To rethink means, stakeholders and the drivers of this struggle need to critically evaluate and change the approach currently used in promoting the struggle.
In my penultimate piece a few days ago on the proposed, rather agitation for Ogoja State creation which was titled: “The Unyielding Struggle for Ogoja State: A Journey Through Political Apathy and Missed Opportunities”, which was published on some social media platforms, it was greeted with a number of reactions from readers of northern cross river senatorial district.
The piece was basically the chronicle of states creation in Nigeria and how the people of Ogoja missed the many opportunities accorded them by providence. The piece was summarized with a pellucid warning to a coterie of narcissistic individuals roving in the toga of tritons in the midst of minnows to desist from introducing elements of political party affiliation to the struggle. It also noted that pitfalls are imminent if such behavior isn’t eschewed.
While it’s an indisputable fact that creating states in a democratic government is a Herculean task compared to the military regime, where states can be created effortlessly within seconds by decree or presidential fiat; in democracy, the processes are cumbersome and most times, suffer unnecessary hiccups from bureaucratic inertia and bottleneck.
In this piece, I would like to outline some workable propositions for consideration in our pursuit of Ogoja State. The views would be encapsulated in a word (rethink), and a phrase (attitudinal/behavioral change). Rethink: if the struggle must be sustained, it’s imperative a deliberate effort is made to reengineer the mindsets of our people irrespective of party affiliation, religious affinity, social status, tribe and the host of other factors from the conventional docile people, to the reawakened people.
To rethink means, stakeholders and the drivers of this struggle need to critically evaluate and change the approach currently used in promoting the struggle. The campaign for Ogoja state creation should be redesigned and repackaged to gain acceptance among non-indigenous people. There should be a mass awareness campaign through electronic and print media. We must capitalize on the vast reach of social media to pass the message. WhatsApp alone is ineffectual. Our presence should be noticed on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
Stickers, fliers, pamphlets, customized T-shirts, face caps, and mufflers should be printed with the unique insignia of Ogoja. Symposia should be regularly held to promote our rich history, cultural heritage, economic viability, political status, agricultural produce and our readiness for statehood.
Furthermore, we must incorporate the politics of lobbying into the struggle. The traditional institution mustn’t be left out. Our traditional rulers should be adorned in their finest royal paraphernalia — assisted by our political actors to pay the President, Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a courtesy visit. In such a visit, the genuineness of the agitation becomes the focal point of discussion. Our national assembly members should break the ground in the assembly as well.
Branding our message is most necessary. This should come from the directorate of strategic communication/media and publicity. This Directorate is solely responsible for making sure news pertaining to Ogoja trends is in the news charts and media houses.
Mr Ogar Emmanuel Oko is from Yala LGA and writes from Calabar.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Ogar Emmanuel Oko, and do not represent the opinion of TheInvestigator or any other organization the author works for/with.