Issues Abattoir wish to appreciate, thank and applaud her numerous readers, especially for their valuable contribution and encouragement which virtually stimulates the craft of writing. May your eyes never grow deem in seeing and your reasoning be always alert and active. Cheers.
The Subject matter for this episode of the famous Issues Abattoir, “The costs and Prizes of Services”, may have been defined by many in different perspectives occasion on the subject thereof, but in this edition, the possible, positive effect of service by faithful followers shall crown the discussion, thereby tends to providing enabling environment for those who desires to be leaders, the unfaithful ones and others portraying service as might or forceful to achieve or attain to.
But, before delving into the discussion, the terms in accordance with the aim of this episode shall first be defined.
Cost, according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, 8th edition by A.S Hornby, amongst several definitions is “the effort, loss or damage that is involved in order to do or achieve something” Also according to the English dictionary,” It is a negative consequence or loss that occurs or is required to occur”. Another term, Prizes as used in the context according to same Dictionary refers to “an award that is given to a person who wins a competition, race, etc or who does very good work”.
And Service is defined according to A.S Hornby as “The work that somebody does for an organization, etc, especially when it continues for a long time or is admired very much”. Again, Hornby amongst his several definitions sees it as “the particular skills or help that a person is able to offer”.
Therefore, according to the several definitions of terms used in this episode of Issues Abattoir, it is evident that this edition seems to dwell on or be discussing on the “Rewards, benefit or gains derivable from the sacrifices of followership”.
In the previous editions, the roles and operations of true democrats were clearly defined or enumerated as well as expectations from who ever shall be considered as one, particularly in the current Nigerian polity.
It was arrived at that true democrats are service oriented people and if it is so, their targets and goals are always around the word “at all costs”, signifying that the victory of their organization is paramount in their hearts, acknowledging that there is always a reward for every good works-services.
In the spirit of 2015, especially as the polity is high or tensioned particularly for seekers of the various elective offices; this edition does not only corroborate the past one’s but also to providing true position and peaceful avenue for true and brotherly coexistence amongst party men, significantly in Rivers State.
Let it be place on record, that in every organization where services are rendered, there is the obvious that all members cannot render equal services, in-essence one must surely surpass the other.
Therefore, irrespective of the efforts or services rendered there must always be a leader or top ranking officer(s) who leads and in conjunction with others decides on who takes over from him or otherwise. That is also to prove that the possible, positive effect of services by all is determined by faithfulness, giving rise to faithful followers as first partakers of the first fruit of such an organization. Before going further, the above facts however, implies that those who desire leadership position must be faithful followers, not self centered, not fighters of the process that would eventually bring them or that had earlier brought them. It also signifies. that unfaithful followers who portrays call to service as might, forceful or personal estate would have no enterprising environment to thrive when the call to serve beacons.
In Rivers State for instance, there have been war of words among members of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and that of the All Progressives Congress, (APC). Just within the week some members of the APC in the Oyigbo Local Government Area were on air challenging what they considered as imposition of House of Assembly flag bearer on them by the care taker chairman and the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, stressing that the governor’s choice was absolutely different from theirs and vowed to resist such moves.
Apparently, some governorship hopeful in the PDP, who like the Oyigbo chapter of the APC are not satisfied with strategies of a particular and most popular aspirant among them. With all due respect, the activities and actions of these aspirants and supporters making the loud noise is condemnable as it can be likened to that of the five (5) foolish virgins without proper preparation, or better still no oil in their lamps while watching the night for the arrival of the bridegroom as recorded in St. Matthew gospel chapter 25:1-13.
This discourse would have ended with the summation of the above scriptural verses but for proper understanding, it is needful to characterize and qualify the actions of those noise makers as selfishness and as not considering the costs and prizes of services to have hinged on faithfulness in sacrifices.
Again, the lack of mutual respect for leaders and constituted authority could also be attributed to the numerous protests in the political arena.
There was the war of words from the APC to the PDP and Presidency as the case may be and vice-versa but all these are products of no respect for the authority that be, hence the initial voice by the Eleme chapter of the APC and later from the Oyigbo which was never a surprise, yet, the question arises on whether faithful followers deserves no benefits of their services?
The reason for former Rivers State Governor, Sir Dr. Peter Odili who preferred the incumbent as successor may have been known to him alone but probably not far from his service to Odili as then deputy governor. Though there was K-leg syndrome even as purportedly straightened, there was a service which led to that choice. There was also a choice of Barrister Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike for a campaign director, Chief of Staff and Minister as claimed by the state governor, it means there was service and the prize for such service is the elevation.
Between the PDP and APC aspirants in Rivers for the governorship seat, should any one be elected at primary to fly its party’s flag due to service, it is expected that the rest should sheathe their swords and work for the victory of its party rather than protesting, making noise and forecasting unnecessary doom for its party.
As stated earlier, though all have worked for their parties, the truth remains that services differs and rewards are equally different, though there is interest, all can not lead or be elected into an office at the same time, there must certainly be the prize for every services rendered either immediately or later.
Come to think of this, should the alleged 16 gubernatorial aspirants in PDP be asked to present an aspirant within their circle, could it be easily done? And who would accept stepping down for who?
Since the said unity, amongst them could be viewed as noise making forum, one would have suggested that they forgo their ego and work in synergy with the one they have seen as holding the capacity of attracting the victory to the party-PDP come 2015.
It is also significant; they have not really met the cost of serving their party, not to mention paying the price for the prize of service, by representing the party in the forth coming contest. For one to grasp the flag of its party then it must be evident that such individual must have put in the required effort, loss or damage that is involved in order to do or achieve the feet of his/her party.
While the APC is struggling to have a consensus aspirant/candidate for February elections, the 16 aspirants of PDP should quit their ego, close rank with each other and accept any outcome of its coming primaries. It is also suggested that the APC should accepts whoever emerges as its governorship candidate through any means it may adopt, because service is beneficial and the husband man must be the first beneficiary of the harvest, remember.
To this end, Politicians of the various divides must do more of service than agitating for what ordinarily would not be theirs at the moment. Service, of-course faithful service paves the way for future and further serviceable positions, such as appointments, as well as elective positions. It pays to serve before being served.
When an individual is a committed, sincere and dedicated servant, his call to service and higher capacity is always applauded without much questions.
Either appointive or elective position are all call to service but how has ones service been in course of his followership or leadership at the lower levels.
For instance, in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State there are several Young men whose services deserves the needed crown or prizes now, irrespective of the vast nature of the L.G.A. Hence, while the courage of Mr. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante is applauded for purchasing the PDP nomination forms for the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal constituency, his estate of humility, Patient, service and above all kind gestures to humanity is expected of others who are yet to publicly declare their interest in whatever Party platforms.
However, Issues Abattoir beacons on the respective Political Parties to feature candidates that would throw electorate into confusion while casting their votes with the aim of having a smooth sail, acknowledging that candidature equally determines Party success.
As saleable candidates are brought forward, the needed peaceful, fair and free poll would be guaranteed. It connotes that the various Political Parties may even go home to sleep while elections are on at the units. It’s also a tool for violent free poll since blood shed, injury and other forms of vices are condemned and rejected across the State and Nigeria in general.
Once again, it is important to advice that those envisaging problem come 2015 as well as those tormenting it now should know that violence does no good for any society, as the activities of those who rejected followership and service but clamoring for leadership now is condemned in strong terms.
“Let everyone rise up to the costs and challenges of service, for a better prize and reward of service”. ###
With James Mgboineme
Jamesprojectgodwin@yahoo.com.
