I am greatly inspired to put this piece together after listening to the latest efforts of the Ebonyi state born reggae dance hall prodigy Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie better known by his stage name as Patoranking. The lyrics which captured the essence of our living in this clime had admonished on the need to celebrate and appreciate one while he or she is still alive rather than resort to doing that when one would have kicked the bucket and would never know if he or she is being appreciated or not. It is not a question of argument here to assert that many responsible and respectable persons died unsung when they could have been easily lifted from penury while they breathe.
There are also countless others who traversed our space without making meaningful impact in the lives of others in the society, yet people are compelled to stand by their grave side to spew undeserved eulogies. This later group consists of wealthy individuals who applied their wealth and resources not in uplifting the standards of living of the less privileged in our society, but used largely to oppress and to massage their egos. We can find less than inspiring political leaders and self assuming leaders in this group also. These are political leaders who have been made popular by their unusual tardiness in tackling matters that have tendency to uplift the general living situation of the people. These are leaders who do take their mission in government as self serving, self aggrandisement, brooks no opposition, ruthless to political foes and does all sorts of things but work conscientiously to make life any easier for the people. To add salt to injury, the same persons have been eulogized beyond acceptable level even while they are alive just so that their little egos could be massaged by close political friends. Ironically, these same group of leaders have been abandoned or left to wallow in their own rot when they leave their positions of affluence by the same so called political friends.
It is important to stress here that we must not lose sight of the kind of celebration and appreciation which Patoranking espoused in his well crafted lyrics. I’m certain that Patoranking would frown at the kind of celebration we usually give to undeserving members of the public no matter how highly or lowly placed. He must have desired a kind of praise meant for the truly deserving individuals in the society. Individuals who are impacting their society positively should be massively eulogized and praised for their good deeds and while they are still alive so that they can equally have a foretaste of what history would document about them when they are no more. It is instructive to mention also that those who do good have always felt a sense of fulfillment when their good deeds are speaking on their behalf.
His Excellency, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, the governor of Enugu state is unarguably among the league of individuals that history will be kind to. Judging by the deluge of valid and sincere endorsements from wide spectrum of individuals and groups, one is certainly sure to read kind things about governor Ugwuanyi long after he must have left government. The people of Enugu State would remember a man who so embodied humility and candor in governance. We will remember a man so meticulous about ensuring that all sectors of the state socio-political economy receive equal attention. The people will remember a leader who glamorized rural development to stem the tide of urban migration. They will remember a leader who invested so much scarce resources to stimulate even development in all sectors. Governor Ugwuanyi would be remembered as a leader who took the issues of safety and security of his subjects very seriously. Certainly, a leader who is going through uncommon financial stress to reinvent education in his society would be documented kindly. History would surely be kind to an imposing personality who took the affairs of his society to the alter of God and allows His will to take firm grip on the ship of state. Why would history not be kind to a leader who is building houses for the citizens, developing their human capacity, granting them soft loans that they may become self reliant and boost economic growth?
The reasons why history would be kind to Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi are quite legion and may not be accommodated in one piece just as the proper history books that would document his many accomplishments in government may be serialized in volumes. I would like to conclude this piece with the testimony of the veteran Nollywood and consummate media Practitioner, Chief Pete Edochie about Ugwuanyi. And I qoute – “Governor Ugwuanyi has shown uncommon commitment to the governance of his state. Something that is rare in our contemporary time. He is an exceptional leader. I wish him well”.
This is how the story will continue. The entire members of the political movement of the Governor, Enugu di n’aka Chukwu movement will continue to echo that Mr Fulfilment is a good servant leader. We will always wish, governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi well. We are certain that he has delivered in his mandate beyond mere political gerrymandering and hoofs.
Sure, #EnuguStateistrulyinGod’shands.
Bibian Anekwe News added… Almost everything worthwhile carries with it some sort of risk, whether it’s starting a new business, whether it’s leaving home, whether it’s getting married, or whether it’s flying into space
WRITTEN BY
Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
POLITICAL ANALYST
MEDIA TEAM MEMBER: ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
