WHAT BARR. EMEKA UGWUONYE MEAN TO ALL OF US

He is a maverick personality – a fearless nonconformist, a trailblazer and a table shaker. His work on DPA challenges convention/tradition. His emergence to the Nigeria’s sociopolitical space has sparked off debate and intellectual discussions. Yes, he made friends as well as enemies. Love him or hate him, but you can’t wish away his zeal, charisma , eloquence, intellect and his love for justice.

The only people that bring real change fast to a country are people considered to be nonconformist – Individuals who are eccentric in their views. History abound with such men — Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Thomas Sankara, Martin Luther King Jr, Bob Marley, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Lee Kuan Yew, PL Lumumba etc

They stand up for what they believe despite what anyone thinks. Some describe them as controversial individuals while others call them trouble makers or radicals. How they are perceived by others do not mean anything to them. They are passionate in what they believe with amazing clarity of thought and purpose.

Unfortunately, Nigeria of today do not have such men any more. What we have today are myopic and selfish individuals in love with their own flesh which is in sharp contrast to our glorious past when Gani Fawehinmi was here. He fought the military dictators to a standstill. I still hear the unmistakable voice of Fela Anikulapo Kuti taunting the corrupt military establishment even to the risk of his own life. Tai Sularin was here as well. He was one of the post – independence civil rights critics and activists, Wole Soyinka is still here with us but he is old now, cannot do much again. Dele Giwa was here too, unfortunately, he paid the supreme price.

Today in South Africa, after the glorious exists of Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Steve Biko , Oliver Tambo, Albert Lithuli, Walter Sisulu erc – a young but controversial and radical Parliamentarian emerged on the Political scene. He is asking questions, shaking tables here and there. His name is Julius Malema. This man has stirred up serious debate in South Africa in recent times. His enemies are fighting back. The Attorney general of the federation is prosecuting him for hate speech and other offences but he is not deterred.

Since the emergence of Barr Emeka Ugwuonye through DPA, he has been asking questions, shaking tables even to the risk of his own life. But Nigeria is a corrupt country where the rule of law is non existent. This Country is a dangerous place for civil right activists. They do not like people asking questions. They are comfortable with the status quo.

They are attacking him but he is fearless in the face of terror. He is formidable and focussed in the face of coordinated oppositions. There is nothing his enemies have done yet he is still standing “Gidigbam” because God is with him.

Nwafor Ifeanyi
Director Of Information
DPA.