This struggle is now my life
By Pat Utomi

AS we reflect on dozens of lives lost in protest of election rigging, billions of Naira expended on campaigns even as many of our compatriots are dehumanised by dreadful poverty, it is important to extend gratitude, and commit afresh to the struggle on the long road to freedom for Nigeria.

When about a year ago I gave up all income, stepped down from boards and committed to seeking votes for the presidency many thought it was a three month quest to prove a point. It turned out to be a grueling venture that involved at least three near death experiences, thousands of miles of road and air travel and a discovery of a country I thought I knew well. For the privilege of such remarkable personal growth I owe much gratitude to so many. To the Governors who gave me warm welcome in their Government Houses, the thousands of citizens who welcomed me to rural village squares; traditional rulers from Sokoto to Gombe, Oloibiri to Benin and Ife to Biu. They taught me that tradition has been updated by men of great exposure who have taken up the thrones of their ancestors. Surely I cannot be the same because they crossed my path.

I learnt a long time ago that I grow from acknowledging that I have made mistakes in the past. Traversing this country deepened my recognition that I could do many things that I had done in the past differently. This Return on Experience (ROE) was more valuable than any investments I had ever made. For this immeasurable gain I will never be able to say thank you enough.

I set out to run a campaign on issues, avoid casting aspersions that take away from the dignity of any person. I am pleased that I was significantly able to stay the chosen course. But this happened with the help of friends, staff persons and men of goodwill at home and in the Diaspora. My debt of gratitude can only be paid through continuous sacrificial service to Nigerians, especially those less fortunate than I. To say that politics, especially in the kind of presidential system we run, cost a lot of money, is to state the obvious. While we push for reform that should place a cap that is measurable on campaign finance, I want to thank immensely friends and well wishers who sent generous cheques, particularly the poor woman who truly gave a widow's mite of N500. I know it is more generous than the N5,000,000 cheques from some more endowed compatriots.

Criss-crossing Nigeria put my conscience to the test regarding what must be done to rescue our country. After some challenging reflections I have had to conclude that the rest of my life will have to be dedicated to directing Nigeria away from the road to serfdom that we currently travel unto navigating the lanes to liberation. I can see clearly from the vantage point of becoming involved in politics, the troubling crossroads we stand on, as a crisis of values we have long lamented, moves Nigeria ever so close to the precipice. The least I can do, in the circumstance, is quit my day job and dedicate the rest of my life to this struggle. I am convinced that the struggle as my life is worthwhile venture.

The struggle will be aimed largely at keeping the man-in-the-street, middle class professional people, and the youth ever committed to the quest in advance of the Common Good for change. The pain of seeing so many middle class people come out to vote on April 14 and witnessing their retreat on April 21 after it became clear their votes were not allowed to count increases the essence of the struggle. It is time to say thank you and to roll up our sleeves, like Nehemiah, to rebuild the falling walls of Nigeria. No one can go through what I have experienced this last year and be the same, if they have a sensitive conscience. The sacrifice of total commitment therefore comes easy. As soon as the period of reflection is over with the rainy season, we shall begin a nationwide "Thank you" tour, traveling the same very path we traced during the campaigns to personally say how grateful we are for the privilege of sharing our vision of a new Nigeria with you, whether Maurice Iwu bother to count your votes or not. I know you heard me and I felt your pain.

During the tour we will begin to put in place through Private Development Agencies (PDAs), sometimes called NGOs platforms for implementing some initiatives we promised for uplifting the human condition, in places where we made such promises. The two key targets of the initiatives are poverty and ignorance through ideas that confront the crisis of values that is crippling Nigeria, and the poverty of ideas that leave people so deep in want that a ripple can drown. We hope the flame imagined possibilities will be kept alive. Indeed Nigerians have no business being poor.

• Professor Utomi was ADC Presidential Candidate for 2007

   

   

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle4409=encodeURIComponent(This strugg...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 01.05.2007 20:21

dedee  JJC

# 2 Thank you prof. Pat Utomi. I discovered in America where i now call home,that this great country was blessed with several men with vision who cared about their country. These great men that led America to the present height, were men with wisdom, intellect, vision, and noble ideas. God bless America. I have read you prof.Utomi, and listened to your campaign promises to the people of Nigeria, this is when I knew you are the only candidate that understood the enomous problem that faced Nigeria, because of many years of mis-rule, and looting of the people's money. Please do not relent in your struggle to save Nigeria, maybe you are the equivalent of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Martin Lurther King Jr. and many others that contributed immensely to the greatness of America. This is the kind of blessing Nigeria has never had since inception as a nation, instead Nigeria has as their leaders clueless men without vision, who do not care about the citizens.At this present time Nigeria is in a crossroad.The wasted eigth years of Obasanjo rule is very troubling, and for some of us it seems there is no hope for Nigeria, except with Gods infinite mercy that Nigeria will be saved from the hands of those that have hijacked Nigeria. Nigeria is like an old ship caught by mid night storm without land or searchlight in sight. May God have mercy on Nigeria and its people who are suffering in the mist of plenty. Posted by dedee| 01.05.2007 22:48

techsista  Villager

# 3 Thanks for this piece. All the best. Posted by techsista| 01.05.2007 22:54

Nonyellum  Villager

# 4 We are with you all the way. Thank you for representing very well. We're very proud of your efforts. This is just the beginning. Posted by Nonyellum| 02.05.2007 02:39

Fjord  Villager

# 5 During the tour we will begin to put in place through Private Development Agencies (PDAs), sometimes called NGOs platforms for implementing some initiatives we promised for uplifting the human condition, in places where we made such promises. The two key targets of the initiatives are poverty and ignorance through ideas that confront the crisis of values that is crippling Nigeria, and the poverty of ideas that leave people so deep in want that a ripple can drown. We hope the flame imagined possibilities will be kept alive. Indeed Nigerians have no business being poor. "The will of man is beyond surrender" - Wole Soyinka More power to Mr. Utomi. All Nigerians of goodwill will support your continuing efforts. The official Utomi website will need to be updated, and creative ways to communicate with Nigerians at the grassroots will have to be invented. . Posted by Fjord| 02.05.2007 05:33

Kingsley Omose  JJC

# 6 The decision of Pat utomi to dedicate his life to uplifting the poor in Nigeria is probably one of the best outcomes of the April 2007 elections. For years, Pat Utomi had endeared himself to the corporate world and professional class in Nigeria. However, his views, ideas and postulations seemed out of touch with the reality with which majority of Nigerians are familiar. Now that his eyes have been opened to this reality, and he has been reborn as it were, he needs to learn the ropes of what it will take to make an impact at this level. He may end up confronting some of the corporate institutions and business leaders that he helped build in the past, whose very policies and operations sustain the status quo. He may have to embrace and or forge alliances with political associations and associates, some of whom he regards with disdain today. He may also set his sights on warming his way into the hearts of Nigerians and making them understand what he now stands for. But what ever he does, his life will never be the same again because the level of his sensitivity has been raised to new heights. His options were actually limited, either to dull his conscience and pretend that he saw nothing, or to do something about what he saw on his tour of Nigeria. Pat utomi has indeed chosen well and I pray that God will give him the wisdom and understanding to do for the Nigerian poor what he has accomplished for the rich. Posted by Kingsley Omose| 02.05.2007 07:43

beambolla  Villager

# 7 =Kingsley Omose;172901>The decision of Pat utomi to dedicate his life to uplifting the poor in Nigeria is probably one of the best outcomes of the April 2007 elections. For years, Pat Utomi had endeared himself to the corporate world and professional class in Nigeria. However, his views, ideas and postulations seemed out of touch with the reality with which majority of Nigerians are familiar. Now that his eyes have been opened to this reality, and he has been reborn as it were, he needs to learn the ropes of what it will take to make an impact at this level. He may end up confronting some of the corporate institutions and business leaders that he helped build in the past, whose very policies and operations sustain the status quo. He may have to embrace and or forge alliances with political associations and associates, some of whom he regards with disdain today. He may also set his sights on warming his way into the hearts of Nigerians and making them understand what he now stands for. But what ever he does, his life will never be the same again because the level of his sensitivity has been raised to new heights. His options were actually limited, either to dull his conscience and pretend that he saw nothing, or to do something about what he saw on his tour of Nigeria. Pat utomi has indeed chosen well and I pray that God will give him the wisdom and understanding to do for the Nigerian poor what he has accomplished for the rich. good we will now have our own Nigerian Robin HOOD i will beleive it when i see it talk cheap make he do am first:cool: Posted by beambolla| 02.05.2007 07:57

Brotherkeeper  Villager

# 8 Dear Prof Utomi, For as long as you continue to dedicate your life to the struggle, the transformation of Nigeria from poor and ignorant to wealthy and enlightened will continue. The good people of Nigeria and the world over, in increasing numbers daily, will match your zeal and sacrifice. I say this through conviction that it has taken Nigeria thrice to be bitten for her to become shy. From my own community (mainly grass root Nigerian based) all are crying resolutely that enough is enough. Continue to mind the gap separating the lofty but practical ideals from the quagmire of Nigerian politicians and their agents. To succeed the enemy must be clearly defined, no compromise unless relating to progressive and definite power stripping prior to hanging out to dry of all culprits. May the dormant sleeping giant of Africa now wake and forever remain vigilant. God's speed. Posted by Brotherkeeper| 02.05.2007 08:40

Amy  Villager

# 9 Well said, dear Pat Utomi. Many would have taken from the disgusting happenings of the last couple of weeks, dejection and melancholy but being the great mind that you are, you have found in all of that, the aches of success and growth. Kudos to you! I am glad you have finally discovered your true mission. As Goethe once wrote, “Man is not born to solve the problems of the universe, but to find out what he has to do”. My prayer is that you will remain resolute in your commitment to the ordinary folks in Nigeria and pursue your chosen mission with inspiration and diligence. This cause may not afford you the limelight but if lives are changed for the better as a direct consequence of the path you have chosen to thread, you will likely die a fulfilled man… assured that your talents and dreams will not be buried with you untapped. I am certain you will have the support of many people of goodwill in Nigeria as you take on the noble task of reaching the voiceless, the forgotten, the disenfranchised and the hopeless in all parts of our homeland. You have chosen well. God bless and keep you. Posted by Amy| 02.05.2007 09:09

nike  Villager

# 10 Dear Dr. Utomi, I am deeply moved by the apparent conviction with which you embark on this new phase of your life. It is a conviction that many of us share but which to all intents and purposes, non of us is prepared to to make our raison d'etre. I applaud you. For the vast majority of Nigerians who believe in the simple but powerful statement you have made above you will have become our champion, as long as you remain true to this committment. On my own part I promise that I will make a modest yearly contribution towards your crusade. It is just one Pat Utomi today but several other Pat Utomis will be inspired by your example and sacrifice. It will eventually get to a critical mass, as long as the original ideal is maintained. If we had one Pat Utomi in each state, 3/4 of the battle would have been worn. I am very seldomly a prayerful man, but I pray for you. May you be able to discern and surround yourself with men and women of similar convictions. May the almighty God guide you and give you the strenght to remain true to your committments. It is a very hard and lonely road that you have chosen for yourself. May God give you and your family the courage to remain on that road. Posted by nike| 02.05.2007 10:06

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