Okpofe has been known for their "Okpofe Mara Mma" anthem, and the lyrics to that anthem has always stood true until NOW. There is absolutely nothing good going on in Okpofe these days. People can't sleep peacefully anymore in that town, not even the Monsignor is safe. Holigans going around terrorizing people and hurting people and commiting all kinds of crimes. No organisation is standing up against this evil that has bestowed Okpofe and it's a shame. What is OIU home and Abroad doing?, Nothing. What are the so called strong youths association in Okpofe doing?. Absolutely nothing. Individuals suing the community, individuals suing individuals, the community suing individuals, nna na wa ooohhh. Okpofe of all communities can't even produce/elect an Eze instead they are in court everyday?? Actually I shouldn't blame Okpofe as a whole for that, I blame Umu-Erim and I'm suggesting that Umu-Oko produce an interim Eze since Umu-Erim can't handle producing one. Nothing can be resolved anymore amicably? What happened to the days when Okpofe's problem used to be resolved in Okpofe without outsiders knowing what is going on?? What a shame. Ladies and gentlemen, OKPOFE AJOLA NJO!!.
All these Okpofe men that like to talk and make noise in meetings, it's time to talk and take action and now you guys have crawled into holes. It was left for the women to go out and march and demonstrate their frustrations and some of them got hurt in the process?. Where are the title holders and the executives of OIU?. Do they even have any responsibilities anymore? I forgot, they put us all in this mess. I feel sorry for whoever is going to take the burden of being the next President General of OIU and especially the next EZE, welcome to CHAOS. I also feel sorry for the new generation that has grown up and should be ready for taking on responsibilities. How could young people playing football at the primary school in Okpofe be issued yellow cards not because of rough attacks but because "Ikoto Anwuru" were falling out of their pockets??. I'm talking about young kids here, this is the equivalent of doing drugs. What has happened??
Shame on Okpofe!!!. OKPOFE AJOLA NJO!!!!!!!!!!.
Note: This is my personal opinion and would love to hear what others think. I believe this is what this forum is all about and I thank the moderator for it.
Mr. Tony N. has broken the ice and said what many were thinking. He has called a spade by its right name- A SPADE. He now provides us the opportunity to examine and dissect this bad worm that has crawled into our community to live, dine and wine with us. By discussing openly, maturely and intelligently- without personal attacks and abusive languages- we stand a chance to stop this evil tsunami wind from sweeping away our beloved Okpofe.
Let us find a way to wepu aka enwe n'ofe, tupu oghoo aka mmadu.
I believe we can still arrest the situation- K’anyi choo eghu ojii oge chi n’ejibele.
In fact, most, if not all of the contributors here are qualified to be leaders of today- not tomorrow. So it is duty upon us. Therefore, k’anyi zoo mbe mgbe odi mbelembe.
I have read the meassage on okpofe mara mma - not any more.
I quite agree that some things are not working out well in the community. that some youths are menasing the town, in a manner that is unwarranted, and that even some elders are not living up to the standard, that there is a lot of bickerings here and there.
I want to remind readers that despite all odds in the community, truly speaking, okpofe community is still a town to reckon with among other towns and communities in the LGA. Whatever is going on in the town is part of the developmental process. okpofe is the fasted growing community in terms of economic and social developement among all other towns in the region. I was at home few days ago, I saw the social and economic activities going on within and arroung the market square. There was power supply almost on a regular basis, the roads are far better than what is obtainable in other areas around okpofe. Life is livier in the community than in other areas. Many visitors, including, business men and women are living and doing their businesses in the town.
I wish to caution that we should not raise unnecessary alarms. The town Union leaders and other authorities in the community should devise ways of curbing the menase of the youths. Our leqders and wealthy men and women should create wealth and employment for the teaming youths, most of them are graduates and ordinary school leavers. Activities should be created to engage the youths to remove their minds from bad behaviours.
Our elders should try to live by examples. Many of the elders are leading the young generation into bad behaviours that are detrimental to the social life of the community.
I wish to submit that Okpofe mara mma still....(is still beautiful) and it will contune to be so. Religious faith is strong in the land; God is bearing strong witness in the land. More than 90% of Okpofe indigenes are very responsible people wherever they are and in whatever they are doing.
May God contiune to bless the land...Amen.
Excellent contribution, Mr. Iwunna.
Yours does not just identify the issues but also offers solutions.
There is hope for our community when young people can speak out so eloquently, here in the virtual Town Hall or the brick one at Afor Ekiri .
It will be interesting to read the views of you know, some of the Chief this and Chief that of our community on these issues.
Mr Moderator, Thanks for your opinion on this matter, but I have my revervations about it. Okpofe is, has been and will still remain a unique and outstanding community among other surrounding neighbours. Okpofe like every other developing community has it's administrative problems and other societal ills, but that does not make it overall bad. The issues arising from electing the next EZE for the community is a pointer that the community has grown intellectually this time than in the 70s when only a few people gathered together to decide what they thought was best for the community and it was generally accepted. What we need in that office is not just an EZE, but someone who can represent us locally and nationally where the need arises, as well as taking the community to the next developmental level from where our previous incumbent left us. Electing an interim Eze may not be the answer in this case, because we do not want to get involved in the politics of "Retrieving the cup from the monkey after a drink". If the community cannot stand as one to decide who this office should go to, then, we may begin to suggest two EZES; one from each side, afterall, it will attract more developmental infrastrucures to each community from the government.After all,we still would not need "visas" to visit each other and do our stuff as we normally do together.
As for the safety of the people in general, Ido not think that it has anything to do with the community in particular, but following the trends in Nigeria as a country and the world as a whole. Our prayer is that the Good Lord will help us bring the reputation of the community back to where it has been, if not higher.
Your presence at the Town Hall is hereby recognized.
Gentlemen, please join me to welcome Mrs. Obasi to Okpofe Town Hall.
I believe I am right to observe that you are the first female contributor here in the Town Hall. Your price for that is a big 'fat' hug, otherwise known as 'ibi oma' from the moderator.
Come often, and bring Oha Ndom to the virtual Town Hall.
Mr Moderator, Thanks for your opinion on this matter, but I have my revervations about it. Okpofe is, has been and will still remain a unique and outstanding community among other surrounding neighbours. Okpofe like every other developing community has it's administrative problems and other societal ills, but that does not make it overall bad. The issues arising from electing the next EZE for the community is a pointer that the community has grown more intellectually this time than in than three-four decades ago when only a few people gathered together to decide what they thought was best for the community and it was generally accepted. Interestingly,We have great sons of the community who are highly learned in the Ezeship race,and you would agree with me that each of them would want to "SHOW WHY HE IS THE BEST QUALIFIED". What we need in that office is not just an EZE, but someone who canbe there for us, represent us locally and nationally where the need arises, as well as taking the community to the next developmental level from where our previous incumbent left us. Electing an interim Eze may not be the answer in this case, because we do not want to get involved in the politics of "Retrieving the cup from the monkey after a drink". If the community cannot stand as one to decide who this office should go to, then, we may begin to suggest two EZES; one from each side, afterall, it will attract more developmental infrastrucures to each community from the government.After all,we still would not need "visas" to visit each other and do our stuff as we normally do together.But, I don"t think it would degenerate to that.
As for the safety of the people in general, Ido not think that it has anything to do with the community in particular, but following the trends in Nigeria as a country and the world as a whole.Unemployment problems should be partially blamed for all these,not neglecting the fact that many want to reap where they did not sow. Our prayer is that the Good Lord will help us bring the reputation of the community back to where it has been, if not higher.
LONG LIVE OKPOFE, LONG LIVE WOULD BE EZE. OKPOFE MARA MMA.
Carol E Obasi.
USA.
I am interested in Tony’s piece not just for the Caption, but for the issues raised namely: Eze selection and that of Social Miscreants in Okpofe today. The ensuing reactions were also interesting. I like the solutions proffered which are both in the realm of theory and spiritualism
In the first place, the Eze issue is one which we should be interested in resolving because it to our collective interest that it is resolved. I believe that when our constitution was enacted, the intendment as it relates to Eze selection was to avoid what is being experienced today. For instance, taking note of the fact that Okpofe is made up of 2 zones – Umuoko and Umuerim, they thought it wise to enshrine Rotational Ezeship. Why? If democratic forces are allowed and it turns out that one zone keeps producing the Eze, this will give rise to disenchantment and possibly a call for division.
Has the rotational clause achieved the intentions of the makers of our constitution? Certainly no and this brings to fore why so many people are against any form of zoning. Zoning does not guarantee total elimination of crisis. Even with the zoning of our Eze throne, see what we are encountering today. As it is Okpofe has by the constitution asked Umureim people to produce the next Eze. Can it then be said that the problem is among Umuerim people and not Okpofe as a community? Maybe that is why the author is advocating for an Interim Eze from Umuoko. Personally, I do not accede to the proposal of an Interim Eze and my reasons are this: The Eze throne is a juicy and live one for that matter and once you appoint an interim Eze, there will be the tendencies that he will consolidate his powers to continue and rule for life. He may even make it more difficult for the emergence of another person as Eze while he is alive. For these simple reasons, I do not agree that having an interim eze will solve the problem. I believe the author’s proposal was in the lighter mood though.
Still on the Eze issue. Did I read that the solution is in having two Ezes? Again, I do not believe this is attainable. For one, enabling statute allows for one Eze per Autonomous community. Imperatively, before we have two Ezes, the Existing Okpofe of today must split into two. Maybe that is what the author had in mind while making the suggestion. Also, if the issue has been between Umuoko and Umuerim, them we can justifiably argue along the line of division and having two Ezes.
Lawsuits! Yeah, this means that we are enlightened and no longer in the dark ages. Like any other tool, lawsuits can be used for good or for bad. If going to court is well intended and will see us better at the end of the day, then there is no problem with it. However, we know that lawsuits – injunctions (interim, interlocutory or perpetual) and all those legal tools could be used as spoilers. What is the lawsuit all about? I understand it has to do with changing one of the sections of the constitution which provides for Electoral College in case any zone whose turn it is to produce the Eze could not present a consensus candidate. Again, this brings to fore why this issue is coming up and that is simply because Umuerim is unable to present a consensus candidate. But this should not be so as the constitutional platform has provided a level playing field for all qualified Okpofe citizens.
Let me dwell a little on the Electoral College issue. Again, I am sure the makers of our constitution had good intentions when they agreed for an electoral college. Electoral College system is okay and practiced my modern democracies. America does. It eliminates chaos. However, the fundamental issue is how the representatives will be selected. Not that Chukwuoma and Umuotirikpo will produce 10 representatives while each other kindred (village) produce 5. When I read the constitution of Okpofe immediately after the death of Eze E. M. C. Anyanka died, I picked hole on the modus operandi of appointing (and not electing) the members of the electoral college, that is, on the floor of OIU home and abroad meeting…. And that even if due to one reason or the other, some village representatives do not participate, that will not invalidate the results or outcome. My thinking as at that time was that this arrangement though may have been well intended will be subject to manipulations and hence will not be or be seen to be free and fair. Again, I think this is the crux of the lawsuit. But these questions: Are we just reading the constitution? Is it in the law courts that we will amend our constitution? I believe there are laid down procedures for our constitution amendment.
Social miscreants! I will not dwell so much on this because to the extent that it is a social problem, our Leadership has not been decisive in dealing with the situation. You see, there is situational approach to management which does not try to propound a universal theory for handling management challenges rather; any problem is handled according to the prevailing situations. Like my sister said, we are having our own share of a national and global phenomenon but we should not allow our community to become that haven and headquarters of miscreants. If we allow that, we are going to get the worst of their actions and it will permeate so deep into the system that evil will start to triumph over good and things will get worse by the day. Our society and community will become like America in the 1920 (prohibition era) when gangsters ruled. Development will be retarded because those who go outside and struggle to make wealth will be afraid of bringing back wealth and development to our community. They will even be afraid of coming for vacation during Xmas and other festive periods. When our daughters are to get married, the traditional marriage rites will be done in the cities. The se will out rightly eat our land.
What do we do? What are the solutions?
For the Ezeship, Umuerim has hundreds of qualified people for the throne. Let them sheath their swords, come together and present to Okpofe a consensus candidate. Where a consensus candidate could not emerge, then they should democratically elect and present 2? , 3? (or more) candidates to Okpofe for screening and other processes that will lead to the emergence of one as the Eze. Meanwhile, the lawsuits have to be withdrawn so that we sort our challenges in-house. If the constitution is to be amended, then the motion should be moved and laid down procedure followed. But this should not be left to drag for too long because things seem to be stagnant because we do not have an Eze (Traditional Leader) and for each day this goes on, we are worse for it as a community. Should this tend to drag indefinitely, then Okpofe may consider amending the constitution to remove the zoning clause.
For the deviants and social miscreants, all hand should be on deck. If the modern law enforcement agents cannot prove helpful in curbing the menace, then we should combine prayers and traditional solutions. Contingency / Situational / Crisis Management. The virtual and even physical town hall cannot be a forum for all contingent solution discussions. Am I sounding vague? I am sure the formal and informal leadership of our community can decisively handle this if they have the will. And now is the time.
Okpofe mara mma! Or did I hear Okpofe ajoola njo? Okpofe ga ama mma ozo! Okpofe gala mara mma.