DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY: THE CASE OF OWERRI

It was the young female novelist, Chimamanda Adichie who first drew the
world’s attention to the dangers of a single story and warned that if we
hear only a single story about another person, city or country, we risk a
critical misunderstanding. Hence, I intend to do a series on the danger(s)
of a single story.
Owerri is the capital city of Imo state with a population of 127,213 people
(2006 Census). It is one of the fastest growing cities in Nigeria and based
on the relative peace in the city, Owerri attracts a lot of visitors and
investors.
However, there is a growing perception both in and outside the city that,
it is a city of pleasure seekers and yahoo boys. Nduji Chukwudi Destiny,
recently posted on his Facebook wall that: “if you are in Owerri and you
are not into politics, prostitution or Yahoo, my brother forget it, nothing
for you”.
While few persons may get some meaning in the above remark by Destiny. I
think it is an exaggeration and a wrong generalization way too far. Like
every other good city, Owerri is a city of hardworking people who wake up
every morning looking for their daily breads.  A number of market women are
seen on the streets of Douglas road and relief market as early as 3:30am.
The same goes to Keke operators who bring these women to the market.
The traders and artisans in various Owerri markets are also doing great
things legitimately, as most of them import and export their products in
and outside the city; this is not to mention a growing set of young
entrepreneurs who are doing great things with their technological brains.
The National Universities Commission records show that Imo state has the
highest number of Professors in Nigeria and most of these academics are
resident in Owerri contributing to the world of knowledge. The same goes to
both Federal and State Public Servants who do their job assiduously hoping
for a better pay or salary increase.
Statistics in the recently conducted Para-Olympics games also show that
majority of the persons who won medals for Nigeria in the competition are
residents of Owerri. Our revered Kelechi Iheanacho was brought up in
Owerri, so was Kanu Nwankwo and others too numerous to mention
Time and space may not permit me to mention the contributions of
professionals, like Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Bankers, Accountants or
even religious leaders who are doing great things in their chosen areas of
calling in Owerri, hence it is uncharitable to debase a city by telling
just one aspect of their story.
Uwakwe Roland.