GUYUK LG:FERTILE AUDACITY FOR HOPE by Nelson Tidwawa,Yola. There is no gainsaying the fact that Guyuk LG is at a trying moment in a rather recurring nature that seem to dash the stability which enables a responsible government to meet the needs of its citizens.Many concerned sons and daughters have made comments(good or bad) about the development.However,i personally have never seen or heard of a time where a LUNGUDA spoke with disdain and disgust at beign Lunguda as now.That disgust for the Lunguda youth in particular dominated discussion on our most popular Lunguda group on one of the social networks that i feel obliged to respond to.It is my habit to dismiss such view as the inalienable individual right to an opinion. However,the comments that followed and the way the issues raised where replied to honestly signals a rather unhealthy development that I cant ignore but take head-on.I do not deny the presence of circumstances and conditions that could warrant such conclusions.To deny the fact that Guyuk LG is home to several economic and socio-political challenges is to deny an obvious truth.Yes we have problems that need not be with us as a community of productive humans known for discipline,decorum and respect for constituted authority.It is rather sad that the actions responsible for our problems is alien to our true principles and character as Lunguda people and indigenes of Guyuk LG.We are now a shadow of our former selves.Yes!But must we condemn ourselves and feel ashamed simply becausd we are governed by false humans of our identity?We need to develop an uncommon audacity to hope for better days ahead for the Lunguda and Guyuk LG. Now is the time to write a topic like this, a time where everything seem to be at a standstill, a time where the centre seem not able to hold the substance anymore, a time where hope is a treasure we are fighting for. Now is the time to evaluate ourselves, to understand where we are coming from and to know where we are heading to. Now is the time not only to pray, but praying for the right reasons, now is the time we need not speak gibberish all in the name of political debates. A time of optimism rather than pessimism. Now is the time to see ourselves as part of a community that needs our collective and individual responsibility. Now is the time that challenges us as human being and not as a nationality or ethnicity. Now is not the time to lose hope, but to find where hope lies. A time and moment that should inspire us. A fact remains that we have come a long way, an applaudable and enviable achievement in our historical development. This is not the time to give in to that pessimism but to be optimistic about a future which might not be for us. Yes!! We are victims of the time, but we should take solace in the fact that some people are still going to enjoy it. That is why we need to fight with everything we have got and contribute our own quota in whatever capacity we might be. The problem is most of us move with the wheel of the vices, because we have left ourselves so vulnerable and weak. We need to control the wheel. Well, that is if you are ready, that is if you want your name to be written in the sand of time “Great people are remembered not for what they did, but for what others didn’t”. Revolution!!! Most of you might think that is where am heading to, well, it could be for you.Count me out! But! We need to start with our mind-set, we need to change our thought of thinking, we need to clear-off our mind of whatever we might have against our home at this time, because we the people own the home, as sarcastic as that might sound; we own it! And without us, the idea of a government is an illusion. But the problem is most of us are too weak or afraid, that is the reason we mindlessly join the bandwagon. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves purpose-ful questions like “Why am I here? It is definitely for a reason, but we are too preoccupied getting sad about the failures of our home government that we forget to look inwards Into our own person and personality. We are too busy blaming the irresponsible government and ludicrous system that we don’t find the truth about ourselves. We need to move from that stage! We need to look for ways we can be reckon with and be a reference point. We need to do projects no matter how small, but something that will be memorable. It’s not about money that is an excuse for your incapability. It is about putting a smile on someone’s face. Happiness they say is a matter of choice, some of you will intelligently argue with me that,what is there to be happy about in Guyuk LG or being Lunguda in this present times ? A sadist friend of mine even asked me one day, that How can you have a bright future in a dark place like Guyuk LG? I smiled because I know that he has wrong mind-set and outlook to life and not Guyuk LG or being Lunguda. That is what the mind could do to a man and that is why we need orientation. Rhetorically, how can you be a hopeful man in an hopeless country?? It just doesn’t rhyme. We need to cast our mind towards those things that is still keeping us together as a people . We need to find the source of happiness in being Lunguda. If you cant do that, then you are yourself an unhappy man who wants to make others the same. We the average older generation need to digress the minds of the upcoming generation into those things that could just be a means of happiness and pride. Yes! I know they watch the news themselves and are quite conversant with the wrongs of our political elites but the social media as agent of socialization have a vital role to play in that regards. Thus, What then is the hope in Guyuk or beign Lunguda? What will be the source of happiness? I know such question is already brewing in your mind and I wouldn’t be a good writer if I don’t tell you some which I feel could be. (everyone entitled to his/ her opinion). Culture has been an age-long phenomenon which has kept people and their land together. Guyuk LG as the spiritual home of the Lunguda is blessed with that, this is something that makes us lift shoulder-high among nations; the dynamism. Long before colonization, our culture has been there and it has kept us as one in our various communities. It is not just about the culture now but about the richness and beauty in that culture. From our indigenous costumes to the crafts,geography and topography to the diverse dialects within thesame Lunguda mother tongue to the dressing,to the dancing in the festivals to the various local delicacies. Cherishing all these has kept the bond and pride of beign Lunguda and inhabitants of Guyuk LG. Another is our natural resources, the creator has endowed us with, it is too numerous to mention and not to worry, it cannot dry up or get depleted simply because it is still untapped. From the kaolin, ignite,gemstone and top of all limestone. Also do not forget, our natural cash crop;guinea-corn,cotton,soyabeans and cassava.Thank heavens! for the fertile lands and the favourable climate. Well, to the sadist, they might not still be convinced; probably the write-up is not for them. But to us who are of the optimistic mind will know that every child wouldn’t grow the same way, some will struggle and take them time to start walking uprightly on both feet. Not every flower that we water survives. Political awareness among the generality of Guyuk LG Lunguda is at its formative years as far as am concerned. It will finally grow one day. It is almost a cliché now to say “Rome was not built in a day”. I guess we are fast growing impatient to see change because we feel we have all it got. But, it takes more than that. Well it’s good everyone is expressing their views and opinions, it shows that we have moved from a particular stage when people didn’t know what was happening, there is now more political consciousness. Guyuk LG is growing; it might not be at the pace you want. But it is. Every department of the Local government has qualified youths of our own (or similar )academic pedigree enough to bring the much desired change.Their academic qualifications have since certified them as capable of doing something and though they might have failed, we need to see it as our experimental stage, for something bigger and better which is to come. You might also complain about a visionary leader, someone who has a sense of purpose and ready to serve; it is a phase which we shall certainly pass.Impeachments,suspension or removal of leadership leads to political instability which renders a government insecure for service to the people.Much to talk about on this subject matter that is now a forbidden issue to talk about on social media so therefore I will save up my ink here. I have been in that stage that I complained, criticized, condemned, felt sad, felt worried,and felt angry about a system and a government who have no idea where they are driving the train to, the driver and it’s conductors are clueless, probably because most of them are not even qualified to drive. And when you are not qualified to drive and you put a car on the road; you might just be perambulating. I just pray they don’t finally lose control and land us to a …………However, I have passed that stage, I have come to accept the fact that there must be a reason for being given birth in this blessed Guyuk LG as to be called a Lunguda and Lunguda youth for that matter.I need to realize that reason and work towards it. I need to be happy with myself and where i come from, which is the only way to true success. I need to help people around me not only through money but spoken words could go a long way. I need to be inspired even during the darkest of time. Finally, my fellow Lunguda, we need not brood over the perils and trials of this time, but be rest assured and smile for the joy and glory which is yet to come. May all true Lunguda say Amen!
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:50:28 +0000