AS IT WAS IN SAPELE IV – BY CHRIS MUSTAPHA NWAOKOBIA JNR.

"No nation can ever hold up its head, far less take pride of place amongst the nations of the world, if the individuals of which it is comprised think nothing but personal gain and self-glorification." 
-  Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Something stands profound in my Sapele experience, at 18 an Ibusa born Igbo speaking Delta boy, along with several people started a group called VOICE OF THE PEOPLE VOP. I was one of the youngest, but became the President of the group with men and women in their 50s, 40s, 30s & 20s, and my tribe and age didn't matter, that was Sapele.

Before you hasten to dismiss the strength of the group that I headed at 18, I believe that the then LGA Chairman Chief Joe Egigba is a living testimony of the challenge of the group for responsible and responsive leadership. And some Compatriots who remain visible in Delta State and on the national turf like, Chief John Omene, Ben Masade, Chief/Evangelist Michael Diden (Ejele), Chief Joseph Asheyiku et al, were part of the group called VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

Sapele is indiscriminate of creed, clan, age and of the prejudices that stunt the growth of Nigeria. Sapele is about competency and character. Sapele is a testament of the beauty of thought, love and brotherhood. Sapele elevated me beyond the debate of ethnicity, religion and region. Sapele remains my first school in leadership. And Sapele is a question-mark on our collective conscience.

I seek the office of President in 2019 to take Nigeria back to SAPELE deeply speaking. Yes, A NEW AND A BETTER NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE.

Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr., a Barrister-at-Law, and social critic, is a Presidential hopeful in the forthcoming 2019 Presidential election in Nigeria.