With Ejagham Community Radio firmly on my mind, I was listening to a Radio station when I was struck by the familiar chords of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” The lyrics, though universal, resonated deeply with my personal journey and the broader experience of the Ejagham people. One line in particular stood out:
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.”
In that moment, I replaced “man” with “Njagham,” and the phrase “Njagham in the Mirror” took on profound significance. It became a metaphor for self-introspection, an invitation to each of us to confront our individual and collective roles in shaping the traditional and socio-economic trajectory of Ejagham.
Despite the rich legacy of our forebears, the Ejagham people today find themselves grappling with a diminished socio-cultural presence. This is not a revelation; it is a reality we all recognise. In my engagements through EjT, I have yet to encounter an Ejagham individual who is content with this state of affairs. Instead, I have witnessed a spectrum of emotions: anger, surprise, disbelief, frustration, shock, bewilderment and a deep yearning for change.
The pressing question remains: Where did we drop the ball? While many factors contribute, through my engagements in EjT, one theme emerges consistently, Silo Relationships. This fragmented approach to community engagement has eroded our cohesion and stifled progress. The consequences are far-reaching, affecting everything from cultural preservation to collective action.
It is important to acknowledge that emotion alone, be it anger, surprise, disbelief, frustration, shock, bewilderment etc., will not catalyse change. Transformation demands action. More importantly, it demands collective action. We must urgently abandon the Silo Relationship model and embrace Integrated Relationship model, a time-tested framework for unity, resilience, and progress.
So, I ask you, sincerely and without pretense: Look at the “Njagham in the Mirror”. Ask yourself, Am I doing enough? Am I contributing to the change we so desperately need, or am I simply dwelling in discontent?
This is not a rhetorical exercise. It is a personal challenge. The Ejagham Language Curriculum Development (ELCD) project is underway, a tangible effort to reclaim and revitalize our linguistic and cultural heritage. Will you be part of it? Will you help shape a future where Ejagham identity is not only preserved but celebrated? Or will you wait until other languages and cultures are imposed on your children and grandchildren, subtly or overtly?
The time for introspection is now. The time for action is overdue. Let us begin with the “Njagham in the Mirror”.
Remember, we are stronger together than we will ever be, divided.
Ekup na nkad.
Ntufam Engr. Chris Anom CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST, FRINA
President, EjT
