BEEN A WINNER

Being the Winner; Congratulations Nigeria. Yes! The Nigerian U-17 team has won the trophy. Jubilation, congratulations and smiles all round. Yes, victory is sweet. Yes, success is adored. Yes, being the best is celebrated Yes, I am proud of these guys The endless drills, the energy-sapping training sessions, the long list of dos and don'ts: all paid off. Almost nothing is too much to be sacrificed on the altar of success. The story could have been different. A loose end left untied here, a little display of indiscipline there, a premature laxity when the race isn't finished yet. Any of these could have been costly. No one wants to associate with a failure, even if he has a trailer-load of excuses. No one is proud to show off a nonentity. The first position is the best position. Second place is not as celebrated as the first position. Forget third place. 'Self first is not selfish', said Pastor Adeboye, 'Be the winner. Desire to be the best and God's cooperation is ensured. It is more expensive to fail than to succeed'. Congratulations Nigeria.