The Tale of Soludo’s Striving and the Shadow of Peter Obi
1 And it was known throughout all the land, yea, even unto the distant nations, that Soludo was a man of great learning, a Professor verily, who had once presided over the very Central Bank of the nation, guiding the flow of its vast currencies with wisdom and skill.
2 Many did believe, therefore, that upon his exaltation to the governorship of Anambra, streams of foreign investment would flow into the state, like mighty rivers hastening toward the sea, bringing forth new industries and a bounty of wealth to the people.
3 For did not his fame, his deep understanding of markets and economies, proclaim him as the architect who would raise Anambra to heights as those of Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valleys of Africa, as his proclamations oft foretold in many a speech?
4 Yet, behold, as the seasons waxed and waned, and the years turned their appointed course, the great influx of foreign gold and silver remained but a phantom vision within the hearts of the people. For the great multinationals, whose coming he had promised, tarried still, and their workshops and towers had not yet arisen in the land.
5 And the people did marvel and murmur among themselves, for their Governor, a man of such renowned economic wisdom and former stewardship of the nation’s treasury, seemed to labor mightily without the bringing in of the coveted foreign investments, as one striving to catch the wind with empty hands.
6 Meanwhile, the tongue of Soludo waxed sharp against Peter, the son of Obi, who in times past had spoken much of his stewardship and investments, both at home and abroad, to the strengthening of commerce and to the education of the youth.
7 Soludo, with an air of one who claimeth to know all the balances of worth and measure, did deride the achievements of Peter, even as the marks of Peter’s labors, though weathered and scarce, still stood before the eyes of those who would see.
8 Yea, it seemed that in his zeal to set himself above the shadow of the past, the Professor cast a longer shadow upon his own reach, unable to match or even surpass the fruits borne of the very hands he scorned.
9 For the people beheld that while the Governor proclaimed loudly of his intent to build an environment where investors might come with gladness, the actual footsteps of foreign merchants and industries remained as rare as a faithful promise in the days of electioneering.
10 And it came to pass also, that the state’s coffers groaned and the laborers, small traders, and craftsmen did find little comfort in foreign wealth, for though plans were drawn and speeches made, the transformation was slow, and the harvest season tarried.
11 Lo, whispers amongst the elders declared that the ways of governance required not only learned words and lofty dreams but hands that would till the soil and sow the seed with patience and faith.
12 And thus, the question was raised: How shall a man, who once was keeper of the nation’s gold, fail to bring forth the rivers of silver into his own province? Wherefore doth his voice denounce the labors of another, while his own fields wait barren?
13 Verily, as the prosperity tarried, many hearts waxed heavy; some said, “Let not pride withhold thee from acknowledging works well done by another, lest thou bring reproach upon thine own house.”
14 For the wisdom of old men teacheth that to build the future, one must first learn from the past; and to mock the efforts of a former steward is as to cut down the tree that doth offer shade and fruit.
15 Thus, the tale of Soludo was made a parable throughout the land, a man endowed with knowledge yet challenged by the realities of governance, striving to prove his merit while the shadow of Peter Obi lingered in the minds of men.
16 And the people awaited with bated breath, that the Governor might yet turn words into deeds, and the promise of prosperity be fulfilled, that Anambra might become indeed a land flowing with milk and honey, a marvel unto all the nations.