Each time I read through some of the online media platforms created by our youth who are the so called leaders of tomorrow; The way they react to serious political issues upon which their future is tied to, I weep inwardly. The reason is because I see a crop of young people who have been misled into believing that life is full of Roses hence can be conquered with ease.
For those category of youth, life is as simple as plucking an Apple, at its prime, effortlessly. They erroneously feel that wealth is acquired just by singing the praises of one or more successful politician who, in turn, doles out “Peanuts” that can barely satisfy their immediate need.
I hereby share my story so that someone will learn from my travails in life. My story will serve as light unto your feet and an assurance that there is hope in the future no matter how dark it seems. The fear of the future is of course the bane of most frustrated youths today.
See, I survived Biafra without parents. My mother died 1964 while my father died in early 1966 just as Biafra war was beginning. I came from a family of eight, 4 boys and 4 girls.I finished primary six in 1972 and started Table Market (Ahia Table) at Emy Cinema Aba.I finished primary six in 1972 and started Table Market (Ahia Table) at Emy Cinema Aba thereafter. I will skip some of my family background for want of space.
I watched all kinds of films: The good the bad and the ugly! I also watched “Jango the Bastard!”
In early 1973, I left Aba for Lagos and became a Danfo Conductor. Back then, there were 4 dangerous end points in Lagos, Isale Eko, Jankara, Ajegunle and Mushin. As a Conductor we plied Ajegunle – Mushin. I was a regular at Fela Anikulakpo’s shrine!
I was a product of a twin birth. But i was still a holder of Primary Six Certificate when my twin brother entered the University. Sadly, I could not afford to enter into Secondary School.However, when frustration came so hard, as if there was no other hope to survive, my sister taught me that my tomorrow is nothing than what I make of it today. I read and wrote WAEC and GCE on my own, all within one year. By God’s grace I passed the exams, with 5 credits, though, at two sittings.
My life took a new turn when I got employed by UBA. I later to quit UBA,when I got admission into the Department of Basic Studies at the Institue of Management and Technology Enugu. From IMT Enugu I had HSC and Cambridge A Level certificates in Business Administration, Accounting and Economics, respectively.
Still focused, though not knowing exactly where I was going to, I established St. Moses Vocational College at Mgboko Abia State. I ran the school for 5 years, by then my twin brother was already a Lecturer in the University.
One day, I was terribly insulted by one Mr. Ukochialu, who was a staff of the then Obioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State, before his girlfriend. He called me a Drawback (Ogbu oge). Reason, he had just attended a seminar where my twin brother was the Resource Person. He felt dazzled by the performance of my brother,hence, he returned home and gave me the insult of my life.
As a result of that insult by Mr Ukochialu, I closed down my school that already had up to five hundred students in population. Thereafter, I applied and got admitted into the then University of Cross River State, now Federal University of Uyo, where I studied Philosophy. I successfully left the University with a prestigious BA Philosophy!
While i studied in UNIUYO, I was equally a registered motorcycle “Okada” rider at Isiala Ngwa express Junction.
On graduation, I came home and joined politics. I learnt Politics under the tutelage of Ishmael Onuoha a former Local Government Chairman. To be in politics then you need a full time Political apprenticeship or what the Igbos may call (Ise Akpa or Igba Boy). All my days as a political errand boy, I neither indulged in Political thuggery nor was I a political “Megaphone” that was used to insult my Seniors and or political enemies in order to be rewarded or to score cheap political goal.I equally did not fight or beat up anyone to show my loyalty, as it is the case today. I only used my brain. In local Igbo parlance we say “akpu akpurakpu nda a woku awoku”(sic).
After my political tutelage with Elder John Nwangborogwu he empowered me politically. Literally, he handed over the Political bag to me. In order words, I rose to political prominence through Elder John Nwangborogwu. He made me everything I am today in politics.
I also served Ishmael. Though I and Ishmael are age mates he did not empower me politically, perhaps, because his tenure, as the Local Government Chairman, was abruptly terminated.
It is, however, noteworthy that I served John Nwangborogwu although I am older than him. Regardless of the obvious age gap I also respect and reverence him till date!
I make bold to say here that it is only John that can do anything, however offensive, and get away with it.
Whether any one likes him or not John Nwangborogwu is the teacher that taught me never to be selfish, never to lose hope and never to keep malice. According to John, in politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies but permanent interest.
My friends, apart from the 1 year and 6 months stint I had with UBA, I have never had any paid job, my life has been characterized by hustling from one thing to the other. For instance, I was a conductor, an Okada rider, a Pool checker and a commercial Videographer tutored by one Sam Adindu. During the rested “Out Onu” political struggle, with Enynnaya Abaribe, I personally procured a video camera I used in covering most of our political gatherings. Although I was not paid any money for my services it did not, however, discourage or deter me. I also did not resort to insults or blame games when it was obvious that nothing rewarding was coming my way.
Today I am a Lawyer made by God!
Although widely misunderstood, I have remained resolute to my age long mantra, “You work you eat” (onye ruo ya erie.). I am controversial only to those whose stock i trade are to champion injustice. Those persons are still the ones that use and dump our youth today. They brain wash them, squeeze off their youthful resources on the pretense of representing their interest, thereafter, they leave them with heaps of unfulfilled promises for a better tomorrow that may never come!
Sorry, I may have bored you with my long story. I only want to jerk you up from your slumber and false sense of delusion.I want you to realize that without “them” you can make it in life. Hear me, you don’t need anybody to survive but yourself!
As narrated by St. Moses Ogbonna Esq. currently the Abia State Organising Secretary of PDP and a Legal Practitioner base in Aba.
Story was Edited by “The Ingenious” on the Permission Barr. Ogbonna.