Emeka Okala's stance on the Zik's restoration initiative was that "the Great Zik of Africa and Nigeria's foremost
Nationalist should not be reduced to an Ndiigbo leader ONLY by the insinuations (from you and others) that it appears non-Ndiigbo are taking more interest in restoration than Ndiigbo". Thus, unlike your insinuative remarks about Zik being Ndiigbo First, which is different from the position of Bolaji and other non-Ndiigbo who are interested in going forward with a restoration plan, anything concerning Zik should be handled at least at the NATIONAL LEVEL. That is the POINT! And that is my Position on the issue, and I have made that clear to you.
On his part, Emeka indicated that your insinuations were tantamount to "short-sightedness and trouble-mongering", which I ENDORSE totally because you are reducing Zik to just an Ndiigbo leader; however, your response to Emeka on this incidental remark was that "Okala was Brain dead", rather than providing us the rational basis for your insinuations. Is that not the development? It is OBVIOUS that you escalated this issue and I STAND BY THAT OUTLOOK! Have a Great weekend and take care. JUI
-----Original Message-----
From: Alabo Opubo [mailto:alaboopubo@gbanalysts.com]
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 1:39 PM
To: Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID)
Cc: naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com; omoodua@yahoogroups.com; nidoa@yahoogroups.com; Bolaji Aluko; afenmai@yahoogroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; USA Africa Dialogue Series; NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; naijaintellects@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: RE:The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with current pictures
Joe I,
It is rather curious that you are not able to confront your error and
embrace it like a man, and that is a shame. It is people like you who do
not enable the evolution of a healthy culture of "being ethical" in that
space called Nigeria, and then you complain.
Now mark you, first and foremost, I called your attention to your bias
and instead of apologizing that you may not have seen the initial post
of Emeka, you are instead out here complaining about the recent remarks
of Chuks Agwunobi, when in fact the man has been at verbal war with you
for a while. What you ought to do is learn to be objective and decouple
your desires and objectives from the act of being forthright, and simply
be forthright. You took a position in relation to me that was
fundamentally wrong because you were bias and instead of apologizing you
are playing the victim, will grow up and quit this victim trash?
Bolaji Aluko made speculative statements and then you describe the act
of making such statements as fortitude as it were such statements are
very difficult for anybody to make. Did you even stop to reflect on what
the proffering of such description of nothing act show you up as, before
posting it off? These pandering acts are unbecoming of you.
Now that is all I am going to write on this, you can either grow up or
continue to play the victim, that is your choice.
Regards,
Opubo G Benebo
There is no earthly hope for a man who is too lazy to acquire enemies
[be forthright and you will acquire enemies, be truthful and you will
acquire enemies] -- a Noble Canadian.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: RE:The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with current
pictures
From: "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID)" <jbi8@cdc.gov>
Date: Fri, August 27, 2010 10:02 am
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com, naijaintellects@googlegroups.com
Cc: naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com, omoodua@yahoogroups.com,
nidoa@yahoogroups.com, "Bolaji Aluko" <alukome@gmail.com>,
afenmai@yahoogroups.com, NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, "USA Africa
Dialogue Series" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>, "Alabo Opubo"
<alaboopubo@gbanalysts.com>
Benebo Opubo,
You have the freedom to descend to the level of Chuks Agwunobi and
fantasize or trash-talk as he does (e.g., telling me that my Brother
died and I chose to announce my donation online! Does that make sense to
you?) Well it is your call! As I said, we owe our community the revered
and inalienable duty to ALWAYS CALL A SPADE A SPADE on issues like this,
so that a sense of justice/fairness can be felt by all who operate in
the community. That is the ONLY WAY OUR COMMUNITY CAN MAKE PROGRESS,
through self discipline; just as effective law enforcement is key to
obeying laws in any country! I realize that the TRUTH is bitter; but I
can't help telling it as it is; it may earn me Chuks Agwunobi's
trash-talk today or Val Ojo's venom tomorrow; or even Benebo Opubo's
pepper spray next day; but in the end I remain what I am: Yod Hay Vav
Hay! Take care. JUI
"The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in
our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it.
Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to
life."…Albert Einstein
From: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alabo Opubo
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 12:35 PM
To: naijaintellects@googlegroups.com
Cc: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com;
omoodua@yahoogroups.com; nidoa@yahoogroups.com; Bolaji Aluko;
afenmai@yahoogroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; USA Africa
Dialogue Series
Subject: [NaijaObserver] RE: [Naijaintellects] RE:The Updates on Zik
Statues and Mausoleum with current pictures
Really Joe I,
So you mean responding and calling me a trouble-monger is not
provocation, when a post is directed to someone else? You would not
have
sold your soul to the devil already would you? Or this selective
interpretation is just a norm for you? Now I can see why Chuks Agwunobi
reacts the way he does to your posts.
Regards,
Opubo G Benebo
There is no earthly hope for a man who is too lazy to acquire enemies
[be forthright and you will acquire enemies, be truthful and you will
acquire enemies] -- a Noble Canadian.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Naijaintellects] RE:The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum
with current pictures
From: "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID)" <jbi8@cdc.gov>
Date: Fri, August 27, 2010 9:28 am
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com,
naijaintellects@googlegroups.com, "USA Africa Dialogue Series"
<usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Cc: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com, naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com,
omoodua@yahoogroups.com, nidoa@yahoogroups.com, "Bolaji Aluko"
<alukome@gmail.com>, afenmai@yahoogroups.com, "Alabo Opubo"
<alaboopubo@gbanalysts.com>
Dr Bolaji Aluko:
I believe you have what Pastor Joe-A would call "the tested
testicular
fortitude and demonstrated courage" to call the shots as they are on
this issue, so that people can realize (assuming they don't) the
problems they cause all of us in our communities. The email chain
indicated that Benebo Opubo was the provocateur on this matter and
Emeka
Okala had to respond in KIND! We can't settle for blaming everybody
as
the path to peace on this issue. We owe our community the revered and
inalienable duty to ALWAYS CALL A SPADE A SPADE on issues like this, so
that a sense of justice/fairness can be felt by all who operate in the
community. That is the ONLY WAY OUR COMMUNITY CAN MAKE PROGRESS,
through
self discipline; just as effective law enforcement is key to obeying
laws in any country! Take care. JUI
From: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mobolaji ALUKO
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 8:40 AM
To: naijaintellects@googlegroups.com
Cc: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com;
omoodua@yahoogroups.com; nidoa@yahoogroups.com;
NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Naijaintellects] RE: [TalkNigeria] RE: [NaijaObserver]
RE: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: [asa-usa] The Updates on Zik Statues and
Mausoleum with current pictures
Dear All:
Opubo G. Benebo is Kalabari-Ijaw and Emeka Reuben Okala is Ikwerre
[Iwhuruoha], both within spitting distance of each other in the
Niger-Delta.
How can we expect TOTAL electoral SUPPORT for President Goodluck Ebele
"Azikiwe" Jonathan from the Niger-Delta if the two of you ABUSE each
other so colorfully ("brain dead", "goat", etcheram, ad nauseum) like
this? Suppose Okala were contesting from the Niger-Delta, would Benebo
vote for a dubiously-described "brain dead" candidate? Suppose, God
forfeit, Benebo were contesting, would Okala vote for a confirmed
"goat?"
Inquiring minds want to know.
Bolaji Aluko
Shaking his head
On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 7:38 AM, Chukwuemeka Okala <reukal@yahoo.co.uk>
wrote:
Opubo G. Benebo,
You said if you were KC you would not respond to me, and you called me
brain-dead isn't it? Yet you found the time to respond to me. Don't you
see that
you are the brain-dead?
Goat!
Emeka Reuben Okala
London, UK
<style type="text/css"></style>
----- Original Message ----
From: Alabo Opubo <alaboopubo@gbanalysts.com>
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; edo_global@yahoogroups.com;
drama_free_abujanig@yahoogroups.com
Cc: naijaintellects@googlegroups.com; TalkNigeria@yahoogroups.com;
NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, 27 August, 2010 11:59:05
Subject: [Naijaintellects] RE: [TalkNigeria] RE: [NaijaObserver] RE:
[NIgerianWorldForum] RE: [asa-usa] The Updates on Zik Statues and
Mausoleum with
current pictures
Clearly, Emeka Okala is a illustrative manifestation of the saying "A
mind is a terrible thing to waste" because his mind is indeed wasted.
Emeka Okala perhaps does not seem to understand what I meant by the
protocol followed by even Admiral walking besides a Captain of lower
military rank on the ship of the Captain. So why waste my time
responding to an Emeka Brain-dead Okala.
KC, if I were you, I would also not respond to a brain-dead as Emeka
Okala. I bet you if he were confronted with an apt analogous situation
to take place in Ikwerre land he will be shouting at the top of his
voice until his voice is hoarse.
Hey, but that is the nature of Emeka Okala, a man who lives in Britain
and does not appreciate the meaning of Protocol, even after being
explained to him in the pictureques manner in which the World renown
gentlemen of Nations Naval Services practise it.
Regards,
opubo G Benebo
There is no earthly hope for a man who is too lazy to acquire enemies
[be forthright and you will acquire enemies, be truthful and you will
acquire enemies] -- a Noble Canadian.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [TalkNigeria] RE: [NaijaObserver] RE: [NIgerianWorldForum]
RE: [asa-usa] The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with current
pictures
From: Chukwuemeka Okala <reukal@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, August 27, 2010 3:31 am
To: TalkNigeria@yahoogroups.com, NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com,
NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
Cc: naijapolitics <naijapolitics@yahoo.com>,
naijaintellects@googlegroups.com
QUOTE
Further, when you opined, "I just do not understand the posture of
the Igbo men on this forum to allow Bolaji Aluko with his amply
demonstrated despise of the Igbos to let him take lead in the
restoration of Zik", I say to you and others that, that is crux of my
antipathy in this initiative. I want to know the reason(s) for Bolaji
Aluko's sudden epiphany for this latter day demonstration of love for
the Great Zik of Africa, Nigeria 's foremost nationalist,..."
UNQUOTE
Comment:
KC Prince Asagwara, please see the above highlighted, underlined area
of
the excerpt from your piece.
Did you call him Great Zik of Africa and Nigeria's foremost
nationalist?
Do you really believe in that statement? If the answer is in the
affirmative, it goes without saying that, George Ayittey of Ghana, Pa
Fru Ndeh of Cameroon, Odinga Odinga of Kenya, Bolaji Aluko of (SW)
Nigeria, Azuoma Anugom of (SE) Nigeria, Opubo G. Benebo of (SS) Nigeria
or Yakubu Usman of (Northern) Nigeria could have taken the initiative
for the restoration of Zik's damaged statute. He was no longer the Zik
of Igboland only. He rose to be the Zik of Nigeria and Africa!
The moment you raise an eyebrow towards the good work being put in
place
by Prof. Bolaji Aluko on this occasion, you unwittingly and parochially
reduce the "Great Zik of Africa, and Nigeria's foremost nationalist" to
an Igbo local champion - a situation that badly contradicts your
acclaimed belief on Zik. I want to believe that, that is not what you
want.
If you please, pay no attention to Opubo G. Benebo and his
short-sightedness and trouble-mongering, and make your own pledge to
this noble cause.
Take care.
Emeka Reuben Okala
London, UK
<style type="text/css"></style>
From: "Asagwara, Ken (EDU-ECY)" <Ken.Asagwara@gov.mb.ca>
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com;
talknigeria@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, 26 August, 2010 23:47:12
Subject: [TalkNigeria] RE: [NaijaObserver] RE: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE:
[asa-usa] The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with current
pictures
Mazi Alabo Opubo:
I did not ignore your piece addressed to me. I saw it late yesterday
evening when I was about to run to my Board meeting and did not have
the
time to read it. I read it earlier today.
Firstly, I will say your observations were very apt to the reason why
some of us see the interest of some non-Igbo in this project as
extension of their past effrontery to the Igbo and leaders. You may
also
recall that I intimated when the headless statue of the great Zik was
made an issue for bantering in the forums that the statue had been
restored and that information turned out to be accurate. Now, it has
morphed into repairing and fixing the grounds of Zik's Mausoleum.
Well, be that as it, like you, I am also baffled "why Bolaji Aluko
would even dare to assume control of a project suggested for
undertaking
by Azuoma Anugom? After all Azuoma Anugom came up with the idea of
repairing the statue so when did this project become Bolaji's
project?"
Further, when you opined, "I just do not understand the posture of
the
Igbo men on this forum to allow Bolaji Aluko with his amply
demonstrated
despise of the Igbos to let him take lead in the restoration of Zik",
I say to you and others that, that is crux of my antipathy in this
initiative. I want to know the reason(s) for Bolaji Aluko's sudden
epiphany for this latter day demonstration of love for the Great Zik of
Africa, Nigeria 's foremost nationalist, the Owelle Asowa-Anya of
Onitsha , Zik Nwa Jere Muta aka Onye Oga Adirinma, an ICON of all
ICONs,
finally, an Igbo SON. Being that Bolaji Aluko never showed any love nor
appreciation of the Igbo and leaders in the geo-politics of Nigeria ,
his motive in this initiate, I will continue to hold suspect. In my
Igbo
world, you do not accept the offer to wash your back from the man that
earlier, tried to knife you. I further agree with you that he Bolaji
Aluko will never "have allowed an Igbo person to take lead of the
suggestion of an Yoruba woman to repair Awolowo statue".
Apropos to your observation, Afis posed thus about four days ago:
"Did the Yoruba community ask people to contribute money like welfare
recipients to fix Awo's legacy?
I just don't get it with you Igbos, no shame at all.
Now you all are holding out "babiya allah" sauce-pan, begging for alms
to fix your "grandpa" legacy?"
Can it be said that Awo was not a great Nigerian leader and politician?
When his statues were damaged, why didn't Bolaji Aluko and those
unable to see through his twisted motive go about "begging for alms
to
fix [the] "grandpa" legacy?"
Back to "the posture of the Igbo men on this forum to allow Bolaji
Aluko" a man who has "amply demonstrated despise of the Igbos to
let
him take lead in the restoration of Zik", I say, let the Igbo blind
to
your query speak for self. I guess the differences of opinions from
some
Igbo in seeing what you, a non-Igbo are able to see are part of the
short-fall in Igbo republicanism.
To those of you that showed genuine interest in pledging to restore the
damaged statue of the great Zik believing that was the case, I thank
you
as I did earlier. The Igbo are capable of keeping their house in order.
The pan-handling campaign in the name of the Great Zik in the way and
manner it was started and hijacked by one who "amply demonstrated
despise of the Igbos" connotes insult. If this initiative has now
shifted to pledging and collecting money for the spruce and maintenance
of the grounds around the Great Ziks' burial place, a handful of us
Igbo can do it as long as it is headed by the one that initiated it or
by another Igbo.
Finally, as I stated yesterday, if some of you ethnic irredentists have
now awaken to building bridges across Nigeria's ethnic nationalities,
please, please start by rendering apology to the over 3 million Igbo
children, old people, pregnant women, etc. that your fathers'
"starvation is a legitimate weapon of war policy" starved into
Kwashiorkor and killed. Anything else is as uncivilized as most of you
are. Bolaji Aluko who now wants to champion the restoration of Zik's
statue project has consistently denied the genocidal war of 1966-1970
visited on the Igbo.
It Shall Be Well with Ala Igbo, the odds not minding.
Mazi KC Prince Asagwara – Nwafor Igbo and Proud of my Igbo Heritage
From: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alabo Opubo
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 6:14 PM
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com;
naijaintellects@yahoogroups.com
Cc: IDU USA; asa-usa@yahoogroups.com ; ANAMBRA FORUM; IGBO EVENTS; IGBO
FORUM; WORLD IGBO CONGRESS; Bolaji Aluko; talknigeria@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NaijaObserver] RE: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: [asa-usa] The
Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with current pictures
Greetings KC,
Since your posting, intimating the fora that the statues of Zik were in
fact in full/repaired form, I have consistently read your posts waiting
to note when you would finally ask the question of "why Bolaji Aluko
would even dare to assume control of a project suggested for
undertaking
by Azuoma Anugom? After all Azuoma Anugom came up with the idea of
repairing the statue so when did this project become Bolaji's project?
Then, something else worries me about all these development, when did a
friend wail over and mourn the dead more than the family members of the
dead? Why is Bolaji Aluko crying so much louder than the Igbos, after
all Zik was first and foremost Igbo before he became a Nigerian.
Besides
the statues are in Igbolands, would Bolaji with his over-vaulting
ambition have allowed an Igbo person to take lead of the suggestion of
an Yoruba woman to repair Awolowo statue? I just do not understand the
posture of the Igbo men on this forum to allow Bolaji Aluko with his
amply demonstrated despise of the Igbos to let him take lead in the
restoration of Zik.
Where is Vin, that cosmopolitan Igbo and his Igbo pride? Where is that
so vociferously proclaimed Igbo pride that is thrown at my face all
day,
everyday on this forum? There is just no way Bolaji Aluko would even
dare to do something similar in the RS Ijaw area and I would let him,
so
where is the Igbo pride, I ask again? Then, why would the Igbo
governors
not recognize the need to have an Igbo lead this project and push
Bolaji
aluko to a second tier, even third tier position? where is the Igbo
pride?
Regards,
Opubo G Benebo
There is no earthly hope for a man who is too lazy to acquire enemies
[be forthright and you will acquire enemies, be truthful and you will
acquire enemies] -- a Noble Canadian.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: [asa-usa] The Updates on Zik Statues
and Mausoleum with current pictures
From: " Asagwara, Ken (EDU-ECY)" <Ken.Asagwara@gov.mb.ca>
Date: Wed, August 25, 2010 2:44 pm
To: <asa-usa@yahoogroups.com>, "ANAMBRA FORUM"
<AnambraForum@yahoogroups.com>, "IGBO EVENTS"
<IgboEvents@yahoogroups.com>, "IGBO FORUM"
<igbo_forum@yahoogroups.com>, "WORLD IGBO CONGRESS"
<WorldIgboCongress@yahoogroups.com>, "Bolaji Aluko"
<alukome@gmail.com>, <talknigeria@yahoogroups.com>,
<NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "IDU USA " <idu-usa@googlegroups.com>
Dr. Okenwa Nwosu/Folks:
I did observe with some concern as Bolaji Aluko did "the
pitch-fork-like staff in the Inisi Onira statue" of the Great Zik.
Me thinks that a staff in the form of the "ancient Igbo nobleman in
his burial chamber (carbon-dated 8th-9th Century AD)" would be more
appropriate.
KC Prince Asagwara
From: asa-usa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:asa-usa@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf
Of Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 4:25 PM
To: ANAMBRA FORUM; ASA USA; IGBO EVENTS; IGBO FORUM; WORLD IGBO
CONGRESS; Bolaji Aluko; NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com
Cc: WIEF FORUM; IDU USA; Zik Project
Subject: [asa-usa] The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with
current pictures
Graphic depiction of ancient Igbo nobleman in his burial chamber
(carbon-dated 8th-9th Century AD)
Bolaji,
Bearing a staff of authority is an ancient Igbo cultural practice as
shown in above graphic depiction of an Igbo nobleman. All the
paraphernalia and appurtenances of authority shown in picture were
actually recovered from an archeological site in Igboukwu, Aguata LGA,
Anambra state in early 1960 by Professor Thurstan Shaw and his crew.
The
staff impelled in front of the Igbo ancestral nobleman was cast in
bronze and was retrieved intact. The ivory tusks, though degraded, were
still recognizable.
Having a great Igbo leader like Zik to bear a staff of authority, even
if just in form of artwork, is nothing unusual in the authentic Igbo
cultural practice. Perhaps, we need to engage the sculptors of Zik
statues, if they are still around, to explain why they chose the
specific staff designs they used in their work.
I concur entirely with your observations about the lack of
proportionality in Zik's features as shown in the rehabilitated
statue
at the Onira Retreat.
Okenwa.
From: NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bolaji
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 4:27 PM
To: NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NaijaPolitics] Re: The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum
with current pictures
Ike Agbor & Okenwa Nwosu:
Since both of you have mentioned it, let me give you some concerns that
I have about both statues, independent of their un-edifying
surroundings:
1. Why does Zik carry a spear-like weapon? cultural staff? in both
statues?
2. I am troubled by the pitch-fork-like staff in the Inisi Onira
statue. It is similar to what the devil is stated to carry, short of a
middle prong. I EXHALED when I first saw it.
3. The DMGS statue is MAJESTIC - with Zik looking up and forward, but
the Inisi Onira statue looks forlorn, with Zik looking down.
4. Most importantly, indeed the Inisi Onira head is MIS-SHAPEN, out of
proportion with the rest of the body, and the face looks TOO YOUNG for
the full body. Quite frankly, if you ask me, I do not think that the
sculptor did a good job.
But those are just my opinions....and there you have them.
Bolaji Aluko
From: wief@googlegroups.com [mailto:wief@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 1:11 PM
To: ANAMBRA FORUM; ASA USA; IGBO EVENTS; IGBO FORUM; WORLD IGBO
CONGRESS; NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com
Cc: WIEF FORUM; IDU USA; Bolaji Aluko
Subject: [WIEF FORUM] The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with
current pictures
Original Zik statue at DMGS Roundabout
Newer Zik statue at Onira with reattached head
Abandoned Zik Mausoleum exposed to the elements
Umuibe,
In spite of the poor image quality of these recent pictures posted by
Azuoma, a careful observer can easily notice something queer in the
restored Zik statue at Inosi Onira Retreat. The neck looks out of
proportion with rest of the body. The restoration work was mostly in
the
neck which, of course, had to be severed when the initial statue at the
location was vandalized by decapitation. Compare the Onira statue with
the original creation standing at the DMGS Roundabout since the early
1960s which was the handiwork of master-sculptor, Prof. Enweonwu.
The question that still needs to be answered is whether the Onira Zik
statue was properly restored close to what it was before being
decapitated. This can only be ascertained by comparing the restored
statue with the original one which was vandalized as far back as 2003.
The restored statue was unveiled by Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka
Alfred
Achebe, on Monday, January 1, 2007. Almost four years lapsed before the
decapitated statue of the Great Zik was "rebuilt by a prominent
Onitsha philanthropist, Mr. Henry Onukwuba". The unanswered question
is why did it take this long to amend the vandalized memoriam of
Nigeria 's first President and Head of State? Who supervised the
restoration work in order to assure that the rehabilitated Zik statue
would not end up being a distortion of the true image of Nigeria 's
premier leader?
My contention here is not to dispute whether or not Zik's "statues
have been restored". My point is that it may be premature to regard
the whole statue saga as now moot. As one would say, it is not over
until it is over. The ambience in which these statutes are displayed as
well as their maintenance schedule are still of major concerns to those
committed to optimal restoration and completion of abandoned Zik
memorials in Onitsha and elsewhere. By the time the mausoleum gets
completed most of the building's substructure might begin to
disintegrate and crumble due to lengthy exposure to the elements in the
past 14 years.
Let the pledges keep on coming because there is still a whole lot of
work that lies ahead…..
Okenwa.
-----Original Message-----
From: Azuoma Anugom <adaejiagamba1@aol.com>
To: igbo_forum@yahoogroups.com; IgboEvents@yahoogroups.com;
igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com; NIDOA@yahoogroups.com;
nigianworldforum@yahoogroups.com; naijaobserver@yahoogroups.com;
ORAUSA@yahoogroups.com; imostatecongress@yahoogroups.com
Cc: alukome@gmail.com; zikproject@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wed, Aug 25, 2010 6:56 am
Subject: NIDOA | The Updates on Zik Statues and Mausoleum with current
pictures
Dear All,
As promised I called Onitsha and my contact got a photographer to take
the pictures of the current state of Zik statues both at DMGS and Inosi
Onira Retreat and the mausoleum. Here are the pictures with dates and
the name of the photographer. He took the liberty to decorate the
borders but aside the flowery borders you can see the pictures clearly.
As you can see these pictures were taken on August 17, 2010. The
statues have been restored and we have two statues both at DMGS and
Inosi Onira Retreat which the photographer dubbed Roundabout. However,
the mausoleum is still uncompleted. So, for full disclosure purposes,
the fund raising is for the mausoleum only--as the other issue is now
moot.
We don't know the estimate for the completion yet and we have formed a
committee which will look into the modality of tackling this project. I
will be calling a meeting of the Comittee members for this Saturday. I
will be sending out an email to all the people that pledged so that you
can participate and/or join this committee if you so wish. I believe in
doing everything worth doing properly. One of the things we discussed
is
forming a non profit organization that will carry out this project as
well as keep the vision of Zik (democracy and pan Nigerianism) alive.
So, I thank you for rising to the call of duty and I'd crave your
indulgence to join us in keeping this vision alive. Let's this not be a
mere knee jerk reaction, let this be the beginning of a great movement
in Nigeria . Like I shared with some folks, if we succeed in
galvanizing
the government to complete this mausoleum then we have accomplished a
lot indeed.
I shall be back with more comments. Thanks and God's bless.
Azuoma Anugom
~~Adaejiagamba
Life shrinks according to one's courage. Dare to be remarkable.
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