Uche Ogbuagu And The Burden Of Job Creation

Prof Chinua Achebe in his Anthills of the Savannah had the character Walt Whitman say that “every artist contains multitudes.” He argues that “a genuine artist, no matter what he says he believes, must feel in his blood the ultimate enmity between art and orthodoxy.”

Arts and orthodoxy (or conformity with existing social customs and definitions of appropriateness) do not have smooth conviviality, as the artist being a continuous creator in se, goes beyond existing structures (creatures) and makes new ways of living, creating out of his in-built multitude (which is both largess and whole host), replicas of his unending ingenuity.

This implies that every artist stands on existing concreteness of the orthodox society or what prevails therein and through his inner powers of creation, produces creations that testify his quality. And as the Italian-born Spanish artist, Vicente Carducho, would say: “Each artist has a tendency to reproduce or imitate his own likeness.” A social artist, a humanitarian artist, an altruistic artist, a nature-creationist artist, a satirical artist, a bellicose admiring artist, a sadistic humoristic artist, a hedonistic artist, etc., all have the tendencies of producing what reveals their make-up.

These attributes without exaggerations, are found in the artist, Uche Ogbuagu, who belongs to the category of artists that the US novelist, Sherwood Anderson called “the talking artists.” Uche Ogbuagu knowing fully well the enmity that exists between the continuous creation in artistry and the mainstream dilemma of our age- The problem of unemployment, which as a social critic has satirised severally, decided to continue being humane in his creationist call. He has thus devised means of assisting the society in engaging its numerous unemployed youths.

Certainly, music and comedy have gone beyond their original entertainment roles in developing countries and turned into industrialisation and thus apertures for harnessing disoriented human resources- Both the interminable surging artists and the different grandeurs of marketers of their products. To this effect, the music and comedy industry is apparently one of the highest employers of labour of our time, and this Uche Ogbuagu as a creationist has endeavoured to champion.

This creation of extra-employment and entertainment avenues for the society is thus part of the multitude that he contains. Obviously, in this multitude, we see his versatility- Job creation, entertainment, social critic, satirist, and politician. The later (politics) too, is very significant about this artistic guru of our age. And as the US novelist, Toni Morrison, said, “I don’t believe any real artists have ever been non-political. They may have been insensitive to this particular plight or insensitive to that, but they were political because that’s what an artist is- A politician.”

David Hockney, a British artist, also remarked that an “artist is a researcher.” For sure, he entered into politics and in it found the highest ennui of his society- Unemployment, and thus has contributed his own quota in employing his youthful colleagues who are roaming the streets in search of jobs. This makes great difference between constructive critics of government and destructive ones. A constructive critic of mis-governance not only criticises but also seeks for avenues to contribute in solving the societal malaise he satirises.

It is uncommon in Nigeria to find outstanding artists who have decided like Uche Ogbuagu not to be what the Italian poet said that “Artists are the monks of the bourgeois state.” Instead of playing housemates of the bourgeoisies of the society, he has through the new radio station he established decided to invent further artists, as Harold Rosenberg, the US art historian said that “An artist is a person who has invented an artist.” While inventing co-artists and co-creators, the Imo-born guru in creative art, Uche Ogbuagu, becomes the first Nigerian artist to own a radio station. This commercial outfit will certainly employ many unemployed Nigerians and thus help the Imo State Government and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in creating job opportunities for the nation. It will also create avenues for genuine democracy as the media has unflinching roles to play in ensuring genuine democracy in the society.

More so, it testifies that the problem of unemployment in Nigeria is complicated by the nonchalant and apathetic attitudes of the Imo and Nigerian bourgeoisies and accumulated oligarchs, who indulge in money laundering, embezzlement of funds, embarkation of elephant projects and the more-you-look, the less-you-see projects, which have no salvific outcomes to the troubled Imo and Nigerian society. How many companies are in Imo State today, both government and private? Job, job, job, employment, employment, employment; industry, industry, industry, where do we find any for the unemployed youths, instead the sack of the menially remunerated few, prevails.

The only prevailing industries in Imo State are filling Stations in the State Capital- Owerri, and hotels. Virtually every street in the Owerri Municipal Council has at least one hotel. An architectural survey of the Owerri Municipal Council will show that the number of streets in Owerri has been outnumbered by the number of hotels, to the ratio of 3 hotels to one street. It also shows how altruistic he is as an emergent affluent youth who instead of lavishing his wealth on luxurious lifestyle or buying the latest and most trendy vehicles in town, decide to invest in order to engage the unengaged.

It is encouraging and patriotic to find in this epoch of economic meltdown, a youth and humanitarian who use his hard earned money being invested in the establishment of a radio station, instead of entering into importation and oil and gas business, where huge sums would be made in a short while.

I admire this a great deal and wish the endeavour well in life, while urging the affluent Imolites to embark on altruistic projects and establishments that can help the unemployed youths get their hearts desire- Being employed, especially in establishing industries and private higher institutions in the State. Our brother Uche Ogbuagu has shown he is a true son of his father land. He has motivated many Nigerian youths by this single action which must be applauded by well meaning people. Uche has authenticated the Japanese Proverb that “Better be proficient in one art than a smatterer in a hundred.”

I do not believe in praise singing but if one has shown that he means well for the youths and the nation, the one no matter who he is attracts my praise and commendation. Yes, Uche my brother and friend has made the Nigerian youths proud by his bold step. “Brave actions never want a trumpet noted” Thomas Fuller. We should appreciate this great and rare kind gesture of the noble son of Imo State. Uche keep on with the good work in line with John F. Kennedy’s assertion “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Prof. Nathan Protus Uzorma. Mayor of Imo Youths

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Articles by Nathan Protus Uzorma