A curious mind will undoubtedly struggle to understand the subject matter of this piece, but it is simple. It is merely an invitation to look at July from the context of Peter Obi and Victor Umeh as they celebrate their birthday on the 19th, and to view their lives in the context of the significance of July. Renamed from Quintilis in 44BC to honour the memory of Julius Caesar, a Roman statesman, general and historian, July significantly bears the name of a great man instead of a god or goddess as many other months do.
Emperor Julius Caesar, quite remarkably, not only conquered the Gaul (part of Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands) but also laid the foundation to many great prodigies that influence the world today. For instance, he developed the structure of this current calendar with 365 days, the Julian calendar, which Pope Gregory XIII modified and perfected in 1582. Hence we moved from Julian calendar to Gregorian calendar in use today. July used to be the fifth month of the year (Quintilis) because the Roman calendar used to start in March. It was only in 713BC that Numa Pompilius added January and February to Roman calendar.
Named after a great emperor, Julius Caesar, July also has great significance for the peoples of both northern and southern hemispheres. Given the different climatic conditions of the world during this month, summer for the north and winter for the south, its significance is context influenced. For the north of the world, July signifies splendour and glorious radiance, and for the south of the world, it highlights reflection and meditation. July, therefore, presents us with two sets of complementary characteristics, namely splendour-glorious radiance and reflection-mediation. These two characteristics are certainly not mutually exclusive but compatible and complementary; as such, they mutually enrich each other. Of note then is that July is a great month for men of grace and consequence.
Having been born on July 19 (the day Queen Mary I, daughter of King Henry VIII, was made the queen of England in 1553), Peter Obi and Victor Umeh started their earthly sojourn within the context of July. They were found within the horizon of greatness marked by the gracefulness of either warmth or reserved attention. While accidents of history have seen them divest their destiny from each other, it has been challenging to divorce these two great men from each other. It does not take wizardry to appreciate the enormous impact of their togetherness on the socio-political landscape and developmental strides of Anambra State, nay Nigeria. No one needs the so-called crystal ball or a magic wand to see a divine hand in their togetherness, which confirms the truism in Igbo aphorism, “Igwebuike”. Their joint birthday on July 19 seems to echo the mystery of the united service they are destined to offer our society. The nostalgia which the united P-Square arouses in many of their fans and friends points to the impoverishment society experiences when a great team de-emphasize unity.
Both Mr Obi and Chief Umeh have at many and several times been of help to each other, and together to the society not minding the degrees or percentage. Since I met both of them together around 2004 at Blessed Tansi Seminary, Onitsha, I have developed a profound appreciation of teamwork instead of individual efforts. While own effort can be a saving grace, yet a synergy built on a good foundation and principle is always better. . Both of them were alumni of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, both from Anaocha (Agulu and Agulu{zoigbo}) and both beloved sons of Dim Emeka Ojukwu and Archbishop Albert K. Obiefuna. Fate has brought them together…
By Fr George Adimike
Source: Sun
We, in the RAZOR group, join in wishing them a happy birthday.
Your labour shall never be in vain. To God be the glory.
