It is a common knowledge that Agbor Delta state born journalist, author and tourism Director and im-mediate past Chairman, Board of Directors, Delta State Tourism Board, Hon. Dr Fidelia Salami, is pushing to create a world record with 300 hrs Guinness Book of Record Reading Aloud.
Aside from the awareness that what she presently seeks is how to positively project the country’s im-age to the global stage, also relevant to the present discourse is the awareness that the project which all things being equal is expected to come up January 2025, in Delta state, is also characterized as capital intensive and therefore, calls on all to queue behind and give her the needed support, both moral and financial.
Beyond this peripheral and general call, there are of course more pressing reasons why well-meaning Ika indigenes in particular and Deltans must not only give unalloyed support but view the project as their own. This indication was made known recently during my interview with the illustrious Ika daughter in Lagos, Nigeria.
Beginning with the challenge of sponsors, she said; “We all know the economic condition of the coun-try at the moment. I’ve had to go the extra mile looking for sponsorships. Even when sponsors look like they’re coming, at the end of the day they tell you ‘We’re sorry there’s nothing we can do to help you ma’. It’s so frustrating. I’ve had a sponsor from outside the country that wanted to come in and eventually, everything they’re asking of, he wants to be in total control. So, what’s the need for me? Nothing. And I don’t want to venture into such an event. At the end of the day, my team, I’m sup-posed to be able to appreciate them. If I can’t appreciate them, what is the gain?”
Asked if she has made any step to approach the Delta State Government under which she served, she responded thus; “yes, I’ve approached the Delta State Government. I have spoken to even the Com-missioner for Tourism and my Commissioner for education. I’ve had meetings with both commissioners several times. I’ve also met the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on two occasions, about this event. So far, like we all know, the economy is not something laughable about. If there’s money, why not? If there’s no money, there’s nothing they can do. You can’t spill their blood to give me money to fund my event. At the right time, I believe everything will take shape”.
Away from Delta state government to getting Ika nation key into the programme, again, she explained that dragging Ika nation into this project is the main reason why she obliged to do this interview.
In her words, “If I don’t take my grassroots along, it’s as good as not achieving anything. That’s the only homage I can pay to my late father who is from Agbor. That’s even one of the reasons why I’m doing this project in Delta state. Ika nation, as far as I’m concerned, is my first priority. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing”.
“I’ve had a chief from Agbor that has personally donated to the course of this event. And I’m so grate-ful to him. I don’t want to mention his name without his permission. To other Ika Sons and Daughters, I’ve put it on their platforms. I’ve put it on Ika Weekly, I’ve put it on the Ika Mirror platform, I’ve put it in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ward 3 where I’m from. And I’m hoping. I’m still hoping that people will come onboard. So, when you say influential people, I’ve talked to some people through personal messages here and there. I’m still trusting God but the truth of the matter is we all know how the situation of the country is. Everybody has their personal challenges. Whosoever can donate to this course, I will be so happy. We all have children”.
“Apart from the Ika nation, I need to let you all also know that my mother is Itsekiri. Even my appointment. Everything has revolved around Itsekiri. My mother too, even though I didn’t get to know her, she passed away when I was a child. Her people are extraordinary, they pushed me to where I am. So, I’m grateful, I’m humbled”.
‘’At this point in time, I can’t but appreciate no other person except the chairman of Vanguard News-paper who happens to be an uncle. I’m so loyal to him that I don’t know where to start from. But he knows from the bottom of my heart that I appreciate everything. He is also from my mother’s side. Like people will say, it’s not just one family that gave birth to you. There’s a man, there’s a woman. So far, I pay homage to both parties. May their souls rest in peace. To all deltans, I am a proud Deltan. Anywhere I go to, I make sure I project the Delta heritage before I project the Nigerian Cultural heritage. So far, to God be the glory. I’m happy about that’’.
Asked if the immediate past governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is aware of this project, she stressed that the project actually came up when the immediate past governor’s tenure ended. “So far, we all know that the current governor has been there for over one year. And this idea was conceived this year. Immediate past governor left last year and we all know the situation in Delta state now is not re-ally easy for the past governor also. So far, for now, I think I have to leave him out of this. That’s the truth about the matter’’.
Commenting on her team, Dr. Salami stated as follows; “Yes. There are my media crew, technical crew, and volunteers. I have a team of about 20 for now. Volunteers, I think they’re over ten. I’m looking at more 20 volunteers by the grace of God. It’s a huge task. 24/7, we have to be training”.
On what she hopes to do with the proceeds if she wins, the Agbor born tourist director has this to say; “that’s an interesting question. Like I said, I’m a national tourism author. I actually launched the books in Asaba when I was the chairman, Delta State Tourism board. And I invested millions into the book publication here and there. Somehow, I didn’t recoup the cost. And because I didn’t recoup, I didn’t bother to print more books. So where I am now, I am seeing a situation where these books can go round the country. I’m actually going to raise funds to make sure I roll out these books round Nigeria. That’s where I am now”.
Asked of her message to the Ika nation in particular and Nigerians in general, she captured it this way; “When people ask me these questions, I take it with a smile. It gladdens my heart to be able to think positively into the nation Nigeria. But I take it with a pinch of salt because even the people you’re trying to prophesy into their lives, are they ready to take in the prophecy? That’s the two-way traffic at this point in time”.
“So first, I’ll like to say to the nation that we will overcome this economic hardship. There will be a day when the nation will smile. Not just the people. Nigeria too, will smile. And to Nigerians, I must say something; there’s nothing like enduring hardship. We were not born to endure hardships. As Chris-tians, we were born to prosper. And definitely, by the grace of God, we will eat the fruits of this land in prosperity, by the name of the Lord Most High. I keep saying this, because I have children. It saddens my heart to see students everywhere, all they do is their phones. Social media here and there. You can’t go somewhere and see a child with a physical book. Cover for cover, you won’t see them read. It’s sad. I’ve met a child that was asking the mother for her phone. I was like what do you want to use it for? You just came back from school. She said they gave her an assignment and she wants to do it with her phone. I said, is it phone you use to do your homework? She said I want to google. I almost wept. This should not be the situation at this point in time. Nigerians are known to be trailblazers globally. But this next generation are not taking up the legacy we’re leaving behind. It’s sad I must say”.
“To the students, please there’s nothing like reading your books. Online books are fine but with them, you get distracted. The truth about this is there’s nothing like hardcover books. Page by page, cover by cover. You can go back. But online, I won’t tell you lies, there are too many distractions. So, students please, take your academics seriously and the sky will be your limit by the grace of God Almighty. Thank you”. She concluded.
For me, this is the best time to give our sister all the support that she needs in the present project.
