It was an opportunity for Enugu people to experience the popular Udenu Ring Road. Hundreds of Prados and Land Cruisers looped through the curling zigzag of a network of 31 kilometres of magnificent roads built by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. I drove through the Ezimo axis of the road more than twenty times during the funeral ceremony, and every trip was a stunning experience.
Coming from Imilike onto Ezimo, there are two major undulations, first at Ibagwa Ezimo and at Urukpa. At Ibagwa, the road sloped very scarily, but at the same time ravishingly inviting.
Each time I cascaded down the slope, I rolled down my glasses and bared my body to undiluted fresh air. Added to the treat is the bewitching scenery of unplummable vegetation. As the wind swooshed by, I hummed songs in harmony with Nature. Ezimo Road is Nature in full resplendence.
But for me it was more than an opportunity to celebrate Nature as well as human artistry. In fact, several times, I would say to myself: how can an Nsukka man drive through this 31 kilometres of road networks and still castigate Ugwuanyi? This moment, however, I would like to dwell on Ifeanyi Ossai, the Incoming Deputy Governor of Enugu State.
It is difficult to draw close to Ifeanyi Ossai without being charmed by his character. He balances sophistication and traditional wisdom in an amazing equilibrium. When Ossai speaks Nsukka dialect it streams through with unique musical cadence and rhythm. He is probably the only Nsukka man I have met that persists in speaking only Nsukka dialect to his daughter, a dainty, pretty child of not more than three years.
Ifeanyi Ossai has never occupied a political position, not even a Technical Assistant (TA) to the Governor or a Special Assistant (SA), yet he has had more impact in his community and beyond, in terms of infrastructures than many high ranking politicians.
If, as many persons believe, Barr. Ossai played a significant role in getting the Enugu State Government to do Ezimo Road, his love for community must be extraordinary. Urukpa Ezimo Agu has one of the best constructed primary schools; Ezimo probably has more water boreholes than any other community in Nsukka Cultural Zone. We can go on and on.
Not surprisingly, on Sunday, January 15, 2023 the entire Ezimo Community gathered at Eke, the ancestral home of Ezimo people, to accord honour to Ifeanyi Ossai and bestow blessings on him in preparation for the leadership task ahead. Speaker after speaker spoke in glowing terms about this legendary son, who has single-handed made all the difference for his community.
Barr. Ossai has tremendous love for anything that pertains to Nsukka. He is brilliant, level-headed and unflappable. He is poised to lead our Zone into unprecedented prosperity.
As a socio-cultural and political block, we cannot afford to give Chijioke Edeoga a chance to ruin our political fortune. It is clear even to the blind that Edeoga’s chance of making it to Lion Building is as far as the sky to the earth. We should not allow him to imperil our political future with his ill-advised misadventure.
All hands on deck for Peter Mbah and Ifeanyi Ossai.
#Tomorrowishere!
Dr Hyginus Eze
