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It was Chinua Achebe, legendary Nigerian novelist and essayist who said that, “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Driving home the wisdom in this statement is a popular saying which admonishes us to “give honour to whom it is due and celebrate something good even in the thick of gloom and doom that has saturated our media space.”
Indeed, it is the case of “action speaks louder than words” when it concerns Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor’s redemptive projects and activities in the Central Cross River Senatorial District. Senator Onor has distinguished himself as a man of great capacity and enterprise. His giant strides in the last two years remain both unmatched and challenging. His dedicated service to the people of Cross River Central has brought another giant amongst the best senators in Nigeria to the limelight. In fact, several appellations have been given consciously to this uncommon performer, especially by the people at the grassroots. Some have justifiably christened him a “repository of projects”, while others in their characteristic manner have argued strenuously, extensively and passionately that Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor is another emerging “Mr projects” south of the Niger. If one were to filter facts from fictions, one could loosely describe him as a harbinger of infrastructure. If one were to be pedantic and petty as his adversaries and traducers, then Senator Sandy Onor could be seen and measured in light of his numerous empowerments and poverty alleviation programs in the past two years. No doubt, if it were a contest, he would have walked away with the trophy long ago. If it were a class of degree, he would have meritoriously walked away with a first class honours. Of course, he would have been the valedictorian. If it were the “MO” Ibrahim award of excellence, exclusively reserved for outstanding leaders in Africa, Senator Sandy Onor would have sailed through. Unfortunately, Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor found himself in a political climate and setting where excellence in leadership is not celebrated. A setting that does not appreciate leaders who provide roads, electricity and water; a setting that does not appreciate leaders who transform dreams into reality. Rather, it is a polity that admires leaders who temporarily doll out cash rewards to the masses in exchange for praises, even when the roads are dilapidated; even when there is no portable water to drink; even when there are no good rural roads and other infrastructure.
Before his celebrated emergence in 2019, people taught that politics was a class-driven exercise. The notion at that material time was that representatives were exclusively restricted to Abuja and state capitals. Legislators were seen as demigods, as constituents were subjected to rigorous procedures before they can interface with their legislators. But today, with Senator Sandy Onor, times have really changed. Thus, constituency allowances no longer end in private pockets and fat bank accounts. The facts are obvious and glaring that he gives back to the constituents more than he gets at the National Assembly. He ensures that whatever he dolls out, touches the man at the grassroots, which is why he visits his district on weekly basis for evaluations and town hall meetings.
The Covid 19 pandemic that swept across the shores of nations is also an exemplar of effective and excellent representation. This is because the pandemic appeared like a destabilizing wind. Yet, this people-oriented Senator, captain and tireless champion of the common people did not disappoint his constituents. He gave them soft landing without allowing them to drown in the torrential ocean of Covid of 19. As such,he embarkd on a vigorous tour across the L.G.As of the Central District to feel the pulse of his people. Though, anonymous and quiet in his natural style, Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor gave Cash donations and unquantifiable food items, especially to the vulnerable segments of the society. Beyond this, over one hundred persons, selected from across the LGAs in the Senatorial District were handsomely empowered during his massive empowerment program that took place in the first quarter of 2021. In addition to this gesture, small and medium scale businesses were given a boost as a result of this empowerment program. Recently, many training centres were agog across the entire district, with influx of participants being taught several skills and eventually empowered to start up businesses. More so, the principal, parents/guidance of students of several secondary schools in Abi L.G.A and many other communities in the Central Cross River State, remain appreciative to Senator Sandy Onor’s footprints in their schools in terms of renovations and supply of modern equipment and furniture.
It is pertinent to remark, as the foregoing demonstrate, that Distinguished Senator Sandy Onor has dedicated his time and energy to make his constituents more secure and safe. He has deployed all government services to create fair and equal opportunity for constituents to make a living through his sustained leadership and love of humanity. A man who has made it possible even in the face of impossibles. A member of the ninth Assembly, which is characterized by serious austerity and absence of resources, yet this performer even in this situation hasn’t disappointed his constituents and followers. Even his worst critics would acknowledge this glaring facts. In fact, those who criticize him, in the respectful opinion of this writer, should embark on a tour of the rural roads in the entire district and sample the opinions of the rural dwellers.The leaders who talk against him, do so because Senator Sandy Onor has taken the unfamiliar path in putting smiles on the faces of his people. No Senator has done what Senator Sandy Onor has done in the past two years of his tenure. It is only a fantasized dreamer that will expect overnight miracles from this Senator whose expeditions have been recorded in the minds of the people. Thus, an average Cross Riverian regard him as an experienced elder statesman due to his moral principles. Hence, if he bows out as a Senator in 2023 to take up higher responsibilities, he will be remembered by all and sundry through his footprints, which is indeed the measure of a man. No wonder he is currently seen as a development Czar. History will certainly be fair to Distinguished Senator Sandy Irunandu Ojang Onor.
Ori Owan is a political scientist and a lawyer in equity.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, ORI OWAN and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for
