President Muhammadu Buhari recently appointed Major General Barry T. Ndiomu (rtd), to take charge of the winding down process of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta. He took over from Colonel Dixon Dikio (rtd).
Both gentlemen hold credentials as noble sons of Bayelsa and Rivers States who had distinguished themselves in the Nigerian Army by virtue of the sterling qualities of patriotism, integrity and honour they demonstrated in their days of active service to the fatherland.
Ndiomu is the son of one of the most revered military officers in Nigeria, namely Major General Charles B. Ndiomu of blessed memory. He is known to possess the same character traits for which his father was respected in the highest moral and professional quarters. Like his father, the younger Ndiomu is known for his sense of integrity, honesty, dedication to service and deep sense of patriotism.
His father held office as Deputy Commandant and later Commandant of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria. He is reputed for being a moral touch bearer, for having gone out of his way to raise the esteem of the army in the eyes of children of high school age, and inspiring in them the will to serve the nation.
By so doing, he encouraged young boys with no apparent direction in life to join the army and be better for it. Today, most of those children are in positions of trust due to his inspirational leadership.
Besides that, he is still remembered for being a great example of a dedicated officer who attracted the interest of a whole generation of young, able and intelligent youths to the Nigerian Military School, Zaria. By dint of hard work and dedication to duty, the late General was the second education corps officer to rise to the rank of a two-star General.
It is on record that many youths of old Rivers State, prior to the creation of Bayelsa, as well as youths from the old Mid-Western Region, passed the Nigeria Military School examinations and gained admission into the institution through the influence of General Charles B. Ndiomu. He was such a cerebral officer that, even in retirement, he was invited by the military to head the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.
In all that time, his son was understudying him as a model. As the popular saying goes “a lion does not beget a goat.” There is no gain saying the fact that Major General Barry Ndiomu, a complete and undeniable chip of the old block, will demonstrate the exemplary leadership qualities of his beloved father if given a golden opportunity to serve the nation.
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President Buhari knew this too well, having gone a long way with the late Ndiomu; that is why he saw it fit and proper to appoint the son to the new duty post.
There is no doubt that the president is on the lookout for effective management of the Amnesty Progamme. He doesn’t want a man who will give a retinue of excuses. He wants a result-oriented leader, who can be trusted to deliver the presidential expectations.
Vast majority of people in the Niger Delta who know the pedigree of General Ndiomu delightfully agree that Mr. President made the right decision in appointing him. His shining strength of character cannot be underestimated; being known for taking prompt action, eliciting quick results, a man of honour, proven integrity, and good breeding.
Clearly, therefore, his appointment could not have come from political considerations. On the contrary, it is the outcome of a track record of performance traceable to the impeccable antecedents of the Ndiomu family in national service, particularly in the military where they have distinguished themselves in selfless service, as well as in national defence and protection.
That is why it is truly sad and unfortunate that a group of political jobbers and idle naysayers, supported by their narrow-minded paymasters, rather than celebrate such a well-deserved appointment, have rather turned themselves into a nuisance by hiring some political jesters to beat the drum of hate as well as buying valuable space in the media to mount a campaign of calumny to condemn the presidential choice of Ndiomu.
For those political commentators agitating against his appointment as being a skewed reward system against the APC, let it be stated in very categorical terms that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is to address the concomitant effects of youths’ agitation and militancy which cuts across political divides.
Those ex-agitators are neither for APC, PDP, LP, SDP, nor of any party affiliates. Therefore, attempting to decorate the appointment of Barry as the coordinator with a political costume is obviously unimaginable, parochial and counterproductive in resolving the Niger Delta crisis.
For those who so readily wish to impugn his integrity and question his credentials, let it be on record that, as an officer and a gentleman of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Ndiomu (rtd) served his country with great credibility, passion, and a personal sense of loyalty.
In his rise to the pinnacle of his chosen career, he has proven to be a man well known for scaling every hurdle in his career, and earning a record that remains untainted and without blemish. The man deserves all the accolades, and is worthy of all the encomiums, he can get.
To that extent, it is truly petty, immature and distractive of some overzealous and misguided APC members in Bayelsa State to orchestrate a campaign against the well-considered choice of the President, and question the party’s reward system in the same breath.
It is discernible to every right-thinking Nigerian that this appointment does not carry any political undertones. It is a good example of the unbiased sense of judgement of Mr. President in identifying the very best to take charge of such onerous task of a trouble spot in a bid to win the confidence of the youths of the Niger Delta, with specific mandate to manage the Amnesty Programme to a safe anchor.
One can vividly recall, from the time he was a young officer, right through his meritorious rise to the pinnacle of his chosen career in the military, Ndiomu has proved himself over and over again as a man who can stand up to authority, at his personal risk, and spell out what is right and proper without fear or favour.
His forthrightness remains indelible. His patriotism knows no bounds, while he remains famous for his generosity of spirit in fighting on behalf of the dispossessed.
The people of the Niger Delta have every reason to celebrate Gen. B.T. Ndiomu (rtd), commend President Buhari for endorsing him to undertake such a critical national assignment for which he has the requisite professional training and morally equipped in the discharge of his national assignment.
As a high-ranking military officer of distinctive experience, an excellent manager of men and resources, as well as a professional with an in-depth understanding of tactics and strategy, there is no doubt he is well placed and well prepared for the task ahead.
What is needed is for all and sundry in the Niger Delta to rally round a worthy son with evident sympathy for the longrunning causes of the beleaguered region.
We have to relegate pedestrian political considerations to the back seat by joining hands with Ndiomu to set a common agenda in the restoration of sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.
It is paramount for government to enthrone peace and security in the region. That requires the services of a committed and disciplined personality with a record of performance in the mould of Ndiomu.
His appointment is nothing but a national recognition for integrity and patriotic service to the nation, with a solemn mandate to set things right in the oil producing states of the Niger Delta.
Those who think that Barry will compromise his integrity and the sterling ideals he had cultivated over the years should re-examine themselves. Like his late father, he is an epitome of upright service to his fatherland. There is no doubt he will keep the faith, and act at all times in the best interest of the youths of the Niger Delta for as long as he remains in charge of the Amnesty Programme.
His bipartisan conduct in public service can be counted upon to function across party lines . Mr President deserves a big thumbs-up for picking the right calibre of man for this auspicious national assignment and we are sure he will not let up the fine spirit.