It’s a beautiful Thursday afternoon and as we gradually approach the weekend after discussing politics, power plays, governance, diplomacy, and everything happening around the world, let us shift our attention back to one of the greatest gifts God gave humanity, nature.
Today, let us educate ourselves about agriculture, production, sustainability, generational wealth, and the wisdom hidden in the soil. Many young people underestimate agriculture because they only see farming. They fail to see the industries, the wealth, the production chains, the innovation, the real estate opportunities, the exports, the food storage and packaging, manufacturing, the health sector, and the endless possibilities connected to nature.
There is power in agriculture. Yes, there is real power in agriculture. There is real wealth and sustainability in agriculture.
Agriculture is not poverty, it is production, and production is power. The wealthiest part of nature is hidden in the soil. Everything we eat comes from nature. Before the supermarkets, before the GMP factories, before imported goods, there was the land. The soil remains the original bank God gave mankind.
Once you understand agriculture, you will understand production. And once you become a producer, you will become stronger than an importer. Producers create value while importers depend on the value created by others. That is why no economic policy can completely destroy a wise producer who understands how to key into nature, productivity, and innovation.
That is why I proudly call myself Mgbeke, the local village woman who loves nature and understands nature well.
Some people laugh when they hear “local village girl,” but what many fail to understand is that the village feeds the city and the soil feeds the world. Nature sustains life itself. The same yam, rice, vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, livestock, and natural resources people consume daily all come from the ground God created.
Education is important, very important. But certificates without practical skills, creativity, productivity, and application will not build sustainable wealth. If you have quality education but do not know how to convert knowledge into value, you may survive temporarily, but you may struggle to build lasting prosperity.
When you combine education with skills, agriculture, production, innovation, real estate, and the wisdom of nature, you position yourself and your future generations for abundance. You will never lack. Your children will not lack. Even your tenth generation can continue eating from the seeds you planted wisely today.
That is why I love nature. I believe in nature. And I will forever remain Mgbeke, the local village woman who understands nature and makes good use of it.
That is the foundation of Mgbeke Cottage Industry, Mgbeke Production, Mgbeke Group, and Mgbeke Village Hut. What we eat, what we drink, what we teach, what we study, what we formulate, our natural beauty products, our supplements, our food production systems, our wellness programs and kitchens, our Afro fusion blends, ancient unique ideas, and our innovations are all connected to nature, knowledge, productivity, and purpose.
I love who I am and I love who I am becoming. This is the same advice I give every young person today: Discover your God given talent. Develop it. Put it into practice. Stop believing life is only about black and white certificates hanging on walls. Life is about what value you can create with your mind, your hands, your skills, and your vision.
That is why I can survive anywhere and adapt to anything. Don’t get it twisted. Writing is one of my passions. Teaching is also one of my greatest passions. If you have ever been my student, you already know that I teach with passion, discipline, simplicity, and purpose.
I love cooking. I love formulating food products. I love conceptualizing ideas. And most importantly, I love bringing ideas to life.
Nature never disappoints those who understand her value. The future belongs to the real creators, producers, innovators, and those who are not ashamed of humble beginnings.
Never be ashamed of the soil, because the soil is wealth.
Prof. Sandra Duru, PhD
