Pastor Paul Adefarasin was recently trending for saying we should have a plan B with regards to our present realities in Nigeria. Many felt it was unbecoming of a Man of God to make such a statement from the pulpit. Others applauded him for being forthright and saying the obvious that many fearful leaders and clergymen were not bold enough to say. Politicians and political wannabes have also added their voices to his remark. Bola Ahmed Tinubu added his twist by saying ” “We are better together. I have nowhere I am going.” Others have said “we die here” meaning, they are going nowhere. Many Nigerians who cannot afford to feed themselves or family adequately have chosen not to even think about plan B because they cannot even afford their present reality which is their plan A.

With all these hullabaloos about plan B, it is obvious that many people do not fully understand what plan B is all about. The Bible which is the authority from which Pastor Paul Adefarasin draws his messages is filled with instances where plan Bs were activated after the failure of plan A. As soon as Saul failed, David – a plan B, was activated. A similar example can be found with the failure of Eli’s children and their replacement Samuel and even the fall of Adam with the second Adam. The Bible is filled with instances of plan Bs working better than plan A. For businessmen and women plan B is commonplace and can be found in the Bible. The Bible enjoins us to Cast your bread upon the waters, which means we should diversify our plans and investments. This also implies we should have multiple plans or strategies.

In a Nigeria where robbers operate within the vicinity of the Presidency, and terrorists attack the heavily guarded convoy of governors, it is madness for citizens not to have Plan B. In a Nigeria where vigilante groups guard Police Station against the attack of unknown gunmen, it is the height of irresponsibility not to have a plan B. In a Nigeria where serial rapists and killers lure innocent women to their death, it is criminal to be without a plan B. In a Nigeria where the first lady’s plan B of living in Dubai is now her plan A, you will be foolish not to have a plan B. But what is a plan B? Plan B is what you can do to safeguard yourself and your family if the unexpected happens. And Nigeria is presently filled with unpleasant unexpected happenings.

Ata Ukuta

Editor – www.towncryyers.com