Those few profitable occasions were where and when Walter Ofonagoro versus national issues were concerned. Was it his bizarre smiles? His eloquent speeches or his massive intellectual prowess? Whichever, heavens knew I was greatly fond of Walter. So what? One may ask.
To such a person and his or her likes, may I inform them that there comes a time in a child’s life when he or she decides for real what they will be remembered for.
That vital decision during the developmental stage of man is chiefly informed by the phenomenon known and called "role model" – positively or negatively. As a child, my role models, to an extent, were Walter Ofonagoro, Tom Ikimi, and others, yet, I don’t know for sure now, if Walter is dead or alive.
The obvious reasons are that: Ours (Nigeria) is a nation where only today and today’s "supposed or led leaders" reign supreme, while the legacies of our heroes past languish in total neglect. A nation where nepotism, tribalism, favouritism, cronyism and godbabarism (Otta shrine) are the order of the day. Furthermore,
Hence, we are starved and diseased, strained and pained, deprived and grieved – among all other ingredients of woe typical of a corrupt society. Above all, we are surrounded by slums and shanty towns inhabited by poverty – stricken people who wish death to life, yet, live all-day-every day in fervent desire but in vain, the dreams of the first world nations.
That I’m deeply hurt and cold is an understatement. But with the fortitude synonymous with Nelson Mandela of
To this end, I’ve resolved to humbly remind Walter and other stakeholders (your appellations duly observed) the saying of Shiv Khera: That the societies are not destroyed so much by the activities of rascals but by the inactivity of the good people. In similar spirit, Martin Luther King Jr. once professed that "we cannot afford to give up now if you cannot fly, run, if you can’t run, you walk if you can’t walk, you crawl. But by all means, keep moving."
Sequel to which I hereby move a motion that all nationalists should unequivocally and unanimously unite and/or reunite in truth and trust in redeeming this inglorious chapter in the supposed giant of Africa – Nigeria. Especially, now that your (Walter and co) once baby fans are grown ups and are able as well willing to support (save otherwise) in no small measure, cash and kind to the inevitable glorious cause of national redemption.
At this juncture, to my fellow youths I must stress that there comes a time in a man’s life when eating becomes a vice. A time he must stand up for something or be forced to fall for everything. This time, we all like "all colours in the dark" must agree and maintain that "impossible is just another big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in a world they have been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact.
It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing." Consequently, we (youths) must resist being applied as weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Insist on our proper place in the society and exist as heirs to humanity to whom the baton of leadership must be passed on, without which we are guaranteed a total worldwide chaos.
Believing that in the end, we (youths) must be prepared to influence and shape the lives of generations yet unborn – as role models – in a way and manner very typical of Sir Walter Ofornagoro, Tom Ikimi and others.
• Omole Suraj Alladey,
Tel: 08065472054
deensuraj@yahoo.com
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