By Ori Martins
Let me explain this immediately. The above headline has Latin flavour – pater et magiste. Meaning, teacher and master.
There are many teachers who are not masters. And there are masters who cannot teach. A teacher mentors, inspires, influences, leads and directs. A good teacher should be a good master. The greatest teacher of all time remains the wonderful Jesus Christ: the Man who never travelled outside his Palestinian territories yet changed the course of mankind.
He had just 12 apostles but about 2000 years after, the entire world is replete with his philosophy, ideas and teachings, simply because he inspired positively and lead diligently.
One unique factor about Jesus’ teachings and mentorship was his unwavering stance on discipline, loyalty and dedication. He practised what he taught and was consistence in all he did.
Elsewhere, all the Founding Fathers of America, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, etc, were both masters and teachers because they inspired and influenced generations of American youths to global greatness. They were all exemplary teachers and incredible masters at one time or the other.
Benjamin Franklin, the only one among the founding fathers that had the privilege of signing the three most important American documents namely; The Treaty of Paris in 1783 ending the War of Independence; The Declaration of Independence; and the United States Constitution, is still recognized and considered an American hero and statesman.
This is because, beyond all his accomplishments in politics, diplomacy, science and inventions, he still left the cities of Boston and Philadelphia money in trust for 200 years. According to confirmed reports, the nearly $10m dollars played significant roles in the eventual education of those two American cities.
Here in Nigeria and South East in particular, the visionary steps of Dr Michael Okpara, Com Ndubuisi Kanu and Chief Sam Mbakwe continue to draw attention and inspiration several years after they left office.
One exceptional instance was that of the first (military) administrator of the old Imo State, Kanu, who, within six months built about 200 housing units in Aladimma/Ikenegbu axis. He got 100 building contractors and charged them to handover three completed houses within a quarter and before six months, Aladimma and Ikenegbu were stuffed with beautiful housing units. To date no other administrator, military or civilian, has equaled that feat.
As the 2026 Democracy Day is celebrated, it apparently important, that the man, His Excellency, The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON, KSC, Omenkeahuruanya, who within seven months proved his mettle as an administrator par excellence, be honoured and celebrated in view of his brilliant feats which were anchored in democracy and its principles.
Ihedioha the pater et magiste is a symbol of true democracy. He pursues his aspirations applying democratic standards. Ihedioha as a genuine democrat, promotes the beauty of democracy which is rule of law as an embodiment of justice, equity and fair play. He encourages the application of process and procedure as key factors in delivering democracy dividends.
Quite remarkably and this is evidently instructive, Ihedioha whose followers, in words and actions, candidly see as their teacher and master, effectively, is a grassroots mobilization builder. He ingeniously and jealousy builds as well as maintains a well developed political structure that has a solid presence in all the 305 wards in the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
In fact, Ihedioha’s Rebuild Imo Movement political structure is state – spread even as it appears both intimidating and beautiful. This, in itself shows that Ihedioha’s followers have absolute confidence in him. That is, he cannot lead them astray. He cannot bring shame on them just as they believe that he can never mislead them. As it is, to Ihedioha’s followers and supporters, he is as constant as the Northern Star. Meaning, no matter the brutal hard tackles against him, he is still firm, strong and uncompromising.
To sum it up, Ihedioha, the democracy man, is consistent, visionary and committed to democratic values, democracy dividends even as he also appreciates the challenges of democracy and its inherent shortcomings.
In all, Ihedioha insists that democracy, since it is of the people, for the people and by the people, is still the best for Nigeria; the best for Imo State; and the best for all, no matter where they are and irrespective of their gender, faith or social status.
He also strongly believes that true democracy guarantees security, freedom and prosperity. In fact, to Ihedioha, democracy is the winner, the champion of champions!!!
