Half measure of success

Sir: If the government could meet our people halfway, we will be singing sweet songs like birds of paradise. I’m writing this piece from a beautiful vantage point. I have the exquisite privilege of spending time at one of the most luxurious landscapes in our country. The clean and breezy air of Independence Layout, Enugu, will make a city boy fall in love with hills and rocks. Nature seems to adorn the environment of this modern realism with scents of opulence. Or, perhaps, the vision of one of the greatest political leaders of our time was made to materealise in this dreamy experience.

I was recently fantasising about how magnificent the face of my town Umoji, Enugu State, would look if the government will be benevolent enough to tar the roads to complement the mansions lining the villages. I immediately awoke to the sad fact that such dreams could easily land one in the mad house. It has been only through the magnanimity of three noblemen in my town that we are able to enjoy the comfort of smooth tarred roads. The recent overture by the state government to add another tarred road to court our votes during the election has stopped halfway through completion like an aborted pregnancy once they won.

I do not want to sound hypocritical by basking in the glory of the morning sun near the swimming pool in the palatial space at The Hotel while deprecating the system that causes such joy to exist. One finds, albeit, the places where the elements collide and burst out in this colorful rainbow of happiness are few and in between in our society.

I am thankful like a Hindu priestess paying obeisance to her god for the selfless administration of Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State. Out of the throes of mediocrity and downright ineptitude, the chance blazoned for illuminating leadership. My stay in Independence Layout has demonstrated that a crystal rock could be carved out of the rotten woods of our system.

Suffice it to say that Independence Layout is like an enclave of the rich and powerful but what is wrong with our people having a taste of the good life. It will not be sour in our lips. Hope rises for the sun that shone in Enugu State to spread its radiance to the national stage.

Pius Okaneme,
Umuoji, Anambra State.