- By Jerry Uhuo, PhD
Public occasions often do more than mark ceremonies. They reveal values, priorities, and convictions that shape leadership. Such a moment occurred on Sunday, 21 December 2025, in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, during the flag-off and project commissioning of the C. Sagas Charity Foundation.
In attendance was the Honourable Minister of Works of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Distinguished Senator David Nweze Umahi. The event also drew respected political figures, including former Governor Martin Elechi and the current governor, Francis Nwifuru, who was represented by his wife.
What made the gathering noteworthy was not merely the presence of dignitarie but the message delivered. Senator Umahi chose to focus on gratitude, a subject often overlooked in public discourse yet central to personal growth and leadership continuity.
In his address, the Minister recounted how he came to know Architect Christian Sagas. The introduction, he explained, came through his thendeputyy, Barrister Kelechi Igwe. Sagas was initially considered for the position of Chairman of Ikwo Local Government. Umahi said he perceived greater value in deploying him within his professional field rather than assigning him a political role. That decision, he noted, marked the beginning of a working relationship defined by appreciation and respect. According to him, Sagas consistently expressed gratitude for the opportunity, and that attitude helped sustain their collaboration over time.
From that account, the Minister turned his attention to the younger generation in Ebonyi State. He cautioned against the growing habit of using social media as a tool for insults and public abuse. Such conduct, he warned, rarely produces progress or reward. Gratitude, on the other hand, keeps doors open and relationships healthy. In his view, appreciation is not submission, and humility does not diminish strength.
Gratitude, in its simplest form, is the acknowledgement of kindness and support received. Bishop Michael Nnachi Okoro, Bishop Emeritus of the Abakaliki Diocese, once observed that few expressions carry as much weight as the words “thank you.” Those words, he taught, uplift the spiri, and inspire further goodwill. The Scripture supports this understanding. In Luke 17:17 to 19, Jesus drew attention to the lone leper who returned to give thanks after healing and asked why the others did not return. The passage makes clear that gratitude is noticed and valued, while its absence is equally evident. Expecting appreciation from those who have benefited from support is neither excessive nor misplaced.
Senator Umahi’s own political history offers a practical illustration of this principle. His journey to the Government House in 2015 was marked by intense political strain. At the time, Governor Martin Elechi faced criticism for stepping away from an earlier understanding to hand over power to hisdeputyy, Engineer Dave Umahi. The decision to present Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu as a preferred successor, without broad consultation, especially among stakeholders from Ebonyi South, generated strong resistance.
The opposition from the South was firm and sustained. Many rejected the nomination, insisting on adherence to the zoning arrangement agreed upon by the state’s founding leaders. The disagreement escalated, leading Governor Elechi and his supporters to move to the Labour Party. Political stakeholders across Ebonyi State eventually resolved to stand with Engineer Dave Umahi. The period was characterised by sharp exchanges and high political tension. Umahi won the 2015 election and secured a second term in 2019.
What followed his victory, however, revealed another side of leadership. After taking the oath of office, Governor Umahi returned to his former boss to pay homage. He extended similar respect to others who had opposed him during the contest. Appreciation and courtesy did not end with electoral success. That approach, rooted in acknowledgement rather than bitterness, appeared to guide his subsequent rise. After completing his tenure as governor, he won election as Senator representing Ebonyi South, entered the Senate, and became part of its leadership as a first-time senator. His appointment as Minister of Works in the current administration further strengthened his national profile. His own reflection remains instructive: gratitude lifts people and sustains progress.
The intention of this article is twofold. It affirms the importance of the message Senator Umahi delivered at the C. Sagas Charity Foundation event. It also serves as a reminder that gratitude functions best when it is broad and inclusive. Appreciation loses force when it is selective.
There were individuals who invested time, skill, and effort in the political struggles of 2015 and 2019 and are yet to receive acknowledgement from Sen Umahi. Many devoted time and energy to ensure the success of that election. These efforts were made with commitment and a sense of duty. No word of appreciation has been followed to date.
Gratitude gains its full meaning when it circulates freely. It strengthens trust, repairs strained relationships, and reminds leaders that no achievement stands on individual effort alone. Senator Umahi’s message in Ikwo was timely and thoughtful. Allowing that message to find expression in all directions would deepen its impact and reaffirm the values it seeks to promote.
Gratitude in public life serves as a stabilising force in a political environment often shaped by competition and personal ambition. Political systems thrive on alliances, loyalty, and shared sacrifice, yet they frequently suffer from short memories once power changes hands.
When leaders make a habit of recognising those who laboured quietly behind the scenes, they reinforce a culture of trust and continuity. Such recognition does not require public ceremony or material reward in every instance.
Sometimes, a simple acknowledgement affirms dignity and reassures supporters that their efforts were neither invisible nor wasted.
Over time, this practice strengthens institutions and discourages the cynicism that grows when sacrifice appears to go unrewarded.
The younger generation closely observes how leaders treat those who helped them rise. Young people learn values less from speeches and more from conduct. When gratitude is openly practised, it teaches patience, loyalty, and respect for the process. When it is absent, it sends the opposite message, suggesting that success justifies forgetfulness.
In a society already challenged by impatience and the pursuit of quick recognition, leadership that consistently honours contribution becomes a powerful form of instruction. It reminds aspiring leaders that character, not only ambition, sustains influence over time.
Gratitude also shapes how history remembers leadership. Political achievements are recorded in projects completed and offices held, but legacies are preserved through relationships maintained and contributions acknowledged.
Roads, bridges, and policies may bear a leader’s name, yet it is the human stories of fairness and remembrance that endure longest in public memory.
Leaders who recognise effort, even long after the struggle has passed, secure a place not only in official records but in the conscience of the people. In the end, gratitude is not merely a personal virtue. It is a public responsibility that gives lasting meaning to authority and service. It is heartwarming to acknowledge that the message delivered at Ikwo invites more than passing reflection.
Gratitude extends beyond public ceremonies or formal remarks. It is a consistent practice that shapes how authority is exercised and how achievements are shared. Leaders who acknowledge the efforts of others foster cooperation rather than silent resentment. They encourage continuity instead of division. In a setting where recognition is often delayed or overlooked, deliberate appreciation restores balance and reinforces the credibility and moral authority of leadership.
The moment calls for careful thought and deliberate action. Senator Umahi has already set a clear tone with his words. Ensuring that those words guide conduct fully would deepen their impact and broaden their influence. When recognition reaches every individual who contributed to the journey, past chapters close with dignity and new ones open with trust. Such an approach strengthens leadership, provides a solid foundation, and ensures that progress rests on fairness as well as accomplishment.
