South-South TAN Rally And Jonathan's Presidency - By Kennedy Nsan

Those of us who push for certain changes in our political landscape do so because we want to see a prosperous, properly governed, socially responsible citizenry, and politically responsive elites who take their jobs seriously.

Whilst on Saturday I was glued to my television set watching the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) South-South rally in Port-Harcourt with high expectations of seeing Cross River State put up a formidable showing in solidarity, I was disappointed yet again at what is gradually becoming the trade mark of Cross River State and her citizens' inability to mobilize massively towards a common goal.

I saw it happen before and during the ceding of Bakassi and the eventual loss of the 76 Oil wells rightly belonging to Cross River State to Akwa-Ibom State. I fear that this trend will continue because our oppressors will keep oppressing us for as long as they know that we’ll not bite when they do.

As the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a political group mobilising Nigerians for the second term bid of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan election in 2015, held its South-South rally in Port-Harcourt, one would’ve expected a huge turn-out of delegates from Cross River State, watch them mount the podium as a show of total support and solidarity, and as an opportunity to prove to Mr President that our state sees him as ‘our’ own and therefore have him commit himself to our developmental goals post 2015, because no matter how we look  at this, one cannot take away sycophancy and public display of loyalty from such political activities. However, that was not so with CRS showing at the rally held on Saturday, 30th August 2014.

This was clearly seen when Cross River States delegates mounted the rostrum. It was Mr. Ray Murphy, a private sector person who though has political aspirations and plenty of valuable contacts, Hon John Odey, former Environment Minister, and Mr Edem Duke, Minister Of Tourism who represented the entire Cross River State while Edem Duke laboriously and unimpressively tried to deliver a solidarity message from Cross River State in support of Mr President. Mr Edem is a smooth sweet talker, an orator per excellence, but lost his oratory prowess as a result of weak support-base.

And you ask ‘why there’s less Federal Government presence in Cross River State?’

I have heard people pin the blame as to why our Federal Roads are in deplorable conditions on our Federal Legislators. Well, they’ve a right to do so, but there is little our Federal lawmakers will do if they don’t get the needed push and support back home. Mr President will listen more to the governor who’s like his direct lieutenant and general overseer of the state than he’ll do to a mere Federal lawmaker, except he or she has sufficient clout or is a ‘ranking legislator’. Otherwise forget it, given the way our federal system is constituted.

Again, I observed the number of timber and calibre of Edolites, Deltans, Bayelsans, and Rivers State delegation who mounted the podium on behalf of their states. One could see clearly also how we’ve been short-changed as all the delegates sometimes numbering over thirty were top Public Servants serving their states at the Federal level. My question then is... How many Cross Riverians are currently serving in the Jonathan administration? What’s the percentage of our people (Cross Riverians) compared to other states currently serving in the Jonathan South-South Presidency?

Is Jonathan really ‘our’ President? - Kennedy Nsan

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UNVEILING TODAY'S GUEST BLOGGER!!!

Hello lovely people, its Tuesday again!!!

I'm pretty much excited about  a number of things today. First, its a unique blogpost, second, my Alma Mata, Federal Government Girls' College Calabar clocks Forty and thirdly, Colourmeamba gets to unveil her newest guest blogger.

YES! Word went out that Colourmeamba was in search of guest bloggers - People who appreciate creativity and flexibility, have passion for writing and are willing to share their creative contents on a wider social platform.

So, today's guest brings something entirely new to the blog. After reading one of her pieces (and accidently deleting it..lol)..it occured to me that there had to be more, wherever that came from. Her usage of words in relaying deep messages intrigued me and I couldn't help but invite her here. Let me quit the talking and hand you over to Mezo Akpe as she presents 'Renewing'.



FEE-FAI-FO-FUM 
I'm the chant that echoes like the sound of a talking drum.
Once the silent whispers of a steady eerie wind,
I've grown louder and bolder from the point of my origin.

I've got one foot outside my invisible door
I won't let you hold me back no more.
To pay a price over and over again,
Was not the plan for which I was made.

You walk with your shoulder and head held high
Though you've soiled your hands with the blood of an innocent child.
How many miles will you walk before they know,
Of the life you robbed and the future you stole?

I've got one foot outside my invisible door
I won't let you hold me back no more.
I refuse to dwell upon my mistakes
Lest I be left in this fortress to waste.

FEE-FAI-FO-FUM
You cannot fight what you've become
You deceive the blood of your blood
And the flesh of your flesh
You cannot deny you're the cause of all their distress.

I've got one foot outside my invisible door
I won't let you hold me back no more.
To wallow in unforgiveness is a trait of the proud
But salvation, I take, is the path of the sound.

You failed at dawn
You failed at dusk
Your shield is of wood
Your sword is to rust
Your temple is unclean
You can't fulfil your dream
There are no chances of you winning....
So don't try and try
You always end up in tears and a sigh.

I've got one foot outside my invisible door
I won't let you hold me back no more.
For as long as I live
I won't accept defeat

Though the echoes of my past resounds repeatedly.
To be brave is not to stand without fear
To be brave is to dare and be sure to declare
That the choice you have made
Is to keep rising in your faith
And ignore the taunting voice that wants to change your fate

Fee-Fai-Fo-Fum
NO, I WON'T LET YOU HOLD ME BACK NO MORE!!!

'Fee-Fai-Fo-Fum' is gotten from an old popular English fairy tale, 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. It was an expression used by the evil giant when sniffing out his human prey. He goes, "Fee-Fai-Fo-Fum...I smell the blood of an English man. Be he alive or be he dead, I'll grind his bones to make my bread." 

Its representation in my poem signifies The Voice of Negativity. The poem is about the battle between one's mind and decisions. The mind sending accusations, guilt, fear, regret....and the individual fighting self condemnation, to move on despite the fact that what the voice says is true.

About the Writer
Mezo Akpe studied Mathematics at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
She has a passion for the Arts as she loves to write inspirational stories and poems. She is also an actress and a dancer.



I don't know about you, but I could picture the stage performance of this poem. While you re-read the lines of Mezo's classic write-up, do bear in mind that  there's many more from where that came. I would love to see her perform it soon. Mezo would love to hear your thoughts and so would I. Please comment below and feel free to subscribe for further Tuesday posts.

The twitter handles to follow are @PridingPride and @colourmeamba.

Thanks so much for clicking by. ENJOY THE REST OF THE WEEK :-)