**As PENGlobal Set to embark on Book Launch, Fundraising in November
By: Abai Francis
Today (Saturday, September 19, 2026) makes it the 50th time I’m witnessing another remarkable chapter in my life. Though it signalled the day my journey on the Earth began, however, I’ve always differed that, that was not the real beginning of my existence. First, my life truly began in my mother’s womb on the day of my conception, which should be sometime in the month of December 1975. And secondly, if I can take it further, I’ll always say that I’ve always existed, even outside the concept of time.
Like most folks, turning 50 calls for celebration! But I’m always a strange fellow. A rare breed. A living being with many colours. To put it in a clearer picture: there are days when, in the course of having a meal, I feel very sad; deep down inside of me I’m not comfortable because someplace somewhere somebody has no food to eat at that moment in time. It sickens me. I feel reluctant sharing this thought because society is filled with lots of selfish people who will never understand where I’m coming from.
In essence, for me, life is not about my achievements; it’s not about what’s in my bank account; it’s not about living for myself. It’s about living for others. Put simply, It’s one of service. And in that regard I’ve truly served and still serving passionately. But, what is this service?
Personally, I believe our lives is a loan given to us by the Creator and owner of our souls. Remember ‘The parable of the Talents’ in the Bible (Matthew 25:14-20)? So, whatever you’ve become (divinely or not), your life is not your own and that’s why you can’t keep it—for you must give it up someday in the hour of death. And at the end of our journey on this Earth, God will demand from us how well we made use of the loan He has given us. That’s my belief.
So, I’ve carried on with my life consciously by serving within my power many more than I’ve been served. Make no mistake, I’m not saying this with pride but with a high sense of humility. And if I must reveal one secret about this life of service that I live, it’s that over the years I’ve discovered that those who abused the service I render them ended up worse off. Also, and more interestingly, a life of service has been the foundation of my success.
I use the occasion of my birthday to dwell on this life of service because we are living in a time where the majority of humans have become lovers of themselves, and in a time where so many people think only or more of themselves, not others. This attitude has not helped society or community to move forward but has continued to hinder collective progress. Many use the influence of their position to steal from the public purse, execute projects with substandard materials or refuse to execute any at all, convert ownership of public properties to private self, etcetera, because their lives is not one of service but exploitation. Sadly, after amassing so much wealth dubiously to themselves, in the end, it’s still 6 feet deep!
Nigeria, my country, is an example of a state where the symptom of a lack of a life of service is very common. It doesn’t matter if they’re Christian, Muslim or Traditionalists. It seems selfishness is hardwired into the gene of the average Nigerian. I put it to you, the person who lives a life of service doesn’t bother about titles, recognition, or amassing properties no matter how wealthy they get. While you might infuse in their names various titles, they don’t see themselves as such but privileged beings whose success story is not only their own but belongs to all.
So, as I turn 50, a life of service begins. However, I must warn certain persons who choose to use the loan God gave them for docility in life. A life of service doesn’t mean that you fold your hands and expect someone to feed or support you for the rest of your life. It rather means that you should be inspired by the life of service demonstrated by others to also help others too. In other words, don’t remain a receiver, but try as much to be a giver. For blessed is the hand that gives than the one that takes away. You should embrace a life of service. If we all have this consciousness, the world would be a much more better place!
Yes. The Golden Era, for me, has begun this day. By this I mean that life can only get much better than it presently is. Buoyed by the philosophy of a life of service, I’m not just here to merely occupy space but to contribute my part to make life much better. Indeed, I’m inspired that within 50 years I’ve lived, I’ve witnessed tremendous innovations in education, health, technologies, telecommunications, among many others. People are making positive change to make life more better. What is my role in these? I therefore challenge you to embrace a life of service at this moment in time where the love of many has run cold.
Start a life of service today by throwing your weight behind PENGlobal ahead of its Fundraising and Book Launch in November 2026 to setup its studio as we take a bold step forward to expand into online digital broadcast and entertainment. God bless you all!
