24.08.2014
At last, Ebonyi politicians have finished their political laundry in the open. The hanging zone in the House is now littered with dirty linens too shouting to be ignored. We now have winners and losers. Yet, the question of a Nigerian artist, Flavour, is begging for answer- Onye nwe panti no n’iro? Who has the pant spread outside? In less than a year now, the officials of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFFC, will pose that question to desperate Ebonyi politicians, out of office come 2015 in the battle of Armageddon.
When I heard of huge sum shared within this short period I became more convinced that our freedom is farther than the day Ebonyi was created. Those who tell us that our share of federation account is meagre are liars. They don’t tell us about the sum they hide in soak-a-ways. Ebonyi salvation is no longer in politics but in posterity who is never asleep. Whether the way we play our politics represents best for our people will be decided by generation yet unborn. The gods are wise and those they will destroy they first make made. Congratulations to power players!
Back to business! In the penultimate week, this column owing to demands competing for attention announced its intention to roll back the scroll of “The Dragnet” in favour of now botched ‘Pulpit’. The edition, ‘The Truth Elechi Does not Know’ was to be its last subject to public opinion. However, the column never knew that it was that too wrong.
Readers even politicians whose ass the column had gored sought to know why it was backing out when political cloud is beginning to gather and the demand for truth most needed. Some were inquisitive to know whether it is cowardliness. But those who know Felix ought to know that such thinking is wrong.
It was really a time to put Tecno technology into test. My techno phone got more that it could carry and developed technical fault along the line waiting your generosity to be changed. No doubt, I lost many comments. From calls I can recollect and comments I was able to retrieve, it was difficult to say ‘no’ to people who for two years have followed us not because we write well but because they share our dream and sympathize with our mistakes.
Yeah! Some advised me neither to get angry nor tired. Some spent up their airtime time convincing me that apostleship of pen matters more than I had thought. Some reluctantly gave their approval with hope that the change would be a matter of nomenclature.
Interesting! Some called me guys, others bros, and still others, Fr. But the voices are soft. We have the cynics, the skeptics, the idealists, and the die-hard. Some were direct; others not. But all of them were concerned and overwhelmingly saying ‘Please doesn’t!’
For the sake of space, I here reproduce few of them. Check them out:
“Good day Fr, I am an ardent reader of Advocate and in particular, the dragnet, your column. If you drop the column, in fact much harm must have been done to the society. I missed last week edition and have not got myself till now. To say the least many are fanatical about your column, instead let the soul searching column be created separately.
Nnanna Nwigwe, Nduegu Ishieke- 0806339961
Dear Rev Fr Felix, I wish to commend your service to humanity via your erudite x-ray of events in our society through the Dragnet. Please do not give it up unless you wish to merely change the title. Continue to stand by the truth as noted that ‘what it takes for evil to thrive is for the good ones to be silent’
Theophilus Nwanga, Ishielu LGA, 07030534274
Bros, don’t stop this column. There is not better advertisement of the Advocate than this column.
You tell us undiluted truth and most of our leaders correct themselves from it. You are my hero.
‘Abeg’. Don’t destroy this masterpiece of a house, The Dragnet, you have labored to build.. I doff my cap in reverence to you.
08035836222
Rev. Fr. Akam, please continue with The Dragnet. Who will be fearless and bold enough to call spade a spade except you. In my own opinion, it is an extension of the thing of the soul. Writing in addition to your preaching makes you complete man after God’s heart.
Chief S. D. P Nwangele, JP, 08036057638
I believe God never lacked in all ramifications of life. I’ve been so moved to appreciate your wonderful clerical dispositions in the Citizen’s Advocate. As the name implies, you are just reflecting on what God desires of us as a true Advocate of Christ, voice of the voiceless. Excerpt if Jesus Christ never advocated that truth is Life, you may stop the good work; otherwise nothing shall stop your crusade of preaching gospel of truth.
Bro Idzinya Tom, 08032643781
Greetings! For years now you have carried people along by reawakening their consciences on basic issues you have raised in The Dragnet. The choice of the name of your column is solely yours but my concern is the text and content. God has given you a fountain pen as sword to lead the flock. Use the pen as you have been doing to the glory of God after all change is permanent. Thanks Friday Nkwede, 08063869622
Fr. If you will guage readers’ opinion, then this should not be the last edition off the Dragnet. Meanwhile, just two truths Felix-Uche Akam (Rev. Fr. ) does not know.
- Many people including Jonathan Igboji buy Citizens Advocate so as to read The Dragnet
- The Dragnet calls many of selfless, sorry, selfish leaders to order.
Be that as it may, I am optimistic that you will serve your flock better and win more souls to Christ (which is your calling) if you bring your wealth of knowledge in Philosophy and Theology into that column. Since there are always two sides of a coin, what we lose in The Dragnet, we will gain in the in-coming column. I stand for the latter.
08035790024
Please Fr, don’t quit. It is the reason I but ‘Citizens’ Advocate” every Sunday. Rather, take the two, “Pulpit and the Dragnet” each in different column. Thanks and God bless.
08030810792
Dear Fr, I thank you million times for your article in Citizens’ Advocate and I am proud of you as a brother and clergy too. For our leaders in Ebonyi, they are simply shameless. How I wish they will read this quotation in the Bible and meditate on it- Eccl 5: 10-11. They are making laws that will block the masses from progress so that they will embezzle our money.
08063636950
Dear Fr, I enjoy reading your column in the Citizens’ Advocate. In fact ‘The Dragnet’ informs why I buy Citizens’ Advocate every Sunday, even with my last N100. It is very educative, investigative and informative. Will your intending “Pulpit” not change the style and the rhythm? If it is just mere changing of nomenclature you can go ahead due to reason best known to you. But if not, touch not my anointed; please Fr, for God’s sake.
Emeka Ebenyi
Fr, may I use this opportunity you offer to gauge your readers’ opinion to thank you and the management of Citizens’ Advocate for the wonderful work you are doing on the weekly column “The Dragnet”. My candid opinion is that it should remain because it nourishes our body and soul since it corrects measures not proper in society proffer solution for a better society
Mr Jacob Oruh (Onitsha), 08067744796
Space! I apologize not just to those whose comments I could not publish but also those who would have wanted theirs published. The dream for better tomorrow is a collective pursuit. The decision to be or not to be is yours. The Dragnet is your column; I am just your anchorman. Together, we will plot the downfall of buccaneer politics and restore Nigeria to all Nigerians.
