For peace to come back to Nimo and reign supreme, there is a pertinent need for change in our collective mindset. We can’t restore peace to our hometown by being thoughtless, inconsiderate, uncharitable, and unkind to each other, but by being thoughtful, considerate, respectful, kind-hearted, compassionate, and courteous to our fellow compatriots.
In the same vein, our vulgar words, careless talks, insults, provocative remarks, accusations, and counter-accusations can never bring peace back to our town. Our mutual recriminations, hate speech, and false allegations against each other can hardly promote peace in Nimo. Neither will our wrongdoings, missteps, oppression, selfishness, jealousy, avarice, envy, and reciprocal hatred ever facilitate the much-needed peace process or healing.
What can expedite the return of peace is the wisdom to reach a compromise rather than showing any obstinate attitude towards the burning issues of communal importance. The fact that we always disagree on miscellaneous Nimocentric matters doesn’t mean we are enemies. While arguing over an issue, we must not forget that we have a common ancestry as well as a shared cultural patrimony. Above all, we should always remember that God’s love is our collective heritage.
The foregoing realities are meant to perfectly explain why my latest encounter with Agbaluangene was such a pleasant experience for me. Our chance meeting in Nimo yesterday (November 3, 2023) actually reinforced my belief that better things are on their way to Nimo. It has made me rest assured that there is still hope for genuine peace and palpable progress to prevail in Nimo community again.
It may be pertinent to mention here that I recently returned home as usual without my car. Incidentally, I had two different burial ceremonies to attend the same day at two different locations separated by a distance of about one kilometre. After waiting endlessly for a cab to take me from late Chief Chris Nworah Obiefuna’s country home (where I participated in paying my last respect to the deceased wife of Engr. Uche Obiefuna (Agbalanze’s kid brother) to the premises of late Prof. Alfred C. Ikeme (where another burial program was also going on), I decided to quietly walk down the road. By the way, walking has since become my new way of life. Apart from saving money, I essentially walk a lot to save and prolong my life.
So, on my way to the second burial place, I saw a nice car coming in my front. And before I knew what was happening, the car stopped in front of me. Lo and behold, the sole occupant of the vehicle was Agbaluangene – my supposed archrival on social media. Without even asking me of my destination, he promptly offered to drop me off. I respectfully turned down his kind offer. But he insisted that I must enter his car. And I entered with much pleasure and great relief before he did a U-turn, and then zòmed off. We chatted happily as we moved along the road leading to St. Mike – our shared almer mater as well as the cradle of our friendship. I enjoyed his ride and his jovial spirit. I secretly wished that we had more time to spend together. Unfortunately, wishes are never horses. We soon parted ways once again. But that wasn’t before I learnt the lesson that I am sharing here and now as a testimony of what the human spirit can do if peace is given a chance to reign in our relationships.
Usually, Agbaluangene’s position on many topical issues concerning Nimo is diametrically opposed to mine. Right from time immemorial, both of us have agreed to disagree on matters of interest to us. But disagreeing publicly has never adversely affected our private lives the way many of you presume. Unlike other people who antagonize themselves over the Internet, we truly know where to draw the demarcation line.
Perhaps the reason why we don’t allow our often divergent opinions on public affairs to interfere with our personal lives or long-lasting friendship is because we can never afford to be enemies in real terms. The cost of being foes will be too much for either of us to bear.
The same thing, I believe, is applicable to all of us as brethren. Our relationships are interwoven in a very complex manner. The complexity involved in our collective existence as a people transcends the mundane things that bring unnecessary divisions in our midst. Unlike most of the people I argue with online, Agbaluangene doesn’t seem to hold any grudge against me. And I always reciprocate his respect just as I admire his spirit. I say this much about him because I strongly feel that he will not get to read this message unless someone forwards it to him privately or to a group like NLOT where he presently belongs to my regrettable exclusion.
Make no mistake about it, Agbaluangene is a man with a good heart whose passion for equity, justice, and fairness occasionally tends to overwhelm his good sense of judgement. Good judgment is about making the best decision rather than relying on one’s own opinion alone. But Agbaluangene is always too self-oppinionated to listen to any alternative viewpoint. And that’s precisely the basis of my frequent disagreement with him. How I wish he realized the importance of compromise in every healthy relationship. Finding the middle ground between you and other people’s wishes, opinions, habits, or preferences is critical for better decision-making on how people will live together, spend their time, or accomplish their common goals in life. May God help him as I express my joy for his uncommon goodwill and goodness to.me always.
_End of story!_
*FYI:* Those who have been anxious to know my stand on the upcoming election in Nimo, please note that the Oracle is currently consulting God on whether to join the PG race or not. At the auspicious moment, the verdict will be out.
With much love,
Jimbuoy Okoye (Akalanze Nimo)
*The Oracle @ Akalanze Court, Nimo.*
