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The
Remains of the Day
By
Uche Nworah
I did not vote in
the last Nigerian elections, I couldn’t have from my
abode in Europe where we tried to mobilise the Nigerian
diaspora for the Pat Utomi for president project. Though
the results did not go the way we had hoped, I am still
a happy man knowing that we tried our best to effect
change in our country.
If not for
anything, emails from some professional associates
living and working in Nigeria and in other parts of the
world that they voted their conscience when they cast
their vote for Pat Utomi on election day is not only
satisfying but encouraging. One of them is Kester Onyema,
an MTN executive whose recent email captures the mood
amongst Nigeria’s many professionals. “It is over” he
says, “the election that is, but all hope is not yet
lost for the future of Nigeria”.
When I drafted
myself into Prof Utomi’s campaign in the summer of 2006,
I knew very much what I was getting into, I wouldn’t now
say that I am surprised at the outcome of the election
but still that statement of intent to change things
which summarises the Utomi campaign was well worth
making, for me at least.
We always knew
that it wasn’t going to be easy but there are lots to
take away from the experience. Like Apostle Paul, I
really think that considering the circumstances, all
those associated with the Utomi campaign fought the good
fight. On a personal note I don’t think I have anything
to regret by associating with the amiable professor and
the campaign to elect him as Nigeria’s president. Had we
succeeded, it would have been the stuff dreams are made
of, perhaps Hollywood movie producers would have fallen
over themselves to secure the movie rights to what would
have been one of the most amazing ‘political outsider’
stories anywhere in the world.
But it wasn’t to
be.
In the course of
the campaign, I have come to build friendships and
hopefully lasting relationships with many people, it is
indeed amazing that despite our many differences,
Nigerians can actually unite and agree over issues as
important as moving Nigeria forward. I got that feeling
from working and networking with some of those that were
in on the Utomi campaign. Many of us never even met each
other but we kept in touch exploiting emerging
technology and still did what we had to do.
This is not a roll
call but I really thank the many Nigerians and
organisations that have worked with us in the background
as we tried to kick-start the European and American end
of the campaign, which eventually became the forerunner
for the Nigerian campaign. Much shout out should also go
to the various internet websites and media houses that
helped us in the early sensitisation stages. They indeed
helped the campaign to achieve its visibility despite
the zero budgets we were operating on at the time,
including those that built and ran the Utomi campaign
websites with their own resources.
In my associations
with the Utomi campaign organisation, certain
individuals have stood out and represent to me the
future hope of Nigeria. Dr Anthony Kila is one of them,
a good man who believes in a good cause. From day one Dr
Kila’s passion for the Utomi for President project was
never in doubt, even when I expressed some doubts, his
enthusiasm always won me over, a loyal ally till the end
and even took a sabbatical from his teaching appointment
in the UK to see the campaign through in Nigeria. Tony
also threw his personal resources into the campaign
backed by the group
Europe 4 Nigeria; I remember our nightly banters and
really hope that the final outcome of the election has
not made him to lose hope in the Nigeria project.
Patrick Okigbo is
another individual whose belief in the Nigeria project
saw him anchor the North American angle of the Utomi
campaign. Together with his team he ensured that the
Utomi message was heard by all Diasporan Nigerians in
America through the town hall meetings they organised in
several cities in America, including the pioneering town
hall teleconference with Pat Utomi.
Eugene Nwosu with
his daily emails to a worldwide list ensured that
subscribers were regularly kept up to date with the
happenings inside the Utomi campaign team, his spirits
remained high till the end even when results sauntered
in, he sent a hilarious one liner to everyone on the
list which reads – “Hurray.....Hurrah.....Hooray.....!!!
Celebration time.....Nigerian democracy has achieved a
milestone.....civilian to civilian democratic
hand-over.....Love, unity, peace, prosperity, progress
and happiness to all”.
Almost like he was
feasting among sharks, Odunayo Kila held his own and
anchored the Nigerian media angle, ensuring that the
Utomi message penetrated all nooks and corners.
These Nigerians
gave up their time for a cause they believed in using
their personal resources in the process. There are
several others that deserve mention but who would rather
wish not to be mentioned for different reasons. Those
that donated accommodation, catering and equipments
during our various town hall meetings, those that
mobilised and sent emails of support, and contributed to
the campaign fund as well all deserve a big shout out.
I’m sure that Pat
Utomi will eventually get round to doing the honours
himself, this is just my own little show of appreciation
and love to you all including those that shared ideas
with us, including those that from day one felt like we
had lost our minds backing the ‘wrong horse’, they would
rather that we channelled our energy to the usual
suspects, now that they got their wish, I hope they
would have a good night’s sleep now.
Just ike Ndigbo
would say, Aka ka aka, gbajiri aka, it was not
for lack of trying, neither was the fault in ourselves
and please let us not blame the stars as well. The
failure of Pat Utomi in the presidential elections is
not the failure of the candidate himself, neither is it
the failure of his campaign team. You can go ahead and
ascribe that failure to that of the Nigerian system
which favours mediocrity, wayo and wuruwu
over talent and honesty but still there is always
tomorrow; Echi di ime (tomorrow is pregnant).
To the entire
Pat Utomi for president 2007 campaign crew, there
are still other ways we can work together and help in
contributing to the greatness of our beloved country.
Perhaps Nigeria deserves
Musa Yar’Adua
the president that it has got; only time will tell.
Hopefully, we have all learnt one or two things from
this experience, which will guide our actions in the
next outing, be it at other levels of government in
Nigeria.
posted 24 April 2007 |
