NKPOKOTE NSUKKA’S COLLOQUIUM WAS AN IMPROVEMENT ON PETER DRUCKER’S CONCEPT OF ‘KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY’

By Nkem Ossai

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” Jimmy Dean.

First of all, I want to state here and now that ‘Nkpokote Nsukka Colloquium Debut’ was a huge success. Our resource persons, Professor Osita Ogbu, an accomplished world class economist is one great son Nsukka can be proud of any time any day. The same can be said of our illustrious daughter, Dr. Mrs. Sally Aduku-Bolujoko, an accomplished management consultant, a well-travelled woman, an educator who owns one of the best schools in Abuja.

Prof. Ogbu handled the topic, “Nkpokote Nsukka Philosophy: Mindset And Concept for Sustainable Development.” While Dr. Mrs. Sally did justice to the topic, “Women in the Concept of Development: Nkpokote Nsukka in View.”

In his keynote address, the Convener, Barr. Barth Ugwoke was full of praises for the illustrious sons and daughters of Igbo Nsukka for answering this clarion call. He noted that before now, there has been apprehension on this concept of “Ndi-Nsukka “Nkpokote onwehe onu.” He said, “having regard to our common ancestry, history and culture and enjoying a contiguous habitation, we therefore believe that as a cultural nationality, subject to a wide range of social, economic, security, environmental challenges and opportunities, the duty to alter our development trajectory is a collective call.” He further added that Nkpokote Nsukka envisions a forum that will galvanize the wide array of human, institutional, organizational and diplomatic resources to leverage in rekindling the unqualified pride in our Nsukka cultural identity. Barr. Ugwoke praised the courage and confidence of donors and promised that the organizers will work to sustain the current tempo adding, “we look with well founded hope to the forging of a common front in breaking artificial barriers to our unity, individual and collective progress, while recognizing the inalienable rights of our brothers, sisters and groups in our midst, to their choices of socio-political associations based on their ideological and religious persuasions.”

Delivering his lecture, Prof. Ogbu drew ovation intermittently from the enthused audience who were touched by the wisdom in his delivery. Apart from bringing a new knowledge using a very simple analogy, we learned a higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness. “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things using simple ways.”

For the details of his lecture, visit the Nkpokote Nsukka WhatsApp platform.

In her lecture, Mrs. Aduku-Bolujoko advised Nsukka parents to tell their children not to be timid. She added thus: “your language grooms your children and so, as a man thinks so he is.” She further admonished Nsukka people to be proud of their character adding, “we must take it to take the world.” She concluded by asking a vital question thus: “are we cursed or the cause.”

Addressing the enthusiastic audience, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea said that our people love, “food is ready politics.” He noted that the organizers must be tailored to have committees of intellectuals. He advised them to focus on bringing Nsukka together rather than listening to the allegations of political sponsorship adding that his first party is, “Nsukka People’s Party.” He concluded by saying, “my philosophy has always been, “Nsukka must be first.”

Making his own contribution, Senator Chuka Utazi urged the leaders of the Nkpokote Nsukka to be devoid of politics.

Adding his voice, Engr. James Ajibo noted that Mindset without courage will die a natural death. He thanked the organizers and urged that they work harder to sustain the tempo.

A former speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo advised that friendship be developed in partisanship adding, “there must be a conscious effort to bring our former leaders together”. He noted that our problem is that, we choose conductors to our professors emphasizing the need to define our objectives and build history around others not ourselves.

There were many other distinguished personalities who spoke glowingly about the colloquium which was well attended.

Nevertheless, we thank the convener, Barr. Barth Ugwoke (a man with a very large heart), tireless, full of wisdom with his very determined team.

Today, Nkpokote Nsukka Colloquium has become according to Amarachi Atama. There is nothing as good as becoming. After the occasion, hard line critics who initially saw nothing good in Nkpokote Nsukka are full of praises and commendation. Nevertheless, some still feel that Nkpokote is not different from it’s predecessors. We at Nkpokote can only say, let time be the judge.

Earlier, dignitaries started arriving as early as 11.pm. They were shocked at the level of preparation. The committee members were up and doing leaving no stone unturned to make sure Nsukka people are left with an event to remember. It was awe-inspiring. It was historical. When the great professor, the man I call the professor’s Professor mounted the stage, there was non-stop ovation. By the time he finished, the audience kept asking for more.

Professor Osita Ogbu is an enigma, a colossus so to say. Honestly, listening to him, I felt like a sophomore. The manner he handled difficult situations and style of delivery made the audience ask for more. Indeed, I regretted not having had this Nkpokote 50 years back. Nsukka ‘nwer’madu’. Let me add that with the caliber of people like Prof. Osita Ogbu, no one should mess with Nsukka Cultural Zone. And, I know that Nsukka has thousands like him.

In one of his analytics, Prof. Ogbu explained the concept of making money by not taking no for an answer.

It was all joy at the end of the occasion. Even as many wished it never ended. Nsukka needs something like this on a regular basis.