Follow Us on Google
By Ojukwu Ene
I stumbleD on a communique a few days ago authored by a faceless, uninformed, naive and attention seeking group that goes by the name Unwuekumenyi Youths, purporting to speak for the Abakaliki bloc of Ebonyi State, where they claimed that the nomination of the Nigerian Deputy Senate Leader, Distinguished Senator David Nweze Umahi does not serve the cause of fairness and balanced representation as the Ministers from Ebonyi State hails from the Afikpo bloc.
They laboured fruitlessly through half truths, obvious misinformation and the purveyance of scorn and derision to convince the uninformed and gullible, conviniently forgetting to disclose that the following illustrious sons of Unwuekumenyi were Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at various times, namely; Chief Goddy Ogbaga, Fide Nwankwo, Elias Mbam, Lawrence Nwuruku, Franklin Ogbuewu and Sam Egwu. All these great sons of Ebonyi State were Ministers in quick successions without a hue or cry from the Afikpo Bloc ,as they viewed them as representative of the entire State.
I used the word uninformed in describing the amorphous group advicedly due to the glaring contradictions in their position and subsequent actions. Make no mistake about it, it is within the rights of the young men to vent their reservations on any issue of concern to them but they have to be based on facts, altruism and not avenue to tarnish the standing of those who had carved their names in the annals of greatness through their unwavering pursuit of excellence in the service of humanity.
The cheering development however is that the authentic Youth Group and other better informed sons and daughters of the Bloc of all ages and political divide have stood up to affairm the nomination of Senator Umahi as a Minister designate as well deserving.
It is lamentable that this faceless group does not seem to see anything wrong in what Ohaneze, including Senators of Ndigbo extraction among others have described as the callous, insensitivity to diversity, fairness, equity and inclusiveness exhibited against Ndigbo in the number of Ministerial slots allocated to them. If the group was truly interested in equity,they ought to have condemned an action that perpetuates the marginalization of Ndigbo.
Senator Umahi’s stewardship in Ebonyi State was not just uncommon but extraordinary. His transformation of the State despite her poor financial receipts earned him so many leadership awards, the respect of his people and peers and vast admiration of the leaders and the led across the Country. This is why the incumbent Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, refers to him as “the father of modern Ebonyi State”.
It bears repeating that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu did not mince word that his Executive Council will be “Government of National Competence”. It is therefore not fortuitous that the Nigerian Deputy Senate Leader and a former two term Alpha Governor was among the Ministerial nominees. Umahi is not just a tested politician but a renowned technocrat with the requisite experience and knowledge to contribute immensely to the betterment of Nigeria. Thus his emergence as a Ministerial nominee is an endorsement of his exceptional leadership ingenuity and creative problem solving ability.
In every assignment that Senator Umahi ever handled , he always displayed huge sense of commitment and pursuit of excellence which culminates in transformational results. Indeed, all his stewardship are known to be eventful, impactful, vibrant and visionary. If such a persona whose progressive leadership ushered Ebonyi to the comity of modern and model States, a feat that earned him the position of the best Governor in the South East and a hallowed seat amongst the six best performed Governor in Nigeria is not fit to be a Minister in an administration that lays emphasis on “ competence” who then is?
When the dust of time shall settle and reckon is taken on the performance of the Tinubu Minister’s, Senator Umahi shall stand tall. This and the development that his position shall bring to Ebonyi State, is all that should matter.
We therefore thank Ashiwaju Ahmed Tinubu for recognizing the exceptional productivity, unparalleled knack for excellence, unwavering dedication and commitment of Senator Umahi to a better Nigeria.Great thanks also goes to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru FNIOB,FCAI.
• Ojukwu, a media commentator and public analyst wrote from Abakaliki
