Abia Should Be For Abians Only - Journalist

THIS IS TRULY NIGERIAN..GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION I am no fan of Abia governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji. Two reasons account for that. One is that he should have done better since he was elected in 2007. But instead of admitting that, his lieutenants are busy glorifying him with ecclesiastical names like liberator and protector of Abia. It is quite nauseating. Second, he has spent more time demonizing his predecessor and benefactor Orji Uzor Kalu than concentrating on the arduous task of governance. Apart from God, Orji Uzor Kalu is responsible for what T.A is today. No matter what led to their soured relationship, the governor owes Orji Uzor Kalu deep respect and gratitude. However, Governor Orji has captured the hearts of almost all Abia people with his recent directive that non indigenes in Abia public service in Abia be transferred to their states of origin. He gave two cogent reasons for that. One is that Abia State government needs to chalk up money to pay the new national minimum wage. The second is to make room for Abia indigenes displaced from other states as a result of the current security challenge posed by Boko Haram to be absorbed in the state civil service. For those who are not aware, half of Abia State workforce is made up of non indigenes. Not only that, these non indigenes are dominating the owners of the state in terms of placements and positions. It’s as if the indigenes are visitors to their own state. No responsible government can allow that to continue. That’s why Gov Orji has earned my respects in that regard. For too long we have played the big brother and accommodating neighbours to other Nigerians but this has never been appreciated and reciprocated. Instead our indigenes outside are being treated like outcasts who do not even deserve the crumbs from the master’s table. Our generosity and good natured ness have been interpreted as a sign of weakness; in fact to the point of being regarded as fools and bigger fools (apologies to OBJ and IBB). Yet, Abia people and their government have continued to remain magnanimous and accommodating. Until a few months ago, a Yoruba man in Umuahia Capital Development Authority had the sole power to approve whether an Ibeku man from Ihie Ndume can build a house in his ancestral home or not. Even in churches and federal institutions in Abia State , Abia people play second fiddle. Until last year, an Mbaise man (Imo) was in charge of the entire Methodist Churches in Abia State . The Catholic Bishops of Umuahia and Aba Dioceses are non indigenes. All but one of the Vice Chancellors of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike since inception have been non Abians. Contrast that to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, University of Nigeria , Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe, University, Awka and several others where the indigenes head these federal institutions. In fact Abia lecturers at Umudike are the butt of jokes in the university where they are told to their faces that they should forget the dreams of heading the institution. At the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, non indigenes are at the commanding heights of administration, leaving Abians as cleaners and mortuary attendants. Must we continue to suffer such a humiliation in our own state? This is why Abia people should shelve their political differences this once to support Gov Orji in this initiative targeted at restoring the pride and dignity of our people. What Governor Orji has done is right. He was courageous in taking that decision. Let him implement the policy to the letter. In doing that, he should also expect a backlash; that is our indigenes working in other states being asked to return home. Provision should be made for their absorption. Governor Orji should take advantage of the goodwill generated by this current policy to move quickly to deliver democracy dividends to the people. Kalu, a journalist, wrote from Obiagwulu Ututu, Abia State