Last night I slept with a lot of thoughts on my mind about the reward system we practice in our society especially when it comes to leadership recruitment. I was worried about the future of Kwande local government area of Benue state, especially how successive administrations in the state have failed (or refused?) to raise someone from Kwande. I kept asking whether Kwande has not been participating actively in politics or what exactly. Then the thought of one young man, Martin Iorsamber, came to my mind.
In 2011, during the days of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Iorsamber formed the Ugbah Activists which was the first group to tour campuses across all tertiary institutions in Benue state, giving souvenirs to students. This made the ACN the most popular political party among the students.
Though Ugbah could not win the governorship election, when Senator George Akume emerged the Senate Minority Leader, the Ugbah Activists were handy and congratulated him with a beautiful portrait. I believe it is still standing in his house. Many chieftains of the party knew this but nobody could recommend Iorsamber or his team for anything.
In 2015, after the election, Iorsamber became a very strong voice campaigning for Akume’s senate presidency. He wrote several articles and granted many interviews supporting the former governor of Benue state. See one of such instances here https://atiterkula.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/george-akumes-senate-presidency-a-coin-with-many-faces/.
Unfortunately, Akume couldn’t make it as senate president. But does it mean the contributions of this Kwande man were not noted by anyone? On the other side, Iorsamber did not stop there. He continued with his support for Professor Steve Ugbah. Iorsamber wrote articles and granted interviews on why Professor Ugbah should be considered by former President Muhammadu Buhari for a ministerial appointment. Check one of the articles here https://atiterkula.wordpress.com/2015/08/08/open-letter-mr-president-you-need-professor-ugbah/.
Eventually, Prof Ugbah was made an ambassador to Russia. The name Iorsamber could not be remembered by anyone close to the powers that be. Meanwhile, on his part, Iorsamber has never given up neither on politics nor on supporting others. He does all these with his personal funds while building his professional career.
Since 2017, Iorsamber as the National President of the Environment and Safety Management Institute has organised not less than 10 different national and regional stakeholders’ discussions on Environment and Safety Management in Nigeria. These discussions are aimed at ensuring safety, preventing disaster and ensuring good health and wellbeing in communities.
The discussions have been held in Sokoto, Gombe, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Anambra, Oyo and Lagos states as well as Abuja, the Federal capital. These regional stakeholders’ discussions on environmental safety has attracted eminent Nigerians such traditional rulers, government officials, the military and the business class.
The then governors such as Tanko Al-Makura, Samuel Ortom, Willie Obiano, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, Rotimi Akeredulu as well as the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr Boss Mustapha have honoured these discussions. In all of these, I cannot see any sign that someone is interested in building this young man to grow. Whether we accept it or not, in Nigeria, no matter what you do, somebody must recommend you to the powers that be.
If Kwande has someone that is using his personal resources and making such huge contributions to nation building, when are we going to speak for him? Whenever something is zoned to Kwande, they will say Kwande doesn’t have somebody and then it will be given to another bloc. Why is it that no governor in Benue state wants to build someone from Kwande so that Kwande too will have somebody? Look at Comrade Iorsamber, he has been speaking for many people including the high and mighty, but can anyone speak for him? May God have mercy on Kwande.
Tor Solomon,
Adikpo London, Kwande local government area,
Benue state
08052884585
