Opinion: Natasha's Giant Strides have Made her the Best for Kogi Central Senatorial District | Isah Bala

It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who posits that, "every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."



Amidst unprecedented avarice and self-centeredness in the society which makes "sacrifice" sounds like an unjust hardship and bad thing which forced Christopher Lasch to describe our culture of self-absorption and narcissism, the idea of making  sacrifices for the sake of others or a common future seems just plainly out of touch. Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti emerged as God sent, bridged the well-worn path and decided to stand for the interest of the masses not minding the risk involved for daring to challenge the standing order.

The giant strides of Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti have made her a phenomenon to reckon with, and a household name within the nooks and crannies of Ebiraland.

On a different fora, she has represented and projected the image of Ebiraland, and Kogi at large in demonstration of her her commitment and zest to serve humanity.

While championing the struggle for the revitalisation of Ajaokuta steel, she led protest, public presentation on national TV and took the fight to National Assembly where she revealed the conspiracy behind Ajaokuta steel before the millions of Nigerians and the entire world, suggested ways Ajaokuta can easily be brought back to life, citing its economic benefits for Nigeria and the host community.

This giant stride led to the subsequent removal of Ajaokuta from companies that can be concessioned and the draft of laws by the National Assembly to guide the operations and management of Ajaokuta when fully revamped.

Our supposed mouth piece at the hallowed chamber were fully on ground, claimed to be loaded but couldn't deliver as they all watched Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti unvailing the truth against the political truth, telling them what they ought to know and at the end the lawmakers gave her a standing ovation. That very moment, I and many Ebiras were proud to be Anebira and having Barrister Natasha as a daughter of the soil with the pure blood of Anebira; standing for the truth in the face of adversity.

It will interest us to know that, Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti while fighting for the revitalisation of the moribund steel companies in Nigeria as an individual influenced three bills to offer effective management and operation of Nigerian steel sectors which are in the pipeline.

For the avoidance of doubt, the bills include: Bill to establish Steel Authority, sponsored by Nicholas Ossai, PDP, Delta State Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency.

Bill to create $1b lifeline for Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, ASCL, sponsored by Abubakar Garba Amuda-Kannike, APC, Kwara State Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency.

Bill to create set of laws for ASCL's operations when revamped, sponsored by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, APC, Sokoto, Tambuwal-Kebbi Federal Constituency.

This is not to talk of her philanthropic works which 600 orphans, and less privileged have benefited in the last years, the number widows she has rekindled their hope, the physically challenged she has made to realised that there is power in disability, the undergraduates she has been sponsoring, all these will surely be a topic for another day.

We are not oblivious of the fact that the noblest of people are not loved by all, this is why she wouldn't be deterred by people who have chosen to remain in our current state of misrepresentation and are hell bent on pulling her down.

Her uncompromising, uncommon valour, foresight, and forebearance in the cause of fighting for the common goal and free the masses from the manacles of poverty earned her the unwavering support of Ebira apex body, EPA, and was invited to deliver a lecture on an important topic, "Voices for Ajaokuta: The way forward", on April 26, 2018.

Her uncommon strides also made the custodian of Ebira traditional stool, Ebira Council of Chiefs to invite her to intimidate them on the journey so far on Ajaokuta revival during the council's annual submit on July 30, 2018 at the palace of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland  and thereafter commended her painstaking efforts towards the resuscitation of the moribund company and declared their unflinching support for her if she decided to heed the people's call and vie for Kogi Central senate.

Odeyani of Anebira Peoples Living in Kaduna and General Chairman of Odeyani forum in diaspora, HRH. Alhaji, Sadiqu Obari couldn't hold his joy, and submitted that only God can reward Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti for her resilient approach towards the revival of Ajaokuta, admitting that they are overwhelmed with the role she is playing on Ajaokuta revival, to him, they will never get tired praying to God to protect Natasha.

On a visit to Ohi of Eika, HRH Abubaka Jatto, the royal father was engulfed with joy that he couldn't hold it, and admitted that he has been a fan of the amazon for long which made him to travel alongside other traditional rulers in the land to listen to her presentation at the House of Representatives. To him, Natasha has done enough to convince every discerning mind to rally round her and do more for Ebiraland.

The choice is ours in 2019, whether to go for the highest bidder or the one that has vision and ready to change our narrative.

We should be bold enough to ask them to tell us what they've done to earn our mandate, tell us why we should leave Natasha for them despite these huge sacrifices for the common good of the masses, tell us why we shouldn't give Natasha our unwavering support despite her sterling pedigree and antecedence, tell us why she didn't deserve the support of every Anebira despite her unequalled record.