The shock is real. The shock is normal. The shock is expected. After 24 years of a consistent pattern by the same actors, the rather abrupt end of that era must occassion shock and withdrawal syndromes. But, what makes the difference is how we manage culture shock; the defence mechanism we put up to overcome this feeling and assert ourselves as dynamic human beings amenable to change; for life is a constant flux.
One step is to accept that change is permanent, that God has lifted Abia State from the doldrums to a higher plane and enthrusted the state in the hand of a reformer, for Governor Alex Otti is simply rebuilding like the Biblical Nehemiah. The second step is to take deliberate steps to acclamatize with the new movement of Abia Rebirth and begin to appreciate the sincere dreams and the concerted efforts of Otti to restore the lost glory of our dear state. The governor provided a soft-landing for all to unite as one state, one people and one common humanity by brandishing an olive branch of peace and acceptance to all and sundry.
I am, indeed, afraid that the culture shock might be resulting in a kind of mental ill-health for many who are still locked up in the past. Remnants of the fallen parties who have refused to accept the reality of our ascension and the reality of the law of natural progression. I see it manifest in a form of intentional amnesia for those who have refused to appreciate the new wave of work and renewal projects being done by Otti. I see it in the comments ( by the insignificant elements) trailing the honest observation and applause by a senior colleague, Chief Ralph Egbu, to the effect that Aba is now wearing a new look under our reformer governor. Those who querried that sincere remark by the Ndoki Chief are the pitiable victims of culture shock. They are the unfortunate lot still struggling with a painful withdrawal syndrome. I don’t want to believe that their condition is irredeemable.
One gets daily confronted by those who are so weighed down by the shock of their losses that they interpret intergrity to mean to be buried together with the carcass of the past. They accuse one of lacking in intergrity by accepting the reality of natural progression. But, sorry, intergrity means to live the truth of our existence. This truth is that after a period, knowledge increases, society recreates itself like the ancient mystical phoenix. Innovation overthrows the old things and old ways. The digital has overthrown the analoque. It is a constant spiral circle.
I pray our people should soon get out of culture shock and embrace the movement of Abia rebirth. I call our people to take a census of the new roads, new public buildings, schools, health centres, etc, constructed by Otti in just a year and six months and imagine what Abia will be after his eight-year tenure. Abia has to move with innovation and Otti is here as an apostle of a new beginning.
*To be continued*
