“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
As we receive the ashes today, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the fleeting nature of power. For the people of Ideato nation, this Ash Wednesday is not just a religious ritual; it is a moment of profound introspection regarding our collective journey and the quality of leadership that steers our destiny.
The Call To Humility And Service
Ash Wednesday teaches us that all earthly positions are temporary. When there is a dearth of developmental programs, it is often because leadership has forgotten its mortality. True representation should be a “sacred stewardship.” Just as we humble ourselves before God today, we seek a representative who humbles themselves before the needs of the people—prioritizing the “spectrum of human existence” over personal gain.
Repentance (Metanoia) and Political Change
The Lenten season calls for Metanoia—a change of heart and mind. Our prayer for an “able representative” is a call for a turning away from the old ways of ineffective governance. We recognize that the “lost glory” of Ideato cannot be recovered through the same broken system. We require a “repentance” in our political choices, moving toward competence.
Almsgiving as Social Justice
In the Lenten tradition, almsgiving is not just charity; it is justice. In Ideato Federal Constituency, “almsgiving” translates to the equitable distribution of resources, infrastructure, and healthcare. A quality representative ensures that the “projects” we lack are delivered as a right to the citizens, fulfilling the Christian mandate to care for the “least of these.”
The Hope of The Resurrection
We do not end with ashes; we look toward the Resurrection. Our prayer today is that through this period of reflection, God grants us the grace to succeed. We believe that with purposeful representation, the “ashes” of our current developmental challenges will be replaced by the “beauty” of a restored and vibrant Ideato, through Christ our Lord, Amen.🙏I wish Ndị Ideato a memorable Lenten Season
Hon. Dr. Chika Abazu, MBBS, MPH, MBA, KSJI.
