Opinion

Bianca Ojukwu: Never judge a book by the cover

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2022

By Bianca Ojukwu

Each time I see this picture, the rather funny but sad story of this wedding cake on the left comes to mind.

I was told by a good friend, during my wedding preparations that there was a lady at Enugu that makes great wedding cakes. Infact my friend, though not familiar with the lady, offered to take me to hers.

Dressed rather casually, I decided to park my own Mercedes and I joined my friend in her own car which was a cute looking but modest Volkswagen (known as Beetle in those days) and she drove us to the cake maker’s place.

Upon our arrival, The popular cake maker, (whose name I withhold for obvious reasons) totally oblivious of my identity, took one derisive look at the car we arrived in, and was not impressed. I told her I needed her to make my wedding cake, and she started coming up with all manner of excuses.

First, she told me her cakes were very expensive and I definitely would not be able to afford it ( at 25,000 naira in those days), and offered to direct me to a cheaper cake place, stressing that she only makes cakes for important personalities ( even going ahead to drop names..such as one Union bank manager, one boutique owner, etc who in her estimation were ‘dignitaries’) but I told her that I could manage to afford it.

She then asked where the wedding was taking place and I told her it was at Abuja. She said I would have to pay for her transportation to Abuja to mount the cake and that since she only travels by air, not road, this added cost would be difficult for me to carry, to which I replied that I would pay.

She raised the issue of hotel accommodation, which I assured her, would be taken care of.

My friend kept nudging me and whispering in my ear, ‘ Tell this woman who you are so she can put a stop to these nonsense questions’, to which I replied no. I was secretly amused, albeit perplexed at that moment about human nature and social climbers, which by her attitude, this lady clearly was .

What I found surprising was that the lady herself was definitely not well off, her own car was an old Corolla, her surroundings not plush, and she was merely one of those ‘I must belong by all means’ type of people, yet she had the temerity to look down on others she considered not ‘rich’.

To cut a long story short, still not convinced that I could afford her services ( judging by my casual dressing and the modest ride, which was not even mine, meaning I probably had no vehicle of my own), she briskly discharged us both, telling me to drop my number, and that she would call me.

I dropped my number with her under my Igbo name Odinaka, and we left. I never heard from her again.

I simply took up a generous offer from the Canadian chef at the Nicon Hilton Abuja then, who was a master baker, and my gigantic multi tiered wedding cake was made at no cost at all, simply as PR to market and advertise the Hotel’s services.

The Enugu cake maker one day, just a week to the wedding, saw the television broadcasts of our impending wedding which was a big event at the time, and realised it was me who had come to her place for a wedding cake.

She flew into a panic and quickly managed to find her way to my house, and started begging, with all kinds of bland explanations, asking why I didn’t introduce myself ‘appropriately’ ( by which she meant as a ‘VIP’), and even offering to make the cake free of charge, but it was too late.

On this day, a beautiful breezy day in November 1994, it was a memorable wedding ceremony at the Nicon Noga Hilton ( Today’s Transcorp Hilton), Abuja, the first wedding event ever hosted there. And it was grand…

This life size multi step cake seen in this picture, much bigger and more lavish than any conceivable one the Enugu cake maker could ever have offered, was donated by the management of the Hilton.

The Enugu Cake maker lost a great opportunity to showcase her skills and her product since the event was telecast across the country..TV, radio, Newspapers, Magazines and every conceivable news medium with the Hilton Master Baker taking the cake credits.

This advertisement masterstroke greatly boosted the Hilton Events hosting business and facilitated countless more weddings at the same Congress Hall at Hilton. Last I heard, the Cakemaker’s business has since folded after she faced some difficulties in her business several years ago.

Moral of this true life experience is, NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER. We are all human beings,created equally before God, if not before man, regardless of our status in life.

We must never relate to others based solely on who or what they are, what they have, what car they ride or how expensively or poorly they are dressed…Everyday people lose opportunities to forge valuable ties and long lasting friendships because of their snobbish outlook.

…..and best of all, when one door closes, another greater one will open by Divine mercies. I lost a molehill but gained a mountain.

HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO ME AND OGA M, DIM CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU !

Iyom Ojukwu, was for Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland

News

I am unable to say goodbye, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu – By Chekwas Okorie

Published

2 weeks ago

April 13, 2024

Whirlwindnews

It was about 41 years ago when I met Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a brilliant, self-effacing, and consummate academic, when he was a member of the Board of Directors of Nigercem Nkalagu, now in Ebonyi State. Our friendship remained unbroken and waxed from strength to strength. I am deeply pained that I have to write a final farewell to my bosom friend at this time when there is so much more he still had to offer to a country he loved so much.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was born on 1st December, 1951, to the family of His Royal Highness Late Eze David Aba Onu, Eze Adu of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The academic brilliance of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu manifested very early when he obtained Grade One with Distinction in his West African School Certificate Examination at Izzi High School, Izzi, Ebonyi State. He went further to obtain distinctions in Physics and Chemistry at the Higher School Certificate Examination at the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu graduating as the best overall student. In 1976, Dr. Onu graduated with a First Class Honors Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos (Unilag). He later obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering (without passing through a Masters degree program) at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, California, USA, in 1980.

On returning to Nigeria, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu taught at the University of Port Harcourt as the pioneer Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering. On several occasions, he served as the acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt. Dr. Onu was also elected as a member of the Governing Council of the University. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu did not limit himself to acquiring high-grade certificates in academic institutions. He had time for extra-curricular activities where he excelled. His capabilities as a leader of his peers and others shone like a thousand stars. A few examples will suffice. While in the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Onu was president of the Nigerian Association of Northern California incorporated (Inc.). Back in Nigeria, Dr. Onu served as the President General of the Old Boys Association of his Alma Matar, Izzi High School, Izzi, Ebonyi State.

While in Port Harcourt, Dr. Onu became the President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt. He was also the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers of old Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States’ Chapter. Dr. Onu was a pioneer National President of Raw Materials Society of Nigeria, which metamorphosed into the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and Dr. Onu served as a member of the first Board of Governors of the Council.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the author of many books and garnered so many awards and Chieftaincy titles. Dr. Onu was an exemplary family man.

On the basis of my friendship with Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu spanning over 41 unbroken years, I wish to state that he was a quintessential gentleman, whose word was his bond. Any understanding reached with Dr. Onu was bankable. There was no difference between written and unwritten agreement as far as Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was concerned. Dr. Onu’s integrity, sincerity and honesty were incomparable. His humility was disarming. Betrayal and inordinate ambition were vices that were alien to Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu’s persona.

May the Almighty God forgive him his shortcomings and admit his soul into His Heavenly Abode.

Adieu my friend.

Chief Dr. Chekwas Okorie.

Ojeozi Ndigbo 12/04/2024.

News

Okuama Killings: A governor’s sympathy cry

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2024

Whirlwindnews

“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience” – Julius Caesar

By Felix Ofou

On Friday, April 5, 2024, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, exposed what had been hidden in the deep recesses of his heart since the tragic killing of 17 soldiers and the sacking of the community allegedly by another contingent on reprisal attack in Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

The opportunity came during a visit by the board of enquiry set up by the Military high command in the killing of the 17 soldiers on a fact finding mission to the state. The Governor received members of the panel led by Air Vice Marshal David Ajayi at the Government House in Warri during which he bared his emotions on the unfortunate incident.

Prior to that visit, Oborevwori had been wrongly accused of keeping mum and not doing enough to show sympathy to the victims on either side of the crisis. Not minding that the Governor has roundly condemned the killing and sued for peace, there were some people, albeit in the minority, who felt he should have shown greater sympathy.

This is in spite of several steps taken by the Delta State’s chief executive soon after news broke about what had happened in Okuama. First was the bold and courageous decision to visit the scene to assess what had happened and to determine how best to de-escalate the tension stemming from the killings. Next was the storming of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, to brief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Commander-in-Chief, during which he promised to provide relief for those displaced as well as cooperate with the military high command to get to the bottom of the matter.

On the other hand, another school of thought alleged that the real issue that got the army peace mission involved in Okuama and Okoloba bordered more on the rampant bunkering and stealing of crude oil in the entire area. In the view of proponents of this view, the issue should not be swept under the carpet even as the hunt for the perpetrators of the gruesome killing continues.

But, Friday provided a rare opportunity for Oborevwori to let the world know how he truly felt about the tragedy. It was a no-holds barred moment for the Governor who spoke his mind in an unreserved manner; unrestrained like he has never done. He spoke about his pains as well as that of the state on account of the sad incident.

The Governor narrated how the state has managed the situation, promising that the State would do all it could to assist the Board on its assignment. Oborevwori further revealed that in an effort to honour the deceased officers and soldiers, he led a top level delegation of members of the State Security Council and members of the State Executive Council to attend the funeral of the slain officers and soldiers in Abuja.

While saying that a transparent investigation should be conducted to fish out the real culprits of the heinous crime, he said innocent citizens should not be made to suffer any further. “I am very happy for this meeting taking place here today in Warri. Most people who spoke about the issue did so out of ignorance because they lacked the true knowledge of the facts of what happened. Setting up this Board of Enquiry is a good one.

“In my MORE Agenda, we said we are going to ensure peace and security, and for the first time in a long while, we celebrated Christmas without any hitches and I must thank security agencies in the state for a job well done.

“In Delta State, there are two bodies we don’t play with – the Advisory and Peace Building Council and the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee – because they are doing a lot to ensure enduring peace in the state.

“I told the Secretary to State Government to invite the Okuama/Okoloba people. l made it mandatory that the Chairmen of Ughelli South and Bomadi Local Government Councils should be in attendance. The members of the State House of Assembly representing the constituencies affected should also be in attendance and the Presidents-General of the communities.

“That meeting was held on the 7th of February and they signed a peace accord. So, we were not expecting anything negative when the military went there for a peace mission. In Delta State, we don’t encourage crisis. I want to assure you that whatever information you people want, we will give it to you and we will also come with our position paper to submit to you people before you leave.

“That will also guide you on the role that we have played as a state because if we don’t come with this position paper, you will not know the role that the state has played”, the Governor said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Board of Enquiry, Air Vice Marshal David Ajayi, said the Board was in the state to investigate the unfortunate incident that happened at Okuama.

He said: “We are here as a fact-finding mission and not to apportion blame. We are here to gather facts from security agencies, community leaders and community dwellers.

“This report will also help to ensure healthy communication that will enhance civil-military relationship and ensure that economic activities thrive again in the affected communities.”

He called on the Governor to assist the Board in its enquiry to ensure that relevant stakeholders were invited to the give account of what led to the crisis.

However, the Governor did not disclose his other pain: attempts by irredentists to hijack the process and introduce an ethnic colouration to the crisis by claiming that agents from Okoloba (neighbouring Ijaw community) allegedly recruited the slain soldiers to destroy Okuama (Urhobo community) which resulted in the said killings. The ethnic jingoist tried in vain to drag Oborevwori into their depraved plot.

As it turned out, the warlord, top on the wanted list of the military high command and said to have masterminded the killing of the soldiers in Okuama, is Ijaw with maternal link to the community. Those who tried to accuse the Governor of not defending Urhobo interests enough therefore failed woefully in their bid to input ethnic motive in Oborevwori’s actions.

But, it must be pointed out that a crisis like what happened in Okuama, is bound to affect the relative peace in the zone as well as the economic fortunes of the state. That, undoubtedly, the Governor is bound to be concerned about, the burden of which he bears with equanimity and uncommon humility.

Yet, like Caesar, Oborevwori has borne his pain with patience, never complaining, nor betraying any sign of panic. Instead, he has provided leadership and stability necessary to sustain peace and progress in the state. The days ahead will definitely be kind to him. History is definitely on the side of the Governor.

*Ofou is Executive Assistant on New Media to the Delta State Governor

News

The attack on press freedom in Anambra

Published

2 months ago

February 16, 2024

Whirlwindnews

By Chekwube Nzomiwu

The recent destruction of newsstands in major cities in Anambra State is another sad testament to the attack on press freedom by the administration of Governor Charles Soludo. According to media reports, the destruction of the newsstands by agents of the state government, left many hapless newspaper vendors stranded, as they had no other place to go and make their daily livelihood. In addition, the poor vendors incurred huge losses from the damages to their newspapers during the unfortunate incident.

This development calls for concern from all well-meaning Nigerians and members of the international community who are committed to the preservation of press freedom, which is a very important pillar of the rule of law, and by extension, democracy. Without press freedom, the protection of fundamental human rights will be a mirage.

Press freedom offers individuals and organisations, the right to express, publish, and share information, ideas and opinion without fear of government censorship or government interference. It is guaranteed in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

The above-mentioned section says, “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times, be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.” Section 39 of the same constitution, which recognises the freedom of speech, accords every Nigerian the right to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinion.

The three traditional functions of the media-information, education and entertainment-underscore their importance in the society. Besides the traditional functions, the modern media perform other functions, such as mobilisation and surveillance.

Stressing the importance of the press during the parliamentary debate on the opening up of press reporting of the House of Commons of Great Britian in 1787, British political thinker and statesman, Edmund Burke described the press as the Fourth Estate. The term emanated from the European concept of the three estates of the realm-the clergy, the nobility and the commoners.

Fast-forward to today, power in a democracy is divided between the legislature, executive and the judiciary. The position of the media (trained journalists) as the fourth estate has not changed, regardless of the emergence of citizen journalism, brought about by constant technological advancement. The reason is simple. Democracy thrives on the ability of the people to access information.

Hence, it is disturbing that the government of Anambra State under a Governor of academic extraction, has become notorious for denying the people access to information. The Soludo administration commenced its offensive against the media with the closure of the National Light Newspaper, owned by the Anambra State Government. Until Soludo came to power, the newspaper was funded by successive governors, from Chinwoke Mbadinuju to Sen. Dr. Chris Ngige, Mr. Peter Obi and Willie Obiano.

Having rendered the state owned newspaper moribund, several denials notwithstanding, the Soludo government appears hell-bent on making the environment unconducive for privately owned print media organisations, to perform their constitutional role and carry out their lawful businesses in Anambra State. It beats my imagination that the same government that committed itself to press freedom before the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Awka, in July last year (2023), could embark on the destruction of newsstands less than a year after.

Quoting Governor Soludo’s Edo State born Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, as reported by Michael Ovat in Nigerian Tribune online on July 25, 2023, “NUJ should not be confrontational. Anambra Government are not at war with NUJ. Soludo is not wicked and reckless as portrayed by the State chapter of NUJ. NUJ and journalists as a whole have been part of this government to make Anambra a livable and prosperous state in Nigeria. Soludo has promised that journalists would not suffer any form of intimidation in their duties under his administration.”

Unless Soludo does not want his words to be taken seriously, he is educated enough to know that the destruction of newsstands amounts to intimidation of journalists. The journalists are not just writing for the fun of it. They are performing the role assigned to them by Section 22 of the Constitution under the “Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy” on one hand, and on the other hand, want their newspapers to be patronised to generate revenue from the media organisations paying their salaries.

Yes, some newspapers are running online editions, but majority of Ndi-Anambra who fall within the middle and low-income classes, cannot afford data to read online at this critical time of economic depression, caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the Naira, culminating in “very dangerous” galloping inflation, that has eroded incomes. Also, I have not heard of any part of Awka, the Anambra State capital or Onitsha, the commercial city, not to speak of interior parts of the State, that enjoys free access to internet.

As a former Chief Economic Adviser to the President and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)/ de facto Minister of National Planning, it is not in doubt that Professor Soludo has travelled far and wide. Let him tell us anywhere in the world where newsstands are not allowed. Heathrow Airport is the biggest airport in the United Kingdom and the fourth busiest in the world. All the four terminals have newsstands. So, what’s the fuss in Anambra State about newsstands?

If anything, Anambra being the “Light of the Nation” should be a model for other states and even the Federal Government to follow when it comes to respecting freedom of the press. Anambra is the home of foremost nationalist, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the great Zik of Africa, Owelle of Onitsha and founder of the West African Pilot, which revolutionised the newspaper industry in the entire West Africa. There were also other titles under his Zik’s Group.

Anambra also produced great journalists like M.C.K Ajuluchukwu, Mokwugo Okoye and Osita Agwuna, may God bless their gentle souls. It was the writings of these great and courageous men and their comrades from other parts of Nigeria that sent the British packing from Nigeria in 1960, to pave the way for Nigeria’s independence. By the way, the last time I checked, history was not being taught in many schools in Anambra state, although Professor Soludo announced the reintroduction of the subject in the school curriculum when he assumed office in 2022.

Finally, I don’t think that Soludo being an academic, needs to be reminded that newsstands are informal lecture halls for educating the people. I therefore passionately call on him to order his agents to halt further destruction of newsstands in the State. In areas where they have been destroyed already, he should quickly direct the erection of new modernised stands for the vendors to restore their means of livelihood. This will convince us that he is not taking Anambra State away from liberal democracy and moving us towards ‘putinisation” a term popularised by former President of European Parliament, Martin Schulz.

Nzomiwu, a development communicator and political scientist, wrote from Awka, Anambra State