By Sunday Omolu

It is soul-lifting the Ndokwa Neku has put its house in order and ready for the process that will install new men in the helm of the affairs of this august body. It demonstrates vividly that this umbrella organization will, with time, give us the ‘voice’ we need to bring the mega-marginalization of our people to the attention of the world. And the new men have their jobs cut out. There has been no significant change in the lives of our people. If there have been changes, it is just like ascending from the ground to an anthill.

And of all the offices being contested for, I have chosen to air my views on who will occupy the all-important position of President of NNU. I have seen the list of the formidable contestants for the exalted position. However, if the truth be told, of all the distinguished candidates vying for this position, Chief Nze Ananyi stands out. It is no overstatement to aver that in this candidate, a Daniel has come to judgement. I will give my reasons.

I had my first contact with Ananyi in the early 80s when I was the pioneer Secretary of Ndokwa Youths League and he was the pioneer President. Ndokwa Youths League’s objectives amongst others, was to fight for the righting of the many wrongs that have been the lot of our people. It did not take time before Ananyi demonstrated sterling leadership qualities in this direction. If you dub it baptism of fire, you will not be far from the truth.

The government of late Professor Ambrose Alli of the defunct Bendel State in establishing institutions of higher learning carried the marginalization of our people to a new height. He established the Bendel State University at Ekpoma, established in other parts of the State Polytechnics and Colleges of Education and gave us a Technical College. Ndokwa people were incensed by this brazen insult. It was the Ndokwa Youths League under the dynamic leadership of Nze Ananyi that took on the Alli government on this mother of marginalizations.

In Ukwuani Society, another great gathering of Ukwuani patriots, Nze Ananyi is playing his characteristic role of commitment to the cause of our people. When Umuebu/Amai/Eziopkor communities metamorphosed into the axis of bloodletting because of land feuds, Ukwuani Society under the wonderful leadership of late Chief Ijeamaka Osuya intervened to halt the mayhem, Chief Ananyi worked assiduously with other patriots that it has pleased God to bless us with to stem the tragedy. Nze Ananyi attended all the trouble-shooting meetings both in the war zones and here in Lagos. Indeed, he was the Secretary of Peace Forum. And at that time too, he was in charge of the affairs of his Alumni, UNN. He ensured that none of these responsibilities suffered for the other. And so it was not uncommon for him to come all the way from Abuja after his Alumni’s meeting to join us in those peace missions in the village.

Ananyi is a quiet revolutionist. Well informed and has respectable network. He is tested and trusted, to use the cliché. Okwa I. B. Ochonogor once said that ‘if you do not say you are, nobody will say you are’. Ananyi has veritable clout. And as the saying goes too, ‘a character that cannot defend itself, is not worth defending’ Ananyi can defend himself and therefore worth defending.

He is an amazing personality and highly industrious. To Ananyi, working towards the restoration of the Ukwuani personality is a call to duty. For purposeful leadership he is the answer. Transparency is his middle name. To Ananyi, life is service. Indeed, he has paid his dues. Surely he will ‘deliver.’

Sunday Omolu, is a Lagos based businessman.