Former Governor Peter Obi's father admonishes him

Have you seen a popular sportsman? Sports is so magnetic that diverse sports attract diverse admirers and some people treat their sports idols as earthly gods. This is why people ran after them seeking autographs and photographs. Do you know that the original name of Plato, that cornucopia in an era when knowledge was still mostly fragmentary, was Aristocles? Plato was a nickname he got through sports - wrestling.
In Nigeria today, Mr. Peter Obi attracts even more attention than sportsmen.
We were in Lekki at the weekend and it was another familiar sight: all manner of men, including lawyers, doctors, bankers, cardsharpers, pickpockets falling over one another seeking to take pictures with Mr. Peter Obi. As the spectacle went on, Obi wanted to sneak out and attend to some issues, but one man held him tightly and said jokingly: "I will not leave you until I take my own photography with you!" Not given to cathartic reaction, Obi was at the verge of explaining to the young man before one elderly man intervened and spoke with the accent of the wise one:
"My son, you are not the only former Governor in this country. The fact that probing Nigerians seek photographs with you is a testimony that you served well. Please indulge them always and do not reject any. Let me take myself as an example, I am from ..... State and cannot take pictures with my former and serving governors. Like all this young men, I am aware of your past and will willingly join the queue of those seeking to take pictures with you."
Today, we attended mass at the newly dedicated St. Paul's Catholics Church, Ugwuoba led by Francis Cardinal Arinze. After the mass, the entire Church lined up taking turns to take pictures with Mr. Peter Obi.
May I congratulate Chief Nwadinson, who single handedly built the Church.

From Val Obienyem