The vintage primary school face-off memories are stubborn and enduring; in a refreshing way they came crashing in. I remember some major lines that were evident in most quarrels in those days over thirty five years ago. Epic among them is; “go and brush your teeth before you talk to me”, this verbal missile at some point became pre-recorded in the subconscious of most pupils and became handy at the slightest provocation, misunderstanding and quarrel. For different pupils there were diverse ways of response to the numerous verbal missiles. It is important to note that verbal missiles are well calculated and framed phrases and words aimed at destabilizing the opponent, igniting public ridicule and causing sensory abuse or trauma. Back to the epic verbal missile; in as much as this missile and many more may be fired at very ruthless disposition but it does not in any way compromise the state of the pupils personal hygiene neither will it make it turn bad by just the act of verbal abuse. It is just a war of words with cross liabilities on both parts. During the duration of the session there is always crossfire of other additional verbal missiles in the effort to come out tops in the exhibition of hurtful words and phrases.
For the different pupils and their diverse responses afterwards; some move on immediately after the hurtful exhibition with the understanding that it is an expected liability that comes with that. While some nurture their bitterness for a long time and expend energy on it instead of living out life in efficient capacity. In another instance a final year student tells his friends that he wants to make the best result in WAEC in his school but he was attended to with ridiculous laughter. The next day another student encountered him and enquired thus; “I had you said you want to make the best WAEC result in your set?” Which of this two responses would you choose as a progressive response; 1. My friends laughed at me yesterday, they think I can’t do it or 2. Yes, I have been reading hard to see that I achieve that which I have set my heart on. Most times dwelling on the verbal missile by reminding self and others of the extracts of a war of words is anti-productive, petty, exhibition of negative energy and raises the volume of propaganda.
Let us begin to mobilize efforts to connect the dots rather than dwell on it because our likes are distributed by fate across the nation. Let us define objectively our priority and make conscious efforts to unite in purpose from where ever we may find ourselves. Let us e-enforce our traditional institutions as autonomous arms independent of political control, so that the essence of village and community meetings will be reawakened in the light of dominance and survival of a people. Let us connect the dots, rather than dwell on it because dwelling on it is anti-productive, petty, diversionary, surplus with negative energy and propaganda ridden in attitude.
As progressives of the eastern region, joining hands in unity across the states and nations we reside would be a fine way of connecting the dots. Together we can deliver our nation from nepotism, bigotry, executive incompetence, bloated budgeting and high cost of governance through leadership lead by an individual from the eastern region; one that has been tested; one that has no graft case hanging over his shoulder; one that understands competence and value delivery. Let us present in unity that one that will make the rest of the nation say; ‘ah, we waited for too long, if we had known, we would have handed the leadership of this nation to someone from the eastern region long time ago.
Let us connect the dots from Imo-Anambra-Abia-Enugu-Ebonyi-Delta-Akwaibom-Rivers-Bayelsa-CrossRivers-Edo-Ondo-Ogun-Lagos-Oyo-Ekiti-Kogi-Kwara-Osun-FCT-Kebbi-Kaduna-Kano-Taraba-Niger-Sokoto-Yobe-Adamawa-Benue-Borno-Bauchi-Jigawa-Nasarawa-Plateau-Gombe-to-Zamfara; let us enforce goodwill, flow of adequate centralized information, purposeful unity and funding along all the national dot lines. Let us rise to the occasion and save this nation from its past leadership and economic misfortunes.
May a legitimate opportunity for your celebration be made manifest through grace.
Ya diri anyi mma!!! (It shall be well with us)
Ikenga Jonjude Okere
