We Are The Shame

 From all indications and reasoning, Akwa Ibom State and its people are very distinct and blessed species. Except for few cultural and ancestral differences; the level of similarity and bonds of linkages are almost identical.
If you view very well on parallel perspective, even the inhabitants appear to chart even a common goal self awareness in church attendance (or do I call it religion?) and political demands and yearnings for empowerments.
Now let's look back at the political terrain the Ibibios, Annangs and Oros -all stand on a tripod arrangement that gives any political leader the arena to spread the nyom nyom.
Okay, for now and in the interest of breakdown, let's relieve the sharing for another edition, say next week or thereabout.
But let's fun with the talking language and how we understand each other's feelings even via communication.
What language do we speak? Cambrigde Internationional Dictionary on English defines language as a “system of communication consisting of a set of small parts and a set of rules which decides the ways in which parts can be combined to produce message that has meanings”.
May be that is why and how Ibenos, Okobos, Itu Mbonusos and Andonis can fun us to jesticulations. That is not the real issue.
But these however consist of spoken or written words, and it is pertinent at this juncture to consider how the different spoken language of dialects inherited in Akwa Ibom State affects the people both socially, culturally and of course politically.
Take for instance the Ibibio. It is generally understood by an Annang man, while an Oronian has no palaver in perceiving what an Eket man from Idung, Afianwe speaks!
A cursory look into the different tongues in the State would readily show that, not much difference there are in the people's dialects and by extension affinity.
Let's see most of the words in each of these languages and dialects which are commonly comprehensible. Take a word that is being preached even in the churches, political and social gatherings LOVE which translates to IMA in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
I am yet to be told which other word can better explain to all the components of the state that we need, and in a very large dosage IMA!
If the Okop Usem syndrome must play out here very well then the Annang man, Ibibio and Oron should swallow IMA in Jesus Name.
Okay, that aside, when an Oron man from the real Akpakip Ukpabang wants to vent his anger, he will beckon on his companion to MAI ONYI NDA; that is Da, beat him! On the other hand too, the Ibibio man would gently say MIA ENYE DA, I don't know if you decipher the mild difference.
Then what are we talking about? With all these similarities even in tying of wrapper and the long tail shirt with the traditional Iyara on the head, my brother next door still does not want to see my face, haba! Na wetin?
At times, when I sit down to reflect on all these, I ask myself why I decided to stop the inclusion of my friend's name from Ikot Udo Oton Ufei in Ikot Ndadia in Udung Ufok in the just announced list of political appointees, thereby narrowing down his chances of showcasing his professional expertise adequately garnered over the years!
But as if that is not amply displayed, his own brother too even countered his recognition by appropriate agencies for some survival patronages.
Outrageous as that would sound, our friends in-between Amasama and Ikot Akpa Udo within the Ikot Abasi and Andoni axis have refused to realize that when they were in Opobo, the Jajas were their timeless masters who could not even rub their backs from the neck to the waist.
May be, those building castles in Abuja rather than Uyo are justified in telling the councillors that their sudden disappearance from the grassroots to Ewet Housing is just the end of another beginning.
I get amused or fascinated sometimes when I echo with Uruan guys when they intone “Kong Kong Kong, Ukpabio O! Iya Iyo!!! Or even when an Oron man would greet his kinsmen with” Oyei Oyei Oyei, Bari O! Owei!! And same with Annang Mma, Annang Mma, Annang mmamade OO! Iyaaa Iyai!!!
This should however be quite distinct from the notion of putting square pegs in round holes or how else can I pretend to be a college head teacher when indeed I am a core thorough bred experienced newspaper man!
Da, why do we fight ourselves? Why did you remove that guy's files from the archives, why did you strike off that guy's name from the list of the political appointees just because he decided to be more of a professional fighter than political jobber whose thuggery gallantry happens to be the biggest qualification for a PRADO jeep?
Sorry for that distraction, it was caused by a slip of the pen as well as an overloaded faculty. Now back to the language affinity, we deserve better treatment for ourselves. Even in the face of seeming hatred, envy and political gossips, we should realize before long that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. To pretend that all is well when some more things are wrong is similarly dubious.
And for all of us to realize that the Akpabios, the Esins, the Udo Ibangas, the Edohoekets, the Udomas, the Bassey Attahs and a host of others fought for what we are now chopping; we must spread the nyom nyom, for we Are the same.