By Maria Famakinwa
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A new year resolution has become a tradition in most part of the world. It is when a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their behaviour at the beginning of a calendar year.
It is generally believe that changing the way things are done can bring opportunities for great success. However, findings revealed that many who made resolutions in the past reneged before the first quarter of the same year due to many reasons. As we kick start the new year, The Hope spoke with some Nigerians on what they would do differently this year to make them achieve their set goals and objectives.
An undergraduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Miss Omolara Popoola said that she wanted to be more serious with her studies this year in order to improve her grades.
Her words: “I have not really made good grades, so I want to study very hard this year at least to make my parents happy. I will read when I go back to school no matter the situation on the campus. Study situation on the campus is very tough but I am determined to really read this time around. Due to my low grades, my parents are not happy with me. I did not really enjoy the festive season because I read throughout the Christmas celebration. I hate to be a bad example to my younger ones because I am the first child of the family. I have promised my parents to do better this year and I am determined to make it work,” she said.
In the submission of a public servant, Mr Olawale Clement: “To serve God better this year, work according to my plan and not what comes my way. I want to focus more on God this year and do things that will make me happy. I want to live enough for the moment and stop procrastinating. I have also made up my mind to make myself and my family happy no matter the situation of the country.
“People need to be guided not to let the situation of the country affect them, because almost everything in the country is making citizens to be sad. It takes only those who are determined to be happy. No matter what, I will do something different this year. I will also do away with friends who never see anything good about me but always discouraging me. They don’t add any value to one but to put one down. In fact, my first step this year is to tell those friends off which I have started already, because to do anything different, such discouraging friends must be bade goodbye.”
To a business man, Mr Oluseyi Babalola, his wellbeing is paramount. He want to pay more attention to his health and stop taking alcohol which he revealed has been difficult for him to do.
He said: “If there is anything I want to do different this year is to pay more attention to my health. Throughout last year, I was in and out of hospital due to my failure to yield to doctor’s advice. If need be, I will relocate to another state to avoid friends who lures me to beer parlour. My blood pressure has not been normal. I was just discharged on December 29 last year after being admitted for a week. I love my wife and children and I am not ready to leave them now.
“I need to take drastic steps to save my situation. Battling different ailments when I am not up to 60 years is disturbing. My mother is 82 years old and she is still very strong and agile. I want to reduce my meat consumption and take more of fruits and vegetables. I was also advised to exercise more which I must obey. Caring for my health is what I want to do different this year.”
Also a commercial drivers, Mr Ike Onah, disclosed that being faithful to his wife is what he would do different this year. The man who said that he did not have any saving last year because of his numerous concubines added that he has been warned by his pastor to be faithful to his wife this year to avoid God’s wrath.
His words: “To be faithful to my wife is what I will do different this year. This I will struggle to achieve to avoid God’s wrath according to my pastor’s warning to me. One thing about my pastor is that once he said a thing, it will come to pass. Not only this, my finance has being affected. I hardly provide for my home yet, I am working. Keeping numerous girls was my greatest undoing last year. I was affected that I could not care for my children during the festive season. I have learnt my lesson and promised to turn a new leaf. If not for anything, at least to avoid God’s wrath.”
In the words of a trader at Oja-Oba market, Mrs Bolajoko Ojo, she want to avoid obtaining micro finance loan this year to have peace of mind. She said, “throughout last year, I can not boast of any saving because of the loan I obtained from micro finance banks that I am still paying now. Once I finish the payment May this year, I will never go back for another loan again. I don’t mind selling sachet water if need be instead of paying loans through my nose.
“ Honestly, it was like I worked for micro finance banks last year because I cannot account for any profits. Majority of traders here who borrowed from the same place have similar experiences. What is the essence of struggling without gains? If you fail to pay when you should, that is additional interest which you must look for ways to pay if you don’t want trouble. I am tired of living a life of debt and I have vowed never to return to them again once I am done with the one I am still servicing,” she said.
A civil servant, Mrs Toyin Akinyemi, she said that her New Year resolution is to listen more and talk less.
Her words: “This year, I want to talk less and avoid arguing with anybody. I discovered last year that I had issues with some people because of arguments. This will be corrected this year at least to be at peace with everybody because there is nothing in this world. I hate the impression people are having of me due to my character and I will do everything to be more quiet this year,” she said.
