“People who are unable to motivate
themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their
other talents."
Andrew Carnegie
In 2005, I was admitted to
study Mass Communication at the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe Univeristy, Awka,
Anambra State Nigeria [I ended up with a Political Science degree though.
That year, I met a fine young man whose oratorical prowess I still respect.
Every Sunday at Mass, when he comes to address us, his sweet tongue and his
clear command of English always held us spell bound. He always ends with You
are great His Charisma was simply electrifying!
This young dud then was
President Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students, NFCS, St. Joseph the Worker
Catholic Chaplaincy, Unizik. He would later go on to become National President
of the Body in 2006. Hei! enyim nwoko ma a su bekee cha!
The best way to describe him is
in the words of Prof. Emeka Ezeonu when sometimes in 2007 described the then
Vice Chancellor of Unizik Prof. Ilochi Okafor SAN, this man can sell you sand
in the desert and water on the high sea he is truly gifted. Our first encounter
was at my induction ceremony as an NFCSer. He called me Ocha and that is what
he still calls me till today.
Sometimes in May 2017, nearly
10 years since we lasyt saw each other, I got a call, it was a foreign
number. A voice cooed into my ears Hello Ocha this Ngozi Odumuko I was shocked!
That sparked a resuscitation of our friendship and we have done some things
together.
 |
| L-R Prof. Solomon Chkwudebelu Dr Ifeanyi Uba, Prince Ezeakonobi Madumere, Deputy Governor Imo State |
I have always believed that my
background has no right to put my back to the ground hence we have seen many
that came out from the streets, defied the strongholds of the Projects and
refused to be pressed down by the limitations of the Ghettos. Today they are
Champions! It was Joe Thomas in the track Ghetto Child who once said
"There's a world out there that I wanna see There's a man that I'm
destined to be I won't be stopped by the ghetto streets I believe inside that I
can't be beat"
Yesterday, at the Base Lounge
Event Centre in Enugu Nigeria, history was made when this young man brought
together leaders of the South West and the South East in a historic Handshake
Across The Niger event an initiative of Nuzko Ummuna a pan Igbo socio-cultural
think tank group he heads as Coordinator. The event was organized by Ohanaeze Ndigbo
and Afenifere.
Listening to Ngozi speak again, I drifted
back nearly 13 years ago to the Podium at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic
Chaplaincy where, flashing his trademark gap tooth, he would energize us with his
fine oratory, urging us and telling us "you are good". As The Vanguard called him on it s front page today, Ngozi is
truly a “Chief” for he did command the respect of all who attended the
function.
No doubt, this is the first of many Handshakes to come and to think
that a young person is playing a leading role in galvanizing thought leaders
towards a new National Discourse is indeed heartwarming.
In Joe's words,"One
day I'm gonna change the world Make a better place for every boy and girl everyone
in need, homeless families have a place to sleep and food to eat"
 |
| With long time friend and Associate Gregory Muonyililo |
The World Igbo Youth Assembly played a
great role in fostering unity among Igbo youths, when it was on and Ngozi was
part of the team. If anything can be said of this fine young man it is his
ability to carry others along towards a shared goal.
Socrates wrote "Let him
who would move the world first move himself."
The song comes with a lot of
push for those who feel the weight of living in the slums. You may not have a
hand in where and how you were born, but you definitely have a choice with
regards to how you would live when you get to the age of reasoning.
Mazi Odumuko, the Abia born Nigerian has
done us all well, particularly those of us who are and were once
associated with Our Great Unizik!
There would be social
constructs, societal bias and stereotypic stratifications but again draw
Strength from Joe.
Incidentally, Ngozi’s middle
name is Joseph!
Ya gaize nu!
OjisiEmezie
Ideas | Strategies | Solutions
5 comments
Ngozi the Great, blessed with a voice that sweetens the ears. Am happy for his achievements and trust me if he comes out for a political position i would vote him in.
ReplyDeleteI wish him many more applauds in his field while i take learning points and motivations from his achievements.
Cheers
Proudly a product of Unizik
ReplyDeleteNgozi the great
Ngozi is a great man with fear of God. He is a man after God's heart.
ReplyDeleteThe Ngozi the great orator right from pre science Mbaukwu to Unizik Awka. God continue to direct your path. Cheers
ReplyDeleteNgozi was my hostel mate , he lived opposite my room, just close to t Joseph the worker. The Writer forget to add, he is always smiling and laughing. This is a welcomed development.
ReplyDelete