ShortStory I Unparralleled Passion

UNPARALLELED PASSION

       It was humid and rainy yet an average dweller in the community was so determined to go to the farmyard towards ensuring that the barn wouldn’t seem pathetic during the harvest period.

       That was how the people of Umude were groomed; they were bred to see farming as the bedrock of human existence. None could spend a whole day without nurturing interest to embrace his or her ancestral farm with a view to participating actively in what they considered as the ‘most needful’.

        On his part, Mr. Uka Okorie who stood aloof right on the premises of his marital home, fixed his gaze on the unfriendly atmosphere that was apparently a hindrance to the anticipated cultural exercise, as he unwittingly murmured to the hearing of his three daughters who were seated within.

        Aside Umude’s unrelenting passion for farming, which was regarded as a daily ritual, Okorie’s in particular was conspicuously unparalleled. This was the reason even though the 54-year-old Mr. Uka had at the moment only female children, he remained a farmer to reckon with in the whole of Umude and beyond.

         His second daughter, Chinasa who was ostensibly touched by the unending murmurs, walked up to him. “Papa, why are you restless?” she inquired. “You have been talking to yourself for several minutes now.”

         “What kind of stupid question is that?” he vented the anger on her. “Can’t you see that the rain is keeping me off from the farm?”

         “But papa,” his 25-year-old first child, Oge interrupted as she joined them leaving the third girl behind. “You shouldn’t forget that we also need the rain for our crops to do well.” She reminded maturely.

         As Mr. Uka stood in his rain-booth, determined to embrace his farming empire, he apparently became pleased by Oge’s assertion, thus became more attracted to her person. “There is wisdom in your words, my daughter.” he concurred. “We really need the rain for our crops to flourish.” He said, paused. “But, just that I can’t wait to see how those crops are doing.” He added in a jiffy.

        “But we were there yesterday, papa.” The 22-year-old Chinasa chipped in.

        “Yes papa.” Oge supplemented, nodding. “And as at yesterday we saw them, they were doing very well.”

         Mr. Uka walked to one of the benches positioned at the balcony where they were having the conversation and sat down. “Please, my daughters,” he uttered. “Come…” he quickly urged, gesticulating, and then paused. “I have something very important to tell you.” He landed.

        The three of them, including Chioma his third child, walked to the point where he was seated and calmly sat on three separate chairs sited within. Mr. Uka was flanked by the three.

        “You see,” he began, cleared his throat. “A farmer must be dedicated to his duties at all times...” He hinted, took a breath.

        The three respectively adjusted themselves as they could not wait to absorb every bit of the awaited story, or whatever.

       “Since I got married to your mother,’ he rode on. “There was never a day we missed our farmyard.” He informed with alacrity. “This is why we remain the most prosperous family in the entire Umude when it calls for farming business.”

        Before he could finish the last word, his loving and lovely wife Uloma stepped out from the house in her night gown; it was 6:25am. She walked towards them. “Good morning, dear.’ She greeted her hubby, standing.

        “Good morning nwanyi oma.” He responded cheerily.

        “Good morning, mama.” the children chorused.

        “Good morning, umu oma.” quoth Uloma. “How are you all?”

        “We are fine, ma.” Oge replied on their behalf as if it was planned.

          Uloma walked to her hubby, sat quietly on the same seat with him, and became attentive.

         “As I was saying,” Mr. Uka continued. “I and your mother here had been so industrious in our family business right before you were born.” He notified frankly, paused. “That is the only reason we remain number one in this community.”

         Uloma nodded, graciously glanced at each of her daughters. “What your father is saying is true.” she cleared the air. “We have been a wonderful pair in this.” She said, referring to the said venture. “And God has been so wonderful.” She added.

         Mr. Uka nodded, twisted his head and remained calm.

       “But even at that,” Oge chipped in. “There is still need for one to take a good rest sometime in his or her life.” she thought aloud.

       “My daughter,” Mr. Uka called Oge tenderly, touching her right shoulder. “If we have rested all these while,” he said, paused. “We wouldn’t have gone this far.”

        “I know, papa.” quoth Oge. “But, I am only talking of resting at least once in a week.”

         Her mum was speechless as she tried to read meaning in her words.

        “My dear,” quoth Mr. Uka. “There is no resting time for a man.” He hinted, inhaled air. “Unless he dies.”

        “Really..?” said Oge, surprised.

        “Yes.” Mr. Uka answered, nodding.

          At this time, the rain became heavier, never minded that someone could not wait to see it fade away.

        “Oh my God!” exclaimed Mr. Uka.

        “What is it, papa?” Chinasa tendered.

        “Can’t you see the rain is becoming endless?”

        “That is nice, papa.” Chinasa teased. “At least, it would enable you take a rest.” She thought aloud.

        “Will you shut up!” he angrily urged at the top of his voice, stood up. “Don’t you know heavy rain could be harmful to our farm?”

         Everyone, including his wife, was so marveled over the uncalled response as they watched him in silent awe.

         “I must leave now.” He said, stepped out, and bitterly set for the farm.

         They all stood up simultaneously. “Papa,” Oge called in a loud voice as he takes some steps towards the farmyard. “What are you up to?”

         He ignored the query, kept moving forward.

       “Nnayi,” Uloma called. “Papa Oge.” She repeated, attempted to step into the downpour with the intent of getting hold of him but she was resisted by her daughters who held her firmly.

        He overlooked every bit of their worry and insisted in going to the foreseen arena. On his way to the place, something unspeakable befell his person; a very tall palm-tree collapsed on him owing to the intense wind that ensued thereof, thereby claiming his life at the spot.

        When the rain became lessened, his family went as a group to the farmyard. On their way, they encountered the bad omen that seemed not unlike a mere daydream. The incident threw the overall Okorie’s family and the entire people of Umude into uncontrollable anguish.

         The first daughter of the deceased, Miss Oge took over from him thereafter and was in the long run reckoned to be the most foremost farmer not just in the land of Umude but in the Diaspora. She thought it wise that the only way she could make her late father proud in the grave was to commence exactly from where he stopped, though she vowed never to work without observing holidays.

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

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Twitter: @mediambassador            

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Opinion I Imo Senators Et al, I Hail Thee

IMO SENATORS ET AL, I HAIL THEE

       

The last time I checked, Imo – likewise other states across the federation – comprised three senatorial zones. It suffices to say that the state could at the moment boast of three senators in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

       

The zones in question are namely, Imo West, Imo East and Imo North. And, for history’s sake, the legislators representing the aforementioned senatorial districts are respectively Senators Hope Uzodinma, Samdaddy Anyanwu, and Benjamin Uwajumogu. It is in record that Sen. Uzodinma is currently serving his second term in office whilst others are in their first term, though that of Sen. Uwajumogu just begun recently owing to an electoral quagmire that ensued thereof.

        

For posterity’s sake, I wish to via this platform, candidly remind these revered senators, and of course other legislators of Imo origin, that a lot is really expected of them when it calls for societal development as regards the Eastern Heartland; or in a nutshell, governance. Towards ensuring that the people receive what they truly deserve from the Federal Government (FG), these men of repute who were graciously elected by their various electorates are required to be at the forefront.

        

Development of a state does not lie solely on the prowess of the states’s governor. Yes, the governor is meant to ensure that all the areas within his jurisdiction are aptly taken care of. But, it’s worth noting that there’s what is called federal presence in any existing state across the country, and Imo is not in any way exceptional. These legislators are expected to lead the cause targeted towards attracting various federal presences to this ancient state, particularly their respective constituencies.

        

As representatives or mouthpieces of various constituencies, when they move any motion on the floor of the House or Senate, as the case may be, they ought to primarily consider the implications of such motion to their jurisdictions. In other words, motions that are of good benefit to their constituencies should only be tendered. It’s even mind-boggling to realize that some of them shy away from moving motion during plenary sittings.

        

Similarly, a bill should not be sponsored by any of them without painstakingly considering the consequences to their people if eventually passed as well as signed into law. For instance, when an Appropriation Bill is submitted by the Presidency, they ought to in their individual capacities evaluate each of the clauses in the bill toward ascertaining whether their state or constituencies are carried along. Needless to state that they shouldn’t just leave the work of evaluation for the House’s/Senate’s Committee on Appropriation.

        

It is solely their statutory duty to crosscheck these things, and not that of the governor of the state. The governor would not be at the Douglas House and at the same time equally be at the National Assembly. This implies that the legislators are not unlike the eye of the Imo number-one citizen. In Economics as a subject, the issue of Division of Labour is thoroughly and categorically explained to the comprehension of even a dummy in the classroom. Hence, we are required to, at all times, hide under such holistic teaching. Let’s ride on!

         

And when a bill, such as that of budgetary, is finally passed by the legislators and duly signed by the executive, it thereof becomes a law. It is also the duty of these federal lawmakers to properly monitor the day-to-day implementation of such law, in order to ensure that their respective constituencies aren’t kept in abeyance. They must therefore ensure that what is due for the state is wholly granted to it as the journey progresses.

          

It is baffling to realize that some of our federal legislators, rather than doing the needful, would prefer to consider only their individual interests thereby relegating that of their constituencies to the background. Instead of ensuring that every project allocated to their constituencies is adequately implemented, they would prefer to siphon the funds to their private pockets even amidst the ongoing anti-graft war.  
          

I want them to take cognizance of the fact that the socio-political system of Imo, and Nigeria in general, has conspicuously changed for good. Most electorates are now politically wise and not unaware of every trending, thus they must wake up from slumber where need be.

         

Each time I acknowledge that Constituency Briefing is now apparently a thing of the past, I am invariably left with no other option than to weep profoundly. Constituency briefing, a tool initiated to help in bringing senators and their counterparts closer to their people, is currently abused profusely or taken for granted. It is indeed a slap in the face of their teeming constituents, thus the electorate are as well expected to wake from sleep.

        

Worse still, most of our lawmakers, including those at the state level, cannot presently boast of a constituency office at their respective constituencies let alone a befitting one. These ugly trending matters need to be critically addressed in earnest before it gets out of hand. We must not continue to overlook issues that concern our collective future.

         

I am glad that the electorate have started exercising the power given to them by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended. They now understand the language of ‘Vote of No-Confidence’ that has the tendency of recalling any erring legislator, be it state or federal. If well considered, we would comprehend that the electors are more powerful than the elected, because they possess the power to elect and recall if necessary.

         

Toward averting some inconsequential and frivolous embarrassments that might arise in the future, I urge our respected senators and their counterparts in the Federal House of Representatives to henceforth start to acknowledge that the development of any state cannot only be actualized by the sitting governor; hence, all hands are expected to, individually or collectively, be on deck.

          

In view of the above assertion, the governor on his part ought to equally endeavour to form a coalition with these federal legislators irrespective of party affiliations, solely for the sake of Imo at large. We can’t continue to die in silence. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

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Twitter: @mediambassador

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Opinion I Today July 30 is, Int'l Day of Friendship

STRENGTHENING NATIONAL UNITY VIA FRIENDSHIP AS WE MARK THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP

         

The last time I checked, July 30 each year remained International Day of Friendship. This implies that today being Sunday, the world over is commemorating the 2017 edition of the International Day of Friendship.

          

The resolution concerning the annual International Day of Friendship was adopted unanimously by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in May 2011 in recognition of the fact that friendship can contribute meaningfully to the efforts of the global community towards the promotion of dialogue among solidarity, civilization, mutual understanding as well as reconciliation.

        

The resolution mandated the international community to recognize July 30 of every year as International Day of Friendship thereby inviting all the UN Member States, several arms of the UN system, as well as other international and regional bodies coupled with civil societies, to observe the day in accordance with the culture/customs and other appropriate circumstances of their respective local, national and/or regional communities through public awareness-raising activities.

          

It’s often said that ‘two good heads are better than one’. It’s also widely noted that ‘a tree does not make a forest’. These and many more similar quotations, which signify the essence of partnership or amalgamation, have been adhered to by millions of personalities and schools of thought across the globe owing to their obvious inevitable role in human existence.

         

The aforementioned philosophies are not unconnected with the fact that, no individual or group can do it all alone if efficiency or effectiveness remains his/its watchword. No doubt, this was the reason God ensured that a woman was formed having created a man. Needless to say; the creator Himself understood the unavoidable essence of companionship. This simply implies that everyone requires a friend in whom he/she is well pleased toward arriving at the anticipated success room.

        

A friend, in a nutshell, is a person that one likes and knows well. It could also be described as a supporter of a cause or a staunch fan of a certain organization. A true friend is the first person you wish to call whenever you receive good news; he/she is equally the person you wish to share your pains with; he is that person or fellow that would like to accompany you on the most boring errands or trips and make them seem fun; he is that fellow that is invariably willing to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.   

         

In the same vein, friendship is a kind of relationship between two or more people who care about each other. Since friendship has to do with people who truly care about each other, there’s no gain saying that sometimes it requires that people put someone other than themselves first. Indeed, true friendship signifies that some occasions might warrant you sacrificing your happiness for that of others. Hence, life is all about sacrifice, which is usually a product of compassion. What’s the essence of life if you can’t cough up a reasonable time to think about others?    

         

Notwithstanding, a friendship is meant to be a symbiotic relationship rather than a parasitic one. Hence, many qualities are required or necessary for a good friendship to hold, including honesty, transparency, trustworthiness, loyalty, tolerance and unconditional acceptance. These, among other factors, have the tendency to yield an unconditional love between the parties involved. For any friendship to be reliable as well as successful or hitch-free, either or both parties, as the case might be, must possess all of the above at all times.

          

In Nigeria, for instance, which is an amalgamation of various friendships or relationships, for the union to remain in peace and progress, the leaders must be willing to be transparent and honest to the teeming followers, thus they must always exercise the political will towards leading transparently.

         

The electorate, on their part, must equally reciprocate the gesture by being loyal and submissive. Any union is anchored on reciprocity among its overall members, and Nigeria isn’t an exception. We must take into cognizance that national unity would continue to suffer from epilepsy if trust is nowhere to be found; and there will never be trust if honesty and transparency is missing.

        

Happiness ought to be seen as a keyword by the people or groups who constitute a certain friendship or union, irrespective of the circumstance. Of course, we aren’t unaware that human beings can clash very easily, which is why it’s hard for some persons to maintain many friendships at a time or simultaneously. In view of this assertion, members of a particular friendship are expected to uphold absolute honesty at all cost with the sole aim of sustaining the relationship in question.

          

Another pertinent factor to acknowledge towards sustaining national unity is unconditional acceptance. The various ethnic groups across the federation must be prepared to accept each other unconditionally since they are bound to be one indivisible body. We found ourselves together, or as one nation, thus we must strive to sustain the oneness regardless of our respective distinct cultures and backgrounds.

          

Arguably, this is the only way we can boast of unconditional love, which is the only factor that can yield the awaited societal uplift. Unalloyed love produces absolute peace and unity that are required for both human and capital developments. The various ministries of Information and Culture in collaboration with numerous relevant bodies, can help in making the general public comprehend this fact via awareness cum thorough sensitization campaigns.

          

During penultimate year’s commemoration of the International Day of Friendship, precisely on 30^th July 2016, the then United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon urged the global community to use the potential of friendship to strengthen common bonds and inspire efforts for peace and sustainable development.

          

The immediate past UN boss further stated that “The day is an important opportunity to confront the misunderstanding and distrust that underlie so many of the tensions and conflicts in today’s world.” He went further to say that the event is a reminder that human solidarity is essential to promoting lasting peace and fostering sustainable growth among mankind, therefore enjoined the international communities to cultivate warm ties that would strengthen our common humanity and promote the well-being of the human race.

         

Hence, I call on Nigerians both home and abroad to strive towards achieving national unity through the effort of undiluted friendship. It was Lucius Seneca that said “One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.” In her words, Helen Keller stated that “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Similarly, Hubert Humphrey succinctly disclosed that “The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” To this end, I appeal to us to receive friendship in our various endeavours since it has been proven beyond doubts to be the pathway to man’s eternal gladness.

         

Acknowledging that two good heads are truly better than one, it’s therefore not needful to state that all hands are expected to be on deck toward ensuring that friendship is created as well as sustained at all cost for the sake of national unity and harmony, which definitely would yield the long awaited national development. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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