By Godwin Adindu
There is this term I came across in my psychology and sociology classes. It is called Culture Shock. It is the initial feeling of strangeness and then resistance that occurs to one on facing a new environment, a new climate and a new culture. It is a real shock as it hits an individual like a thurderbolt. You feel like a fish dropped out of water.
Culture shock happens in two ways. It happens when one is facing a new environment, confronted by a new culture and new people. It also happens when one is returning to an old environment after a long period of departure. It is obvious that the emergence of Governor Alex Otti came with a culture shock for many Abians. Yes, this is understandable. After we have dwelled in our comfort zone of 24-year regime, it is expected that a totally new regime with new and innovative ideas would give us a culture shock. But, the truth is that Governor Otti is altruistically driven and dedicated to the greatest good for the greatest number. The opposition workers and traducers are clearly grappling with Culture Shock.
Then, I ask: when are they going to come out of it and adjust to the new climate? Both my psychology and sociology teachers did not say it is a terminal condition that last for ever but rather a situation that individuals overcome in variations depending on the flexibility of their personalities and their ability to adjust and integrate with the new environment.
Close to two years into the new regime, some people are so weighed down by Culture Shock that they are now lapsing into acute depression. They cannot come to terms with the fact that it is no more business as usual; that Abia money is no more shared on the table before it arrives; that it is no more a “settlement” regime. They cannot overcome the shock of being behind the scene.
When I read the narratives of the opposition workers and critics of Governor Otti, I hardly see constructive criticism pointing to a direction or setting an agenda for the Governor. I only see the bitterness of Culture Shock. I only see withdrawal syndromes.
How do we heal from Culture Shock? One is for us to accept that change is the only thing that is permanent; that after a period society recreates itself in the form of genetic mutations. This is a natural law. Knowledge increases. Governor Otti, from all indications, is recreating Abia. Second is for us to purge ourselves of our prejudices so we can see the silver linning on the sky. The new roads, the street lights, the new health centres, the enviromental safety, the rebuilding works are all for us. Governor Otti is simply doing things differently and setting a new template. We need to begin to appreciate the sincere, meditated intentions of the leader.
Indeed. the shock is real. The shock is normal. The shock is expected. After 24 years of a consistent pattern by the same actors, the rather abrupt end of that era must occassion shock and withdrawal syndromes. But, what makes the difference is how we manage culture shock; the defence mechanism we put up to overcome this feeling and assert ourselves as dynamic humanbeings amenable to change; for life is a constant flux.
One step is to accept that change is permanent, that God has lifted Abia from the doldrums to a higher plane and enthrusted the state in the hand of a reformer, for Governor Alex Otti is simply rebuilding like the Biblical Nehemiah. The second step is to take deliberate steps to acclamatize with the new movement of Abia Rebirth and begin to appreciate the sincere dreams and the concerted efforts of Governor Otti to restore the lost glory of our dear state. The Governor provided a soft-landing for all to unite as one state, one people and one common humanity by brandishing an olive branch of peace and acceptance to all and sundry.
I am, indeed, afraid that the culture shock might be resulting in a kind of mental illhealth for many who are still locked up in the past. Remnants of the fallen parties who have refused to accept the reality of our ascension and the reality of the law of natural progression. I see it manifest in a form of intentional amnesia for those who have refused to appreciate the new wave of work and renewal projects being done by Governor Otti. I see it in the comments ( by the insignificant elements) trailing the honest observation and applause by a senior colleague, Chief Ralph Egbu, to the effect that Aba is now wearing a new look under our reformer Governor. Those who querried that sincere remark by the Ndoki Chief are the pitiable victims of culture shock. They are the unfortunate lot still struggling with a painful withdrawal syndrome. I don’t want to believe that their condition is irredeemable.
One gets daily confronted by those who are so weighed down by the shock of their losses that they interpret intergrity to mean to be buried together with the carcass of the past. They accuse one of lacking in intergrity by accepting the reality of natural progression. But, sorry, intergrity means to live the truth of our existence. This truth is that after a period, knowledge increases, society recreates itself like the ancient mystical phoenix. Innovation overthrows the old things and old ways. The digital has overthrown the analoque. It is a constant spiral circle.
I pray our people should soon get out of culture shock and embrace the movement of Abia rebirth. I call our people to take a census of the new roads, new public buildings, schools, health centres, etc, constructed by Governor in just a year and six months and imagine what Abia will be after his eight-year tenure. Abia has to move with innovation and Governor Otti is here as an apostle of a new beginning.
Adindu writes from Umuahia
