February 12, 2025

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Abia HoS and Gov. Otti’s altruistic philosophy about “One Nigeria”

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Abia HoS and Gov. Otti’s altruistic philosophy about “One Nigeria”

– By Eagle Okoro

An English proverb says that “example is better than precept”. Google Dictionary goes ahead to define it thus: “demonstrating an action through your own behavior is more impactful than simply giving advice or stating a rule.”

In Abia, God’s Own State, the Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Monday, January 13, 2025, demonstrated his unequivocal belief and commitment to the concept of “One Nigeria” with the inauguration of Edo-born Benson Emokugbe Ojeikere as the Ninth Head of Service (HoS) for the state.

Ojeikere’s appointment and inauguration as HoS in a “foreign land” was not only unprecedented in the history of Abia, nay Nigeria, but epochal and remarkably memorable and record-setting for a multi-tribal and multi-ethnic country, Nigeria.

The interesting and enviable story of Ojeikere’s career in the civil service can be traced back to his 1999/2000 mandatory one-year National Youth Service Scheme in the state.

Upon the conclusion of his meritorious and award-winning service to his fatherland, he was offered automatic employment in the state civil service, having emerged the best corps member in his set.

This was how his exceptionally successful and brilliant civil service journey began in Abia and he doggedly rose through the ranks to the echelon, distinguishing himself through hardwork, resilience, transparency and dedication to duty. No wonder he emerged one of the first set of Permanent Secretaries to be so appointed by the governor shortly after he assumed office in 2023.

So, in a rigorous and painstaking recruitment process, involving the best consultants in the country and presided over by the governor, the simple but cerebral and unassuming Ojeikere emerged top over and above other equally bright candidates for the top job of the Abia HoS.

His sterling and outstanding qualities helped to isolate him from the crowd because, as the saying goes, a golden fish has no hiding place and no good leader would ever go for bronze or silver, where gold is within reach.

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Of course, Gov. Otti, himself a highly cerebral and top notch administrator par excellence, could not have let go such a huge asset on a platter of mundane tribal consideration. So, he quickly grabbed him and appointed him the state HoS without blinking an eyelid.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor (CPS), Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, described Ojeikere’s appointment as a demonstration of the governor’s “commitment to meritocracy”.

In a statement issued to newsmen, Ukoha said that the governor “applied his policy of ‘if you live in Abia, you are Abian’ and demonstrated the true meaning of ONE NIGERIA as captured in the letters of the National Anthem, ‘Though Tribe and Tongue, May Differ, In Brotherhood We Stand’.”

According to him, Ojeikere emerged the best in the rigorous HoS selection process and was appointed to the position on merit and competence.

In a similar vein, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, also spoke glowingly about the new HoS, saying that he had risen through the ranks to be a Director, and a Permanent Secretary, justifying the confidence reposed in him after he was retained and employed.

Kanu described Ojeikere’s elevation as “an unprecedented landmark appointment given that he is not an Abian, but because the governor believes in meritocracy, which rules no dividing line between an Abia citizen and a resident”.

In a brief remark at the historic inauguration, which took place shortly after this year’s first enlarged State Executive Council Meeting at Umuehim Nvosi in Isialangwa South Local Government Area, Gov. Otti congratulated Ojeikere on his emergence as “the best in the selection process”.

He admonished him to transform the state civil service “into an effective and efficient workforce”.

In a short speech, Ojeikere expressed profound gratitude to the governor for giving him “the rare and unusual opportunity” to serve as Abia’s Number One civil servant.

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He promised to work with the Government to reposition the civil service “and make it a model that other states within and outside Nigeria will come to learn from”.

Expectedly, the uncommon act of inaugurating a non-Abian as Head of Service drew the ire of a few unprogressive and anachronistic Abia indigenes, who merely pontificate about the country’s “unity in diversity”, without genuinely commiting to its practical realisation.

Of a truth, Nigerians in different spheres of life – politics and religion – pay lip serve to the principle and philosophy of One Nigeria.

It is even more regrettable that the country’s political and religious leaders across board, though preach One Nigeria at different fora, fail woefully in practicalising what they preach.

Instances abound of lopsided appointments at various Federal Government’s establishments, military and police formations in favour of one section of the country, while some other sections are subjugated to playing the second fiddle in the scheme of national affairs. This negates the country’s Federal Character policy and has remained the greatest undoing and bane of the Project Nigeria.

It was against this background that a group within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Abia kicked, voicing their opposition against Ojeikere’s meritorious and deserving elevation to the plum position of Abia’s HoS.

But shall we continue to fan the embers of exclusiveness, ethnic chauvinism, disunity and hatred amongst ourselves from generation to generation? Is it not time we broke off and disentangled ourselves from the inhibiting shackles of ethnocentrism as a people working toward nationhood? Is it not time we demonstrated quality and selfless leadership, settling for merit and excellence above tribal partisanship and ethnic bigotry?

The big lesson from Gov. Otti’s exemplary action in governance is the fact that the country still has some genuine, altruistic and nationalistic leaders, including himself, who place greater value on nation building than self, and having faith in one united, indivisible, progressive entity, not by rhetoric and sheer word of mouth but in principle and practice.

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Gov. Chioma Alex Otti has once more portrayed quality and uncommon leadership trait, showing unequivocally by example that “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”.

This is a step in the right direction, commendable and worthy of emulation by other Nigerian political and religious leaders, particularly those who do not see anything worth recognising in others except they are coming from their tribe.

Gov. Otti’s exemplary and patriotic gesture has further elevated him to the enviable pedestal of a true Nigerian leader and nationalist, deserving of a national honour and recognition. And, of course, no award would be too much for a Nigerian of Gov. Otti’s stature, bubbling with the true spirit and philosophy of nationalism in the contemporary time and age, when many tribal bigots – masquerading as political leaders – brazenly promote divisive, tribal sentiments above national ideals and cohesion by their actions and deeds.

It is our hope that Gov. Otti’s reward for merit and excellence in government appointments would not be a flash in the pan but emulated and replicated by others in similar executive positions at the national and subnational levels in the country.

This is the only plausible means that can confidently ignite nationalistic tendencies and consciousness within and amongst Nigerians toward building a united, indivisible nation, where love and brotherhood shall prevail. To God be the glory!

– Eagle Okoro is a Public Affairs analyst and writes from Umuahia

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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