Natasha H Akpoti this picture LITERALLY brought tears to my eyes. And I will tell you why. But first,let me say happy 40th birthday to one of the GREATEST people ever to walk this earth.
Now back to the picture. There was a gubernatorial election in Kogi State not to long ago. In Nigeria the major parties are APC and PDP just like the major parties in USA are Democrats and Republicans. These two,although not the only parties in the contest, battle it out and the winner always comes from one of these parties. This woman ran under the banner of SDP….so the chances that she would win against the male dominated PDP and APC were very slim. BUT! She ran. She ran. She was delayed,insulted,slut shamed,sexually harassed….yet she ran. She ran and she lost.
Now after a loss,in Nigeria,typically politicians go back home and try to recuperate. They go back and work to recover the monies and energy they spent during the tedious electoral process. And because the reason many people run for office is for personal financial gains,politicians who don’t win,will not come out to give back to society again until they are ready to run for office again….that’s when you see them back on the streets building things for communities and all,to get their votes.
But not Natasha. This woman ran for a senatorial seat and then a gubernatorial one…both times,she went to court and fought against injustice….so she didn’t just contest like others did which is tedious and money consuming enough,she went legal also….she spent time,energy and money. She didn’t succeed in getting into office. So what does she do? Yesterday she posted on her Facebook wall in commemoration of her 40th birthday today,she decided to give to the people! The same people she ran to serve. Yes….spending more time,money and energy.
In 2 days she was able to commission 4 of the many water projects across Kogi state.
The boreholes were surveyed, drilled and constructed; pumps and overhead tanks installed and electricity connected in just 2 days. And the look on the faces of these children!!!! Tears tears tears it reduced me to. I’m pretty sure these children weren’t asked to pretend for cameras….she is not in office or contesting. She’s not trying to fulfill electoral promises. I’m also pretty sure they don’t fully know who Natasha Akpoti is(if they even know at all)….they were just excited to finally be able to have one of the necessities of life. Isn’t this what humanity is about?! Doing things JUST to help the have nots? Is there a better definition of humanity? YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO NIGERIA A FOREIGN BRAND. Because I usually see this sort of thing overseas. You have set a precedent. And we shall follow! Thank you on behalf of these children and the community. I don’t even know what community it is,I don’t care….humans in igala land are the same humans in Ebira land and the same in Okun land. Thank you Natasha. Keep setting the bar high….at a time when I’m raising a daughter and I myself,as a young woman,am still trying to find myself…you are paving ways and leading unintentionally. Thank you. ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽
Ocheni Zainab Alikeju wrote!
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