Ogbuehi Ekperedike Chukwu, A.K.A. Elem Abuga has been quite passionate about keeping Ndi Isuochi (wherever they are) abreast with happenings in the Homefront through his social media works, bringing to their mobile device screens, live streaming of social, political and current events as they unfold around Isuochi and her people.
He has shown an uncommon passion for this kind of work that is hardly appreciated and rewarded. Yet, he has been spending his little earnings, risking his life to cover events that are both friendly and life-threatening to keep Ndi Isuochi abreast of happenings in Isuochi, as if he gets paid for them. Elem Abuga is a student of David Cuschieri who says, “Love what you do and do what you love. Passion is the key that opens the door to joy and abundance.”
Yes, this job indeed opens for Elem Abuga, the door to joy but not abundance. This claim is well-captured in an excerpt from his Appeal: “The type of calls and encouragements I have been receiving from our people all this while is that “Elem Abuga continue the good work you’re trying, we’re watching you.” Though this is encouraging, Umulemte, is this what this young man will eat?
As the pioneer of a community newspaper (Isuochi Times and later, Umunneochi Times) in Isuochi in the early 2000s, I knew what I suffered trying to make the newspaper survive and keep my passion alive. I literally became a beggar, chasing politicians and businessmen around, just to grant me press interviews, provide me with financial support, and take advert slots in the newspaper.
Only a few people (I will tell their inspiring story another day) understood then, the importance of the media in moulding opinions, setting agendas, and contributing to the socio-economic and political development of a community. You beg to print, and when you publish, even those who were supposed to give you heavy financial support were the same people asking you to give them the copies free of charge.
But I trudged on because I believed wholeheartedly in Zach Toelke’s statement that “A true passion that burns within your soul can never be put out.” That belief helped in fashioning, building, and pushing me to where I am today in the journalism space.
Elem Abuga is appealing to well-meaning Umu Isuochi and lovers of good things to come to his aid by way of helping him to raise the sum of N2.5million (Two million, five hundred thousand naira) to purchase a tricycle (Keke NAPEP). This will not only help him open another stream of income but also facilitate his community media works.
Just as the young man put it: “Apart from this community media work I’m into, I don’t have any other work. I know very well I’m not that lazy, but my health condition deprived me of doing many things… it’s well.”
This provokes emotions, empathy, and sympathy.
Ndi Isuochi, we are known for being our brother’s keepers. Anyi ma ka esi eme nwelete. This young man has been doing a lot, bringing Isuochi to our homes in the townships within and outside of the shores of Nigeria. We CANNOT allow this to die.
N2.5million is huge money but it’s a sum that can easily be raised by our people. The young man is asking for at least N5,000 each from 500 people to raise this money to enable him to have an alternative and or additional income generator. I know that there are those touched by this appeal who can give as much as 200k, 100k, 50k, 30k, 20k, and 10k.
It is with his permission I am publishing this appeal and joining in appealing to the conscience of our people to come to the aid of this young man who has consistently kept us abreast with events in Isuochi town and her villages. He needs our help to enable him to enjoy some level of economic independence.
Kindly respond to this appeal and join this campaign by paying into this verified account of the beneficiary:
Account Name: Chukwu Ekperedike John
Bank Name: First Bank
Account Number: 3103282290
When we respond positively to this appeal, we would have succeeded in empowering one of our own as according to him, “I’ll be in the streets of Isuochi hustling and also asking God for His grace because with Him all things are possible…”
