Iwu challenges Umuokrika community over peaceful co-existence, developmental strides
By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
An Ambassador of Peace and Social Development, Tochi Iwuh has identified wranglings, bickering, lack of love, absence of unity of purpose and unpatriotic behaviour among the indigenes of Umuokirika community in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, as the major factors that have strangulated progress and development in the ancient community in the 21st century.
Youthful Iwuh who is an illustrious son of the community identified these social vices as a progressive who’s seriously concerned on the need for the community to advance forward like her contemporaries within Mbaise ancient clan and its environ.
He canvassed the need for the youths of the area to be deeply involved in the development of the community and to speak out against the bad behaviours of some of their leaders.
According to him, “in addition, I want to make a statement about the leaders of Umuokrika community and their needless pride and lack of togetherness. A man or a king will succeed anytime they choose to give God complete control over their will, affairs and leadership abilities, acknowledge God as their ultimate being, and beg God for the wisdom to lead others.
” In accordance with what we read in the Bible, Solomon asked for wisdom, above all else, and wisdom bestows upon you the ability to lead people with great insight and keenness” he assured.
Iwuh who’s one of the grand children of reverred late Chief Benneth.A Iwuh (Onyekuma Umuokrika) expressed disappointment that Umuokrika is currently unable to have completed a community project following its split into four different autonomous communities based on selfish interest and lack of visionary leadership.
He enjoined indigenes of the community to jettison pride,lies and arrogance, lamenting that the community is a disaster when it comes to basic social amenities and infrastructural developments.
The social crusader pointed out that Umuoikrika Technical School and Umuagbavu Town School are in extremely poor conditions of learning even as basic amenities like solar lights are nonexistent in some parts of the villages while many Mbaise towns have managed to construct Health Centers, Umuokrika still lacks one.
He however observed that Umuokrika was not always like this; pointing out that during the era of their predecessors, like Donatus Onu (Agbachiaka Umuokrika), Chief Benneth.A Iwuh (Onyekuma Umuokrika), and Pius.O Nwoga (Dumuerzeroha, Uguwmba 1 of Umuokrika) among others, no matter their differences, they always understood the need to put Umuokrika first by leading the community with poise, selflessness, discipline and dignity.
Iwuh who’s also a student of Business and Finance on a Pre-Law path at University of George Washington, optimistically opined that during that period, Umuokrika as a community came together to collaborate and complete communal projects. For example, the first phase of Saint Patrick’s Church establishment, which attracted large donations and was a huge success; as against what’s obtainable in present day.
The Patriot reiterated that even in the past when political parties in Nigeria were real, vibrant and based on political ideologies, that some sons and daughters of the community belonged to different political parties like the Nigeria People’s Party, (NPP) while others belonged to the National Party of Nigeria, (NPN) that despite this political division and differences, the community still came together with patriotism and unity of purpose, built Umuokrika Technical School and empowered alot of their young men in furthering their education and careers.
“Umuokrika as a community is on record for training young bright stars either by sending them abroad or seeing them through in Nigerian Universities; however, such opportunities do not exist in Umuokrika anymore. And it’s evident that we as a community need to reflect as our young people are getting progressively less educated and skillful.
“Our leaders need to put Umuokrika’s common welfare ahead of their own selfish interest. It will not be simple, but I myself will try my hardest to bring Umuokrika back to its former glory.
“However, no one man can fix Umuokrika, true progress in society is not measured by individual achievements, but by collective acts of selflessness that uplift all. I am urging the leaders of Umuokrika to take up this challenge because as men we need to do so” he advised.
Iwuh further observed that God came down to Earth through the flesh of a man, when God first created the Earth the first person was a man, as men we shouldn’t lack God’s wisdom because it is our responsibility as men to lead by example for our children and posterity, as men are the heads, not the tail.
The Ambassador of Peace and Social Development also said it point blank that, ” for Umuokrika society and life in general; we must be unselfish and wise; thus, I want our men to accept responsibility for their conduct so that future generations of Umuokrika do not go down the wrong path.
“For all Umuokrika youths, let us embrace God’s will and yield to him, as we read in Proverbs 11:3, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Our humility is essential to a better society in this community.
“Before I conclude, I’d want to borrow a page from President John F. Kennedy’s book and ask Umuokrika as a community to ask themselves what we can do for Umuokrika community, rather than what Umuokrika can do for us, so that one day we can have a greater Umuokrika” he insisted.
