THE  entire concept of Salvation is nothing but the experience of being “saved” from danger, loss, or harm. To “salvage” from imminent damage or destruction.

The Holy Bible records in Genesis 6 verse 6, “it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart….”; in Verse 8: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD”. This underlines the fact that the Grace factor is the bedrock of Salvation. Grace is the “once-in-a-life-time” redemption window. Therefore, to ignore Grace is tantamount to spitting at God’s face, and exclaiming, “Do your worst”.

St. Paul was once known as Saul. As Saul, he persecuted the early Christians, believing that he was doing a “good work”; not knowing that he was actually positioning himself headlong against the Purposes, Plans of God, and salvation of his people (Acts 8 verses 1 – 4).

He fought against the “liberation” of his own people; because as far as he could see, the manifesting personality did not fit into his understanding of the one to come and the expected back-up patriarchal authority. Consequently, in chapter 9 verses 1 – 5 of Acts, divinity caused a short drama to play out.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord (those who believed that the manifested Man would bring the long awaited change), went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus …. And as he journeyed… suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, who art thou Lord? And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Saul recognised this encounter as his once-in-a-life-time-opportunity to key into Jehovah’s salvation programme. Not only did Saul submit to the plan of the Lord, he also submitted to a name-change, and became known as Paul. By his latter action Paul reversed all the failings of his earlier tenures. Paul salvaged Saul.

I have been in prayers that Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji may grab this Once-In-A-Life-Time Opportunity that Jehovah has presented to him concerning governance in Abia State. An extraordinary opportunity to erase all past errors of judgement and endear himself to his people and their God by giving them the gift of a “true Joshua”. It is indeed a very thin line between Salvation and Damnation.

If not for God and His nature of salvaging people, why would a man in a very distinguished comfort zone desire to take a break from managing an empire with a present balance-sheet of about N2 trillion, to manage Abia State with an annual budget that is below N200 billion?

Why would a young man, who at below 50 years is GMD of a currently 5th ranked bank in Nigeria, despite being constantly courted by his employers to remain in their fold and continue with his magic wand that has transformed an ailing bank within three paltry years, from loss generating to profit making; make up his mind to overlook all, and delve into the murky waters of Abia politics?

If not divine, why would such a young man, blessed with the best of things that money can afford, accept to become a mere Governor of a presently “poor” state in “poor” Nigeria? A state that a well favoured son of Igbo land and close friend of the Governor, Prince Arthur Eze, described recently as stinking and in very bad shape.

If not the Lord, why would Dr. Alex Otti (OFR) contemplate serving as Governor of Abia State? It is like the Biblical Moses leaving the comfort and princely privileges of Pharaoh’s throne to getting involved in bare-chested and bare-footed street fight, all in a bid to help his people. Some of whom despise his effort and mock his sacrifice.

I can only see a divine plan to salvage Abia State via the son of a man who served Jehovah in the ministry of Jesus Christ. A servant prepared from his mother’s womb like the Biblical Samuel, to salvage Abia from the ridicule of the Philistines. Eli the priest, despite his other failings in leadership, recognised the hand of the Lord upon the young Samuel and prepared him to fulfill the Lord’s plan.

I pray that Governor Theodore Orji will recognise the finger of God in such matter and become a willing conduit for the fulfillment of divine plan. A plan to transform the fortunes of a State credited to God (God’s Own State). A plan to resuscitate the great giant that had long been clubbed to stupor by a succession of rulers, and raped dry. A plan to infuse life once again into Aba (The Japan of Africa).

Moses was used of God to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage. However, when he realised that God had a plan to use Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land he quickly anointed him in his stead.

Ever imagined what the scenario would have been if against God’s plan, Moses had tried to ensure that one of his own “sons” instead of Joshua became the new leader of Israel?

Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji. I love the prophecy in his middle name (AHAMEFULE: “My name should not be lost”). I am strongly persuaded that if Chief Orji hands over the reins of Abia governance to his dear friend and consummate performer, Dr. Alex Otti, his name will never be lost. To achieve this, he would need to rise above pettiness and keep an unwavering eye on posterity.

The Bible is a very interesting book. Full of wisdom to direct. A compendium of all that has ever been and will ever be.

Let us pray!

Sir Enyim Uju, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abia State.