By Reuben Onyishi
(Ugoachataberu)

Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo is 85 to the glory of God. Jim, as he is fondly called, represents excellence in governance. So, every of his birthday gives us a reminiscence of those days when things were what they used to be; when lizards were few and far between; when governance entailed this selfless desire to bring all there is to development to bear; when it was this altruistic urge to wrought the best that is known and heard in all the world. That is what Jim means to us. And we relish it with nostalgia the days when in pristine white and white, he would wave the white handkerchief to the many shouts of Jiiiiim, as he sparkled and radiated in splendour and resplendence.

Jim arguably, but for Peter Mbah, is the greatest leader ever lived as far as Enugu State is concerned, if South East and Nigeria. No one living or dead, apart from Mbah, has done what Jim did for the old Anamabra State. His many legacy projects have outlived the test of time. It is to Jim that we credit Anambra Broadcasting Service now Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) built to good taste; Anambra Sate University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH), now Enugu State University of Science and Technology(ESUT); the rural electrification projects that gave power to many rural areas; the many paved roads; water schemes and many other achievements of his as numerous as sand upon seashore.

During his days, the Enugu Rangers was at its best and won many laurels. That was the days of Christain Chukwu (who passed away recently), Emmanuel Okala, Aloysius Atuegbu, Sylvanus Okpala, and so on. Jim played a consequential role in the many triumphs of Rangers, especially the 1983 Nigerian National League, which the Flying Antelopes won. This was also extended to the Nigerian Green Eagles, and I have the 1980 African Cup of Nations in mind. The rest is history so good. But then, Rangers represented the strength of the Igboman, emerged from the Nigerian Civil War, and Jim, then a young man, was the chairman of Rangers before he became the governor of old Anambra State. So, Jim represented the legacy spirit of the igboman, an embodiment of many virtues of which strength dignity, industry, creativity, knowledge, wisdom, and vision stood out conspicuously.

Jim, as a young man, was a high-flyer, an astute businessman with much vivacity and elan. With a background in teaching at the Kings College Lagos, having read English at the University of Ibandan, the highly cerebral Jim had begun a career that would transcend many vicisitudes that would lead to a political career so beautiful: from Governor to Minister of Youths and Sports to a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

What do we say to all this? That it pleases the Almighty God that at a time like this, we are so much blessed with a fountain to draw from; that with long life, he has decorated the Octogenarian to glory; that the glorious hoary hair has brought us many blessings. Shall we also not be grateful to Barr. Chief Pat Nwobodo, the virtuous and glorious one with whom God has crowned our Papa with long life? To all this, we say happy birthday to Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo. May the Almighty God continue to bless you even as he grants you many more years.