The media space has been quite busy in a while. News stories about terrorist’s activities, banditry, invasion of villages by suspected herdsmen, kidnapping and all what not have dominated the media firmament. Particularly intriguing was the gory tales from Jos, the Plateau state capital which is home to a plethora of ethnic nationalities. It is quite unfortunate that a state which was noted for its serenity and peaceful dispositions could suddenly turn into a killing field in recent years. No thanks to the unrepentant merchants of death prowling around the city and other cities in the North-East, North-West and the Central region of the Nigerian nation. The recent mayhem in the Plateau became aggravated with the Saturday 14th August 2021 reported killing of 22 Muslim faithfuls along Rukuba Road axis of Jos North Local Government Area after their annual Zikr Prayer in Bauchi State. According to the news report, the victims were headed to Ikare in Ondo State in a motorcade when they were accosted. Twenty two of them were reportedly killed while scores of others escaped with varying degrees of bodily injuries.
Consequent upon the above, youths in their hundreds reportedly took to the streets to protest against the ongoing senseless killings in the State, thus forcing the State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong to impose dusk to dawn curfew in the affected areas of the state to stem further breakdown of law and order. But that seems to have made no significant impact. The same prowlers were to make some subterranean moves to perfect their taste for the blood of the innocents. This time, the University of Jos main campus situated in the heart of Jos North local government was visited. When the dust settled, some students were found murdered in cold blood. Poor innocent children! They met their Waterloo while in lawful pursuit of their life dreams, quite oblivious that death was lurking around the corner. Now these dreams were suddenly cut short. May their troubled souls rest in peace, Amen. The unfortunate incident equally forced the University authorities to shut down the Institution while all academic activities were suspended indefinitely.
As expected, many of the students must have been caught unawares, stranded and even helplessly devastated watching the gates of their institution suddenly shut behind them for sins they knew nothing about.
It is important to buttress that emergency situation is not always planned, let alone budgeted for, particularly at this difficult time when many parents are groveling under the weight of high cost of education, coupled with harsh economic realities in the country. An average student it must be emphasized barely have enough to feed once in a day.
I felt deeply concerned, ruminating over these precarious situations. Suddenly, a cheery news filtered out that our visionary, proactive and people oriented Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi had already evacuated all Unijos students of Enugu State origin and had conveyed them safely to their various homes: some to their parents’ homes in Plateau State, some to their homes in Abuja and others back to theirs in Enugu state.
I first got hints about the Governor’s speedy rescue mission from the statement credited to SSA to the Governor on Students Affairs, Hon Chidi Ilogebe. This was further confirmed by Cmr Romanus Ogene, Chairman National Association of Students, Enugu State.
From the reports at my disposal, Gov Ugwuanyi’s speedy rescue mission was symbolic, being the number one in the country to evacuate stranded students from the troubled institution before others began to toe his line.
This had reminded me of what Gen H.S. Norman said (1934): ” I admire men of character and I judge character, not by how men deal with their superiors, but mostly how they deal with their subordinates, and that, to me, is where you find out what character of man is” From his exalted position the Governor still concerns himself deeply with the welfare and safety of the kids.
While some leaders would only show interests in the high profile issues concerning the privileged class, our people oriented Governor chooses to be child safety conscious and people centered in his administration.
This Ugwuanyi’s action had reminded me of the words of Martin Luther King (Jnr): “The worth of a man is not determined by his position in the time of comfort and convenience, but his position in the time of challenges and controversies”
I shall conclude this appraisal by quoting John Kennedy the ex President of America who said: “America did not build good roads because she is rich. America is rich because she builds good roads”. Governor Ugwuanyi is already building that good road to the future.
Similarly, Governor Ugwuanyi might not be dispensing good governance and dividends of democracy because he wants our support. Governor Ugwuanyi earns and deserves our massive supports because he dispenses good governance and multiples of dividends of democracy to the people because he understands this as his responsibility.
Anyone who does not appreciate that speedy rescue mission of Governor Ugwuanyi is either deliberately playing a mischief or might be benefiting from the humongous security issues around the country.
Bibian Anekwe News added – ““Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed” .
Written by
© OBODO COLLINS OKOLO
Deputy Corps Commander( Retired)
