Philip
Ngozi Ifechukwude is the author of the book, ‘Wild Ixora’. He is also the
former Adviser on Media to the former Transition Chairman of Oshimili North
Local Government Area, Hon Innocent Esewezie. In this interview with EMEKA
ESOGBUE, Associate Editor of Homage, he speaks on Ibusa culture, youth
development in the town and bares his mind on others issues that are appropriate
to the development of the town. Excerpts.
Homage: Finally, light is restored to Ibusa but there seems
to be a major obstacle to be surmounted, BEDC claims that not many Ibusa
consumers are responding to payments of what is consumed by them and Ibusa
natives maintain that they were over billed since there were no prepaid meters
in place in the town. As the man on ground in the community, what is your
recommendation as a way out?
Ifechukwude: Thank
you very much Emeka Esogbue. As a matter of fact, the billing system has to be
reviewed. Even though BEDC is purely a commercial venture that is very
interested in their money, it is not enough to harass the people with crazy
bills. I mean, the rationale behind billing a mud house with two point of light
the same thing as a four flat building is ridiculous in every sense. So, if the
people are protesting, they are right. But those whose billing are
proportionate with their consumption should pay their bills. Light is not
entirely free especially in this era of privatisation. My take remains that the
people must pay their bills.
Homage:
Now, on the aspect of Ibusa culture, some Ibusa persons raised concerns over
the practice of second burial in the town, especially as it concerns female
indigenes of that community. This unarguably led the Obuzor-in-Council to
introduce some measures in which some of its funeral requirements have been
reduced. Are these measures now in effect?
Ifechukwude: The issue of second burial in
the town has been an age long tradition that has some modicum of significance
attached to it. However, burials and funerals generally have greatly faced a
lot of reform and are still facing today in Ibusa. Like I said earlier, there
is no standing law that determines how the bereaved decides to carry out the
funerals of their deceased loved ones. I believe that the issue of burials in
Ibusa has elicited a lot of controversy for a very long time. But I find out
nobody, I can recall has been given an award for performing the most expensive
funeral or disparaged for the least funeral. It has been according to one’s financial
weight. Thank God today, the economic trend and financial prowess of some
people has filled the gap that you hardly differentiate the funeral ceremony of
an Eze title holder or an Mgba mkpisi; a business tycoon mother of none or a
pauper mother of ten children. The Obuzor brought some reforms with a view to
ameliorating the measures of the people at burials especially the women. That
is a commendable move, but because of the divisive nature of the traditional
authority in the town, it has not been obeyed and followed to the letter. For
instance, the banning of the use of ‘aso ebi’ which he sees as a borrowed
culture. He also banned the drinking of stout during burial ceremonies but one
hardly sees its effectiveness as many viewed it as counterproductive.
Homage:
… But critics continue to move for the outright abandonment of this second body
of burial, maintaining that realities of today’s world no longer support it.
What is your own position on this?
Ifechukwude: (cuts in) …whether they outlaw
second burials or not, it still does not change anything. It depends on the
consent of the people. Besides, today, social and traditional wakes are
gradually phasing out. One can be seen as the monotony of activities during the
ceremony per se and also the financial implication on the bereaved. Yet, those
who have the money to throw away don’t see anything wrong about it. Can you see
the variables now? Most towns like our neighbouring Asaba that are implementing
these burial reforms believed in it and that is why it is working for them. Not
that they don’t have the money. So, it is not a matter of realities supporting
the trend, but the people consenting to it. We have a complex system in our traditional
set-up in Ibusa, hence the inability of certain reforms to see the light of the
day.
Homage:
You were one of those who determinedly pursued and won back for Ibusa, Omu Boys
Secondary School. Can you share this experience with our readers? What is this
thing about the school that made it imperative that the school be brought back?
Ifechukwude: I thank God firstly for the
feat. One thing about life is leaving a legacy to be remembered. It all started
like a joke that a school that reigned for eight years and produced vibrant
young men was suddenly closed down without any genuine explanation. The
argument that there were no facilities for its continuation, to me, was
baseless. This is because all the schools that were established the same year
still exist. Meanwhile, some of the old boys regrouped and we promised
ourselves that we can return the school. Most pessimists among us believed it
was not possible, but few of us didn’t budge. I took it upon myself and began
to write articles for publication in different media houses and letters to
relevant offices, especially government agencies why the school must be
reinstated. I involved the traditional authorities in Ibusa and other
cooperating bodies. As a result, Izu Ani inaugurated an education committee
comprising of Obi Okonkwo as the chairman, Chief FC Esedebe and the erudite
academic, Onowu A.W.O. Inugonum, JP. The latter especially was very proactive
and instrumental to the achievement at the end of the day. Finally, our voices
were heard and here we are. In the process, we used the opportunity of the
mission take-over of schools to agitate for a replacement of St. Augustine’s
College to attract Ibusa Mixed Secondary School. The glory should go to God
first for using us to do what we did at the time we did it. I pride myself in seeing
my alma mater exist among the comity of schools. Today, all of us are happy to
associate ourselves with the rebirth. More so, as a lover of education, I can
do anything, any sacrifice for the propagation of education in the society, let
alone Ibusa.
Homage:
Talking politics now, critics of Ibusa continue to blame the underdevelopment
of the town on what they regard as poor political representation. They claim
that Ibusa is though represented in nearly every front but only little or no
development has come its way. What is your view of this?
Ifechukwude: Development of a town is
supposed to be everybody’s responsibility. It behoves all sons and daughters
who forms the crop of a town’s development union to be involved in the
development of any town. Ibusa is not exclusive. It means that her development
is the social responsibility of everybody. We are only blessed to have one or
two of our children among the top echelon of policy making in the country.
However, I still believe that part of the blame should go to our political
representatives because we voted them in to facilitate development to the town.
But what do we see and get in return, gross neglect and total abandonment of
their responsibilities. They have device a way of pacifying the people through
sharing of rice during Christmas and throwing some money into the system
anytime election is by corner in order to by their conscience and get their
votes, yet they turn their backs on them again as soon as they are voted in.
Homage:
As the author of the book, Wild Ixora, currently new in the book shelves, just
how did the inspiration come?
Ifechukwude: Truth is that I have always
had the passion for writing. Apart from the fact that the book is about an
enchanting autobiography of my personal childhood odyssey, the 136-page novel
culminated from a five pages narrative with no intention of publication
initially, but just for the love of writing. It may surprise you that I began
to expand and chapterize it to the volume that it is today. That was when the
idea that it will eventually develop to become a book someday, came to mind.
Interestingly, when I first published it in 2013, it didn’t generate the kind
of popularity and significance it is generating today. I find out that I have
succeeded in striking a very sensitive part of society’s interest by exposing
that aspect of childhood frailties inherent in children, especially in Africa.
As didactic as the book tends to be, the thematic references are quite
intriguing and the message, sinking. It will remain a reference point and
veritable guide for today’s child. ‘Wild Ixora’ is a vivid reflection of an
African childhood. There is no child that did not go through the experience of
the protagonist in the novel.
Homage:
Now on the issue of youth development in Ibusa, the population of young persons
is rising astronomically but very many of them are not engaged. What is the answer
to this situation?
Ifechukwude: I am pained anytime I remember
that the Ibusa youths I see today are from a different country from youths of
yesteryears. Even with little or no mentorship, youths of the 70s and 80s were focused
and determined. I must blame the scourge to moral decay that has completely
taken over today. There is a total collapse of the moral institution. Call it
trend and you are not far from it. But, honestly the adverse effect is
something else. Their minds are polluted that there is nothing you are going to
tell them now that will hold water. The society is not offering any solution
because they are part of the fallen system. People in position see the youths
as vulnerable tools to perpetrate acts capable of obscuring their future and
they capitalize on it to sink with the ship. Too bad. Quite too bad. The only
solution is engage as many that cannot go back to school into skill
acquisition. Constant reorientation and life-enhancing seminars can go a long
way in reshaping their thought pattern. Then moral suasion will be an added
elixir to the endemic virus of youth restiveness. Various stakeholders in Ibusa
should please understand that the future of this town lies in the hands of
these youths. So, if we fail to do the fail to do the needful, I tell you we
are yet to see the end of this preponderant war that is looming.
Homage:
Who’s Philip? Are there any more things you want to tell us about yourself?
Ifechukwude: Well, I am God fearing as I
believe in truth. I am also very objective in my philosophy about life. Philip
Ngozi Ifechukwude is an articulate and quintessential personality. My selfless
service to humanity has presented me with opportunities to be involved in life
changing programmes and projects aimed at benefiting humanity especially in
Ibusa. I have a dying passion for the human persons, and that is why I am
continuously involved in human capital projects that will always enhance the
living standard of the people, especially the youths. As a motivator and
teacher, I like to encourage and mentor the youths on career prospects. I am a
social right activist with an astute interest in politics. This earned me the
position as the Special Adviser on Media to the past Transition Committee
chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Innocent
Esewezie. I was also the chairman of the NYSC board committee in the same
administration. My writing prowess has earned me a lot of accolades and
recognitions due to my non-partisan stand on critical issues that span across
politics, socio-cultural and general welfare of the people. My novel, ‘Wild
Ixora’ is gradually gathering momentum and as a literary scholar, my poems have
been published in different anthologies and poetry websites across the world.
Presently, I am working on a collection of short stories, and poems to be
published very soon. I also run a football magazine called ‘Total Football’. I
have been part of inspiring youth seminars that include Ibusa Like-Minds
organized seminars, National Association of Ibusa Students cultural and social
programmes, and recently, the Ibusa Festival of Arts and Culture (IFAC). I
studied English Language and Literature at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Homage:
Thank you for this interview
Ifechukwude: The pleasure is all mine.
Thank you.
Comments
Post a Comment