'Kini Big Deal' In Governing Anambra?
The plan last night was to stop over at the St Bottles Cathedral and take one bottle before heading home, but the rain of yesterday had different plan for us. After waiting endlessly, guys were forced to network by fire by force and it turned out very interesting.
See, never ever look down on those men you see at beer parlours; most of them know better than you. Come and see how they were quoting CNN, BBC, Guardian, Punch, even local tabloids...I was impressed. God help you make you meet a lady there; her street credibility will amaze you. Erh, but that lady that joined our discussion last night, mba, that one pass me. Come see as the sisi dey download legend beer as if tomorrow no dey. In fact, I actually thought she had passed out, but from the way she clutched her handbag all through, you will know that uche ya di ya. By the time she answered one long call, I just concluded she's a veteran; she sounded clean and clear on phone, even with her table littered with empty bottles.
Our discussion was more about state governors in Nigeria and how they have been playing their citizens "maradona" in the name of dividends of democracy. We sit down everyday, blaming the FG, but those guys called governors are the problem. Give them money to develop states, Iya; they will use it to buy houses and cars. I still wonder how paying salaries, from the money they collected from FG o, has become an achievement; Nsogbu dikwa.
But let me ask you, which state in Nigeria is the easiest to govern? I know you would say Bayelsa because of its population. Don't even mention Lagos o, cos even with the resources you think we have in Lagos, managing Eko is like leading mad people. If you have opportunity to go to Ambode's office in Alausa, Ikeja, you will know that "man and things are doing", nwoke na ife n'eme.
In case you don't know, the easiest state to manage in Nigeria, to me o, is Anambra. Don't shout "no no," just hear me out first. Anambra is not a typical civil service state; the salary weight is not as heavy as you would find in some states. We don't depend on state government scholarship to go to school; Anambra parents derive some sort of pride paying school fees for their children; they practically boast of it. " I makwa na Emeka nwa m abado iniversity; I spent close to a mirion naira in their school." That's your typical Anambra parent.
These days, you can hadly tell which is a village in Anambra; what we have now are towns with basic amenities, mostly provided by the people. From Ogidi to Ihiala, Oraukwu, Abatete, Nise, Oko, Ekwulobia, Agulu, Nnewi and more... These communities are running on on their own, not adding Onitsha, Nkpor, Obosi, Awka and others.
Check it, most " big men" in Anambra sleep and wake up from their country homes in the villages, not Awka; I can count how many of them that operates a home in the state capital. In some cases, we fix our electricity, sink boreholes, build schools, markets, Post Offices, hospitals and maternities, civic centres, police stations...in fact, general community developent in Anambra communities, to a very large extent, is handled by the town unions, age grades and interventions by our illustrious sons, who also help in development; I know you will mention Bishop, the one that built the church for Ozubulu community...forget that sad narrative that followed the church, giving to the community is normal in my state; we do it with ease. We are not like you that will always carry placard just to collect money from your governor to enter keke to school; mba nu.
Let me even tell you, in my community Ogbunike, as at 1976, HRM, Igwe John Ositadimma Umenyiora ( Ezedioramma Ogbunike) constructed Ogbunike Town Hall, which still stands gidigba till date. He also built the popular Oyeolisa Market and Ogbunike Boys (now Cave City Secondary school). And if you check other communities in the state, the story is not different.
The truth is that the only thing we depend on government for, is to pay salaries of workers and retirees, as well as fix our major roads; leave the street lights, ordinary Age Grade can handle it. Unfortunately, giving us good roads, at least in my community Ogbunike, is still a puzzle; alua taa, odiba aro ozo.
Now, you see why Anambra is the easiest state to govern? People are helping government do their job and they do it with smiles. When you see Anambra women travel home for August meeting, its beyond going to show off; if you know how much these women pay each year for community development during their meetings, you will praise our women. In my town, that Maternity is their responsibility. Ndi nne maama...
So, why is it difficult for us to get dividends of democracy? Why can't politicians deliver on their campaign promises? Must we beg and cry before you do what you were elected to do, even when we are already carrying over 50% of your responsibilities? Ndi Anambra, lets put aside this politics of party A or Party B; let's begin to hold our leaders accountable. Forget the small change they are giving you to sing praise them; they can do more.
Whoever wins this forthcoming election in Anambra MUST be supported by all and we MUST hold him accountable. As for LGAs, those ones, I don't have a word for them for now; they've turned to extension of party secretariat. Ka ana eje nubi ka ji na aka.
Let me come and be going...
Comments
Post a Comment