By PROTUS NATHAN UZORMA
In the word of Heraclitus of Ephesus, “you could not discover the frontiers of soul, even if you traveled every road to do so, such is the depth of its meaning.” For Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The philosophy of six thousand years has not searched the chambers and magazines of the soul”.
The soul is a sacred entity in man whose vibration is in tandem with the primordial essence of life hence it survives many akashic huddles in its subjective journey to the great life. No wonder the Greek philosophers identified soul with the life principle itself, and again, the source and motivation of movement. For Aristotle, we learn from a passage from De Anima, soul was the “essential whatness or essential character.” In a little way, we have stated what the soul is. It is the “essential whatness (ousia) of a thing in the sense of its definitive meaning (logos), the essential and enduring character” (ti en enai) of a body possessing the capacity of life.
At this point, I wish to save myself the myths and philosophical fables that are associated with soul and consequently proceed to making my point as it relates to the life wire of our noble state Imo. The soul of Imo has been in the prison for a long time since May 2011. I knew that a hawk was chasing the little hen the moment Gov. Rochas okorocha declared his interest to run for the gubber race in 2011. As a matter of fact, I started my crusade with my pen against him in view of many frauds that followed him in the past. Imo people thought it was a joke, but I meant everything I have written about this administration. I love Chief Rochas Okorocha but hate his method of administration because he lacks administrative dexterity.
He came with a target aimed at destroying the monumental identity of Imo State. The soul of Imo is almost dead and if anybody does nothing about the present soul of Imo state, in the next two to three years Imo state will be in the Guinness book of record as a failed state. The soul of Imo state is already burning while our governor is busy chasing rats. What amazes me and many other sound minds is that Gov. Rochas has refused to see reason that he is not doing well at all.
The monthly federal allocation of about N6 to N8 Billion coming into Imo state is not accounted for with life transforming projects at all. It is in this administration that great projects that are yet to take off have received 40% off front payment yet we do not know the account were these monies were paid into. No accountability at all, yet Okorocha is very mouthy about his various achievements. If I may ask, what has happened to Marine University? What has Gov Rochas done to recover our N150 million from CNN NICKLOLERU Construction Limited being the company that Imo Government contracted to build the University? The company was paid N150 million out of N1.5 billon being the contract sum. Gov Okorocha had informed Imo people that the University was to be ready in 2013. Today, what is going on? A particular media report has it that Gov. Rochas brother was fingered in the deal too. What a flame of fire on the soul of Imo!
I was shocked when Gov. Rochas alleged that opposition in Imo state wants him out simply because he is not sharing our federal allocation money at Abuja with some godfathers. He may not be sharing the money as he claimed but the issue here is that Gov. Rochas is busy sharing the money with his brothers, in laws, few friends and allies. Yes, he is truly sharing the money among his family members otherwise how could Chief Okorocha be bold to inform Imo people that his fourth generation can never be poor any more. With which money did Gov Rochas fourth generation escaped poverty? The answer is clear, it is Imo money. Our money in the hands of Chief Okorocha shall speak at the appointed time, we are waiting.
Who shall speak for the youths that are busy procuring certificates without jobs? The youths are roaming about with their certificates without any job yet the chief executive is bold to tell them how his unborn generation has escaped poverty. The only way Gov. Rochas has empowered them is to build BONGO square to enable the Imo youths dance off their jobless stricken sorrow. What has Bongo (music) square got to do with providing jobs for Imo youths? Even the so called Imo Youth Must Work Programme only employed few without payment; I feel too much sorrow in my heart the way this present administration is treating the youths it shows that the future of this state cannot be traced to Ogboko village, so chief Rochas should either forget 2015 or resolve to run for Ideato Local Government chairmanship position and I assure him that he will fail because he is dancing naked in the market without his knowing it.
The behavior of a man explains his value for both God and his fellow man. If any professes to love God and does not manifest same in his behavior and interaction with mankind, the same is a hypocrite that should never be trusted.
Our Gov. seems to be afraid of those simple words like goodness, love, mercy and kindness which inform why his administration is sick. In the words of Lin Yutang, “We don’t believe in the good old words because we don’t believe in the good old values anymore. And that is why the world is so sick.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s value for God is highly conspicuous in his behaviour and administrative duplicity. He is very close to God with the words of his mouth but his heart is far away from God. He knows little or nothing about the true love of God in practical terms. Gov. Rochas is not alone in this aspect, so many of our leaders of today deny the poor masses the love and succour that ordinarily should come from them. Christ spoke about this type of people thus, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me…” Matt.15:8-9. I am not the judge because God knows who is who and he knows his true children.
It is very clear that the so called employment he created has not been able to bring food on the tables of Imo youths. They have worked for about nine months now without any salary. What then is the purpose of searching for a job, just to work without payment? Those at the secondary schools are crying and abandoning the so called offer because it is a beautiful egg with a rotten yoke.
One of the fables of Aesop the slave philosopher has it that some fishermen were hauling a large drag-net. As it was so heavy, they rejoiced and danced, imagining that the catch was a big one. But when they had pulled the drag-net to the bank they found very few fish. It was mostly filled with stones and debris. The fishermen were deeply upset, less because of what had happened than because of their disappointment to their heightened expectations.
But one of them, an old fellow, said to the other, don’t let’s be depressed, friends. For it would seem that joy has for its sister affliction. And if we rejoice prematurely then we should expect its contrary to follow.
The point I am making here is that Imo people like the fishermen in the fable thought that the catch in 2011 was a good one. The arch Bishop A.J.V Obinna thought as much but today, they have finally discovered that they caught stones and debris in 2011 fishing/election that produced Chief Rochas Okorocha. I knew it from the beginning that Imo trap caught the smelling rat but what i did not know is how long we shall live with this obnoxious aroma.