For so many past weekends, it is no longer news that I spend most of my weekends in the ever bubbling, enterprising, busy, safe and sparkling city of Aba.

The folks who are close to me can allude to this fact.

They can even offer real time explanations, as to why I have to travel every weekend to Aba if asked.

When Mr. Obinna Oriaku sent me a chat, a week earlier, informing me that he was coming to Nnewi for a funeral during the weekend. I knew that this was a good offer, as I was going to enjoy a smooth and executive ride to Aba for the weekend.

Mr. Obinna stated quite clearly in the chat we had the week earlier, that after the Nnewi funeral schedule, that he would do a brief stopover somewhere in Mbutu in Isiala Ngwa South, after which we would then proceed to Aba which was our final destination for the day.

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The ride to Owerri from Nnewi through Oba, Oraifite, Okija, Ihiala, Mgbidi was relatively smooth, as the former banker relieved the memory of the many Anambra communities, he once crisscrossed in his quest to build worthwhile relationships with his then clients, whom he was committed to offering great values to their relationships they shared.

While driving, Mr. Obinna took his time to share some stories of his banking journey from Lagos to Onitsha and finally to Enugu while working for different banks, ranging from Bank PHB to Diamond Bank and down to First Bank.

The trip was an interesting one by all indices, I must say. A road trip worth the time, while Minister GUC ministered to our souls in worship through the distinct sounding JBL – like speakers of the Prado SUV we drove in, for the trip.

We made a brief stopover at a classy local restaurant, a few poles away from All Seasons hotels, where we had mouth-watering, ofe anara meal with snails and dried fish as the “protein source” in the soup.

This meal is a perfect delicacy for any non-Seventh Day Adventist adherent, who is deliberate about watching their body weight while enjoying the best of meals.

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After our gastrointestinal tract (GIT) had been “ministered to”, we headed straight to Mbutu  Isiala Ngwa South in Abia State from Owerri.

On getting to the Military check point somewhere close to Sam Mbakwe airport Umuagwa junction, we saw a stretch of unending vehicles lined up on the road.

When we inquired, we were told that the Military were doing what they know how to do best, as it pertains to retaliating for the gruesome murder of their Colleagues the previous day at Obikabia, Obingwa Abia State.

Somehow, we managed to find our way through the grid lock, owing to personal recognition of Mr. Obinna Oriaku coupled with a few dosages of street smartness which he deployed.

The Owerrinta axis of the Imo River bridge where the Naval officers have a check point was also not different from what we experienced at the previous Military check point. Everywhere had been locked down by the Soldiers.

At the end of the day nonetheless, we found our way to Mbutu where the funeral was holding.

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Just before we arrived at the location for the reception of guests who attended the funeral, we plied through a stretch of roads that connects so many communities that was unfortunately not tarred.

The inquisitive part of me started asking Mr. Obinna Oriaku a few questions as to why he did not see to it that the road was fixed while he was in office as the Commissioner of Finance.

He gave me some detailed explanations of what really transpired and why the road was not fixed while he was in office despite his efforts.

From a place of deep sincerity, I told Mr. Obinna Oriaku that I sincerely wish that someone who hails from that axis of the State, is able to convince Dr. Alex Otti on the need to fix that road for the villagers, with empirical data to justify such requests.

Construction of that road would rapidly improve the quality of life of those residents there.

The community is visibly an agrarian community. The people who live here, are also the ones that come out to cast their votes during elections and if need be, fight in the defense of the votes cast.

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So, there is no justifiable reason why such road with such a huge economic benefit to Isiala Ngwa South would not be considered by the Governor. In my head I wondered how the residents there routinely assess healthcare services when they are sick.

While we settled in at the reception venue of the event, a brand new IVM car with a colour that could be termed a shade of gold, pulled up right inside the reception venue, a bit beyond where other regular guests had parked their vehicles.

In my characteristic manner of always scanning my environment appropriately at all times, I took my time to observe this man who had just alighted from the obviously brand-new car.

Knowing fully well that it is the same brand of car that Dr. Alex Otti had bought for his political appointees, I didn’t pay much attention to the inscriptions on the plate number of the vehicle to distinguish him, as I lumped him up as a political aide of the Governor.

In my head, he was an aide of the Governor, and his face also did not ring a bell to me. So, I did not really give a hoot about his presence then, as there was no reason to.

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Having drawn that conclusion, I minded my business and focused on what I was doing with my phone.

Most political appointees or aides of most people in power with a few exceptions, always view any critic of their principal even such criticisms are done objectively, through the lens of an enemy and I as such, intentionally avoid most of them while they are in power.

Dede m Churchill Ugbogu and his beloved Brother, Mr. Obumneme Ugbogu the CEO Of Konbor Interiors coincidentally for me, were present at this event.

The Ugbogu’s dynasty is a renowned family of academics of which Prof. Osita Ugbogu and his younger Brother Prof. Amadike Ugbogu belong to.

The reputation of these scholars precedes them when it comes to having an impeccable reputation in the academia and delivering the best of leaderships when saddled with such responsibilities.

Both Professors lecture in Abia State University Uturu, from where they are reaching out and impacting knowledge to the world.

The Ugbogu’s are from Amaku Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South. A neighboring town to that of Captain Ikpeama, one of the Army officers who was gruesomely murdered at Obikabia junction Obingwa on the 31^st of May 2024.

Just as Mr. Churchill Onyedikachi Ugbogu, a Senior Staff at Abia State Polytechnic and a one-time elected Councilor was about to leave the venue of the funeral reception.

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He walked up to me where I was seated to inform me that the man who came in earlier in a shade of golden color IVM, who had a white beard interspersed with some faintly dark strands of hair, who was well dressed in a nice shirt, with a well ironed pair of trousers and his papa’s cap on his head, had asked that I come to see him where he was seated.

For some reasons which bothered on my earlier perception of him as a political appointee, I was a bit reluctant to honor the invitation. I no get strength for argument with politicians.

However, knowing where we come from and the regard, I have for the person who delivered the message, I stood up from my seat and moved to see the well-trimmed, “supposed” gentle man, where he was sitting.

On getting to his seat, he shook my hand and told me, that he reads my write ups online (Facebook) actively although he never comments on any of them.

He was kind to give me some of my flowers instantly, for me to savor its scent; by commending my writing skills and asked me to keep up with the energy, at the end of our conversation.

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As a way to further deepen the conversation to at least know whom this beloved gentleman and reader of my contents is, I asked him how they were faring, governing Abia State as political office holders.

That was when he dropped the Hiroshima – like, kind of bomb. He said no, I am not a political appointee Nnah, I am a Judge of the High Court.

At that minute I had to put myself together and now appropriately appreciate him for being so kind to take the extra efforts to acknowledge the cerebral work we do to churn out most contents online.

CONCLUSION

I went home that day feeling happy that our small efforts on the social media space is being felt across various strata of the society despite most of these posts online not having many engagements.

This also reaffirmed what I have always believed, which is that I must not start dropping the regular two lines write ups, centred on controversies and staged events so as to get online engagements.

For me, I am on this social media space to leave my own impact on my society, by writing about things I am convinced about, build very strong networks, help people to birth their dreams, use my platforms to serve my community and then go to be with the Lord when my time here on earth is done at my old age.

These thoughts expressed above are the reasons why I am wholly responsible for the thoughts expressed on all my social media handles.

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The political opinions I hold are all mine and no one can influence me to churn out contents out of hate. I live within the scope of my truth and that I express often without reservations as long as they are delivered respectfully.

Thanks, Dear Judge, the delicate nature of your work made me not call your name on this article but know that this is me documenting my experience with you and also expressing from a place of depth, how grateful I am.

As a bona fide son of a Secondary school teacher, gratitude is a lifestyle for us and most importantly, I hope to have you contribute actively to judicial reforms in Abia State, Southeast and Nigeria at large. Thanks a lot “My Lord” for being so kind with your words of affirmation.

This act would forever matter to the bald-headed son, of a Secondary School Biology Teacher.