The Sun News On-line

Evangelist Elishama Ideh is as beautiful as a picture. But her beauty is more than skin deep. She has a heart of gold, ready to throw a chunk of her resources into philanthropic ventures, especially those intended to advance the cause of the scums of the earth. She is also a social crusader, preaching the gospel of change in status quo with regards to meeting the aspirations and expectations of Nigerians.

Recently, Ideh led a small crowd to the auditorium of Purpose Power International, Ikeja, Lagos. The group was made up of young, not-so-young leaders and aspiring ones in various fields of endeavour.

Their mission was to discuss, debate and ultimately add value to the content of Nigeria’s leadership, which had been assailed by inept and self-preening tendencies over the years. The conference was organised by Partnership for A New Nigeria (PFANN), a socio-advocacy group she founded. Indeed, the conference was one in the series held quarterly with a view to reinventing the country.
Years earlier, Ideh had also established a faith-based organization, Christ The Ever Present Ministry (GEM), which propagates the practical expression of the character of Jesus Christ – love. Indeed, she has been able to find her niche in humanitarian work to the extent that she goes to the streets to feed, cloth and generally offer succour to destitute, prostitutes, drug addicts, street urchins among other rejected people of the society.

She insists that “the situation in Nigeria must change for the better. It is unacceptable that in a land flowing with milk and honey so to say, a greater percentage of the populace are wallowing in abject poverty even as those entrusted with the common-wealth live in obscene opulence. It is time for this country to experience real leadership; we need leadership that is on the side of the people.”
The widow and mother of three told Saturday Sun of her passion for the plight of the down-trodden in a society where the fountain of service and selflessness are fast drying up.

Mission of CTEM
“The mission of the organisation is to reach the unsaved, the rejected, the oppressed, the destitutes with the gospel of salvation; restoring hope to them by sharing Christ’s love, not just by word of mouth but by practical action of love.

“CTEM is not a church, but a ministry solidly founded on th eprinciples and tenets of Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus Christ about being our brother’s keeper. Hence, it is helping the dregs of society in practical ways showing them care and love in a world that has become immune to compassion and regales itself in survival of the fittest. We reach out to these people on the streets, under the bridges, motor parks and wherever we find them empowering them within the resources available. In fact is an assignment whose scope we intend to expand”

Socio-advocacy
Having toured the length and breath of the country and seeing the complexity of Nigeria and the immensity of the challenges at hand ideh embarked on ethical leadership crusade. Her conviction aligns with Frantz Fanon remarks in his book, The Wretched of the Earth: ‘Each generaton must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it.

She says: “There is no doubt that successive generations of Nigerian leaders in association with their godfathers have failed, even the rudimentary test of leadership in every way. Even the basic irreducible minimum of government responsibility has been compromised. Hence Nigerians are coming close to losing faith in the polity but we cannot allow that.

“I’ve been to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and I have seen poverty in its stark reality. People live in squalor. They don’t know when the next meal will come. You see frustration, hunger and anger etched on people’s faces, just because successive governments have shortchanged and abandoned them. Our youths, who represent the future of Nigeria, are roaming the streets without jobs. So, PFANN is championing the call for ethical revolution and reawakening of every Nigerian’s consciousness, whether at home or in Diaspora, on the urgent need to salve this nation.

For how long will things continue this way? How long shall we sit and resign to the impending doom? How long shall we leave our fate in the hands of leaders, who have shown, time and again, that they are incapable of leading us to the promised land? PFANN is saying enough to the betrayal of our trust and pillaging our commonwealth. You know, the way to be nothing is to do nothing, as Nathaniel Howe said.”

Strategies
As a socio-advocacy group, PFANN is essentially into sensitizing and mass orientation of the people, it is seeking to enthrone the envisaged new order through: evangelical/ outreach programmes, seminars, conferences/symposia, feature films/documentaries/media campaigns, and outdoor advertising initiatives.

Projects and challenges
Ideh is forward-looking and thinking big. “CTEM is at present building a rehabilitation centre shall boast of a home for destitute, educational and vocational facilities, clinic, counseling unit and a multi-purpose hall / conference centre. Also, we intend to sustain the tempo in creating awareness on the need for Nigerians to demand a new deal from the leaders. We will keep prompting our people to forsake the old ways and embrace new ways that will reposition our beloved country in the commit of nations. This is a task that must be accomplished.”

Of course CTEM and PFANN have their challenges like other organisations.
“Changing the status quo does not come easy. Nevertheless, we believe Nigerians have to take their destiny in their hands. Also, lack of funds is a major challenge in the execution of our activities. Hence, we seek to partner with good spirited individuals and organisations in the quest to reintegrate the area boys and their likes into the larger society.”

Marriage on the card
Ideh’s husband died on February 7, 2004, after suffering heart failure. Now, she is ready to give marriage another shot. “Yes, I do intend to remarry. I mean, having been married, even though marriage has its attendant challenges, nonetheless, I still love and cherish the covering and chastity associated with marriage. But I do believe and strongly too that the Lord will make everything beautiful in His own time.”

Her advice
“Nigerians must be attuned to the task of reinventing the nation so that it could regain its potentials. Whatever it takes, a new Nigeria must emerge. The power to midwife the Nigeria of our dream is in our hands. And the time to act is now. We cannot afford to adopt the defeatist approach of giving up. Nigerians should arise as a family and shine.