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The Executive Chairman of Udenu LGA — Hon. Solomon Izuchukwu Onah more popularly called Jack Solo has issued a solemn Christmas message to the people of his local government.
The message titled: “Be steadfast and stay focused” was released to newsmen at the local government headquarters — Obollo Afor early this morning. It was a comprehensive document highlighting the importance of Christmas and advising the people to ensure they don’t allow the frenzy of the season affect their focus on the forthcoming general elections 2023.
Excerpts:
BE STEADFAST & STAY FOCUSED
Being a Christmas message to the people of Udenu LGA, by Hon. Solomon Izuchukwu Onah
(Executive Chairman, Udenu LGA)
This 23rd Day of December, 2022
Dear good People of Udenu LGA,
I bring to you all, the joyful tidings and peace of Christmas, as we relieve the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Since it pleased you all to make me your leader, it has become an obligation for me to issue advisories when the need arises as it has presently. I am duty-bound to issue this statement as a guide to every Udenu sons and daughters as we swim through tumult of Christmas season.
This is a penultimate period to an extraordinary election year, and as supposed, we have to be careful and play by the rules of the time we found ourselves. Let us not misconstrue the celebration and flow astray with the worldly side attractions of the tide.
May we, in the spirit of Christmas maintain a serene atmosphere that will persuade our brothers in diaspora to come home and invest in the development of our land as they return in this holiday.
Christmas commemorates the coming of the living God in human form hypostatically prefigured in Jesus of Nazareth, for the salvation of the whole world. It is the feast of God’s physical involvement in man’s history.
The entire economy of our salvation began its fulfillment on Christmas.
To reflect fully on the import of this feast, let us listen to Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Onuh (Late) of Nsukka diocese in one of his essays on the Solemnity.
He wrote:
“Many of the most painful stories in the Bible often ended as comedies, i.e. with happy endings. One of such stories is the one about the prodigal child, (Lk. 15:11-31) which became one of the most edifying journeys of salvation ever made. So, in order to be saved we have got to be on the move, but with our backs against the wrong direction.”
“Christmas is all about journeys involving God, Angels and human beings. When Jesus offered to come as Saviour, that was when the final lap of the journeys of Salvation started. You would recall that the Angel Gabriel moved from heaven to Mary; Mary in turn, moved from Nazareth to Elizabeth; afterwards, Joseph and Mary moved to their home town for census, where the birth of Jesus took place. Then, the Angel moved to the Shepherds in the forest, who in turn, moved to Bethlehem.
Then the Star moved towards the East where three wise men saw it and followed it to Jerusalem, etc. For our people, two important journeys are required to make Christmas a feast like no other: a journey back to God in penitence and a journey back to the village. Each person has a Nazareth which irresistibly beckons as we approach December 25th every year.
But the annual ritual of moving to the village can become a pilgrimage to Nazareth only if we have made the prodigal’s journey back to God; otherwise it will remain an empty travel back to fruitless merrymaking.
Prophet Micah who spoke of Christmas as that time when the remnant shall return after she who is pregnant gives birth (Micah 5:2).
In a matter of hours it shall be Christmas and many who travel for the season have begun to pour in. It is prayed that all the journeys will be like that of Mary who had Christmas within her womb, but travelled to be Christmas for Elizabeth.
Having established the theological basis of this season, let us tap from its vertical/horizontal asymptote.
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My people,
The passing year was a cocktail of the prevailing peaceful atmosphere which has characterized Enugu State in the last seven and half years, tinged with harsh economic realities which the ruling APC had plunged the country into. But thanks to the strong economic stimulus of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, which cushions the effect of the APC’s national disaster in Enugu, our people enjoyed reliefs.
We saw some pockets of insecurity encroach our borders, but it couldn’t prevail, due to our conscious efforts and the determination of the state government to provide topnotch security in our communities.
Ndi Udenu,
Since we came on board, Obollo, Imilike, Orba, Ogbodu-Aba, Ezimo, Amalla, Igugu, Umundu and their neighbouring communities have had relative peace, and people could sleep with both eyes closed. And we owe this to God’s mercy, and our little efforts aimed at cooperating with divine grace which is always available and sufficient (2Cor. 12:9).
Another point to be reflected on, is the importance of the incoming year that is just seven days away. It is an important election year. And you have to be as prudent and wise as serpent (Matt. 10:26) in order not to allow the cacophony of noise from few selfish politicians roaming in self-deceit distract you from your resolve to maintain your support for continued good governance in our Constituency.
Some of these characters have been going about, prowling like lion looking for who to devour (1Pet. 5:8). But I am grateful that you refused to be dissuaded. This is not to demean anyone. We are all politicians in our various spheres of life, though not all of us are honest or selfless. But like the 16th president of America would advise: “though all men are not just, but we must admit that for every scoundrel there is a hero; for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader.”
When we talk of politics during festive periods like this, we must remember how it played out even in the biblical account of nativity and draw some lessons from it. Recall the mortal efforts of King Herod to eliminate the child Jesus, but for the wisdom and vision of the three wise men and Joseph (Matt. 2:1-23).
From that time till now, efforts has been made by selfish politicians to oppose what and whom God has ordained. If you sleep as many Nigerians did in 2015, these impostors will steal your mandate and subvert your will in 2023. Be at alert, be attentive and most importantly, be discreet. In that way, you will vote and protect your votes to ensure they count.
Finally, may I salute the heroism of our stakeholders, our Elders-of-thought, traditional rulers, clergymen, market women, civil servants and all men and women of goodwill in Udenu for their continued support to our administration. I hold a special place in my heart for all members of Udenu local government executive and legislative councils respectively. My warmest regard goes to my deputy, the Vice Chairman of Udenu LGA – Hon. Gideon Eze.
It will also be uncharitable not to appreciate the active efforts of Catholic Diocese of Nsukka in ensuring that the masses are better informed towards making the right choices in the coming elections. Their Town Hall Meetings for all cadres of contest in the election is a welcome development.
I also appreciate the great efforts of His Excellency, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi — the executive governor of Enugu state in providing leadership to Enugu state people.
God bless you all.
Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year in advance.
Signed:
Hon. Solomon Izuchukwu Onah
(Executive Chairman)
Udenu LGA.
Given this day 23rd December, 2022
At Obollo Afor.
