Prince Emmanuel O. Ohai
As we change, we are going to strive for inclusion, openness and development no matter what.
Instead of thinking how the whole world or the whole of Nigeria may live the right manner, we should think more about how we ourselves may do so. If we live in the right manner, we shall all discover a way of persuading others to do so by setting example.
This CHANGE that we seek MUST begin with looking inside. It will require us to engage in moral reasoning on almost all the issues that we are confronted with. Once we alter our own behavior to fit the values we seek in others and ultimately the vision for Common Good, those around us will be attracted to change as well.
Folks, please make no mistake about it, the kind of CHANGE we seek is revolutionary because it is principle driven. Historically such principle driven behavior challenges the status quo [Man know Man; Chop-I-Chop System] and forces people to choose between what is easy and that which is the moral thing to do.
This behavior of CHANGE is capable of dividing a Family or a Church as the issues will be narrowed down to one of self interest or general good of all. Those who represent the status quo and are small minded may initially see the new VISION as a threat to their selfish interest but once the CHANGE agents show commitment and consistency these agents of the status quo will eventually change and see we face a common future which can presently be described as bleak.
In other words, if we don’t CHANGE first, they won’t CHANGE.
An emergent Anioma Community that is capable of honest dialog, one that enacts new forms of behavior and is often at odds with corruption and hereditary hierarchy.
Our new emergent Community will be built on intense commitment that is voluntary. It is our hope that members are willing to join in this noble effort that requires them to make significant personal sacrifice that will ultimately result in their own transformation.
To that end, I am going to propose that we create an Organization that will be named the Anioma Leadership Foundation. The initial members of this Anioma Leadership Council will consist of all those Anioma Indigenes who feel the desire for CHANGE. The modalities of the structure etc. will be discussed by a Committee that will be constituted. This Anioma Leadership Foundation will have amongst its responsibility the day to day running of Umu Anioma Group.
In order for the Anioma Leadership Foundation to accomplish its goals, it would be absolutely important that it has no hierarchy in its Organizational Structure. All members of the Anioma Leadership Foundation will be of equal footing. This will ensure that the Foundation is not pressured by external forces, and the individual member of the Anioma Leadership Foundation is more likely to see new possibilities. It is my hope that with such an emergent Community in place our Mission of CHANGE for the COMMON GOOD can emerge.
In concluding, I recognize that asking ordinary people to CHANGE carries a lot of risk. The dilemmas we face is that of making a change for the collective good or allow ourselves and the futures of Anioma children to die a slow death through our self-centeredness.
Folks, it is time to CHANGE. I further recognize that CHANGE is not easy. Asking ordinary people to change is not easy but I ask you all to keep an open mind. There will be sacrifices but an easier way to look at the CHANGE that we seek is to see ourselves as being ANIOMA-CENTRIC. Anioma-Centricity means as Change Agents we will be Champions of the paradigm CHANGE that empowers us to be aligned with a Vision for the general good. That is ANIOMA-CENTRICITY!
As the convener of the Umu Anioma Group, my commitment to CHANGE [or Anioma-Centricity] is resolute. I believe this CHANGE has to be from ground up. Our Umu Anioma Youth will be the catalyst because they shoulder the burden of leadership tomorrow. I am ending this message with a quote by President John Fitzgerald Kennedy [JFK] of the United States that goes thus: Ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country.
Umu Anioma, if we rephrase that quote to say (and be challenged by it):
Ask not what Anioma can do for you – ask what you can do for Anioma…
I am confident that we will in the very near future be able to impact the lives of all our people positively as it is my very strong belief that our best days as ANIOMA people are still ahead of us.
God bless you all abundantly and please join us tomorrow for the Umu Anioma Inaugural Telephone Conference/Meeting.
Ofu Obi Bu Ike Anyi
Viva Anioma!
Viva Delta State!!
Viva Nigeria!!!
Prince Emmanuel O. Ohai
Convener, Umu Anioma Group.
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