WHO IS KELECHI AMUCHA

Born in Nbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North L.G.A of Abia State Nigeria. Kelechi began to draw and paint before going to primary school. Seemingly, he inherited art from his father, Rev. M.D Amucha - a clergy and a retired teacher who was famous in the classroom with his chalk-board illustrations.

Kelechi Emmanuel Chinedu Amucha started exhibiting his creative talent as a pupil at Community School Amapu Ntigha. He used to assist some student-teachers from TTC Ihie in preparing their teaching aids such as charts and illustrations.

He got exposed to the art academically at Secondary Technical School Amapu Ntigha. He blended very well with his fine art teacher, Mr Lawrence Nwaogwugwu. He was one of the run-up winners of 1985 Imo State MAMSER Poster art competition.

While waiting for his WASC examination result, he offered himself the opportunity of learning Graphics and Commercial art in Papaitor Signs Nbawsi under the directorship of Mr Okechukwu Anaba.

Kelechi has NCE, BA and MA in Fine and Applied Art / Education. He's versatility has made him to dangle into other fields of studies both in Nigeria and Europe. He had taught art in many private secondary schools in Nigeria such as, De World Int'l Sec. School PH, St Margaret Ang. Convent Umuariam Obowo, Lorretto Boys School (Now Bishop Nwedo Memorial Boys High School, Ossah Umuahia) Lucy Memorial Secondary School Amairi and Standard Comprehensive High School Ehere Aba. The public school is not left out, he was the fine art teacher, TTC Uzuakoli 2000-2004 and Ovom Girls High School (Junior) 2006-2007. Kelechi served NTA channel 6 Aba as an associate graphic artist under Nze Pius Okoroafor (of blessed memory) from 1996-2002.

Politically, he was the Supervisory councillor for education Aba South L.G.A 2004-2005, also served as the Supervisory councillor for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture.

Religiously, he was the Assistant Secretary of Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON)Aba Diocese 1997-2000. He took over the CYON Aba Diocesan leadership from His Royal Highness Eze R.O Azuh of the blessed memory. He was the CYON Aba Diocesan President 2000-2006. Served as the CYON Owerri Eccl. Provincial President 2000-2007.

Kelechi Amucha's name ring bell when Igbo culture is the issue among his contemporaries. He won the maiden edition of Essay writing in Igbo language organised by NAYOUFEST in 2004, this attracted him the title of "Nwokoro omenala Igbo" He holds other traditional titles such as "Mkpisi ola edo 1 of Isiala Nvosi" and "Ugba n'agbara oha 1 of Okpojiaku Aba. At present, he's the IT manager of Igbo Community Europe (ICE) Initiator of Mkpisiolaedo Agenda for Youths (MAY) and the creator, Civigraphics Concepts.

Kelechi speaks Igbo, English and Spanish languages. He has widely exhibited his works beginning at A.I.C.E Owerri 1990-1993.He is popularly known as "Civilian".

And he loves football and dance.

NIGERIA DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION - EVERY 29TH MAY

HOW DEMOCRATIC IS NIGERIA?

...By Kelechi Amucha

Let me believe that Nigeria is enjoying a democratic government since 29^th May, 1999. But how democratically is Nigeria democracy?

U.S. president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) defined democracy as “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” Is this definition applicable to Nigeria?

Democracy has being viewed as a form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law.

Nigeria in order to deserve the label “modern democracy” needs to fulfil some basic requirements - and they need not only be written down in our constitution but must be kept up in everyday life by our politicians and authorities:

Real democracy is a guarantee of basic Human Rights to every individual person vis-à-vis the state and its authorities as well as vis-à-vis any social groups (especially religious institutions) and vis-à-vis other persons.

No nation can practice true democracy in the absence of security of lives and properties. The insurgence of Boko haram and other militant groups in Nigeria is not a credit to Nigeria democracy. Nigeria can only enjoy democracy if the rule of law is hold in high esteem and the strict adherence to the elements of true democracy; these include

* Proper separation of Powers between the institutions of the state:
    Government [Executive Power],
    Parliament [Legislative Power] and
    Courts of Law [Judicative Power]

* Freedom of opinion, speech, press and mass media

   Religious liberty

* General and equal right to vote (one person, one vote)

* Good Governance (focus on public interest and absence of corruption)

There seems to be a great confusion what the word “Democracy” in Nigeria. In spite of, one can only hear it from the media every day.  One wonders when Nigeria will be fully democratic.

A political scientist would agree with me that Nigeria seems to be practising “Representative democracy” Representative democracy would be fine if the representatives would really make all their decisions only after consulting their constituencies. In the least, after having a clear idea about the views of their constituents on a particular issue, and trying to accommodate these views as best as possible (or postpone the decisions until an overwhelming majority of the constituents would be happy with them).

Nigerians can vote usually only once every four years. They do not vote on any issues. They just elect their so called representatives who then until the next elections have no obligations by law and little incentives to base their decisions on individual issues on the wishes on their electorate. They hardly ever bother to consult them on their stands on various issues. Therefore, legislative bodies composed of such "representatives" act in a very dictatorial manner between the elections. Again the credibility of these elections makes one to ask “how democratic is Nigeria?” Selection has replaced election. What do you think? Are you happy with this? Isn't it time to do better? It all should depend on you, the citizens - which system you prefer.  Shun political lobbyists; stop mortgaging your votes. Are you willing to be morally sound and positively enlightened, to give some of your free time to be interested in public matters, and to participate in decision making?

There is no such thing as the "perfect form of government" on earth, but any other form of government produces even less desirable results than democracy. Until today, no other form of government has been invented that could regulate public affairs better than democracy. Politicians should be your humble servants, not your all-powerful masters. So let’s nourish and cherish our Nigerian democracy. God bless all Nigerians as we celebrate this year’s Nigerian Democracy day.