10/6/2016
One thing that
bothers me overtime is the model of Ib’uzor that our fathers want to leave for
us and the unborn generation, knowing fully that this was not the same model
left for them by their fathers. The butterfly in my stomach kept growing in
size in the last few days, reading the happenings in my supposed noble Ib’uzor.
It bothers that
at this age and time when comity of towns in Anioma and other ethnic divides
are preoccupied with thoughts of how to add values to their communities, we are
here struggling with history. My heart weeps because our ancestors are grieving
in their various graves over the unhealthy development that has taken over our
town.
I have ardently
read the proceedings of the last few days which were consequences of the
inevitable aftermath culminating from the address marking the 21st anniversary
of the Obuzor institution. However, I have consequently submitted that what has
happened and is happening is not entirely out of sync with the typical Ib’uzor
spirit. A trait that flowed down from our progenitors. An elder must not be at
home and watch the nanny goat suffer the pain of parturition on its tethers.
Kudos to all those whose voices have heated up the atmosphere in the wake of a
development that tend to take us 20 years behind history, making us a laughing
stock before our neighbours.
Candidly, we
have not done badly as a town with the array of super stars that dazzle the
different cadre and ranks among the top echelon that controls the affair of the
state and nation at large. As a result, the idea of an elite who will represent
us with a bid to attract development to the town became a sine qua non. Hence,
the Obuzor institution remains the best concept that happened to modern Ib’uzor.
However, I am personally disappointed that 21 years have gone down the drain.
Yet, we are crawling on comatose belly seeking for recognition among a comity
where we would have been dictating the tune. I have been very close to the
activities within the ambient of the state government and I make bold to say
that I have been disappointed most times when I see smaller communities being
represented and holding brief for their communities. Their rulers visit
different government agencies to jostle for infrastructural facilities they
lack. But my noble Ib’uzor was no where in the fray. Let anybody challenge me
and I will mention occasions.
Quite saddening,
those who are supposed to be major players at this time have decided to sit on
the fence because they don’t want to be so tagged. Can we continue to watch
from the sidelines while things get awry? Does it mean that those who chest out
and subsequently return with brands of either anti or pro-Obuzor are the worst
affected? Well, definitely not all voices must be heard. But it pains to
observe that while we revel in different social for a in the name of projecting
Ib’uzor development, let us not that posterity is around to judge our deeds and
misdeeds. Our generation unborn will surely ask questions on the history of
their ancestry even if we deny them the right. It is not out of place that we
have seen sons of umejei who lived iin the diaspora and hide every traces of
their home to their families, thus denying the children of their innate
ancestry. Most of them left standing orders either to be cremated or buried in
their naturalized countries when they die. No matter how and where they are
buried, who cares after all?
Come to think of
it, most of them have taken the stance of ‘I don’t care what happens’. Many
have been frustrated with goings-on like we are experiencing now. For the love
of his country, Martin Luther King Jnr. Advised, “…think of what you can do for
your country”. If only all Ibusans will be development volunteers, the present
issue at stake will be far nipped in the bud before its insurgence. I hereby ask,
what is the problem with Ib’uzor? Have we ever sat to ponder that every
institution in Ib’uzor is moribund? Education is in shambles. Health is hazardous.
Social amenities are annihilated.
I hate to see
the word ‘crisis’ anytime issues rise between the Obuzor institution and Diokpa
system. It gives me a sad reminder of an era that trapped us to where we are
today. I also fail to apportion any mistake to anybody or censure anybody in
the ongoing brouhaha. No human is infallible. My take is the way forward.
I hereby implore
all major actors and development-conscious Ib’uzor sons and daughters to see
the recent outcome of the Obuzor’s address as one of the challenges of
community building. There is need for all to think about three things – the
first being development; the second, development; and the third, development. I
wish the entire palace chiefs are all contributors to know that what Ib’uzor
needs now is not parallelism but unity of purpose. The one that will breed
lasting peace and an atmosphere of development.
Coming out from
the vestiges of wanton rancour that have characterized our noble abode, I want
to see an atmosphere where the security of Ib’uzor becomes everybody’s concern;
where the issue of youth restiveness and ‘ego di n’oshia’ syndrome is
completely sent to eternal grave; where a healthy synergy exists between the
masses and our political representatives, Such that will eventually yield
democratic dividends to our town. Even though, I am not unmindful of a
disgruntled few who benefits whenever such crises arise, they can still queue
to the new wave of anticipated El dorado
staring our future Ib’uzor.
As we all pray
for the Obuzor institution to thrive, we ask for God’s divine wisdom on the
current occupier of the seat, Obi (Prof.) Louis Chelunor Nwaoboshi. No nation
thrives in an atmosphere of anarchy and dictatorial tendency, rather a peaceful
co-existence between the government and the governed. Let us all sheath our
swords and contribute out individual quotas to make our society grow beyond
utter disparagement of neighbouring communities. Even if this is part of Ezesi’s
curse, we can say ‘NO’ and change our destiny.
- PNI
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