AFTER THE VICTORY OF GOD'S OWN GOVERNOR IN GOD'S OWN STATE

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent)

AFTER THE VICTORY OF GOD’S OWN GOVERNOR IN GOD’S OWN STATE

Call him the preaching governor, the singing governor, the dancing governor, Victor, and a governor after God’s own heart, for God’s own state, Okezie Ikpeazu would fit in. In September last year in faraway Connecticut in New York I met a man, and a leader who was clothed with Godly humility. His assertion that without God, he cannot stand touched my heart. I watched him sing a song he captioned his battle and victory song: “Obughi mu ji onwem, ma amara ya jim aka kam hara ida”.  I hold not myself, but His grace holds me so that I cannot fall. And in faraway Spain, I was moved again when I saw him singing and dancing his victory song once again  few days ago after the Supreme Court verdict.

The Supreme Court verdict on February 3, declaring him the rightful occupant of the Abia state government house after a hard fought battle with a well formidable and “never say die” opponent confirmed truly that his victory was an act of God. With the battle that ensued before victory came his way, any feeble mind would have lost vision and focus. But in governor Ikpeazu’s case the challenges on his way propelled him to devote himself more to the service of the people, a rare fit among Nigerian leaders under such circumstances who would have been distracted and lost focus. And like David, a man after God’s own heart would do, Ikpeazu was all songs and took to praising God for his victory after the Supreme Court ruling. And from a distance, I could hear him sing his battle and victory song once again. As his name depicts Victor, you cannot be a Victor without a battle. For Okezie Ikpeazu, the initial battle is won but you have not finished the race. But the real test just started.

For his opponent Alex Otti, “Anu laa taa, echi bun ta”. It was not a Victor and vanquished affair. You did not fail, rather it’s a stepping stone to success.  “The phoenix must burn to emerge”

The election is over and the winner emerged. Irrespective of political and party leanings, let everybody Join hands to make Abia great. It’s not the Abia state of Ikpeazu or PDP, APGA or APC, but the Abia state of Nigeria.

Top of Form

For Ikpeazu now that you have the full mandate, the gloomy and cloudy storms are gone. The coast is clear. Strip yourself of party politics and god fatherism agenda and go for the real work God has chosen you to do in Abia state. You are not a PDP governor, you are not the Ngwa governor, you are not the Umuahia governor, but you are Ikpeazu, the Abia state governor. And may I  remind you  during the interview with you in New York September 5 2015 your answer to the question; Abia state is tagged as God’s own state, and you are the governor of God’s own state… would it be right to tag you as God’s own governor?

Your response was “It would be a privilege, an honor, in fact a virtue, it’s not a title I can own, and it’s a title I will work towards to. I wish I could be God’s own governor. And I pray he will be gracious and merciful to give me the grace to be that one day”.

Governor Ikpeazu, the time has come to work towards that virtue and clinch it. Now that the gloomy and cloudy storms that loomed on your path are gone, go for the crown of glory and work to earn that virtue as God’s own governor through your good works as you have already set out to do. In addition to your battle and victory song, you can sing now a new song in the rendition of Jimmy Cliff; And you can sing and say;

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright sunshiny day. Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone. All of the bad feelings have disappeared. Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for”…

Indeed here is the rainbow and the blue skies Abians have been praying and waiting for. And surely it’s going to be a bright sunshiny days and years for the people of God’s own state under God’s own governor.

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)

am 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.  advertisement 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

Re.NIGERIANS IN SPAIN DIVIDED OVER FEDERATION ELECTION; A FALLACY BY A SPANISH CITIZEN

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha

Re.NIGERIANS IN SPAIN DIVIDED OVER FEDERATION ELECTION;  A FALLACY BY A SPANISH CITIZEN.

“When in the middle of a river, do not insult a crocodile”.  My attention has been drawn to the purported mischievous publication in Daily times of December 2, 2015 by Emmanuel Udiebe, a Spanish citizen who fraudulently claimed to be the president of Federation of Nigerian Community Spain (FNCS) until November 28 when a deserving new president was democratically elected by the Nigerian community in Spain. Before I proceed I would like to point out that the accredited 

interview or speech to Daily times by Udiebe lacks journalistic essence, merit and credibility. If really the interview or report was conducted by Daily times, it then brings to question the standard of professional derogation a reputable media outfit like the daily times has by commission or by omission degenerated to, as interviews, reports and articles by a paper must bear the name of the reporter even if not his name but his pen name. Even the photo used contradicts the article as it was not on the spot photo of an interview if at all it was conducted by a daily times reporter. Any one that has the hindsight of media presentation and content will know that the publication was fabricated as it lacks coherence, chronology and synergy of facts. Well I have no time to dwell on that until another day.

As a journalist, 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. Therefore I cannot keep silent when a citizen of a different nationality trespasses his boundaries to Nigerian territory to blackmail, insult, and cause chaos to fellow Nigerians only for him to retire to the comfort of his acclaimed country after setting fire to engulf Nigeria. By all ramifications I am a Nigerian and still reaffirm my pledge and loyalty to Nigeria and can proudly say;

I pledge to Nigeria my country

  To be faithful, loyal and honest

  To serve Nigeria with all my strength

  To defend her unity, and uphold her honour and glory

  So help me God.

I want to use this medium to refute the fallacious article by Udiebe, a disgruntled Spanish citizen and to let Nigerians know the facts and the truth surrounding his actions.  Udiebe by his ubiquitous reverberations has inadvertently shot himself in the foot and will face the consequences of his criminal and fraudulent actions for deceitfully holding claim to the president of FNCS after he has denounced Nigerian citizenship for Spanish nationality. And by Spanish regulations he ceases to be a Nigerian citizen and has no right to interfere in the affairs of Nigerians. Udiebe who travelled to Nigeria with visa and a Spanish passport is the same person claiming leadership and dictating how election of FNCS should be run. Is that not a slap in the face of Nigerians in Spain?  Below is what a Spanish citizen, Helen Mukoro who knows his antics posted about Emmanuel Udiebe.

Mr Emmanuel O Udieba is no more a Nigerian, he was granted Spanish nationality in 2014 and has been issued his Spanish ID card and Passport in December 2014, what he should have done by then is to hand over power to the Federation, it would be nice if he does not postpone his leadership as such leadership was supposed to cease from the very day he was issued the Spanish ID and Passport, he was supposed to humbly call the Embassy and the Federation to announce he's no more a Nigerian, declare the presidency seat vacant and hand over power with immediate effect. His continuity in office may have a serious problem with the Spanish government if they find out he's a Spanish citizen and still heads a Country's Federation he renounced the nationality at the Civil Registry. His personal matters does not have any legal power over the celebrations of the elections, all you need do, is to move ahead with the election agenda and declare a winner, give the credencials to the Embassy and life goes on!!!!

“When the head is present, the knee should not pretend to wear the hat”

Udiebe’s claim about police report is absolutely lies. He by no means contributed to the reduction of police report or consular charges fee. Rather, unknown to Nigerians he has been using the police report exercise as a goldmine to the detriment of Nigerians. He is yet to account for about Eur 12,000 (N2,880,000) that was realized by FNCS during the 2014 police report exercise. Seeing that the police report exercise has become a goldmine and like an oil boom for him and his newly found ally and kinsman, the president of Madrid region Lamptey, who was initially calling for his auditing for the police report money, a ploy he Lamptey used to divert attention and sweep under the carpet from probing and auditing him too from the huge sums of money Madrid Nationals realized from the same exercise that is yet to be accounted for. The duo that have no meaningful job, nomina and means of sustenance in Spain other than living on the proceeds from the purse of the Nigerian communities.

Having tasted juicy linings of proceeds from the purse of the Nigerian community in Spain, like Oliver Twist who would always want some more, prior to the coming of the police for the just concluded exercise in September, they connived and went to the embassy and entreated the head of consul to increase the price of the police report with additional eur15.00. The embassy declined stating that rather than increase the price, the FNCS should stay out of the exercise.  The question is who then has the interest of Nigerians at heart? Is it Udiebe and his allies or the consul and the embassy that said no? The Spanish citizen did not stop there, seeing that the consul and the embassy did not fall prey to his fraudulent device; he resorted to another scheme to impose his newly found ally to succeed him by all means as to cover their intransigencies. As that crafty scheming met a road block, he resorted to his campaign of calumny to blackmail the name of the embassy of Nigeria and the newly posted head of consul who is serving Nigerians diligently.

I hereby inform all well-meaning Nigerians both at home and abroad that Udiebe’s assertion that Nigerians in Spain are divided over federation election is a mere fallacy motivated with a malicious and selfish intent to create hatred disunity and chaos among Nigerians in Spain.  The election was held on November 28, and a deserving winner emerged in the person of Prince Taiwo Adesegun who was sworn in as the President of FNCS. And no region or persons have raised any objection to the election of the new executive.  And the embassy of Nigeria in Spain and its staff were by no means partisan but only played an advisory role where necessary during the process which ended very well.  For Udiebe, he should know that; “He who fetches firewood infested with ants invites lizards to his house”

HARD TO SAY GOODBYE, TRIBUTE TO AMBASSADOR BIANCA OJUKWU

HARD TO SAY GOODBYE

A POEM AND TRIBUTE DEDICATED TO BIANCA OJUKWU FOR HER EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE AS AN AMBASSADOR IN SPAIN

Your Excellency,

Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu

It's always hard for me to say 

Goodbye to someone good like you

Yes, apparently it is true

You are leaving

Though I knew

A time like this would come

Or at best postponed

Yet it's hard to say goodbye

Somehow I know, we’ll meet again 

But where and when I don't know

So until then, you're in my heart

You are an Ambassador

I would prefer never to forget

Rather than saying goodbye

I would rather say

Thank you for being my Ambassador.

Hon. Uchendu Precious Onuoha

Author and Poet (The Road We Travelled…)

PROFESSOR JUDAS AND HIS RANTINGS

PROFESSOR JUDAS AND HIS RANTINGS...!!!

I am deeply miffed by what took place on the 29th of August, 2015 in Murcia. I am pained by the fact that I was not in attendance in Murcia for the congress of the Federation of Nigeria Communities in Spain (FNCS), but my name was on fire. This was at the prompt of one professor “Judas Illusion” who has since the days of yore, held Nigerians and the Nigeria nation in Spain on their juglars for reasons of egoism.

I can aptly liken it to the popular rendition of one of Africa´s most gifted music icon, the late Olufela Anikulapo Kuti of eternal memory which goes thus...... Trubledey sleep, Iyanga go wake....am wetin ee dey fine...palava ee dey fine...palava ee go get...Palavaaa when Cat sleep....rat go bite eem tail...na wetin ee dey find for murcia....ooooo? palava ee got get..ooooo. Palava…aaa, Mr. landlord know say him tenant lost his job, and month com eeeend he say.....oga pay me your rent..o na wetin e dey fine.......? palava him e dey find

and na palava ee go get…ooooho? Palava na eem e dey find and na palava ee go get..oooo..! et-al....!

I will not be mindful of my language, in-here-so-far professor “Judas Illusion” has touched my tail when i was sleeping jejeje. Nigeria is our fatherland and i am proud to be a Nigerian anywhere, any day and at any forum.

Some years ago, professor “Judas Illusion” and some egocentric individuals with the sole aim of emasculating the future, fortunes and destinies of the entire Nigeria nationals resident in the Royal Kingdom of Spain, decided to form a federation with the tacit backing of the then ambassador whose name i will not mention herein, because it has no relevance to this article. After the formation of this pain inflicting federation, he assumed the presidency thereof un-opposed, and began to rule like king Nebuchadnezzar-using the federation as an instrument of distortion of facts and realities and as a medium to surreptitiously drain their pockets in total connivance with the embassy hierarchy as it were then. Thereafter, they came with a far reaching caveat against fellow Nigerians. They intardem, went to the Spanish authorities to have a “tete-a-tete” with them. Guess what? They sold a far reaching dummy to them. They informed the Spanish authorities that all the police character certificates submitted by Nigerians from Nigeria are all forged or faked by the Nigerians within Spain. To that end, they proposed to them to stop the acceptance of any police character certificate from Nigerians except it passes through the embassy.

The Spanish authorities who has been eavesdropping to unveil the perceived mysteries surrounding the Nigerian people, jumped in to harvest the fruits of that information. Nigerians were consequently asked to stop submitting police character certificates brought by themselves. That was the beginning of pains for Nigerians. Nigerians spent the whole of 2006 and 2007 without police character certificates that would have enabled them to process either their resident permits or for other important uses. The pangs received by Nigerians remain fresh in my memory. That was the game plan and it worked in their favour. During this period, professor “Judas Illusion” virtually turned the embassy to his ersonal farm. Of course, he was the de facto ambassador. He was the enfante terrible in Madrid-lording it over Nigerians and the embassy. He had an unnanounced office inside the embassy. He was the Napoleon at the embassy. No dared ask him any question. He was the alter ego between the Nigerian nation and the embassy.

Nigerians cried blood, yet, no one paid attention to their plight. Professor "Judas Illusion" and co., were waiting for Nigerians to come cap in hand to ask for police character certificates through the help of the embassy. And that was what happened eventually. Professor “Judas Illusion” knows he had no need of police character certificate because he is already a Methusellah in Spain-having obtained his Spanish nationality when most of us were in our mothers womb or still in heaven or not even created needless to know if we will be made human beings and sent to this sinful world. In conjunction with the then ambassador, they connived and inflicted pains on fellow Nigerians by pegging the police character certificate that would not have cost more than 50€ (fifty euros) at a ridiculous price of 160€ (One hundred euros.) Guess what!? He shamelessly came out to tell Nigerians that he fought so hard with the ambassador to reduce it to that price and that is the best he can do for Nigerians. He even demanded for applause for that ignoble feat.

Cry my fellow Nigerians!

Still not done, he single-handedly wrote the constitution of the federation with a portion stating that the incumbent (himself), has the sole prerogative to appoint his successor. That is to tell you how drunk he is with power. Professor “Judas Ilussion” never cease to amaze any learned mind. He held on to power for so many years without organizing any election and of course, the constitution as it were then, never stated when the tenure of the excos of the federation expires. So, they were the Mobutus of the federation until we rose up in unism against his totalitarian rule. He tried to cling on to power but forces beyond his contention did not allow him any further space to operate. He then decided to relinguish power willy-nilly to his surrogates that eventually brought the out-going president, Mr. Emmanuel Oghekevwe Udieba to power. That was the brash heart he brought to ELCHE in 2011.

The fact is that power is stronger than the Russia Vodka, professor “Judas Illusion” felt something has gone out of him because... "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." He felt empty. He knew he lost his cherished empire-the federation of Nigeria Communities in Spain (FNCS.) The moment “Judas Illusion” noticed that power had gone out of him, just as virtue would leave a woman that delivered newly, he reversed to perversive means and methods to re-implant himself back into the mainstream decision making organ of the federation. He has so much love for power and has arrogated same to himself which he has consistently exhibited umpteenth time by barging into the federation congress at will without being invited-all in a bid to meddle into the affairs of the federation and to assuage his egocentric propaganda in the name of the founding father of the federation-a coinage so sickening to the ears of a well-informed fellow like my humble-self.

That´s absolute bunkum!

Why was he in MURCIA? It was based on an email which i circulated prior to the final ammendments and ratification of the present constitution where a paragraph stated that any Nigerian with Spanish nationality can contest ,for elective post as an executive of the Federation. That was the sore point and i dare state once again, it is oprobrious and an affront to our national sovereignty! First and foremost, the name "Federation of Nigerian Communities in Spain" is as clear as crystal in the sense that, it was not registered as "The federation of Nigeria and Spanish Communities in Spain." Without any ambiguity, it is a well known fact that as soon as you take up the challenge of abandoning your paternal nation, you are no longer a citizen of such nation any more, except where the constitution of such nation dictates otherwise. In this context, Nigeria had no Memorandum of Understanding or any bilateral agreement with the Royal Kingdom of Spain on dual nationality, hence it becomes an anathema for any ex-Nigeria to become an exco of the Federation.

The infusion of this obnoxious paragraph portends grave danger in the long run-as it equally gives a Spanish national the opportunity to vie for an elective office in the Federation and none of can agitate otherwise because it is part and parcel of our constitution. This is the point i am making very clear before the Nigerian nation in Spain. It may not suffice today, because some greedy elements who have obtained this status are angling for posts and positions in the Federation and as such, they never sees anything wrong in its infusion thereof until it veers off their blighted sights, but time will tell. With the infusion of this offensive paragraph, the Federation sits pretty on a keg of gun powder and it may explode any moment from now. Mark my word!

I wish professor “Judas Illusion” knows what it means to be a founding father, he would have sat quietly in his Leganes home and wait to be honoured as such rather than using deriding tactics and antics to force the federation to recognize him as such. It is so debasing and of course an insipid language so obscene to mention. The obsenity of his presence is liken to halitosis before me.  It was the same man that infused the contentious paragraph that a Nigerian who wilfully swore to an oath before a Spanish judge that he is no longer a Nigerian can still come and contest for an executive position in the federation against the constitution of the Royal Kingdom of Spain and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It so bemusing that a man who claims to be a professor could not interprete the constitution of his fatherland regardless of the fact that he has disown it many years ago.

Oh´ professor? Yes, i am not surprise, because in Spain a kindergarten teacher is equally called professor. So, it suffices to mention it anywhere where peopkle who do not know what it means in Spain and they get carried by the nam-”professor.” We in Spain knows better! In Nigeria and other parts of elightened world, a professor knows his onions.

For the avoidance of doubt, the constitution of the Federal Republic

of Nigeria states and i paste herein as follows........

Section 28. (1) Subject to the other provisions of this section, a person shall forfeit forthwith his Nigerian citizenship if, not being a citizen of Nigeria by birth, he acquires or retains the citizenship or nationality of a country, other than Nigeria, of which he is not a citizen by birth.(2) Any registration of a person as a citizen of Nigeria or the grant of a certificate of naturalization to a person who is a citizen of a country other than Nigeria at the time of such

registration or grant shall, if he is not a citizen by birth of that other country, be conditional upon effective renunciation of the citizenship or nationality of that other country within a period of not more than five months from the date of such registration or grant.29. (1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.(2) The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.”

From the above paragraphs where does the position of dual nationality stands between a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Spain? Your judgement is as good as mine!

Every time the vexed issue of Spanish nationality comes for discuss, professor “Judas Illusion” always refer to some members of the national assembly that are having dual citizenships without taking into due cognizance of the Memoradum of Undwerstanding (MoU) between the countries that allowed for dual citizenship vis-a-vis that of Nigeria and Spain. I must sound it loud and clear herein that Nigeria and Spain has no relationship in terms of dual citizenship and they may never have it till the end of time, because we have nothing in common in terms of political, cultural, traditional and economic affinity. Therefore, it will be a mere wishful thinking to believe that one day, that will be a reality. Instead, it will be a mirage!

On that fateful 29th of August, 2015 i was away from the congress due my work schedules, but professor “Judas Illusion” drove all the way from Madrid to Murcia all in a bid to come and attack Mr. Flourish for daring to comment against the inclusion of this offensive paragraph into the constitution of the federation. He came barking like an asaltian shepalute dog, that, he came because of Mr. Flourish. If professor "UWUJAKPOR" knows what it means to be called a professor which he claims he is, he would have with-held his peace having known that Mr. Flourish was not in that august gathering as a mark of respect for him and Mr. Flourish until such a time he is chanced to meet with Mr. Flourish. Instead, he went ahead to exhibit his ignorance of the prefix attached to his name and began to vent his frustrations on members who never bargained for his presence-thereby dirupting the smooth running of the congress of which he was not an invitee. What a bum! A shameful and despicable act i will always laugh off till i depart Spain.

What professor “Judas Illusion” never know is the he is political a spent force and a failure. Economically, he is an egoistic vulture. Socially, he is an outcast and a psychopath. He has failed the Nigeria nationals in Madrid which he claims to represent. Throughout his innumerable years as both the president of Nigeria nationals in Madrid and the federation, there was no single record of any achievenment, yet, he has the effrontery to trump up himself as an elder states man. If i were him, i would drop any political toga attached with my name and roost quitely in the comfort of his professorship in recluse and save myself the hassles of barrage of embarrassments he faces here and there due to his intransigencies.

A word is enough for the wise!

 Though fools don´t know what they have got until it is lost!

Profeesor “Judas Illusion”, go to hell, because the issue of that offensive paragraph will surely be settled by the ambassador at the appropriate time and we in Cataluña region will never vote for any candidate that has Spanish nationality come next federation election. Mark my word!

Mr. Flourish Friday Arohia.

( Avatar and minister in the temple of justice.)