THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT IN OKPAFIE COMMUNITY
THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT IN OKPAFIE COMMUNITY
Future: Who Will Develop Okpafie?
By: Ejilogo Michael Joseph
No matter how depressing the present state of affairs in Okpafie may look, a concerned indigene of Okpafie must think of what needs to be done to correct the wrongs. Specifically, the leadership aspect, education and economic development.
The general public must constantly seek answers to these interrelated questions: What went wrong with the most populous community in Okpokwu local government area of Benue State? Who will develop Okpafie? What will it take for Okpafie to be a developed community? What will be my OWN contribution in the task of rebuilding Okpafie community?
While others may come up with several answers to the above questions, our life experience has convinced us beyond all doubt that the various communities in Okpafie: Oyilawu, Ai-kpa, Ai-Ujah, Ai-Ijodu, Ogwuche-Alegwu and Amola are on cold war with one another (There is no love and unity among these communities).
In the same manner, the habits of individual representation of Oyilawu, Ai-Ujah, Ai-Ikpa and so on in Okonobo ward meeting instead of the general Okpafie community unlike Ollo, Effoyo and other wards in Okonobo shows lack of understanding and peace in the community.
Secondly, given the importance of education, why do the indigenes condone to the dilapidated structures and unfriendly learning environment for our children who are the leaders of tomorrow? Is this a productive way to build the future? Definitely not!
Till this moment, Okpafie general has no reasonable infrastructure and industry to be proud of and we have men occupying various higher positions in government and private enterprise. It is true that the present government is far from the grass roots but how long do we continue to wait for the government and who will bring the government closer to Okpafie when we have respectable indigenes in government. This is pitiable!
I observed the recent election in Okpafie and I was shocked to see that a community like Okpafie not up to a local government area population, state and even a country could not hold a peaceful, free and fair election. It’s obvious that individuals, even in a homogeneous society differ due to their diversified needs, values, belief, education and background. Equipped with this knowledge, why do the electoral committee continue to promote ethnocentrism (tribalism) and nepotism instead of striving to strike an acceptable compromise among the competing groups?
READ: Things we learned from Dr. Stephen Hwande Football Competition in Okpafie -Edumoga in Okpokwu LGA
Lastly, there is no gain saying the fact that poverty, illiterate and unemployment are form of the social malaise that are destroying Okpafie for a long time now. The youths are migrating to Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and other states in search of employment. The question is, with the level of their education, are they employable? They do menial jobs that cannot effectively cater for their needs talk more of family members and friends. Why can’t we create jobs for our people here in Okpafie and also improve their standard of living by providing good roads, electricity, water and so on instead of waiting for the government?
Isn’t it clear now that these mentality of abuses are the greatest contributors to the present stagnation in Okpafie? What a Man-made tragedy.
However, we must not accept the agonizing defeat that Okpafie’s problems are beyond solution. Put in another way, why should an indigene of Okpafie succumb to this saying that “a tree cannot make a forest”. Then that indigene has never planted a single tree in Okpafie in the first place.
My Advice: If one has given up on the development of Okpafie, one should not encourage others to do the same. Period!
Hopefully, the day will come when those with genuine love, common sense, true education and exceptional leadership qualities will be in charge of the affairs of Okpafie and Nigeria in general.
We hope it comes soon, Okpafie will start experiencing economic prosperity once again which will in turn sustain true democracy and development.
Future: Who Will Develop Okpafie?
By: Ejilogo Michael Joseph
No matter how depressing the present state of affairs in Okpafie may look, a concerned indigene of Okpafie must think of what needs to be done to correct the wrongs. Specifically, the leadership aspect, education and economic development.
The general public must constantly seek answers to these interrelated questions: What went wrong with the most populous community in Okpokwu local government area of Benue State? Who will develop Okpafie? What will it take for Okpafie to be a developed community? What will be my OWN contribution in the task of rebuilding Okpafie community?
While others may come up with several answers to the above questions, our life experience has convinced us beyond all doubt that the various communities in Okpafie: Oyilawu, Ai-kpa, Ai-Ujah, Ai-Ijodu, Ogwuche-Alegwu and Amola are on cold war with one another (There is no love and unity among these communities).
In the same manner, the habits of individual representation of Oyilawu, Ai-Ujah, Ai-Ikpa and so on in Okonobo ward meeting instead of the general Okpafie community unlike Ollo, Effoyo and other wards in Okonobo shows lack of understanding and peace in the community.
Secondly, given the importance of education, why do the indigenes condone to the dilapidated structures and unfriendly learning environment for our children who are the leaders of tomorrow? Is this a productive way to build the future? Definitely not!
Till this moment, Okpafie general has no reasonable infrastructure and industry to be proud of and we have men occupying various higher positions in government and private enterprise. It is true that the present government is far from the grass roots but how long do we continue to wait for the government and who will bring the government closer to Okpafie when we have respectable indigenes in government. This is pitiable!
I observed the recent election in Okpafie and I was shocked to see that a community like Okpafie not up to a local government area population, state and even a country could not hold a peaceful, free and fair election. It’s obvious that individuals, even in a homogeneous society differ due to their diversified needs, values, belief, education and background. Equipped with this knowledge, why do the electoral committee continue to promote ethnocentrism (tribalism) and nepotism instead of striving to strike an acceptable compromise among the competing groups?
READ: Things we learned from Dr. Stephen Hwande Football Competition in Okpafie -Edumoga in Okpokwu LGA
Lastly, there is no gain saying the fact that poverty, illiterate and unemployment are form of the social malaise that are destroying Okpafie for a long time now. The youths are migrating to Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and other states in search of employment. The question is, with the level of their education, are they employable? They do menial jobs that cannot effectively cater for their needs talk more of family members and friends. Why can’t we create jobs for our people here in Okpafie and also improve their standard of living by providing good roads, electricity, water and so on instead of waiting for the government?
Isn’t it clear now that these mentality of abuses are the greatest contributors to the present stagnation in Okpafie? What a Man-made tragedy.
However, we must not accept the agonizing defeat that Okpafie’s problems are beyond solution. Put in another way, why should an indigene of Okpafie succumb to this saying that “a tree cannot make a forest”. Then that indigene has never planted a single tree in Okpafie in the first place.
My Advice: If one has given up on the development of Okpafie, one should not encourage others to do the same. Period!
Hopefully, the day will come when those with genuine love, common sense, true education and exceptional leadership qualities will be in charge of the affairs of Okpafie and Nigeria in general.
We hope it comes soon, Okpafie will start experiencing economic prosperity once again which will in turn sustain true democracy and development.
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