At the moment, Anambra State needs equity, fairness and justice in greater measure. These virtues are cardinal for development in any human society. Their importance to the new administration of Governor Obiano cannot be over emphasised. These virtues are like a three-legged stool. If one of the legs is taken away, the stool collapses and will not be fit for the purpose it was meant. In my opinion, Anambra state now appears to be wobbling and is increasingly showing symptoms that one or more of these three ‘legs’ for building a politically strong, economically viable and socially cohesive society is not functioning properly. And a diverse entity like Anambra state requires cohesion and not further fragmentation.
Social cohesion is a term used in social policy, sociology and political science to describe the bonds or “glue” that bring people together in a society, particularly in the context of cultural, political and religious diversities. Material dimension of social cohesion suffers when one part of the society is unduly favoured for instance in the employment and empowerment processes. And another part is targeted, discriminated against and in the worst case scenario out rightly denied.
For now, it appears that Anambra state is tilting towards that end. The inclusion of religious affiliation in employment form of potential employee is divisive. Frankly, a candidate’s denomination is inconsequential in a diverse, multi-religious, and pluralistic society like Anambra state in matters of governance. Indicators for employment should have nothing to do with face, race, religion or one’s denomination rather on competences, skills, education, experiences and the process of employment selection must be transparent, fair and just.
Another tenet of a cohesive society is mutual respect and tolerance. By this, every segment of the society is appreciated, respected and recognised. Again, it seems that this tenet is being trampled upon with impunity and reckless abandon. Why should a highly placed denominational leader question the right of another denomination to site its own place of worship. Another dimension of social cohesion is the extent of inclusion or integration of people into the mainstream of the society. Again, there is now a deliberate, systematic and flagrant destruction of this fabric of building a cohesive society. I believe strongly that it is the responsibility of the government as the umpire to maintain equity and fairness but that seems not the case in the recent past.
Imagine, there are cases of some people using their positions of trust in the government to favour people that belong to their denomination. Even some workers including commissioners now display the images and effigies of their denomination in the place of work not minding the feelings of others. What if a traditional worshipper comes to work with his Ofo, Oji(rattling metal staff), Ikenga, Arobunagu, etc, or a Sabbath man brings the blood of his ‘passover lamb’ and sprinkles it in his place of work? The government must rise up to the challenges of good leadership. I support the call for equity in Anambra State. May I with due respect, call on the government of the state to do justice. That is to act or treat everyone in the state justly and fairly; and to appreciate and give equal measures to all without fear or favour. If the law says that ‘all animals are equal,’ then adding ‘but some are more equal than others’ to it is morally repugnant.
There is a maxim amongst politicians in Anambra state that ‘ewelu ewelukwa n’ese okwu’. That is why most political parties have zoned different offices to different constituencies. Essentially, the present administration in the state came to power on that premise. Life is about living and let live, doing to others as you will like them to do to you. You can only deceive a blind man that there is oil in the soup (when it is not there) because he is handicapped and cannot see. But you cannot deceive him that it is salted when it is not since he can taste and judge by himself. Please, Ndi-Anambra, let us remove the ‘finger of a monkey from the soup because it resembles that of a human being.’ Anambra state is too big to be destroyed by political profiteers and jobbers and their religious leaders and godfathers who want the state to be divided alongside denominational line for their selfish, myopic and diabolical interests.
I think the incident at Oyo-Olu Oze is a very sad one. It is a pure case of injustice and lopsided treatment. There is a saying that you can deceive some of the people some of the time but not all the people all the time. I salute the courage of those who are standing up and demanding for justice for all in the state. I have watched this Oyo-Olu Oze incident with keen interest and in the last few weeks it has remained a focus of discussion in the markets, buses and even in the electronic and print media.
Let me quote one of my respected and revered Principals who said ‘ignorant and untravelled Nigerians may be forgiven for their cleavages to clannishness for they know no better, but if well educated, highly placed and much travelled Nigerians stoop down to clannishness in their handling of public affairs, what hope is there for the unity and stability of Nigeria?’
The fact of the matter is that Oyo-Olu Oze primary School and the Hill Top primary School were all initiated by the Nkwelle community. During the government takeover of schools, both were taken by the government. And in the process of handing over, only the government knows why it handed over Oye-olu Oze to the Anglicans and the Hill Top to the Roman Catholics. Since then, the Roman Catholics have taken possession of theirs and are there till today! No one is talking about that. Heaven did not fall. Nkwelle President General did not complain. The government did not call it an error! Why are they complaining that the Anglicans moved into theirs? Is what is good for the geese not equally good for the gander? I believe that justice is not served until those hoodlums who destroyed that Church and their sponsors are brought to book. However, no one should take laws into his hands. We have the court of law. I commend the Anglicans for going to the court. I also expect the government that says that ‘protection of life and properties of its citizens are top on its agenda’ to do more until justice is not just served but be seen to have been done.
Furthermore, Mr Ifeanyi Afuba insinuated that the Roman Catholics by their population relative to other denominations should take almost everything. Let us get the matter straight. Was this the case in the 1960s – 1990s? Does it mean that their population suddenly became greater than others in the recent past? Why was it not so since independence? At the national level, some people are arrogating themselves with the right to rule claiming that they are ‘born to rule’ and consequently, have been trying to take the best of all places and positions in the country. Today, all well meaning Nigerians are rising up to say no to this ‘monster’. Is it this same ugly monster which we are fighting at the national level that we are trying to institute in the state? Never!
Mr Afuba referenced Wikipedia and other sources to buttress the fact that the Roman Catholics have the right by virtue of their population to dominate everywhere in the state. Let me submit that Wikipedia is not a trusted site for such matters.
•Ukaejiofor writes from Awka
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