ShortStory II Dream and Quest

DREAM AND QUEST

       Only time could tell what Kunle’s fate entailed. He had refused to further his education having sat for his Senior School Certificate Examination (S.S.C.E) in spite of the fact that he hailed from a revered academic home; his 56-year-old father was an astute Professor of Linguistics, and 53-year-old mother – a Masters degree holder in History Education – was a teacher of a reputable government owned secondary school in the city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

        The couple, Prof. and Mrs. B. O. Ola kept wondering what had came over their first child who was supposed to take the lead among their five children in terms of academic quest. What baffled them most was that Kunle wasn’t a weakling academically, thus shouldn’t be marred by apathy in that regard. Rather than thinking deeply on how to add a crown to his shoulders, education wise, he had chosen to desperately pursue a career in music, forgetting where he was coming from or the background he was linked to. Hence, they were of the strong notion that the 19-year-old chap who concluded his secondary education two years back was being faced by a hallucination.

        Indeed, Mr. Kunle Ola was academically and morally sound, and had tried to remain one of the best among his peers throughout his primary cum secondary schools’ time. But, how his psyche abruptly became so fixed to pursuing a musical career was something that kept his friends and relatives in a serious sober mood. To him, attending a tertiary institution was a complete waste of time, energy as well as resources since there was no white-collar job that awaited any undergraduate.

        His parents had employed several avenues for the umpteenth time toward urging him to jettison the ‘weird’ idea, all to no avail.

      “Kunle.” Prof. Ola called as he was seated in his home lounge alongside his wife who sat very closely to him, in a sofa.

       “Yes, daddy.” He answered from an adjacent side.

       “Please, can you tell us,” the don rode on. “What exactly prompted this your sudden quest?”

       “Sudden quest?” the chap reiterated.

       “Yes,” said the Prof. while his wife listened attentively leaning on the settee. “Your sudden quest to pursue a musical career?”

       “Dad, I have been into this for almost a year plus..” Kunle argued. “So why tagging it a sudden quest?”

       “I know,” the Prof. concurred. “But all these brouhahas started after your SSCE.” He said, paused. “I could recall that you were so passionate about finding yourself in the university all through your secondary school time.”

        There was a brief silence. “So, why the unannounced change of mind?” the don supplemented.

        Kunle was quiet, speechless.

       “Were you influenced by some friends or what?” quoth Prof. Ola.

       “Dad,” Kunle called. “I was not influenced by anybody.” He clarified, paused. “Rather, I am only pursuing my dream.”

       “But son,” Mrs. Ola interrupted calmly. “This wasn’t initially your dream, like your father pointed out”

       “Mum, what did you mean by initially?”

       “Meaning,” Prof. Ola came in. “This was not your earlier plan.” he said, paused. “You have always dreamt of becoming a work-class engineer.”

        Kunle dished out dazzling smile. “Dad,” he called, looking at the don. “Mum,” he added, turning to his mum. “With your level of understanding, you should know that change is constant.”

       “Hmmm…” Prof. Ola released a deep gas, shook his head.

       “Son,” said Mrs. Ola. “I still believe, you can have a rethink.” She asserted, paused. “Remember the son of whom you are.”

       “That is the problem.” Kunle ranted. “Every time, remember the son of whom you are.” he said, frowning. “Am I a criminal, or have I done anything unlawful?”

       “What has come over you, Kunle.” Prof. Ola inquired furiously.

       “Am I not old enough to nurture my own dream?” the chap thought aloud. “Or, don’t I know what is good for me?” he continued, not minding his dad’s tantrum.

       “Will you shut up?” roared the don. “Do you realize you are seated right before your parents?”

        “Na wa ooh…” Mrs. Ola exclaimed, marvelled.

        “Or, have you lost your senses.” the Prof added.

        “Dad, I am sorry.” tendered Kunle. “Mum, please I am so sorry.” He supplemented.

        There was tranquility. “Just that, I don’t see any reason I shouldn’t be allowed to pursue my dream.” He broke the silence. “As my parents, I expect you to support my ambition rather than discouraging me...” He enjoined submissively.

       “Support you?” his mum interrupted. “Support you in what?”

       “My musical dream, of course.’

       “Is that a dream?” she quarreled. “Who told you that you can get anything done in this twenty-first century without obtaining a basic education?”

       “Mum, I have acquired basic education.”

       “S.S.C.E?”

       “Yes mum,” replied the chap. “That remains the standard basic education anywhere in the world.”

         His dad shook his head sympathetically, remained calm and silent.

       “My dear,” Mrs. Ola called tenderly. “For your information, First Degree is currently the required basic education anywhere across the globe.” She informed strongly. “The era of SSCE has gone.”

       “I totally disagree with you, mum.”

       “Will you shut up?” the don came in again, in a weird mood. “I can see, you are really sick.” He observed, paused.

         Kunle was completely cold over the roar.

       “Have you seen your son?” the don ranted, fixing his eyes on his wife. “You better talk to him.” He added in a jiffy.

       “My son..?” Mrs. Ola said, surprised. “So, he is no longer your son?”

       “How am I sure he is?” He thought aloud, sighed, looking at Kunle.

        Kunle was shocked, remained in cold mood.

       “Prof...” the wife calmed him down over the last utterance. “What are you up to?” She supplemented.

       “Dad,” Kunle broke his silence. “So you have disowned me, simply because I have chosen to pursue a career of my choice?”

       “What stupid career is that?” the Prof. queried, stood up fiercely. “If you must continue with this strange quest of yours, then be prepared to relocate to your own house.”

        The wife was so bemused over the outburst, couldn’t utter a word.

       “Dad…” Kunle exclaimed, flabbergasted. “Are you actually sending me out of your house?”

       “You heard me right,” the don reiterated. “Didn’t you?” He said, frantically walks straight to his matrimonial room.

       “Son, you better have a rethink.” Mrs. Ola conscientized, stood up and joined her hubby.

       “Mum, so you are siding him?” quoth the poor chap as he watched his loving mother take a bow.

        What transpired afterwards ought to be a narration for subsequent edition, so keep a date with us.

        Meanwhile, if you were in Kunle’s shoes, what would you do thereafter? Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

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Opinion II Today is World Cultural Diversity Day!

REVAMPING THE NIGERIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY AS WE CELEBRATE THE 2017 WORLD CULTURAL DIVERSITY DAY

    

         

21^st of May each year, the global community celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity. This implies that the 2017 edition of the laudable commemoration was marked on Sunday May 21.

         

In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity; hence in December 2002, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in its unanimous resolution, declared May 21 annually to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The Day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.

        

Heritage is described as the inheritance such as buildings, monuments, or any property of an individual or a society. Whilst cultural heritage, are the inherited qualities, traditions, ideas, or style of living of an individual or a given society, which have continued over many years, especially when they are considered to be of historical importance.

       

On the other hand, cultural diversity is defined as the situation whereby the cultural heritage of a person, group or society varies or consists of different conditions, qualities, or types. In other words, the diversity of a given culture is the state at which it comprises or made up of varieties.

         

Undoubtedly, cultures such as dancing, masquerading, dressing, sewing, hunting, fishing, singing, wrestling, moulding of sculptures, painting, and so on, are essential developmental tools in any country. Culture is strongly connected with identity; and identity expressed through culture is a necessity for all human developments. It creates the fundamental building blocks in our respective personalities and in the ties that link us to various communities as well as any nation we find ourselves.

        

Culture plays a unique and crucial role in a development policy especially issues relating to human rights. A free and staunch cultural heritage has the tendency of promoting other rights and values to include freedom of expression, diversity and debate about needs in a society. In the same vein, culture is a key player in the link between freedom of expression and democratization.

        

Culture can also encourage the economic growth of either a nation or an individual. For instance, a country that’s tremendously gifted with swimming, which is a globally recognized lucrative sporting activity, can substantially boost its Gross National Product (GNP) if a meaningful attention is given to such heritage. Creative areas including music, paintings, drawings and sewing, can equally serve as revenue sources. In fact, the encounter between culture, creativity, technology and economy embodies a great potential in creating work places and increasing exports, and also contributes to social inclusion.

         

Culture can equally assist in checking socio-political crises or differences. It ensures unity during crisis, and influences identity, debate and dialogue; thus, it is needed for nation building, and for peace and reconciliation. Needless to say; it inspires change, which we all anticipate. Survey indicates that cultural cooperation is one of the most equality-oriented forms of co-operations in existence.

       

The entertainment industry cannot be left out while discussing the impact of cultural heritage in nation building. Similarly, the tourism of any country cannot be discussed without mentioning the country’s cultural diversity. It is obvious that the cultural heritage of any society contributes over sixty-five percent (65%) of its tourist sector, which remains one of the paramount Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) sources of any developed society.   

        

Surely, tourism is one of the backbones or engine rooms of any developed country in the world, and this cannot be possible without the impact of cultural diversity of the country in question. This implies that Nigeria, which is made of over two hundred and fifty (250) ethnic groups in which each of the groups is endowed with different cultural resources, can as well consider harnessing her tourist sector as she is currently thinking of economic diversification or beyond oil and gas.

        

As the world celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity, there is a compelling need for us to acknowledge that our cultural diversity is a stimulator of creativity, and investing in the creativity can transform societies. Hence, it is our civic responsibility to develop education and intercultural skills in our young ones as well as learn to live together in the diversity of our cultures, languages and religions in order to bring the desired change.

        

So, as Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating such remarkable event, the Nigerian government needn’t be reminded that it’s another golden opportunity for the President Mohammadu Buhari – led administration to look inwards toward rejuvenating the country’s cultural heritage in its entirety with a view to boosting her tourism industry that’s currently seemingly moribund.

       

In view of this, there is no gain reiterating the fact that it is high time the Nigeria’s cultural heritage is reviewed by the appropriate quarters or authorities, so that, credible ones would be sustained or harnessed via institution of cultural carnivals by both federal and state governments, promotion of the various existing communal cultural festivals, establishment of museums, and other related practices.

        

By so doing, the unacceptable ones would either be addressed or completely abolished, with a sole motive of boosting the country’s tourism industry as well as encouraging human empowerment. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

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Citation of Barrister Obinna Augustus Amagwula

by Fred Nwaozor
BRIEF PROFILE OF SIR HONOURABLE BARRISTER OBINNA AUGUSTUS AMAGWULA (KSJI), THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF IMO BOARD OF INTERNAL REVENUE (BIR) ON LANDS, OCDA AND EMBLEM

Truly, some are born great, others achieve greatness, whilst others still have greatness thrust upon them. But rarely do we have these three attributes combined so well in an individual, as in the case in our Awardee here present.

I mean none other than Hon. Barr. Obinna Augustus Amagwula: chartered lawyer; staunch member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Chairman, A.O. Amagwula & Co. Chambers, Abuja; Principal Counsel, Destiny Law Chambers, Owerri; quintessential politician; humility personified; proactive leader par excellence; as well as a worthy, tested and trusted General Manager.

Born at Umuezike in Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State on the 24^th October 1974 to the family of Chief & Lolo Richard Ihekweaba Amagwula. He had his early upbringing in Imo State. He attended the famous Santana Primary Boarding School, Awo-Omamma. Thereafter proceeded to Bonus Pastor Seminary, Osina Ideato; and later concluded his secondary education at St. Mary’s Catholic Seminary Umuowa, Orlu, where he sat for his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), and came out with flying colours to the delight of his parents and well-wishers. While in the latter, he obtained a diploma certificate in Latin.

Due to his brilliant performance at the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, in 1997, he got admission in the University of Calabar (UniCal) Cross River State, to study Law, having obtained Diploma in Public Administration in the same institution. In 2002, as God would have it, he graduated with an excellent grade, which granted him the opportunity to be admitted in the impeccable Nigeria Law School, Abuja in 2004; a programme he equally finished with flying colours. Afterwards, he proceeded for his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, which took place in Nasarawa State, where he held the position of the President of Catholic Corpers Association, Keffi.

In 2005, the young and exuberant Obinna Amagwula was called to the Nigerian Bar; a ritual that gave him the mandate to practise as a recognized lawyer in any Nigerian court situated anywhere across the federation.

Like his educational career, Barr. Obinna Amagwula’s work experience spans a wide but impressive range. He started his Law profession with Chancellery Law Chambers Abuja as the Head of Administration. In 2009, he established a functional law chamber, A.O Amagwula Chambers, in Abuja to enable him and his teeming colleagues carryout their respective functions effectively; a venture that has taken him to numerous places both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, because of his distinguished attributes.

Furthermore, in 2017, he went further to institute another Law Chamber - Destiny Partners - in Owerri, Imo State.

Barr. Amagwula, who is the Chairman of Coalition of Imo State Indigenes Lawyers based in Abuja, the Imo State Coordinator of All Awo-Omamma Indigenes Lawyers, and the first Notary public from Awo-Omamma in Oru East LGA, was a member of the Counsel that brought victory to the amiable Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, at the Apex court, Supreme Court precisely, by the special grace of God.

In 2003, he was a Councillorship candidate in Awo Ward I under the auspices of All Nigerians People’s Party (ANPP), now defunct. As a distinguished politician, on Thursday January 23, 2014, he was inaugurated as the Transition Committee (TC) Chairman of Oru East LGA; an inauguration that was long awaited by the entire people of the area due to the implicit respect they have for his person.  

Within a short time in office as the TC-Chairman of Oru East, he successfully restored peace among the then divided leaders, as well as the entire members of the council, by continually calling for reconciliation cum solidarity talks amongst the concerned people. Also, he duly completed a befitting hall with office apartments at the council headquarters - Omuma, which was named “Owelle Rochas Okorocha Hall”; just to mention but a few.

As a result of his exemplary performance as the TC Chairman, during one of the solidarity visits of his Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha at the area, the Governor pronounced before the public that Barr. Amagwula was ‘A son in whom he was well pleased’. He remained in the position till September 2014 when he resigned from office owing to his long-nurtured ambition to vie for a seat in the Imo State House of Assembly to represent the constituents of Oru-East LGA.

Same year, he was recognized as the Director on INEC Affairs, Rochas Campaign Organisation (RCO). A position he held till 2015 when His Excellency was reelected for a second time in office as the Executive Governor of Imo State. Consequently, later that year (2015), he was returned as the Transition-Committee (TC) Chairman of Oru-East L.G.A. During this period, he ensured that some communities in the council that were yet to boast of electricity supply, such as Ubahaeze clan in Awo-Omamma, were duly electrified by providing the required facilities including transformers, high-tension wires, electric poles, and what have you. He meritoriously served in the position until in November 2016 when the amiable Governor thought it wise to place him in a more critical and sensitive position, thus he was appointed as the General Manager (GM) of the revered Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) having found him worthy beyond reasonable doubts.

As the GM of the revered OCDA, within a shortest time frame, successfully introduced obvious countless projects and initiatives. The staff strength of the OCDA boosted to the peak; workers and pensioners of the agency were paid promptly; Mobile Courts were instituted to instantly prosecute offenders without much ado; the wrong perception of the public towards the agency was completely dropped owing to the various media avenues initiated by his leadership to keep the general public abreast of happenings from time to time; teamwork was treated as a top priority among the Management Staff. Within few weeks of his stay, he single-handedly composed and initiated the 'OCDA Anthem on Humility'.  

Barr. Obinna Amagwula invariably led in rigorous field inspections almost on a daily basis. Under his watch, Site Development Permit was issued to land developers cum prospective landlords within a few weeks interval provided the site in question was approvable by law. As a compassionate gentleman and one who works in line with the doctrines of the Rescue Mission Administration led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, in the spirit of the 2017 Easter Celebration, the OCDA – under the auspices of “OCDA Workers’ Humanitarian Initiative (OWHI)” – specially celebrated the season with various indigent men and women across the length and breadths of Owerri Capital Territory, particularly the rural areas; a gesture that was testified by the Traditional Rulers of the benefited Autonomous Communities as the first of its kind.

As a leader who truly understands the essence of stomach infrastructure, towards saving the OCDA workers the day-to-day stress of covering distance to have their lunch, he ensured that a standard Staff Canteen was established on the premises of the agency. Above all, as a man who has penchant for public opinion and constructive criticisms, he operates an unequalled open-door administration at all times; a pattern of leadership that is relentlessly speaking for his person in every nook and cranny within the shores of Imo State and beyond.

In further recognition to his ebullient and outstanding achievements in OCDA, in June 2017, he was elevated by His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha to a post of the Deputy Chairman of the Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Lands, OCDA and Emblem. It would amaze you to note that Barr. Amagwula, in his usual brilliant and unique way, has already swung into action without much ado as he presently occupies his newest political position.

Hon. Barr. Obinna Augustus Amagwula is affiliated to various professional and social societies both indigenous and foreign, including:

v Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

v Secretary General, Awo-Omamma Patriotic Union, Abuja (2011 - 2015).

v Principal Partner, A.O. Amagwula & Co. Chambers, Abuja.
v Principal Partner, Destiny Law Chambers, Owerri

v Pioneer Chairman, Imo Indigenes’ Lawyers Association, Abuja (2012 - 2016).

v Imo State Coordinator, Awo-Omamma Indigenes’ Lawyers.

v Founder, Awo-Omamma Project.

v State Development Coordinator (SDC), Awo-Omamma Ward-I, Oru East LGA.

v Patron, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oru East Chapter.

v Founder, OCDA Workers’ Humanitarian Initiative (OWHI)

As a practising Christian and devoted Catholic, during his study period at the Nigerian Law School – Abuja, he was unanimously recognized and as well conferred by both the Chaplain and the entire congregation of Seat of Wisdom Catholic Chaplaincy Abuja, as the Catechist of the Chaplaincy; a honour he held throughout the period of his studentship.

A widely travelled, symbolic politician, remarkable lawyer and highly refined personality, Barr. Obinna Amagwula is essentially a peace-loving, kind-hearted motivator, and a conscience-driven figure. Inter alia, he is an epitome of humility. This is why he’s blessed with a God-fearing, lovely and loving wife, Nneoma Coleth Ugonna Amagwula (Nee Chukwu) from Ohuba Awo-Omamma; and the lovable marriage is currently blessed with four kids namely, Uchenna, Adanna, Ikenna and Olanna, respectively.

It was indeed the overall antecedents, contributions and potentials of this Legal Luminary and politician par excellence, Honourable Barrister Augustus Obinna Amagwula that motivated the Parish Priest and his assistants, Parish Council members, and the entire parishioners of Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) Awo-Omamma in Oru East LGA to confer on him a remarkable and memorable Award of Excellence, “Pillar of the Church”, on Easter Monday 21^st April 2014. Still based on his commitment and countless contributions to the church and humanity, on Sunday, 26th November 2017, the perfect gentleman was graciously initiated into the Knighthood of Saint John International (KSJI); a honour which his teeming fans and well-wishers described as long overdue.

He was further decorated with an exemplary leadership Award of Honour by the Rotary International District 9140, in 2014. In 2017, he was honoured with a distinguished award of Excellence in Leadership by the Imo State University (IMSU) Debating Union, an affiliate of the British Parliamentary Forum. His exemplary contributions in the traditional sector attracted a Chieftaincy title - Chimeremeze I - to his name; a honour destowed on him in 2014 by Ezi-Awo I Ancient Kingdom in Awo-Omamma, Oru-East LGA.

Subsequently, in April 2017, he was honoured with an Award of Integrity as ‘Service Ambassador’ by a reputable Abuja-based NGO, Centre for Peace and Self-Value Re-Orientation. On Friday 12^th May 2017, he was equally decorated with an Award of Excellence in Service to Humanity by the IMSU Law Students Association (LAWSA); coupled with other countless remarkable awards he has bagged both in the past and present.

                                                

COMRADE FRED NWAOZOR

Media Adviser to the Deputy Chairman
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frednwaozor@gmail.com, +2348028608056