Issues Abattoir wishes to appreciate 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 may your reasoning be always alert and active. Cheers.
The Subject matter for this episode of the famous Issues Abattoir, “The Reward for 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.
Reward, according to American English Dictionary, amongst several definitions is “something of value given in return for an act. “A prize promised for a certain deeds or catch. “The result of an actions either good or bad”.
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, Honby amongst his several definitions sees it as “the particular skills or help that a person is able to offer”.
Similarly the American English Dictionary sees service as “An event in which an entity takes the responsibility that something desirable happens on the behalf of another. “A state of being subordinate to ,or employed by an individual or group”.
Therefore, according to the several definitions of terms used in this episode of Issues Abattoir, it is evident that this edition dwells 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 and if it is so, their targets and goals always evolve 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-service.
In the spirit of 2015, especially as the polity was 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 leaders or top ranking officer(s) who leads and in conjunction with others who decide on who takes over from them 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 signify that unfaithful followers who portray 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). In 2015 prior to election, 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 then care taker chairman and then Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, stressing that the governor’s choice was absolutely different from theirs and vowed to resist such moves of course they succeed when they voted candidate of their choice preferably from PDP.
Apparently, some governorship hopeful in the PDP, 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 those aspirants and supporters making the loud noise was condemnable as it was 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 reward for services to have hinged on faithfulness and sacrifices.
Again, the lack of mutual respect for leaders and constituted authority was 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 those were products of no respect for the authority and insincerity, 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 Peter Odili who preferred Chibuike as his 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, it means there was service and the reward 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. The result is what Nigerians are witnessing today. Big error.
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 reward for every services rendered either immediately or later.
Come to think of this, should the alleged 16 gubernatorial aspirants in PDP were asked to present an aspirant within their circle, could it be easily done? And who would have accepted stepping down for who?
Since the said unity, amongst them were viewed as noise making forum, their aspiration ended in futility as they did not work in synergy with the one they have seen as holding the capacity of attracting the victory to the party-PDP which eventually come true.
It is also significant; they have not really met the reward of serving their party, not to mention paying the price for the active service, by representing the party that election. For one to grasp the flag of its party in 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. The party on her part must reward and recognize such faithful.
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. The Leaders must accord regards to whom it is due to avoid competition.
Either appointive or elective positions are all call to service but how has one’s service been in course of his followership or leadership at the lower levels. Let there be reward.
For instance, in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, there are several Young men whose services deserves the needed crown or rewards now, irrespective of the vast nature of the L.G.A. Hence, while the candidacy of Mr. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante is applauded 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 successes.
As salable 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 States and Nigeria in general.
Once again, it is important to advice that those envisaging problem as well as those formenting it now should know that violence does no good for any society, 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 reward for their services”.
Finally, let the leaders of the party at various levels set aside sentiments and recognize hard working followers with befitting rewards. This without mincing words would spur others to work and be faithful in their services.
With James Mgboineme
jamesthenewswriter@gmail.com.
