AN ACT OF BENEVOLENCE THAT DESERVES COMMENDATION!

November 13, 2018

The picture above pop-up in my wallet this evening, I felt I should share it. Perhaps it might change a perception or lifestyle, or bring humanity closer to those privileged by divinity to stand out. It is not about politics, nor about firm, but feeling the pangs of others and placing yourself in their seeming comfort, just to ascertain whether the yearning for change is a mantra in their heart.

The picture is that of a ramshackled apartment made of old rusted roofing sheets, without a cemented floor and surrounded by farmland in the oil producing city of Eket. It accommodated a family of five; two girls, a boy with the mother and grandmother. Having served in a mechanized poultry farm during my NYSC, I will say with all amount of sincerity that a poultry pen is better than that living house, but it was an apartment that kept that family of five comfortably amidst the rainy, stormy and sunny seasons.

No one is too poor to help another. No one can say he lacks capacity of meeting another’s need; providence gives men ability to be helpers to others in different aptitude so the world can actually be better.

The practice of giving, is recognized among all people, and is certainly one of the most basic human virtues. Giving is a quality that truly sheds light on the extent of one’s humanity. We are all interconnected, and within us is an intrinsic sense to take care of others.

That scrap of a building is one that demeaned our prestige as a core oil producing community, and questioned the humanity in those neighbors who have the financial powers to have changed the living standard of the poor widow and her children, but failed because to them, they owe them no obligation.

Putting myself in their shoes; in that horrible hut, I feel the dampness of the night, the cold that touches the soul and heat emitted from the scorching sun at day. I also feel the danger from crawling hazards in reptiles, then i wondered how comfortable I will be if I lived in a glass house closed to them. Methinks, the humanity in me would die if I could not influence a change. Thank God Hon. Frank Archibong lived up to the role of helping the poor and needy in his watch as chairman, pulling them out of the hazard filled environment.

I really don’t know how he made this happen, but this singular act of benevolence from Frank Archibong, AKS ALGON Chairman cum Eket Local Government chairman, to the family of Adiaha Ating, who hails from Edebuk village in Eket Local Government, portrays him a leader that has defined the essence of occupying public office.

He has reconfirmed the immortal words of Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activitist and former president of South Africa, who posited that “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity; it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
– Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist and former president of South Africa.

Archibong, without sounding sycophantic has characterized leadership to be of simplicity, selflesslesness, non-egocentricity, and has included himself in the generation that is determined to overcome poverty.

Tenures will be over, another will mount the saddle, legacies alone will stand as a memorabilia of the past events. What will you be remembered for as a known “made man” in the society?

Frank Archibong has written his name in gold, his action pleases God and man and posterity in history will come to appreciate. I will consistently say that an opportunity to serve the public is undoubtedly an opportunity to touch lives and leave humanity better than what was inherited. No leader is worth following if endangering situations of human living can’t cause him sleepless night, or the yearnings of the people are treated with kid gloves.

On behalf of Adiaha Ating, I say thank you the ALGON CHAIRMAN.