has helped many young talents to develop also by creating a school to groom them and nurture their God-given talents. Every testimony received about this man has been ear-tingling, he respected everyone he met on his journey to the top and still maintains it today even after getting famous. He is loved by both young and old because he always shows the signs of a good upbringing and never forgets his source. In one of his interviews, he made mention how he had been living before he rose to stardom and says"anytime I see young men and ladies struggling it reminds me of how I was before so this gives me the urge to help them" and he has been doing just that, he has been a great help to many out there.
Another celebrity I will love to introduce to us goes by the name Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi.
This woman is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker, she is an epitome of beauty, and as beautiful as she is so is the level of her humility and even more. She came to the limelight in the year 2003 and since then she had remained her humble self till today, the level of her respect for humanity is mouth-opening. She can kneel and greet a five(5) years old boy or girl that is how simple she is, being a celebrity didn't intoxicate her she is still at her best giving respect to whom it due, and this had helped her to win the heart of many Nigerians. She is rich, and she had gotten all she could ever pray for but yet she still believes in humility, and because of this she is making waves in our society today. Being humble has taken her this far and it's still taking her because generations to come will know about her and all the good she has done.
Here is another man whose humility has paved way for him in life.
He goes by the name Olamide Adedeji but is popularly known as Olamide Badoo, he is a Nigerian artiste and a songwriter. He was known for his first popular album "Eniduro" which was released in the year 2010, he is a well-respected celebrity because of his humility. This young man came from the street where you have to struggle hard before you feed but as fate will have it he rose to stardom and this was the beginning of greater heights for him. Ever since he had made a name for himself he had been an amazing somebody, he respected both young and old and this had helped him win the heart of many Nigerians. He is super talented because he is an indigenous rapper, in one of his interviews he said"the street made me who I am today, the support and love that I received from my fellow youths gave me the strength not to give up so in appreciation I have to help those coming after me" and truth be told he has helped many young talents who wants to go into the music industry, he created a record label which had helped him to develop all these young talents. He has introduced lots of them to the world now and they are doing great, yet he hasn't stopped being humble and giving respect to whom it is due. This is the main reason he has remained at the top ever since he started.
Learning from the lives of these celebrities, many of their colleagues will be wondering and questioning them if it is necessary to be humble at least they all have what they could ever wish for. But to travel to the top and remain at the top takes some sacrifices and part of that sacrifice is humility. I will urge us all this morning no matter where we find ourselves in life let's learn to be humble because humility pays.