Maureen

When I saw Barr. Kenneth Okonkwo's @realkenokonkwo write-up yesterday, as always, I wanted to quickly discuss it with PO @PeterObi to get his thoughts. However, when I called him, he was in Awka as the keynote speaker at a large Rotary Club-organized meeting of the installation of Rotarian Prof. Nkemdidi AU Nnonyelu. Later that night, he was in Lagos. This morning, he went to Owerri for a scheduled meeting with Governor Alex Otti. When I tried to reach him again, he was on his way to another meeting before heading to yet another engagement outside Lagos. He later called me back this evening around 4 PM on his way out of Lagos. While speaking to him, I expressed my worries and concerns about the departure of Bar Kenneth Okonkwo, mentioning some key points. He calmly responded, saying, "Mo, Kenneth, Balami, and others remain my beloved younger brothers, who, in due time, will realize the virtues of humility and patience in trying to do things in a peaceful manner. In Nigeria, he continued, we have become all too accustomed to rascality and forcefully doing things, making noise, and bulldozing our way through, even when we are wrong. This behavior is often mistakenly seen as a measure of power or greatness. However, that yardstick must not continue to define us, because that is not the society we want to build. The society we preach is one that values doing things the right way, with integrity, patience, and perseverance, even if it takes time. We must shift our mindset and recognize that true greatness lies not in loud boasts or aggressive actions, but in quiet confidence, humility, and a commitment to excellence. By doing so, we can create a more just, equitable, and prosperous nation for all." He said, "Mo, we all joined the Labour Party about 18 months ago. We spent the first year on campaigns, elections, and court proceedings. And now, I am expected to become a superman, scattering everything and achieving instant results." He continued, "I appreciate the patience and understanding of the Obidients and plead with them to let us be the example we want to see in our society. This is not the first time I have faced such challenging situations. In fact, this has been my trajectory in life - I am actually energized when people think I am weak and try to walk all over me for doing the right thing." "Mo, all I can assure you is that doing the right thing is not a sign of weakness. Humility and patience are virtues, not weaknesses. It is a long journey, and I am committed to it. I encourage the #Obidients to do the same - let us walk this path together, with faith and perseverance. We will get there, and our efforts will be worth it in the end." -DrMo