The Hidden Truth About Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba: Why Buhari Nominated Him As NDDC Chairman, By Joseph Odok

Mixed feelings have trailed the appointment of Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba. But in actions and spirit the president has been so strategic in his appointments and is determined to solve problems hitherto considered insurmountable. The Niger Delta Region has defiled attempts at any solution. So many missed opportunities with irrational irritability becoming the character of the youths. The irrational irritability is not totally unjustifiable but destructive to the Nigerian state and self destructive to the Niger Delta Region. While the Nigerian economy and survival is threatened, there's also sown a seed of destruction of lives and environment that rather aggravate the the nearly comatose region bedeviled by poverty, unemployment, lack of infrastructure, environmental pollution, corruption and inequalities.

Recent approach of the government especially in the creation of the Niger Delta Commission, The Niger Delta Ministry, 13% derivative to oil producing states, and the environmental clean up of Ogoni by the Nigerian state has no doubt been an increased effort to improve the conditions of the goose that lays the golden eggs; upon which the economic survival of the nation has relied on over the years since oil was discovered. Unfortunately, the actions of most Niger Delta stakeholders and militant have rather been selfish, irrational, self defeating, creating a 'man eat man' situation with concomitant loss of opportunities. With frustration wrought by mismanagement of opportunities, a gang of opportunist have consolidated into a cabal whose determination is to take advantage of the situation for self enrichment. Criminality is surely the tool of the cabal. While the Niger Delta stakeholders have taken to corruption and self enrichment by appropriating the crumps from the federal government from increased derivation meant for the development of the area to themselves; The militants took to irrational irritability as a justifiable base for oil bunkering, kidnapping, violence, terrorism, establishment of illegal refineries and militancy as a tool of negotiation for juicy contracts, appointments and recognition by the federal government. The Niger Delta region is a story of criminality paying and tacitly adopted by the behaviour of the government.

Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is to me the most appropriate and there appear no better choice than him to resolve issues that surrounds the Niger Delta Question especially because of his wealth of experience and connections. The Senate Leader enjoys enormous relationship with many stakeholders and opinion leaders in the Niger Delta Region. Most significant person and stakeholders in the Niger Delta region were political associate and colleagues when Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba was in the Senate. Being a key player in the Senate then, he built a relationship that cuts across all stakeholders in the Niger Delta and this is an advantage to the resolution of the crisis.

Also significant is the fact that Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba had been in the Senate for 12 consecutive years and had a mix with opinion leaders and gained advantage that can help in the direction of pushing for the enactment of laws that can strengthen the Niger Delta Region. The fact that Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba rose to the position of the Senate Leader is a great advantage. More so, the fact that he was an exceptional Senator brings lots of positivity to the Niger Delta Region

Ostensibly, the nub of hope in the appointment of Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, OFR, CON, SAN as Chairman Niger Delta Commission lie in the fact that he has been exceptional in the discharge of all assignments bestowed on him. In a country where average life expectancy hovers between 45 and 47 years, the attainment of three score in his sojourn on earth is an unparalleled milestone. Going back memory lane and doing a checklist of how much of the effectual grace of God he has enjoyed, this highly accomplished son of Nigeria cannot but be celebrated as the chairman Niger Delta Commission. Senator Ndoma-Egba is a rare combination of God’s boundless grace and progressive mercies.

In a clime where it is the unsavory propensity of people to disdain the feats of achievers, the imprints of Senator Ndoma-Egba’s exploits are too visible for even the blind to see. Born sixty (60) years ago in the unique ambience of Ikom Urban in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, precisely on 8th March, 1956, Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba rose like a thousand stars at St. Martins Primary School, Ikom between 1962 and 1967; towering head and shoulders above his peers at Mary Knoll College, Ogoja where he was always a delight to listen to at both state and national quiz/debate competitions in the early 1970s. He had a thirty days stint at the Faculty of Law at the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria in 1974.

Upon the release of A level results in 1974, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba’s sterling performance at the time saw him gaining admission into the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos where he was offered three years to pursue a degree in law. Sparkling like a flawless diamond at the Akoka Campus of the University of Lagos, he subsequently enrolled into Nigeria Law School at Victoria Island, Lagos where he scaled the final Bar examination with effortless ease in 1978. In 1993, Ndoma-Egba obtained an LL.M Degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar with blazing light.

With an avowed desire to enhance his capacity, Ndoma-Egba studied and obtained Certificate in Export Processing Zone Administration, I.D.I Shannon, Ireland(1992); Certificate in CHANGE for the 21st Century, Stanford University, Palo Alto, USA(2009); and Certificate in Leadership, Harvard University, USA(2011). He started his public service career on a high at the tender age of 24 in 1981 when the then President Shehu Shagari appointed him a Director in Cross River Basin Development Authority. In 1980 at only 27 when most of his peers were still on the verge of writing University Matriculation Examinations (popularly known as JAMB), Victor Ndoma-Egba was appointed Commissioner for Works and Transport in the old Cross River (now Cross River and Akwa Ibom States respectively). This is no mean feat! It can be safely said that Senator Ndoma-Egba is a man who had lived ahead of his age.

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is a man of prodigious intellect. By dint of hard work and tangible deliverables in his previous appointments, he was appointed Director/Chief Executive, Directorate for Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), Cross River State in 1986. In the same year, he was saddled with the responsibility as Acting Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Cross River State. “Victor Ndoma-Egba is a man imbued with the capacity for multi-task and a workaholic”, you must say.

Since 1984, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has built an untainted reputation of excellence, integrity, credibility and character in public service in addition to a thriving private legal practice which dates back to 1979 at K.G.Agabi Chambers in Ogoja, Cross River State. Victor (as his peers would call him) has served on many occasions as chairman or member of different government boards, agencies and commissions making unrivalled contributions to the development of his state and country. In 1987, Senator Ndoma-Egba with a junior colleague in the bar, Richard Ebri (deceased) founded the highly reputable Ndoma-Egba, Ebri & Co (Legal Practitioners) in Calabar. For almost two decades after the demise of Barr Richard Ebri, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has maintained the name of the chambers. Thus, immortalizing a late friend and partner. Ndoma-Egba is a personification of loyalty. He gives absolute loyalty and deserves same in full measure.

Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba’s calling is legal jurisprudence, his profession is law, his burning passion is to leave people better than he met them and his vocation is to enhance the living standard of people across his state and country. In 1981, from his stipend in private legal practice in the cascading shadow of Ogoja in Cross River State, Ndoma-Egba started a scholarship scheme for indigent students which he has sustained for more than three decades. This scheme has become one of the most robust scholarship programs in the country today churning out hundreds of graduates from first degrees to Ph.Ds from Nigerian Universities on a yearly basis.

In 2007, Ndoma-Egba initiated the entrepreneurial scheme where more than 120 people were trained in different vocations/skills and empowered with start-up capital and now own their businesses. As a serving Senator of the Federal Republic, Ndoma-Egba was a master of legislative advocacy where he attracted projects in excess of N7Billion to his constituency in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. His unceremonious exit from the hallowed chambers of the Nigerian Senate after 12 years of meritorious service to his fatherland has kept the tongues of watchers of Nigerian politics wagging and their mouths yawning for more of his unmatchable legislative depth. The void created by his absence at the 8th Senate is quite undeserving to the Nigerian people at this critical moment in our checkered history.

As a serving Senator, Ndoma-Egba sponsored and co-sponsored 38 Bills most of which have become Acts of the National Assembly including the famous Freedom of Information Bill. This is an unrivalled feat in the history of parliamentary representation in Nigeria. In the dark days of the cabal, Senator Ndoma-Egba stood to be counted as one of the wise men who framed the now famous “Doctrine of Necessity” that was adopted to stabilize the ship of state. For the umpteenth time, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has remained the first lawyer to be recognized as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria while serving at the National Assembly. The dedication to service and the fact that Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba served a rallying point and the engine of the 7th Senate holds good for the Niger Delta region.

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba is an exceptionally talented lawyer and gentleman; he has traversed the world as leader or delegate representing Nigeria at high-profile international fora. Over the years, he has built a network of friends; spreading his tentacles across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond. With laurels including the prestigious Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON); and several chieftaincy/traditional titles from different communities in Cross River State, Victor Ndoma-Egba is indisputably a leading light from whatever perspective one chooses to assess him. Senator Ndoma-Egba is listed in the Africa Who’s Who. In 2004, he was honored with the revered Ambassador of Goodwill for the State of Israel and the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award in Accra, Ghana.

George Burns must have had Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba in mind when he stringed this line, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old”. For his admirers, Senator Ndoma-Egba is not getting older….just getting more distinguished! Just like fine wine, the Senator is getting more handsome and cute with years. Ndoma-Egba is a man of style and candor with an admirable dress-sense, always impeccably dressed. One can always trust this distinguished son of Cross River nay Nigeria to fit the occasion at all times-simple and modest, yet eye-catching.

Senator Ndoma-Egba took a gallant walk from the cozy ambience of the National Assembly back to the cape of his wig and gown to continue a fascinating career in private legal practice that remains on an upward trajectory. Even outside the hallowed chambers of the Senate, Ndoma-Egba remains a blue-ship and a quintessential political bride. At only 60, the LEADER as he is fondly called is still capable of springing sterling surprises. We can only wish him longer life in good health as he continues to serve humanity with the fear of God.

No better person with a history of hard work, resilience, intelligence, philanthropy, connection, experience, national relevance, statesmanship, and recognition than Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba. In the choice of Victor Ndoma-Egba lies the success in the resolution of the problems in the Niger Delta Region. Success looms in the cloudy days of the Niger Delta People. A big congratulations to President Mohammad Buhari and Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba for a well deserved appointment.

Joseph Odok
Social Change Agent

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THE VICTOR NDOMA-EGBA I KNOW, By Ifere Paul

My attention has been drawn to a publication on “The Nation Newspaper” of August 3rd, 2016 by a group that called itself Niger Delta Volunteers (NDV). It was signed by Commander Ekpo Ekpo, who is the group spokesperson. 

Others signatories are Commander Henry Etete, who is the spokesperson NDPLF, Commander Asuquo Henshaw, spokesperson for BFF, Commander Benedict Amakree, spokesperson for Niger Delta Watch Dogs.

The petition was also signed by Commander Hart Bradford of Niger Delta People Liberation Fighters, Commander Kobo Jack of Joint Niger Delta Liberation Fighters, Commander Okorochas Victor of Niger Delta Strike Force, Commander Debekme Jackson of Niger Delta People's Salvation, and Commander Ifeanyi Kalu of Niger Delta People's Liberation Movement.

I will have overlooked the publication but for some reasons, I felt I should clarify some of the issues they raised in their petition. For me, the group only succeeded in telling Nigerians lies. 

The aforementioned group stated that the President should “withdraw the nomination of the Chairman and the Managing Director of NDDC from the Senate and replace same with technocrats of proven integrity who have no corrupt record.”

The aforementioned group went further to posit that “these individuals who could not perform in their previous elected/appointed offices and are eyeing 2019 gubernatorial positions in their states.” They went on to describe Obong Nsima as a self centred person as Managing Director designate,  is a glaring example of misfit in this board nomination.”

They also described Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba as a person who “has held several positions of trust but has failed to bring anything good to his people.” That, and I qoute “His constituency is crying for development despite the fact that he received huge sums of money as Constituency development projects during his 16 years tenure as a Senator.” They concluded that “His main objective is becoming Governor of Cross River State in 2019 butnot developing Niger Delta.”

I am not worried about the writers of the petition. My worry is the millions of Nigerians who may have been misled by this malicious write up. The write up did not capture the person or personality of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) at all. As a Cross Riverian, I am very proud to talk about Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) anywhere in the world.

Having known him throughout his 12 years in the senate, it will be a disservice to my people from Cross River State if I don't correct this misconceptions as peddled by this faceless people that called themselves NDV.

First, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) did not spend 16 years in the senate as purported by this faceless unenlightened bandits. Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba spent 12 years in the senate of meritorious service to the people of Cross River State in particular, the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria in Nigeria. He was the Senate Leader, a position he held until his exit.

While in the senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) spoke avidly on the deplorable conditions of all federal roads in the country. A situation that led him advocate for the construction of the Trans African road from Ekok in Cameroon to Enugu in Nigeria. Other constituency roads projects included the Obubra-Iyamong in Obubra LGA, Moturay road in Ikom, Ajassor Road, Akparabong Roads in Ikom, Apiapum Town Road, Usmontong-Ediba Road in Abi, Kakwagum Road in Boki, Boki Dam Road.

In his inspection tour in April of 2014, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) inspected of 74 constituency projects. Perhaps it will be worthwhile that I mention a few here for the benefit of a few doubting thomases.

In Abi LGA of Cross River State for instance, Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN has helped in the following projects:

1. Drainage and Irrigation (Flood and Erosion Control) works in Ediba.

2. Flood and Erosion Control works in Usumutong.

3.Mini Water Supply Scheme, Usumutong.

4. Classroom Block, Enugwema Secondary School, Ediba.

5. Construction of Police Station, Itigidi.

In Yakurr LGA,  Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba inspected the following projects:

1. Erosion Control Works at St Patrick Secondary Secondary School, Ugep

2. Idomi Water Supply Scheme.

3. Mkpani Water Supply Scheme.

4. Library Complex, Community Secondary School, Ugep.

In Obubra LGA, the Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN inspected:

1. Flood and Erosion Control Works at Apiapum.

2. Iyamoyong Water Supply Scheme

3. Primary HealthCare Centre.

4. Classroom Block, Primary School Ogada.

The following are projects inspected in Ikom LGA:

1. Flood and Erosion Control Works, Akam

2. Ikom Erosion Control Works.

3. Flood and Erosion Control Works, Akparabong.

4. Akparabong/Aduinkpor Water Supply Scheme.

5. Specialist Hospital, Ikom.

6. Edo Surface Water Scheme.

7. Renovation of Police Station, Ikom Barrack.

8. Classroom Block, Abankang.

9. Classroom Block, Akparabong.

10. Classroom Block, Aduinkpor.

11. Solar Street Lights

12. Classroom Block, St Martin Primary School.

13. Classroom Blocks, Government Sec. School, Ikom

14. ICT Centre, Government Sec. School, Ikom

15. ICT Centre, Convent Road.

16. Opu Water Supply Scheme.

17. Hand Pump Borehole, Enoghi Secondary School.

18. Solar Powered Street lights, Akparabong Farm.

19. Mini Water Works, Akparabong Farm.

20. Primary Health Centre, Akparabong.

In Etung LGA, Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN inspected the following projects:

1. Classroom Block, Nsofang

2. Ajassor Flood and Erosion Control Works.

3. Ikom-Ajassor-Mfum Highway.

4. Benghege-Ekiem Water Project.

5. Classroom Block, EtomI.

6. Ikom-Agbokim Road.

The projects inspected in BOKI LGA are:

1. Iruan Dam Project.

2. Flood and Erosion Control Work, Iruan.

3. Flood and Erosion Control Works, Kakwagom.

4. Flood and Erosion Control Works at Bateriko.

5. Classroom Block in Ogep.

6. Hand Pump in Osokom

7. Classroom Block, Wula.

8 Water Supply Scheme, Wula.

The Senator also found it necessary to donate a constituency project to the University of Calabar by building a Law Faculty Building.

The Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN has a reputation in Computer Literacy Development Initiative. In fact, he is the first among Cross River State politicians to conceive such a noble initiative. Today, students in the central senatorial district can be proud to him because, he made the computer based Jamb Examination a child play for them. It is verified that the central senatorial district has the highest examination quota by merit in Cross River State. 

Over 10, 000 students from everywhere have been massively trained for free for various computer literacy programs. 

It is quite sad that the so called Niger Delta Volunteer group did not make a search on Google about the achievements of Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN. A search on Google of Victor Ndoma-Egba will pop out different topics. Many talked about about his youths empowerment initiative through literacy programs. 

As a leading lawyer in Cross River State, Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba has a scholarship program that many underprivileged students benefited and depended on to go through a higher institution. Till now, the Victor Ndoma-Egba scholarship is a very popular scholarship initiative in Cross River State. The scholarship program has provisions for First Degrees-Ph.D both in Nigeria. This is apart from the many text messages he receive for different financial assistance from students all over Nigeria.

Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, has also helped in the aspect of medical relief/assistance to so many poor families in Cross River State for the treatment of different ailments and payments of hospital bills for different sickness. 

Cross Riverians, and indeed Nigerians were trying to catch their breath when on Saturday 24th  May, 2014, he again turned the Nation's attention to his constituency. He invited the NNigerians to the tour of all his constituency projects.  On this day, 48 eight cars including brand new cars were given, in addition to 26 that were given in the previous weeks.

Oil mills, garri processing mill, generators, farming implements and laptops were given to ICT students from across the State. 121 graduands of the Central Bank of Nigeria run Enterprise Development Centre in Calabar were given 200,000.00 Naira each as seed money for their business start up.

The women were not left out. One million Naira was given to each of 6 Local Government Areas as seed money for petty trading, and another one million Naira for widows to start anything of their choice. These funds were directly dropped into bank account for them. This has increased a workable relationship with them bank. Churches were given complete musical/band sets. These interventions were necessary after very careful needs assessment from the churches. He has distributed different relief materials at different times to the people suffering from flood and other seasonal disasters occassioned by rain during the rainy seasons. 

The core responsibility of a legislator is law making. In this area Senator Ndoma-Egba is credited with 38 Bills including "The Freedom of Information Bill" which is now an Act of the National Assembly, and many motions ranging from the Bakassi People, The Plight of Pensioners, and many more. He was always active on the floor, and never disappointed people when it come to contentious national issues.

1. Nigerian Prisons Services Act (Repeal & Re-enactment Bill 2009. An Act to real CAP P.29 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and

To make comprehensive provision for  Administration of Prisons in Nigeria and other related purposes

2. The Nigerian Community Services Bill 2009

An Act to provide for and regulate Community Services for offenders on certain cases and to provide for related matters.

3. Criminal Justice (Victim’s Remedies) Bill 2009. An Act to provide for remedies for victims of  Crime and for Matters connected thereto

4. Abolition of  Discrimination Against Women Bill 2009. An Act to Enact on Act to Abolition of all forms of Discrimination. Against Women in Nigeria and other related matters

5. Legal Aid Act Amendment Bill 2008. An Act to Amend Comprehensively the legal  Aid Act 1976 (as Amended by Decree No. 22 of 1994) in line with international standards and to provide for the Establishment of Legal Aid and Access to Justice Fund into which financial Assistance would be made available to the Council to prosecute their  Chains in accordance with the constitution and further to empower the existing legal aid council to be responsible for the operation of a scheme for the grant of legal aid and access to justice in certain matters or proceeding to persons with inadequate resources in accordance with the provision matters or proceedings to persons with inadequate resources in accordance with the provision of this Act (1976 No. 56 1978 No. 34, 1970, No. 18, 1986 , No. 10 1990 No. 205 1994 No. 22).

6. Legal Practitioners’ Act (Amendment Bill, 2008 A Bill for  An  Act to  Amend the Legal Practitioners’ Act and Purposes  Connected Therewith 2008 7. Freedom of Information Bill 2008 A BILL FOR  An Act to make public records and information more freely available, provided for public access to public records and information to the Extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers from Adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes and related purposes thereof.

8. National Human Rights Commission Act Amendment Bill 2008 An Act to Amend the National Human Rights Commission Act 1995 and other related matters connected therewith.

9. Elimination of Violence in the Society Bill 2009 An Act to eliminate violence in private or public life, in peace and conflict situation to prohibit and punish all forms of violence in the society and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies to all victims of violence

10. Chartered Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria Bill 2009 A Bill for An Act to establish the Council of Chartered Auctioneers of Nigeria and to provide for matters related thereto

11. River Basins Development Authorities Act Amendment Bill 2009 A Bill for An Act to Amend the provisions of the River Basins Development Authorities Act, CAP R9

12. The Legislative House (Powers, Privileges & Immunities) and for other incidental matters

13. A Bill for An Act to  Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Cap C.23 Laws of the Federation of 2004 for the establishment of the National Industrial Court in the Constitution.

14. National Project Monitoring Agency  (est, etc) Bill 2001.

15. University of Abuja College of Medicine Bill 2001.

16. Indigenous Oil Companies (Regulations and Fiscal Terms) Bill 200.

17. Petroleum Profit Tax (Amendment) Bill 2001.

18. Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill 200.

19. Trustees Investment Act (Amendment) Bill 2001.

20. Federal Mortgage Bank (Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2011.

21. Abuja Geographic Information Systems Agency (AGIS) Bill 200.

24. Downstream Gas Bill 2011.

25. National Automotive Design and Development  Council Bill, 2012.

26. Transfer of Convicted Offender (Enactment & enforcement Bill 2011).

27. Nigeria In  Diaspora (Establishment  Commission Bill 2011.

28. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Legal Services Commission; and for Related Purposes.

29. A Bill for an Act to Govern the Legal Profession; and for Related  Purposes.

MOTIONS SPONSORED/CO-SPONSORED BY SENATOR VICTOR NDOMA-EGBA OFR, S.A.N.

1. Gruesome Murder of Female Youth Corp Member in Maiduguri.

2.Abandonment of Nigerian Ship Crew in captivity in Somalia.

3.Impending Crisis in and Uncertain faith of the people of Bakassi.

4.Motion on the Tsunamis Disaster.

5. Delineation of Electoral Wards/constituencies by INEC.

6. Bomb Attacks in Warri.

7. Refusal of the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to honour the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream’s Inquiry on the Revenue and Expenditure Profit of NNPC from Sept. 2007 – Sept. 2009.

8. The Earthquake in the Republic of Haiti.

9. Proclamation of State of Emergency in Certain Local  Government Areas of the Country.

10. National Assembly Procurement Process.

11. Demise of Amb. Mathew Tawo Mbu.

12. Matters of Urgent Public Importance (Coup in Mali and Elections in Senegal).

As far as representation is concerned, the bar to catch up with the Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba legacy in Cross River State is high. He has raised the stakes and it is a challenge to all other representatives in the Senate now. Throughout his stay in the Senate, we have never seen pictures of him sleeping, or heard about his involvement in budget padding controversies. Instead, the Nigerian Nation has been reminded that there is an eminent vacuum that cannot be filled in a long time to come because, there is non like him yet in the Senate from Cross River State. His Valedictory Speech on the day he exited the Senate attracted a national ovation. 

In fact, time and space cannot allow me to state the impact Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba has had on his people in Cross River State, and Nigeria in general. The Senator Distinguish, has all it takes to lead any parastatal, commission, and or ministry in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is one of the most experienced politician in Cross River State. His ability to treat every individual he comes in contact with first, as a Nigerian and then the region you come from is one single aspect that has set him apart as a nationalist.

Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba's appointment as the Chairman NDDC is timely and mostly appreciated now. His ability to treat all people equal will be used to solve most of the problems hindering development in the Niger Delta region. Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba does not care what ethnic group one comes from, and this will be handy when dealing with ethnic polarized regions like Niger Delta. 

The appointment of Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) as Chairman of NDDC was met with wide jubilation across Cross River State. People in the Central Senatorial District celebrated for days. This shows the happiness of the people to the man Ndoma-Egba because of what he has been able to do to his immediate constituency, Cross River State, and Nigeria at large. To say that Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) has not done anything good to his people is to say according to Chinese people that “fish don't breathe.” 

It is far from the truth for the group NDV to say that Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) is nursing the ambition to contest the governorship elections in 2019, and not to develop the Niger Delta region. As far as I'm concern, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) may never contest election again. But he will be willing to take any responsibility he is seen as capable to drive the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senator Distinguish Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) is the right man to heal the wounds and heartbreak of the people in the Niger Delta region. I am optimistic that by the end of his tenure as the Chairman NDDC, all factions and fractions that has occassioned our disunity as a region, may have been healed. 

I congratulate our Distinguish Leader, Senator, Sir Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) on his call serve his people. Once again, Congratulations to the man wey sabi.

Let the dialogue for peace start now!

Long live Nigeria!

Long live Niger Delta region!

Long live Niger Delta people!

Ifere Paul writes from Abuja.

[email protected]

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Change Interception And Solemnization Of The Rookies, By AbdulRahman Agboola

The constancy of truth is ultimately prevalent over falsehood in the sight of intellectuals that lean on facts and figures as fundamental determinants of their dutiful engagements, often times, willful actions of rogues among the ruling class whose expertise in brainwashing a section of the society by promoting falsehood at the expense of truth as means of political relevance constitute serious setbacks to the actualization of a self-reliant Nation where majority of citizens will be dutifully engaged.   

In human endeavours, appraisals are often required to either gauge or measure progress acquired in the cause of every activity, not minding the variance in mindsets and thinking faculty among individuals, presupposition often derail basis of judgments especially when certain parochial interest seemingly overrides assessment either positively or negatively, as we tend to create a psychic of odd mentality termed African Mentality which has hampered the functionalities of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

Every marriage has a window period for the couples to blend with realities of their solemnization, alas, they probably dated and had courtship before their wedding, yet, honey moon offers them the grace to evaluate their marital vows. Some couples thereafter shares agonies and sorrows but endures the difficulties, surmount striking challenges and live together harmoniously forever. For others, little hardship facilitates either partial or permanent separation.

I have searched for any perfect marriage in available domains and climes but found none, what I found instead of perfection was tolerance and considerations of weaknesses by partners through which harmony, peace and progress dwell in their affairs. Marriages built on trust and sincerity stands the test of time, imperfections rarely takes the lead as the partners collaborate to protect family interest and never endanger their wards thereby wading off their imperfections in the pursuit of welfare and home needs.

Compare marital life with government, there is a linear relationship, where decency and modesty applies in sane climes, where respect for rights and privileges are prevalent, political participation is premised on strong determination for value added engagements, but in odd climes like ours, self-inclined benefits takes the lead. Instead of the family interest to be premised on the generality of citizenry, every government in power sets barriers to demarcate meeting and separating points where preference for political family interest overshadows their responsibilities to the entire citizenry whose interest they vowed to uphold every time.

There ought to have been a Nigeria Project for the people, collectively to uphold trust and confidence for the purpose of allaying fears that exist in our diversities, what exist till date is cliché interest across board. Over a year ago, Nigerians filed out to set direction for positive changes through the platform of All Progressive Congress based on well-crafted manifestoes and respect for respectable personalities that took the lead in the process of dislodging the former tenants of Aso Rock Villa in particular. Looking back to the campaign era, the Country was promising once again after a long while, people were happy for the return of a personality they could trust with their mandate, the euphoria now gave way to despair, the real question enveloping the air roving the lips of Nigerians is that, did we really made a mistake with our last pursuit for a change?, the reasons for the despair are not far-fetched, they are obvious than the truth.

Our quest for change was not a mistake considering the sterling revelations of impunity acts of the last administration, but the change we yearned was intercepted by interlopers mostly rookies with brazen display of stunts and goofs in the cause of discharging their duties. When you evaluate the 8 years of Obama Presidency in America, the major achievements of his administration are not numerous but their impacts surpasses the initial motives, the Obama Health Care, withdrawal of troops from foreign missions, recovery from economic recession and repositioning of America as a frontline world power with preciousness among competitors, haters and lovers of Obama in America don’t contest his expertise at duties and intellectualism in favour of the masses.

Couple of years ago, to imagine the success of a black man as America President seemed impossible, however, it was achieved not through mere racial affinity of blacks with Obama but with his exemplary leadership derived from inbuilt skills, good conscience and convincing style of leadership. If a black man can successfully govern a white dominated Country, why is it difficult for a black man to successfully govern the most populated Black Country in the world, do we need a foreigner naturalized in Nigeria to emerge as a President on our soil before we advance as a Country.

The difference between America and Nigeria is the fact that in spite of diversities Americans determined their core values that must be protected long ago, which is the supremacy of the Country above Citizens, they uphold it as a sacred trust that there are no Americans without America first, they are well determined to surpass the achievements of their colonial masters, but in Nigeria our diversity has become adversities, what is obtainable in our democracy is objectification, leaders interest at variance with populace interest.

I really pity most young Nigerians glued to the game of deceit and mere criticism of policies and actions of government without finding enabling platforms to prepare for a future where the tides will favour the majority. Most young people seems to lack the sight to foresee    the impending doom, are we not carried away by sentiments and affinities as unsteadiness takes the lead in our polity. How long shall we continue to find faults alone without gathering efforts to correct the anomalies in the system, everyone now assume authority on every issue even with obvious exhibition of shallowness.

The last administration has become a history but the story lines in that administration has only changed in terms of financial recklessness but the real expectations of the masses in terms of economic recovery, poverty eradication and creation of an egalitarian society are far from attainment as the attitudes of core officers of this administration classify them as rookies. In the Education Sector, it is policy gaffes by the Minister on admission policies, in Sports and Youth Development, it is an exhibition of faux pas by the heady Minister, INEC and Security Agencies are not impressive with current challenges arising from their operational tactics and strategies while other Ministries and Agencies performs below general expectations.

Native intelligence will never fail when well construed; it is the prevalence of native intelligence that has eluded us in decision making as we lean towards foreigners views and assessment without considering our peculiarities. If we respect our peculiarities, what is the essence of bicameral legislature at the Federal level, why the lack of autonomy of Local Government and why the abolition of Regional Government.

With the perpetual stokes of native intelligence and strong inclinations to the directives of external oppressors under the guise of International Monetary Fund and World Bank, Nigeria is in ruin of external debts and depleted foreign reserves with no commensurable developmental strides by the past and present governments. Each time the debt profile of States Governments comes to fore, it queries the sensibilities of the Governors and you begin to wonder how and where some of these elements with no sense of management other than waste and greed managed to acquire that title wrongly called Excellency.

His Excellency is a revered title meant for reasonable people with sense of commitment to duties and problem solving, but our so called Excellency most created generational problems as shown in States debt profile and for the affected masses to ponder over the ruin already on ground for future leaders to inherit, political correctness is mostly sought by them as they pursue perilous task learnt from the perils of Pauline styles of their mentors.

The honey moon is over for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress but they still enjoy the life lines, there is no coordination of the oppressed working people and different categories of poor class, heads of Civil Society Organisations are either consumed by fury or lost in the pond of stagnation, if not, divorce signals ought to have been visible. In a situation where a divorced wife is more determined than the legitimate Children over a share of inheritance, then the family heads should understand the existence of poor characters and attitudes among members of the family.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party obviously represents the divorced wife well determined for a remarriage with Nigerians by 2019, instead of laying prudent grounds for the masses by the APC government to serve as preference to reject the amorous advances of PDP to dupe Nigerians again, APC supporters, Party Leaders and the Government itself is locked down by political correctness and unexplainable attitudes capable of ruining their gains eventually. One particular question begging for answer is the truism of free, fairness and credibility of our elections in Nigeria, it reflects more of conspiracy and override than fairness, if the only thing the masses can benefit directly from this administration is the true functionality of our democracy, the earlier the masses brace up to achieve that onerous task the better for us.

The World seems to be returning to the dark ages of ignorance as our varsities now produce educated illiterates with no leanings to thorough thoughts and actions other than get rich quick inclinations, people engage in politics not to offer services again, but to assume position of authority to have grip on resources and become self-sufficient through our common wealth, the President must be thoroughly engaged on strategies to make leadership lesser attractive as a means of everlasting wealth for political office holders.

The emergence of a fresh political alliance and formation of new party to compete with APC in 2019 would have been more beneficial to the masses but who will bear the burden as the PDP attempts a return to our polity.   If efforts towards economic revitalizations and general prosperity are not yielding immediate results, we should not ignore other noble initiatives requiring only hands to correct; we should forbid people from learning governance from vantage point of leadership, the risk of allowing the solemnization of the rookies to override other sound dictates of democracy will be too difficult to bear if we fail to be more proactive to guide Mr President to success.

Comrade AbdulRahman Agboola

National Coordinator,

Mass Action for Good Governance and Grassroots Development in Nigeria

[email protected] 08029809000

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Why I Am Convinced God Does Not Speak To Pastor Adeboye, By Dr. Ijabla Raymond

Last week was quite interesting on Nigeria's social media space. It started with a video of Pastor Adeboye telling his followers not to marry a woman that can neither cook nor pray for one straight hour. The question that has been on my mind is: does that mean God is deaf? What parent makes their child beg (for one hour) for something they know the child needs? The truth is that prayers, besides making the believer to feel good about themselves, are an absolute waste of time. They do not grow the economy or an amputated limb. Youth unemployment is at an all time high despite our regular night vigils, prayers and supplications - it is evident that a God who is interested in human welfare does not exist. If He did, malaria and cancers will not kill millions of children whilst He preoccupies Himself with consensual sex between homosexual couples.

In our country, pastors are marriage counsellors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and financial advisers all at once even though they are not appropriately trained for these roles. They tell women to go back to their violent husbands because, according to them, divorce is a sin against God. Many a woman has lost her life because of this advice. People like Adeboye are so influential anything they say is taken as the literal truth. Sadly, his comments portray a man who is out of touch with the realities of modern family life. More and more women are now in employment and some of them are the main providers for their families. Marriage is now regarded as a partnership rather than as a master-servant relationship. Some of the most celebrated chefs in western cultures are men - what is wrong with teaching our boys and young men to cook for themselves? Adeboye has similarly instructed his female followers not to marry men without jobs. But what happens when a man loses his job - should his wife divorce him? 

I feel sorry for the people who think God speaks through this man or through any man at all.

If you want incontrovertible evidence that religion cannot reform the world, then consider the degree of theft and corruption in Nigeria. These problems have become endemic even though practically every Nigerian is a practising Muslim or Christian.

Nigerian pastors have acquired a taste for private jets - ostensibly to reach the parts of the world that need the gospel of Jesus, except that they avoid such places as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq. Charity begins at home - it is senseless to run off to put out the fire in your neighbour's house when your own house is up in flames.

Nigerians and their country are in dire need of salvation from endemic corruption. It is evident that religion cannot tranform our nation because as our religious devotions have increased, so have our corrupt ways.

Pastor Adeboye and his other pastopreneur friends need to sell off their jets, repent of their lies, stop robbing their church members through emotional blackmail, and give back what they have stolen. Their message has failed.

Adeboye's gaffes were followed by the news that the Nigerian government is going to subsidise pilgrimage to Mecca by granting Muslims concessionary exchange rate.

That is almost N8 billion for an exercise that does not benefit our economy. Many businesses are failing, parents are struggling to send their children to school, our hospitals are poorly resourced but that is how our government chooses to spend N8 billion. And believers wonder why we cannot stop talking about religion. There would be no use to criticise religion if it is removed from public space and kept as a private matter. It is wrong for the government to use tax payer's money to subsidise religious rituals.

The week ended with the RCCG convention where Adeboye makes his usual wild claims but says nothing of consequence about our nation. Our Vice President and a professor of law, Yemi Osibanjo, who also happens to be a pastor in the Redeemed Church watched on as Adeboye went to town with his preposterous claims. For a man who claims to have resurrected dead people, cured all kinds of diseases and driven a car without feel, you would think Adeboye would have told Vice President Osibanjo by now where to locate the abducted Chibok girls, right? But no, another RCCG convention has ended and not a word about their whereabout. When Adeboye claims that his car drives without fuel or that he has resurrected dead people and there's a medical doctor, engineer, architect, research fellow, PhD holder or a professor in the congregation who believes this fantasy then I feel grief and have great concern for the education system that has nurtured such people.

Religion has caused more harm than it has done good to African societies. Without a doubt, Adeboye and his fellow pastopreneurs have been responsible for the corruption in the way a generation of Nigerians think. But judging by the reactions to his sermon on social media, I think it is safe to say that the scales are starting to fall off the eyes of believers. I believe that pastor Adeboye will think twice now before re-telling his favourite story of how his car drives without fuel. I am thankful for the Internet and how it has placed knowledge at the fingertips (literally) of ordinary people. I pay tribute to fellow secularists for their unrelenting effort to liberate the minds of our people from the shackles of religion. Despite my grief, I feel hopeful about the future.

Ijabla is a medical doctor. He writes from the UK and can be contacted at: [email protected]

Excerpted From Sahara Reporters

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Much ado about Osun Performance in WAEC! The true situation of things before and now, By Ibrahim Lawal

A Secondary School In Osun Built By Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesol

A lot of opposition members have begun to sing lullabies since the release of state-wide performance in WAEC examination. They have gone to town to paint a pitiable state of affairs, as if during their period of ruins, they have done anything near what we have now.

For the sake of posterity, it is pertinent to set the record straight and put a lie to such odious claims.

Those who say Osun is declining are not being honest. The following data will put a lie to the unfounded allegation of detractors that the performance of pupils has gone down under Aregbesola's watch.

In 2007, the state government put forward 36,171 candidates for WAEC examination out of which 2,483 representing 6.86 per cent had credit pass in five subjects, including English and Mathematics.

“In 2008, it was 37,715 candidates with 3,813 pass, representing 10.11 per cent. In 2009 it was 39,676 candidates, with 5,545 pass, representing 13.98 per cent. In 2010 it was 43,216 candidates, with 6,777 passed, representing 15.68 per cent. This four years gave us an average of 15.68 per cent.

“However, Governor Rauf Aregbesola's administration started sponsoring candidates for WAEC in 2011. That year, government fielded 53,293 candidates, had 11672 pass, representing 21.98 per cent. In 2012, fielded 51,463 out of which 11,431 passed, representing 22.21 per cent. In 2013, also Govt. fielded 47,013 candidates, recorded 9,301 pass, representing 19.78 per cent.

“In 2014, government sponsored 47,672 candidates, 9316 of them passed, representing 19.54 per cent. The average performance for our first four years was 20.88 per cent. Compared with the average performance (13.26 per cent) of the three years that preceded us, the percentage improvement in performance during our tenure is a huge 57.46 per cent”.

Source: Osun State Ministry of Education.

Next time, when you cry of low performance, check where we are coming from.

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Stop That Nonsense About Padding! It Is Forgery Simplicita, By Barr. Ibrahim Lawal

 Barr. Ibrahim Lawal,

Looking for Padding as a head of offence is a fantastic exercise in futility, the term is not a legal phrase, or a head of offence but a word in English Dictionary. The offence lies in the literal meaning of "padding".

The meaning of padding attracts the offence of official corruption, Abuse of office (under the EFCC Act)and other sundry offences recognized by our law.

Please check the meaning of padding, you will agree that it is forgery

If you say somebody slapped another, can you charge the person for slapping? No, you will charge such person for assault.

Next time, don't say padding, instead say forgery.

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IWALOYE: A Man And His Winning Strategies, By Goke Butika

Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, the Speaker,
State of Osun House of Assembly
Happy Birthday From New Punch

Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, the Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly marks another year, but would not be celebrated with fanfare, because this period in the historical phase of our nation calls for sober reflection. As a result, this piece for this newstalk would look into his story to justify the organic link between suffering and success, apology to late Comrade Ola Oni.

Speaker Salaam appears to have premised his worldview on tripod of humility, emotional intelligence and philanthropy. He is not rich, but very generous with his little; he is not diminutive in physique, but chooses to be humble; he is not cold, but elects to work and consummate dealings and relationship with all manner of men and women with reason attached to humanism. No wonder his colleagues, friends and political allies fondly call him "IWALOYE"- meaning: proven character is royalty.

This is one individual who as a matter of principle, sees human beings as ends, that must not be treated as means, because in his wisdom, he believes that those who are fortunate to be in position of authority or wealth only have opportunities ahead of those who are disadvantaged, and that the only permanence in life is change. So, he believes that it is the responsibility of those who have opportunities to lift the lacked.

Some bookmakers were of the opinion that Speaker Salaam was only generous because he has inexhaustible wallet sourced from political pot, but they were proved wrong through the trend of history. It was said that Salaam as a private young businessman who once operated a patent medicine shop among the chain of businesses in his hometown was so generous that the indigent sick could always get their prescribed drugs available for free, not because he wanted an electoral favour then, but because he could not afford to see the poor die a cheap death. The lyrics of late "dadakuada" exponent, Odolaye Aremu comes to mind while extolling generosity of a man that, "a generous man hires labourers with aim of empowering them, just the way he bought a slave with sore in his legs, so as to feed the flies".

Ever since democracy returned to this nation, and Salaam had joined the political fray, his political foes could testify that IWALOYE has redefined politics of Ejigbo Local Government with  his keen interest in developing his people. It was said that while he was appointed as Supervisory Councilor for Health in the council; he deployed his entitlements to the care of the needy, and kept a register of the people in critical need.

However, when he contested for the chairmanship position of the council, and met the hostility of the then ruling party, he retooled with equanimity, and when he was relieved of his mandate in 2009 as a member of Osun State House of Assembly, he maintained a dignified calmness in the face of conspiratorial politicking; rather he returned to the drawing board, where he reloaded his political warhorse and returned to the same parliament in 2011.

Salaam won the trust of his colleagues when he was voted to be the first among the equals, and that year, he was elected as the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Conference of Speakers of the State legislature, with a responsibility of midwiving the first election of the conference. Report has it that the staff of the secretariat of the Conference got the best working condition under his leadership; while his colleagues attested to the fact that the election Speaker Salaam conducted was free, fair and credible, a situation that engendered unity and harmonious working relationship among the Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly in the federation then.

Speaker Salaam also broke a record in his Ejigbo state constituency in the build up to the 2015 election, as no member of the state parliament had ever been allowed by the stakeholders to return to the House twice, and his case was not different because he was the Speaker, for the unwritten rule was unspeakable zoning between the main town and the subs, but the electorate insisted in having him returned, and the voice was pronounced during the last election.

Born in August 8, 1965, Speaker Salaam attended his elementary and post elementary school in Ejigbo, before he proceeded to Oyo state School of Science, Ilesa where he bagged his A level certificate, after which he was admitted to study political science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; where he obtained his masters degree in political science and currently on his doctoral thesis at the same institution respectively.

Besides, he had a crash class on legislative matters at the London School of Economics and Political science, apart from his exposure on legislative exchange in United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Brazil; plus his working visits to UAE, Tanzania, Ghana, Canada to mention but few.

Speaker Salaam is a recipient of many awards and titles, among them is the Commander of Great Ife (CGI) conferred on him by the OAU Alumni International. He is Asiwaju Musulumi of Ejigbo land, state of Osun.

This wonderful Nigerian was not born with sliver spoon in his mouth, for he lost his mother while he was two and lost his father at age 10, but was lucky to have been raised by his aunt who was a caring businesswoman, suggesting that he is a self made man, who rose to his challenges and got his dose of suffering, but weathered the storm through God and perseverance.

Written by Goke Butikakuro, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly,

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NAJEEM SALAAM: The Story of Self-Made Man, By Goke Butika

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile".-----Albert Einstein

NAJEEM SALAAM
Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly

If you are a Yoruba person, South West of Nigeria, and you had your childhood in between 30s and 80s, there is probability that you might have heard some proverbs relating to Sanusi Adebisi Idikan and Salami Agbaje, the two great men with contrasting features in Ibadan.

The former was fondly called Adebisi Idikan, and he made fortune from "Aso ofi" and cocoa plantation, while Salami Agbaje made his wealth from timber, for he supplied railway slippers that were used to construct train track from Lagos to Ibadan that was opened in 1901. But Adebisi made history because he chose to live for others; while Agbaje lived for his children. Of course, both are acceptable, but living for others is more worthwhile.

As at the time Adebisi was sitting on sprawling wealth as the first man to use car aside from horde of horses in Ibadan, and gave the cosmopolitan city the first architectural masterpiece as his residence, taxable adults were in serious trauma, for majority could not afford to pay tax levied by the colonial authority, due to the fact that they were subsistent farmers.

It is given that tax is a must anywhere in the world, and it was an offence that attracted detention in Mapo prison then. So, many Ibadan natives were languished in detention for tax evasion. It was so horrible that Balogun Ola, the son of Baale committed suicide, because he could no longer afford the pain people were going through in detention at Mapo, an action that earned him an epithet-"kobomoje" meaning a brave one.

Adebisi Idikan took it upon himself to end the sorrow of the taxable adults in Ibadan, as he drove to the colonial office to demand for the total cost of taxes of all taxable adults, and from then he chose to foot the bill as long as he lived, a philanthropic gesture that saved many people from detention and agony of tax debt.

From that time, the elders have a way of remembering Adebisi Idikan as an unsung hero, who lived and died for his people. In Ejigbo, an ancient town in the State of Osun, today, one man appears to have breasted the ribbon of Adebisi Idikan who lived for his people; the man is Najeem Folasayo Salaam. The difference is that Adebisi was a very wealthy business man, while Salaam is a poor politician with mind of uncommon generosity. The common denominator between the two is philanthropism.

Salaam's philanthropy is not premised on the magnitude of his wealth, which he does not have anyway, but his willingness to part with the little he has, marks him out as generous, for he has the capacity to deny himself to bail people of critical challenges. Analytically, one is generous if one can part with little from little than to part from plenty.

Salaam, some years back was only known among his friends and relations as a man of robust patience and tigeritude, suggesting that he has the mastery of being gentle with gentle people, and could be tough with tough ones, as it was espoused in in the letter the Great Abraham Lincoln wrote to the teacher of his son.

As an orphan, there was nothing that marked Najeem out as special. Of course, he could not have been among the special breed whose fathers' wealth was subject of envy, because he had no such luxury, and he must have been a victim intra-personal depression each time occasion demanded for parental chemistry, but the strength of courage he deployed to weather the storm of life seems legendary.

However, he chose a path of self-made, bearing in mind that the road to success is always rough. As at the time he was growing up, there were various options opened to him: to either learn trade or take to farming or pursue education, but he chose the latter, knowing full well that he would have to double up his perseverance, so as ease the burden of his aunt who had undertaken his care from very tender age.

Having crossed the hurdles of the first degree and had stunt in business, Salaam joined politics, and understudied the practical of what he learnt in the university from elders who had mastered the turf. But his combination of the wisdom of fox and energy of lion together made politics a natural call for him. Let whoever chooses to disprove this piece visit his constituency and conduct a discrete investigation.

There was a time he contested for the post of council chairman under the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), the electorate stood by him, but the hostility of the then ruling party denied him his victory, and instead of jumping the ship, he took a philosophical calmness and identified with the progressive camp, and the hostility did not cease when he won the election that took him to Osun State House of Assembly, as the same bully ruling party got a party that did contest election to fight a battle of conspiracy in election tribunal. As programmed, his mandate was truncated through a rerun election that was more of a gang-up than free and fair exercise.

Along the line, he got some overture that could make any politician ditch principle for filthy lucre, but Salaam is one man who follows his conscience; he rejected good offer when it was obvious that he had no financial strength. Rather he threw his hat on the ring again and won resoundingly in 2011; that was the journey that brought him to number three position in the State of Osun till date.

Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam could not be counted among the wealth or politicians whose least of their troubles is money, but his sprawling popularity engendered through philanthropy and political sagacity. He is leading a parliament of 26 different people, of different value, different world-views, different backgrounds and pedigree, and for five years no single case of rancor or treachery was recorded. Even Governor Rauf Aregbesola is in the habit of telling whoever cares a hoot that the synergy between the executive and Najeem Salaam led parliament is what led to monumental development in the state.

Some pundits would rush to describe his parliament a "rubber stamp" legislature, but Salaam has vowed to continue with the tradition of a parliament that facilitates development of the state, instead of radicalism that would decrease the good of the greatest number. That is the picture of the man and his principle.

Happy birthday Mr. Speaker.

BUTIKA is the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, state of Osun House of Assenbly.

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