Int’l Day of love, appreciation?

Last Tuesday, August 12, this writer clocked 54. As usual, the world rallied behind me in style and with presence, and with substance, and with words. The birthday this year was particularly special because of my 53-years-younger lookalike twinnie, Miss DiamondAbasi Ama BUSH. The day witnessed uncanny relentlessness: from telephone calls to SMSes to conversations to visits to gifts to surprises; all the way to the crowning glory, the evening bash.

DiamondAbasi and I felt totally loved up. People who were supposed to as well as those we could swear would, showed up for us, physically and in other incredible ways. Madam and I were shocked by money gifts and such other thoughtfulnesses. During the fun-filled soirée, it was especially surreal to watch children dance; children who had come to celebrate my toddler who took all of 20 years to arrive.

Adults too, brought a different colour and slant to the evening. I thought I loved the speeches, or rather the tributes. It felt really good to hear my life being reported in my presence to the world by people who had been watching. I was so so so elated and so so so thankful, I felt the United Nations should declare August 12 also as international day of love and appreciation.

Nonetheless, I have come here to say thank you. I know, however, that in a monstrously, unpredictably sensitive society such as ours, it is difficult (in fact, almost impossible) to tell for sure how generous people and indeed society would react per time to a public select thankyou. And, with politics rubbishing our very humanity, things have become even more fluid plus not to be caught up, I am electing to publicly thank those who directly or indirectly sponsored our birthday party, thus: HEN.S; SIR.M; DL.MU; SISFRIEND; PS.PROD; UNCLE.DOC; THE.BULL; SEN.ANCB; MD.CE.IMB; MD.CE.SS; CAPZ; IP.PS.+; REP.ME; PDP.SC; WL ENW; DR.MA, et al. Of course, there are others whose thankyou we cannot and should not speak in tongues.

Number one, our spiritual father, Global Ba’aba, Dr Abel Damina, of Power City Int’l. The man who hardly attends social events was live and to the very end. Number two, Chairman on the occasion, Akparawa James Edet, NPOM. The International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, is a man you should have in your corner.

As usual, he was awesome on the night: from start to finish. Number three, State Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, Rt Hon. (Elder) & Deaconess Aniekan Simon Akpan, who came against all odds. Completely off topic and may be frivolous, but let me tell you, the man is so healthy. I couldn’t help but joke whether being a party in government was that stressful.

This gratitude stratum also has parents of the day, Prof. & Mrs. James Edward Asuquo; Honourable Commissioner, Housing, Rt Hon. (Dr) Henry Archibong; his Lands & Town Planning colleague, Capt. Iniobong Ekong, retd; their former colleague, of Special Duties & Ibom Deep Seaport Development, Comrade Ini Ememobong; not forgetting the Chairmen of Nsit Ubium and Ibiono Ibom local governments, Hon. Alfred Charles and Rt Hon. (Obong) & Mrs. Asuakak Umoh, respectively.

As for permanent secretary, Ministry of Works & Fire Service, Pastor Ignatius Ekwere and wife, Juliet, thankyou does not seem enough. Ditto, for my peaceable neighbours, Hon. and Mrs. Uduak Ekpo Ufot of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (Etinan State Constituency); ditto for the fabulous Chairman of Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Martin Akpan, and wife, Inimfon; Chairman of AKIRS, Sir Okon Okon; our senior friend, MD/CEO, AKICORP, Pastor ImoAbasi Jacob; the ever dependable MD/CEO of Ibom Mortgage Bank, Pastor (Dr) Ime Okon and his inevitable foot solders, CFO Akwere Essien and Mortgage Madam Helen Ekwere); Chairman of Ibom Airport Development Authority, Dr Iniobong Essien; Mkpisong a Chelly Okoko and wife (Dr Atim, who is permanent secretary at Ministry of Agriculture); the AKSG Branding Chief, Raphael Edem, KSM; former Super Eagles Goalie, Vincent Enyeama; Obong OwoidohoAbasi Adiakpan and wife, Mariatherese; Mr Edidiong Ekpo and wife, Imaobong; Boyfriend, Pastor Ubong Colonel and wife, Inimfon; Rt Hon. Itoro Columba, Mrs. Abundance Morgan. Others 1, at this juncture, are led by two central names in my professional and academic life: Mr Eddy Ekpenyong, my Mentor and Professional Father, and Prof. Peter Esuh, Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, who always falls over backwards for family and me.

Prof. Esuh brought the entire uppermost echelon of the faculty (in no particular order, Professors Senam, Akpan (who came with wife, Mary); Nkana (who came with wife, Enobong, Ph.D.); Obot; Batta; Idiong; Dr Iniobong Courage Nda et al; plus including a plaque of honour and then, made a speech which continues to resonate in my mind’s ear. Which now reminds me of ConsulTee, Mr Thomas Etuk; Mista Xto; Pastor Idy James and wife, Joy; Osondu Ahirika, Ph.D.; Mr and Mrs. Joseph Asangaeneng; Ms. Imaobong Akpan Akpan; Mr Stephen Godwin; Mr David Dem and wife, Imaobong and all the others who have added personal value to our family at some point or the other. Furthermore, many thanks to Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Umo Eno, Mr Ekerete Udoh; BUSH HOUSE NIGERIA Chief Ambassador, Mr & Mrs. Aniekeme Finbarr; The 20 QUESTIONS Community; The 20 QUESTIONS Elders Council; Michael BUSH Mentoring Academy; Southern Uruan Ward V Caucus; PDP Uruan Chapter Chairman, Mr Kufre Cletus; Apostle Samuel Joshua; Ebo Gadgets Store and Tiko Fashion. Other groups are: Ekpene Ukim people led by Etubom Mkparawa, Mr Otobong Akpakan and Chairman of Development Council, Mr Edet Afia; Uruan people led by Clan Head of Northern Uruan, Otuekong PJ Effiong, Rt Hon. (Barr. ) Usenobong Akpabio and Rotn & Mrs. Akan Emah; Akwa Ibom people led by Akwa Ibom State University Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. OtoAbasi Akpan; Nigerians led by Bayelsa-born General; Power City Int’l family led by Pastor Philemon Mewazi; Pastor & Mrs. Peter Inuaeyen; Pastor Shadrach Ufumaka and TVC’s Daniel.

Other nationals who showed up, The BUSH Clan is super elated. So too to the media community: AKBC (its radio and television arms both took the event live); Premium 89.9 FM, Abak (particularly its Managing Director, Diamond Lady Maureen Umanah); Mr Ubong Andrew-Essien and wife, Cornel (Chairman and Managing Director respectively of Memories 96.5 FM, Uyo); Mr and Mrs. Cletus Ukpong of Premium Times, Abuja; Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo represented by Guinness World Record Holder Mighty George and my man, Settings Man (Ndiana) and many others I did not spot. We cannot forget National Population Commission’s Akwa Ibom state federal commissioner, Engr (Chief) Ben Ukpong (accompanied by Hon. Effiong Asanwana and Eka Ndito); North South; Mr Aniekan Nkanang and wife, Imaobong; Madam Theresa; King Nero; Hon. Cornelius Ikpa; Mr John Offiong; on-air Prof., Rose Akai, who’s now into tech; Mr & Mrs. Eshiet Rockefeller Nsudoh; Sylvester Akpan; Fada Christmas; Hon. Jude Denis Effiong, Mr Mfon Udom; Mr Akan Udom; TSam; Aaron; Jackson; Enobong; Ndifreke; Ete Godswill; Uncle Chico; Uncle Emmanuel Idiok Onyong; Lady Uboho Bassey; Mr Mfon Udokang; Mr Ubong Nelson and wife, Ini; Rex and Mr Samuel Ukut. This is really a long, long, long thing which unfortunately remains incomprehensive.

Semi finally, we also owe our success to Pastor Godwin John (aka The Bull), his amazing Wife, iT, and their adorable children; to my parents-in-law, Chief & Mrs. Eyo Effiong Eyo Inyang; again, to Rt Hon. Itoro Columba; TSam; to Dr and Pastor (Mrs.) Essien Ukpe; to Double Prof. Imoh Imoh-Ita; to Dr Ofonmbuk Atakpa and wife, Angel. Also to Mr Mfon Udokang; to Ceedapeg Hotels, to Rita Shine the Balloon Goddess; to HoneyPot, to Content Creator Raava_Series. Others are Videographer/Photographer, Edidiong Etuk and all those forgotten or not noticed. God knows and sees you all and is readying to bless you all for us!

Finally, we appreciate our Wife and Mother, Mrs. Abasiodiong Eyo BUSH, the brain behind THIRSTCHILLS. Such joy, you all gave and continue to give us. May The Eternal Rewarder see to your rewards soon, one by one, turn by turn. God bless and keep you all!

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21st century weakest big man

The weakest and most useless big man in this age is one who, in spite of and despite occupying top position, dwells too much on bottom matters. One whose trademark approach is both puerile and pugnacious. One who always does anti-people things partly because of the desperation to please man or self. One who talks too much, and worse, who does far too little.

Sssh, please be calming down. We only just started. There is so much to say to and about this particular man. His ilk and he had better pray they are not guilty of what is coming because otherwise, their conscience is going to thrash them silly.

Even if they cannot, they ought to pray for life plus. Alas, the shame that is coming shall seize them like a flood; like flash flood. They shall suffer in silence because they shall realise sharing their misfortune is double jeopardy as current friends shall overnight transmogrify into enemy broadcasters. We will break the whole thing down, at the next juncture.

One, it is crass weakness and sheer uselessness for a big man to issue threats. Threatening someone is a sign of weakness that is too below a big or strong man. It is even a deeper and troubling weakness for the big or strong man to threaten an innocent person in hopes of exciting or impressing another human being. Hello, Governors Hyacinth Iormem Alia (Benue) and Monday Okpebholo (Edo).

Such horrible ungovernorship comedown should not be heard of and, even if, not in the 21st century when man who -having conquered the earth, the moon, the sea, the sun and everything else- should by now have conquered self. Why on earth should 21st century state governors sound so kindergarten is? Is it our long-discarded colonial constitution that empowers them in the 21st century to stop a law-abiding Nigerian from assessing any part of his fatherland? Or, is it because Mr Peter Obi is Igbo, the one tribe that Nigeria thinks it can shamelessly hold down forever?

Or, are both state chief execs insinuating that had tables turned in 2023, this is the exact same dishonour they would have served our current president? Apologies for that coy hypothetical rhetorical poser but someone just must tell our leaders that the people see through every self-serving misdemeanour of theirs. Someone just needs to remind them that politics ought to be played with class, with honour, with respect, with restraint and with tomorrow in mind. Enough of all this empty fullness that our leaders display to our global chagrin.

Intimidation strategy, as with all injustice, is counterproductive especially in politics. It can generate massive sympathy votes. Political foot soldiers or sycophants should stop their overzealousness. Leadership is clearly too big for such small mindedness.

Leaders who are big ought to be good and strong and useful, never dabbling in unbecoming mannerisms. Leaders who are big ought to show tact in word and action, never reducing everything to, let alone playing, lousy politics. They must realise that a so-called big man or leader who fishes in small ponds or who engages in juvenile missteps is small and weak and therefore useless to leadership. Such a one is a disservice, a minus, an anathema to the very serious business of guarding and guiding humanity.

The 21st century leader or big man who is arrogant, boastful, deceitful, petit, selfish is a leader who does not belong to now. Theirs is leadership-miss-road. Theirs is whose place the Bible says shall very soon be empty. Their and future generations shall ensure that posterity is never kind to them or their memory.

Yes, it is that serious. The 21st century big man or leader should neither tell nor listen to lies. They should neither perform nor encourage blackmail. Otherwise, their place was in the Stone Age.

It is Neanderthal for big men or leaders to treat their people badly but turn around to pretend that everyone and everything is fine. In fact, it is criminal for big people or leaders to pretend. God never pretends. And, big people or leaders represent God.

Big people or leaders owe it to God and to man to act like, instead of playing, God! 21st century big people or leaders should never act like Satan. They are gods who are God’s. By the way, this is not only about big people or leaders thrown up by politics; this is also about all of us across all strata of leadership; this is also also about you and me.

Let us eschew hate. Big man or leaders cannot or should not hate people, theirs and others. It is an abomination to find a drop of hate in the heart of one called by God to lead. And, big men or leaders (all leaders) must necessarily follow the global standard leadership way of behaving, and of acting, and of speaking!

Imagine an army general: consistently angry, constantly shouting; issuing threats to his troop. Imagine a medic: normally anxious, frequently ranting; raining warnings of death to his patients. Imagine a priest: permanently bitter, perpetually grumbling; pouring out ultimata to his congregation. Imagine the greatest of them all, a teacher: regularly cynical, steadily lamenting; spitting out words that dampen the morale of his students.

The aforementioned examples of four bounden leaders and indispensable service providers do not exist and ought not to. Where they do, everyone should understand that they have not been called to be what they claim they are. No army general, no physician, no priest and no teacher can evince other than the Jesus love prototype. They must at all times, to the people under them as well as to those who encounter them, be exemplarily fair, exemplarily humble, exemplarily merciful, exemplarily patient, and above all, exemplarily understanding.

However, and this is a very important and big however, even the worst big man or leader can rewrite their story. They can change direction. The choice is theirs: they have the power to singlehanded alter how they end up. Today though may be their last chance to become what God made them: a good, strong, useful big man for this age and time and people.

Everyone must learn and start to lead people with love that is both firm and alluring. As leader, learn and start to speak truth that heals and to ensure unity that binds. Learn and start to treat people the way you want to be treated, knowing that -except you die in that office- you are going to garbage out exactly what you garbaged in. Life is simple, dear leader: stop complexifying it for yourself and your children and your children’s children.

The 21st century is in dire need of big men or leaders who are strong and good. Big men or leaders who want to make both the people and the world big. Big men or leaders who are not cunningly seeking applause from man. Big men or leaders who are deservingly and truly big, before God and therefore before man!

God bless Nigeria!

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