“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing” – Abraham Lincoln.
Great people of Okehi local government, I salute you all, happy sallah and I pray all we have prayed and ask God for will be granted unto us. We must also strive not to go back to our vomit because it is dangerous and it can cost us all we have labor for. God Forbid.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is never in my character to be sentimental or bias especially when it come to those saddled with power. I am trained to speak with boldness regardless your power, influence and status in the society, and I consider it our responsibility to query the activities of public leaders and show way forward.
Today is another day we must come together to celebrate our own, Mr Adbdulraheem Ozovehe Ohiare, the Administrator of Okehi Local Government, Kogi State as he mark his birthday.
Mr Abdulraheem, come with me as i once again remind you where you are coming from, your present place and your destination as i bring to you a message title, The End Of A Scandalous Leaders In The Land.
John Woodene wrote and I quote “be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
Mr Administrator, you have been in the helm of power, saddled with the responsibility to champion the welfare of the people of Okehi Local Government. It is only a dead man that does not listen to counsel, which i don’t think you are but my hand is not big enough to pinch you and too short to pinch you but i seek for your help to help me pinch yourself to be awaken because power will soon be taken away and you will become ordinary citizen like those you harassed, threaten, humiliating and oppressed… pinch yourself.
The moment a leader forget who he was in the past before power, pride set in, abuse of power is inevitable, and arrogant he become. Mr Administrator pinch yourself and reconnect where you are coming from, where you are today and what likely your future be… pinch yourself.
The essence of power is to unite the people, usher in peace among the people, and development of a society where male and female, young and old will be able to live in harmony and accord to carry on their daily activities but my amazement, none of this is been achieved under your leadership…pinch yourself and think of your tomorrow
Okehi LG have never been this divided, this is not the vision of our founding fathers, this can never be the Okehi local government they have at hearts when they were laboring day and night, in rain and in sun all for their children.
I can see Late Atimah in his grave weeping for our generation. I perceive late Dr Lawal will be weeping when he look unto this side of eternity calling for change of leadership. What of Late Hon Ojo Onukaba? He will nod his head saying i expect a better Okehi LG than what I am seeing.
It is said power corrupt, but plea to differ from that philosophy. Power does not corrupt, but power only bring out the corruption in your heart when you get to power. Corruption is in your heart before power. Power possess the capacity to expose what already planted in your heart.
Once upon a time, you are nobody in Okehi local government, your earned little from your teaching, but today less than four years you are richer than the Local Government herself…Pinch yourself.
Your attitude will go a long way in determining your success, your recognition, your reputation and your enjoyment, and peace after power.. Pinch Yourself and think of life after power.
Mr Administrator, sorry I refused to use the word Honorable, it is because i see not trace of that title in your leadership in Okehi local government, and I have vowed not to address any scandalous leaders with such a holy title.
If wisdom depart, to regain it will be difficult. I don’t think you need to boss other people or opposition around just because you want to prove your loyalty to your boss and also because you are called an administrator. I hate that whenever you acted that way. No one deserves it. I’ve seen it happen and practiced by you. I don’t have to call others out because Okehi is my primary place of assignment which i must first minister before looking other areas, though such leaders know who they are. Some are enjoy the system and forgot the vehicle that brought them here…Help me tell them to…pinch themselves.
Elizabeth 1 read and I quote “I would rather go to any extreme than suffer anything that is unworthy of my reputation, or of that of my crown.” John McCain said, “Depriving the oppressed of a beacon of hope could lose us the world we have built and thrived in. It couldn’t cost our reputation in history as the nation,people and distinct from all others in our achievements, our identity, and our enduring influence on mankind. Our values are central to all three”…What Is Your Value?
If you can manipulate the civil servant salary and pay them certain percentage, posters will not manipulate the judgment. A smart politician can keep a killer out of jail, he can keep a thug who suppose be in jail in his custody and enrol him in his payroll but posterity will not manipulate the judgement, a smart accountant general of the state can manipulate figures, he can keep a thief from paying taxes, but time to bring him out for public judgement is at hand, a smart Media reporter defend your scandalous activities, painted you to be holy and powerful before the people but ruining your reputation and present you to the public as characters leader.
Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, robing the public treasury, abusing civil servant, building houses and petrol station, acquiring cars and wasting our heard earned for personal project but in striving that our country, society and community can be righteous as well as strong and capable to cater for all her citizens…Happy New You
I pray, you reconnect to your past,gain wisdom and knowledge to act different as we progress to another phase in our political journey as a people.
– Ogo’Ogu MD
