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BY BOLAJI AFOLABI.

One’s birth place and early exposure privileged one with early interaction with music, drama, arts, and other genres of entertainment. The title of this piece is inspired by a must-watch; now rested programme on the network service of Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA): “Sunny Side of Life.” The very popular programme which was created, produced, and presented by Patrick Ityogeh in the late ’80s to early ’90s was a pot-pourri of music, society, interviews, and lifestyles. Ityogeh, an iconic infotainment cognoscente, who later became the chief executive officer of the television conglomerate during General Sani Abacha’s regime, held millions of viewers spellbound with his limpid delivery. The Benue-born, extremely skilled ranconteur was always lively, lovely, and hearty on the show. Initially criticized and vilified as elitist, it became the favorite of many people such that it became one of the “most watched” by viewers across Nigeria.

The legislature embarks on a seven to eight week yearly vacation, usually from July ending to mid or late September. Like Ityogeh and the NTA, the yearly ritual has become controversial. Due, perhaps to the palpable integrity deficit of the parliament in the eyes of many, the general perception is that the vacation is not justifiable. The explanation by lawmakers that it is a global practice where they engage with their constituents and prosecute schemes in capacity building, trainings, and exchanges with their counterparts around the world, never sounds convincing. People have continued to put down any defence by the lawmakers describing such as “tales by moonlight.”

From empirical studies, observations and reports one can safely confirm that the people and legislature are both correct after all. Given the flagrant display of opulence by some lawmakers, it is right for people to profile them as insensitive in their parade of opulence. Such negative descriptions, however, may culminate in misconceptions by the parliamentarians and their constituents. Perhaps, unknown to many, a sizeable percentage do not fit into the category of covetous, wasteful and vain-seeking lawmakers. For this small-set of legislators, the yearly vacation is devoted largely to personal development and career progression. It is a time for deeper interactions with constituents, projects monitoring and evaluation, as well as preparing for resumption of legislative duties. It is not out of place to see this group of lawmakers in and around Abuja, other cities, and within their respective catchments. True, some congressmen embark on brief holidays, they turn around in a jiffy to impact on those who enthroned them by the ballot.

The people of Obio/Akpor federal constituency in Rivers State must count themselves blessed with the kind of representative they have. Variously described as one of the “egg-heads,” “leading-lights” and “bright stars” of the House, Kingsley Chinda has over the years elevated representation to greater heights. Driven by passion for constituency development, he is one lawmaker that seldom “jets away” during the yearly vacation. Martin Chukwubem, a constituent based in Abuja confirmed that, “unlike many of his colleagues that have gone abroad on holidays, he is in the country. He shuttles between Abuja and Port Harcourt addressing issues of development and empowerment.” For Beatrice Dike, “through his ‘I Win, You Win” and ‘I Will Not Only Give You Fish But Teach You How To Fish’ slogans, he has impacted on many of us.”

Recently, while on a short visit to Port Harcourt, the writer combed Obio/Akpor, to ascertain the veracity of these claims, and “see for myself” how the fourth-term legislator is impacting on his people. Fact is, the imprimatur of Chinda is eloquently described, and visible in the entire 17 wards that make up the one-local government area federal constituency. In breaking the cycle of dependence, some constituents, youths, women and men are presently undergoing a three-month training programme which seeks to lead to develop their entrepreneurial capacities. The participants commenced trainings on fashion designing, hair cutting, hair dressing, and interior decoration on August 23, 2024, at *Emeka Town Hall,* Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

In his determination to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, selected youths are being trained through the *OK Chinda Youth AgricBusiness & Food Security Initiative, (OYAFSI).* After the intensive training at the Zubara Farm facilities in Elelenwo, which commenced on August 5, 2024, each participant will be given structured lease of two plots of land to establish their own agricultural ventures. They are also guaranteed the offtake of unsold products to minimize losses. It is expected that the young farmers will leverage on the huge potentials of the communities in fishing, and other sub-sectors of aquaculture and agriculture. Also, the success of the programme will create a winning future for the youths in agricbusiness.

To unlock a brighter future for youths by exploring new horizons and unleashing their respective potentials, a comprehensive digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI) training programme was organised. Participants were introduced, and imparted with veritable knowledge about the basics, functions, and benefits of the new technology. One of the participants at the Odikirike Town Hall, Elelenwo venue of the training, Nene Bright confessed that, “it was an eye-opening, and life-revealing experience for me and many others.” Similarly, Akelachi Believe declared that, “with my knowledge and experience of information technology, I only realized that there are still more grounds to cover just as many opportunities for empowerment and development.”

Realizing the need for medical mitigation of constituents amid growing health challenges, an outreach took place between late July, stretching into the early days of August at the Community Boys Secondary School, Elelenwo. People from various communities benefitted from the health initiative. Medical services included free surgery for few recommended cases; free eye testing; free recommended glasses; tests and provision of drugs for malaria, typhoid, and other common ailments; distribution of kits for Blood Pressure (BP) & Sugar Level. While commending the medical support service, Mrs. Philomena Chinwe said, “the organisers have touched people in the best way….showing concern and support to the health needs of people is the only practical way to show you care for the people.” Another beneficiary, Ms. Georgina ThankGod declared that, “many people were attended to, there was no discrimination. I hope the initiator will make it more regular, maybe twice or three times in a year.” For Chief Alphonsus Eze, “this is far better than sharing money, this is directly addressing the health challenges of people.”

Obio/Akpor has also profited from other empowerment projects and development initiatives that have either being concluded or are in progress. These include vocational skills development programmes; entrepreneurial programmes and education intervention initiatives. According to a youth leader, Stephen Chidera “there are stories that more of these programmes and projects will be rolled out throughout the summer break, and it will continue till the end of year. We are very excited about what is happening here.” For Bright Wodi John, “it is a thing of joy that while people from other communities are complaining about absentee representatives, our case is different. We pray that more of these will come to our communities.”

The people of Obio/Akpor are experiencing the sunny side of career-pathfinding, life-changing, and destiny-redefining interventions through empowerment initiatives, and impactful community development. They are therefore unanimous in confessing that Kingsley Chinda has done well. That the people have collectively invested their electoral franchise on him for a record fourth term speaks volumes about his acceptance and performances. Let us hope he wouldn’t step on the brakes or dilly-dally in continually improving the well-being of his constituents and attracting further development to the constituency.

*BOLAJI AFOLABI, a development communications specialist, was with the Office of Public Affairs in The Presidency.*