…A man characterized by a global intellectual functioning ability and exceptional levels of working memory, attention to detail, and domain-specific talents in diverse areas.
….Barr Ifeanyi Ossai is a perfect Combination of a genius and a youth prodigy.
A genius is a very intelligent person but breaks away from the traditional ways of thinking. From early age, Ifeanyi took Ezimo Community by storm with his evidence based intellectual capacity, which shone like a diamond in the firmament of the community.
Ifeanyi belongs to a generation of five young men, of the same age bracket, namely Barr. Frank Mba, the erstwhile two time Force PRO now on a course at Jaji; Captain Nicholas Ikpogu, a former Sailor with the British Royal Navy; Pharm. Ejike Nnamani, a Senior Management Officer with NAFDAC; Dr. Innocent Obetta with Parklane Enugu,
On the other hand, a prodigy is someone who masters a discipline at a very young age set for the top. Their academic prowess remains a reference point in our community as no generation has seen or produced such phenomenally brilliant young men, whose healthy academic rivalry and results was spectacular. Yes, Ezimo has had a fair share of exceptionally brilliant students but nothing near to these young men. They were same age, same school set, and grew up within same village setting. They went on to carve niches for themselves in academics.
Ifeanyi was child a prodigy. Prodigies dazzle us with their virtuoso talent at whatever thing they engage themselves to do, their seemingly prescient moves and a vivid and clearcut direction in life. While these traits would be enough to impress us if they were 40, prodigies typically reach adult levels of their exemplary and result based performances before the age of 10. Their performances are hard to explain from a purely deliberate practice perspective. While it’s true that many prodigies receive support, resources, and encouragement from parents, Ifeanyi’s case was typically the result of a demonstrated “rage to learn”. And he began early in life to learn and put in practice that which he learnt, thus before long, it was not hard to distinguish him among his peers.
He quickly matured into a great conversationalist who engaged discussions on subjects matters way off his youthful grasp and made marks that ruffled the feathers of those ahead of him in age. In similar way and with great enthusiasm, he became a powerful and evocative negotiator who always had a way of pushing through his position effortlessly to achieve result. He was likened to one of the greatest and iconic leaders of Ezimo in the person of Ezeamba. Ezeamba was in his days one of the greatest orators ever lived. His oratory was so fluid and flawless that he became the mouthpiece of Ezimo Elders Council. His position had this crystal clarity that dumbfounded his listeners and held them in an inspiring awe. He was a perfect talker and a smooth negotiator.
Those who know Ifeanyi today, can relate to what I am talking about.
This snippet is intended to give us a picture of the personality Ifeanyi has come to represent. A perfect combo of genius and prodigy. A man characterized by his global intellectual functioning and exceptional levels of working memory, attention to detail, and domain-specific talents in diverse areas.
Yesterday, while having conversations about the person of Barr Ifeanyi and his giftedness, my partner described him as a man “born with amazing talents”. Yes a I agreed with him, but I must confess that there are a lot of misconceptions about talent. To me there is no such thing as being born with “innate talent”. Of course people have inborn traits but no one is born with fully developed traits.
The man Michael Jordan who became an internationally acknowledged Basketball superstar didn’t pop out dunking a basketball from the free throw line, nor did our own football wizard Jay Jay Okocha just woke up into his amazing artistry and creative genius with the round leather game. All talents must be developed through an intricate and dynamic interplay of ability, motivation, practice, and support, and the rage to learn. That is what distinguishes comets from stars.
Barr Ifeanyi Ossai is a man loaded with incredible abilities and who early in life horned his skills to near perfection, turning himself into one of the most admired young persons God gifted Enugu State.
Let us appreciate a man for who he is and keep politics aside… See good thing…say good thing.
Kachi.
