The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Tales from Peterside scholars

    Tales from Peterside scholars

    Beneficiaries of overseas post-graduate scholarship scheme bankrolled by the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, narrate how the scheme many of them doubted has changed their lives, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    Almost all of them doubted it. In the last few months, however, their lives and world views have been shaped by it. Victor Pepple. Tana Ofik. Barthemeaus Utong. Opuada Oko-jaja. Raymond Awortu. Prince Ogbilikana. Hope Ngerebara. Hanson Pepple. And Zipporah Harry. They were the doubting Thomases, whose homes in the last few months have been London and Scotland, United Kingdom, where they are undergoing post-graduate degree programmes at no cost to them. Their bills are settled by a member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside. He represents the Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency where these young men hail from.

    Pepple said he was “badly ridiculed into this glorious opportunity today by my elder cousin, Theophilus Pepple”. It all started during the Christmas season of 2012 when posters for the Peterside overseas post-graduate scholarship scheme were pasted everywhere in Opobo Town and designated collection centres in Port Harcourt. When he saw it, he had cold feet about it. Reason: his previous experiences with sourcing for a scholarship to study abroad had always been a last minute disappointment even in situations where he met the criteria.

    He felt this was just going to be another bad case.

    So, he did not pick up the form until January 2013 when he saw that a cousin whom he hinted about the scheme had collected the form. He became an object of ridicule at home and hence got the form.

    Though he had the dream of studying abroad someday, but how that would happen was largely a dream since he could not afford it. Raised from a humble background, he had faith that one day, his breakthrough would come.

    Like Pepple, Oko-jaja did not attach much importance to information about the scholarship. In his words: “I got to hear about the scholarship from a friend, Mr. Tammy Aloma Cookey who travelled to Opobo Town for Christmas break in 2012. However, I received the information softly as I believed its outcome was going to be business as usual because of my previous experience in scouting for scholarships and jobs.

    “Reluctantly, I got the form because of the pressure from my parents. Shortly after the submission, I was called by a friend from the university (FUTO) where I was undergoing a post graduate diploma in Geo-Physics that my name was announced over the radio, inviting me for a test at the ICT centre at Aba Road,Port Harcourt. I never prepared for the exam because I was frustrated with the business-as-usual and man-know-man virus that had eaten deep into the country and I had no one that could assist me.”

    Utong did not have much doubt having benefitted from a scholarship scheme in the past. Utong, who is studying for an MSc in Mechanical Engineering in Kingston University, London, earlier studied at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia campus through the Rivers State government scholarship and was hoping to further his studies but could not due to lack of funds.

    In the end, it turned out the fears of Pepple and others were unfounded.

    Pepple said: “After the submission of completed form, I was told about the selection test by a friend of mine who heard my name announced over the radio, inviting shortlisted candidates for the test which held at the Rivers State ICT Centre along Aba Road Port Harcourt. I came into the hall barely having had about three days to prepare for the test; not knowing what to expect, I literally came in for the exam fasting. It was the first and most transparent public exam I have ever taken in my life. Not only did we see our scores on display at the expiration of allotted time for the exam, the decision on who has been awarded the scholarship was made right on the spot based on the result of the test. I emerged the first candidate for Engineering from Opobo Town. Even at that, I was still apprehensive as to whether there would still be last minute substitution of candidates. To God be the glory, nothing of such was done.”

    Oko-jaja said: “Surprisingly, I met the shocker of my life. After the exam, the result was printed out in hard copy and given to us. I thought that was all. As I was about to leave the venue, we were called back and the decision was made publicly and successful candidates were picked, which I was also part of. At that instance, I began to have hope in the system that shortly the change we are clamouring for will come, when positions will be awarded on merit. This has been the first, unprecedented and transparent public exam I have ever taken in my life at that moment.”

     

    Good enough to emulate

    Pepple, who is studying for a Master of Science degree in Engineering Business Management at the University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, said Peterside has kept his part of the bargain. He said full tuition and upkeep allowance as promised by the scholarship board have been paid.

    “We were credited with over six months’ maintenance allowance for living expenses before arriving the UK. Beyond that, the Honourable has come to visit us in person to see how we are faring. This I find very rare of any public office holder in his capacity. For this, I remain eternally grateful.”

    In their e-interviews, they urged other leaders to emulate Peterside.

    Utong said to the best of his knowledge, the process of selection was transparent, adding: “If there is interference, may be I would not have been selected.”

    The son of His Royal Highness, Chief and Mrs. Abraham Utong of Ilotombi Community in Andoni Local Government, said: “Dakuku Peterside is one of the rare leaders we have. He is an achiever and a true believer of transparent, generous and selfless leadership. I strongly encourage all politicians to emulate the sincerity and kind heart of Hon. Peterside to his people. Hon. Dakuku Peterside is a man of his words, God-fearing, sincere to his people, down-to-earth, selfless, generous and principled. And I want to congratulate him for all his achievements.”

    Oko-jaja, who bagged his Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and studying Msc in Environmental Management in the University of Bedfordshire, said Peterside has written his name with an indelible ink.

    “He is a man with the heart of gold and empathy for the all. A man of the people. Most times I get amazed at his humility. He is a selling brand all over the nation. I implore our leaders to emulate this icon.”

    Ofik, a native of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, currently studying for an M.Sc. in Subsea Engineering, said: “I got selected as a beneficiary of the Hon. Peterside’s overseas post-graduate scholarship in June of 2013 after a very transparent selection process in which I emerged the best candidate for the engineering disciplines. The scholarship covers my tuition and living costs at the University of Aberdeen. Till date, the Hon. Dakuku Peterside has followed through with all the promises made to the scholarship beneficiaries. I am thus confident that I will not have any financial worries all through my degree programme. Academically, the experience so far has been quite tasking, as I have been enrolled in a world renowned university with an excellent reputation in engineering studies related to oil and gas development. I have had the opportunity to meet key industry players and develop both personally and professionally. This had only existed as a dream for me before the scholarship but today it’s become a reality. Many thanks to Hon. Dakuku Peterside. He is truly a leader who has the concern of the people at heart.”

    Pepple added: “The name Dakuku Peterside will forever remain engrained in the hearts of many, for being a man who helped in writing the history of many generations even yet unborn. Beyond being a fast selling brand in Rivers State, the man has modestly proved that his words are honourable and he keeps his promise. He said he would empower the people of his constituency with qualitative education abroad, he did it. He said he would not interfere with the selection process for the candidates, not even on grounds of any primordial sentiments, and he did it. This I find very remarkable because if it were otherwise, people like me would most likely never have been on the preferred list and I know it. Whilst I strive to make the best of this opportunity given me, I urge all and sundry to emulate Hon. Dakuku Peterside in creating more empowerment opportunities for the upcoming generation, lest we remain in the woods.”

     

    Benefits of the initiative

    Pepple, who bagged his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering (Gas Engineering Option) from the University of Port Harcourt, class of 2010/2011, said: “Every honest and right-thinking mind would agree that education is the greatest legacy any society can give to its youths in order to secure a sustainable future. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. Hence, Hon. Dakuku Peterside is championing the individual initiative and effort to empower youths of his federal constituency with life-time training, skills and competences that will outlive time and temporary materialistic gains.

    “The concern of capital flight in paying foreign expertise to develop the state and nation at large is gradually put to rest as local professionals are now exposed to world-class education and training which can be deployed in growing the national economy. As Benjamin Franklin rightly noted: ‘An investment in knowledge pays the best interest’.”

    Awortu agrees that the scheme must be bought into by other leaders. Said he: “I strongly recommend that this exemplary leadership be emulated by other people in positions of authority. For this man who is developing human capacity in the communities and, by extension, the state at large instead of giving out guns, we must salute him.”

    Awortu, who is studying at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, added: “Hon. Dakuku Peterside is an exceptional leader, a capacity builder, a community developer, a bridge builder, a man of his words (Talku na do man) and I will forever remain grateful to God for bringing him my way.”

    Miss Ngerebara, who is studying for an Msc in Information Systems and Data Management, believes the country will develop better if leaders emulate Peterside.

    She said: “Hon. Peterside is a very humble and kind-hearted man because only someone with such qualities will remember his people and carry out such charitable work. He has proven to be a great leader, who not only believes he needs to carry his people along but has also shown me that he really believes in our youths being the future; that is why he has done this. This kind act of his has inspired me greatly to give back no matter the position I get to because alot of people out there need it and to say a big thank you to Warisenibo Hon Dakuku Peterside.”

  • Senator Sekibo’s day of honour

    Senator Sekibo’s day of honour

    History was made in Ogu Community in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, when Etem War Canoe House was carved out of Adolf, Abaji House and a chief installed to man the district’s newest House.

    The three War Canoes- Etem, Adolf and Abaji – had existed together for 57 years before the creation of Etem.

    The Head of Abaji House, Chief Ettol l I. Dagogo Olumodu Abaji (JP) explained that the separation became necessary to forster further expansion and development. He said they unanimously agreed to create Etem War Canoe and hand it over to their distinguished son, Senator George Thompson Sekibo to oversee for them.

    The event held at the Ogu Market Square was colourful and a true display of the rich tradition and custom of the people of Ogu/Bolo in Wakrike Bise. Everything done, speeches made at the event were in accordance with their native customs, tradition and in their native language to the mesmerisation of visitors.

    Reporters and members of the Senate Committee on Defence and Army, which Sekibo chairs in the House, were held spellbound for several hours as the rich, colourful custom of the people unfurled.

    The show was completely stolen by Ogu/Bolo Divisional council of chiefs; over 70 of them sat under a long canopy decorated with colourful George wrappers, with beautiful ladies colourfully dressed in two layer native wrappers detailed to serve and give full attention to them.

    Their tables were filled with assortment of drinks – brandy, whisky, beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water – served with all manner of snacks. Each of them carted away not less than three kinds of gift item, including chieftaincy walking stick, piece of George wrapper, diaries etc. Apart from them no other participant was noticed at the event that lasted for more than four hours, either in eating dinning or wining.

    However there was enough for all to eat and drink at the place designated for entertainment but outside the installation arena.

    The head of Abaji War Canoe House Chief Ettol Dagogo Olumodu Abaji (JP), explained that the “the installation of Senator Sekibo as the Etem IX, from the existing Abaji War Canoe House means the birth of a new House in Ogu community, adding that the separation would strengthen rather than divide the people.

    “I don’t foresee any form of disunity, disenchantment or acrimony by this development,” he said, “Instead I foresee harmony, mutual understanding and stronger ties.

    “The main reason we considered it necessary to effect the separation of the House is simply to attract development, as you know so much crowd affects development negatively, but breaking up into smaller units attracts development faster, because the reality on ground would be easily noticed and need to do something fast becomes apparent.”

    He advised members of the new family (Etem family) to pursue lasting peace, mutual understanding and constructive criticism as means to correcting any perceived wrong doing among them.

    A mild drama though occurred in the course of crowning, while the Etem Family insisted on crowning Chief Sekibo Etem IX; members of the Council of chiefs did not see reason for him to jump into number four when he was the first chief in the just carved out War Canoe House.

    The Chairman Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Mark Derefaka, explained: “Etem IX title he stepped into is a dynasty, founded by generations past. Although he is the first chief in the dynasty counting from the inception, but for his humility decided to take the title of Etem the IX, to give recognition and respect to the founders of the dynasty so he assumed the position of the ‘Forth’ instead of the ‘First’.”

    Sekibo insisted on going with the decision earlier reached at his Etem family level on the matter.

    He explained: “The tradition has it that the people that began the movement at every stage must be reckoned with, that is why, after checking through the stages of growth, from inception of the foundation of the House we as a family came to the conclusion that I should take up the position of Etem IX.”

    Derefaka explained the choice of Sekibo: “To be crowned a chief in Ogu, you must have clean record devoid of all forms of criminality, be a full-fledged family man with wife and children, among others.

    “As a chief he has to be humble especially to the chairman of the council and other members of the council. As a chief who is not just a titled chief, he is the leader of the people even on the event of war. The position is a lifetime thing, it has no tenureship it is till death do him part, but not a hereditary stool.” He explained.

    The Chairman Ogu/Bolo Divisional Council of chiefs, Chief Jonah Tamuno, said: “There are many good things his being part of us could achieve for us faster than we expected, especially as a senator, he could be the means through which we could transmit our voice as a community, LGA, to the centre among other things, so we are happy that he has joined us.”

    Alagbo Francis Abbe Ebenezar–Oye described Sekibo as a capable person for the office he had stepped into. He urged him to respond promptly anytime he was called upon on issues concerning the stool, adding that “he should not even wait to be called on but be alert and alive to happenings, developments and issues in his kingdom.”

    Sekibo said: “I have been their leader for 25 years, I am not going to do any new thing from what I have been doing for them, rather I am only going to fashion out means to improve upon them and I think that was the reason for calling me to this stool.”

  • ‘Why Delta is pursuing Green Economy’

    ‘Why Delta is pursuing Green Economy’

    The Delta State House of Assembly is considering a bill sent to the House by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the establishment of the Delta State Green Economy Commission. In this interview with  SHOLA O’NEIL, Paul Odili, Communications Manager to the governor, explains the initiative and why it is the path to sustainable future for the state.

    What is the Green Economy initiative of the state about?

    The point about sustainable development and climate change has been a major part of this administration’s agenda. When the governor talks about ‘Delta Beyond Oil’, there are a couple of critical pillars that support that initiative. Beyond just diversifying the economy of Delta State from reliance on crude oil as a major source of revenue, it was important that we also think in terms of sustainable development initiatives. It simply means the ability to consume resources in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner, such that we do not waste resources and it does not compromise the ability of the future generation to also have access to those resources.

    The governor has being doing a lot. There are different ministries and MDAs that have been pursuing green initiatives – Ministry of Energy has done a lot of work in solar street lighting, Ministry of Environment has done a lot with waste recycling plants, Ministry of Transport is also doing quite a bit of it.

    There have been pockets of these kinds of initiatives but it was important that it is consolidated further. It has been an ongoing process and I need to also add that since 2009 when he (governor) began to speak out on climate change, he was the first governor to have spoken out very forcefully, calling the attention of the nation to the issue of climate change and our apparent indifference to it. He was also one of the governors that formed the R20 Region of Climate Action, which is an international NGO that is led by the former Governor of California (Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger). The governor is the Vice Chairman of Africa and Middle East of this body.

    Is there an enabling law right now for all these?

    There is no enabling law right now, but what has happened is that the step the governor has taken is to initiate a process of consultation and brainstorming. We had a series of workshops that culminated in producing the Delta State Green Economy Policy document. This is a policy document that articulates the requirements of the state, the current position, what it needs to do, the strategies it needs to adopt and the structures it needs to drive forward the sustainability initiative of the government to be able to promote green development in the state. It is not just about green development; it is about also creating an economic structure that is sustainable. The way to do that is you have structure that is able to do a lot of research, attract investment, coordinate green economy policies and implement green economy projects and programmes in the state, working with existing ministries, which also in many respects have mandates that are related to green initiatives.

    We know already that there is a lot of business models and technologies out there that is accessible and that is interested to partner with us. The point then becomes if you need to do all that, you have to have a formal structure and policy in place and it has to be backed by instrument of law. What the governor now did after the workshop in February, was to very quickly send it to the House (of Assembly). That bill is in the House and we are hoping that very soon it will be passed into law. When it is now backed by law you are now in a position to engage any stakeholder or business interest.

    What are some of the provisions of the bill setting up this commission?

    The law intends to set up the commission and the mandate is simple. It will initiate, coordinate and implement green economy policies and programmes in Delta State. It will collaborate with existing ministries and MDAs.

    Deltans, like most Nigerians are sceptical about commissions, they see it as avenues to siphon public fund….

    No, no, no. This is a very unique strcuture in that its mandate is to attract investments, initiate programmes and implement projects…

    …It will also spend money

    It will spend money but we have adopted a self-funding model, which is to say that government will fund the commission for 10 years and after that it will become self-funding. It will become a source of revenue for the state.

    Will government fund it wholly during the 10-year gestation period?

    No, we expect that it will be deescalating. In order words, by the 5th year government will only fund half of the cost and as the years go towards 10th year it will be self-funding. As the funding from government decreases, the agency is actually earning money to be able to offset some of its costs and operations. That is an indication that it is growing towards that self-funding target. We see tremendous promise and potential.

    How does it benefit the state and ordinary Deltan?

    It is very beneficial. You see, when we talk about Delta Beyond Oil, it simply aims to end overdependence on oil, diversify the economy, expand the industrial base of the state, create employment and reduce poverty. When you are going green, you are also promoting an economic development that recognises and reduces environment risk of development. Traditional ways of economic growth and development have always been done at the risk of environmental sustainability. This is saying it can be done taking into account the fragility of the environment. That is how this initiative compliments the overall objective of government. It will empower the people; it will create employment and economic growth. It would also improve the public welfare. A fully embedded green economy is one that recognises the welfare and wellbeing of the people first. It does that across a whole range of sectors – agriculture, transportation, water, energy, public health. Ultimately, it is about the welfare and wellbeing of the people. In urban planning, if you are eco-friendly, you recognise that one of the major challenges of developing society is rapid urbanisation that leads to congestion and pollution.

  • Delta battles to wrest ‘oil city’ from filth, shanties

    Delta battles to wrest ‘oil city’ from filth, shanties

    The popular Warri town in Delta State is the economic hub of the state and a capital of oil activities in the country. Journalists and residents refer to Warri as the ‘oil city’.

    Over the years, the tag seemed to be misplaced as the city seemed more like the ‘dirty city’ because of the sprout of illegal structures, shanties and attitude of the people to cleanliness as well as indiscriminate waste disposal and the failure of the local councils to deal with the waste generated by over one million inhabitants.

    ‘Warri’ goes beyond the Warri metropolis – headquarters of Warri South Local Government Area. It is an amalgam of the metropolis, Ugbuwangue, Ubeji and Iffie in the WSLGA as well as Effurun, Ekpan, Enerhen, Ugbolokposo and some other towns in Uvwie Local Government Area. It is also quickly spreading into Orhumworhum, Aladja and other enclaves in Udu Local Government Area.

    As the city grew over the past decades, the environment decayed.

    Frustrated by the deplorable state of this mega city, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan several years ago slammed the attitude of the people to the cleanliness of their environment. The governor could not understand why people could not clean the front of their homes, shops and places of business.

    Over five years later, the state government rolled out the bulldozers again in a final push to bring down illegal structures, makeshift shops, houses and shanties and wrest the city from the vice-like grip of filth.

    A lot of Deltans felt the move was long overdue, particularly as heaps of dirt – some as high as a storey-building – are piling up in the streets and every nook and cranny of the city. Market women, particularly those at the Effurun Market randomly cast their wastes on the median of the PTI Road. They build moulds of waste that force motorists and commuters to cover their noses whenever they pass through.

    The smelly, dirty sights are replicated on Airport Road, Jakpa and other major roads in the city, much to the angst of citizens and government alike. Even the redesign and beautification of the Enerhen Junction has failed to prevent indiscriminate disposal of refuse in the area.

    It was against the backdrop that the state government recently constituted a 25-man special sanitation team, chaired by the State’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama to supervise the cleaning up of Warri, Uvwie and Udu Council Areas.

    Speaking after the inauguration of the team in Warri, Prof Utuama said the state government was worried to observe the growing incidents of illegal markets, illegal motor parks and the poor waste disposal habits prevalent in Warri and its environs. He described the situation as unacceptable.

    He lamented that the beautifully designed Enerhen Junction, which was constructed as part of the State Government’s junction improvement and beautification programme has been turned into a refuse dump. He also lamented that Ugbuwangue Junction on the NPA Express way had become an illegal market and trading depot.

    The Deputy Governor warned that the team would not spare any effort in restoring sanity and order to the affected areas and advised defaulters and residents of the affected areas to remove their makeshift structures and refuse or be prepared to face the consequence of their actions.

    True to his words, the bulldozers rolled into the area on Thursday, April 3. The team is backed by stern-faced security personnel, wheelbarrows, pick-up and vans. As the bulldozers roared into the city, it brought about tears, sorrow and wailing. But the victims were mostly the builders of their collapsing world because they ignored warning to remove the structures.

    The scene at a popular Mobil Filing Station located on Airport Junction in the heart of the city was the clearest pointer to the poor attitude of business owners and residents of the areas to environmental sanitation. Our reporter who visited the scene saw refuse pits within and around the parameters of the petrol station.

    The Commissioner for Water Resource, Dr Chris Oghenechovwen, ordered the shutdown of the filling station until the management evacuated the wastes.

    But a member of staff at the premises said the management had paid the sanitation task force at the Uvwie Council to evacuate the waste.

    However, Prof Utuama assured that the state Waste Management Board would be strengthened to ensure that the gains made during the exercise are sustained.

    Already, the Commissioner for Environment, Frank Omare, said the government had invested a lot of money in waste disposal trucks, adding that 1,600 environmental marshals are being trained to ensure that people behave very well.

    “In Asaba, we have installed incinerator that will tackle wastes in the whole of Delta north. We are bringing in an incinerator of about 2,000 tonnages in Warri. Those are things that we are putting together.”

    Over 1,000 makeshift shops have been demolished in the affected areas and yet the exercise is far from over.

  • ‘Why I issued audit query to Oba of Benin’

    ‘Why I issued audit query to Oba of Benin’

    Chief Oseni Elamah is the Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service and the ‘Okaoivbiore’ of Benin Kingdom. He recently clocked 55. In this interview with Osagie Otabor, he revealed how an encounter with the Benin monarch as a Crown Prince then made him to always do the right things.

    How do you feel at 55?

    As I became aware of myself, I begin to appreciate the blessings that God has endowed me with. Every day, every hour, I keep thanking God for the blessings he used me to extend to others. Having attained the age of 55, my main passion now is to see how I can mentor others to be responsible members of the society and to contribute their own quota to the development of society and humanity. I have a passion for mentoring and use the time not just to the service of humanity but to the service of God.

     

    How were your early days in life?

    I had a very humble background. I was born into a very large polygamous family in Auchi. My father being a very special high chief of Auchi. He was the Seriki Samali. He was a big entreprenuer. He established a business at Ikare-Ekiti. I was born in Auchi in 1959. I am a twin, the first set to be delivered at the Auchi General Hospital. I spent my early years with my parents. I later went to stay with my aunty. I came to Benin when I was six to live with my uncle in Benin City who was the Auditor-General of the then Mid-western state. I did my primary education at St Thomas Primary school along Airport road. I was born muslim but I got coverted to christianity during my stay with my uncle. I became a mass server. I attended Eghosa Grammer School. After my school certificate in 1978, I joined the then Bendel State as an audit clerk. From there, I got an in service training at the Auchi Polytechnic. Before going to Auchi Polytechnic, I got admission to read Architecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka but my uncle wanted me to study accountancy. I left Auchi and worked briefly with the State Audit at Auchi. I went to Lagos because I wanted to write my professional examination. I got qualified as a chartered accountant. The rest is my working career. I did the stock exchange dealership exams. I am a stock broker till 1998 when my late mentor, the late Chief Arret Adams was appointed as Special Adviser on Petroluem to the regime of Abdulsalami Abubakar. I was equally appointed Senior Special Assistant to the office of the Special Adviser. I was there till 1999 when the administration handed over. I returned to Lagos in 1999 and became executive director in charge of business development in a company owned by the late Arret Adams. From there, we incorporated a new business, a joint venture company and I became the managing director. It was from that position I got appointed as the Executive Director, Finance and Investment of the Nigeria Social Investment Trust Fund. The comrade governor, who was then President of NLC, was the chairman of NSITF. We worked to ensure that workers social benefits were paid. Contributions were properly managed. The pension reform came and the NSITF being a foremost pension benefit administrator had to incorporate a pension fund administration under the pension fund act called Trust Fund Pensions. I was then seconded to be the pioneer Chief Executive. I was there till 2008 when I was appointed Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Physical Governance. Before then I was appointed Chairman Assets Verification Committee to chart a new course for governance.

     

    As a young audit clerk, what motivated you to raise an audit query for your boss who is now the Oba of Benin Kingdom when he was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Bendel State during the Military Administration of Maj-Gen. George Agbazika?

    That is a very old story now. It was not fear but because of my innocence and my youth, I think it was more of respect and admiration. I was not conscious of his emerging position as a king because he was then the crown prince. In any event because of his cosmopolitan nature and exposure having served at the federal level because he retired as the Federal Permanent Secretary for Health. He was well abreast by the intricacies of the civil servcie and by extension the various audit procedure. My encounter was during the cash count and accounting procedure. Not until I became acquainted with civil service rules, the issue of audit query was seen as a normal working tool for the auditor to complete their jobs especially for things you don’t understand. By way of seeking for clarification, you raised an audit query requesting the correspondent to provide the necessary information or refund whatever amount remaining. Being a very young man, just coming from the secondary school, I did not know the intricases with civil service procedure. That action made a turning point in my life to the extent I made sure to do the right thing no matter the consideration parochial interest or any absurd things that will compromise my own innocency, honesty and integrity.

     

    What made you believe in Governor Oshiomhole?

    It is not different from the encounter what I see in others that have played a very important role in my life. It was the late Arret Adams who has a passion for bringing things that you think are impossible to be possible. When the Comrade Governor was the president of the NLC even though we knew way back home, we have not had any official interaction. When he was made the chairman of NSITF which was to collect contribution from workers in the private sector into a pool for their retirement benefit and the late Arret Adams had looked at the various organs of governnent and his own experience in government having been the pioneer Group Managing Director of NNPC, he felt what way we can assist him to succeed as chairman of NSITF, we then wrote a proposal to him on how NSITF can effectively collect the money, invest it so as to grow the fund and meet the mandate of paying to retirement benefit to individuals. It was that memo I took to him in Abuja. He said it was a good thing to take to the president. After a while, he said ‘Why don’t you come in to implement these things you wrote.’ I told him I cannot give him an answer. As I was going back, he has approach the president. He came back to discuss with my mentor. That was how I came into NSITF. I believe that all we did growing the fund we met from N5.6bn to about N48bn till we left in 2005. It shows there was a tremendous growth. It was that period I had a close working relationship with the now chairman of the state Economic Team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who helped to put all the investment policies together that helped us. By the time Adams stopped being the chairman of NSITF, the management and the Board had confidence in me that when the pension reform came, they agreed I was the right persons to fit into the position.

     

    What is your motivation to giving free ICT training to youths?

    The passion I got kept from my statement of someone looking at for the future. I kept wanting to create job and employment opportunities for our youths. During my working days with the late Arret Adams, he made me to be writing several notes giving referral to various youths to get jobs. Some of the feedback from the employers was that some of them were not employable because they lacked ICT knowledge and education and that is the reason why we decided encourage them to get ICT training. For me, as a way of giving back to the society. I decided to set up an ICT institute in Auchi. The governor was on the board of governing council and other prominent people. We offer scholarship to indigent graduate and students who were seeking to acquire ICT knowledge and skills. With that we felt we could enhance their skills at getting jobs in banks. It paid off because that institute has trained over 10,000 graduates and most of them are gainfully employed. I still have this passion of giving ICT knowledge to our youths.

     

    How have you been coping with tax collection in a state like Edo?

    We had a vision when we came. The vision was to become the most efficient and effective revenue generating agency in Nigeria that will earn the tax payers confidence. Part of it was to create a tax friendly environment so that people will easily comply with existing tax laws in meeting up their civic obligations to government and the society. What we have that was our biggest assets was the governor himself having come to power through a popular electoral process and people having given their mandate freely were also willing to support their contributions through taxes. All we needed was to create that enabling environment to ensure that there is accountability, transparency and value for tax payers money that will enable us earn the confidence of tax paper. The key is the people. We have tried to clean up the system, plug all the loopholes that are in the system to ensure that whatever money generated and collected gets into government coffers. It is evident that the comrade governor has demonstrated leadership and the political will to ensuring that tax payers money is out to work in the state which is evident everywhere you go in the state.

  • Godfatherism is dead, says Amaechi’s ex-aide

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Sam Agwor, has stated that the era of godfatherism is over in the party.

    Agwor, who was a Special Assistant to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, also urged Rivers people to continue to support the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Agwor, a former Chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the old Rivers State, said Rivers people should not be forced to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), considering the numerous achievements of Jonathan’s government.

    In view of the upgrading of airports across the country, the ongoing transformation of the power sector and the laying of the foundation of the second Niger Bridge, he stated that President Jonathan meant well for Nigerians and should be supported.

    He said: “If you take a look at our airports, you will see that they have been upgraded to world-class standard. The administration of President Jonathan is doing a lot to transform the country.

    “The President is also doing a lot in the power sector and roads. He has established new federal universities and laid the foundation of the second Niger Bridge, among others.”

    The PDP chieftain said for the first time, the Rivers government was moving to the opposition, while admonishing the people of the state against the development.

    Agwor said: “Rivers State has been a PDP state for a long time and that cannot change now. We have noticed that the Rivers State government is moving to the opposition for the first time.

    “President Jonathan is our son and the leader of the PDP. It is necessary for us to support him for a second term in office, because through his work so far, he has shown that he is interested in the development of this country.”

    While commenting on the Rivers governorship tussle, ahead of the 2015 elections, the PDP chieftain stated that the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, seemed to show interest, while urging the leaders of the APC to also make their interest open.

    He assured that the governorship aspirants in the PDP would face transparent primaries, before they would be chosen, while insisting that the best person would emerge as the party’s standard bearer.

    Agwor also urged Rivers people to back Jonathan, whose second term in office, according to him, would be to consolidate on the achievements recorded by his administration.

  • Bayelsa honours Gulder Ultimate Search ambassador

    Bayelsa honours Gulder Ultimate Search ambassador

    Her physique belies her ability. Outwardly, she looks slim and fragile. She does not have all the muscles. But inwardly, Miss Ebikake Comfort, an indigene of Bayelsa State, is full of strength and vigour.

    Out of the 35,000 Nigerians that hustled and struggled to participate in the just concluded Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS), a talent hunt reality show organised annually by the Nigerian Breweries, Ebikake made the list of the 12 contestants that finally partook in the adventurous event.

    The state of President Goodluck Jonathan is, indeed, proud of her. In fact, the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson demonstrated its happiness recently. The Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodulor, invited Ebikake to the state for recognition.

    In a brief event that was held at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, and attended by the principal officers of the ministry, Tuodolor poured encomiums on Ebikake. He described her as small in stature but mighty in action.

    Tuodolor said the government has taken it upon itself to honour indigenes of the state especially youths who excel in national and international events. He said such persons who took part in such competitions and occupied enviable positions had been assisted tremendously in the past by the restoration government.

    “It is good that we recognise such persons so that they become ambassadors and set good examples for others to follow. Some of these things have been able to engage some youths, people should not look at all these events as wayward or childish.

    “So, we recognised such persons and did very well for them. We will continue to as a state and restoration government recognise all those that are making the state proud and taking our name positively beyond the shores of Bayelsa and Ijawland.

    “We will continue to recognise and encourage such persons so that other youths will also see them and know that instead of being idle or engaging in vices, they can also partake in such events and become recognise and also earn some money for it”, he said.

    Tuodolor who is the pioneer commissioner for the new ministry, said such persons recognised by the state in the past have been able to establish personal ventures to employ the youths.

    Reiterating that Ebikake who hails from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area had made the state proud, he observed that most people in the state did not know that an indigene of Bayelsa was one of the GUS participants.

    “According to my senior prefect, Governor Akpabio, (he was my senior prefect when l was in secondary school), when he saw the Bayelsa girl he said she looked so fragile and wondered whether she could participate among the 35,000 people.

    “She participated and became the last 12. In the finale, our sister didn’t carry last. She took fourth position possibly because many of us didn’t participate in the voting process. She took 4th and became the ambassador of the Nigerian Breweries.

    “We want to recognise people like her adequately and properly and then work with them to bring more development to the state. This is a programme to formally receive the GUS ambassador to the state”, he said.

    Making some promises to Ebikake, he said: “We will partner with you to ensure that your name as an ambassador brings us good things and your name as an ambassador drags positive development to Bayelsa State.

    “It is also to ensure that your name as an ambassador will also influence other youths; that it will impact on other youths that are engaged in social vices; that your office can be used to make some persons repentant.”

    Tuodolor, who is the first President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, urged the youths to shun vices and imitate the zeal, resilience and doggedness of Ebikake and other ambitious youngsters from the state.

    To the youths, he said: “Look up to our ambassadors and shun vices. There is a room for you out there to excel, become a better ljaw person and a better Nigerian.”

    The commissioner decorated Ebikake with the state emblems and gave her some symbols of the Ijaw nation. He also gave another GUS ambassador from Anambra State, Mr. Michael Ogbuefi, who accomanied Ebikake one of the symbols as a vestige.

    Ebikake thanked Dickson and Tuodolor for the recognition. She observed that Dickson’s government was performing adding, “we can hear, see and feel it”.

    According to her, the empowerment programme of the governor is designed to end promiscuity and violence among the youths. She urged the youths to believe in themselves saying: “No matter where you are coming from, you can do it”.

    Ebikake said she would bring innovative ideas to move the state forward. She insisted that development should not be viewed as the responsibility of the government alone.

    Reliving her experience at the GUS, she said: “ When l went there everybody was like ‘you look so fragile. What can you do?’ But l look at them and laugh and said ‘you don’t know where l am coming from, if you know where l am coming from, then the size doesn’t really matter’.

    “And l did it. Out of the 9000 youths that were gathered that day, three people were picked and l was among them. They called again and gathered other people and out of the 30 people they picked from all the region because for the Southsouth region, they had only one and l was the only one that made it from the region.

    “We went through so many challenges and only 12 of us were picked. They looked at me and said, ‘you look so fragile but what you are displaying is not your size’. But l told them that size doesn’t matter.

    “When we went to Akwa Ibom State, the governor was so surprised. He was so particular about me because l looked so small, but l know where l was coming from, the Ijaw are strong people. We went there and l entered the jungle. Everybody was a winner.

    “The youths should shun violence. It won’t lead them to any where. The ladies should shun promiscuity and live a good life. Be certain that there is a glory covering this land and which ever height you want to get to, that glory will follow you.”

  • Rivers deepening judiciary crisis

    Rivers deepening judiciary crisis

    The Rivers State Government, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, however, insisted that Agumagu remains the substantive chief judge of the state, describing his purported suspension by the NJC as illegal and unconstitutional.

    The Rivers chief judge also filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to challenge his suspension by the NJC.

    It must be borne in mind that when the NJC recommended to President Goodluck Jonathan for suspension, a former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, it was immediately effected, but when the council later asked President Jonathan to reinstate Salami, the advice was ignored, until the retirement of the eminent jurist, while the NJC now wants to force Daisy on Amaechi. A clear case of double standard.

    An ally of the Rivers governor, Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi, declared that Daisy would never be the chief judge of Rivers state, except if another governor would appoint her.

    Ezekiel-Amadi, a lawyer, who is also Rivers Commissioner for Land and Survey, declared that the Secretary of the NJC, Danladi Haliru, was being used as a point-man by OCJ to do dirty jobs in the council, thereby attempting to force Daisy on Rivers people as the substantive chief judge.

    The ally of the NGF chairman stated that no amount of pressure from the NJC would make Daisy to become the chief judge of Rivers state.

    He noted that Daisy was rejected at every point her name came up for appointment as Rivers chief judge, maintaining that lobbying by some persons in the NJC would never make her the state’s chief judge.

    Ezekiel-Amadi said: “Daisy Okocha will not be Chief Judge of Rivers State. Not during the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Maybe the Governor after Rt. Hon. Amaechi, in May next year, will appoint her, but under Governor Amaechi, she will not be Chief Judge.

    “It is not an issue of anyone being afraid of her. It is that nobody wants her. She is being rejected everywhere. The four branches of the NBA in Rivers State, that time, in making their recommendations to the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, rejected Daisy Okocha.

    “I challenge them to make public, the report written by the immediate past Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu, to the NJC. In his report, he (Ndu) too rejected Daisy Okocha. OCJ Okocha and his cohorts still went ahead to put her name forward through the back door.

    “Danladi Haliru, the Secretary of the NJC, is OCJ Okocha’s classmate, not call-mate. The Secretary of the NJC is OCJ Okocha’s point-man. That is the man he is using to do his dirty jobs in the NJC.”

    OCJ, a former Rivers Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice (1990-1992) and the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education in Nigeria, however, insisted that the allegations levelled against him were absolute balderdash, hogwash, nonsense, falsehood and totally irresponsible.

    The former president of the NBA (OCJ), who is a Port Harcourt-based lawyer, said: “As at the time when in July 2013, NJC met and took a decision to recommend Justice Okocha (Daisy) over Justice Agumagu, I was not in the meeting. I had to excuse myself.

    “Everybody knows that in keeping with due process, if you have a personal interest in a matter and of course, the personal relationship is enough to indicate that OCJ Okocha must have a personal interest. So, I left the room.

    “The allegation by the Rivers State Government that the NJC has been hijacked by political jobbers for selfish interest is absolute balderdash, hogwash and absolute nonsense. NJC is constituted by the most eminent judges in this country. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, (Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar) is the Chairman.

    “If they are accusing the entire NJC of being politicised, let them point to the particular member that is believed is a politician or being influenced by politicians. It is absolute falsehood and a totally irresponsible statement.

    “Agumagu is now being investigated. While his investigation is going on, it is only fair and right that he has to step aside, to allow for due process to be carried out. Agumagu is being investigated for what the NJC considers to be a bridge of his oath of office and a bridge of the code of conduct of a judicial officer. He has been asked to step aside and I hope that at the end of the day, we will all hear the outcome.”

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nimi Walson-Jack, who is also a former National Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), insisted that the judge to be appointed as Rivers chief judge must be recommended by the NJC, maintaining that Agumagu was not recommended by the council, before his inauguration by Amaechi.

    A Lagos lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, however, described Agumagu’s suspension by the NJC as judicial lawlessness, while calling on the council to withdraw the query it issued to him, insisting that the action of the NJC was offensive, uncalled for and an attempt to intimidate, stressing that a body of eminent jurists should not be behaving like that.

    Aturu said: “The NJC has not appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, but now using its weight to suspend Agumagu, issuing him query. The NJC is abusing its office. That is trampling on the rule of law.

    “It is wrong, because if the NJC does that, it is going to create a reign of judicial anarchy and lawlessness. It is very disappointing. All you require to become a chief judge is just to be a practising lawyer for ten years.”

    The Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, however, stated that the NJC acted in error over Agumagu’s suspension, which he said would not stand, in view of the pending suit at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, filed by Daisy.

    Chief of Staff also noted that the NJC should have waited for the decision of the appellate court, accusing the council of taking sides.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, described the NJC as clearly partisan, self-interested and self serving, over its suspension of Agumagu, while also accusing the council of highhandedness and intolerance, unacceptable for a body charged with the responsibility of protecting the integrity of the judiciary.

    Semenitari declared that the NJC had chosen the path of unconstitutional bullying, lawlessness and injudicious racketeering, while accusing OCJ of influencing the council’s decision.

    Amaechi, while inaugurating Agumagu as the substantive chief judge, urged him to be dedicated in the official discharge of his responsibilities.

    Recalling that Agumagu was inaugurated after series of legal battles, the NGF chairman pleaded with the new chief judge to see beyond the contest and be fair and treat everybody equally.

    The Rivers governor said: “My Lord, let me congratulate you on this your appointment. The actual phrase would be ‘at last’ and to say that I was a bit worried with the way people in the judiciary fought over who would be the Chief Judge of the State.

    “I was more than worried when there was an attempt to take away the power of the governor to appoint a Chief Judge and rest it somewhere else and I was wondering if there was no need to ask for the interpretation of the constitution.

    “Today (March 18), we recognise and accept in total, the judgement of the Federal High Court of Nigeria and we say to you congratulations.

    “Do not forget that in every office in Nigeria, virtually every office in Nigeria, not even a bishop is appointed without a contest. So, I hope that you would see what happened as a mere contest and treat everybody equally and be fair and ensure that you remain as dedicated as you have always been”.

    Amaechi also lauded the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for ensuring that justice was done on the matter.

    Agumagu promised to ensure that justice delivery would be given its pride of place.

    The new chief judge said: “My agenda for the judiciary is to see a better judiciary, to make sure that justice delivery is given the pride of place and also to make sure that all staff of the judiciary get the best during my tenure.”

    Many Rivers stakeholders, especially the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the suspension of Agumagu as the latest action in the face-off involving President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Dame Patience; Amaechi and the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, a Rivers indigene, who is scheming to be governor in 2015.

    Shortly after Agumagu’s inauguration, the APC, Rivers chapter, asked all the persons who were opposed to his appointment to sheathe their swords.

    Rivers APC, through its Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said: “What Hon. Justice Agumagu needs is not further distraction, but the cooperation of all, to ensure speedy and effective dispensation of justice in Rivers State. Those opposed to his appointment should respect the right of the Rivers governor to appoint a Chief Judge for the state.

    Rivers attorney-general further said: “The position of the NJC, which is very unfortunate, gives equally unfortunate and misleading impression to the public that the appointment of the Hon. Justice PNC Agumagu as Chief Judge of Rivers State occurred in nibubus (from the skies) and with no contribution of the NJC to it or that there is no history behind it.”

    Boms also stated that Agumagu was senior at the Bar and on the Bench to Okocha, adding that what the NJC did to Agumagu was an usurpation of judicial powers and functions.

  • Dokubo Asari’s tirade on Mrs Jonathan

    It was an uppercut and well-delivered too. One of Niger Delta’s ‘war lord’ who has rejected the label of ex-militant and also refused to officially participate in the Amnesty Programme pounced on First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan and pummelled her deservedly.

    Alhaji Mujahhid Dokubo Asari’s anger stemmed from a statement from the Office of First Lady in which she expressed solid support for the emergence of Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Wike as the next governor of Rivers State.

    The statement was issued by Ayo Adewuyi, her Media Assistant in responses to an accusation that the First Lady was scheming to install her preferred candidate as governors in Bauchi, Bayelsa and Rivers States in 20115.

    It began with a denial that “the First Lady does not meddle in the affairs and selection process of the ruling party, the PDP”.

    The statement subsequently veered into an equivocal cesspit: “In the case of Rivers State, the First Lady wishes to state categorically that the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, is the leader of the PDP in Rivers State…. It is, therefore, mischievous to insinuate that Mrs. Jonathan is working to ensure that the governorship candidate comes from the riverine areas of Rivers State which may not be where the people are going… Mrs. Jonathan has not withdrawn her support for Chief Wike at any time… As far as the First Lady is concerned, there is no shaking in Rivers State.”

    Dokubo said the alleged plan by Mrs Jonathan to impose Wike on the people was morally wrong in the light of the dominance of the political landscape of the state by the Ikwerre, to which Wike belongs, in the past 16 years.

    “To make Wike a governor in Rivers State in 2015 is not morally right. All the fellows endorsing him for whatever reason should know that it will injure PDP, it will injure Goodluck Jonathan. If Goodluck’s name is brought into it, that he is in support of the perpetuation of an Ikwerre hegemony in Rivers State, which is not right by population, which is not right under any calculation, it will injure him and PDP,” Dokubo stated in a newspaper interview.

    He said an Ikwerre man had no business in Rivers Government House in 2015, adding that it would amount to political suicide for PDP to field Wike in the next election.

    “It is morally wrong for any anybody to say that Igbo cluster should produce the next governor in 2015. I am an Igbo man also, by virtue of my origin, and so I am not against the Ikwerre people or against the Igbo. I repeat, I am an Igbo man; I can narrow it down: I have Ikwerre blood flowing in my veins.

    “In terms of population, when you remove the cosmopolitan population of Port Harcourt and Obiakpor, which is about 80 per cent of the population, is non-indigenous of those local governments. That is old non-Rivers indigenes and Rivers indigenes, who are not indigenes of Port Harcourt and Obiakpor local governments. If you remove those populations, the Ijaws are the majority as a single block.

    “When you look at that, for somebody to say another Ikwerre man should become governor is wrong. Yes, constitutionally, he has a right to aspire, everybody is free to aspire, but it is not moral, it is not right. Something can be legally right but it might not be morally right.

    “So if we are saying there should be justice in Rivers State… if we are crying against domination by others, we should not also oppress other people.

    “The First Lady needs not to be told that it is morally and politically wrong for her to support another Ikwerre man by 2015, after the Igbo bloc would have spent over 16 years. She has every right to support who she wants but that must be done in a morally and politically correct direction and manner.”

    Is there anything more to add? Not much other than for Mrs Jonathan to realise than forcing a candidate on the people of Rivers as their next governor will amount to killing his husband politically in the state, which is already angry with him for some of his and her transgressions. A word is enough for the wise.

  • We truly had no shoes, says Jonathan’s sister

    We truly had no shoes, says Jonathan’s sister

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s sister, Madam Obebtiatein Jonathan, spoke with EVELYN OSAGIE on his brother.

    How do you feel having your brother as the Number One Citizen of Nigeria?

    I am his biological sister. It is just me and my brother in the family. Our father, Lawrence Ebele Jonathan, is late but our mother, Mrs Eunice Ayi Jonathan (nee Afem), is still alive. I am afraid. In short, I am scared for my brother.

    Scared! Why? One would have thought that you would be happy with all the fame and fortune that go with it?

    Happy? Fame, which kind fame? Fortunes, which fortunes? I am scared for my brother; you are talking of fame and fortunes. It makes me scared and worried all day long. I am scared for my brother’s life, especially with the raging of this Boko Haram people. They should leave my brother alone and let him do his job.

    How was Mr President like when he was a child?

    He used to be very slim and small (laughs). He has always been quiet. Politics has made him even more outspoken but he used to be very quiet. And he likes smiling and doesn’t like trouble. If you look for his trouble, he would rather walk away. I am the jovial and outspoken one. He has always been very intelligent and studious. He likes to observe things. He loves reading. No be today he start to dey read book o. And he has been like that ever since. One thing my brother does not like is cheating and lying. He is a straightforward person. His “yes” is “yes” and his “no” is “no”.

    Has he always possessed leadership qualities from a young age?

    Yes. Like I said, he doesn’t talk anyhow and he likes to observe. From a very young age, he has always led his peers. He has paid his dues. As a young man, he was the leader of the youths. He was one of the best students in his days.

    What were some of the values that your parents taught you that helped to mould you and Mr President into who you both are?

    Our parents were not rich but we were not beggars. Our father was a disciplinarian who taught us to tell the truth all the time. We were taught to be contented with whatever we had. You dare not bring somebody else’s thing to the house. Our father influenced us a lot. He did not allow the situation to stop us from going to school. That upbringing helped to set us on the right path. We were determined to be somebody in life. Today, we thank God, he is who he is and I am a teacher; I teach in a secondary school.

    Is it true that when he was small he went to school with no shoes on?

    Yes o. We didn’t have shoes. Where would you get it from? Both in primary and secondary schools, we went to school without shoes. This is because our parents were not well to do. Both here at St. Stephen Primary School and St. Michaels Primary Schools at Oloibiri, we trekked to school without shoes. But at a time in our secondary school at Imiringi, we managed to have one pair of sandals. But we kept and maintained that sandal very well with care because if it cut quickly, then, you would be in trouble in the hands of our father. So to stay out of trouble and keep his instruction, if we want to go to school, we would remove it and move with barefoot so that it would not cut. We carried our books in hand because we could not afford school bag.

    That seems rather tough. How was growing up like for you?

    It was tough then. Things were very tough. We suffered a lot when we were young because our parents were very poor. Our father was a canoe/wood carver while our mother was farmer.

    But like I said our parents tried their best to see that we did not beg. They love us so much. Although our mother didn’t have money to sell, she never allowed us to stay hungry. She was a true mother who cared for her family. She struggled to bring food for the family. She would go to the farm to bring plantain, cocoyam, and sugarcane and at times she also sells the foodstuff from her farm in the village locally to help the family.

    And our father goes to carve canoe in the bush. Whenever we need something in school, we would come and tell our father. He would always warn that: “You know that I am a poor man. If your teacher asks that you should bring anything in school fees, uniform or anything, always inform me on time. And if you inform me on time and the canoe is not ready to be sold, I will go and carve mortal pestle. If I quickly carve the mortal pestle, I will sell it quickly and give you the money you need.” And he kept to that promise, so we did not lack things in school too much. But no money for sandals, we went on barefoot. But that did not keep us from going forward.

    Did you ever know that your brother would one day be the President of Nigeria?

    Who would have known that? It is the Lord’s doing. But he has always had the leadership quality like I have said. He is always on top in his class.

    So how does it feel today that your brother is Mr President?

    I thank God. Everything is the work of God. But like I said I am also scared and afraid for my brother. I pray for him always that God would keep him alive for me. You know have only got each other.

    Do you have a word for those with a humble background like yours?

    Don’t give up, believe in God and pray; things will change one day for good.