I have just read Onwa Buchi Amene’s rejoinder to Dom Ikeogu’s thought-provoking piece titled, “Is Onitsha the Extravagance Capital of Nigeria?” Amene’s response clearly exposes the arrogance and attitude of those who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo in Onitsha, come what may.
They use culture to justify everything without thinking of progress, innovation or advancement.
The initial writer never said OZO title is bad but rather that it has been commercialized to the highest bidder; That any person with enough money in his pocket can now buy himself a title. Is this not self-evident? If not, how many intending members have been turned down for not meeting other standards?
What is “ignorant” about the suggestion that TITLE should be earned rather than be bought with money?
The rejoinder used the word ignorant, meaning he has superior information not available to the original writer. In the end, he rambled about and offered no new information to back up his own claims.
Clearly, he cannot see the financial abuses and moral contradictions inherent in displaying wealth among the poor and hungry without attempting to lift them up from their deplorable condition.
A good rejoinder must learn from his critic and be open to reasonable suggestions since no man or institution is perfect.
Rather, this rejoinder chose to “educate” us on the origins of ozo title and how he thinks it is superior to Western culture.
There is no doubt that Onitsha has a very rich culture. But for that culture to stand the test of time, it must take onboard new ideas and evolve to better suit the needs of society.
At the moment, Onitsha does not have any infrastructure that can sustain a society – apart from what was built by missionaries and government.
No functional hospitals
No functional water works
No public library
No convention center
No job-creating factories
Our people mostly grow and prosper when they leave Onitsha to work in other lands of opportunity. Why can’t we use some of the proceeds of that prosperity to develop indigenous infrastructure to enable our brethren at home to grow? Why feed them only food and drinks?
No culture or society can survive exclusively on old glory. Onitsha must beware of this trap by combining old glory with new reality and future thinking.
Finally, a society is not judged by how rich or well respected a few men and women are; it is judged by how well it takes care of its less privileged. And how many it is able to lift out of poverty. This should be the primary concern for all of us who have the privilege of means and opportunity.
Vince Ikeogu (Ojife) writes from Minnesota, USA
