Standing for himself
Chief Orji Uzor Kalu is not facing the greatest opposition because of the political animosity the man at the helm of affairs in Umuahia, Abia State, has been showing against him. What the international business man, renowned peace-maker and ex-governor of Abia State does understand is that while he is persecuted unjustly by his perceived political foes, he is closest to his biggest miracle on earth.
That could be the philosophy that has kept Kalu moving. For a long period of calmness on how his traducers in the present Abia State Government have hounded him for no fault of his through blackmails and character assassinations, the Igbere-born outspoken personality bared his mind in the article – Reign of terror by Abia triumvirate – on his Column, The Sun, Saturday, August 9 2014.
It was obvious after reading that article that Kalu did not stand for pride and selfishness. Notwithstanding, some of us knew that he would face a first degree attack from the attack dogs of the government that he told the truth in the face without mincing words. They knew that Kalu hates false personification of power; he does show his love, strength and independence in the wilderness of cowards, as many people aren't wont to showcasing.
I've read many attacks from the government's aides against Kalu since he published that article. But without mentioning names so that the government does not see me as one of the Kalu's aides, I would say that Kalu did a profound analysis of 'truth' in that article and wish the government would learn from the points that Kalu raised therein.
If Kalu hated anybody or the government in his home state, he would have been very far and would not make any contribution to better the lots in that state. But that was not the case for Kalu who is not muddled in all ramifications. Kalu is not like a growing cancer that stays silent; he does not show the trait of a coward; he does not see such trait as intelligent for anyone who does not stand for himself, according to the dictates of the society. At least, Kalu wants all to know what he stood for.
Instead of attacking Kalu unreasonably, I would have preferred that the aides of the government in Umuahia saw that article as an encouragement from a father to his child to do the rightful explorations in order to evade molestations from the society in the near future. That was how I saw Kalu's article, not as an attack against the governor and the government in Umuahia.
It is obvious that a child that does not take the rebuttals of the father does not grow and does not master the art of whatever he or she is doing. That child will be over controlled by obnoxious anxiety and will continue to fail and the outside world will continue to overrun, maneuver and control such a child to the chagrin of the father.
I did not see Kalu's position in that article like the voice of somebody that was insecure. I've known Kalu as a man who does not show any sign of insecurity in whatsoever and he is a man who does not falsify the past from any angle one looks at it.
Kalu always makes his ways straight and his voice shows a big difference, always looking for a reason to better the lots of humanity around him; and the government in Umuahia is a part of that humanity around him. I think those calling Kalu names should have seen him as a man who does not welcome dull moments, as one who copes with difficult times and aswell, does everything within his coffers to rise above odd times.
Against this backdrop, the world could see that his God is always giving him blessings, but his traducers rather than see reasons to enjoy the mammoth experiences that Kalu is embedded with, they obviously think that their hearts are full to receive any outside advise let alone Kalu's. Any government, group or person that has no love, has no power to exhibit to the society, except fierce and steady falsification of ideas to sell to the society. This is the reason Kalu calls for love and truth through his stream of consciousness so that any group or person who is showing any sign of weakness can rise from slumber.
However, one Anthon St. Maarten, as if speaking to Kalu, was quoted as saying: Never shy away from opportunity and wholehearted living. Never be fearful of putting yourself out there. The courageous may encounter many disappointments, experience profound disillusionment, gather many wounds; but cherish your scars for they are the proud emblems of a truly phenomenal life. The fearful, cautious, cynical and self-repressed do not live at all. And that is simply no way to be in this world.
But as if speaking to the government that Kalu was writing to about truth, Susan Forward, in her work, “Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life”, says: Just as verbally and physically abused children internalize blame, so do incest victims. However, in incest, the blame is compounded by the shame. The belief that 'it's all my fault' is never more intense than with the incest victim. This belief fosters strong feelings of self-loathing and shame. In addition to having somehow to cope with the actual incest, the victim must now guard against being caught and exposed as a 'dirty, disgusting' person.
Chief Orji Uzor Kalu should continue to stand in the shoes of compassion and tell truth to power without any form of biasness, although I have not read him as a myopic personality. He is always straight to the point. He should not degrade himself by listening to the side distracters like the aides of the government in Umuahia or bother to reply them. He should add to his solace with Israelmore Ayivor's “The Great Hand Book of Quotes”, which says, faith has won it! Fear has lost it! When you get full of faith, the devil gets filled with fear! Keep your faith in light every day and you will keep the devil in fright always! To waste a life with fear is, really, the scariest thing.
Rubby Obinna contributed this piece from Ohaji, Imo State.