"No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable ".
" To feel much for others and little for ourselves; to restrain our selfishness and exercise our benevolent affections constitute the perfection of human nature ".
The above quotes by one of the greatest thinkers ever lived; a journalist and world acclaimed father of the science of political economy, Adam Smith are certainly poised to create the path in which readers of this piece would be strolling upon as it relates to the humanitarian services of Ikaba Foundation in an egalitarian society like ours. To that extent, it delights me to take the lead.
In a while, the Ikaba Foundation, a child brain of the State Security Advisor (Adviser), SSA to governor of Cross River State, Mr. Jude Ngaji has, since its inception, made tremendous impact on the health, academics and economic well-being of most residents and indigenes of Cross River State and beyond.
Surprisingly, little or nothing is known about this foundation that's helping in restoring forgotten dreams and aspirations; shaping and recovering destinies, repairing and restoring sights to the optically impaired fellows, giving support to the twisted limbs, and to others, medical assistance, not to mention the academic grants being given to indigent students across border. Rather, the much discussed are the actions incidental to his office as the State Security Advisor. It's on record, and I can authoritatively say that this foundation has helped in the making of professionals such as Lawyers, Engineers, Doctors, etc. These are made possible through grants and other supports. Needless to mention names. Albeit, if occasion demands, there will be need to mention names as we progress, and as they may arise doubts from some nay Sayers.
For starters, be informed that sycophancy is unfamiliar with my moral strength and I won't struggle to convince you if you wouldn't mind to run a retrospective check on my antecedence from my days in students' unionism/ activism until date.
Therefore, I've come to do similar or a bit different from what Mark Anthony did at Ceasar's funeral. Mark was there to commit Caesar to mother earth and not to praise his carcass. Only you shall tell what I've come to do.
A man in power is viewed by the public with multifaceted perceptions due to the office he occupies. There's the good, the bad and the ugly side of such a man. These sides are viewed by different folks at sundry circumstances and times to fit into the descriptions above as it affects them. Hence, it would amount to an attempt in futility if one would claim ignorance of this incontestable fact.
If one encounters such a man at noon, he maybe seen as sun ; at night, you'll probably consider him moon. But when it's neither noon nor night, you're left to give him name of your choice — maybe asteroid depending on how it occurs to you. That's the case of Mr. Jude Ngaji. To that end, I've known Mr. Jude Ngaji to be the man he's — not pretentious or ostentatious in conduct and character.
His humanitarian services handled by Ikaba Foundation are what the Principles of Proper Human Relationship teaches us to do. That's, considering the feelings of others. This is captured as our Lord Jesus puts in the book of Matthew 7:12 : " Do unto others as you would have others do unto you". This is what the law and the prophets say. Think how much better our society would be if we all tried to be doing what this foundation is doing.
So, we must encourage whoever considers that other people have as much right to happiness and the good things of this world as they do. This so exemplified by our conducts towards them, the less privileged.
Let's cultivate a sense of gratitude — the habit of giving deserved praise and thanks to people in what they do for us, or for others because of us or for the sake of humanity.
This man, MR JUDE NGAJI, through his foundation, is bearing the burdens of many by acts of offering help as the needs come his way. I've traversed the 18 local government areas of the State; I'm yet to see similar charity. There's no 'on-air' advertisement, announcing the services of this foundation like the hypocrites would do, yet the lives touched are overwhelming.
The other day, on special invitation to his office where ample opportunity was given for Q & A, he lavishly gave us his time by explaining many contentious and distorted facts in the public domain. It lasted for about 3-hours. We talked about security challenges in the state and some of the measures taken to curb them. We talked about the success story of his foundation and of course, politics.
Our discussion revealed a man with the mindset of, 'we are but one of the multitude, and in no respect better than any other in the society'.
In 2013, a graduate of law from the University of Calabar met me and told me how his aspiration of becoming a barrister was on the edge of precipice because of his emaciated financial muscle that couldn't propel him to law school. We wrote a letter to Mr. Jude Ngaji as Deputy Chief of staff then, even with the strain on his budget, he contributed generously (100%). Today, his so called 'widow's mite' has made a lawyer out of the young man.
The following year, by virtue of my acquaintance with the SSA, another student who was owing fees and couldn't complete his final year project due to financial constrain got similar help as I referred him, then when he was the Deputy Chief of Staff to former governor Liyel Imoke. I beg to pause here. Nonetheless, the fact is, not many persons know the sacrifices Ikaba Foundation and the man in question are making to provide succour to the needy.
Adam Smith in his magnum opus (Wealth of the Nation), opines that, "A nation is not made wealthy by the childish accumulation of shiny metals, but it IS enriched by the economic prosperity of it's people ". The aforesaid is what this man, JUDE and his foundation stand for : That is, the economic well-being of the people as against being greedy of filthy lucres at best detriment of the society.
The society would flourish and be happy if all of us make our contributions to the betterment of humanity as Ikaba foundation is doing. If we put smiles on the faces of the less privileged, poverty and misery will drastically be reduced. These are the acts that constitute perfection of human nature.
Thank you Mr. Jude Ngaji. Bravo, Ikaba Foundation !
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko.
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