Goodluck Jonathan and the Igbos. Has our (Igbo) bulk vote for him paid off? By Tobenna Obiano. Friends, Let me begin by craving your indulgence that I dab into the politics of our nation, the people and hope for the future. Yes, I would try as much as possible to avoid involving the different persons, their politics, their political parties, their takes and/or their stands. I would squarely focus on my subject of discuss. In media practice, old news is what is often referred to as stale news and so, its already a stale news that the Igbos in 2011 General elections gave out a terrific bulk vote for the Presidency of the incumbent. In fact, Anambra State for instance gave the highest vote that made way out for the President. Anambrarians voted even beyond the country home state of Bayelsa State where the then contestant and current President hailed from. Many have continued to argue what have they gained either privately or collectively from this government that they gave an unflinching support to. Some go as far as insisting that unfortunately, the Igbos are often used and dumped. Leadership is and remains a sacred trust given to a person or persons by God through Gods people. A Latin adage reads thus: Vox populi, Vox Dei, which when loosely translated means: the voice of the people is the voice of God. Yes, the road and path had been so very rigorous. Plainly speaking, Goodluck had failed many in various aspects. Yes, he had failed! But fair to the man and all that encompasses governance, the young man is trying. Nigeria at present is at war with itself and her people. The Boko Haram menace and other unforseen contingencies that had littered his path to success had been a huge obstacle. But in all, it has not been easy, he has done his bit and well too; yet I insist that their is always call for improvement. Now, let us run down memory lane and focus on our subject matter. Do you know that the last international bound aeroplane, private or commercial jet that left any part or state of the Southeastern part of Nigeria did that immediately after the Nigerian/Biafran war. The peoples General, Dim Chukwemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu had jetted out off Nigeria through the then Uli airstrip for Ivory Coast. Ofcourse, one can insist that he escaped at the end of the war through that route. Again, those relief materials that came to the Igbos during the time of that war was mostly delivered through that airport and another substitute or quite smaller one at Uga. It took about 48years for any Nigerian National leader to think it up to upgrade, expand, modernise and lift the status of any airport in the Southeastern part of Nigeria to an International airport status. The Akanu-Ibiam international airport is now another goodnews. Today, the people of the Southeastern states of Igboland, who are mostly established and successful business men and women and are one of the most peripatetic set of persons in the world can now easily connect to the world. Be Informed that the very popular and ever busy Onitsha main market is the busiest and largest market in the whole of West Africa and the second largest in Africa, after the one in Cairo, Egypt. The people of Igboland are mostly the people who trade in this market. And what of Nnewi, a town in Anambra State of Igboland which could be likened to Souel in South Korea or industrial hubs in Japan. Aside been assumed to be the single town or community throughout Nigeria with the highest number of outstanding and well established billionaires and moguls, all sorts of moving and movable mechanicals are sold there, ranging from motorcycles, tricycles, cars, lorries, heavy duties and equipments and as of lately, cars and buses are now been coupled or mass produced in that town or city, courtesy of Innoson groups. Do I channel to the other renowned business hub of Aba, lets use the ever popular Aliara market there as an instance. Aba markets are just too good. I was once in one of the major markets in Aba, I was wearing a quite expensive Italian shoe, a shoemaker at the market pleaded that he sees it well; I stopped, pulled it off and showed him, he later asked if I can check back on him before leaving. After I was done, I returned to him; lo and behold a clean, if not cleaner replica of my shoe had been made under few hours. Do we talk of their textile and sewing prowess. Even during the quite avoidable and still regrettable Nigerian/Biafran war, it was at Aba that stock fish and used products especially clothes were usually sold. In all, most of these persons of the Southeastern states making up this Igboland need a channel, they want to connect the world, they travel to buy their goods and services from abroad and they are compelled to travel firstly to other states of Nigeria outside the Igbo enclave before making any headway out.. Do you know how many Igbos that flood nations like China, Singapore, Indonesia, India and France to buy goodies for private use and for sale. Many head to Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, and other oil rich nations for deals and bussinesses regarding oil deals. You cant imagine the number of Igbos that travel to nations like Germany, South Korea and Japan to buy cars and other mechanicals and machines for private use and for sale. A lot of our Igbo brothers and sisters travel for holidays or send their children to the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia for further studies. Many also make a choice of Rome and Israel for pilgrimages. In all these travels, no known route could have been a channel or window to the world, until one man decided to break the jinx, broke away from the ordinary, gave out the breath of freshness and fresh air,today you can connect any part of the world right from the Southeast as against the former option of using Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, Kano and other of such options. It was like a miracle, God used Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to do that magic. I kindly also appreciate our dear daughter, Princess. Stella Oduah, a lady who it was she that served as Nigerias Aviation Minister for this magic or call it miracle to make way. Believe it or yes, that same wonder is underway, the second Niger bridge which has been politicized by very many past leaders and their cohorts. To this day, huge hope now lies ahead. And with the present zeal, it is likely not going to be business as usual, that bridge would be done. If the Igbos insist that Jonathan has done nothing or less for their bulk vote for him, let us appreciate this two gestures and less I forget, our Federal Roads are at various stages nearing completion. In sum, who am I to pick up Mr. Jonathan for you as a choice? All we basically know is that the choices are there. It is quite plain, open and simple. A time to choose lies ahead before us all. The choice of old or new, the choice of forward moves or drive-backs. The choice of Religious sentiments or issue-based politics. It is only going to be petty or misconceptious to believe that people of the old do less, or looked upon like they are vegetable. Remember Bush the father at 80years parachuted down from an aeroplane and landed successfully, this might have outstanded many of the young age, your most sincerely included (smiles). It would also be wrong notion to feel that youthful exuberance often seen among people of the younger age means all youth are crazy and/or have set out to fail. Recall that Lew Kew Yew rapidly transformed Singapore from a backward third world nation to a modern world class nation which now has the best and busiest seaport in the world. Party politics has destroyed quite a lot. Religion, our stands, cultures and believe is also not doing us any good, especially when sentiments role into play. The human conscience, drive for purpose and determination is all that one needs, coupled with been sound mentally, physically and otherwise. Knowledge could not be wished out or waved down, because it is the preliminary for a true successful outcome for any undertaking. Again many thanks to our dear President Goodluck Joathan and all who have genuinely played any pivotal role to these successes. Goodluck fellow Nigerians. Tobenna Obiano MD, EXPLORER MAGAZINE Founder, ANAMBRA STATE FORUM WORLDWIDE
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 13:20:57 +0000
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