If APC had won

Commentary@ITREALMS:

If APC had won, the traditional institutions in Anambra State would have been turned into a laughing stock. More so, Obi of Onitsha, that fine Gentleman, would be dethroned by the Government of the day and replaced with a Bootlicking Traditional Ruler. Eze Alfred Achebe would go to Court and obtain a judgment for his reinstatement, but they would disregard, scorn and despise it. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, all the houses and structures lying beside the already solidly asphalted Ekwulobia Ezinifite road, Ndiokwu-Amikpa-Oki Umuchi road, Nsogwu Umunze road, Oye Neni-Adazi Nnukwu-Akwaeze-Igboukwu road, Agulu Nwanchi-Obeledu-Neni road by Obiano Administration would be demolished for the sake of needless expansion. And after the expansion, that part of the road would delapidate in 3months. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, those roads mentioned above would be momentarily motorable at yuletide and will be washed away with the first heavy rain of the rainy season. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had constructed those 3 Flyovers in Awka, it would not have been that solid. It would have been done with Blocks. The Aroma Bridge, the Bridges in Amawbia and Kwata, the two Bridges and 5-Cell Culvert in Awgbu-Ndiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma axis would have been constructed with Headpans and Barrows by unskilled Labourers. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, first two months of resumption of duty would be Operation Demolish Markets. Onitsha Main Market, Ogidi Building Material Market, International Electronics Market Onitsha and Nkwo Nnewi Market would be demolished. And hunger and penury will be unleashed on Anambrarians. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had been there in the last four years, Orumba General Hospital would not have been refurbished and re-equipped. Onitsha General Hospital wouldnt have been rehabilitated. Ultra Modern Clinic wouldn't have been set up in Adazi Ani and Onitsha. Rather, 21 gigantic Structures would have been conspicuously built in all the 21 Local Governments of Anambra with none of them equipped or staffed. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had been there in the last four years, the Agricultural revolution which the government launched in Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area, the $150m which the government attracted from Coscharis Farm Project in Anaku and the $50m the government attracted from the Songhai/Delfarms integrated Organic Farm Project in Igbariam which has made the State an Exporter of Farm Produce in Europe would have been replaced with "ikuola nkwu" slogan. The State wouldnt have been flooding the Markets with Anambra Rice which is competing favourably with other brands in the markets. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, these monumental agricultural activities going on in Igbariam and Anaku will cease in less than 6months of assumption of power. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, Pensioners in Anambra State who had enjoyed prompt payment of their deserved Pension would receive dud Cheques subsequently. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, Civil Servants in Anambra state who have as well enjoyed prompt payment of salaries would have these wages impiously slashed and paid in bits and pieces after it had been in arrears for nothing less than 6months. And there may not be any promotion for Civil Servants for another 4years. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, Anambra State would host African Presidents and honour them with Life-size Statues in Awka while Achebe, Ojukwu and Osadebe watch from the celestial sidelines in silent envy. Ask any Imolite.

In addition to that, popular roads in Awka like Works Road, Dike Street which runs into Zik Avenue, Obunagu Road, Dr. S.M Okeke Avenue, Nwibor Street, Ken Okoli Street, Chukwuogor Street etc, will all change their age-long identities and take that of An African Leader whose Leadership has never been of any benefit to any Anambrarian. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, on his Inaugural Speech, Nwoye would have promised Anambrarians "Jab, Jab, Jab. Factory, Factory, Factory. Industry, Industry, Industry" while churning out policies that will scuttle the realisation of those set targets. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had been in charge these past four years, over 500 Anambra Youths wouldnt have been effectively trained in diverse skills and crafts at the Technology Incubation Centre in Nnewi. Over 500 Anambra Youths would not have been trained at the Agricultural Training Institute in Mgbakwu. Rather, the Government would have abruptly disrupted the Programme, conducted an Inquest into the propriety of the process and after 3 years and more come up with a Youth Must Work Initiative where Anambra Youths will be distracted with 20,000 monthly stipend which shall last just for 7months or a little less. After then, they roam the streets of Awka helplessly. Ask any Imolite.

If APC were there in the last 4years, Anambra State would not have maintained an enviable position in both NECO and WAEC examinations as a result of qualitative education. Rather, education would have been dragged into the mud in the name of Free Education. Faculties of Medicine and Law et al in Anambra State Univerity would have lost accreditation, the Teaching Hospital would have grounded to a halt because of lack of subvention. Ask any Imolite.

Education in Anambra State which was pursued in tripod dimensions of infrastural development, pupils/students development and Teachers' welfare would have received a planless approach where you starve a Lactating Mother and expect the Baby to grow rapidly. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, Nwoye's 44th Birthday on September 13 of next year would have been lavishly and prodigally celebrated with 21 human-size cakes while the impoverished Pensioners and Civil Servants are made to watch smacking their lips. Ask any Imolite.

If APC had won, by this time next year, the Government would approve 850m Naira to the Sister of the Governor for christmass decoration. Then those roads constructed shortly before the rainy season would receive a hurried make-over to enchant the view of Anambrarians who would come home at yuletide. Ask any Imolite.

If Anambrarians did not have a feel of God's manifold miracle of November 18, Imolites got a vicarious thrill of it.

On Sunday morning, we looked up to the mountains where our help shall come from and prayed to the God of "Ndi Anambra" for ours in 2019.

*Contributed by Chinedu Agu

 

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ISOC highlights benefits of Internet economy for Africa

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The latest Internet Society (ISOC) study, has highlighted some benefits of the Internet economy to the African continent, reports ITRealms.

The Africa Region Bureau Director for the Internet Society, Dr. Dawit Bekele, gave this insight, noted that many African countries have made significant progress towards creating an Internet sector, with broad reforms that focus on increasing broadband availability. 

He said, there have been further successes within countries in developing online platforms, fostering growth of local companies and increasing the incentive to go online, saying that a new report launched today by the Internet Society, a global non-profit dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution and use of the Internet.

ISOC in a study titled “Promoting the African InternetEconomy” which also highlighted how greater use of the Internet and digitization of the traditional economy will spur economic growth in Africa.

Further, Bekele revealed that the study examined Internet adoption and use by companies and governments throughout the region, identifying barriers that must be overcome in order to create an Internet economy that delivers innovative services, job opportunities and income growth across the continent.

Both businesses and citizens can benefit from an Internet economy. Businesses across all sectors gain access to a global marketplace of billions of people, and citizens in both rural and urban areas benefit from enhanced educational and training opportunities and access to new job possibilities.

The report also outlines what needs t be done for Africa to take full advantage of the digital opportunity offered by the Internet. It highlights local successes as well as broader challenges, offering recommendations for policymakers in Africa to adopt.

“The Internet economy presents a major opportunity for Africa. However, Africa needs a secure and reliable Internet infrastructure that users trust in order to bringing large and small businesses online, along with governments and other social services,” explains Dawit Bekele, Africa Region Bureau Director for the Internet Society.

The Internet Society in collaboration with the African Union recently introduced Internet Infrastructure Security Guidelines for Africa to help AU member states strengthen the security of their local Internet infrastructure through actions at a regional, national, ISP/operator and organizational level.

However, a thriving Internet economy in Africa, he said, could be put at risk by the increasing number of Internet shutdowns in the region. In 2016 alone, there were at least 56 shutdowns of the Internet around the world. These shutdowns affect individuals and organizations that depend on the Internet for their daily lives and have negative effects on the economy.

“In addition to the economic costs, Internet shutdowns also affect trust. If people don’t know whether they will have connectivity, they can no longer rely on that connectivity to build Internet-based businesses. This will affect entrepreneurs in greatest need of digital-led innovation for their own future, and the future of the Internet economy in Africa,” Bekele said.

Nonye Dom/GEE

 

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Yudala commits to best prices nationwide for black Friday

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As Nigerians look forward to the global celebration of this year’s Black Friday on Friday November 24th 2017, Nigeria’s pioneer online and offline e-commerce company, Yudala has restated its commitment to offer shoppers guaranteed  best prices across its wide range of products online and in all Yudala stores nationwide.

According to Wole Ogundare, Managing Director at Yudala, the company’s commitment to best prices and genuine products cannot be matched anywhere else in the market.

“At Yudala, our motivation is to help You Live Well. This explains our commitment to offering you guaranteed genuine products at the best prices in the market, whether online, offline in the stores or in the open market. For this year’s Black Friday which is being marked officially on Friday November 24th, we have put together a wide assortment of products across various categories including Home Appliances, Computing, Electronics, Mobile phones, Lifestyle/Consumer Goods, Power Solutions, Food, Wines/Spirits, among others.

“We are not only offering you best prices across these product categories but Yudala is a pace-setter, so we are willing to take it even further. For Black Friday, if you find a lower price for a product certified as genuine by the Original Equipment Manufacturer or a lower price than the OEM-approved price for a product we carry, we will refund you the difference.

""This is proof that you can only get the best prices for all your shopping needs from Yudala,” he declared. “All you need to do is visit www.yudala.com or walk into any Yudala Store closest to you to enjoy our best price offerings.”

Plans are also in place to storm two locations in Ajah and Ikotun: Ajah Market beside Alesh Hotel, Ajah Bus Stop and the Roundabout by Conoil at Ikotun on Saturday November 25th for the next leg of the Yudala 11/11-12/12 Mega Black Friday offline neighborhood sales. Through this initiative, the company has given thousands of unreached and under-served Nigerians in various locations a chance to shop genuine products at special prices unmatched in the marketplace.

The excitement expressed by shoppers at previous locations including Festac, Trade Fair at Amuwo-Odofin, Ikorodu and Agege has been massive, with Yudala bringing smiles to the faces of thousands at each venue with special price slashes on a wide range of products.

Last Saturday November 18th, the Yudala 11/11-12/12 neighborhood train stopped at Ita Ilewa, Ikorodu and the Mosalashi Alhaja Market in Agege with two truckloads of products for many eagerly-awaiting shoppers in both locations who wasted no time in taking advantage of the amazing deals in its Mega Black Friday promotion.

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Anambra Poll: OOPF applauds Anambra indigenes, tasks INEC

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The Oriental Online Publishers Forum (OOPF) has commended the people of Anambra State for their peaceful conduct during the state governorship election held on Saturday, reports ITRealms.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by it's chairman, Mr. Max Amuchie and secretary, Mr. Chris Ndiribe, the group said the people of the state came out en masse and peacefully cast their votes contrary to the fear expressed by pre-election analysts because of what appeared to be security lock-down of the state and threat issued by IPOB.

The OOPF congratulated Governor Willie Obiano on his landslide victory and commended the other candidates who have since accepted the outcome of the election.

The statement also hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free and fair election.

The statement said the "Oriental Online Publishers Forum wishes to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for successfully conducting a free and fair governorship election in Anambra State last weekend.

Given the tension and anxiety generated during preparations for the electoral contest which took place amidst huge security concerns and call from some quarters for boycott, it is indeed a huge relief that the exercise took place without any major incident.

"It is also noteworthy that the electoral umpire carried out the poll conclusively without giving room for unnecessary waste of time and scarce resources.

"However, the commission needs to address the nightmare of logistical hiccups which hampered its operations in some parts of the state.

"This has become necessary as the next step INEC must take if its evolution to becoming a highly efficient, transparent and reliable public institution is to be realised.

"The electoral body should take those steps as a way of boosting citizens' confidence in the electoral system. If that is done minor hitches which occurred in Anambra will have become things of the past by the time the next round of governorship elections are conducted in Ekiti and Osun States. "INEC's performance in these two outstanding gubernatorial polls would indeed serve as the last of the litmus tests before the 2019 general election."

The Forum said the police, the Military and other security agencies equally gave good account of themselves during the election such that the conduct and outcome of the election raised no controversy.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/GEE

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90-year of radiocommunication, testifies sustainable development to wireless ecosystem - ITU

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The global telecom agency, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has described the 90^th anniversary of radiocommunication as the testimony to sustainable development to wireless ecosystem, reports ITRealms.

This, ITRealms gathered culminated in the radiocommunication stakeholders high-level assembly from around the globe in Geneva Tuesday, November 21.

The achievements of the ITU-R Study Groups, ITRealms also reports, was recognized as a testimony of the inspiring global collaboration to produce universally applied regulations, standards and best practices, as illustrated by the continuous growth in the use of wireless communications in the last thirty years and of an ubiquitous wireless world connected by ITU.

The anniversary celebrations in Geneva were attended by more than 266 participants from 57 administrations, including ITU-R sector members, associates and academic experts; former ITU officials; former directors of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau; current and former members of the Radio Regulations Board (RRB); former members of the International Frequency Registration Board (IFRB); as well as ITU-R Study Group chairmen and former CCIR Study Group chairmen.

The event included addresses by Malcolm Johnson, ITU's Deputy Secretary-General, and François Rancy, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director. A panel discussion on the importance of CCIR/ITU-R Study Groups activities and their contribution to shaping and enabling the global wireless ecosystem was held in conjunction with the first ITU inter-regional preparation workshop for the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference. Industry partners attending the ceremony's panel discussions included representatives of the GSM Association (GSMA), EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA), European Broadcasting Union (EBU), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), European Commission, Tetra Critical Communications Association (TCCA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Science Committee on Frequency Allocations for Radio Astronomy and Space Science (IUCAF), Rohde & Schwarz and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

"Please join me in congratulating the CCIR*/ITU Radiocommunication Sector Study Groups on their 90th Anniversary, which represents a successful global collaboration that has gone a long way to develop universally applied regulations, standards and best practices, to enable the sustainable development of the wireless ecosystem," said Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General.

Currently, more than 5,000 specialists, from administrations, the telecommunications industry and academic organizations throughout the world, participate in the work of the ITU-R Study Groups on topics including: efficient use and management of spectrum/orbit resources, radiowave propagation, definition of future radiocommunication systems characteristics and performance, including fixed communications, aeronautical, maritime and land mobile communications, public protection and disaster relief, sound and television broadcasting, radiolocation, satellite communication and radionavigation, Earth exploration, meteorology, space science and radioastronomy.

Key ongoing activities of ITU-R Study Groups include 5G (IMT-2020) and radio-controlled watches, radio headsets to equipment for home and office networking, radio positioning systems for navigation, intelligent transport systems, smart cities, advanced immersive UHDTV technologies, Earth imagery and meteorological satellites, and emergency communications and disaster warning systems.

"Amongst other major achievements is the development and adoption of the IMT mobile broadband standards, which have revolutionized the way people communicate and access the internet, by enabling 3G and 4G, and now the future 5G generation of standards," said Mr Johnson.

"The work of ITU–R Study Groups and before it, that of CCIR, harnesses technological progress to the benefit of all and enables the long-term sustainability of the radiocommunication ecosystem, which has flourished over a century and become a fundamental part of today's world," said Mr Rancy.

ITU-R Study Groups develop the technical bases for important decisions taken at the quadrennial World Radiocommunication Conferences. They also develop Global Standards (Recommendations), Reports and Handbooks on radiocommunication matters.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Fair pay ethics: Age a defining factor - PwC

ITREALMS: 

The latest report on ‘The ethics of pay in a fair society: what do executives think’ has shown that age has a lot to do around with fair pay in a society, reports ITRealms.

According to PwC’s latest survey and report, there is a significant inter-generational difference of opinion when it comes to fair pay and what constitutes ethical behaviour around pay, with the younger population wanting stronger protection for the less well-off, compared to the older generation who are more likely to put faith in the effectiveness of market outcomes to create a fairer society.

The analysis, ITRealms gathered was completed in partnership with the London School of Economics, included a survey of 1,123 executives around the world, which showed that the data is remarkably consistent across a range of demographic factors such as gender, territory and earnings level.

In addition, the study says, age was one significant differentiator, with those under 40 who were surveyed far more likely to believe that distribution of wealth should lead to moral outcomes, with all members of society receiving an income that is sufficient for them to lead a dignified life.

By contrast, the over 50s believe talented people deserve to receive income in line with their contribution and that market efficiency is important in determining how income should be allocated.

For Advisory leader, PwC Nigeria, Dr Bert Odiaka, “Fairness is a morally and politically loaded term and means different things to different people. But questions about fairness, and the role companies have to play in this, are not going away any time soon.

Demographic factors generally do not predict attitudes to fairness. But the major exception to this is age, with our survey revealing almost 50% of over-65s identified themselves most strongly with pro-market principles, while less than a third of under 35s did the same.

Also, he said, the findings demonstrated that there is no single catch-all principle.

“Views of distributive justice are multidimensional and complex. There is much more to fairness than equality. Companies must therefore develop a much fuller narrative on what they mean by fairness and how they are delivering on that for employees, or risk the debate being hijacked by a one-dimensional view of fairness based on pay ratios,” Odiaka said.

Those surveyed, he pointed out, also did not subscribe to the view that the role of companies is to make money and of the state to redistribute it.

Instead, they thought that companies have a broadly equal responsibility in providing a fair pay structure among their employees. Companies are seen not to live outside of, but to be very much a part of, society and are expected to act justly.

But companies, as well as societies, are not always living up to people’s hopes of them. Typically a quarter to a third of people surveyed feel that companies are not delivering principles of fairness that they deem to be important.

For example, the principle around equal opportunity, where market competition is seen as fair game, so long as there is a level playing field, was the principle where there was the biggest gap between aspiration and reality. 40 per cent of respondents consider equal opportunity to be important but they did not consider the principle to be implemented in their society.

The Associate Director and Head People & Organisation PwC Nigeria, Olusola Adewole, said of the study that “There is a tricky balance to strike. Markets matter and companies that ignore the pay rates set by the market risk becoming uncompetitive in terms of cost or quality of talent. But at the same time, how companies operate across the developed world is being challenged, and will become more so as automation takes its course.

“Fair pay and the ethics behind it, is an important part of rebuilding trust in business. But there is also an opportunity to create a more engaged workforce with benefits for long-term value and productivity. Companies should therefore consider their perspectives on this debate and look to figure out exactly what fairness means for them.”

Nonye Dom/GEE

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SPDC JV’s Afam VI power plant secures licensee for another 10 years

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The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has renewed the power generation licence for Afam VI Power Plant, a 650MW-capacity facility that has delivered over 25.97 million Megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity into the Nigerian grid since inception in 2008, reports ITRealms.

Afam VI is owned by The Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture (SPDC JV) and located in Afam in Oyigbo Local Government area of Rivers State.

Presenting the renewed licence to the leadership of SPDC at the Commission’s office in Abuja on Tuesday, the Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Mr. Dafe Akpeneye, described SPDC JV as a committed partner in the Nigerian power sector adding that the company’s belief in the sector and its resolve to help it develop were remarkable.

“We hope for greater efficiency and improved operations from Afam VI in the next 10-year phase of your operations just as we look forward to working together to resolve some of the challenging issues in the power sector,” he said.

Receiving the licence, the General Manager, Gas of SPDC, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, described the Afam VI as a model worthy of emulation by government and other players in the power sector. “Here’s a power plant with a dedicated gas plant operating with high uptime generating clean and efficient power from the combined cycle of three gas and one steam turbines.”

He lamented the challenges of debt, power evacuation and off-take which he said prevented the plant from delivering optimally at 15 percent of the total national grid-connected electricity.

Afam VI uses combined cycle gas turbine technology that burns 40 percent less gas than plants using older open cycle technologies. This also contributes significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2016, Afam VI power plant supplied approximately 12% of the nation’s grid-electricity.

Built with the most efficient technology in the industry and utilising waste heat energy from the gas turbine exhaust, the plant generates an additional 200MW from the steam turbine without consuming any additional gas, thereby considerably reducing its carbon footprint.

As a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project under the United Nations Executive Board for Climate Change, Afam VI Power Plant eliminates over 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, while also maintaining excellent safety standards.

The operations at Afam VI have generated subcontract opportunities and employment for over 150 people from the 16 host communities. It also provided hands-on and offshore training for 30 youths in Electrical, Mechanical and Instrumentation engineering on Combined Cycle Power Plant operations and maintenance. All the trainees are already employed in the Nigerian power industry.

The power plant also won SPDC the Best Company in Climate Action Award in the 2016 edition of Sustainability, Enterprise, Responsibility Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (SERAs–CSR), an annual event to celebrate organisations that invest resources to improve the socioeconomic living conditions of people in Nigeria and Africa.

Ayo Midele/GEE 

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Pix; L-R: Commercial Manager, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), John Kadiri; General Manager, Business and Government Relations, Bashir Bello; General Manager, Gas, Philip Mshelbila; Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dafe Akpeneye; and the General Manager, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Olufunke Dinneh, at the presentation of power generation licence for SPDC Joint Venture’s Afam VI Power Plant, in Abuja… on Tuesday.

OOPF mourns former VP, Ekwueme, says he lived for service

ITREALMS:

The Oriental Online Publishers Forum (OOPF) has sent a message of condolence to the family of elder statesman, Dr Alex Ekwueme, the second republic vice president, who died on Sunday in a London hospital, reports ITRealms.

According to a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, signed by the chairman, Mr. Max Amuchie and secretary, Chris Ndiribe, the group said the story of Ekwueme's life was that of service, integrity and love for Nigeria as a nation.

The OOPF statement entitled 'Ekwueme: Farewell to the doyen of endurance and sacrifice' reads:

Sunday, November 19, will surely remain one of the most remarkable days in the history of Nigeria. It marked the end of a chapter in the nation’s burgeoning, tortuous and undulating narrative that has seen more of contradictions than rationality and reality. It was the day, with his passing, in a London hospital, the curtain fell on the epic of one of Nigeria’s greatest, Dr. Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme.

Teacher, philosopher, scholar, prototypical professional, politician, et al, Ekwueme, was not only equipped, but embodied the finest qualities of human development, which he readily put at the disposal of Nigeria.

To his students, Ekwueme not only taught them the value of education and how to acquire it, but how to apply its maximum benefits for individual and societal development. From a nondescript village, of Oko, now Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State, he was able to build a successful empire business empire, led by his Ekwueme and Associates, a firm of architects due to early education.

Yet, his philosophy transcended personal ascendency on the trajectory of life, as exemplified by his record in office, where, even as Vice President, even having supported his then, National Party of Nigeria (NPN), to achieve power by bringing in his own personal money, he never found it needful to recoup from government till, so that by the time an investigation was concluded into his activities as the number two Nigerian for four years, plus, he was found to have come out from government, poorer than he went in – a record in Nigeria – nay, Africa and many parts of the world.

Like great thinkers of old, whose philosophical offerings have become the standard for the advancement of humanity, past and present, and perhaps the future, Ekwueme’s archetypal bent to politics, would probably remain one of his greatest gifts to Nigeria.

He was a man, who was arrested and thrown into jail as a Vice President, in 1983, and left to languish, whilst his boss, who was President and had higher authority, was kept in a plush and cozy apartment with all the benefits and appurtenances thereto. Yet, like the proverbial biblical lamb taken to the slaughter, he uttered no word of hate or complaint.

But that was not all. Ever ready to find solutions rather than become the problem, Ekwueme, who was one of the arrowheads of the National Constitutional Conference of 1995, was able to find a workable template upon which the Nigerian people will find the elusive principle of justice equity, and fair play, with which to build a sound and progressive nation, by fashioning, introducing and championing the six geo-political structure, presently in use in the country today.

At the time many of his ilk were falling over themselves to salute the late General Sani Abacha and begging him to transmute to a civilian President, after supervising the most repressive and horrendous administration in the history of Nigeria outside the civilian war, Ekwueme stood up to be counted and showed uncommon courage, when he led some eminent Nigerians to resist that obvious raid on democratic norms and the collective psyche of the people.

But, what was his recompense? Out of that courageous enterprise put up by the Group of 34 eminent Nigerians (G-34), sprouted out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which went ahead to rule Nigeria for a record 16 years. At the time the table was dressed and the food was garnished and served, he was shoved aside from the head of the table by the strong forces that suddenly emerged. Twice he begged to lead Nigeria as President and show the direction, twice he was stopped by the same forces.

Yet, he never uttered any angry words, neither did he show bitterness of place curses on those who dealt him those deadly blows. Instead, he opened himself up to them and never shut his doors to all in his eagerness to help the Nigerian project.

Ever realising that all politics is local, Ekwueme never left his people Ndigbo in the lurch. He always strove to build their interests into the larger entity, while also recognising the peculiar diversities of the nation.

How then could the nation say farewell to such a quintessential sage, nationalist and elder statesman? What better epitaph could be written on the grave of this great Igbo man, who has exhibited the most demonstrable evidence of his people, expressed in the doctrine of Egbe bere Ugo bere (Let the Eagle and the kite, share their space on the iroko tree) the spirit of Onye anwu na, Ibe ya efuna (let nobody die, and let his brother not get lost). How then can Nigeria bid this great son that inspired many and opened the doors of opportunity for others? How does a nation thank this great son for making democracy happen in Nigeria by standing up and be counted when he was most needed.

This is the time to look back at the message Ekwueme passed in his few words, whose essence echoed farther and more than the clap of thunder.

Thank you and farewell, Ide Aguata.

Admin/GEE

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