Umahism: Involving God in Greater Ebonyi Project
Ebonyi State was created on October 1, 1996 by then General Sani Abacha. For 19 years and seven months, the state and its people struggled carnally through two military administrators (Cmdr Walter Feghabor and CP Simeon Oduoye) and two civilian governors (Dr. Sam Egwu and Chief Martins Elechi) to develop. The struggle was carnal because even though all administrators and elected governors of Ebonyi State were Christians, and prayers were held in the state at various times by popular ministers of God, like the papal nuncio, Arch Bishop Kasuja, W.F. Kumuyi, Enoch Adeboye, Oral Roberts Jnr, Reinhard Bonke, Dr. Uma Ukpai etc, these spiritual inputs constituted an infinitesimal ratio of the total resources invested in the development of Ebonyi State and its people. This is enough to say that like in many modern societies, the Word of God or Holy Scriptures was never accorded the priority status it deserved in the list of factors or ingredients necessary for the development of Ebonyi State. Even our moral rearmament programme, known as Attitudinal Change Programme, was devoid of spiritual content, as its message was restricted to secularism and other social etiquettes, like time consciousness and punctuality.
The implication of this odd situation is that even though Ebonyi State had seen physical and human capital development during these previous administrations, the development indices were diminished or dwarfed by the “locusts” of spiritual corruption and moral decadence! The situation in Ebonyi State before May 29, 2015 was akin to that of Israel during the time of Prophet Micah: Ebonyi State and its people harvested crops they could not eat; and even when they ate, they were hungry (Micah 6:14-16)! Thus, higher institutions of learning in the state degenerated into centres of excellence for cultism and criminal activities, while our post-primary schools became breeding grounds for cultists and gangsters. Hence, our media platforms over the years were replete with reports of murder, rape, incest, robbery, communal wars, child stealing and trafficking, vandalism of public utilities, corruption, sodomy, trial by ordeal, witchcraft, kidnapping and all other forms of crimes in the classes of mala prohibita and mala in se. Truly, if the Lord does not build a house, the builders labour in vain (Psalm 127:1)!
When His Excellency, Deacon David Nweze Umahi, an unassuming but passionate Christian, took over the reins of power in Ebonyi State as the third democratically elected governor, he declared his intention to “prosper Ebonyi State with the Word of God”. As casual and unusual as this particular statement of Governor Umahi sounded, events that have continued to unfold thereafter have sufficiently proved two things: one, the statement was a condensed personal covenant between God and Umahi, which was backed up with all ingredients of solemnity and commitment. Two, because of its divine anchorage, Umahi’s administration is an unusual administration, which cannot be limited or deterred by mundane things, like norms, economic recession, geography, witches, wizards, principalities and powers! Umahi commenced with prayer and fasting, and has continued to use these weapons of spiritual warfare to do exploits; contrary to the lies of Umahi’s political adversaries in the run up to the 2015 governorship elections, Umahi became a listening and the most tolerant governor in the history of Ebonyi State. In spite of the harsh economic crisis in Nigeria, Umahi has, in 22 months, completed two overhead bridges at Presco and Akanu Ibiam roundabouts, a pedestrian cross-over at EBSU gate, 44 internal roads in Abakaliki urban, and has over 60 other on-going road projects in Abakaliki municipality, Onueke and Afikpo, the 13 council areas, and three federal roads, which include the 15.5 km Nkalagu - Eha-Amufu road, 14.5 km section of Abakaliki-Afikpo road, and 24.5 km Amasiri-Okposi-Afikpo road as well as another overhead flyover bridge at the Abakaliki International Market and a waste recycling plant in Umuoghara, e.t.c.
When over 27 states in Nigeria with better revenue profiles than Ebonyi State are unable to pay workers’ salaries, Umahi does not just pay Ebonyi workers promptly, he equally pays them bonuses known as 13th month salaries in Ebonyi labour parlance! It is not my intention to bore us with Umahi’s array of impressive achievements, but it is a thing of joy that with Umahi, Ebonyi State is moving to greater heights.
It suffices that Umahi’s magic is that the God of multiplication who fed 5000 people with two fishes and five loaves and had a surplus of 12 baskets (Matt 14:13-20) is involved in the governance of Ebonyi State. With God the meagre resources of the state can do great projects. After all, the Bible says in the book of Daniel 1:32, “Those who know their God shall do exploits”!
With the recent inauguration of school moral instructors/evangelism team in Ebonyi State by Umahi, who charged the team with teaching Christian moral instructions and forming Christian Unions in all primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions, raising godly youths and empowering them to fulfil purposes and destinies, the prosperity of Ebonyi State on all fronts through the gospel is set on a permanent trajectory in what is generally seen as a new beginning. This spiritual investment has guaranteed Ebonyi State and its people future leaders who are bound to know their God and, therefore, have capacity to do greater exploits in God’s name.
Umahi deserves accolades for being the first governor in the history of Ebonyi State to initiate and pursue a comprehensive approach to the development and prosperity of the state and its people. The timing, circumstances and progress of the development programme compel one to appreciate Umahi the more. This is more so if one recalls that Umahi had earlier handed over all Government Technical Colleges to the Catholic Church. Critical stakeholders, like parents/guardians, clergymen, moral instructors, teachers, pupils/students, the Scripture Union, Christian Association of Nigeria, and all persons of goodwill should support this noble venture.
As things stand, it is certain that through Umahi, God is restoring to Ebonyi people the years eaten by the locusts (Joel 2:25), and one can safely say that it is well with Ebonyi State!