The weather outside was bright, brisk and breezy. The sun shone with
\nextraordinary splendor though the rays were mild and friendly. The
\ncaressing wind moved and swung like a sailing yacht tempting one to want
\nto remain outdoors for the whole day. Here and there people gathered in
\ngroups chatting, laughing and exchanging pleasantries. But inside, the
\nCATOL presented a different picture. There, the air was as tight as the
\nbow. Tension was palpable and the atmosphere generally felt as if loaded
\nwith deadly dynamites of the ghastly potency of a nuclear bomb. It was a
\ncomplex intermixture of unfriendly and strange bed fellows.<\/p>\n
Stalwarts and juggernauts of PDP, APC and APGA were there clustered under
\nthe same roof for the ecclesiastical award ceremony of the mighty CATOL on
\nSunday August 9, 2004. Most of the politicians honored the invitation and
\ngraced it with their majestic, gubernatorial or distinguished presence. A
\nfew sent a delegation or representative.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Prince Ezeakonobi
\nMadumere was there. The controversial former Governor of Imo State, Chief
\nIkedi Ohakim was there live, Senator Godwin Ifeanyi Araraume came, the
\nelder sage of PDP Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was present. There were some
\nCommissioners and feather weight politicians who came either as an
\nentourage to the stalwarts or to receive an award. Each man was with his
\nentourage. On the whole the attendance was great.<\/p>\n
As for the congregation, they came in their numbers as if they knew what
\nwas in the offing. The Cathedral was filled to capacity.<\/p>\n
The countenance, demeanor and faces of the big politicians told more than
\ntext books of political science. Senator Ararume looked angry and
\ninfuriated. Chief Ohakim appeared nervous. Chief Iwuanayanwu seemed to
\nsay, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am fine, I have nothing to lose anyway\u00e2\u20ac Surprisingly, Prince
\nEze Madumere appeared calm, calculated and friendly. He looked comfortable
\nin his skin and seemed unruffled with the presence of his opponents and
\nnatural as if to say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 I am the Deputy Governor of all and I love them
\nall, PDP, APC, APGA or what have you\u00e2\u20ac He seemed to regard the other
\npoliticians not as foes and adversaries but just as opponents. Observers
\ntook note and the event went on.<\/p>\n
One by one each man was called upon to receive an award and each was
\nexpected to make a brief remark. When Senator Ararume spoke, there were
\nrumbles. Some of the politicians even rudely refused to observe protocol.
\nOne Ojiri did not even deem it fit to recognize the presence of the Deputy
\nGovernor of his State when he spoke. People cringed, but the Deputy
\nGovernor himself ignored it and even defended him saying that it could be
\nan honest mistake. Observers took note again and the event continued.<\/p>\n
The climax of this great but intriguing occasion was struck when the
\nDeputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere rose to speak. He respectfully
\nrecognized all the other politicians present and placed honor to where
\never honor was due. He spoke with good will to all and malice to none. He
\nchose every word he spoke carefully . Madumere displayed those virtues for
\nwhich he is well known– a dint of sagacity, politeness, simplicity and
\ngrace. Observers paid avid attention, observed closely and took notes
\ncopiously. It was the moment, the moment of the occasion. The loud ovation
\nshowed that and the Christian brothers and sisters testified to it after
\nthe occasion. Eze Madumere, What a man!
\nDr. Ifeanyi Ekenasi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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