There may be some iota of truth in the incessant reports that my people of Isuikwuato are ever busy disrespecting and insulting their leaders. More so, those we consider our leaders of thought and elder statesmen.
by Frank Ebere Ikoro (Frank Fune)
There may be some iota of truth in the incessant reports that my people of Isuikwuato are ever busy disrespecting and insulting their leaders. Moreso, those we consider our leaders of thought and elder statesmen. And this account for the reasons why the place called Isuikwuato has been finding it difficult to develop alongside other developed communities in history.
It is on the strength and backdrop of the above that I am offering to say as follows. That although it is said and believed that except God, no one is perfect. And because no one is perfect, yet it is wrong of us how often we are caught as a people disrespecting our supposedly Isuikwuato leaders. Worse still, our elder statesmen who have in the past, as in the present, done their best. This is as they have brought home unto us some verifiable socio political and economic laurels. We ought to thank them, instead of berating them. This is because they didn’t go emptying public vaults and treasuries to satisfy or develop us. No!
I mean people whose names served or continues to serve us as collective identity and password of sorts, so to say.
This is because a cursory look at some of the opinions that are contained in most of the platforms created to serve the best interests of Isuikwuato community, you see and read of those opinions and write ups that suggest or are carefully made to insult, abuse, or show outright disrespect to such people. Sometimes, accusing or indicting them of non performance. Or of failure to meet with our expectations or both, while they were in charge.
Unfortunately, most of the said write ups are known to be coming from the youths. Who needs to be told what they don’t seem to know nor appreciate in their own interest.
Here in, comparing our leaders as has been the case with their contemporaries from other Nigerian communities. We must first of all, take cognizance of the fact that we are Isuikwuato. A land of disciplined people synonymous with good name and ever content with what we have.
It is not by accident that nature made us so. Till this day, it has been to our credit that the average Isuikwuato man or woman is well behaved. And that being a condition that have continued to wining goodwill for us wherever we go or find ourselves.
Throughout history, we are not a covetous people. We may be poor, yet we are not as hungry. While we are never in a hurry to get rich quick, we are also not in the habit of betraying any trust. Or confidence reposed in us.
Honesty has been our watchword and best policy under which we operate. It is even safer to say that it is our culture as much as it is our inheritance.
For example, in the days of 419, there were virtually no Isuikwuato man or woman involved in it. No Isuikwuatoan made saw it as a source of livelihood being the dirty game it is.
I challenge anybody dead or alive to point at any full blooded Isuikwuato man. Or woman that is or was a fraudster/419ner. This is to the best of my knowledge as a showman. Who was at a point in time of my career one of the most sought after entertainer before any one else. That is by the way.
Honesty as a virtue, posture or condition amongst Isuikwuato people didn’t start today. It has been with us as associated with our forebears since creation.
For us as a people, it’s been a slow and steady journey devoid of questionable practices. And we are accordingly happy for it. If, however, we must speed up the tempo, it must not be characterized by insults and disrespects. Where by “Nwanta Amabaghu La Ya Obu Nwanta and Dimkpa Amabakwaghu La Ya Obu Dimkpa.”
While people from other communities in Igboland in particular may be found engaging and succeeding in such misbehaviors or nefarious activities, no Isuikwuato man or woman ever tries it, let alone succeed.
It is without doubt that those who tried it are consumed fast by its circumstances without mercy. If you doubt it, try and see. Juakwa ajuju; hence we know them.
So, that when you expect or when you accuse General Ike Nwachukwu either as a soldier or politician, Frank Fyne either as a musician or broadcaster, Bright Okpocha alias Basketmouth as a comedian, Kelechi Emetole or Philip Osondu, Aloma Abia, or the current Ucheibe as footballers, Emma Nwaka or, Chris Osondu, Eze Ezo Ukandu or Eloagu or Isiocha as traditional rulers of non performance, be reminded that they are Isuikwuato by blood. And are ever mindful of the implications of doing otherwise of the facts as stated above.
Wherefore, insulting them, deriding them, abusing them, and worse still, disrespecting them, can not bring out the best in them. Criticize them if you must, but in doing so, you’re expected to be polite. And constructive enough with a view to preparing those coming after them into improved performances in the future.
I mean, there are more polite ways to kindly address or talk to our leaders. Than the present manner where minors and juniors and all manner of unqualified people who doesn’t know the sacrifices most of these elders have made in the past at taking us to the point where we are today in positive terms. They open their mouths too wide and begin to recklessly deride and abuse this set of people. Who are still capable of influencing or attracting for us one developmental project or the other, now or in future. Or whose names can guarantee us a ticket to ride into paradise. This set of people must know how to talk to these our leaders or keep quiet.
Being rude to such leaders unnecessarily is rather a greater disservice to us as a people than anyone may believe that they didn’t serve us well enough is unfounded.
Again, it is also true that our people have rarely held executive positions lately in contemporary Nigeria.
As at the last time and count they did, was when there was yet discipline in service delivery and system. When leaders operated with the fear of God, bearing probity, accountability and decorum. That General Ike Nwachukwu or any other couldn’t have done otherwise unlike what obtains now.
That he was at all able to site the Abia State University in its present Uturu location is enough to thank, appreciate and be grateful unto him. This is beside other projects and institutions attracted and located in Isuikwuato by our other sons and daughters who never quite enjoyed executive positions. That they saw the need to have done what they did at all, needs to be encouraged and appreciated than berated.
In as much as we all deserve respect, our people should be told and made to know that respect is a catalyst for development. We can not develop if we don’t respect each other. If we go on insulting our supposedly elders/ leaders within at will, people from elsewhere will quickly join us in doing so. Yet, these are the people by and through whom we are called Land of the Generals or of Great People. Depending on which of the two you belong or are inclined to be.
These are the people we have in mind to field politically to go for us and on our behalf at the appropriate time.
Or who doesn’t know that today and for sometime to come names such as General Ihejirika, Cpt.Chris Osondu, High Chief Ray Nkemdirim, Dr. Emma Mbaka, Senator Emma Nwaka, Barrister Ken Ahia, Dr Uche, and Hon. Amobi Ogah, Professors Ernest Ojukwu or Greg Ibeh, Sir Dave Agwala, Chief Onyedimara, Dr. Kachi Iheme, AVM Chinwendu Onyike, Eze Nwachukwu Okere, Eze Okechi Ihemeje, Eze Ndubisi Alletta, Eze Onyeforo, Eze Okey Udeh among our very many other traditional, political and economic leaders though may not be entirely perfect yet their opinions must not be thrown out carelessly upon any issue under discussion. As doing so may cause them to withhold whatever their other great ideas they have on the way forward for us in future.
This is because in recent times we have seen and read where our sons and daughters particularly the youths are taking delight in abusing themselves. Or throwing tantrums at the elders for no just cause or at the slightest provocation. No community develops that way.
Accordingly, I want to tell such to henceforth refrain from such unbecoming attitudes. That doesn’t speak well of us as Ndi Isuikwuato. Even as we are busy telling the world that we are a special people set apart in wait for God’s time.
Only our continued good behaviours will make the way for us in the quest for the much desired structural and infrastructural development. As well as the other developmental dimensions we are praying and asking for.
Insulting and disrespecting our elders is not part of our culture as Ndi Isuikwuato. And we won’t take nor tolerate it any longer from whoever.
Enough is enough.
God bless Isuikwuato Amen.
Frank Ebere Ikori (Frank Fyne)
Writes from Umuobiala, Isuikwuato.
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