Natasha and Ajaokuta; the untold story

By Usman Jamiu.

For every great mind that have been following the agitation for the revival of Ajaokuta, Natasha will be a familiar name. Natasha Akpoti is the daughter of a renown Ebira Medical practitioner, Dr Akpoti. Late doctor Akpoti was no doubt a man whose legacy in the medical field and his impact to Ebira land can not be forgotten in a jiffy.

Natasha Akpoti is a barrister, industrial expert and human activist. Her passion to see our teeming youths succeed and in turn earn a decent living led to the establishment of a well known NGO, Builders Hub. Through the said NGO, she has touched the life of millions of Nigerian youths across the length and breath of the country. I reckon with her great virtues when she flagged off the search program for indigenous craft men and women across the three senatorial constituency of Kogi sate. So many people have defined this rear gem as a goal getter with a golden heart, I on the other hand calls her a "woman who knows and does too much". Natasha Akpoti's humanitarian service has cut across all ages, religion, clanish and tribal sentiment. It was reported some months ago that she celebrated her birthday day with some school pupils in the very heart of Ihima where she offered scholarship to over 500 of them. She has consistently shown that the gap between the rich and the poor can be bridge if only the affluent among us will emulate her virtues.

Long before now, the agitation for the revival of Ajaokuta has never received any serious attention both from the government of the day, by our so-called leaders or even the international community. But today, I can tell you without missing words that since Natasha got involved in this struggle, a lot of things has changed. Remember that to change any situation that some cabals are benefiting from in this country, you must step on toes, and this young woman is stepping on them, with every confidence. She has been able to expose majority of the people who are secretly acting as a setback to the revival of Ajaokuta, and even as she gets several threats, she has not stepped back an inch. She said " when I make up my mind on anything, I make sure am done doing it to the peak before I look back".

She has earned my respect, because, just like yesterday she started this journey, and in less than a year, several interviews from both National and international television networks have lined her profile. She has been able break through to the presidency, gave counter views to the stand of the Minister of Mining, and turned down several selfish moves from the cabals to get her attention away from Ajaokuta and probably enrich her herself to the detriment of our poor people. But, she is standing tall and every time, she assures me that Ajaokuta will work soon.

It's quite unfortunate that no one from all our loud mouth politicians is coming to her aid. The former Senator representing Kogi Central made Ajaokuta revival the core of his political manifesto before he got one term of office at the upper chamber of the National Assembly. In four years, all he gave us was tales by moonlight. Today, I expect him to throw behind this strong woman struggling for our fathers land. But, it's the normal trend, you will not see them until electioneering time again. I asked her about the big noise maker of the Senate, Senator Dino Melaye, and it wasn't different from Deen's reaction.

She was in Russia days ago, and it's still in course of this. She is using her hard earned money to fight the course of the masses. She believes in fair treatment for all. While most of our politicians are siphoning the money meant for the development of our constituency, Natasha in other hand is left alone in this tough task.

I write as a concern citizen whose conscience is very much alive. I write as a man who knows that we shall account for all our deeds on earth before God someday. I write as a man who jealously guard the truth. I write as an advocate for a new Ebira land, without oppression or sentiment.

I appeal to anyone who share this same attribute with me to please roll out drums to create awareness on the mission of this selflessness icon of our time. She needs our support, at least, if not financially, but in prayers and orientation to those who cannot assess news.

As I wish her well in all her struggle, I will continue to pray that God Almighty will make her the David of our time.
Together we shall make Kogi, Ajaokuta and of course Ebira land the industrial hub of Africa. When this happens, Ebira land with be a great destination and it will not only boost of economy, it will also eradicate poverty and the restlessness we have withness over the years.

Usman Jamiu
Principal Strategist
Positive Planet Worldwide.