BY REV. FR. GERALD NWAFOR
I looked around my village, and I saw beautiful trees. I looked around my city, and I saw beautiful houses. I looked around my house, and I saw beautiful people God has blessed me with, and I said quietly in my heart, “What a wonderful world.” I look back over the years that have passed, and I recall the beautiful events and history that shaped me into the man I am today.
I was enjoying this reflection and the blessings of God until my friend called me and said, “Do you have a minute to talk?” I said yes. And he asked if I could give him small money to buy a cup of garri for dinner. I am shocked that he would be that poor not to afford the cup of garri, but I think it was the reality of what Nigeria has become as of today. The beauty of creation has been mutilated by the political class in Nigeria. Now I cannot count my blessings because many of my beloved are going to bed tonight without food, and not sure where the next meal will come from. I have observed beautiful faces disfigured by hunger and anger.
I have watched sweet people turn sour because of hardship and pain. The beautiful world is falling apart because of the carelessness of the political class. When are we going to enjoy together the beauty of creation giving to humanity free of charge? The only creature that requires money to do good is humans. The birds sing even when no one is listening.
The ocean, the seas, the rivers, and the trees release oxygen in season and out of season without payment. When should we get it right?The richest state in Nigeria may be River State, but I have watched the trappings happening in Rivers these few days and I ask the political class why? The former governor, who is now a sitting minister of the federal capital territory, Mr. Wike, has said that he would not allow the current governor, Mr. Fubara, to destroy his political base in River State. So, the house of assembly was burnt down overnight. The governor was shot at and teargassed.
Wike, why not face the capital territory and do a good job there, and allow Fubara to concentrate on the River State and do a good job too? Why are you interested in the political structure you built, and not the infrastructure? Are you a dictator who wants to be politically relevant forever? You should be ashamed of yourself. The beautiful city of Port Harcourt that raised my father in the 60s, and where my junior brother got his medical degree is what you are planning to send into turmoil because of your political ambition.
God forbid it will not work. I have lived and worked in Rivers, what a wonderful place and a beautiful people, you want to destroy because you want to say who will be governor and who will not be. Our people say that a tree does not make a forest. River State is not Lagos. Ikwere and Ijaw people are not Yoruba people. It will not happen under the sun. You have shot yourself in the foot and the wound is bleeding profusely, and you know what happens to a man who lost a lot of blood, I will tell you, “He will become anemic and die.”The beautiful people of Imo state wanted to have a walk (protest march) to show that the government was not doing all they hoped for, because the name of the governor is Mr. Hope Uzodinma.
They even invited the leader of NLC (Nigeria Labor Congress) and the leader of TUC (Trade Union Congress). I heard the walk took off peacefully and thugs invaded the peaceful demonstration and the police beat the hell out of the NLC chairperson, Mr. Ajearo. Now he cannot not see with one of his eyes and his hearing has become a problem. Mr. Hope said that he did not know what the NLC chairperson came for in Imo State. The NLC chairperson was the one fighting for the worker’s minimum wage increase. He was the one fighting for the masses so that the government of balablu bulaba would reduce the astronomical increase in the petroleum pump price. So, we should be getting permission from the governor when we want to visit his state.
Mr. Ajearo’s manhandling should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet because it is a caveat to beat up anyone who opposes the government. By the way, there is a gubernatorial election coming up in Imo state by November 11th. The Imolites should send Hope Uzodimma to Ikedi Ohakim’s quarters. They should vote him out massively and give him no hope in the ballot box and the election tribunal. Now I am in pain because I remembered that he was in fourth position in the last gubernatorial election, but the Supreme Court said he won on technicalities. All hope is not lost, please come out again and vote him out.
Finally, please do not allow these politicians to take away the joy of the beautiful world around you. Sometimes, we do not need their money to be happy. In creation, only human beings purportedly said that they need money (wealth in the negative sense) to be happy. Every other creature in creation is happy and free. Nature is a great healer. Always watch the beauty of the blue sky. Wake up early in the morning to breathe the fresh air and the scent of rich African soil.
Observe the green vegetation and enjoy the voices of the birds. Bask in the sunshine and enjoy the heat of the sun because many people desire it, but they cannot see the sun. I can assure you that the politicians cannot take that away from you because those are free, and they are what makes the world wonderful and beautiful. The wealth you do not need to buy: SUNSHINE, SMILES, SLEEP, and SOCIALIZING. They are free and will keep you healthy, happy, and hopeful because it is a wonderful world.
