DAME
PATIENCE JONATHAN HOLDS THE KEY TO RESOLVE THE RIVERS STATE
CRISIS-SAYS A PROLIFIC WRITER IN SPAIN.
The Nigerian prolific writer in Spain,
the Author of The Road We Traveled, and special correspondent of the Daily
Independent Newspaper, hon. Uchendu Precious Onuoha has said that Dame Patience
Goodluck Jonathan has got all it takes to resolve and end the lingering Rivers
state crisis given her position as the pioneer of the African first ladies
peace mission. Hon. Onuoha who wrote after witnessing the inauguration of the
renovated embassy and chancery buildings of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid
Spain on December 31, 2013 by the first lady felt satisfied with what he
observed of her countenance and appearance. According to the writer, “a chick
that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches”.
For the first time of seeing the
first lady, I did not see a clunky, but a snazzy and complete woman, an
embodiment of a true African lady. I saw a Woman of virtue, a Sister, a Mother,
someone original, who knows where to slice her onions, a Precious Woman and a Serendipity.
And to obtain the confidence to validate my curiosity to observe the first
lady, I listened attentively to grab what she would say when asked by the
Ambassador to brief the audience about the African First Ladies Peace Mission
which is her pet project. It was interesting to listen to Dame Patience,
highlight on the objectives and roles of the mission which the sonum bonum
centers on peace, and brokering peace among warring factions. Especially among
heads of governments, deputies and their subordinates.
By virtue of initiating this
noble organization that is meant to foster peace in the corridors of power one
need not to question the stand of the first lady of Nigeria in matters relating
to peace because you cannot offer what you don’t have. In that respect, it is
no gainsaying to allude that she loves peace and is a peaceful woman and mother
and she can bring and make peace where it matters. Also considering Dame Patients record as a
great achiever especially where it comes to gender issues and the immense contributions
and achievements which she has made to secure increase percentage of women in
top positions in Government, I believe she can achieve peace where it is
needed.
During an interview with
Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain on January 9 2014,
while giving answer to the question on, with the records and achievements
Nigerian women have made in government…. The Ambassador eulogized the
achievements of Dame Jonathan and said;
“I think that Nigerian women have
made giant strides in virtually all areas of development. In government they
have shown themselves to be capable, reliable, and effective in discharging
their responsibilities. But we must not fail to give credit to the activism of
the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who has been at the fore front ensuring
an equitable share for women and in all sectors of development and has launched
a successful campaign to promote full
participation of women at all levels of decision making in government. And it
is really a testament to her tenacity in this respect that there is now a
greater degree of gender balance in nomination of women for political
appointments. It is to the credit of her campaign to demand on behalf of
Nigerian women, greater access to, and full participation in power structures
and decision making at the national level that such key ministries as finance,
petroleum, telecommunications, aviation, environment, and until recently
education and defense are headed by women. The current minister of foreign
affairs is also a woman. I believe that it is really a major triumph for
Nigerian women. And we should realize that it was not an easy battle.”
Now having pinpointed and enumerated
the activities and achievements of our first lady both within and outside
Nigeria, the compass now points to Rivers state, the treasure base of the
nation and the first lady’s own state. For some time now, Rivers state has been
boiling because of the flexing of muscles between those loyal to the State
governor and the interest of the powers above. The madness and conflict that
has ensued within this period has not left something palatable for the state
and Nation in general. Considering the strategic position of Rivers state as
the treasure base of the Nation, anything that affects the state is like
touching the apple of God’s own eye. And charity it is said starts from home
For that reason, I call on the
African mother of peace, your children needs peace. Peace matters in Rivers
State, peace is needed in the garden city, Woman of peace, take the peace
mission to rescue your own people because, “An elder cannot stay at home and
watch the she goat deliver in its tether”. Madam, I call on you to take up the
challenge, you have all it requires, don’t keep silence, and rise to the
occasion. I believe in the power of a woman, and I believe in you. Remember,”
you were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your
purpose and to do it fearlessly”, Steve Maraboli. Who knows if it is for this
purpose that you were given the vision to initiate the peace mission?
Put your vision to action to benefit
your own people because vision without action is like a day dream. I call on
you to be and play the ‘Esther’ of your time. And in conclusion I leave you
with the counsel of Modecai in the Holy books. “For if you are altogether
silent at this time, relief and deliverance themselves will stand up for the
Jews from another place; but as for you and your father’s house, you people
will perish. And who is there knowing whether it is a time like this that you
have attained to royal dignity.” Esther 4 : 14. Refer.
Honorable Onuoha is the Author of;
The Road We Traveled a Memoir of Two Worlds.
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