Opinion

Everything About Soludo Inspires!

I remember one night after Gov. Soludo called up to check on me when he heard I was down with Malaria, it was very unofficial as he tried to crack me up with plenty jokes and bantered to a point I almost forgot I was chatting with the Big Boss. I remember thanking him profusely and not failing to ask, “Odenigbo, how do you find time for all this?”. He left me with a profound response;

“Mazi, you see, life is about time and striking a balance for all the things competing for your attention. If you must live life meaningfully you must manage time judiciously. I have worked in settings where we get evaluated every 30minutes. So, you know how to measure all you do every half hour.”

Yesterday, was not so much about time, I want to talk about Soludo’s ability to strike a balance intentionally. The wedding of his lovely daughter has revealed a part of him that will surely guarantee his new son in-law of total authority and control of the new home he is building with Soludo’s daughter.

Just a week ago Gov. Soludo had an elaborate and well attended traditional wedding ceremony of his daughter in his village home at Isuofia. Of course I agree he could “influence” his Son in-law’s choice of the location for the church wedding. His decision not to influence this, for me, is part of Soludo’s many abilities to strike a balance.

A wedding is not a State function, neither would Soludo remain a Governor forever. Allowing Arinze and Adaora the liberty to plan and organize their important day in a way that suites them is something that has provided this new couple a good foundation for a great home. Dear wannabe “big man”, life is beyond Nollywood, it is beyond make-belief. Life must be lived realistically regardless of the ephemerality of power.

I am inspired!

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara

Alinnor Arinze