DETIMBIR Chia, a 14-year-old secondary school student, in the inner recesses of Benue State, three years ago, was credited with the spirited and courageous efforts that resulted in the fervent rescue operations which saved the lives of some passengers of the military plane that crashed in his village of Mbakunu, in Sangev Ya.
There are a few like him in a country where the citizens are yelling at each other, are bitter, angry and above all disappointingly neglected by those who claim that they are in public office for the common good.
Chia could have walked away from the wreckage of the crash. He could have looted the property of the dead military officers. He could have been frightened at the sight of the dead, the destruction. The three-hour steep climb to reach the site could have kept him away. None of these did.
He had the presence of mind to put a call through to his father Anakula Chia, who mustered the village to join his son in saving the lives of people they never knew. Their efforts resulted in the authorities knowing the exact site of the crash and sending rescue team, almost a day after.
Where did the Anakula family get the resources to prepare food for the surviving crash victims and others involved in the rescue operations? What was theirs in setting up fire round the site to keep the survivors warm from the freezing winds of the mountain? Why did they not take revenge on these “big men” who they could have blamed for the neglect of their rural dwelling?
Detimbir, at his age, could recognise needs in a peculiar situation, he had never been through, and organised a solution. There are few people like him. Even few adults can play those parts as effectively as he did.
The abandonment of rural Nigeria, as if it is unimportant to the country has persisted. Rural Nigeria suffers from a pathetic neglect that is fast creeping into the urban areas.
The older generation is wont to blame the youth for many of the country’s problems. The point remains that with proper upbringing, there would be more Detimbirs taking up the challenges of rescuing a country that some delight in driving recklessly to the precipice.
Detimbir was promised a scholarship. He did not get it. The authorities were also quick in forgetting the efforts of those villagers who showed the leadership potentials that inept leadership locks up in rural Nigeria. The promise to make the village accessible was a gimmick.
We should pay more attention to rural Nigeria, so that patriotic youth like Detimbir are not lost to the irascible struggle for political power which we tend to mistake for leadership. The time is now – rural development for national survival should be a major plank in our overall national development.
The time for words is long gone: that was Detimbir’s message three years ago! Did anyone listen? Unfortunately, nobody did.
yes our government are nt doing anything to save our nation we need them to wake up frm there slumber and make our nation great.i believe dat one day ds nation wl rise up to live up to d true meaning of his dream.bimbo
the main issue is that the leader of our dear nation tend not to remember the rural dwellers and the poor, forgeting that at one point or the other they will need their assistance. the only the rich make promise is when the chips are down and there are at the doorstep of those neglected. and the funniest part is that those promises are neva fulfilled
Thank you Mr Editor for reminding decent and intelligent Nigerians of the depth of gratitude Nigeria owes to the young man, Detimbir. He does not only offer hope for the future but proof for the present that there are millions of decent people in this country.
In another country, Detimbir would be a national hero and decorated with national honours reserved for people who give such selfless and exemplary services to their fellow country men and women.
Since this is too much to ask of the government for the citizens of the world’s sixth largest oil producing country in the world, my practical advice to these people is never to give up – i.e in the face of broken promises and absence of formal national recognition.
There is a living God from whom every act of kindness and honesty will not go un-noticed and un-rewarded. When He remembers Nigeria and gives us a leadership worthy of the great honour of faithfully serving the great Nigerian people, then these people will realise that Nigeria and true Nigerians do not forget them.
Where are the Promise Keepers? We are a nation without heroes, and we expect this young man to grow up believing in our leaders. If top government officials could brazenly lie to a 14 year old who demonstrated an uncanny courage and bravery what message are sending out to others… that it’s OK to lie and that government cannot be trusted. Pity!