The World in 2009

The Main Report

Have you read dire projections about global politics and economics in 2009? It so happens that by virtue of my work, I write and present a few myself! Recession in the US, Europe and Japan with the possibility that it may be a sustained recession, the continued global financial crisis that has humbled venerable global banks and made even Citibank run to the US government for rescue, the upsurge in global terrorism with the Mumbai (and Jos) killings reminding us that no one or no place is immune, declining oil prices (and the implications of lower revenue for Nigeria’s federal and state governments), the likelihood of higher interest and exchange rates in Nigeria…everything suggests that 2009 may be a tough year for businesses.

Well…or the other Report?

Well it depends on which report you want. It so happens that I have another report that I’ve also written, but I don’t present that one to the managements and boards in the corporate world. If I did, they would cancel our firm’s engagement and dismiss us as quacks. I mean how will a board comprised of experienced bankers, economists, engineers, professionals, accountants and business magnates receive such a report. I mean these are educated people, who have trained minds and who have risen to the top of their professions and companies by using their brains and learning from the opinions of the best experts.

Lacking in Empirical Validity?

You see the problem is that this other report has no empirical basis. It is not founded on a study of the global economy. It does not project the price of oil, agricultural products, gold, diamonds or any other global commodities. It does not project the inflation or exchange rate. Unlike the report which I regularly give my clients, this other report is not based on an analysis of global economic trends and has not factored in the views of the IMF, World Bank, Brookings Institution, OPEC or the analysts from the major global investment banks. This report neither requires you to use your brain, nor depends on any expert analysis. All it requires is FAITH!

Only for those who Believe

I concede it is an unusual report, so I first ask the few I give this other report to whether they believe it, before I take it out of my suitcase and hand over a copy to them. Most of them of course immediately ask me to leave their office. “How can you ask me to believe something before I examine it?” they ask. So I leave that document in my briefcase and give them the report they will pay me for-the empirical one that predicts doom and gloom. The other one has only one reference and source of authority-the Bible. It is not the best basis to persuade business persons so I understand their reservations. Or isn’t it?

That report asserts that the earth is the Lords, and all it contains, the world and they that dwell in it. Its only reference for that claim is Psalm 24: 1. It says that wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endures forever, relying on Psalm 112:3 and takes the view that 2009 is covered by the word “forever”. That strange report also relies on Isaiah 45: 3 which says, “I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, in order that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name” and notes that this promise is made by the Almighty God who is the eternal God and argues that 2009, lower oil prices, inflation, Naira depreciation, financial crisis, whatever are not outside of God’s power. It relies on the promise in Philippians 4: 19 that “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” and confidently claims that promise for myself, my household and the true Church of God. All those who believe!

So which Report for you?

As 2008 winds to a close and 2009 approaches, I have those two reports in my briefcase. People are paying me for the empirical report, but the peculiar report is free and timeless and universal. But it is only for those who believe. Which report do you want?


Opeyemi Agbaje