Many people sure have a thing or two to say about Hon. Robinson Uwak. Many have said many things and others are still saying theirs. But as a man inclined to more than just a view on transient moments, I choose to crack the bones, and not to chew the flesh.
Truly, there are good looking Uwak and the four colours on his head on his head. The first two: White and Red belong in a class. Do not think in the superficial, dear reader. For you may not find the two at par in colour classes. No one connects with this projection however, except they understand the import of these two Colours in the context of this discourse.
2015 was a tumultuous political season in the Oron Federal Constituency. A moment it was that things fell apart. It was a time when loyalty was tested. Whether negative or positive, loyalty expects concessions all the time. You either bend to a principality, or you stand erect on the podium of conscience, morality, and community. It was a tight rope all together for him.
The starboy chose the later. It was like the case of Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego. He left the sumptuous portion of the king’s meet, but went for the vegetables instead. He saw the chances clean and green, but stayed put with community. He clung to the White and the Red, where dignity and nobility rested. They marched all the time, pressing to the mark of their high calling with Hope far off then from Renewed. But alas, something huge happened to us, a thing so great that we couldn’t weep.
While men slept after their toil, the enemy came in and sow tarse among the weeds. The supplanter, “Jacob”, was a trickster. He came with a mask on his face and wore Esau’s body to steal the BLESSING and run away. Demonic drumbeats followed his footsteps. What belongs to Esau was given to Jacob. But Uwak remained unperturbed. He suffered the break standing for something.
A decade has walked past, but the conviction now doubles. From the love of White and Red, to the love of White, Red, Blue and Green. For with the first two, he stood for love of community, integrity, morality and forthrightness. Those were the keys that entrapped him in the fold. The principle has tarried, lodging interminably in his consciousness.
As the days keep breaking with the hand of time, his love grows, not only entangled with the first two colours, but with the toga of the four, the Blue and the Green Colours adding up.
In all, Uwak may have started off with two Colours on his head. But a decade is long enough to expand one’s sight. Not that he completely dislodged the later two, Blue and Green. Of course, they were part and parcel of the logo. But first, his soul was buried in the life-long fortunes of his people, who like the Israelites away from Egypt, left the Seawise Giant floating still.
It mattered not to them the status of a new vessel. It was meaningless thinking whether the trade would be viable or not. What they pursued were their collective rights and privileges. But another stole the fortune and ran away. As we mark another nativity day of this sagacious political icon, we see these four Colours on his head. They may seem just as physical appearance. These Colours do exist on his mind. He reflects daily on them and prays for another chance to deploy the resources of these Colours for the good of his teaming supporters.
Uwak, a high target business man and politician, still has a lot to offer. May this new age come with greater opportunities through his Faith, Hope, Courage and Belief in the patent and potent powers of the Colours on his head.
Happy birthday and best wishes to you, Hon. Robinson Uwak.
Joseph Atainyang is an editor with WatchmanPost newspaper.
