By
Edidiong Udobia
Christmas
and Easter still retain the fondest memories of my childhood. Aside the general
festive and sober atmosphere that characterized
both seasons respectively, what still strike me about them are those activities
we engaged in as children and one of such, was bible recitation on Easter
Sunday and Christmas day. Today, as I flash back to those days, I realize that
we conformed to three conditions of recitation, thus; every child, no matter
how bright he or she was, needed assistance during rehearsals; we were cramming
rather than reading to understand and we opted for popular bible portions which
were relevant to the season.
Interestingly, these conditions often came to play during our final performance in the church. For instance, because we were assisted during rehearsals, we usually needed the backing of the congregation lest we fumbled. Also, because we crammed, we always forgot a word or two words and we began to stammer. And of course, because we opted for popular bible portions, the moment we started, the whole congregation will join. In our ignorance, the impression we got from that chorus recitation was that we performed excellently.
Few days ago, I read an article, "Robinson Uwak's Dishourable Verses" written by the Akwa Ibom state commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah. From the piece, I understood that Mr. Umanah was reacting to a Facebook post by the member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Robinson Uwak. The said Facebook post by Hon. Uwak, which was given prominence by the media, generated reactions from diverse quarters, hence, I will not question the rational behind Mr. Umanah' piece. However, there are matters with that piece.
Interestingly, these conditions often came to play during our final performance in the church. For instance, because we were assisted during rehearsals, we usually needed the backing of the congregation lest we fumbled. Also, because we crammed, we always forgot a word or two words and we began to stammer. And of course, because we opted for popular bible portions, the moment we started, the whole congregation will join. In our ignorance, the impression we got from that chorus recitation was that we performed excellently.
Few days ago, I read an article, "Robinson Uwak's Dishourable Verses" written by the Akwa Ibom state commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah. From the piece, I understood that Mr. Umanah was reacting to a Facebook post by the member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Robinson Uwak. The said Facebook post by Hon. Uwak, which was given prominence by the media, generated reactions from diverse quarters, hence, I will not question the rational behind Mr. Umanah' piece. However, there are matters with that piece.
The dawn of the uncommon transformation birthed a
new tradition of project recitation in Akwa Ibom state. Like a contagious
disease, anybody that comes in contact with the current state government seems
to be infected by this new tradition. More worrisome is the fact that the
present administration seems to lack good public and inspirational speakers who
can decipher the right thing to say to the right people at the right occasion.
In Akwa Ibom today, government officials depend on a list of projects to
address every and any gathering.
They consider this project recitation a suitable address for all occasions. For instance, a new born baby will need education to grow so they preach the gospel of free and compulsory education to the baby during her dedication; a dead man might need to stay healthy in the land beyond so they remind him of the 20th Anniversary Hospital during his funeral ceremony and so on. If there is one man who has been exceptional in this job, it is Mr. Aniekan Umanah and I give him that credit. However, this time, he fumbled; he really fired wide.
Like I said earlier, for us to make an impressive recitation back then, we had to conform to three conditions but Mr. Umanah seems to have flouted one or two of those conditions. Firstly, he flouted the first part of the third condition, which demands that the recitation must be popular. Just how can any government official list Governor Akpabio's project in Oro nation without mentioning the Ibaka Deep Sea Port? These were the caliber of projects I expected him to list, or could it be that Mr. Umanah crammed only the projects in Uyo that he forgot one or two 'tangible' projects in Oro nation? He practically stammered on that piece and that is the reward for cramming. He dwarfed Governor Akpabio's performance in Oro nation.
Also, the Honourable Commissioner flouted the the second part of the fourth condition i.e. the recitation must be relevant. Flouting this condition is like reciting Genesis 1vs1 on a Christmas day. Reacting to an allegation that Oro nation is marginalized by the state governor; "...with nothing to show in Oro for nearly eight hard years". One would have expected Mr. Umanah to elaborately talk about Governor Akpabio's projects in Oro nation, instead he gave more credence to the allegation by reciting more projects in Uyo. Going by Mr. Umanah's ratio of project distribution and considering the fact that Oro nation comprises five local governments, then one can confidently say that indeed, Oro nation is marginalized.
As we all know, the Federal House of Representatives parades the highest number of legislators in the country; hence, to make tangible contributions on the floor of the House, one must always be equipped with superior arguments. No one can take that from Mr. Uwak because he knows his onions when it comes to debating. Going up against a legislator of Robinson Uwak's standing, I expected Mr. Umanah to do more than the usual recitation. Mr. Umanah goofed as he addressed the issue of marginalization in only one paragraph;
"But may be, our Honourable member has forgotten that, the Ibom International Airport which Governor Akpabio met at site clearing level on assumption of office in 2007 and completed it, is largely in Okobo Local Government Area in Oro nation. Could he have also conveniently erased from mind that the longest bridge in the State (1.2KM) is being built at Ukonteghe in Oro nation even as government started with the construction of 34 urban roads in Oron many of which have since been completed."
The other matter with the piece, is Aniekan Umanah regarding Uwak's opinion as falsehood and blackmail; "I am under no illusion that, my brother, Uwak, knows a lot more than he is faking to advocate, and it is very unfortunate, he can lend his ensign to this utter falsehood and blackmail".
It is no longer news that in the present Akwa Ibom, anyone who speaks against the government is not only considered by the government as an opposition but also a blackmailer and an agent of falsehood.
The trend started with the media community, when few independent media outfits that criticized some government policies were labelled blackmailers and agents of falsehood. Then, it extended to some high profile names within the social and political cycle who spoke against, opposed or criticized the government. Today, anyone, just anyone; old, young, rich, poor, who criticizes the government on anything is a blackmailer. When the state governor recently sent an Pension Bill to the State House of Assembly which the people opposed, the government called the people blackmailers and agents of falsehood.
Honestly, I would have been a bit disappointed if Honourable Umanah did not mention blackmail and falsehood in that piece but again, he fired blank. What is the blackmail or falsehood in Robinson Uwak calling the governor "the uncommon transformer of Annang land..."? If we are to juxtapose the Annang land before and the Annang land during Governor Akpabio, we can only arrive at one conclusion and that is, the governor has uncommonly transformed Annang land. For me, that is more of an accolade. After all, charity, they say begins at home.
It appears that the government of the day interprets the freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution to mean speaking in government's favour. If that be the case, I will humbly suggest that everybody be allowed to be their own government, only then shall everybody see the need to always speak in government's favour (but only their own government). Until that is done, let us be guided by these words; "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." -Theodore Roosevelt (America's 26th President).
They consider this project recitation a suitable address for all occasions. For instance, a new born baby will need education to grow so they preach the gospel of free and compulsory education to the baby during her dedication; a dead man might need to stay healthy in the land beyond so they remind him of the 20th Anniversary Hospital during his funeral ceremony and so on. If there is one man who has been exceptional in this job, it is Mr. Aniekan Umanah and I give him that credit. However, this time, he fumbled; he really fired wide.
Like I said earlier, for us to make an impressive recitation back then, we had to conform to three conditions but Mr. Umanah seems to have flouted one or two of those conditions. Firstly, he flouted the first part of the third condition, which demands that the recitation must be popular. Just how can any government official list Governor Akpabio's project in Oro nation without mentioning the Ibaka Deep Sea Port? These were the caliber of projects I expected him to list, or could it be that Mr. Umanah crammed only the projects in Uyo that he forgot one or two 'tangible' projects in Oro nation? He practically stammered on that piece and that is the reward for cramming. He dwarfed Governor Akpabio's performance in Oro nation.
Also, the Honourable Commissioner flouted the the second part of the fourth condition i.e. the recitation must be relevant. Flouting this condition is like reciting Genesis 1vs1 on a Christmas day. Reacting to an allegation that Oro nation is marginalized by the state governor; "...with nothing to show in Oro for nearly eight hard years". One would have expected Mr. Umanah to elaborately talk about Governor Akpabio's projects in Oro nation, instead he gave more credence to the allegation by reciting more projects in Uyo. Going by Mr. Umanah's ratio of project distribution and considering the fact that Oro nation comprises five local governments, then one can confidently say that indeed, Oro nation is marginalized.
As we all know, the Federal House of Representatives parades the highest number of legislators in the country; hence, to make tangible contributions on the floor of the House, one must always be equipped with superior arguments. No one can take that from Mr. Uwak because he knows his onions when it comes to debating. Going up against a legislator of Robinson Uwak's standing, I expected Mr. Umanah to do more than the usual recitation. Mr. Umanah goofed as he addressed the issue of marginalization in only one paragraph;
"But may be, our Honourable member has forgotten that, the Ibom International Airport which Governor Akpabio met at site clearing level on assumption of office in 2007 and completed it, is largely in Okobo Local Government Area in Oro nation. Could he have also conveniently erased from mind that the longest bridge in the State (1.2KM) is being built at Ukonteghe in Oro nation even as government started with the construction of 34 urban roads in Oron many of which have since been completed."
The other matter with the piece, is Aniekan Umanah regarding Uwak's opinion as falsehood and blackmail; "I am under no illusion that, my brother, Uwak, knows a lot more than he is faking to advocate, and it is very unfortunate, he can lend his ensign to this utter falsehood and blackmail".
It is no longer news that in the present Akwa Ibom, anyone who speaks against the government is not only considered by the government as an opposition but also a blackmailer and an agent of falsehood.
The trend started with the media community, when few independent media outfits that criticized some government policies were labelled blackmailers and agents of falsehood. Then, it extended to some high profile names within the social and political cycle who spoke against, opposed or criticized the government. Today, anyone, just anyone; old, young, rich, poor, who criticizes the government on anything is a blackmailer. When the state governor recently sent an Pension Bill to the State House of Assembly which the people opposed, the government called the people blackmailers and agents of falsehood.
Honestly, I would have been a bit disappointed if Honourable Umanah did not mention blackmail and falsehood in that piece but again, he fired blank. What is the blackmail or falsehood in Robinson Uwak calling the governor "the uncommon transformer of Annang land..."? If we are to juxtapose the Annang land before and the Annang land during Governor Akpabio, we can only arrive at one conclusion and that is, the governor has uncommonly transformed Annang land. For me, that is more of an accolade. After all, charity, they say begins at home.
It appears that the government of the day interprets the freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution to mean speaking in government's favour. If that be the case, I will humbly suggest that everybody be allowed to be their own government, only then shall everybody see the need to always speak in government's favour (but only their own government). Until that is done, let us be guided by these words; "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." -Theodore Roosevelt (America's 26th President).
No comments:
Post a Comment