Democracy Day and Ihedioha il pater et magiste – THISAGE

By Ori Martins

Let me explain this right away. The title above has a Latin flavor: pater et magiste. Meaning, master and master.

There are many teachers who are not masters. And there are teachers who cannot teach. A teacher leads, inspires, influences, guides and directs. A good teacher should be a good teacher. The greatest teacher of all time remains the wonderful Jesus Christ: the Man who never traveled outside his Palestinian territories and yet changed the course of humanity.

He only had 12 apostles but some 2000 years later, the entire world is filled with his philosophy, ideas and teachings, simply because he positively inspired and diligently guided.

A unique factor in Jesus’ teachings and mentorship was his firm stance on discipline, loyalty, and dedication. He practiced what he taught and was consistent in everything he did.

Elsewhere, all of America’s founding fathers, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, etc., were both masters and teachers as they inspired and influenced generations of young Americans towards global greatness. They were all exemplary teachers and incredible teachers at one time or another.

Benjamin Franklin, the only one among the founding fathers who had the privilege of signing the three most important American documents namely; The Treaty of Paris of 1783 ended the War of Independence; The Declaration of Independence; and the Constitution of the United States, he is still recognized and regarded as an American hero and statesman.

That’s because, for all his accomplishments in politics, diplomacy, science, and inventions, he still left money on deposit to the cities of Boston and Philadelphia for 200 years. According to confirmed reports, the nearly $10 million played a significant role in the education of those two American cities.

Here in Nigeria and the South East in particular, the visionary steps of Dr Michael Okpara, Com Ndubuisi Kanu and Chief Sam Mbakwe continue to attract attention and inspiration several years after leaving office.

An exceptional case was that of the first (military) administrator of the old Imo State, Kanu, who in six months built about 200 housing units on the Aladimma/Ikenegbu axis. He called 100 building contractors and tasked them to deliver three completed houses within a quarter and within six months Aladimma and Ikenegbu were filled with beautiful housing units. To this day, no other administrator, military or civilian, has equaled this feat.

As we mark Democracy Day 2026, it is apparently important that the man, His Excellency, The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON, KSC, Omenkeahuruanya, who in seven months has proven his mettle as an administrator par excellence, is honored and celebrated in view of his brilliant exploits anchored on democracy and its principles.

Ihedioha il pater et magiste is a symbol of true democracy. It pursues its aspirations by applying democratic standards. Ihedioha, as an authentic democrat, promotes the beauty of democracy which is the rule of law as the embodiment of justice, equity and fairness. Encourages the application of process and procedure as key factors in providing dividends to democracy.

Quite remarkably, and this is evidently instructive, Ihedioha, whose followers, in word and deed, candidly see as their teacher and master, is, in fact, a builder of grassroots mobilization. With ingenuity and jealousy he builds and maintains a well-developed political structure that has a strong presence in all 305 districts of the 27 local government areas of the state.

Indeed, the political structure of Ihedioha’s Rebuild Imo Movement is state-wide – diffuse even as it appears both intimidating and beautiful. This, in itself, shows that Ihedioha’s followers have absolute faith in him. That is, he cannot lead them astray. He cannot bring them shame precisely because they believe he can never deceive them. As it is, for Ihedioha’s followers and supporters, it is as constant as the North Star. This means that despite the brutal contrasts against him, he is still firm, strong and uncompromising.

To sum up, Ihedioha, the democracy man, is consistent, visionary and committed to democratic values, the dividends of democracy, even as he also appreciates the challenges of democracy and its inherent shortcomings.

Overall, Ihedioha insists that democracy, because it is of the people, for the people and by the people, is still best for Nigeria; the best for Imo State; and the best for all, no matter where they are and regardless of their gender, faith or social status.

He also firmly believes that true democracy ensures security, freedom and prosperity. In fact, for Ihedioha, democracy is the winner, the champion of champions!!!

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