Organized By:
IGALABASSA RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
(IgalaBassa ReDI)
“Foremost, I congratulate the organizers of this all-important and momentous event and I pray that the outcome here wouldn’t go the way of several others.
I have been asked to speak on the role of the elites in all that has happened, all that is happening and all that may ensue going forward.
Before then, let me draw our attention to a report from Bloomberg Business on Saturday, March 27, 2021 wherein Nigeria was said to have emerged as the nation with the highest unemployment rate on Earth; at over 33%.
Recall that Nigeria had previously been nicknamed the “poverty capital of the world”. Now if you match this against the relative lack of economic activities in Kogi East, you begin to desire a new nomenclature.
Now that’s the ecosystem within which the elites operate and that is the model that defines their perspectives, viewpoints and attributes.
For lack of time, I shall try to capture all the nuances in the following story copiously gleaned from a true life story (by John George Itodo) but tweak to fit the Igala circumstance and context:
I sent my car for service in preparation for a trip to Omala. The vehicle was not returned until the next day.
Naturally, I was very angry that the mechanic delayed my planned trip but was also glad that he brought the car back for me to leave that morning.
So I decided to drive around Okula, Ogbagebe and Ejule to be sure the car was in good condition for the trip. I stopped to exchange pleasantries and when I returned, I tried starting it and it won’t start, so I parked, called the mechanic, who told me he was home already but will see if he can make it back to me.
So I decided to start the car once more and Bang! The car burst into flames… I ran out of the car in shock and confusion. The next episode of this mishap is the reason for my narrative.
From the moving traffic, I saw men and boys park their cars and were rushing to my burning car with fire extinguishers, some were struggling to open the bonnet.
From a building around, I heard women screaming and passing buckets of water, bags of detergents. I saw a guy remove his t-shirt, soaked it in water and was trying to open the bonnet with fire covering his hands.
In all these, I was just standing by a tree, with my eyes staring into space, till I saw the flames go out eventually and I heard someone ask… where is the owner of the car?
It was then and only then that I stepped forward and found myself being hugged and consoled by strangers, Igala people from Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa, Omala, Olamaboro and brethren from Bassa, Muslims, Christians, traditionalist and may be atheist.
All of them joined to wish me well and they turned to their cars,
Motorcycles and bicycles
or homes one after the other. The last being the guy who suffered a deep cut on his leg where he was helping out.
As soon as he left, I turned to see what was left of the car and I counted 13 fire extinguishers that were used, other items that were used and also the charred remains of someone’s t-shirt that was used.
Just when tears started forming in my eyes, I noticed I was not still alone, there were two policemen who helped to salvage the burning car and have chosen to remain with me till I get family and friends to come take me away.
At that moment, my belief that a United Igala Is possible was renewed and I was proud to be an Igala man.
The elites have such a role to play and until we realize that we are individual giants but collectively
failures, we may not make a headway.
Finally to achieve a headway, buck-passing, name calling, the me-myself-and-I syndrome and the crab mentality must end.”
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NOTE:
You can join THE CONVERSATION later today on our Facebook Page (ARISE IGALA Magazine).
Meanwhile, see EXCLUSIVE PICTURES from the PARLEY. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/343038926216/posts/10159101881416217/
SPECIAL KUDOS to Yunus Uztaz Usman, SAN, Arc. Bob Achanya, Dr. Rekiya Momoh Abaji, Barr. Sekpe, Abdulmajeed, Dr. Jerome Agi, Sadiq et al.