Let me first welcome you to the year of our Lord 2026. We are thankful. We made it. There are a great number of people who did not. And as God is God, people were having a blast on the last day of 2025 who did not cross over, and there were those who made it to cross-over services who did not cross over. These things are not in our hands, so we thank God for life and for new beginnings. We should therefore be in a Thanksgiving mood. We are truly thankful for God’s mercy. So let us talk about our newly minted year 2026 in our doings, our plans, and our goals. Last week, as the year drew to a close, I admonished you to drop whatever you were doing to hurt another person or diminish another and resolve to be a better human being, bringing value to a truly complex world. While still holding onto that, let’s talk about ten things that would and should make your 2026 better.
1) Your health: This is something you should not take for granted. High blood pressure is getting younger. Cardiac arrest is being seen in persons as young as 27 years old. This has been driven by high levels of stress and anxiety. Lots of people, especially young persons, are so driven that they believe they just need one more deal before they rest next week, when the rest is required now.
Other things driving high blood pressure include sleep deprivation, bad and unhealthy lifestyles, poor diet, lack of exercise and, in some cases, alcohol and/or drugs. This is the year to look after yourself. Get a checkup as soon as you can.
Know what to avoid, cut down your salt intake, check your eyes, and get medical insurance. Well-being is important for a successful 2026.
2) Financial knowledge: This is so critical for 2026. How much do you understand about your bank charges? Are you loan savvy? I do not take loans, not just because I don’t want to spend my entire life paying for loans but also because I don’t understand the quadrupling of interest rates or the capitalisation of interest when you don’t pay. I sound like I understand it right? But actually, I don’t. You must not enter the new year properly without understanding what goes in and out of your account and why. You must also know what money you took and for what. If you own a business, check your books constantly. Understand what’s going on. And for businesses and individuals, get a hang of the new tax regime.
3) Family: This is a critical part of your entire essence. Last Sunday, our officiating priest drew our attention to the power of family. Father, where are you? Are you leading your families well, or are you constantly with the boys and don’t know what’s going on? Are you living up to your responsibilities? Mothers, are you present, or is it the neighbours who tell you how your children are doing? Children, how are you honouring your parents? Watch out! That disrespect can cost you your blessings. Make amends. Work on reconciliations. Visit your ageing parents. Don’t use that tone on them. Parents, make friends with your children.
Siblings break the toxic cycle.
4) Pushing ahead: In 2026, you have to be intentional. What strategy should I put in place to make me a better person? Running for clarity. A morning routine that works. Early morning prayers. Night times for self-reflection and journaling. Set yourself a realistic timeline for the end of 6 months. By then, I should have started speaking French because I want to be a diplomat. Saving for a course or moving into a new neighbourhood. Changing a few pieces in my wardrobe to set me up. I need to take a three-month course on strategic communication or project management. Move your self-improvement up a notch. Affect your CV positively and be dedicated to it.
5) Stop buying restaurant food every day or eating out 24/7: Commit to learning how to cook, trying new recipes and inviting a few friends over for practice. Join a cooking class or watch cooking programmes on television. You save so much when you cook your own food, and most times, the compliments from tasters turn you slowly into a respected individual and future chef. And by the way, cooking is very therapeutic. Remember wellness?
6) Travel: Take time off your hectic schedule to travel. Travel is education. And I don’t necessarily mean out of the country. Try the resort in Suleja, driving slowly from Abuja, visit Obudu, or go to Lakowe for a getaway that is peaceful and also very therapeutic.
7) Invest in movement: Make sure you start saving, and by mid-year, you may have enough to invest in movement. If you can get a car, why not? But when I say movement, I mean going from point A to B efficiently. Get a trusted cab driver and negotiate discounts and volume. For instance, it takes you to work every day. Arrange to come back home with a coworker who lives near you. Don’t take his/her kindness for granted. Contribute to fuel or food from time to time.
8) Leisure: Please, sir, please ma, hmmm… try not to kill yourself in the name of hustle. Do some things you enjoy. Window shopping, sightseeing, picnics, being foolish with the children in water and lunch dates with friends and family.
9) Language: Yes, I said it. Learn a new language. Keeps your mind active and gives you a leg up in the world. Mandarin, French, Hausa, Igbo, and Igala. Just do it!
10) 2026 should be your year of more education: Learn something. Go to school. Get a study leave. Leave your comfort zone. Be curious. Your brain thrives when it’s active. Avoid cognitive decline as you age.
11) This no. 11 is a bonus. Make peace. This is the year you should protect your mental health. Avoid friction. Unnecessary quarrels. Be more understanding. Hold on to your faith. Show more love. Be kind to strangers.
May your 2026 be full of God’s goodness, much joy and good health. Amen.
May new doors crack open just for you, and may your year be full of great mirth, good tidings, happiness and great adventure… Amen.
P.S. Kick out that boyfriend or girlfriend not adding value to your life. Clean up and shove them so someone better, ordained and who does not take you for granted would see you. (Yup…I have a wide, mischievous grin.)
Happy New Year, my people!
