By Larry Oyims
Our people say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Thus, if a woman wants to wean her way into the heart of her husband, she must know the type of food he loves best and serve him that.
It is the same thing with politics and democracy. If a seasoned politician, one who knows his onions, wants to covet the love of his people, he knows what to do. It is not by rigging. It is not by vote buying. It is by finding that niche, what his people want, what will benefit them, what will last for them and engrave his name in their hearts over the years . This is where Hon Idu Igariwe, member representing Afikpo-Afikpo South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, stands shoulder high.
I was at Ozizza last week to celebrate the New Yam Festival. And, in my usual search for where to savour my favorite Okpor fish victual, I decided to go to Ozizza Beach through the newly constructed Amoge-Orrah road out of curiosity. Although I had heard much about the road constructed by Igariwey, but like the Queen of Sheba, half of it was not told me!
It is eight inches thick. It is oncrete and buttery smooth. The drainage is properly taken care of, with gutters on both sides. The shoulders are professionally dressed and elaborately done. As I glided down from the Amoge hill to orrah, I could see the river, I could feel its eerie breeze shaking the trees and cooling the environment. It was awesome!
Ozizza has been a community with only one road that runs from Mater hospital to the beach. Politicians feast on us every electoral season with promises to change the narrative but always end up keeping them in the breach. But Idu’s road project has broken the jinx, putting a question mark on the perception and definition of politics by Ambrose Bierce as “the conduct of public affairs for private advantage”.
Right now, the road is opening up that axis of the community. New structures are springing up. Already, it has become the fastest route to access Eke Market from the beach by both the Okada riders and our neighbors across the river, thereby easing traffic on the major road. Needless to say, we now have a deep sense of relief. Relief from neglect, relief from failed promises by other politicians.
What makes democracy thrive and imbue the people with pride and a sense of belonging are infrastructural projects like this. For years, they will savour it. Unlike other politicians, Idu does not give shovel. He does not give pot either. He gives something that benefits you for life, something that puts food on your table to enable you sip the ripe fruits of democracy. As he celebrates his birthday, I can’t find a more befitting way to honour a friend and thank him for what he did for my community than this tribute.
But Okpudo, I can still hear the still soft echo of your voice that morning as you called me from Abuja, contemplating which of the roads to award: “Because you are not selfish, I will do the road to your place after this”! This is a promissory note I hold dear, I can take it to the bank!
