A new phrase has been added to our lexicon and it's called "politicisation of Oro marginalization".
Frankly, I don't know what it means. But it seems to me that the proponents agree that Oro has been marginalized. What I don't know is how that generally acknowledged marginalization can be politicized. I need some enlightenment here please.
If the phrase was invented to blackmail people into acquiescence regarding the globally acknowledged marginalization of Oro, then it's dead on arrival.
If it was coined to portray active politicians who have the courage to speak and write about the unfair treatment of Oro by government as rabble rousers or opportunists, then it has missed target.
If the intent is to tactfully dissuade people from drawing attention to the marginalization of Oro, then it has crashed terribly.
I was told that when Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and other nationalists fought for the independence of Nigeria, certain Nigerians who hobnobbed with the British Colonialists accused them of "politicizing Nigeria's colonial experience". That didn't deter them as they fought hard till independence was won in 1960.
When Nigeria was under the yoke of military dictatorship, some courageous Nigerians like Gani Fawenhinmi, Abraham Adesanya, Wole Soyinka, Beko Ransome Kuti, Bola Tinubu, Femi Falana etc battled the military to a standstill at the risk of their lives. While they did that under very unpleasant circumstances, lots of Nigerians were busy romancing the military for personal benefits. They were accused of engaging in a selfish battle against the messianic military. In fact, they were accused of playing to the gallery and playing dangerous politics with national stability.
Ironically, their civilian opponents, critics and mockers took full advantage of the advent of democratic rule in 1999 by taking the centre stage at the national and state levels while they(except a few like Bola Tinubu and Bisi Akande) became mere spectators in their hard earned victory.
The easiest and in fact, the only way to stop the "politicisation of Oro marginalization" is to end the marginalization. Once that is done, the politicisation automatically ceases and the politicians will find something else to talk about. Is it not easy enough?
When Nigeria attained independence, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and other nationalists had to find other pastimes and re-directed their energies to other activities in line with the realities of the time. There was no longer need to talk about colonialism unless as subject in school or topic of friendly discussion. It was no longer a subject of passionate advocacy.
Since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999, the activists no longer organize and address rallies where the military is called names. Although most of them are still alive, they are rarely heard any longer as their mission was accomplished the day General Abdusalami Abubakar handed over power to President Olusegun Obasanjo.
There are presently activists championing various causes. As their concerns are addressed, they are put out of business. The issue of marginalization of Oro won't be an exception. The moment it's addressed, the politicization automatically ceases.
It's worth reminding the coiners of this phrase that some of us started the politicisation of Oro marginalization from secondary school and took it to another level as undergraduates. Personally, I started participating in Oron Union Annual Conferences and other community development activities as a secondary school student. I would pay my way from the village and sit through the proceedings of Annual Conferences of the Union. I never saw my age contemporaries apart from one brother in-law of the then President General, Dr Mfon Amana.
The guy obviously used to accompany his elder sister, the then Miss Afiong Ukpong(later Mrs Afiong Mfon Amana) who was the Editor-in-chief of Voice of Oro. Where were those who are now talking about the politicisation of Oro marginalization?
Recently, I serialized an article I wrote in The Clarion, a magazine I published as President, National Association of Urueoffong /Oruko Students (NAUOS) in 2002. In that article written as an undergraduate, I was still politicizing the Oro marginalization with intense passion and unquestionable patriotism.
It's important to state that some of us started what we are still doing today as kids. We have family members and friends even on facebook to attest to it. That we are now members of political parties and are even seeking elective offices is no reason to question our motives. Those who are inclined towards questioning our motives should first look at our records and compare with theirs to assure themselves that they can stand on such moral high grounds.
We are neither products of facebook nor that of political parties. Facebook met us with this passion and we took it to our political parties.In fact, it dictates our political decisions, including choice of political parties.
Those who don't feel strongly about some of these issues arent guilty of any crime. There are probably other noble causes that occupy their lives.
Before I write another lengthy essay, someone should please tell me what it means to politicize Oro's marginalization and how to avoid it.
Yak Abazi Odiong Oro.
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