By Collins Ugwu
One of the most anticipated events today in Nigeria, must be the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly members. A day of pomp and circumstance understandably. An essential moment of history for new legislative turks coming on board, and celebrations galore to those returning.
Even those who won’t come back, their reminiscences will remain a barge of cherished memories for life. No one can deny them their net glory of joys and affections, because that is positive humanity. Joy and happiness tops the agenda of priority obsessions in all we do, or refrain from doing.
We should all wish them the best really, not only to smoothen the rope that they are there because we are here, but to make them know they are now in our exam hall, where their scripts will be keenly observed, and marked by us publicly in another four years’ jiffy.
On the flipside of pleasant narratives, that endow today for the 360 members of our House of Representatives and 109 Senators, who will eagerly change their titles immediately from members-elect or senators-elect, to members of our august 10th National Assembly, a few will unfortunately endure the process, than thoroughly enjoy it as deserved. This could be on account of rude turns of fate or unkind burdens of uncertainties.
Regrettably one of such few, will be Hon. Uche Harris Okonkwo, a brave voice of change for a better Nigeria, representing Idemili North/South federal constituency of Anambra State. It will not be because he wont take his oath of allegiance for service to country. He will, and physically too. That will not be because his victory is being challenged by career opponents who congratulated him earlier. No, he grudges them not, at all. Neither will it be for lack of people to garland him in celebrations. He actually regrets deeply his current inability to take all willing constituents as planned earlier.
It will be sad, because, Uche, the scion of the very distinguished Senator Annie Okonkwo peerage, lost his peculiar father, his biological and social architect, the General of his victory train, indeed the planner and way maker for his son’s pre- and post-inauguration celebrations. That was not to be again, and will no longer happen with him alive in physical presence. The chief host is no more, the celebrant in deep mourning, and guests demobilised by grief, literally few hours to the table.
It is a crushing mortal stab, like unexpected bullet to the spirit at close range. When an Iroko tree, the biggest in the forest is cut abruptly, the undergrowth is exposed to harsh elements. No one celebrates the emotional brutality that death pours on us, each at a time, unknown and merciless. As all mortals leveller, with no equivalence in cruel finality, death is our constant trauma, no human has overcome yet.
But of course many have defied it’s greed to consume everything completely.
His father did that excellently, by a legacy packed 63 years only. His sterling generosity, barriers breaking accomplishments, boundless friendliness, exceptional humility, unreserved love to family and relations, are loud propensities of a lion, called Agunechemba, that only an eagle processed, Ugo Agu, Lady Chinyere Okonkwo, with holy patent by God Almighty.
Such is the virtuous family ecosystem that will stand for Hon. Okonkwo for succour today, and years to come. He will draw strength and courage from that pure well of breed and culture, to reassure his wife, Lady Nkiru Uche Okonkwo, their children, his proud relations, his national and global supporters, and his great constituents, that the promises he made, and mandate he got for “Possibilities of Good Governance in Idemili” is certain, alive and sacred.
When his Dad, the Okaka Ojoto, distinguished Senator Annie Okonkwo, came in personally few days to his election, and took charge of the campaign direction, no one knew the lion had come to roar his last. We soaked the glitters and dazzles of a sure hunter. The delicate emotions of a master set for a son’s victory, in the battle he was leading in the front. In all those hours of elation and suspense, no one, not me obviously, who has worked with him very closely for more than 15 years, read the faintest meaning, that Agu was executing his farewell command performance, a historic good bye on the soil of his birth Ojoto, in the constituency he lived for, Anambra Central, in a nation he served with valour and integrity. Oh, how Idemili adored him, and Ojoto glowed and radiated with him in a special fraternity of a lifelong synergy.
The natural protocols anointing upon his son was complete. The legal seal is today affirmed. The manuals have exchanged hands
The baton is for a marathon, Uche. Run it with those blessings, wisdom, resilience, courage, and never leave generosity behind.
Good bye distinguished Senator Annie Okonkwo. Welcome, Honourable Uche Harris Okonkwo.
May grace be sufficient.
•Ugwu writes from Maryland, Lagos.
