INTERVIEW: Convener Of Boki Colour And Identity Speaks, What You Need To Know About The Symposium

Tell us how this innovative idea came up and what inspired you and the team?

Thank you very much. Let me start by thanking God Almighty to whom all wisdom is derived.
‭‭ *Phil. 2:13 KJV‬* For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

It’s a little over 6 years since this dream was birthed. I remember vividly with nostalgia how a strong and compelling vision overwhelmed my sense of imagination that day. And everything that matters then was Boki Colour Identity. You know, your imaginative power is your creative abilities. So, I decided share my vision first to my family and to some of my close folks. Initially, it appeared like a joke but as time went on, it gathered more momentum. Thanks to the social media that made it even interesting. As soon as the idea came up, a lot of people started reacting as though that was what they were waiting for. I am glad that the people received it with open arms. Today, the joke has literally become a reality. Thanks be to God. As to what inspired me, is something I can explain in words. I think ultimately, my environment. By that I mean, my social connection and quest to evolve as a people. We were running but making no motion. So, the thoughts of value addition to the socio- cultural development of Boki was topmost.

Tell us more on the uniqueness of the Boki color and Identity?

Now, looking at Boki as a geographical entity, what really comes to your mind is the vegetation cover admits other rich natural minerals resources such as Copper, Gold, Limestone, Salt etc.
There are many significance of colour in relation to certain people, tribe, race and even nation. To some red stands for danger while to some, it’s love. When we introduced the primary colours to Boki people, we did that in consonant with our history, experience, topography vegetation, industries and the character of the people. The combination of the colours is tied to Boki based on the aforementioned. Green symbolize, Fertility, Life, Productivity, Agriculture, as well as energy. White is associated with purity, peace, honesty, cleanliness, and also, Red signifies danger and aggression. Perhaps, not surprisingly, red also symbolizes passion, love, and desire and power. These could explain why Boki people are consistently rated as more attractive by the other elements. Their sense of aggression is positive to the extent that we are go-getters and we stopped at nothing in achieving our set goals.

What is so unique about the Boki people that you want the world to know?

The pride of a Nation is in the quality of it people. No Nation rise above it vision.
Infact, I can dwell on this for the whole day. This is a huge question. My Mom once told me that, Boki people used to be uniquely be identified in the way they walk. But just now, that has all changed. Wherever a Boki Man or Woman is found, he or she stands out. The colour red in Boki colour perhaps, encapsulates the attributes of Boki person. It explains, passion, radiant, energy, powers, resilient and dominant. You see, these are some of the characteristics of Boki people. Boki people have made their mark on the global stage, but how such attainment has translated into socio-economic and political advantage. For instance, was it not Late Chief Dr Amb M.T Mbu was the first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mercy Nku one time African Queen of the Track and dominated 2002 Olympic in Beijing and it not a woman in person of Prof. Florence Banku Obi that is the first female Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar? Look at the likes of General Moses Bisong Obi RTD who did exploits in UN Peacekeeping in different parts of the world, how about AIG Rose Wushishi (late), see AIG Abang who just recently retired, and another Retired Gen Abang all in the Nigerian Military and Nigerian Police Force. There are several others in the public and civil service making their marks in their various fields of human endeavor. With this huge human capital resources and coupled with natural resources endowments in Boki, we deserve the best. We shall continue to promote the uniqueness of Boki in the world map .

Is this project and in dual effort, else how did you raised funds to take it thus far?

So, this is the hardest part of this project because it was a private Initiative. But we are grateful to God for His provisions. The funds invested most of the time have been personal earnings and sometimes relatives and friends magnanimity.

Talk about the symposium that is slated to hold in June.

Great one! And I am so excited too.
For the first time in a long while, Boki has never mobilized herself to interrogate and engender burning issues that border the soul of the nation except for very elaborate political rallies and other meetings that seem to have significant impacts on the survival of corporate existence.
Like the name implies, International Symposium. I am really, and very excited to know the level of acceptability and interest being generated by this event from amongst the Boki people at home and in the diaspora. It’s so awesomely overwhelming. I believe that, after the events, a communique will be released geared towards shaping a new Boki agenda for a shared prosperity. What’s even more thrilling is the fact that people from diverse political backgrounds are looking forward to it. My prayer is simple: let’s close our ranks and set a new agenda for a peaceful and prosperous Boki Nation.

What is your level of preparedness towards the event and how much awareness have u created ?

What’s worth doing, is worth doing well. The secret of this project is the fact that, for six years or more, we have never relented. Haven’t gone through various layers of consultation from the Traditional Institutions to Youths and to Women organizations, we are confident that we have reached a vast majority of the people at home and abroad. Of course, we are leveraging social media which is quite penetrating with positive feedback.

Interestingly, we decided to achieve the objectives of this project through a collective efforts. Various Committees were set up to deal different aspects of the project. So, it was super easy to get the right result. Since we are coming to the crescendo of the project, a couple of events have been lined up; Social Media Challenge, Press Briefing, Symposia, Town Hall Meetings in the six old Clans of Boki and eventual launching this August.

Tell us a little about yourself as the convener

Alright! Once again, my name is Asu Ben Bisong but most people call me Asu Ben D’First. I am a believer in God Almighty upon which all inspirations come from. I had a brief Primary School Education in St Mary’s Primary School, Oku- Bushuyu, I then finished in St Andrew Primary School Ishibori- Ogoja. Started and completed my secondary in the famous MaryKnoll College Okuku, Yala, Cross River State in 1994. I later found myself in NDA to become a soldier but that was never to be.
I had a Higher National Diploma in the Premier Kaduna Polytechnic where I studied Business Administration & Management, I had PGDE in University of Ilorin in 2018. MBA in Lincoln University Malaysia where I also lecture with several other capacity building and Training certifications to numerous to state here. I like positive energies and connect easily with people of like minds. Am also an Educator, Concept & Content Creator, Entrepreneur, Community Development enthusiast, as well as a Business and Risk Assessment Analyst with *Global Green Multi Ventures Limited*, I Co- Founded a Limited Liability Company as CEO *ABCIL*
At same time, I am a proud Boki Man.