9/12/2016
Most often, I
feel that God did not make a mistake in creating us in Ibusa; hence our mortal transition
on this enclave is not a accidental. As a result, whenever I hear people lament
‘I wish I have not come from this town’ or ‘I am just tired of this town’, I
always marvel. The question is, could you have wished for a better place? I
think that what many do not know is that knowledge begins where one stopped.
Wished for an el dorado somewhere? Hmm! I think such dreams only exist as figments
of our infected imaginations. God has never made a mistake. No, not at all. Not
even you can make it look like He did in creating your into this town – whether
in poverty-stricken family or in a well of affluence.
God’s providence
made it possible that fortunes are changed for many who never dreamt of eating
on the dining table today, let alone hobnobbing with the high and mighty in the
society. Today’s Ibusa have seen old thatched huts give way to modern
aluminium-covered structures. I always believe that there’s nothing happening
in Ibusa today that has not happened in the past – not house built, driven car,
marriage or burial celebrated. Nothing. An aura of hysteria always arrest me
whenever I encounter the transformation of that hapless lad or girl that once
hawked ‘akamu’, 'agidi’, ‘ncha ude’, ‘ukpo’, etc round Ibusa just to make sure
there is flimsy ‘toro’ or ‘sisi’ to feed the family. Quite vividly, Ibusa is
not so dwarfed that she will remain like a consolable enclave forever. No
growing society is either. So, whatever we are experiencing now at this time is
not out of place. It is indeed funny to feel the pulse of many who may regret
ever coming from Ibusa. The fact that God created you into this town means that
you are part of her history. Else, you wait for another creation.
Before I am
misjudged to relish in the justification of my ‘man about town’ status, let me
remind us that one thing that remain constant in life is change. Change has brought
us where we are today. One may ask where are we. Yes. We are where we are.
Recessioin? Nope. We are in a state of higgledy piggledy – stagnated by what I
see as the growing and surviving process. Wickedness, discouragement, hate
campaign, Pull Him Syndrome, backbiting, backstabbing, etc. Yet, the brotherly
love that flows in us like a stream, still allows many to express love and
inspiration to others. That is my Ibusa whose foundation is built on the
prowess of our progenitors.
In 22 days, we
shall be bidding farewell to year 2016. How have we fared as a people? Agreed
that the sing song on the lips of many has been recession. Even at that, God has
been so merciful. We have scaled many economic hurdles to see the light of the
day. Good spirited persons have been doling out millions for the love of
humanity and love of the town. Quite surprising is that when some who are
expected to act out of the benevolence bequeathed to them by the kind gods have
decided to remain passive; most surprising is the fact that no one can do
anything about it. If one cannot share or part with the little he has, then he
cannot share when blessed with much. But the love of Ibusa has kept many doing
what they are doing. Giving and sharing with others is innate and contagious.
I feel sored in
my heart when I am handicapped in situations where I would have shown love and
extend hands of fellowship. My heart also gladdens when I see good deeds
spreading like a virus from the hands of touched few. One must surely belong to
a category, even though no one prays to be poor.
There is this
innate characteristic that plays in the life of an average Ibusa born anytime
they engage themselves in different fora on the pages of social media. They exhibit
traits of unity, love and hate, then reprimands where necessary. Mountains of
animosity are built as if it will fall on a planned victim, but surprisingly
vanishes before the night falls on it. Most times, I get amused reading pages
of Ibusa on the social media. I always get arrested by nostalgia, but not because
I am the only one that loves Ibusa.
But where are
her other lovely children when we are always submerged by a decay of
infrastructural facilities in our health in institutions. Our educational
institutions are begging for attention. Our sports development needs to be
remodelled. Our security network in the town is as porous and volatile as the
ambience it portends. Christmas is here again. Let us reflect on the way
forward. For those who have been driven by the love and passion for Ibusa, may God
continue to bless you to do more. For those who have continued to be apathetic
to the plight Ibusa, please have a rethink. We do not have another town.
Rancour has been part of life and will continue to be. There is strength in
unity. Let the love supersede once again. The greatness bequeathed to this town
that once made her the beautiful bride at the twilight of the creation of the
defunct Bendel State is gradually wearing off. God forbid. May we not
experience such. The job of community building is always predicated upon
selfless and united forces.
I have really
wandered through this alley down memory lane and feel I have said many things
which I cannot remember. Hmm! I also know that many feel the same way. Well, I
attribute this missive to the free flowing odyssey of a jonesing pen. And
someone may say obido kwea? Ona emekea. Yes, tag me any name. I am just being a
randy ‘man about town – Ibusa’.
Candidly yours,
-
PNI
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