Eugene Upah|19 June 2017
Who remembers Comrade John Oko Inaku, the one-time SUG President of Unical? Who remembers the story of the Unical female student who died in the hostel as a result of neglect by the school authority and how Comrade Inaku carried the dead student on his back from the Female hostel to the Vice Chancellor’s office asking the VC to eat the body or be ready to face the wrath of Malabites? Who can vividly recall how Malabites and Malabresses barricaded the main gates/small gates and Goldie market routes denying the Police and Military access to the school premises? I was in secondary school at that time but I still remember the story. Comrade John Inaku was a true comrade and an advocate of student’s unionism.
I know of a few Comrades in Cross River State when it comes to real activism: The likes of Senator John Owan-Enoh (not the John Owan-Enoh of today, but the J.O.E of the then Cross River State House of Assembly); late John Okpa, Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke, Hon. Daniel Asuquo (Dansuki), Chiefs Ray Ugba Murphy, Venatius Ikem, Hon. Jarigbe Agom, the late great Economist cum Professor Eskor Toyor (though from AKS), Comrade Asu Okang, John Jalo (CRSHOA APC aspirant for Ogoja in the last elections), Doncklaimz Enamhe, Joe Peter Lifu, Ifere Paul, Peter Agi (former Unical Bursar), First Baba Isa, Simon Utsu, Derek Omini, Hon. Hilary Bisong, Nchor Julius Uti (one-time SUG President of Crutech), Achilles Akuku Ugbani. Etc., these are the men with activism in their adrenalin.
I have seen/heard their contributions to national development through their very active unionism. The case of Hon. Jarigbe Agom for instance, is a very special example for every youth as to how one can shoot himself to stardom through unionism without having to bow down/worship godfathers before becoming a public figure in the society. He (Jarigbe) for those who know him, will attest that the guy suffered for long before coming to limelight, he is not an opportunist, he is an example of a self-made youth who projected himself to eminence bearing three things in mind; hard work, focus and self-realization. No other magic!
Activism isn’t only about being physically/emotionally aggressive, or making a lot of noise on social media. One could be an activist and still be a gentleman. Activism is different from arid stubbornness and controversy, for instance, while I will cite Minister Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi as being stubborn, I will cite Senator Shehu Sanni as an activist; he canvasses/stands for what is right without looking backwards or minding whose ox is gored in the process.
Efio Ita Efiom Nyok, Justin Obongha, Abang Ogon, Didi Etta, Richie Romanus, Prince Thomas Abi, Peter Bassey, Egbelo Ntebri Edward, Prince Charles Ekanem are true comrades in the making. These guys need time to unveil themselves.
True unionism pays.
Eugene Upah
Is a Social Commentator
