Vectors of development: Case for the adoption of B.E.S.T (BEST) Model as ideal for Eluama Development Union Worldwide

Vectors of development: Case for the adoption of B.E.S.T (BEST) Model as ideal for Eluama Development Union Worldwide

Being text of Nkari Eluama/Lecture series delivered by Mazi Chukwuma Ubaji Amaram (ShaFT) MNIM, emeritus Secretary-General, Eluama Development Union, EDU World Wide on August 30, 2024 at the occasion of the IriJi Eluama Community, Isuamawu, Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria

PROTOCOL

The President-General of Eluama Development Union World Wide (EDU WW), Members of EDU WW National Executive Committee; Your Excellencies; Mayor of Isuikwuato Local Government Area Council; Your Royal Highnesses/Your Majesties, our Revered Traditional Rulers/Ndi-Eze Eluama; Traditional Prime Ministers; Distinguished Personalities; Emeriti Presidents- General/Emeriti Members of the National Executive Committee of EDU WW; Members of EDUWW Central Executive Committee; Members of EDU WW Branch Unions Executive Committees; President-General Elect and National Executive Committee Members-Elect of EDU WW; Distinguished Emeriti Speakers of Nkari Eluama/Lecture Series; Esteemed Members of EDU WW in Nigeria and in Diaspora; Distinguished Chiefs/Elders and Citizens of Eluama Community; Distinguished Members of the Press, the Fourth Estate.

With the deepest sense of honour and humility, I wish to welcome everyone to this August occasion. I extend sincere compliments and assurances of goodwill to one and all, with great respects.

The Omnipresent and The Omniscient, whose infinite kindness and mercies abound exceedingly in our midst in this assembly, marking another significant Milestone, is most worthy of Special Recognition in this gathering. Receive honour and glory, we pray Thee, Eternal Father in Heaven. Amen!

My inestimably, profound gratitude is extended especially to the President-General, EDU WW, Chief Johnnie Emenike Ndukauba, PhD. And Members of the National EXCO, EDU WW, particularly, for finding my humble self, worthy to handle the onerous task of presenting the Annual Nkari Eluama/Lecture Series under the aegis of EDU WW 2024 Iriji/August Convention.

This is the reason, I have the singular honour and privilege to stand before Ndi-Eluama this day, to discharge this great responsibility.

I pray sincerely, I shall live up to the high expectation and traditions of Nkari Eluama. Following in the footsteps and the Giant strides of those who have blazed the trail and trailed this path before me, as Forerunners.

PROLOGUE

Majority of our eminent and distinguished personalities and Ndi-Eluama, in this Hall, and many others, I suppose, and I believe, are well acquainted and versed on the subject of the Genesis or The Origins of Eluama Development Union World Wide, based on historical accounts and existing records, including Oral undocumented accounts. The Evolution and steady Transformations, at different times and epochs, are some of the remarkable History of EDU WW. From the humble origins, as the Nucleus and Initiative of elite class of Western education hungry and thirsty Eluama indigenes, to the enlargement as Pan-Eluama organ, with Global/Diaspora tentacles in different parts of the World, EDU WW, from the early springboard, assumed the identity of Catalyst for communal development initiatives and aspirations.

The Cycle or Cycles of EDU Evolution and ongoing Transformations, bear records and testify to the dogged Spirits of great determination, perseverance and resolve of Ndi-Eluama, collectively to hold our Destiny or Fate in our own hands, to quest to develop and transform Eluama Community, in all ramifications, in line with the aspirations and realities of human or societal existence, characterized by myriad socioeconomic, political, cultural, educational, poverty alleviation, insecurity, and many other challenges closely associated with community development at different times.

Let me, with the deepest sense of responsibility, use this platform and the privileged opportunity of today, to pay my most sincere and humble respects to the Founding Fathers of EDU WW; and to subsequent successor Generations of Ndi-Eluama, who have continually remained steadfast to serve as Torch Bearers, by holding firmly the Batons bequeathed by the Founding Fathers, with Spirits of relentless diligence, as Worthy Successors of the Founding Fathers, as great Ambassadors of EDU WW.

I do so, specifically, in recognition of the vital roles of Leadership in driving the engine of organizations and human affairs, in family units, communities, societies, and at the national and supranational levels.

Leadership is essential for the survival and growth of organizations.

In same token of gratitude, I commend and recognize the unquantifiable critical roles and priceless contributions, in terms of human and material resources of Ndi-Eluama in general towards the well- being of EDU WW, including the EDU WW, Women’s Wing and the Youth Wing, as Catalysts and vital pillars in propelling progressively forward EDU WW, as an entity.

Scores of stories and statistics abound of EDU WW like early initiatives in other communities that were short-lived and died prematurely. For the mere fact, through the collective resolve of NdI-Eluama, spanning different Generations, EDU WW, like the proverbial Phoenix, remains Alive, waxing stronger, despite numerous cocktails of challenges, is a huge credit to the indefatigable Spirits of Ndi-Eluama. We, surely, deserve to be very proud of ourselves, notwithstanding any shortcomings, even as we continually strive to remodel and modernize EDU WW, in order to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

It is no accident or coincidence, we are here in this Hall, assembled to rub minds on EDU WW and to discuss EDU WW affairs, as we have customarily done previously, under the aegis of Nkari Eluama, as a forum designed to direct our attention to pertinent and critical subjects that fall outside the ambit or the corridors of EDU WW Conventions/Congress.

SYNOPTIC REVIEW OF PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS

In the last IriJi Nkari Eluama (Lecture) of 2023, we drank from the fountain of knowledge of one of the eminent and distinguished personalities, Mr. Ernest Ozoemelam Onuoha. Specifically, we learned, and I believe, we appreciated and understood the vital essence and meaning of one important Aphorism or Concept. A Concept that can be described as truthful and had shaped significantly the Philosophy and outlook of Life among humans. Whether we are sailing with the East or West winds, whether we are circumnavigating to the Northward or Southward hemispheres, we have ultimately one singular objective or purpose in mind: to set our compass to touch base with Home (ELUAMA), in the final analysis.

The fundamental objective or purpose, ultimately, is at some specific points in time to make Home our final port of destination, either deliberately or in some cases by circumstantial occurrences or by acts of Providence. Mr. Ernest Onuoha, quintessential Registrar and University Administrator Par Excellence/Extraordinary, in his incisive, thoughts provoking, eloquently delivered presentation, nailed the point perfectly and squarely. I hope, and I believe, the cardinal point, registered well in our hearts, minds, and souls. Personally, I came to the realization of certain dynamics operative in our communal sociology, polity and political economy, through the channel of that presentation.

Thank you Mr. Onuoha, for opening the eyes of our minds to accept and realize the truth: East or West, Home, truly, is the best. Rephrased or paraphrased, Eluama is our Home, our ONLY Home, in the real sense.

By extrapolation, we can argue convincingly, if we jointly transform Eluama to meet our collective aspirations or yearnings, there can be no better place, in the final analysis. This cardinal point, is a Paradox essentially. A Paradox, Ndi-Eluama and EDU WW, cannot afford to consider lightly, in the short or long terms.

Whether, for obvious reasons or circumstances closely tied to daily survival quests, economic considerations, sociopolitical and geopolitical considerations, or other tenable factors, there is no other place to think of in terms of general betterment and prospects of development, EXCEPT ultimately Eluama, our Home. This cardinal truth, resonates with and encapsulates ancient wisdom, as much as wisdom of modern times, or timeless counseling. Eluama, is our ONLY true Home!

First and foremost, Eluama, is the critical place to focus our collective attention and energies or resources, in all ramifications, no matter wherever we are presently planted or located, as Ndi-Eluama.

Eluama, is our primary PRIORITY, and focal point, strategically considered and analyzed, without painting words.

Let us internalize this cardinal truth: “EAST OR WEST, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” to quote Mr. Onuoha.

In 2022, preceding Mr. Onuoha, of East or West, analogy, AVM Chinwendu Onyike (Rtd), dynamically, with professional expertise, explored and confronted the hydra-headed, worrisome, subject bordering on SECURITY/INSECURITY.

As, the Pioneer Mayor of Isuikwuato Local Government Area Council of Abia State, under the transformational/ transformative Administration and Leadership, of HE, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, Governor of Abia State, I have no iota of doubts or illusions, the well thought-out PRESCRIPTIONS advocated and proffered, by AVM Onyike (Rtd), account to some large extent, in synergy with the Security Templates of the Abia State Government, for the relative calm and secured environments we have experienced in Eluama Isuikwuato specifically, and in other integral component parts of the Isuikwuato LGA geopolitical jurisdiction.

We can appreciate and relate to the direct connection/correlation and benefits of the symbiotic relationship of SECURITY MATTERS and the Concept of East or West, there’s no place like Home! Security is a vital factor in the context of development, as Catalyst or Inhibitor.

Today, we shall build on the concrete foundations already laid by AVM Onyike, and Mr. Onuoha. To further explore the classical and existential subject of Development, in the specific context of EDU WW, as engine for the transformation of our community.

Today, we shall be examining and exploring How and Why BEST MODEL is ideal and helpful for our present challenges as a Community, leveraging on EDU WW as Catalyst for Development.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND MEANING OF BEST MODEL.

BEST, is fundamentally, Acronym. A Concept/Construct. It is a Model or a Template, conceived to drive developmental initiatives ultimately for best results. BEST MODEL is a Paradigm. Essentially new approach on how to visualize and manage effectively and efficiently developmental projects or programs, including processes and procedures, as a holistic system. BEST MODEL challenges us to analyze, diagnose, and review past and present circumstances and realities of communal development initiatives, with the sole intent to brace up for the peculiar challenges and realities of our current circumstances and dispensation in the context of ever dynamic globalized environments.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CORE GOALS/OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENTATION

These include primarily and essentially:

• To orchestrate synergy and strategic driven cooperation and engagement in the interface of the component units and Autonomous Communities in Eluama, leveraging specifically on EDU WW, as the common point of convergence or the critical Vector of Development, as the apex organization and engine to trigger socioeconomic and communal development in Eluama Community.
• To review and interrogate EDU WW evolution and metamorphosis, in the context of developmental initiatives and achievements, past and present.

• To SWOT-Analyze EDU WW, functionally and operatively, with a view to identify existing gaps or faultlines; and spotlight the necessary corrective measures or mechanisms for adoption or adaptation.

• To spotlight gaps or missing links and shortcomings existing in the context of EDU WW Architecture, goals and objectives, contextualized in principle, from time to time, under different leaderships; and to balance or match the desired goals and goals-attainment in principles and in reality: some kind of audit orientated process/system.
• To streamline and prioritize effectively existing agenda setting mechanisms of EDU WW, in Community development policies and programs.
• To advocate, propagate, propose and recommend for consideration and adoption, by EDU WW, and component units of Eluama Community, a systemic or systematized Model: BEST MODEL, to drive functionally and operationally developmental agendas and frameworks, designed as viable alternative approach to developmental methodologies.

THE ORIGINS/GENESIS OF BEST MODEL

BEST MODEL is the outcome of my personal reflections, research contemplations, and rigorous mental analyses of EDU WW approach or modus operandi. Prompted or stimulated by the collective desires, clamours, advocacies and agitations, in the past or presently, in search of WHAT, WHY, HOW/Actions. (Means, or Measures to adopt/adapt) to strengthen EDU WW, holistically, from the perspectives of effective and efficient delivery of developmental projects and programs. By deploying more effective and efficient modes of robust systems and frameworks, geared towards the singular core purpose of all-round-better performance index, in terms of measurable result-oriented developmental initiatives delivery by EDU WW.

BEST MODEL, conceptually, is value creating, value laden, Concept/Model. Specifically, a Paradigm, in principle, and more importantly, in terms of practical results. More on BEST MODEL, as we proceed.

In addition to the Core or Primary aims, already highlighted, incorporated are the following SPECIFIC Objectives:

• To chart visionary roadmap/trajectories, or technically, Blueprints as termed, for the systematically guided evolution and transformations of EDU WW, anchored on Strategic Intents, in response to pressing needs and expectations, in the context of Community development initiatives.
• To explore creative and viable innovative policies, programs, and processes, either conceptualized entirely by EDU WW, or borrowed, designed to reposition EDU WW or EDU WW affiliate organs, especially, at the most critical levels of Branch Unions, as the Arteries of the apex body.
• To strategize, synergize, and synchronize/synthesize, effectively and efficiently coordination of the component units and Autonomous Communities, under EDU WW, umbrella, without mortgaging the critical essence or roles of Autonomous Communities as independent entities and the products of legal creation and/or legal entities, in tandem with government policy and statues. In this regards, needless for Autonomous Communities to compete or rival EDU WW, as some incidents have clearly indicated, unfortunately.
• To redefine/refine, streamline the vital essence and meaning of the omnibus term: “Development”. Specifically, with reference to the critical templates of physical and infrastructural developmental initiatives, undertaken independently by EDU WW, or in cooperation or collaboration with governments at different strata, or with non-governmental developmental agencies.
• To emphasize and pinpoint specifically, the vital need and great significance of the fundamental and pivotal roles of Unity of Purpose, Equity and Justice, Peaceful Coexistence, Respect for constituted authorities, particularly, EDU WW EXCO at the apex national level or Branch Unions, as duly elected Leaders and Representatives of Eluama Community; communal Age-long ancestral ties we commonly share as Eluama Community; the strong bonds of Love, Brotherhood and Sisterhood, Friendship, amongst other critical reference points, that cement, hold, glue, and weld us together and compactly, as Ndi-Eluama, as a unique people, in customs and traditions: symbols of the proud heritage and legacies passed on from one Generation to another Generation. These are integral aspects of the term Development, intangible and intangible forms and manifestation.

to be continued in next publication

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