Recently, Barr. Enechi Kierian, the Legal Adviser to the Adada Media Forum, an umbrella body of Nsukka journalists, spoke to a cross section of journalists about the objectives, achievements and challenges of the group. He also delved into the current political dispensation in Enugu State.
Here are the excerpts:
COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF ADADA MEDIA FORUM?
ANS:
It is interesting how the Adada Media Forum sprang into jubilant life in the last stretch of years. It is the result of the concerted efforts by a huge collective of media minds of different hues, with a common Enugu ancestry, to transform wealth of experience to tangible good, communal betterment, refinement and effective socio-economic cum spiritual renewal.
It is a non- profit private voluntary initiative for coherent and pragmaticdevelopment advocacy ( in tune with the times and terrain) and its step by step implementation at the smaller and larger levels, towards effective generational revolution, for the benefit of the people of this state that is located on top of the hills.
To achieve these lofty objectives , Adada Media Forum cohesively coordinates its activity cells, whose primary charges as it were, are to critically engage the challenges of the various sectors of life in the state : bringing in needed collaborations,expedient interface with responsible leaderships and respective stakeholders , to initiate the enabling environment for the full utilization of modern advances in knowledge and applications, for sustainable up-building.
The Forum’s focus in the growth process for social -political, economic and spiritual advancement and renewal, is systematic and deep; commencing with ideas to eventual actualization by way of measurable beneficial impact on lives and the environment in Enugu State.
In articulating its aims and objectives as earlier explained , the bright minds of this gathering not only believe but also have machinery in place that put process in motion towards alleviatingthe complications in the lives of different sections of its target group, thereby enabling greater prosperity and quality of life.
Q What have they been able to do so far?
ANS:
All hands are on the deck in the avowed intention as captured in our objectives , to plant joy in the lives of others through concerted activities . Before now, we had at critical hours in the life of past administrations made far reaching interventions in support of that which is good, altruistic ,pure, noble and up-ward swinging.
As we speak , the president of the forum and some of his key functionaries are in the field outside the state for various related good reasons targeted at randomachievement of objectives in harmony with the great aims and objectives of the Forum. Additionally, our activity cell groups have made effective foot prints in Enugu , Nsukka , Abuja , Anambra and Port Harcourt where you will find factors that are related to the rapid results we seek in objectives attainment.
As information people , we have undertaken some in-depth studies across divides and have been able to illuminate some finer paths forward in the different sectors of life within these objectives. This is in preparation for our next stream of activity which will find us, transiting from sensitization , advocacy and random intervention ( all of which we prosecuted with strength and stream in the years gone by) to constructive engagement in a sustained and sustainable manner.
We made beneficial interventions in the environmental issues that rudely shook certain local governments in the state. We were also involved in the unfortunate widows’ issue, that rattled the state some years ago. We lent a useful hand at different times to different local government administrations, to correct perceived painful slowness in responsible administration, which made their constituents to raise cries that attracted national attention. Instances of such random intervention are legion.
We are redirecting our focus on the huge natural and human resource potentials of the state. And ways and means to potentiate the efforts to harness all of these, towards the targeted renewal.
For instance , beside our Providentialdeposits of coal , crude oil, natural gas , limestone ,iron ore, bauxite , we also looking at the immense natural deposites of cathedral forest zones in Uzo-Uwani and environs. The multiple benefits those luscious greens, musical plants, historical trees and humming waters that hide beneath ancient banks, can bring.
We are looking at a deliberate culture that that will make us “green and harmonious”, cooperating with the Laws of Creation to protect and equilibrate these providential endowments in such a pure and proper way that will in turn, unlock a trans-generational prosperity from its multiple utilization.
On the table also is the re-energizing of government work, on the aquatic wonders of Adada River that ran a beautiful ring round some constituent parts of Enugu.
Our teams have made similar audacious insights into the under water resources and multiple utilization potentials of various points of the famed Oji river, Idaw river, Nyaba and Aria, in harmony with modern advances in understanding and cooperating with the environment.
Finally, we are also looking at the unserved and under served areas of the Nsukka zone which are conspicuously missing in the political cartography of successive administrations in the state regarding modern infrastructural deployment and proper human capacity utilization.
- What are the challenges and impediments?
ANS.
Every human effort that is right and in upwards motion, naturally meets a few challenges on its way, to test its resolve. The Forum is not an exception in its bid to actualize those worthy aims and objectives that I have presented. What is important is that the heat of those challenges have always been transformed prayerfully, to birth a new dawn and a fresh morn, pregnant with beautiful possibilities.
Adada Media Forum is characterized by a highly informed management of discrepant variables at all stages in its evolutionary strides. The experienced men and women that spearhead efforts, provide such tight management of the various variants of these challenges that ensure that the rapid achievement of objectives is not derailed.
- Now that Nsukka has produced the Governor of Enugu State, what should people look forward to?
ANS.
Enugu has got it right once again and things can only get better. High expectations will meet refreshing fulfillment because of the unique richness of the character of the average Nsukka persona, which the incumbent ostensibly incorporates.
We are talking of selflessness, self sacrifice, intelligence, meekness, long experience, Heavenly talents, strengths and to cap it all, track record of deeds that are ennobling, along those lines.
The Governor, H.E. Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has already sign-posted this new dawn in the manner of composition of his timely 15man economic advisory council and in the calibre of appointees in the appointments made so far-just two or so weeks into his inauguration.
People should expect a clean break and a new beginning on unsullied grounds with sufficient steam to drive this new transformational vehicle to beautiful milestones.
- How would you describe the new governor?
ANS.
As I said even before his nomination by his party, the PDP, he is the inevitable possessor of an onerous and challenging legacy bestowed on him from ON HIGH. The onus of responsibility is therefore on him to justify this unique Grace and the collective trust of votes, emanating from the legitimate expectations of people. It will only be possible to describe him further from his action and reaction to things and issues as we go on. Meanwhile, our prayerfully thoughts go out for him, that he may receive HELP from ABOVE to achieve rightful decisions in his new charge to administer the great population and resources of our beloved Enugu state.
- How optimistic are you that he will correct the marginalization of Nsukka zone in the scheme of things?
ANS.
The issue you just raised is a notorious fact that lives in the entire length and breath of the zone. It is touchy because it is glaring . it is safe to say that we have a listening governor who will complement this with a timely responsive attitude and a keen sense of fairness and balance.
- Are you sure Nsukka people are ready to embrace the challenges ahead?
ANS.
The objective realities that confront Nsukka zone today have awakened a new ideological burgle call. In the present day circumstances , we have experienced more than a moral rebirth as it were. Indeed, it is a generational revolution of some kind.
The days of identity definitional crisis are long gone and incinerated . There is now some titanic striving among the large army of towering resourceful minds that form the zone’s component parts of Udenu, Isi-uzo, Igbo-eze, Igbo-etiti Nsukka and Uzo-uwani. The answer you seek is already delivered by the reality in place . The larger question is not whether there is sufficient readiness for the challenges but when this exacting level of tested, untainted preparedness and capacity be called to good use and duty, in the public interest.
- Do you foresee the hydra-headed issues of “anointed governor” breaking ties his chief sponsor and predecessor?
ANS.
Conflicts, occur when people misapply that radiant steam of energy streaming from ON HIGH which we are all Blessed with; either through an ignorant bid to unduly control the other or some other negative tendencies- all of which wither the buoyancy of relationships.
I do not forsee the beauty and glow which led the unassuming and high performing ex-governor Chime to fixate his choice of successor in the zone, dimming in the near future.
The good choice the ex Governor made here, was based on compelling altruistic reasons, in the course of which he made personal sacrifice as true leader. I do not think that these credentials recommended him as anything less than a joyful sower that genuinely desires his seed to burst into vibrant life, grow and outshine him as a true testimony of his parting legacy.
