#NEDADVOCACYSERIES: NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THE PATRIOT PRINCE (1)

(by Ikechukwu Chukwudi, Asaba)

The dictates of the Nigerian social instance presents the observant eye with a myraid of angles as to why a lot is yet to achieved in the socio-political and economic process of the Nigerian state.

Rewarding patriotism is something we must endeavour to do, as in it is our acceptance and the expression of our shared experience as Nigerians, irrespective of age, sex, tribe and religion.

Principally, this article seeks to shed more light on the obvious or assumable underlying injustice meted out either by omission or through premeditated intent, on the more prominent recognition deserving actions of Billionaire Philantropist and Nigerian Prince Ned Nwoko, Founder and Chairman of the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation.

In this part of the the world, an assessment of the workings of the immediate and extended society, shows that the addiction to sychophancy by the impoverished class presents one of the biggest challenges to ideal growth and advancement.

The definition of Sychophancy denote insincere praise/adulation. However another idea says that Sychophancy could as well be identified as unjustified recognition of actions of less impacts, while neglecting to reckon actions whose impacts are indubitably of far-reaching propotions, in their rightful estimation.

For the purpose of this exposé, the latter description of sychophancy would be discovered to apply as the instance of what appears to be the disposition of the The Nigerian State to Prince Ned Nwoko of Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom, Anioma, Delta State.

While the prerogative for the award of national honours lies strictly with the President and Commander-in-Chief, a catalogue of information on the heriocs of Ned Nwoko on the Nigerian Socio-political and economic space would definitely trigger an inquiry as to why a man with his deeds has yet to receive the National Honours Award.

Over the past two decades and despite the disproportionate growth of the Nigerial Society, not a few persons have distinguished themselves in various areas of human and social endeavor. Precisely, legal luminaries, sportsmen and women, political figures as well as entertainers and other professionals have been recognized for a timeline of actions and practices that have shored up the reputation and acceptability of the Nigerian identity.

In many cases, individuals who fall into these  categories and have secured national recognition would be noted  upon a closer observation to have mainly impacted the society through the widespread acceptance of their crafts.

While it would definitely be out of place to cast negative shadows or bellyache over what some instances may present as undue or overestimated glorification, it makes a lot of sense to cast questionable glances at the quarters responsible for such when it is observed that more socially impactful deeds have gone uncelebrated and without the deserving reward.

The 2016/2017 fiscal year would always remain a period to remember for those involved in the management of the Nation's financial sectors, as this was the tine when Nigeria's the long walk to justice in the Paris Club Refund struggle spearheaded by Prince Ned Nwoko was rewarded with a well deserved victory.

Coming at a time when the economy of the nation was in a state perfectly described as comatose, it appeared that the prayers of Nigerian Governors and other members of the executive across the three tiers of government had been answered.

With the nation already in recession in 2014, there existed a lot of panic and uncertainty in government quarters as to how the machinery of government would be financially serviced. 

The reality that even more advanced nations of the world had very recently faced similar problems just a few years before and learning that their ability to breakout didn't come without deep structural adjustments, all the more meant that it was a time of great uncertainty for the Nigerian on the streets of Lagos, Benin, Asaba, Kano, Onitsha, Aba, Maiduguri etc.

Already neck deep in debts and borrowings but still not able to stay afloat, not a few states stood on the brink of a perpetual collapse of governance and administration, while workers and the Nigerian citizenry were faced with dire options on how to survive.

The victory and subsequent release of funds to states sparked life and inspired happiness across the populace. More importantly, the present administration having been met with a shortfall in the sale of crude oil to unprecedented lows, needed very much to secure a lifeline that could breathe life into the body of government, the Paris Club Refund was a good start to recovery.

Lessons from history exemplify the instrumentality of philanthropic benevolence, with the instance of the American State bearing a perfect example in the discourse of nation building and committed patriotism. The likes of Andrew Carnegie, the American industrial revolutionary presents a worthy instance which could be likened to the actions of Prince Ned Nwoko

Andrew Carnegie is reputed to be a major stabilizing factor for the American Society by reason of his commitment to the continued growth of his society. It is on record that at a point in time when the American Nation suffered huge social deficits during the early years of American independence,  Anderw Carnegie through the instrumentality of his blossoming steel industry gave millions of dollars to stabilize the country's core sectors and he successfully did it. This act of patriotism is perhaps a fundamental reason why the American Dream blossomed into what today is now enjoyed by Americans and indeed the rest of the world.

Where Andrew Carnegie succeeded in donating millions of dollars to his country, the success of the struggle led by Prince Ned Nwoko bears a striking similitude.

Through the Paris Club Refund which ran into the estimate of billions of dollars, Ned Nwoko assumed the role of a saviour and Blessed Advocate.

For the impact of one man's action, which spread to every strata and cadre of the nation's governance structure, to be duly appreciated by his country is not too much to expect, as his positive vibe has put a lid on - what would have occurred if the lifeline provided by the Paris Club Refund had not been secured? We would never know the answer to that question, thanks to the diligent resilience of Prince Ned Nwoko.

As we look back to imagine and consider the impact of successfully leading a struggle that had more dicey implications for  the business and personal engagements of Ned Nwoko, we must not fail to express a righteous observation, which concludes that such an individual should be considered for recognition by his Fatherland.

Prince Ned Nwoko is deserving of a National Honours Award for his role in stabilising governance and administration in Nigeria through the Paris Club Refund Struggle.

Ned For National Honors, I so submit.

#Progressive_Ideology, Asaba   🇳🇬