By Mimi Chiadikobi
An Octogenarian and former councilor, in Anambra State, Hon. Silas Ejide, has urged Nigerian youths to be self-reliant through hard work and not wealth gotten from ritual acts.
Ejide spoke from his country home in Nneogidi, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, during the celebration of his 88 birthday.
He urged the politicians and the public to bring back olden days principles of apprenticeship where wealth are groomed through life standard principles and where get quick money ways are not glorified.
He also tasked youths of the present generation to uphold values and morals of life that promoted sanity as it pays off goodness, get rich quick syndrome must be rejected.
Ejide, further appealed to mothers to take the business of home management seriously and develop closer links with their children.
He said that his late wife Mary, raised their children with the olden rules of apprenticeship from home before going to larger society where they individually learned different skills.
Ejide is the father of Austin Ejide, former super Eagles Goalkeeper and a renowned community leader, who prides in peaceful resolutions at all times since his retirement from active civil service.
He is a philanthropist who have raised many business men and graduates in his community and environs.
Ejide said that he took active participation in politics in the state as he was made a councilor by the governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo.
“In our time, our major aim was to put facilities in place for public use and not to enrich ourselves which is prevalent in present day politics
“It was a taboo to embezzle public funds; so, I appeal to the present politicians to use the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State to rewrite the negative narrative of most politicians in the state.
“Election processes in the East should be based on continuous marketing of the state, to grant voice to the voiceless and not the other way,” he said.
He said that with coordinated political plans more democratic dividends should be recorded in this dispensation in the state.
Ejide said that he witnessed old politics where truth and transparency ruled and zeal to serve the public was key aim to joining politics.
“I was among the first councilor appointed by former governor Jim Nwobodo, in local government development, in Anambra, and I did my best.
“ Having witnessed Nigeria – Biafra war, I advised that fairness should be applied in voting and winning, sharing common resources to avoid conflict which certainly lead to war,” he said.
However, Ejide, urged youths to desist from abusing the culture and tradition of the Igbos, noting that tradition was different from deity worship and ritual killings.
He commended Anambra governor, Prof Charles Soludo, in his efforts to sanitise the traditional worship practice.
He said that government’s efforts to stop devilish practices by some native doctor’s in the name of money making should be respected.
“All negative act must be condemned. Ritual killings and evil sacrifice are not our culture.” he said.
The octogenarian said that such act was against the core values of hardwork, honesty and diligence, in which Igbo extraction are associated with.
Pa Ejide , who was born on March 12 1937, expressed joy and appreciation to God for keeping him aluve.
“I am happy to witness March 12. 2025.
“My blessings are countless, I had 10 children, namely Ngozi, Okechukwu, Izuchukwu, Obiora,
“I am blessed with 26 grandchildren and lovely daughter’s in law, I feel so fulfilled and I am grateful to God.
“God truly do not lie, he blessed me with good eye sight, all my faculties still in shape and I walk unaided,” he said.
Mrs Ngozi Ofoedu, his first child who spoke on behalf of the family described her father as a man with the fear of God and that he ensured that they all follow the line of putting God first in all they do.
Ofoedu said that their father 88 years on earth is a philanthropist, a trait they must uphold and pray pray God to keep their father longer in good health.
“We appreciate and value him so much for all he has done for us all, ” she said.
Mr Emeka Okafor a close relative described Ejide as a personality worthy of emulation and prayed for more good health and life.
