By Kirsten Okenwa
As the calendar has flipped to 2026, I find myself reflecting not on what I want to achieve but on the legacy I hope to leave in the lives of others. This year, I have decided to make being a lifter my personal mission. By “lifter,” I mean someone who uplifts, encourages, and supports others, not occasionally, but as a lifestyle.
Imagine a world where every act of kindness, every gesture of encouragement, becomes part of the rhythm of life. A world where talents, material gifts, and time are shared generously, where people come under our umbrellas, not as a rare favour, but as a natural extension of how we live. It’s not about showy displays of wealth or talent. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported. Too often, I see workplaces and communities where excellence goes unnoticed, where effort is ignored, and where staff feel diminished instead of appreciated. I have witnessed firsthand the difference it makes when someone chooses to see you, believe in you, and invest in your potential.
My journey toward understanding the power of encouragement began early, through my family and the mentorship of a few amazing individuals. I remember Mrs. Ronke Aladesuru, a top pharmacist then at PZ Industries, Lagos. This brilliant scientist helped chart my path in the industrial chemistry sector.
I met another remarkable “encourager” in 2005. I was a young social entrepreneur navigating the tricky waters of running a printing business. It was a small operation, unique in its offerings, with the competition fierce and orders unpredictable. Every day felt like walking a tightrope, balancing ambition with the stark realities of starting out. During those challenging early years, one client became more than just a source of income; she became a teacher in generosity, encouragement, and human kindness. Mrs. Tola Thomas ran a beautiful boutique in Ilupeju, Lagos. She was an influential woman, known and respected in her circles, yet she never treated me as “just a small vendor.” She would often place orders I knew she didn’t really need, paying for services wholeheartedly. The cash was essential, yes, but the message was priceless: someone believed in me, someone wanted to see me succeed.
Even more remarkable was her willingness to invest time. She would pause her busy day to chat about life, dreams, and sometimes just the ordinary joys and struggles of running a business. I was always amazed that someone with her influence could make space for a small-time entrepreneur like me. Those moments, though seemingly small, became foundational in my understanding of what it means to lift someone.
Fast forward twenty years. This past December, I found myself in the same city, and I happened to meet Mrs Thomas again. She did not recognise me at first; understandably, twenty years is a long time. But the moment I introduced myself and reminded her of our past interactions, the connection reignited. We hugged. We laughed, and yes, we cried. Her friend looked on, astonished at the emotional reunion.
I thanked her profusely for the encouragement, the orders, and the time she gave me two decades ago. It was a moment of pure realisation: small acts of kindness, repeated over time, create ripples that last a lifetime. And now, looking back, I see that her generosity, and that of others divinely placed in my path, did more than help me financially. It shaped the lens through which I view the world, taught me the value of uplifting others, and became a guidepost for how I want to live.
In 2026, I am making it my priority to be a blessing to someone every day. If I can extend help to more than two people consistently, I will consider it a triumph. I want to create umbrellas under which others can find shelter, not from rain or the scorching sun alone, but from doubt, discouragement, and the weight of life’s challenges.
Being a lifter doesn’t require wealth or fame. It doesn’t require grand gestures. It begins with attention, acknowledgement, and intentional acts of encouragement. A kind word to a struggling colleague. A note of appreciation to a hardworking employee. Sharing knowledge with someone trying to navigate a difficult path. Offering mentorship, a listening ear, or even a smile to someone who feels invisible. These gestures, small as they may seem, are the building blocks of a culture of lifting.
There is power in presence. When we show up for others, even in ways that seem insignificant, we send a signal that they matter, that their efforts are seen, and that their dreams are valid. I have seen it happen in my own life; people I encouraged, even in minor ways, have gone on to achieve remarkable things. And I have experienced the transformative effect of others believing in me when I had doubts about myself.
As 2026 unfolds, I invite readers to consider their own umbrellas. Who do you have the opportunity to lift? Who is waiting, perhaps quietly, for recognition, encouragement, or a small act of generosity that could change the trajectory of their year or their life? It could be a student struggling to find their path, a colleague drowning in unacknowledged effort, a neighbour carrying burdens silently, or even a stranger you meet on your daily journey.
The beauty of this lifestyle is that it multiplies. When one person is lifted, they, in turn, lift others. One act of encouragement can cascade into a chain of support, hope, and inspiration. Imagine if each of us committed to being lifters in our own spheres. The world would not just be kinder; it would be stronger, more compassionate, and more resilient.
So, I write this not as a manifesto, but as an invitation. An invitation to step into 2026 with a commitment to elevate, encourage, and enrich the lives of those around you. To make giving back a daily practice, a habit, a way of life. To celebrate excellence, to acknowledge effort, and to ensure that no one feels invisible under your watch.
This year, I will carry my umbrella high. I will ensure it shelters more than myself, more than my immediate circle. I will seek out those whose spirits need lifting, whose talents need recognition, and whose potential needs nurturing. And in doing so, I will hope, once again, to experience the quiet joy that comes from lifting another human being, just as Mrs Tola Thomas and others did for me all those years ago.
Let 2026 be a year of lifting, a year of umbrellas large enough to cover as many souls as we can reach. Let it be a year of generosity, encouragement, and intentional kindness. Let it be a year where we remember that the greatest wealth we can offer the world is not measured in money or status, but in the lives we touch, the hope we inspire, and the love we share.
This is my commitment. This is my hope. And this, I pray, can be yours too.
I want to spend my life mending broken people
I want to spend my life removing pain
Lord let my words, Heal a heart that hurts
I want to spend my life mending broken people – Mike Murdock
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Kirsten Okenwa uses industrial chemistry and food science to drive agrifood innovation, social enterprise, and peacebuilding in rural communities.
