By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
No career or skill should be demeaned or derogated. Not such skill or vocation as painting. Martin Luther King Jnr’s quote ” If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well”, explains it all.
Luther King’s position is that whatever calling we have,we should demonstrate our utmost ability and competence to deliver our best. This is also what the bible requires of us This Bible is explicit on this: we should perform our work diligently, faithfully, and with integrity. We should view work as something done not just for people, but before God.
The Bible teaches that our daily work is ultimately done for the Lord, regardless of the job or position. Colossians 3:23–24″ Watever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”Proverbs 22:29″ Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before obscure men”.
The world has recorded numerous skilled and notable painters. widely recognized artists. In the Classical & Renaissance Era (14th–16th century) Leonardo da Vinci, who painted Mona Lisa, The Last Supper; Michelangelo “The Creation of Adam”, Raphael ” The School of Athens”; Sandro Botticelli ” The Birth of Venus”;Titian “Master of color and portraiture”; Albrelecht Dürer” Northern Renaissance pioneerBaroque & Rococo (17th–18th century): Caravaggio, ” Dramatic realism, chiaroscuro”;Rembrandt van Rijn,” Emotional depth, self-portraits”; Peter Paul Rubens Flanders”Dynamic compositions”; Diego Velázquez, “Las Meninas” Jean-Honoré Fragonard ” Rococo elegance,” among others.
Therefore, the attempts of former governor of Abia State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, to demean and ridicule the great works of Gov. Alex Otti as someone eho has only indulged in the past time of repainting is a failed satire and has crumbled like a pack of cards. Gov. Alex Otti has governed and painted well that the host of Abia citizens have paused and said” Here is our Governor, who have constructed, reconstructed roads, delivered multiple infrastructures, ensured that Abians enjoy stable security|
Here is our Governor, who we have assured our unwavering support, and have committed to ensure his reelection. And the entire Abians will chorus in unison” This is a man, according to Calvin Coolidge, ” who has not converted public office to a place for the gratification of personal ambition, but for the unselfish service of the people”.
