By Nnaoke Ufere, PhD
The transformation of Akasi Ututu from its past to the present is a striking testament, particularly for those who have witnessed the era preceding the Biafra war. In the past, the number of university graduates could be counted on just two hands, and professionals such as professors, engineers, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, lawyers, high-ranking government officials, and successful businesspeople could all fit on a single hand.
Fast forward several decades, and the sons and daughters of Ututu, both within the locality and abroad, have achieved remarkable success in diverse fields encompassing education, business, politics, government, entertainment, and religion. Undoubtedly, this progress has played a crucial role in the modernization of Ututu in various aspects. However, there are still untapped resources that must be harnessed to propel Ututu towards its fullest potential.
One of the primary resources that hold significant promise is our accomplished sons and daughters. These individuals, residing within Ututu and in diasporas, have made substantial strides in education, arts, law, business, entertainment, politics, religion, and other domains. Their rise to prominence in both private and public sector careers has laid a strong foundation for Ututu’s bright future.
Ututu boasts an abundance of brilliant individuals across numerous fields, including academia, business leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, engineering, finance, high technology, medicine, scientific research, sports, and the arts.
In the political arena, our own sons, and soon daughters, are fearlessly contending for political offices at the local, state, and national levels, despite the absence of a foolproof winning strategy. Over the past few decades, Ututu sons have been appointed to significant political positions, serving as commissioners of health and finance at the state level. However, it is crucial to find avenues to maximize this political dividend and contribute to the betterment of Ututu for the benefit of all.
In academia, our esteemed sons and daughters have established themselves as academic superstars and policy luminaries across diverse fields such as finance, political science, linguistics, arts, medicine, and business.
It is noteworthy to mention that our distinguished pioneering academic and policy luminary, Professor James K. Onoh, would be proud to witness his proteges now serving as professors in renowned institutions such as North Park University, Georgia State University, Harvard Medical School, the University of California, Riverside, and various other institutions in Nigeria and around the world.
Additionally, we can take great pride in the accomplished entrepreneurs hailing from Ututu who have made significant contributions across diverse industries such as hospitality (hotels), technology, construction and building, healthcare, transportation, trading, and religion, among others. Ututu has nurtured innovative entrepreneurs and served as the birthplace of founders of successful technology companies in the United States.
In the realm of business creation, Ututu high-tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and other innovation ecosystems have successfully launched and monetized multimillion-dollar global companies, emerging as trailblazers within their industries.
In the field of education, an increasing number of Ututu sons and daughters are graduating from prestigious universities and colleges worldwide, as well as within Nigeria. Notably, it is a remarkable achievement that Ututu alone has produced eight graduates from the esteemed Harvard University—an accomplishment that few countries can boast.
In recent years, more Ututu sons and daughters than ever before have earned degrees from top-tier universities and colleges across the globe, including renowned institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Chicago, Stanford University, Columbia University, the University of Texas at Austin, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Auburn University, Georgetown University, the University of Michigan, Duke University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Purdue University. Additionally, many have graduated from reputable universities in Nigeria, Australia, and the UK.
In the United States alone, Ututu currently boasts eight practicing medical doctors, with numerous others in training, including specialists in neurosurgery and liver transplantation. Furthermore, there are several accomplished Ututu doctors in Nigeria, Canada, the Gulf States, and Europe—a notable contrast to the mere three medical doctors from Ututu in past decades.
When it comes to the field of engineering and technology, our sons and daughters excel. They contribute their expertise to Nigeria and to some of the world’s leading technology companies and are steadily advancing into top positions within these organizations.
The collective achievements of Ututu sons and daughters in America, for example, underscore their exceptional drive, immense talent, and industrious nature, all while receiving prestigious education in sought-after fields. They exhibit remarkable levels of innovation and possess a strong entrepreneurial orientation, successfully owning and managing businesses for themselves and others. Their unwavering dedication has led to relative prosperity.
It is no surprise that Ututu sons and daughters are more likely to own homes in desirable locations compared to the general population in the US. Additionally, Ututu children are more likely to grow up in stable households with both parents present, reflecting a strong sense of family and commitment.
Equipped with advanced knowledge and valuable connections nurtured within high technology, finance and medical hubs, these highly skilled sons and daughters possess the potential to return to Ututu and become catalysts for its successful development. Given the right opportunities and incentives in Ututu, they can leverage their expertise to drive progress and prosperity in their ancestral home.
In order to realize this vision, the preceding generation must strive to instill in their children a deep sense of connection and attachment to Ututu, their ancestral birthplace. It is essential to awaken within them a heightened awareness of the challenges and needs that Ututu faces. Ututu eagerly anticipates and values their invaluable contributions.
However, the lack of unity, especially in the diasporas, among the parents of the second generation presents a significant obstacle that must be overcome. It is crucial for them to unite and collaborate, enabling their children, who embody the future of Ututu, to forge a genuine and lasting connection with their ancestral home.
In conclusion, the accomplishments of Ututu sons and daughters are truly exceptional and deserving of our utmost admiration. We all share a collective responsibility to ensure that they maintain a strong bond with their parents’ birthplace and comprehend the vital role they play in utilizing their talents to enhance and uplift Ututu.
