Abraham Lincoln: A great example of persistence which leads to success

By Tom Okure

ICMS, Inc Reports

Abraham Lincoln was a civil rights activist, U.S. representative, U.S. President and lawyer.  

But Did You Know That:

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born into poverty, and throughout his life he encountered defeat and various setbacks. He was defeated in eight elections he contested, his business failed twice and he suffered a nervous breakdown. 

If you want to learn about persistence, you don’t have to look any further. He refused to give up and give in even after so many setbacks. In the end his persistence paid off as he became one of America’s greatest presidents in history. Below is a review of his personal and career struggles which eventually led him to the White House:

• 1816 ..His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
• 1818 ..His mother died.
• 1831 ..Failed in business.
• 1832 ..Ran for state legislature - lost.
• l832 ..Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.
• 1833 ..Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
• 1834 ..Ran for state legislature again - won.
• 1835 ..Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
• 1836 ..Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
• 1838 ..Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.
• 1840 ..Sought to become elector - defeated.
• 1843 ..Ran for Congress - lost.
• 1846 ..Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job.
• 1848 ..Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.
• 1849 ..Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.
• 1854 ..Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.
• 1856 ..Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - get less than 100 votes.
• 1858 ..Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.
• 1860 ..Elected president of the United States.

In the end, Abraham Lincoln persistence paid off as he became the 16th president of the United States. He is credited for preserving the Union during the U.S. Civil War and brought about the emancipation of slaves. Learn more about this great American hero.

Link: Biography of Abraham Lincoln


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Biography of Chief Udo Udo Okure, B.A; O.B.E

Chief Udo Udo Okure was a Public Service Commissioner in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria (1960-67). He was a top government administrator and policy maker in the Eastern Nigerian Government and an active member of the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), known at its birth as the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon. The NCNC was the ruling party in Eastern Nigeria of the 1960’s. During this period, the Governor of Eastern Nigeria was Dr. Akanu Francis Ibiam and Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara was the Premier of Eastern Nigeria.

Okure, of Annang descent, was the third son of Umoton Abatekpe, who was a paramount chief and ruler in the village of Ikot Ekpene in the then Ikot Ekpene province of Eastern Nigeria.

After attending mission schools in his home town of Ikot Ekpene, he was awarded a scholarship to study abroad in England. Okure studied in Oxford University in England where he obtained a bachelors degree in government. He also obtained a bachelors degree from Exeter University in England. After completing his studies in England, he returned home and began a teaching career. He served for a number of years as the Principal of Uzuakoli Methodist College in Bende district (Umuahia Division) before being appointed by the Eastern Nigeria Government as a Public Service Commissioner. As Public Service Commissioner, he traveled extensively abroad to recruit and bring back many Eastern Nigerians who were living or studying abroad. In recognition of his outstanding government service to Nigeria and the former British Colonial Government, Queen Elizabeth 11 of England awarded Okure the high honor award of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). The Order of the British Empire recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds.

Okure was a prominent Annang leader who worked tirelessly with his political colleagues like Minister Akpabio of Ukana Ikot-Ekpene and Minister Afia of Abak to bring economic development to Annang land. He was outspoken and uncompromising with the Ibo ethnic majority in Eastern Nigeria on vital economic development issues affecting minority Efik, Ibbibio and Annangs. He was actively involved in bringing about the electrification of Ikot Ekpene and the establishment of Ikot Ekpene Library, to name a few of his accomplishment.

He established many scholarship funds to educate his townsmen and brought together and unified the seven diverse families which then made-up Ikot Ekpene. He was instrumental in establishing what is today commonly referred to and celebrated as Ikot-Ekpene day.

After the military coup of January, 1966, which brought an end to civilian rule in Nigeria, Okure was reassigned and appointed as the First non-white Chairman of the then newly created Calabar Cement Company (CALCEMCO) by the then Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. After the liberation of Calabar and the mainland part of South Eastern State by the Nigerian Army from the secessionist state of Biafra (1967-70) during the Nigerian civil war, Okure was appointed by the then military Governor of South Eastern State of Nigeria, Governor Esuene to serve as the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Committee for Ikot Ekpene. Shortly after his appointment, he was detained and then released by the field military commander in charge of the Ikot Ekpene war zone. He continued his work as Chairman of the Rehabilitation Committee, but as a result of a conspiracy to get rid of influential Annang tribesmen, he was subsequently arrested and detained again with a number of other prominent Annang natives during a rehabilitation plan nary meeting. Udo Udo Okure was later executed while in Nigerian military detention. The mystery surrounding his detention and eventual murder while in military detention in June 1968 has not been resolved.

By Tom U.U. Okure, Ph.D



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