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Wednesday 13 January 2016

DOING WHAT I LOVE AND LOVING WHAT I DO

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha

DOING WHAT I LOVE AND LOVING WHAT I DO

Ever since I was a child, and in college, I dreamt of being a writer and working in the press, radio and television media. But I never imagined I would be working as a foreign correspondent outside the shores of father land. I take pride in my job not because of the money that it gives, but because I love what I do. I know I have the responsibility to collect information and disseminate same to a large and heterogeneous audience located far and wide. As it is the responsibility of the Pilot to get the plane off the ground with no problem and land the passengers safely to their destination, so it is my responsibility to source and gather facts to inform, educate, feed and deliver news to my audience through the press. And of importance to me also is to get my audience feedback on the impact of my information and articles. That forms the most satisfying aspect of my job.

The most challenging aspect of my job is that other people depend on me for adequate information on issues. And I am like a vehicle that conveys information from abroad to home, and vice versa. Since 2012, I have been the foreign correspondent of the Daily Independent newspaper and the Nigerian Masterweb in Spain and Europe respectively. During this period, I have been a voice for Nigerians living in Spain and have made their voice heard. And have reported and published numerous articles, interviews, embassy activities and other issues that affect Nigerians living in Spain and Europe.

Newspaper foreign correspondents are few these days as many Nigerian papers and magazines cannot afford to maintain and pay the salary of a foreign correspondent. But I am just one among the few lot that choose to do what I do for the passion I have for my profession and career. I am so proud to have represented and served the press reputably in my status as a foreign correspondent. Sourcing breaking news, interviews, covering important events preparing and reporting articles of great interest to the editors for publication is part of my routine job.

My profession lays on me the onus of a watchdog and societal watchman. In exact sense, like a literal guard dog that barks when it observes a trespasser, my duty requires informing others when problem is noticed. And as a guardian, I have to provide the citizens with adequate information they must have about their leaders as to prevent the abuse of power by those in authority and to inform the people about those that are causing them harm. My job has given me recognition by the government and people, as I was given award recently as “EXAMPLARY CITIZEN” by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Spain, in appreciation of my immense contributions to the cause of the Nigerian community. That means much for someone’s effort and work to be recognized and rewarded by his own people or Nation. I believe that it will go a long way to inspire others to strive to care for the plight of their fellow citizens.

Journalism as foreign correspondent gives me exposure and access to information and who is who in the world. In my job, I have been opportune to cover important events, meet and interview ex-Presidents, Governors, Ambassadors, Sportsmen, Stars, Politicians, death incidents, and victims of acid attacks, International conventions and lots more. Among the very important personalities I have interviewed are, her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, his Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-President of Nigeria, Otunba Gani Adams the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader,  Helen Mukoro the founder and leader of Union de Todos party in Spain, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu the governorof Abia state of Nigeria, Dr. George Manuwuike Chairman Board of Trustees Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE), Pastor Elvis Iruh the publisher, The Voice Magazine, Mabel Mark, victim of acid attack among others too numerous to mention. 

Major and memorable events covered include, The Voice of Achievers Award in Netherlands 2014, Ambassador Ojukwu Town Hall Meetings in Spain, Book presentation in Vancouver Canada, NNAUSA's 27th Annual National convention Stamford, Conneticut in USA, NIDO Europe AGM 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden among others. Within this period, I have made about 200 published articles in the press. My major target is to be among the journalists that will cover the events of the Rapture, Resurrection and the Judgement day. And after that I will sign off.

When travelling to spots and source of information or incidents, I am always thinking about my readers and audience. I want my readers to know that when I conduct intricate interviews and reports, I am thinking of you. I want my readers to be well informed as your satisfaction is in the forefront of what I do. Your adequate information of news is of utmost importance to me and the Editors I work with as a team to bring the news to your reach. I want to encourage other journalist and those who want to make a career in journalism to go for what they want and love what they do. Don’t relent as it is your duty to shine the light for others to follow. And don’t be scared. With consistency your efforts will gain recognition. Irrespective of the obstacles and barriers do what you love and love what you do. It may not be the easiest path but with determination you can accomplish and attain any height.

Outside journalism, I have had the privilege to set up an NGO. Save African Youths Foundation (SAYF), which is aimed at saving vulnerable youths from crime. In addition to media practice, I am into literary works as a writer and poet. And have authored a book titled, The Road We Travelled, A Memoir of Two Worlds, a book which has been approved for Literature book for  college curriculum in Nigeria. My intention is to use my literary works to re-orientate the mindset of African youths towards immigration to Europe and America. And to encourage people to appreciate the values they have as persons, country and race.

I am encouraged to do better when I receive positive criticisms and commendations from people about my works and especially the impacts it makes in their lives. I don’t see myself as having accomplished anything or arrived yet. Rather putting aside the success and failures of yesterday, I march forward to attain to greater heights in my career as to live a legacy and a footprint behind when I am gone. Inside me, I have a yearning, urge, hunger, thirst and appetite for journalism and writing. Writing is the food I eat, it is the water I drink, it is the air I breathe, and it is my music. And for me to live is to write and to write is gain and  life indeed.


CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU - OJUKWU; A CLARION CALL ON ND'IGBO

A CLARION CALL ON ND'IGBO

"No Igbo person dead or alife has a true- genuine interest of ND'IGBO more than Ojukwu,and among Nigerians, no one could be more patriotic. In time like this, let those that have ears hear  him" (Uchendu)

http://nigeriaworld.com/images/alpha/i.gifam very happy today to be amongst you my brethren, my people, at this historic meeting. I am always happy to be with you but today I am very excited by the presence of our Traditional Rulers and Governors - the custodians of cultural cum traditional power and custodians of political power in Igboland. May I commend the Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze (Dr.) C. l. llomuanya, who convened this important meeting for his foresight, and the Governors who have attended. May I also recommend that this type of meeting and exchange of ideas to constantly re-affirm Igbo interests in Nigeria, between the Traditional Rulers, Governors and the Elite of the South East should become an established norm and feature of Igbo political life.
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Before I proceed, let me again thank the conveners for inviting me to give a key note address to this important meeting. May the Almighty God, the Creator of Ndigbo and all other peoples of this earth richly reward you. I will never be tired of reminding you, my beloved brothers and sisters, that we Ndigbo are a great race, richly endowed by the Almighty God, the Creator and the giver of all gifts.

I believe that the enormous qualities which the Almighty God has endowed Ndigbo with, are not just for themselves alone but for the development of Nigeria. This is why Ndigbo are found all-over the Country, contributing enormously to national development.

Lest we forget, Ndigbo constitute the largest homogenous ethnic population in Nigeria. Perhaps this is why, despite Igbo protests, important demographics such as Ethnic group, Religion and State of origin, are always eliminated from Nigeria's population counts. Even for a nation like Nigeria where the term "Federal Character" is enshrined in the Constitution. Howbeit, it is a well known fact that in every State in Nigeria outside Igbo land, Ndigbo always constitutes the second largest population next to the indigenous population.

Lest we also forget, Igbo economic investments outside their homeland greatly outstrip the economic investments of other ethnic groups outside their ethnic enclaves. Indeed in most communities in Nigeria, Ndigbo are at the fountainhead of development. This to me is unassailable evidence of the great faith which Ndigbo have in Nigeria nation. But is Nigeria a nation? I have this question for your deliberations.

Finally, lest we have forgotten also, Ndigbo were very active and at the forefront, in the struggle for Nigeria's independence and shed more blood than any other ethnic group in the struggle - the coal-mine massacre of Enugu, the Aba Women's riot etc. And Ndigbo have continued to shed the most blood in the ethnic, religious riots and other political disturbances that have become a feature of politically independent Nigeria as she strives to become a Nation.

Having outlined these pertinent facts, let me share with you my brethren, my concerns, worries and unhappiness over the current state of our beloved Igbo nation in Nigeria. You know me. I am not a person given to lamentations. I shall therefore not spend time lamenting how Ndigbo, an enormously gifted and courageous people with populations spread all over Nigeria have become, or seem to have become the weakest link in the Nigerian political chain. Naturally, I am sad and disturbed, that Ndigbo, despite who and what they are to Nigeria, are assigned minor responsibilities in the Nigerian enterprise. What makes me sadder is that, we, Ndigbo seem to accept these minor and irrelevant responsibilities, when by virtue of our population and spread, we should act as the adhesive force holding the Nigerian fabric together.

And so I ask you my brethren, what are we afraid of in our God-given country, Nigeria?

Especially when other ethnic groups less in population than Ndigbo are courageously asserting themselves, sometimes with impunity, in Nigeria with great success and throwing it in our face! This indeed makes me sad. 

I therefore say to Ndigbo that Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must not forget this fact.

I ask myself on a daily basis whether Ndigbo fully understand the cause, essence and import of the war, where we defended ourselves to the admiration of the world against a senseless pogrom.
I have therefore decided that my full story on that war shall be told this year, by me, in a book, so that future generations and all who like us and even those who do not like us, shall appreciate that

Ndigbo are nation-builders not nation-wreckers, but that the strong Igbo moral sense, handed down to us by our ancestors, will always resent and rebel against injustice, inequity and mindless blood-letting.

Having said this, my message to Ndigbo through this important meeting is that we must march forward in Nigeria, without fear, but with a commitment to assert ourselves fully in the building of a Nigerian nation that works for all and not some of its citizens. Ndigbo must reject firmly any attempt to relegate them to subsidiary, politically irrelevant and minor roles and responsibilities in the exercise of building a modern Nigeria nation. And my desire and prayer remains that Ndigbo shall regain their political relevance in Nigeria without violence in my lifetime. Please God.

How shall Ndigbo regain their political relevance in Nigeria? We must first, clearly define the Igbo interest in Nigeria. The Igbo interest, to me, has always been to assert ourselves as a major, integral part of a Federal Nigerian nation, where every citizen, Ndigbo and others, can self-actualize. The Igbo persona refuses to be relegated to the margins and we shall aspire to every position - political, economic and social, which our individual and group capabilities entitle us to, in a modern, prosperous and democratic federal Nigeria. This simply stated, is to me, my dear brothers and sisters, the Igbo interest in Nigeria and I submit this definition to this meeting to ponder, deliberate and amend as necessary. But whatever we do at this meeting, the affirmation of the Igbo Interest remains paramount.

Please permit me again, to mention briefly, two personal experiences of my life, which inform my strong position on Ndigbo and Nigeria. My Father, Sir Odumegwu Ojukwu lived in Lagos, invested in Lagos and contributed to the economic and political growth of Nigeria for which he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Enugu in 1956. He loved Nigeria and he was an Igbo man to the core and he raised me as such. My Uncle, Chief Felix Okonkwo, popularly known as "Okonkwo Kano" lived in Kano, invested in Kano and was a member of the Northern Legislative House. He loved Kano and he also was an Igbo man to the core. He brought me up to respect the North and Northerners. Why then must we, their children, do less for ourselves and for Nigeria?

This is why I continue to say to Ndigbo, that we must march forward in Nigeria, without any fears whatsoever, because it is our God-given country, doing what is right and proper, and protecting ourselves and our rights in Nigeria because we are bona fide citizens of Nigeria. I shall say no more.

What then must we do to regain political relevance and be in a position to defend our interest and rights in a new prosperous and great Federal Republic of Nigeria, where no man is oppressed? The first and perhaps the only thing we need to do at this present time, is to nurture and strengthen internal unity and cohesion in the Igbo nation.

Our republican nature and unbridled individualism needs to bow to the collective Igbo interest. In the past, before we became incrementally irrelevant in Nigeria, the Igbo State Union provided not just a potent force for development but provided impregnable support machinery for Igbo political interest in Igbo land and Nigeria.
I urge this meeting to consider seriously the re-establishment and strengthening of "AUTHORITY STRUCTURES AND SANCTION MECHANISMS" in Igbo land via which Igbo interest can be defended and protected. Any ethnic group not just Ndigbo, is akin to a mob and any strong-willed political misfit, with a lot of money, can drag the group into a wrong direction. I therefore plead with you my brethren, to give this important issue of "authority structures and sanction mechanisms" in Igbo land and leadership in Igbo land, your very serious thoughts.

As I conclude, let me mention three trends which in recent times have further weakened the Igbo nation and reduced our group potency as a political force in Nigeria. First is the relegation of visionary and strategic thinking to the background. In the past, our best political leaders have always been men of vision who were also strategic thinkers. These leaders were often not rich, and in any case they were never among the richest in Igbo land in terms of money. But they were courageous and our very best thinkers and political strategists.

The second trend is the lack of personal and group courage, especially the courage to assert ourselves and defend our rights, lives and properties in any and every where in Nigeria. Cowardice which was never a quality of our ancestors is now celebrated in Igbo land as "Sense". But today, I, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, exhort Ndigbo to be assertive and courageous in protecting their rights, lives and properties as bona fide citizens of Nigeria whilst respecting the rights of other citizens.

Finally, I say to you, my brothers and sisters that politics is not and can never be about self-neglect or self-negation, such that Ndigbo have become unwilling investors in Igbo land, citing myriads of reasons.

Sometimes I reflect and think that it may be our massive investments outside Igbo land which has emasculated us from asserting our citizenship rights as Nigerians fully because of our investments, which we seek to preserve through our meekness and tame responses to violations of our citizens' rights as Nigerians.

I Pity, for a Man's soul is not a matter of properties and investments, but a matter of right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust. Ndigbo must not lose their collective soul as a people.

As we ponder on how best to reverse these unwholesome trends among Ndigbo, let me in conclusion say to you, that we as a people have a bright future. I, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu see a bright future for Ndigbo in Nigeria because Ndigbo are a "can-do" people. And so, I maintain today that Ndigbo shall regain their appropriate political relevance in Nigeria in my Life time.

Excerpts from a key note address delivered by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the meeting of South East Elders and Leaders held in Owerri on the 5th of March, 2010. http://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2010/mar/111.html
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