There comes a time in the life of every person when they must make a deliberate choice between becoming architects of their collective progress or agents of their own decline. History teaches us that great nations, communities, and ethnic nationalities rise not merely because they produce outstanding individuals, but because they consciously celebrate, project, and defend those individuals whose accomplishments bring honor and recognition to their homeland.
Today, one such personality deserving of objective appraisal and collective promotion is Engr. David Nweze Umahi, the Honorable Minister of Works, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Regardless of political affiliations, personal preferences, or ideological differences, it is difficult to deny that he has become one of the most nationally recognized sons of Ebonyi State at present. His journey from State Party Chairmanship to the governorship of Ebonyi State and subsequently to a strategic national office as Honorable Minister of Works has elevated the visibility of our state in ways that previous generations could scarcely have imagined.
As Ebonyians, we must learn to promote our illustrious sons and daughters based on their contributions, achievements, and positive impact rather than allowing perceived personal shortcomings or political disagreements to overshadow their accomplishments Every human being possesses strengths and weaknesses. The true measure of wisdom is the ability to harness strengths for collective advancement while constructively addressing weaknesses without destroying the individual.
Throughout Nigeria, we observe how communities proudly celebrate their accomplished sons. The people of Anambra State consistently project and defend the image of Peter Obi, emphasizing his achievements, discipline, and contributions to national discourse. The people of Kano State consistently promote Rabiu Kwakwanso and so are the people of Lagos State promoting Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Across the federation, states proudly identify with distinguished personalities who have brought them recognition and prestige. They understand that the elevation of one prominent son often translates into opportunities, visibility, and respect for the entire state.
Unfortunately, Ebonyi people have often developed a reputation for being overly critical of their own. Rather than amplifying the successes of our distinguished citizens, we sometimes become preoccupied with magnifying perceived faults and shortcomings. This is predominant with Facebook users who generate traffic by castigating their own. While constructive criticism remains essential in any democratic society, there is a vast difference between accountability and self-sabotage. A people who consistently pull down their own achievers risk creating an environment where excellence is discouraged and future generations lose motivation to aspire to greatness.
Engr. David Nweze Umahi’s public service record offers several areas worthy of recognition. His administration became associated with significant infrastructure development, including road construction, bridges, public buildings, and urban renewal initiatives that altered the physical landscape of Ebonyi State. Beyond the projects themselves, his tenure helped reposition Ebonyi in the national consciousness as a state capable of undertaking ambitious developmental programs.
The objective discussion should therefore focus on these tangible accomplishments. Political leaders should be assessed by the legacies they leave behind, the institutions they strengthen, and the developmental milestones achieved under their stewardship. Where there are shortcomings, they should be addressed fairly and honestly. However, criticism should never become so excessive that it erases genuine achievements or diminishes the collective image of the state.
Ebonyi’s future depends significantly on how we present ourselves to the wider world. Investors, development partners, and national stakeholders often form opinions about a people based on how they treat their own leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and public figures. When we consistently portray our prominent citizens negatively, we inadvertently project an image of division, resentment, and instability. Such perceptions rarely attract opportunities.
This is not a call for blind loyalty, hero worship, or unquestioning support. Rather, it is a call for balance, maturity, and strategic thinking. We must cultivate the capacity to celebrate achievements while maintaining the courage to demand accountability. We must learn to disagree without destruction and criticize without character assassination.
The advancement of Ebonyi State requires a united commitment to projecting excellence wherever it is found. If an Ebonyi son achieves national prominence, that achievement should become a source of collective pride. If he contributes meaningfully to development, such contributions should be acknowledged. If he makes mistakes, they should be corrected with fairness and objectivity rather than used as tools for perpetual condemnation.
The world respects communities that respect themselves. The world listens to people who speak positively about their heritage and celebrate their distinguished citizens. Let us, therefore, embrace a culture of recognizing merit, rewarding excellence, and promoting our achievers. Let us tell the stories of accomplishment more loudly than the stories of disagreement.
Engr. David Nweze Umahi should be promoted on the basis of his achievements, his contributions to public service, and the national recognition he has brought to Ebonyi State. His strengths should serve as instruments for projecting the image of our state, while his weaknesses, like those of every human being, should be approached with fairness and constructive engagement.
As Ebonyians, we must remember that when one of our own rises to national prominence, the honor belongs not only to the individual but also to the people and the land that produced him. Let us, therefore, choose unity over division, appreciation over envy, and strategic promotion over self-inflicted damage.
The future generations of Ebonyi State will judge us not merely by the leaders we produced but by how we treated them, supported them, and leveraged their achievements for the collective advancement of our people.
May Ebonyi continue to rise, and may her sons and daughters continue to shine for the benefit of our state, our nation, and humanity.
I am Engr Enyi Ogo Ideyi
Nwatakwochaa 1