….Eddie Onuzuruike
‘Forward ever backward never’ is a slogan we have heard from birth. A child whose cradle is endless may end up a cripple if help is not sought aggressively.
Abia has come of age and should not be likened to toddlers and cripples who lag seriously in age and the expected performance level. Existentially, a leader came and has left a template. We will fail ourselves and generations unborn if we fall short of advancing beyond this age.
The wheel of progress and industry has been invented; do we need to go back reinventing this wheel? History is replete with selfless leaders who reengineered the negative mindset of people in different races and continents and made the world a better place. There are examples that could lead us aright if we will.
Nelson Mandela, born in 18th, July, 1918, from the African continent serves as a homeboy example. His activities in South Africa and anti-apartheid activism are lessons that have lighted the world. He was an exceptional rebel brand that changed the course of history, making the supposed big men nonstarters.
For his belief in changing the plight of the South African blacks, he was imprisoned for life and served for 27 years in jail but rose to be the most honoured man in recent history, having received over 250 international honours including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Glaringly, Madiba as he was popularly called served as president in 1994-1999 when his jailor became his deputy. His period in office is popularly known as the Mandela option. How? You may ask. Though the first black to be elected in a racially integrated election, he completed just one tenure and opted out in a continent noted for sit tight leaders.
He historically formed a government of national unity and established the world-acclaimed Truth and Reconciliation Commission that institutionalized forgiveness. He rose to be president of ANC in 1991-1997.
Biblically, the story of Moses is a known one. Born into slavery but divinely propelled to be adopted in the King’s house. He shunned riches and the princely comfort but led his people to freedom amid many miraculous deeds.
From the American continent, Martin Luther King Jnr. is another enigma. Born January 1st 1929 and died in April, 4, 1968. He was a clergyman and theologian of no mean feat as his oratorical power placed him best among equals. History upholds him as an activist of rare quality, orator and chieftain of Southern Christian Leadership Conference- SCLC. He is recognized today as an African American Civil rights personality of many years.
Luther’s activism shook America to its foundations and culminated in his decoration with the rare Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Till this day, Americans celebrate the King’s Holiday. King never fired a shot but his Passive Resistance approach and Civil Disobedience ranging from the 1963 March in Washington where he delivered the famous, ‘I have a dream speech’ are cases that set out his era as golden. Other of his successful protests which led to desegregation are case studies that so much impacted on the world to the extent that so many years after, many commentators see Obama’s presidency as a direct gain of Luther’s activism that elevated a Blackman to the Presidency of America.
Among these luminaries are vibrant examples Abians can emulate. Let us stir away from the days of locust and become positive, drawing new sketches like architects rather than digging up dirt.
As evidenced above, Abia needs a blend of these three personalities that spanned different generations, impacting on all. Abia at 23 has passed through good and bad times probably accepted as vicissitudes of life. Many philosophers prognosticate of light at the end of the tunnel. Such are the dreams of Abians and we have caught glimpses of these in the reign of Chief T. A. Orji. It is tangibly observable that many things infrastructural and policy alike have been put into place. We are equally savouring the peace, enjoying the security; our children are put through skills and imbued with equipment and gadgets to fend for themselves with the aim to live like honest citizens.
Now what do we preoccupy our minds with. Do we stay docile and wait for manna on end? It is said that heaven help those who help themselves. Therefore we have to buckle our shoes and put our best foot forward in Abia South.
Our collective prayers should be on the in-coming governor. Who do we want? What should be his qualifications? Where should he come from? What are his antecedents? If we could answer these questions, we then are on our way to finding a good replacement for chief T A Orji.
The PDP, the party with the biggest umbrella has solved half of the problems by pointing to Abia South Senatorial Zone for the governorship choice.
This reduces the unnecessary bickering and tussles which allows that zone to concentrate on selecting the best among the lot. Luckily, Abia South has plenty of qualified sons and daughters in all professions and industries. In all communities and localities, we know who is who, and so can sift the grains from the chaff.
As a matter of fact, we do not need to pay Rotary International if we borrow a leaf from their Four Way Test. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Let us look for a man who could visualize governance through the said Four Way Test. We can’t afford to backslide but to consolidate on the achievements of Chief T. A. Orji. We cannot afford again to gamble with our future and allow gold diggers to hoodwink us. Let us take our destinies in our hands by being creative, objective and selfless. Our dictum should be ‘Abia before self.’
We want leaders not Lords. We want servants not masters. Let us find a blend of Moses, Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr in Abia South Senatorial Zone. A man we could be satisfied to give office and rest assured that he could exercise wise discretion. A man who is guided by the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number, the greatest happiness for the greater majority as postulated by Jeremy Bentham and his group.
Dear Lord, this is our wish and prayer!