The Day George-Ama Community Stood Still For Ma Tam-George

The heroic hours of life
are not only measured by pomp and pageantry, but through conscientious moments that are most appealing to the individual.
For Ma Patience Tam-George, the matriarch of the Tam-George’s family in George-ama community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Sunday, October 2, 2016 was a day that defined her legendary prowess and told her story as a “cat with nine lives”.
On this day, the bell tolled for Ma Tam-George in a most exceptional way as she told the heart- rending story of her unjust and callous treatment in the hands of her abductors who last year spirited her away from her dwelling place and subjected her to grave inconveniences.
It was a Special Thanksgiving Service organised in her honour at the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, George-ama, to thank God and to celebrate her safe release from the kidnappers’ den. The rustic, coastal George-ama community of no mean repute brimmed with communal enchantment as men, women, youths, children, chiefs and elders thronged the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church for the event.
The intermittent rumbling and belching of the thicky and cloudy sky soon gave way to a sunny weather, with the chilly coastal breeze wafting across the environment. The clement weather enjoyed throughout the day indicated that the elements also honoured the celebrant on this particular occasion.
Half way through the church service, the Octogenerian, visibly elated, sauntered into the church arena, which doubled as the reception ground of the event. She was accompanied by her siblings, children, grand children and other community admirers and well wishers.
Beaming with smiles, Ma Tam-George, took her seat at the front row of the church amidst other family members, as the officiating Minister extolled her virtues and offered special prayers for her.
The Man of God, Ven. Precious Nyanabiobi, who preached on the topic, “True Thanksgiving” said, “a contrite and repentant heart is what God requires of us in thanksgiving”.
He said the only way humanity could please God was to serve Him in truth and in spirit, and emphasised that God was not interested in material things, but seeing through the hearts of men.
Ven. Nyanabioli, said Ma Tam George’s miraculous escape from the kidnappers’ den was as a result of God’s intervention, and asked the entire congregation to thank God on her behalf.
The cleric also advised those in authority and positions of trust to rule with a sense of responsibility and fear of God, and not pervert the course of justice.
He warned against “self appropriation of the common wealth”, and stressed the need for public accountability as a basis for securing the future generation.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, thanked God for the life of Ma Tam-George. Governor Wike, who was represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, said the Wike administration was concerned about public accountability, and the development of the under-privileged.
The SSG also disclosed that the Wike administration accords priority attention to the protection of lives and property in the state, and called on the people of Okrika and Rivers State to support the Wike government, so that the administration would be able to deliver quality services in the state.
An array of government officials also graced the thanksgiving service including colleagues of one of Ma Tam-George’s children, Dr. Austin Tam-George, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications.
Recounting her ordeal in the hands of her captors, Ma Tam-George who exuded an aura of uncommon simplicity and survivalist instinct, said it was a sad experience for her, as she was subjected to dehumanising conditions, in spite of her age, stressing that she, however, summoned up courage despite her failing health.
Even when she was treated ignobly, Ma Tam-George said she prayed for her captors and asked for God’s forgiveness over their lives.
She called on the youth to “shun crime and embrace peace to make their lives meaningful”, and particularly thanked the people of George-ama community for their goodwill and show of love to her.
Ma Tam-George, who was very much at home with her wits and sense of intuition, sent the team of reporters reeling with laughter, as she laced her responses to the questions thrown to her with humour.
When she was asked the secret of her longevity, Ma Tam-George who is widely regarded as a grassroots mobilizer and role model replied that her life was devoted to prayers coupled with her strong conviction in human fellowship, and firm belief in equity and justice.
She added that, her life over the years had been premised on “modesty and contentment”.
Ma Tam-George is not only Patience by name, but she is equally patient and resilient in character, and according to her, these attributes have guided her through the most delicate moments in life including the period of her abduction.
The matriarch, who vowed to remain resolute and unbending in her service to God and humanity, also had some words of advice for the government at various levels. She urged the government to double her effort in curbing the menace of insecurity by creating jobs for the youth who are mostly involved in these criminal activities.
Speaking to newsmen during the thanksgiving reception, one of Ma’s children, Dr. Godknows Tam-George, said thanksgiving service was a celebration of the mercies of God in Ma Patience’s life. He said the family was particularly grateful to God for saving the life of her old mother from destruction in the hands of her captors. He described mama as a hardworking and caring mother who is always there for the children and other members of the family and the George-ama community in general.
Addressing newsmen during the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, said the period of his mother’s abduction was a traumatising experience to him.
He however thanked God for securing his over 80 years old mother from the hands of the boggey men. Dr. Tam-George also called on the youth to desist from criminal activities and embrace peace, noting that the Governor Wike’s administration was committed to youth empowerment and entrepreneurial development of the state.
The Commissioner also re-assured of the Governor’s commitment towards fighting crime in the state, and called on “law enforcement agents to be proactive in the fight against crime, as the Rivers State Government was poised to provide the necessary logistic support for them”.
Speaking to newsmen at the event, the head of the Dokube Royal House in Okrika, Chief Akuro George, said the entire community was happy over the life of Ma Tam-George whom he said was one of the most illustrious, courageous leaders and a source of inspiration to many in the community.
The royal father who chaired the thanksgiving reception, said the community will work with law enforcement agencies to tackle crime in the area. He thanked all the dignitaries that graced the occasion.

Taneh Beemene