#OBI, please come and help me!

Those were the last sets of “audible and coordinated words” I heard from my dad before he suffered a stroke, which he never recovered from, that would eventually lead to his demise.

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Certain names are reserved for critical times!

So, when my Dad called me by that name, I knew I had to respond and very fast!

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I was about to ascend the Rumuola bridge, on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, South of Nigeria on that faithful day in 2009 but quickly navigated to the service lane and did a U-turn back home.

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Hard as I tried, I was unable to meet the expectations of my dad, then!

Not out of a lack of endeavor, efforts, or willingness to go the extra mile but largely as a result of a failing system that could not guarantee easy access to the least of the basic amenities for the vulnerable – a case of the law of natural consequence.

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That call changed the trajectory of our lives, a family he had loved all his life and made so much sacrifices to ensure we become people of #value and #significance.

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My Dad was a different kind of leader, one that our country Nigeria, so desperately needs today – possessing impeccable character, highly competent and built unrivaled, compounded capabilities one that his peers envied to scorn.

As a response to and quest for the preservation of his character, my Dad resigned from his place of employment not because he was afraid of the cartel of thieves or from the consequence for not being part of it, he just could not understand why he should be in an environment were stealing was a #normal, acceptable way of life of a people.

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Yes, he resigned, knowing he would face a world of uncertainty with 7 young children and not knowing where the next meal will come from. That was how he loved his name and character more that money and was willing to risk it all to protect!

His life was marked by excellence and integrity – a man whose words was known to all to all as his bond. What a #brand!

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He shared the vision of a purposeful and prosperous future that his children would eventually walk into, as long as they retain the values he continued to demonstrate before them...

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To show how successful his vision has been, all 7 of his children were raised in what would best be described as a “den of wolves.” Everything you could imagine in a ghetto or as #Akon calls it, #quicksand, from street rascality, to occultism, gambling, drug wars, pilfering which led to some graduating as full time armed robbers (killed in the process, lynched, or suffered lifetime deformity, etc.) yet none of his children were caught in any of those web.

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Today, all his children are excelling in their various fields of endeavors with 3 being PhD holders.

Master’s Degree is now the minimum standard for a person whose only certificate was a “school cert” as they call it then. That truly is a compelling vision.

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In less than 7 days, I will get another opportunity to answer that call again!

This time, the call will be from one Obi to another.

Yes, from Mr. Peter Obi to Daddy’s #OBI.

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I will answer in the affirmative…

Whether my efforts will amount to something does not count at the moment!

The peace I will enjoy knowing I did the right thing, will surpass any pecuniary gains for doing otherwise.

And because I also know God does not like #lukewarmness and the options before us are glaring, I will choose light. Like Joshua, I am making this choice so that me and my family may live to enjoy the blessings of our nation.

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It will also be unwise of me to think everyone would follow my line of thoughts.

Every nation will certainly get the kind of leaders it deserves, but for once I am calling the heavens and earth to witness that I implore all of my fellow country men to choose a leader that can set us on a path that can guarantee the development and growth of Nigeria and get the job done.

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Don't these two #OBIs not look alike?

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From a man after his father’s heart…

Victor #OBInna URUAKA