Ikuku : Unearthing Abia’s jewel of inestimable value
By Ndubuisi Iheonukara
Propaganda as invented patriotism, they say, it’s
aimed at making an opponent become such a great
monster that he or she forfeits the right of a human
being. Several world’s greatest men have been
demonized and reduced to nothing by over ambitious
political opponents in their quest for political
relevance.
One of the victims of this “invented patriotism” in our
modern day Nigeria is the amiable first son of Governor
Theodore Orji of Abia State, Engr. Chinedum Orij
popularly referred to as Ikuku by his admirers. A
quintessential life changer with propensity for
innovation. A rare gem whose benevolence has
transformed the lives of over 40 per cent of Abia
youths.
No wonder Nolan Bushnell says that “everyone who
has ever taken a shower has had an idea, but the
person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does
something about it that makes a difference.” Never in
the history of Abia politics (the old Imo State included)
has a governor’s son taken such enormous
responsibility of restoring the hopes of the dispirited as
well as giving class and sense of belonging to those
who were once disparaged by some in Abia State as
indigents, yet some still project him in bad light.
This article is not meant to ascribe unnecessary
accolades to Ikuku, but as an Ibeku man who lives in
diaspora with strong reliance on media, especially the
social media for news, I found myself developed hatred
for this young man based on distorted information
daily disseminated against him by some mischievous
persons on different platforms until this period I visited
home for Christmas.
As I arrived Ohia Motor Park Umuahia from Imo Airport
Owerri to board a taxi to my village, Amuzukwu Ibeku
which has been tremendously transformed to a town, a
clean cab drew abreast of me, with the inscription
“Onye huru Ikuku oma Abia, biko kelerem ya” which
literally means when translated, whoever sees Abia
good air, should thank him for me. The inscription on
the car arouse my curiosity because it proved negative
to the Ikuku being projected on social media.
I hurriedly boarded the cab and to satisfy my curiosity,
I quickly engaged the chauffeur in a discussion that
acted as a catalyst to this article you are reading. To
my amazement, that same Ikuku being projected as
“heartless and evil” on social media has given out for
free over 200 cars to young transporters as well as
same number to individuals for private usage.
I initially tried to wave aside the testimony of that
young man which I misconstrue as praise singing from
a hireling. But the plethora of cars with same
inscription I sighted while on that cruise to my village
was an evidence too obvious to ignore, so I struggled to
broaden my already provincial mind which has become
prejudicial toward this young man.
The excitement and gratitude with which this taxi
driver detailed how he and some others were elevated
from the metaphorical dust and dungeon to
honourable living by Ikuku’s benevolence will move the
emotion of the hardest of men. “Now I am sure of
giving my family and most especially my aged mother
a bit of good life. “The fact that I can pay my children’s
school fees with some ease now compared to before is
satisfying enough,” he quipped as he pulled over for
me to alight.
I was dumbfounded and transfixed for a while, but
finally put myself together and made the little trek
down to my compound to the warm welcome of my
family members. Being the eve of Christmas and
having been told that some of my secondary school
mates and peer group were around, I hurriedly left the
house the next day to their various villages to
announce my presence to them as well as enjoy light
hearted banters with them. It was fun as we spent
hours talking nostalgically, when all of a sudden
another similar scenario played itself once again.
As I sat with my friend, a jeep drove into his compound
and the occupant hurriedly alighted to remind my
friend about the house warming ceremony which was
scheduled for that day and which they had agreed to
attend. My friend managed to convince me to join
them; a decision I had no qualms making due to the
Xmas euphoria.
As we hopped in and about to proceed to the small
journey to Isieke Ibeku the venue of the house
warming event, a little conversation about the
magnificence of the house we were visiting ensued and
to my bemusement the other guy screamed,
“Chinedum Orjiiii!, Ikuku Ibeku, you are too much.” I
quickly asked if the house we were going to for the
ceremony belongs to Ikuku, but the guy replied that it
was Ikuku who built the house for the young owner.
In my preconceived mind, I had devalued the house
already without seeing it, but when we got to the
apartment, I was thrown off balance; a well acoustically
built duplex with a convivial environment. Through
lengthy conversation I later realised that this same
Chinedum Orji who has been often maligned on social
media have made hundreds of Abia citizens not only
Ibeku people land owners and lords in his young and
fulfilled life.
That was the moment Maya Angelou’s postulation that,
“life is not measured by the number of breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our breath away
made a meaning to me. Indeed my breath was taken
away by by the deeds of kindness from this young first
son of Abia State Governor, Engr. Chinedum Orji.
Even the widows, elderly, students, artisans and
graduates are not left out. The kindness of Ikuku
cannot just be explained in just one piece; the reason I
will beg to continue, but before then, I want you to
ponder on this wise word of Epicarus; “If God listens to
the prayers of men, all men would quickly have
perished: for they are forever praying for evil against
one another.” Does that tell you anything?
To be continued.

good

God will punish him,his father and family.the same ikuku dat has been terrorising Abia with his father.
If you say he is good,may good always come your way but if truthfully he isn't,may it also come your way.
I pray no one from the Orji generation win in Abia again for the pain they inflicted on Innocent Abains.
Heaven,posterity and Karma will judge you and them

Whose money is he using to buy those cabs to his tugs,is it not abia state money?February 14 is judgement day anyways.

Whoever wrote this piece deserves a bullet to his head.
Painting ikuku (or whatever he is called) right seems more like calling the notorious armed robbers anineh and sina rambo saints. I wonder how much you were paid for this absurd PR stunt.
Bloodsucking sycophant!

God punish you , op.

Ikuku Indeed'an evil wind that brings evil where it passes'.
T.A chose a deputy governor dat is almost 80yrs to fool Abians when we all know it was the Son Ikuku that occupied the office.

He terrorised Aba ppl to the extent dat he imposed alevy of #3,000 each from every stall in Aba wit nothing to show for it not evena good road,waste disposal etc.
GOD,Amadioha,ChukwuUkpabi and all will punish theTA Orji ,family and the OP

Abiagirl777:
God will punish him,his father and family.the same ikuku dat has been terrorising Abia with his father.
If you say he is good,may good always come your way but if truthfully he isn't,may it also come your way.
I pray no one from the Orji generation win in Abia again for the pain they inflicted on Innocent Abains.
Heaven,posterity and Karma will judge you and them

Seconded

humur political praise singers RANTING....

MAY UR LIFE B TRANSFORMD SEM WAY THEIF A ORJI N COHORTS TRANSFORMD ABIA............IJN!!!!!!!!!!!

Ignorance,that's your problem!