Happy Independence Day to my fellow Nigerians.

Here is my independence day message to you all.

Talk is cheap.

Taking action carries more weight and matters more.

Earlier this year, I volunteered in several community activities, putting in my own time, money and resources without getting paid.

I did it because I kept hearing people say they wanted transparency. They wanted to be heard. They wanted opportunities to participate. They wanted things to be done differently.

So I decided to contribute.

I participated, volunteered my resources and tried to help create the opportunities people said they wanted.

But something became clear to me along the way.

Even after providing many of the things people said they needed, the majority still didn’t participate.

That experience changed the way I look at complaints and demands for change.

People Say They Want Change

It is easy to say you want something.

People can say they want transparency.

They can say they want better leadership.

They can say they want more opportunities.

They can say they want to be heard.

But saying you want something and actually participating in making it happen are two very different things.

Words tell you what people say they want. Actions often tell you what they are willing to do about it.

And that distinction matters.

Leave the Sidelines

There is a tendency to criticise people who are actively doing something while remaining on the sidelines.

You see it in business.

You see it in government.

You see it in communities.

You see it in almost every area of society.

Someone is doing the work, making decisions and taking risks, while others stand outside and explain everything that is wrong.

Criticism can be useful.

But at some point, you have to ask:

What are you doing about it?

If you believe a market is unfair, get on the playing field.

If you believe there is an opportunity, build something.

If you believe government isn’t doing enough, get involved.

If you want your community to change, participate.

Don’t just remain on the sidelines talking about the people who are on the field.

Don’t Just Blame the Businessman

For example, I don’t think we should automatically join every conversation where people are simply blaming a particular businessman for being a “monopoly.”

If you believe the market is too concentrated, what can you do about it?

Can you build a competing business?

Can you create an alternative?

Can you improve the product?

Can you introduce a better distribution model?

Can you solve a problem that existing players aren’t solving?

The same principle applies beyond business.

Instead of only asking who is responsible for the problem, we should sometimes ask:

What can I contribute towards the solution?

The Same Applies to Government

The same thinking applies to government.

People have every right to criticise government policies and demand better performance.

But if your only contribution is complaining from the sidelines, your ability to influence the outcome may remain limited.

There are many ways to participate in society.

You can volunteer.

You can organise.

You can build a business.

You can create jobs.

You can educate people.

You can participate in your community.

You can support initiatives you believe in.

You can enter public service.

You can contribute your skills and resources.

You don’t necessarily have to wait for someone else to fix everything.

Nobody Can Satisfy Everyone

There is another lesson I have learnt from participating in community activities:

Nobody can satisfy everyone.

Not a businessman.

Not a government.

Not a community leader.

Not an organisation.

Not even someone genuinely trying to do the right thing.

Different people have different expectations, interests and priorities.

Even if you try your best to accommodate everyone, there will still be people who disagree with your decisions.

People will still talk.

People will still complain.

Some will believe you could have done more.

That is simply part of doing anything that affects other people.

The existence of criticism does not necessarily mean the person doing the work is doing everything wrong.

Sometimes, it simply means people have different expectations.

Criticism Is Not the Problem

This is not an argument against criticism.

Criticism is important.

A society where nobody can question businesses, leaders, governments or institutions is not healthy.

But there is a difference between constructive criticism and endless complaining.

Constructive criticism can identify a problem and potentially contribute to a solution.

Endless complaining can become an excuse for remaining inactive.

If you believe something is wrong, say so.

But if you can also contribute to making it better, consider doing that.

Actions Speak Louder

My experience earlier this year reminded me that participation matters.

People may tell you exactly what they want.

But when the opportunity arrives, many may still choose not to participate.

That doesn’t mean you should stop trying.

It simply means you should pay attention to who is actually willing to do the work.

Find those people.

Work with them.

Build with them.

Learn from the results.

Improve.

Keep moving.

Because eventually, somebody has to leave the sidelines and get on the playing field.

And if you genuinely want something to change, perhaps that person should be you.

Talk is cheap.

Action carries more weight.

Either do the work, or keep quiet.