By Prof Steve A Okecha
“Democrac y cannot succeed
unless those who express
their choice are prepared
to choose wisely.”
- FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
Ours is a land of Broken Dreams. Yes, land of broken dreams. Recently, I had reflected over the state of affairs in Ukwuani-Ndosumili land, and I have, somehow, come to the conclusion, that our leaders are not necessarily all our problem: we, the people are the real problem. I repeat, the people are the main problem. We lack citizens who THINK. This explains why our political leaders take us for a ride. Until we change our mindset, no constitution, no election, no palliatives will set us free as a people.
Some of us would say that our people behave the way they do due to poverty. No, I disagree. We are far from being the poorest ethnic group in Nigeria. Somehow, we have collectively lost our self-pride, our self-esteem, our self-worth, our self-respect, our self-importance, our self-confidence, our self-assurance, our self-image, our self-glorification.
As I had said in my previous essay, our first-generation political leaders were not as forthcoming and aggressive as expected. Chief Louis Opia Ijomah [from Aboh] was, however, an exception. As a parliamentarian in the Bendel State House of Assembly, he was bold, fearless, outspoken and super patriotic. I recommend his soul to the angels’ care.
I wish to state, however, that some of our people in their privileged, non-political capacities, had contributed significantly to the upliftment of many of our youths. Professor Sam Atuma facilitated the admission of a good number of our young men and women into UNIBEN. Dr. Mrs. Esther Uduehi, as Director in the Bendel State Ministry of Education, was responsible for the employment of a number of our youths as secondary school teachers.
My younger brother, Professor George Emese Okecha, before relocating to South Africa, was instrumental to the admission of many Ukwuani-Ndosumili youths into UNICAL. Personally, I had helped with the admission of a countless number of young men and women of Ukwuani-Ndosumili extraction into the various universities I had served, and beyond. Besides, I played a significant role in the creation of Ukwuani Local Government Area. The records are available any day.
One must not fail to mention our people who have helped, in no little measure, in the development of our land:
a. Establishment of Educational Institutions
• Chuks Ochonogor, proprietor of Novena University, Ogume.
• Ben Ebinum, proprietor of Bellarks Polytechnic, Kwale.
• Austin Avuru, proprietor of Jesuit College, Abbi.
b. Award of Scholarships
• Monday Onyeme
• Okenmor Tilije
• Edike Kaine
• Obiajulu Eustance Dunn, US-based, who sponsors annually Ashaka indigenes studying Nursing, Surgery or Medicine.
• Ndokwa Association in America.
• Ndokwa Women Association, Lagos.
Sorry, I am unable to mention all the people who had assisted our land in one way or the other. Pardon me, please.
Now, listen to this interesting story. Some years ago, a cousin of mine from Umuebu visited me at Steritville, my country home. The young man is a graduate of Statistics from the University of Nigeria. In the course of our discussion, he said that he had nothing doing, and that he had shown interest in the councillorship slot for Umuebu. Then, I said to him, “As a university graduate, you should have no problem becoming the councilor representing Umuebu.” My cousin responded, “Sir, I can’t be, because the Governor already has a candidate – a thuggish, stark illiterate!”
I was speechless and dumbfounded. The Governor was not an Umuebu man, not even an Ukwuani man. His Excellency could hardly locate Umuebu on the map, yet he had an anointed councillorship candidate at Umuebu. At the end of the day, the Governor’s mumu emerged as the councilor. Such stories abound everywhere in our region-the land of broken promises.
A university of agriculture was once approved for Aboh by Delta State Government. The institution never materialised.
A state polytechnic was proposed for Aboh by Ibori government. What has happened to the project?
Aboh again! A federal university of agriculture was proposed for Aboh by Senator Nwaoboshi. There was a public hearing in respect of this institution – an obubuyaya university.
A so-called federal polytechnic was proposed for Kwale, but it was all a deception.
Then came the proposal for the establishment of a university of oil and gas, Okpai. Rep Nnamdi Ezechi, how market?
We did hear that Dennis Osadebay University would establish a campus at Onicha Ukwuani. I hope we heard correctly, as there is no sign of any tertiary institution in the place.
Still on anointing. No external forces should be allowed to anoint or choose the candidates to represent us at all levels. To hell with anointing. This time, we will anoint our candidates ourselves. We have enough anointing oil in our possession. Anointing appears to be a ploy adopted by our own local political leaders to bamboozle us; it is used to select their man Fridays [aides, bouncers, thugs and terrorists] as our representatives. This practice should be resisted by us by all means.
Tell me, does the Governor at Asaba really anoint councillors and chairmen of local government councils for the Isokos, the Urhobos, the Ijaws, the Ikas, the Aniochas and the Itsekiris? We are told, unfortunately, that His Excellency graciously chooses for Ukwuaniland. People see our region as a free-for-all land. Outsiders freely come to solicit votes in our land, and shop for fame and popularity, while we grin and clap.
Some of our people, I am sad to say, are so daft, so sheepish, so servile, so malleable, so shameless, so gullible, so readily manipulated. Recently, Godswill Akpabio made uncommitedly a cursory remark about Anioma state, and some people have reached for their drums. Akpabio said, “If …………” He has no power to create a state, not even the president has. As at late 2025, the Nigerian National Assembly had received 55 separate requests for state creation. Very many people who were at the venue condemned Akpabio’s speech, and regarded it as frivolous. My eye at the event was a retired Director in the Delta State Civil Service. Anioma state died a long time ago. Akpabio was only playing games to boost the chances of re-election for his Delta North counterpart. The Delta North senator is fully aware that he has lost such chances for clear non-performance. Our people need civic [political] education badly.
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