The catastrophic shift to wrong values in a world of unprecedented changes and uncertainties is clearly symptomatic of societal collapse.
This obvious drift from acceptable norms and mores has led to moral degeneration and delusion.
In a country of more than thirty three million people with 371 tribes and 250 ethnic groups, only a few individuals can stand tall with heads high as veritable models of emulation for the young generation.
Many people across tribes and ethnicity are unfortunately caught in the ugly web of moral cesspit- wealth without job, crown without cross, pay without work.
If there is any value left in our moral fabric as a nation or tribe , it is attributable to few men of nobility, honour and character who are still standing.
This piece, therefore, is aimed at extolling a particular icon, a great Igbo leader of repute, the pride of Ndigbo, a man who has remained resolute and resistant to various waves of alluring malfeasance, inappropriateness and outright corruption in high places.
The Ezebube, Odozioha and Okpatauzuruoha1 of Ideato nation, Chief Sir Emeka Diwe. He has remained a moral compass, a shining example and beacon of hope, not only to the great people of the Ideato nation where he hails from, but to the entire Igbo race.
The gift of this rare gem to Ndigbo was not without a spectacular event, as the cry of a new born baby boy rented the air on that day of his birth, just as men and angels rejoiced because cometh is the one who will change the status quo, feed the hungry, fight for the liberation of the oppressed and victimized while remaining focus to the goal of honesty and
transparency.
He grew up with strong educational background, spiritual fortification from the realm of Jesus Christ the eternal lord, and unequaled moral standing in preparedness for the task ahead. Thanks to his parents.
Chief Sir Emeka Diwe is an enigma of sort, a man that baffles the understanding of the ordinary mind and difficult for the wise to explain. He epitomizes the perseverance and extra resilience of a true Igbo man against the retrogressive factors of life. Chief grew through the crucibles, navigating across the vicissitudes of life, armed with strong native intelligent, he bestride the world like a colossus.
Though not a money bag, but he is self made typifying dignity in labour- trait for which the Igbos are known.
His philanthropic gesture, usually without public notice, runs far and wide, cutting across tribes and tongues.
The agric loan counterpart fund which he paid for his people in time past, the transport scheme he floated to ease transportation challenge for the people and other numerous financial support he provided reverberates. It brought life and succour to many disillusioned and disoriented once upon a time indigents.
When every where was silent and fearful of victimization, Chief Emeka Diwe became the lonely but powerful voice. He is probably the strongest voice against the marginalization and victimization of Ndigbo. He has done more consultations, more press conferences and press releases on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu than any man I know.
He is a leader that is willing to confront the uncomfortable and lead the people through it. He knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. This he has continually done through his unassailable leadership prowess.
Chief Diwe can be rightly described as father of modern town unionism. He assumed the leader of town union and became a catalyst of positive change in the socio-cultural and economic strata of town unionism in Igbo land. His people of Akpulu community in Ideato North, Imo State, saw the usual leadership trait in him and sent emissaries to persuade him to become the President-General of his community. Chief Diwe’s acceptance of the request, after a long persuasion, became a total positive turn-around in the overall affairs of his community. Just like light cannot be hidden, his excellent performance made the people of the 12 local governments in Orlu zone to beckoned on him to again, take over the leadership of Orlu-zurumee, arguably the most powerful socio-cultural organization in Imo State.
Also, through the power of the ballot, the entire Imo State empowered him to mann the Association of Imo State Town Union-AISTU.
True to type, Chief Diwe transformed the internal and external structure of the town union, bring together all the Igbo communities in Imo state in one page. AISTU became a formidable voice.
Immediately he indicated interest to bow out, pressure for a higher responsibility came calling without giving him the privilege to say no.
He again became the President-General of Association of South East Town Union (ASETU), which through dint of hard work and insightful vision of the PG and his executive metamorphosed to Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU).
ASITU has grown to become a home grown indeginous association with global appeal. Its diasporean wings are scattered in Europe, America, Africa and other parts of the world. Its focus is to deepen the “onye aghala waneye” spirit of Ndigbo and foster all round development in Igbo land.
Chief Sir Emeka Diwe has become obsessed with the pursuit for socio-economic development of Igbo land through industrialization, commerce, entrepreneurship and trade. He therefore propounded the AkuRuoUlo Investment Initiative,
a well articulated blueprint detailed and documented. AkuRuoUlo Investment Initiative philosophy is captured in a statistical persuasion to convince the Igbos in diaspora to gradually, steadily and seamlessly repatriate some of their wealth back home to Igbo land. He has also written a comprehensive book on the subject matter set for launch soon.
The high point for Chief Sir Emeka Diwe is not his numerous accomplishments in various spheres, but his unrelenting dedication and commitment to unblemish character disposition (though he is not an angel). His watch word and guiding principle has remained,” when wealth is lost nothing is lost, when health is lost something is lost, when character is lost all is lost”.
He has remained a model for the young and source of courage for the old. An Igbo leader per excellence with undying loyalty and love for the Igbo race;
Many thanks to his wife and entire family who provided the background backup.
Ifeanyi Onyekachi, Public Affairs Analyst Based in Owerri .
Phons. 08034453068 .
“He is a leader that is willing to confront the uncomfortable and lead the people through it. He knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. This he has continually done through his unassailable leadership prowess“