AS JECHIRA ANOINTS UJEGE TOR-JECHIRA II
By Maik Ortserga
ON Monday 17th March, in Vandeikya, a man was unanimously elected for the Jechira stool. He is someone who has always seemed keen on crafting the language of hope into the psyche of his people.
Elder statesman, Chief Edward Iorshagher Ujege, a frontline Engineer and opinion leader of immense courage, former President General of Mdzough U Tiv is one man who has seen the realisation that he would be leading his people sprung upon him with the most predictable inexorable sense even before standing on the top of the golden hour.
As President General of Mdzough U Tiv, Ujege had served his people and sacrificed much to the cause of the Tiv nation and won a reputation that is worth preserving, irrespective of what his shortcomings maybe as a human being. He stood firmly erect in defence of the Tiv interest against invaders, he did not isolate himself in the rarefied atmosphere of sterile inaction and utopian dreaming.
This is what has paid off now. His emergence is in line with Jechira’s understanding that training and experience which come from participation in the life and daily struggle of the people can bring maturity to the kingship institution. This understanding is why Jechir, since its first king, has always, as the poet posits, gone for:
“Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men who the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who have honour, men who will not lie
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and in private thinking.”
Though there are few grumblings in certain quatres, which should be expected, the growing indicators so far explain that Jechirans themselves are similarly optimistic that a man loyal to his people has been chosen in line with the maxim that where a good king is on the throne, the people are bound to rejoice.
Everyone is harping on how Jechira has always taken an apolitical stance in the choice of their kings in perfect reliance on the lamp of experience. It would be recalled that during the emergence of the Tor Jechira I, His Royal Highness C.K Uganden of blessed memory, Jechira went for a man who knew his aim and had the courage to own it. This, he demonstrated much during his brief stay on the throne.
The gruesome fact today, however, is that Jechira has never been so divided among political lines as now. It is impossible to read comments on Jechira social media platforms, without experiencing a feeling of utter dismay, without wondering whether Shakespeare is, indeed right in King Lear when he wonders if humanity will “perforce prey upon itself like monsters of the deep.” This is why His Royal Highness Edward Ujege has so much to do in knitting together the strands, and his ability to unite the people will increasingly shape the future of Jechira.
Therefore, as we raise our glasses for a toast to the new monarch today, will must pray that Jechira will not waste her dreams, that there will be unity, peace and progress, that good people will live long in Jechira and that Jechira will not spill her choicest wine in the slippery distance between cup and lips.
