For varied reasons of personal resolve, I’ve long ago cautioned my pen not to respond to any stimulus of my will in attempting to script any stuff whatsoever as it might directly or obliquely tilts to the governor of Cross River State. I tried to appeal to my stationeries to assume redundant reflex act. But it won’t oblige my request.
Again, I’ve been very scrupulous of not delving into the flood of children in the village square struggling for local apple (ibibi) just to avoid being drowned. Nonetheless, what does a man expect when he pours his basket of ibibi in the square? Of course, he’ll surely play host to the gathering of children. That’s the din of Ayade now.
Since that resolution, I was yet to be awakened from that initial Morpheus state; or rather in solitary frame of mind to say the least when I was struck from the rear with the sudden change of logo ruckus.
While in school, Prof. S. Udo in Geometric Optic taught me chromatic colour dispersion of light. Hence, a fair knowledge of colour combination isn’t far from reach. Truly, this change of logo has got Ayade media aides relatively busy. A lot of rebuttals are emerging from their angles.
From the heap of commentaries and analyses from pundits as well as critics; deducing from their annotations, one’s head shouldn’t be called for on any attempt whatsoever necessary to logically poke on this lack of fecundity and creative rumpus.
For informed folks, we are aware that red colour tie was then the exclusive right of governor Ayade in term of usage when he first took over the reins. Authoritatively, he put an embargo on the use of red tie in governor’s office. Whoever that wears it was doing it at his or her peril. That was how serious it was then.
The question is; why should the destination—calabar—logo be changed? What’s wrong with it? The questions above are sacrosanct and shouldn’t be dodged. To me, the choice of red isn’t a bad idea.
The nitty-gritty is why choosing red amongst all sparkling and soul pleasing colours. That’s aptly and absolutely dippy to paraphrase my friend’s view. The fact which isn’t in contention is that the designer of the new or rather projected logo has actually wobbled and fumbled in creative knowhow.
If a logo is a printed design or symbol that a company or organization uses as its special sign, then the designer of this poorly and hurriedly designed logo should be lashed 24 strokes on his or her buttock for giving us this trash. Logo is commonly used to aid and promote instantaneous public recognition and contrarily, the one we got is a negation of the essence of logo.
Yesterday, to satisfy my insatiable snooping, I spent whopping hours surfing the web gathering information about colours. I got to know that Colour Psychology is the branch of science that deals with colours. As I roamed, I stumbled upon an article written by David Robson and published 1 September 2014 in BBC Life in Colour Special Series. Mr. Robson writes thus: “we can never know what was going through our ancestors’ minds, tens of thousands of years ago when they first picked up natural crayons and began painting their bodies. But it is perhaps significant that they chose a rich, red ochre— the colour of our blood and a vivid reminder of life, and death”.
As well, it would amount to exercise in futility to try to decipher what was in governor Ayade’s mind when he opted for the deafening and dreaded red in lieu of the former blue and white. Only those with extrasensory perception or necromancer can tell. I hear he said it’s the SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE. That was too good to be accepted.
Again, my prying wouldn’t release me from its fetters and I couldn’t help than to wander on the steppe of history. In August 1914 at the wake of the 1 world war; in the same year the amalgamation of southern and northern protectorates took centre stage in Nigeria. Marcus Garvey, one of the pioneers pan-africanism founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, UNIA. When he unfurled the UNIA flag that contained red, black and green, he explained that red depicts negro blood; black for negro skin and green for negro hopes.
I’ve waited to see a brilliant and succinct elucidation of what the entire new bride— logo stance for; but all I hear is: the spirit of enterprise. Okay o! No qualms. I never knew we didn’t have the enterprising spirit. So the red logo will bring such spirit from us. Is that it? Hmm! It’s well.
A deeper and magnifying view at the logo shows that; the all red background has a ring of eighteen stars circled a motioned white bull that is ready to ram. It’s commonsensically believed on simple logic that the eighteen stars stands for the eighteen Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
Of all the animals, bull is chosen. Why bull? Bull belongs to the Bostraurus specie of cattle. The female is called cow. While the male is known as steer, ox or bullock when castrated. An adult bull may weigh between 500 and 1,000 kilograms. They’re much more muscular than cows with thicker bones; larger feet, a vey muscular neck, and a large bony head with protective ridges over its eyes.
Why should red be used in designing the logo? First, red is one of the pan-african colours. Of the over 192 flag of the independent nations in the globe, more than half of it contained red colour. Red is of various variations namely: maroon; which is dark bluish; burgundy, which is a dark purplish; crimson which has a little blue in it and scarlet with little orange.
It’s to some extent truism that His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade has exceptional knack for red. Already, some four-eyes and spirit-filled fellows are saying that the change of logo to red is linked to occultism. Researchers such as J. Cahilla; M. Morrin, A. J. Elliot, H. Dalke et al opines that red relates more to sexual intercourse and lust, rather than love.
In the tradition and custom of Chinese, red colour represents good luck. In China and India, reds are used in designing of wedding gowns. In India, it signifies purity. One researcher stressed that red can boost the pioneering spirit and leadership qualities of individuals and as well, promote ambition and determination.
Like other colours, red equally have its demerit. It’s synonymous with belligerence; bossy, ruthless, rebellious, brutal, quick-tempered, pigheaded and prejudiced. Is there anything new under the sun? No. At least, there is one man I know under the sun that possesses half of the descriptions mentioned. And his name is…
Red is a natural stimulant for sexual passion and physical appetite. With it on board, there’ll be high rate of sexual activities come this year carnival. The food-is-ready syndrome will blossom. Since the appetite for food will increase, more restaurants will be opened and the state will have more gluttons.
Cross Riverians aren’t spiritless people, but they’re compassionate people. They’re audacious and not reticent. We’re industrious and not indolent. Therefore, all the acclaimed reasons for the choice of red in designing new logo have failed its litmus test and should be discarded.
The change of logo won’t score a cheap political goal for the governor. It won’t translate into better governance that may be emulated. Already, despite the fact that it hasn’t been launched, it has started bringing shame and reproaches to us. Now, each of the LGA has its logo with animals with verisimilitudes characteristics to witchcraft and occultism such as snake, owl, frog, cockroach, tortoise and even mosquitoes. Too bad!
Help! Help! Lord unto your hands, we commit ourselves. Deliver us from evil in the land.
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko is the Secretary of Young Democratic Party, YDP Cross River State chapter.
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