Oru East Reconciliation Talks Among Its Leaders

REVIEWING THE RECENT EPOCH OF ORU EAST SOLIDARITY TALK AMONG ITS LEADERS

Brethren, my last trip to Abuja three weeks ago gave me a thorough insight into the real efficacy of true unionism. During the outing, I was privileged to interact with my old time university friends. There was severe rancour among some members of the gathering during those days in the university; and the rancour was due to our involvement in Students Unionism, which I happened to be one of the staunch leaders. The Abuja professional convention brought us together again just like one single and united family. We were busy sharing and reawakening our unforgotten nostalgias with extreme vigour and passion. Believe me, that togetherness or reunion that lasted for barely seventy two hours, three days precisely, yielded a fathomless and tangible fruit to our greatest surprise.

I want to sincerely let you know that, misunderstanding among partners or members of a certain family is natural. In other words, it’s as old as the world, if not older. Even, lately I’ve come to realize and as well conclude that, misunderstanding helps to solidify any relationship. But, it invariably leads to mayhem when the people involved fail to embrace a rethink and retrench their respective steps for the sake of reconciliation.

Our concern for today remains the epoch of reconciliation and solidarity talks amongst the leaders of Oru East Local Government Area (LGA), which was ably and duly organized by the present Transition Committee (TC) Chairman of the said LGA, in the person of Honourable Barrister Obinna Augustus Amagwula.

Immediately after the assumption of office, the Oru East TC-Chairman made a gigantic move to ensure that normalcy is restored in Oru East in its entirety by indulging each of the aggrieved leaders of the council who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), otherwise known as the ruling party, in a prolonged peace talks, having pleaded with each of them for formidable unity. He let them realize the need for them to come together once more and bear one mind for the interest of the anticipated growth in the council and their children yet unborn. Subsequently, without further delay, the people involved unanimously agreed to dance to the enticing idea and tune of the TC-Chairman.
    

        Hon. Amagwula in the midst of his people

The proposed reconciliation came to reality on Tuesday march 4 – 2014, when the first phase of the meeting among the leaders took place at the council headquarters – Omuma. On that fateful day which recorded a massive turnout to my enormous surprise, the leaders such as Chief Hon. Nathan Odogwu, Dr. Emma Ogbenta, Chief Donatus Ejimfugha, Prince Marshal Anyanwu, among others who were present, agreed to schedule for the second phase of the gathering, so that, anyone who wasn’t present would be opportune to join the chorus.

The second phase of the reconciliation and solidarity talks took place on Sunday March 9 - 2014, still at the council headquarters. As a social analyst, if called to earn my view, I’ll say that the most impressive and genuine aspect of the gathering was that, it took place on a neutral ground, the council headquarters.

I must commend the TC-Chairman and his co-members for this rare initiative. I also want to seize this opportunity to appreciate all the concerned leaders, for the intense maturity showcased by them; they’ve proven to me that they’re not just leaders, but also, the eyes of others. I urge other TC-Chairmen and their fellow leaders to emulate the juicy and charming gesture.

I’m sure the Oru East TC-Chairman and his impeccable co-members might have embarked on a thorough fasting and prayers before summoning the impetus to call for the solidarity talks, because, some of the persons involved had been at the loggerheads for many years. Suffice to say that, the predecessors of the Transition Committee members must had taken a similar step to no avail. My presumption of having gone for thorough fasting and prayers is not unconnected to what the TC-Chairman told me during a phone conversation with him; during the conversation, when I tried to enquire how he was able to actualize such marvelous dream, he simply told me that, it was a thing of divinity. Let’s ride on!

The remarkable and miraculous thing that transpired on the day of the second phase of the gathering proved to me that, truly, the initiative was a thing of divinity as it was cited by the TC-Chairman. While the ceremony was taking place, it rained profoundly in the vicinity of the council headquarters which was the venue of the occasion, but amazingly, there was no drop of rain witnessed at the venue in spite of the thunderstorms that echoed severally at the venue in question. Surprisingly, the rain commenced at the venue immediately after the ceremony was over. A thing of divinity indeed!

I pray that this mark of divinity will continue to follow the Chairman and his co-members throughout their reign in Oru East, because, the LGA had suffered tremendously in the past due to enmity and treachery.

No doubt, a remarkable history was made on Thursday January 23 – 2014 when Barr. Amagwula was sworn in as the TC-Chairman of Oru East, just as I cited it on this very column, Monday February 3, 2014 to be precise; because with my experience so far, I’m of the view that, a leader who started with reconciliation would surely attain to the peak of his/her dream. Though I’m not surprise, because, a man whose tongue is always filled with praises and worship songs and as well sings praises anywhere he finds himself, which I’ve personally observed in the person of Barrister Obinna Amagwula, is no doubt a true man of God. From my humble definition, a “Man of God” is one who sincerely worships God and follows His rules as well.

If the TC-Chairman of Oru East is gifted with the aforementioned idiosyncrasy, then permit me to say that, the entire people of Oru-East is blessed for having someone like him as their leader. Thus, to have tagged his appointment as Oru East TC-Chairman as “a remarkable history” wasn’t a mistaken utterance; and I’ll continue to thank the lovely and loving Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, for such wonderful gesture displayed by him.

But one thing must be made clear here. Our amiable leaders who were involved in the reconciliation cum solidarity talks ought to note that, they’ve indulged themselves in what Igbo people call “Oriko”. Oriko is a sort of holistic initiation among some/all members of a certain family who are at loggerheads, whereby they willingly accept to dine together which signifies reunion. In Igbo land, having participated in “Oriko”, anyone who goes contrary to the agreement in subsequent time might attract the wrath of God. Even those who were unavoidably absent at the ceremonies, but signified their willingness either through phone calls or otherwise, should have it in their respective minds that they were also involved in the Oriko.

Brethren, even at this juncture, I’m surely convinced that a tremendous achievement have been recorded in Oru East since we’re now sure that peace has come to stay in the area. Just like I said in my penultimate edition that, a formidable unity among family members guarantees peace, and peace alone yields fathomless progress (success). Think about it!

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FDN NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com

Formidable Unity Among Family Members

THE NEED FOR FORMIDABLE UNITY AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS

Brethren, sincerely you give to me hope and always help me to cope; whenever life pulls me down, the thought of your existence and care brings me around. I’m saying this because, I wouldn’t have make it to this edition due to ill health that befell me barely two nights ago. But the moment I recollected that you can’t cope with my absence on this platform, I was left with no other choice than to stand on my feet once more. Honestly I thank you so much for being there for me.

Please, whenever I say “brethren”, I’m directly referring to the members of my humble congregation, whom at all times remain members of my family; please don’t ask me whom they are, because they know themselves. Frankly, the last time I checked, they were uncountable. Yes the number increases on a daily basis simply because there’s unity amongst us.

Please brethren, do not leave me for a second because if you do, the little drops of anguish will all run together, and the smoke that roams looking for a home will drift into me choking my lost heart. Please let’s remain together because we’re progressing geometrically; yes, even the blind can see it. Why I’m pleading for steadfastness of this ongoing unity in our family is because, missing someone and not being able to see him/her is the worst feeling ever.

Few weeks ago, I happened to be in the midst of a certain family comprising of a father, mother and two children, in Abuja. My visit which lasted for one week brought a revelation to my person. Prior to the visit, little did I know that, the family had been living in shambles for over one calendar year; a certain melodrama that was displayed before me by the couple in question summarized every bit of it to my person. Before I left the home, I told myself that that was a challenge to my humble person; on that note, I concluded that, I must restore normalcy (unity) in that family, and I thank God my vision came to past. Thus, my mission was accomplished. Can somebody say, Hallelujah?

The topic before us remains, the essence of unity amongst family members. In a concise and precise term, a family is a group of people who are related to each other. You can put up your own definition in a language it would suit your person; but whenever you do so, endeavour to remember that, a family is simply a group of persons with the same motive.

For instance, “Imo” as a state is a family, likewise any other state across the federation. Mind you, every family has a head, and the head remains the leader. In other words, the head of any family oversees the activity of the members of the family. Though some families might not have constitution or bye-law that stipulates this remark, but the fact remains that, every family is bound to have “a head”. Let’s ride on!

Presently, going through most families across the globe, you will observe with me that a lot of things have profoundly gone wrong as a result of lack of unity. Yes recently, several anomalies have set into most families due to the aforementioned factor.

Honestly, I so much believe in the efficacy of unity, because I’m personally aware that, it’s only unity that guarantees peace. And unequivocally, without peace, there will never be progress in any family; QED. Believe me, there’s no two ways about it.

Certainly, misunderstanding is expected to set in, in any family because we’re all gifted with different mentality, and such anomaly (misunderstanding) often leads to separation or estrangement among some members of the family. But I still strongly believe that, no matter how grievous the separation among the members of any family might seem, there is still need for total turnaround if the members are still interested in actualizing the object(s) of the family.

At this juncture, I urge each of everyone of us to have a rethink and as well search our respective consciences, with the motive of restoring unity in any family we belong to. And, as you embrace a rethink, don’t forget to note that, the head of any family invariably remains the leader. And the leader is expected to be in charge irrespective of the circumstance. Therefore, respect must be accorded to any leader by his/her subjects. In addition, some of us are blessed with the talent of settling any form of family dispute; if you possess such rare idiosyncrasy, please do not misuse it because it’s a very potent one.

For crying out loud, there’s joy in togetherness; there’s love in sharing; and there’s always oneness whenever respect is sustained. But any leader must acknowledge the fact that, he/she remains the head and backbone of the family in question, thus, must lead by example.

Surely, every family regardless of its nature – be it social, religious, political, or what have you, deserves a formidable unity in order to foster peace, so that, progress must be guaranteed. And I don’t think there’s anyone in his or her right senses that doesn’t pray for progress or success on a daily basis. Think about it!


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FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Indiscriminate Dumping of Waste Materials in The 'Eastern Heartland'

INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF WASTE MATERIALS IN THE ‘EASTERN HEARTLAND’

Brethren, I sincerely thank God that; as the days unfold, our congregation increases. This signifies that we’re witnessing growth on a daily basis. I’m sure we all know what that implies? To the best of my knowledge, growth is what everyone prays for, regardless of his/her status or background. Glory be to the Almighty that our denomination is really vastly progressing; I can’t thank Him enough.

Having noted that there’s a remarkable progress among our fellowship for the past two years we commenced this ministry, I wish to use this avenue to let you know one fact, which is; my love feeds on yours and as long as you live, it’ll remain in your arms without leaving mine. In case you consider the candid statement vague, the summary of it is that, we’re meant to be together irrespective of the pressure we might be facing.

Barely two months ago, I was in Lagos state. During my stay which lasted for several weeks, I noticed that so many things had changed positively in the state, except one thing which seemed to be unchangeable. That very anomaly appears to be common amongst virtually all the states across the federation; this singular observation made my person to conclude that, Nigeria as a nation has a certain common disease, though social. I wouldn’t like to disclose that social disease at this juncture. But I promise, prior to the end of this edition, it must be mentioned and duly treated.

Please permit me to go back to history, as usual. Few days ago, an old time friend studying in Ghana, West Africa initiated a chat with me on one of the existing social media, Facebook to be precise. At the starting point of the chat, she hurriedly asked how Nigeria had been faring regarding environmental sanitary. According to her, the last time she checked, Nigeria as a whole was still lagging behind in the area of public sanitation. Based on her enquiry, I responded that, from my personal view, most of the recent government functionaries (administrators) in Nigeria adore cleanliness; but it appears that their subjects enjoy littering the environments due to the fact that, they have not been forcedly persuaded to act otherwise. Suffice to say; they cherish being treated like members of the “animal farm”. Let’s ride on!

If you can take a second glance at the topic of today, you will concur that, my interest solely lies in Imo state otherwise known as “the Eastern Heartland” which remains my state of origin.

For those of you who have been residents of Imo state, you will bear me witness that the state in question has been facing tremendous challenges as regards environmental sanitation, in spite of the tireless effort that had been recorded by the ongoing Owelle’s administration to see that the anomaly becomes a thing of the past. Needless to say that the efforts rendered so far by the government seems futile, or were to no avail. It’s no longer news that all the gutters has been loaded with fathomless rubbishes, thereby negatively affecting our drainage systems seriously. As a concerned social analyst, I can recollect vividly that I’ve often times spoken on this societal eyesore.

Frankly, I want to state unequivocally that, for a wholly decent and charming environment to be obtained in Imo state in respect to environmental sanitary, or for the aforementioned anomaly to be adequately addressed by the government, both human and non-human faces are required, and all hands must as well be on deck.

Firstly, the government in collaboration with the relevant existing Non-governmental Organizations in the state should from time to time organize seminars, workshops, and what have you, to properly educate and re-orientate the occupants of the state on their respective civic responsibilities in the area of environmental sanitation. The religious institutions should not be left out with regard to the proposed sensitization exercise. The print and electronic media ought to also be used to actualize this motive.

Secondly, I urge the Ministry of Environment to ensure that waste bins are situated at all strategic locations across the state. In other words, no area or locality should be exempted or ostracized while this routine is being carried out. In line with this, a formidable ad-hoc committee must be set up to guarantee thoroughness of the project/initiative.

Thirdly, a mobile Task Force group ought to be set up by the government. The group is expected to monitor every nook and cranny of the state on a daily basis and in every second, to ensure that the commuters and pedestrians adhere strictly to the environmental instruction by making adequate use of the various waste bins mounted at the strategic points after emptying any canned, bottled, packaged or sachet drink/food. Such concernment would be wise and ideal to be signed into law by the State Legislative organ. Therefore, the members of the task force must always endeavour to wear a non-human face while implementing the proposed law; most importantly, they must be thoroughly sincere and transparent. In this regard, anyone caught defaulting the law must be instantly tried by a mobile court, which would be established at every major junction in the state; and if found guilty, must be subjected to a capital punishment. In addition, any moving vehicle would be mandated to have a small waste bin where its passengers can discard any waste material, to avoid any embarrassment from the task force.

Lastly, but not the least, the government must ensure that, the usual but defunct monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the state is reinitiated. And this time, it must be whole and compulsory. When I say “whole”, I mean ensuring that it’s being observed by all localities in the state, whilst “compulsory” implies that everyone regardless of age or status must participate. I also urge the state legislators to sign the practice into an impeccable law, therefore, must ensure that it is duly enforced. On this note, a committee is also expected to be inaugurated by the executive arm to see to the effectiveness of the practice; and the committee must also wear a non-human face in carrying out this official assignment. Thus, anyone caught abusing the directive by the committee must be brought to book with no iota of delay.

Believe me, if all these are properly put in place, in no distant time, Imo state would be a place to reckon with in regard to conducive and accommodating environmental condition.

But, the people involved must wake up from slumber by bearing in mind that, such act is barbaric, uncultured and uncalled for. We should endeavour to deliver ourselves instead of waiting for others to do so on our behalf.

The above mentioned and treated syndrome is a national issue that requires an urgent and cogent measure that must be implemented in earnest by the respective affected states. Don’t forget; “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, and “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.” Think about it!

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FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com