Opinion
Idiom Of Umbilical Cord
There is an old historical movie, ‘Roots’, which tells pathetic stories about slave trade and of how Tobby, whose root-name was Junta Kinte, traced his home of origin to West Africa, even though distant years ago, his ancestors were forcefully taken to America. Umbilical cord is defined as a long narrow tube of flesh that joins an unborn baby to its mother. Biologically, that narrow tube of flesh is meant to provide nutrition and other connecting radiations to the unborn baby from its mother, at the beginning of its earth-life.
Root of origin, connectivity, linkages and affinities are inevitable facts with regard to any species in creation. Nothing and no one hangs in the air without a root or source of origin. It is not without logical reasons and purposes that everything in existence must have some root of origin, neither can such affinity be disconnected or repudiated without some penalty. Rather, what is common is that human myopia, conceit and indolence often throw away that narrow tube, but memory of its roles can always be obliterated.
Yes, a child may grow up to be greater and wiser than the parents that served as its gateway into existence, yet, the root of origin could not have been for nothing. Neither is it a sign of wisdom for anyone to disown or denounce that narrow tube of flesh which connected and nourished a baby from its mother. The process of connectivity between an unborn baby and mother is not an issue of academic debate because it goes beyond what is seen and commonly known.
Beginning with the root core and origin of human beings on earth, there are wide range of controversies, ignorance and misinformation, making it difficult for humans to have a convinced knowledge of who they are. Similarly, the issues about birth, death and continuity of life become rooted in erroneous foundations, so that many people rarely know exactly what to be convinced about. Without having a root-foundation based on accurate truth, there can hardly come about the benefit derived from a sure link of affinity. The nourishing flow facilitated by the umbilical cord from the core of origin would be undermined.
Blockage or disconnection which undermines the nourishing cord from the root of origin brings about estrangement and reduced empowerment. The beauty and progress we find in nature come about only where there is a continuous and steady improvement of what already exists, rather than a situation characterised by imitation and borrowing from what others had done. Thus, a policy of local content is a policy of indigenisation whereby people should explore what is rooted in their own culture and peculiar endowments.
Therefore, it is not in vain that various people have various soil, root and culture of origin, different from others’. There must be differences among people, but such differences usually provide opportunities whereby, through complement and collaboration, full blossoming of inherent endowments comes about. But a situation where people adopt habits and customs alien to their root, for whatever reasons, what comes next would be a disconnection from the soil of origin. A healthy growth does not entail alienation from grassroots.
A writer once said that no man deserves more pity than he who wants to be something or someone else than what he inherently is in body, soul and spirit. Neither is it praiseworthy for anyone to disown his root or origin. Rather, everyone is better off by identifying with his grassroots, no matter how humble or under-developed. Diligence entails the ability to build up from a humble beginning and improve what already exists, rather than disown one’s lot and adopt what is alien.
Destiny places individuals exactly where they deserve to be, without any injustice, so that they can bestir themselves through the diligence involved in improving one’s conditions. It is a wrong frame of mind to bloat one’s status and ability in an effort to be like someone else, rather than strive diligently to raise and improve oneself. We gain strength, health and mature better if we accept our native soil and peculiar circumstances, and strive to grow from there, without seeking to deny ourselves.
One serious error arising from colonising activities is a situation where indigenous people are deprived of their identity, customs and long-established practices, in an effort to put them in an alien mode of civilisation. French colonial policy of assimilation sought to inculcate French culture and lifestyle into colonised people, whereby indigenous habits and practices must be done away with, deemed embraced Western education tried to Europeanise their lifestyle and manner of speaking. To say the least, those who disown their root and origin merely do so on a superficial level; quite hypocritical!
Idiom of the umbilical cord is an admonition that he who disowns and throws away what is indigenous and personal to him, can neither be true to that which he adopted, nor develop that which is inherent to him. The laws of nature ensure that individuals come into existence via the bridges most appropriate and also suitable for them. Mothers provide such bridges, so affinity with the environment of birth as well as the necessary sustaining provisions. The umbilical cord represents the visible but last outermost of the bridges which link babies and mothers.
Even though children grow into adulthood and often veer into lifestyles peculiar to them, yet, the fundamental bridge represented by the umbilical cord, remains as the basic grassroot. Cases of abortion in expectant women can arise from gaps in the bridge providing the basic grassroots, such that where there is no affinity, there would be no room to accommodate an alien entity. There is more to the birth of babies than what is commonly known by an average person.
Like the umbilical cord at birth, there is also what is known as the silver cord at death, which serves as connecting support for stability purpose. People who are tied and more inclined to earthly desires and pleasures find it hard and painful to detach from the silver cord, thus accounting for prolonged death struggle. Severance of the umbilical cord and the silver cord does not obliterate the provision of grassroots and support for individuals on earth. Roots provide support, nourishment, etc.
By: Bright Amirize
Dr Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
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Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
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