On the 12th of August 2013, the whole world was agog by the record which Mr. Anacletus Ugwo made in far away New York. This ebullient young man made history by emerging the best biologist of the whole world in an undergraduate world competition where more than six hundred and fifty one (651) schools participated. Anacletus Ugwo is a student of Federal University of Technology Owerri. Thanks to Almighty God who alone gives knowledge and wisdom. This is a feat too rare to achieve.
My happiness is not only that this young star made this record but tracing his parentage calls for comment and celebration. Anacletus Ugwo is the first son or better put, the “heir apparent” to Hon. Cletus Ugwo, from Oboma Nguru in Aboh Mbaise LGA. Hon. Cletus Ugwo is the Vice Chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Council.
For the record purpose, it is pertinent to disclose that Hon Cletus Ugwo was one of the elected members of the Imo state Local Government council whom Gov. Okorocha in his erroneous opinion dissolved their seat illegally and unconstitutionally for lack of performance. A man with the mandate of his people from a keenly contested election. The question that readily comes to mind is that the man accused of non-performance in his position as the Local Government Vice Chairman is today the father of the best biologist of the whole world, then the person who dissolved him can now he said to he bereft of ideas and vision because if you are unable to see beyond your nose you will have nearer problems.
All I am saying is that a dunce cannot produce a genius. You cannot cheat on your gene. In my secondary school days,. I was taught that gene is a distinct sequence of DNA by which offspring inherit parental characteristics. The “Igbos” will tell you in their proverbs that “Oke adighi amu nkapi” while the lawyers will tell you that in law “you cannot give what you don’t have”. This wonderful achievement that came out from the gene of a Vice Chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government is simply a true indication of the quality of people elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to run the affairs of the Local Government.
As am savouring the joy of this feat attained by this young star, let me also mention that, this is one of the qualities that make Mbaise people unique. A people known for standing tall in any matter they believe in. A special people indeed who are hated and loved at the same time. A land of wisdom. Even our detractors will always find a way of romancing with us. This achievement will no doubt add a lot of glamour to this year’s “iri ji Mbaise” (new yam festival).
As I associate with my brother Anacletus Ugwo for this achievement, I call on both the Federal and State government to recognize and appreciate this young star for giving us a positive image in far away New York. This academic achievement can only be gotten from a sound and qualitative educational background not this type of porous education going on in Imo today. Not a kind of education where community leaders or village heads with little or no academic background/qualifications are recruiting and paying teachers for the schools in their respective communities Not a kind of education where you cannot find more than four qualified teachers in a school of over 200 to 500 students. Not the type of education where money are shared to students instead of good teaching, encouraging students to feel that the essence of being in school is to make quick money instead of knowledge. Not the type where free education is pronounced but at the end, it turned out to be a mirage.
Anacletus Ugwo never experienced all this kind of porous education or even received any shared money in school and today, he is the world best biologist. To God be the Glory.
