Perspectives on the Task of Being a Father:

On this father’s Day, many of us are second-guessing ourselves. Wondering if we are doing it right; debating within if the old time religion and our fathers were right or if we should defer to the new-age ‘wisdom of sociologist, psychologist and so many other professions that tell us very strange things about the psychology of our children. With all due respect, and nothing against practitioners of these professions, may I submit that the majority of what is being spewed out there is nothing but errant nonsense to create more jobs and financial opportunities for themselves. We have all read the stories and psychoanalysis of why Michael Jackson and other child stars went astray in their later years “because their father spanked them”. Really?. A dad instills principles and work ethics on a child that helps them to rise above their peers and develop their potentials early. They become a phenomenon and hugely successful and then the wealth and fame corrupts their mind, and they lose themselves in the glory and accolades of mere mortals and derail; they overindulge in the good life, the good things of this earth and in drugs, and experiment the limits and soon they fall like a pack of cards.

Why does the father get the blame for his downfall, but never his rise to fame and fortune you ask?. I am still waiting for an answer too. The other question is why anyone thinks they can predict or understand with certainty how anyone would act in any set of circumstances. The only check on anyone’s behavior given the opportunities is your character and set of values. Show me a man without set values and I will show you a disaster waiting to happen. Show me a man who is not accountable to anyone and there’s your whirlwind ready to embrace any and all ideas, good or bad. A man who is grounded in his faith and believes in a higher being checks himself. As Christians, we are guided by our belief that we are ultimately accountable to God for how we live our lives. We are guarded by set Biblical principles for everyday life and living to treat others as we wish to be treated and that we are all of God’s children. So, this father’s day I wanted to cheer us on. There is no way to measure our success or failures but be assured that there are listening and watching. Our children are molded by our character and set of values. They hear you and at other times, they see what you did and how you reacted under pressure or a given set of circumstances.

I have not advocated spanking here but I do not rule it out as a tool for discipline. A parent must weigh the circumstances. A good rule of thumb is never to spank a child unless they are physically aggressive or hurtful to their sibling. Most other character issues can be dealt with by talking it through and other sets of punishments and or rewards. It is always a balancing act between the carrot and the stick. As they get older, employ other tools. I have found out that my kids at ages 6, 9 and eleven enjoy the responsibility of self-policing … “if one person cries, then everyone cries”. You will be surprised how they make peace among themselves and resolve their disagreements without running to you. Ultimately discipline must be fair and relative. The Bible enjoins us in Ephesians 6:4,” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”. Even kids will revolt if your reaction or punishment is unwarranted, is out of anger and over the top relative to the error. There used to be times when as a kid I thought I have done it and I am in real trouble but my Dad completely ignores me. One day I remember stupidly asking him why I did not get disciplined for bad behavior. His response surprised me. He said he saw I had already disciplined myself by my remorse and recluse. When a child clearly show they understand the error of their ways is the time for an embrace and a pep talk about character and responsibility. “Accidents happen but be careful next time” was all I got when I broke my Dad’s favorite soup bowl. So, sometimes, we need to surprise our kids even with our love, understanding and our judgment as to where they are in their development and age. “Daddy, why did I get in trouble and Praise didn’t”, my son asked me last week. Because you are older and ought to know better. You should set a better example for your younger ones, I answered.

Yet, the best training for our children is ourselves, our lives and how we live it. Take them out to the prisons to appreciate that there are serious consequences when character flaws affect others in the larger society, visit hospitals, etc to teach them that overindulgence has it’s ‘unrewards’ and volunteer at shelters or helping the less privileged. They will learn to appreciate what they have and most importantly study the Bible with them so they understand that true happiness and satisfaction comes from God, from within us and not the acquisition of material things. Know that you are doing your best and that is all that is required. God will mold them if we do our path. When in doubt, go to God in prayers. Being a Christian father is a balancing act and sometimes we wonder. At those times, stop and be comforted by the word of God … Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” Happy Father’s Day!.

Charles Abiahu Esq.

The Wisdom of Solomon for Itu Ezinihitte, Mbaise

The Wisdom of Solomon for Itu … By Charles AbiahuEsq.

Most of us are familiar with that great story in the good Book. According to the Bible the mother who had the dead child told the King … “Split the living Baby in Half”. But the true mother said to the King, let her have him. She was unwilling to have her child killed to win the argument. What I witnessed in Itu, our beloved Community this Christmas holiday made me cry.  It will never be well for anyone who for personal pride or other reason refuses for progress to come to Itu. I took the opportunity of my travel to conduct a personal fact-finding mission of why Itu remains on this unending circle of confusion and lack of leadership. I consulted across a broad faction of elders, and Community leaders. Yes, I heard so many things about Comrade Adindu, but not even his fiercest critics could give me a single cultural factor that disqualifies him from becoming a Crowned King of Itu. Don’t get me wrong, this piece is not about Adindu nor am I slightly suggesting that we run out and crown Adindu King tomorrow, but for all the scheming and vehement opposition mounted by those opposed to his candidacy, you would expect them to tell me or anyone for that matter that Adindu is a thief, a murderer or other reasons based on our customs and cultural values that disqualifies the man. I have been called many things in Mbaise USA administration when I served as National Secretary by people who could not have their way to impede progress. The last time I stood my ground and made sure that Itu hosted the Mbaise USA Medical Mission on merit as the Local Government Headquarters, a few people branded me as arrogant. So, when I hear that Adindu is arrogant, I ask myself … “when did good manners become a criterion for leadership” and in my experiences, people will frame you to be arrogant just because you are bold enough to stand up for what is right or what you believe in.

But this piece is not about Adindu, or the Ezeship contest in Itu. It is about this impasse in our community. Since the death of our beloved Eze Dimgba, we have all watched in amazement the blindfold on all of us by people we trusted into power to move our Community forward.  How is it that the electoral Committee failed so woefully, how is it that there has not been accounting for stewardship and it seems apparent that Committee wants to serve for life. Itu has highly educated and intelligent people who are eminently qualified to even lead the Country or other large organization. What a shame that these talents are being wasted in keeping our hometown down instead of ideas for progress. This peace is about my challenge to every honest Itu son and daughter to stand up and say, Enough!. Enough of these seeds of discord, enough of this lack of progress, enough of the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ that is not productive for our Community and our Posterity. This New Year it seemed that progress has come to Itu when Leo Ihedinma and his Executives were elected to pilot affairs for Itu. A lot of young people were elated and threw in their support. Leo has served honorably as a staff of the World Bank and used his offices to attract projects to Itu. Why would some people not want to give such a man the chance to at least try to move Itu forward? No, they want to crucify him even before he gets a chance to carry out any initiative. It seems that these enemies of progress for Itu will stop at nothing because they rallied themselves next day to inaugurate a “Caretaker Committee” for Itu. This is the same group that has managed Itu with nothing to show for it all these years. But my disdain that this few loud minority that has hamstrung Itu for years is turning to anger. Itu will not condone anyone that sets the agenda that they will spoil anything and everything for all of us unless they get their wishes. It is time for Itu youths to know who the real enemies are and stand up to them. Here is how you know the mother that screams for the baby to be cut in half … When this so-called caretaker Committee went and told a progressive Itu youth who was so elated that Itu finally elected a Town Council led by Leo Ihedinma to cancel his pledge to put a borehole in Itu they have become enemies of our town. When this click of people who have not brought progress in Itu after years of exploiting their offices and positions justifies their setting up an opposition against the elected Officials by claiming the election was not fair and instead of working to correct that or petition the election Committee they expose their true agenda. How is handpicking a caretaker Committee, a process, unknown to our Constitution, a process conducted in secret and imposed on Itu the answer to any so-called irregularity in an open ballot election. When a Caretaker Committee, not elected by us has the guts to go and break the Keys to the Itu Town Hall because Itu People gave Mr. Ihedinma and his Officers the Keys after a duly announced agenda and election, they have insulted all of us; When the self acclaimed Caretakers reported to Ezinihitte Development Council to stop the Officers from conducting the affairs of Itu, but instead, the Development Council comes to Itu and after a thorough fact finding gave a Certificate of recognition to Leo Ihedinma and his Executives, it tells us who wants to throw away the Baby with the bath water. Yet this recognition was not enough to pacify them. This Caretakers are now poking us all in the eye by using the police to disrupt a town Council Meeting scheduled to discuss the path forward for Itu.

I will no longer stand idly by. This nonsense needs to stop now. I want the best for Itu. Let us give this elected Council a chance. There is no perfect election anywhere in the world. But progress comes when people swallow their pride and let their Community or Country go forward. Itu youths will no longer stand on the sidelines and watch a few people continue to hold us down. We stand with Leo Ihedinma and his Officers who are a clear representation of every part of our Community to hold us together. Our most pressing need now is peace and Unity. We need progress.. Since I worked with Hon. Ebere Nwogu to bring the last medical Mission to Itu, it has not come to Itu again because I lost interest because of the lack of leadership in our town. Other Communities have continued to take the slot. I can pressure Mbaise USA again and bring the Doctors and Nurses to Itu this year but I need a government on the ground to laise and work with them when they come to Itu. This impasse is costing Itu dearly. Everyone benefits in our town when we bring in development or projects. There are other notable Itu sons and daughters that are in positions to attract development to Itu, but we need a consistent leadership at home to coordinate with. A word is Enough for the wise.

Winning Nigeria; Winning Biafra: Solutions to Nigeria’s Intractable War for Unity and Progress.

Winning Nigeria; Winning Biafra: Solutions to Nigeria’s Intractable War for Unity and Progress.

As a young man, I hated the name Jubril Aminu. Fresh out of Secondary (High) School and armed with admission letter to the Law Faculty at the University of Maiduguri, I was told by Aminu, then Vice Chancellor that the few reserved spots for students from Imo State were filled and only students of Northern origin will be admitted. I was devastated, angry and swore I will not take JAMB again or go to University. What use was that if you won’t be admitted anyway? Luckily my parents did not want any part of my excuses and insisted I must retake JAMB. When I refused to sturdy my Uncle, then a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Yola intervened and got me application forms to the College of Preliminary Studies Yola (Now Adamawa State Polytechnic). My outstanding results at Adamawa Poly earned me admission to the Faculty of Law, University of Jos. I recount this preamble for the emphasis that so many young people of Igbo descent have been trapped in this same experience of life in our Country in one way or the other. For most of them they do not have the support of families that shepherd them so that their anger and frustration in their Country do not destroy their ambitions and dreams. At Adamawa Poly and the University of Jos, I was also awakened to the fact that while my parents mortgaged family land and borrowed from everyone to pay my tuition and upkeep, my colleagues from the Northern States received the Bursary payments or full scholarships respectively, not on the grounds of being indigent, but purely based on their State of origin. These funds mostly are payments from the Nigerian Federal Government

So, the question is why is the agitation for Biafra growing louder, half a Century after Nigerias leaders declared at the Aburi Accord meetings to ”… REAFFIRM our faith in discussions and negotiation as the only peaceful way of resolving the Nigerian crisis”. I do not want to rehearse the antecedents leading up to the Nigeria Civil war or the pogrom of the largest peacetime massacre of Igbo people.  Ojukwu  at just 33 years of age was forced to lead a war of secession from Nigeria to save his people from shame and imminent death. But the rest is not history … the last thing Nigeria has attempted is any form of negotiated inquiry into the issues that have beleaguered our Unity as a Country. As I would soon find out, my anger at Jubril Aminu was misplaced. Aminu was only one of several Vice Chancellors, Presidents and Permanent Secretaries implementing a wider systemic discrimination of people of Igbo descent across the Country. So, my sad story was actually the story of every young Igbo man across the board. Nigeria’s policy of Quota system and Federal Character were applied in industries, the Military, Universities and places of employment to deny Igbos who have merited positions a chance at their dreams or chosen career. I will readily concede that governments, especially in multicultural or multi-ethnic Countries have an interest in making sure there are policies in place that favor a disadvantaged group from being discriminated against by other groups or cultures. In the United States this is called the policy of Affirmative Action, Employment Equity in Canada, Positive Action in the United Kingdom, etc. There is a big difference in what is practiced widely around the world in trying to make sure that the less advantaged and those who have suffered sanctioned discrimination in their own Country are given fair and equal opportunity at advancing themselves. Nigeria’s Federal Character and Quota system could be described as the exact opposite, an ‘Affirmative Action Against Igbos, Employment Inequity of Igbos, Negative Action on Igbos’ etc because it targets the people who has been the object of discrimination in Nigeria for further discrimination. The closest analogy I can use is where a father denies a gifted son an education because his younger one was born with a learning disability. Igbos have strived and thrived in spite of the civil war, in spite of the deliberate underdevelopment of the entire Eastern region of Nigeria and hatred or envy of other ethnic groupings in Nigeria. Any other group of people that are meted the injustices and denials thrust on the Igbos would be completely broken and lacking the spirit or will to survive. Nigeria does not need to hold her best talents down or stop them from advancing. The disadvantage in educational or other opportunities by people of Northern origin in Nigeria is not based on any form of discrimination; after all the North has dominated power in Nigeria. We may need to create more awareness about the values and opportunities that education offers in the North, but we do not need to stop the rest of the Country moving forward in order to do that. There are young people in the North who prefer the family business of farming and agriculture and there is no amount of awareness or monetary inducements that can change that. I still remember that at Adamawa Poly, half of the School enrollment will disappear every year after the bursary is paid out. They go back to rearing their cattle or other business of choice after pocketing the federal bursary payments.

I am not one of those that believe that Nigeria must be split into two or three Countries. I do not believe that Biafra is the best solution, even for the Igbos. Nigeria can be a great Country where all ethnic groups can thrive and be proud. But we need to do some work. Too many young people of Igbo origin are growing up in a Country at war with them. Even those who did not witness the civil war believe they are besieged, that they cannot be all they want to b e because their Country will not let them. It is a sad thing for anybody to know that the next person has been given something he has earned, not based on merit but because of their geographical region of birth or religion. For too many, it feels like they were forced into an adopted family who treats them like slaves and when they beg to go back to their biological parents they are told they cannot do that either.  Nigeria will need to tell itself the truth. After the civil war, the leaders declared that there was “No Victor, No Vanquished”. This was a wise recognition that a war does not end simply because the guns have stopped firing. Winning Biafra into Nigeria will require winning the hearts and minds of Igbo people. And all we are asking for is an equal stake in the Country that fought to keep us here. Igbos are marginalized in every facet of the economy and always rigged out of the corridors of political power; are not adequately represented in government or other appointments in industry or administrative offices. For those who survived the civil war, the scars are still fresh. We need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to chart the war forward. How is it that for the first time in the History of the world, a government that was fighting to keep a group of people whose only crime was to say …”Enough of the killing of our people, since you do not want us among you, please let us go” employed Hunger and food blockades as a tool of war. No one has been held to account for this dehumanizing treatment where you say to another human, I will treat you unfairly or kill you and if you try to get away from me, I will kill you or I will make sure that no one can help to feed you. You will die at my hands or I will force you to starve to death. In South Africa, they recognized the need to heal the internal scars that a prolonged and systemic maltreatment of another human can be for the psychology and progress of their Nation. The South African Truth Commission served for seven years in order to let their Country heal and move forward as one people. We need a Truth commission in Nigeria and not more marginalization. We need advancement and equal opportunities for Igbos, not more ‘Federal Characterization’ of Igbos as the enemies of Nigeria. We need to include the voice of Igbos in building Nigeria and in the determination of the future of our Country. What is the reason for excluding Nigerians abroad from Census counts and the casting of electoral votes other than to marginalize the Igbos. We have been forced to  scatter all over the globe looking for opportunities to live a descent life and we see almost every Country give their citizens living abroad the most sacred right of a vote at elections. If Nigeria values the voice of Igbos in determining how our Country is governed, this issue of absentee balloting has to be dealt with immediately. Consider the American Union that was built between a Slave Master and Slaves from Africa how it has evolved into a more perfect Union. Almost everyone can succeed and in fact excel if you work hard. Armed with an excellent education, Barrack Obama whose father came here in search of greener pastures rose to be the leader of the Free world. America did not do it by keeping a particular segment of her population down but grants opportunities to those who were once discriminated while encouraging everyone to be the best they can be. Consider the number and excellence of Igbos around the globe, contributing and building other economies because their own Country, Nigeria would not afford them opportunities to thrive and contribute to the progress of their homeland.

Buhari and other Nigerian leaders need to realize that the drumbeats for Biafra is a wakeup call to do the work that should have been done in order to give every Nigerian a sense of belonging. You cannot kill enough people or starve enough people or arrest enough people to scuttle an idea. Biafra needs to be recognized for what it is … an idea and an outcry against marginalization; an unmistakeable drumbeat for JUSTICE. Justice for the Igbos The killing of Kenule (Ken) Beeson Saro-Wiwa  and eight other Ogoni leaders did not end the agitation for justice from Ogoni people. This arrest of Nnamdi Kanu as in Ken Saro Wiwa case will turn only turn  Kanu into a National Hero for Igbos because he gives voice to the pain that all Igbos feel. The rest of the world work hard at forming a more perfect Union where everyone thrives but Nigeria believes it can stamp out descent by arrests and killing of her citizens. Buhari can rise up and etch his name in the history books by setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to chart a different part for Nigeria, where everyone can realize their full potentials and the weak or disadvantaged are helped along to being all they can be. May God Bless my Country, Nigeria.

Charles Abiahu Esq.

The father as a Farmer: Submitted by Charles Abiahu on the Occasion of this years Fathers Day Celebration.

The father as a Farmer: 

Submitted by Charles Abiahu on the Occasion of this years Fathers Day Celebration.

Imagine for a brief moment that our world is a vast farmland and you have been called among others to be one of the stakeholders.  A child is your gift of a lease of a portion of the earth to reproduce not according to your ability but to the best intentions of the owner of the land. Now stop imagining it because God is the owner of the farm and we have all been gifted with different seeds of children to reproduce according to his direction and specifications.

Every child will need to be nurtured, watered, trimmed, hedged and sometimes pruned to flourish. At other times we will need to contend with the flood, the weed, birds of air and surely wild animals and pests in order to keep our seed from being swallowed up. This is why the most important duty of a father is to be present at all times and during all seasons of importance in his child’s growth circle. Being involved in your child’s life is the most important validation you can give them about reproducing in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. Will you be present when your son needs instructing and when your daughter needs a listening ear? Will you lead the way when they are at the crossroads of life? Loving our children is the best fertilizer they need to flourish but every good farmer knows the season to apply this important ingredient and that too much will kill the plant. A father must apply love and discipline as the occasion demands and with the best intentions for achieving steady growth and maturity.

The difference in the quality and quantity of produce between farmers is determined by their respective quality of labor and toil. This is why one farmer has barely enough to eat, another has enough to feed his entire family and the other produces enough to sell. We must seek out the best education and other resources that will impact the life of our children positively. We are called to immerse and hedge them with the word of God to prevent them from being swallowed by the vagaries or vicissitudes of life and living. Luckily, every tool we need is within our reach … We water them daily by our character, our temperament and attitude towards others. And we tend them by the words of our tongue. Our hand is the rod of correction and our tongue is the sharp sword of Praise or Rebuke. Both the rod and the sword are necessary tools for discipline or edifying but If you are not careful with your tongue you could break the tendrils or even uproot the plant. This double edged sword is only to be applied with prudence. When in doubt about what face of the sword to use, apply caution. Prayer is the best caution available to us. Never discipline with anger or curse your children in an emotional outburst because you will reap whatever you sow. God never makes a mistake but it took several generations and even the best seed of God, Jesus Christ  to create a pathway for mankind to return to the farmland. Many of us have condemned the destiny of our children by being brash with our tongue.

As fathers we are called to provide the best farming environment for our children to thrive. Every child has a destiny and unique assignment ordered by our maker. Do not force them to be an extension of your lost dreams or hopes but offer them the tool for achieving and perfecting their missions in life. In this vast farmland Christian fathers must also be their neighbor’s keepers. The quality of your produce will be affected if every farmland around you is fallow and swarming with wild plants, thorns, pests and weeds. Soon they will creep into our portion of the land and make our work harder or infect our crop. So, we must reach out to every abandoned boy, every little girl in despair and every child that has no sense of direction in life and validate them. Luckily again, all every child need to thrive and excel is a little love and  care and we have been freely gifted with an abundance of it by our maker.  When you counsel an abandoned boy you water his spirit with new hopes and new dreams; when you encourage a wandering little girl in despair, she finds herself and lifts many more others beyond their personal imaginations. When we extend love and care to every child we build a community of champions.  A simple impression upon any child that “I know you can do it” or other similar validation of their effort stirs up the best passions and can often be the difference between mediocrity and a resounding success.

But yet, our job as fathers is not complete. Our work in this farm of life is hindered if our helpers feel unhappy or unwelcome. Our wives must know that we will not abandon the farmland when the terrain is rough or the season is dry. Our wives and their labor must be appreciated to give their best. Our children are also looking to how we treat our wives for their best instructions on how to treat their helpmates when they acquire their own farmlands. We must reach out to every widow or abandoned wife or they will produce weeds or thorns that will in turn corrupt or stunt the growth of our plants. Many of the complaints we have about our helpmates in this vast farm of life is only a manifestation that our neighboring farmer abandoned the farm too early or is lazy or did not do a good job at all with his seed. An ill-equipped or untrained worker will not be very good helpmate. Let us break the circle and heal our wives with love and praise, understanding and reassurance. This way we will have the perfect helpmates and we will have a vast community of Godly Children. I have heard many times that children do not come with an instruction booklet. Actually, God has given us a Manual and how to use it to become successful farmers …

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

5-Year Action Policy Projections for Mbaise USA.

5-Year Action Policy Projections for Mbaise USA.

I have just called Mr. Nwanne to thank him for his services for Mbaise people and Mbaise USA. Politics and especially unpaid public service is a grueling adventure. It is challenging and unless you deeply love your people or actually enjoy being in the public eye I will not recommend it. And so, we all owe a big debt of gratitude to everyone and anyone who is willing to put his private life up there for target practices. It causes frictions in family and marital ties and takes away time from loved ones and close friends. But at the same time it is truly the greatest honor that one is acclaimed worthy by his own people for any leadership position. It is much easier for total strangers to recognize your abilities than it is for your own siblings or indeed your people. As such, we expect all recipients of this privileged trust to execute it to the best of his or her abilities. Congratulations to all outgoing executives and Board members and a big thank you to all those who have been entrusted to lead our organization for the next two years. We all hope you will make us proud.

Mbaise USA has come a long way already. I was intrigued with the level of participation and interests in elective offices. Lots of heavy weights and politics at its finest. Some of the campaigns were a little over the top but sometimes it comes with the territory. That is why I have always advocated for MORE Speech instead of less. The only remedy for bad speech is more; so that right thinking people can correct or call out those who are extreme in their attacks or have misrepresented the facts. There was over personalization of campaign rhetoric and we will all be well served in the future to stay with issues instead of besmirching our opponents. I am also very hopeful that very soon the majority of people will totally discredit anyone in this forum who disguises their identity in order to throw mud. If you cannot stand behind your allegations under your own identity we don’t want to hear anything you have to say because there is the higher likelihood that you are lying or exaggerating the facts.

Elections have come and gone and this is now time to pull ourselves together… One Mbaise Nation fighting to survive together. I am encouraged by what I have read about Mr. Nwanne’s maturity in accepting the voice of our people. He has embraced the new administration and congratulated Mazi Osondu on winning the elections. I have not heard the same from Mr. Mbaise himself. In fact I read in one posting that he is contesting the results of the elections. That will be a very dangerous precedent from a man who is highly regarded in our Community. If the facts as I have gathered them are true that the margin of votes is eight to four against Mr. Mbaise; that Mr. Uwakwe who distinctively served as the Electoral Chairman (a personal friend of Mr. Mbaise) is also from New York Chapter as is Mr. Iwu; and that the candidates had personal observers working with the Returning Officers and electoral Committee, it will be hard to maintain a challenge to the results. I will have my faith that Mr. Mbaise will reconsider his positions and even lend his hand to grooming this new regime. If they succeed, all of us will succeed. Mr. Mbaise I am still waiting for your always entertaining Rating of Conventions for this years in  New Jersey.

But moving beyond the elections and our Convention we need to access the last regime fairly and see if there are any lessons that will make our Union stronger. One of them that jumped out at me as an impartial observer is that our electoral circle is too short. A two year term seems to me too short for any serious contemplation and putting in motion a serious policy initiative for our people. I would advocate to the BOD to consider a minimum three year term for elective offices. The current circle will lend itself to the Presidency pursuing only the most populist agenda because elections are right in the corner instead of effectively mapping out a substantive policy outline that will impact our people the greatest in the long term. It is my believe that the short circle of elections and re-elections is why our Presidents have been overly focused on “the next medical mission” instead of figuring out how to improve on it or even consider if there are any ways to achieve same or similar goals. And so I was extremely disappointed when Mr. Nwanne did not take advantage of the opportunity offered on this forum by Chijike Ndukwe. I am looking for leadership that listens or finds ideas and co-opts them for the good of Mbaise. It would have been a no brainer to partner with Mr. Ndukwe on his Medicaid drug program for Ihitte and extend it to all of Mbaise. It would have taken just the same amount of effort, resource allocation, sourcing and commitment to put Mr Ndukwe in charge of an Mbaise Drug Medicaid program to benefit every elderly person in Mbaise. This singular policy would have freed us of the enormous responsibility and expense on an annual medical mission. It is perhaps time to formulate a standard operating process for Mbaise USA to partner with Private Charities operated by our indigenes. If we have processes in place to require that elected officers cannot personally benefit or be paid by a private charity, it may be for good that Mbaise can partner with an already established charity in a particular area of interest to serve our people. On the other hand we can as well tap in to the expertise and personal training or work of our citizens to help us fund raise or think tank in their areas of expertise or service for our people.

There is as well another serious consideration I am recommending to the new Executive and BOD Meeting for consideration … As we know, our cultural bias makes it difficult for the majority if not all of us to be opposed to any form of Insurance option for permanent disability or death benefits. In fact for many of us if our spouse dares to bring up the topic the first thought process flashing in our mind is “hmm, it looks like this woman wants to kill me and enjoy the money”. We can use our numbers to cover every Mbaise Person for pennies on the dollar. This will be easy to fund too. I promise you that every Mbaise family will be happy to pay an extra $5.00 monthly levy to their local affiliate and this gets remitted to the National Mbaise USA Administration. If the National Executives offer our respective Mbaise citizens a death or bereavement insurance, and other peace of mind guarantees in Immigration attorney representation, a scholarship fund for our kids or to kids at home who would otherwise be denied access and other catastrophic events, there is no reason our people will not eagerly pay an extra National Benefit Membership levy. This is only an idea in process but I think we can fine-tune it to make it work. It will also build a strong allegiance to our National administration. There are many cost-effective Community or Group benefit programs out there and there is no reason why we cannot explore them. In fact, if we structure it properly, the National administration can guarantee loans or even fund Community Halls for local Chapters on an equitable sharing formula for the proceeds; We can venture into Community Banking or business loan guarantees for members

I want this new administration to be bold and find its own path for delivering for our people. As much as we try to cater to our aging population, we must think of the new and upcoming generation. Mbaise USA can bring leadership in areas like Trade, Confectionary and or Technical education to stem the tide of youth unemployment at home; We have to explore ways to implement a funding program for scholarships in education or Trade and apprenticeship for orphans and poor children. I have called in the past for exploring how we can partner with Churches at home to give aid and comfort to widows and poor women or training in a trade or microfinance for business startups. I want to see us someday invest in our own hospital or health Center. We can start small by sourcing drugs and medicines to the health Centers. If we sound the right tones we can require the local government Chairpersons to build a computer lab at each LGA Headquarters and we can equip those for education and training of our youths. Let every citizen join hands and lend a positive voice or  idea to this new administration. I know that I have given them a lot to chew on. I am not expecting them to buy into any of it but this is an exercise to let them know that our Union has come a long way. Now is the time to be bold, for big ideas and responsible leadership. Our people expect and deserve it. If we build a strong Union, we will have more clout to influence policies and events for ourselves and at home. Let us rally together behind Mr. Osondu and his regime. We will all succeed or fail together. May God Bless us all. May God Bless our homeland, Mbaise. Long Live ala Mbaise.

--------- Charles Abiahu.