By Sidney Akaphiare
WED, AUGUST 08 2018-theG&BJournal-If there is a state in Nigeria in desperate need of rescue from wastages and a leadership fraught with mediocrity; Delta State it is. The last time I went to Akwa Ibom, I missed the familiar neighbourhood I used to walk around. That is right deployment of resources. Delta State has some of the best persons with credible pedigree and requisite capacity to turn the table for a prosperous Delta State. Unfortunately, we have not got it right. We however want to appreciate those who had tried their best. We don’t need persons who want to experiment or embark on political victimisation of every shadow as an enemy instead of working for the development of the State. We are to search out someone who can turn the table in Delta state to occupy the government house. One man, I know that had genuine desire to serve the State.
Great; oh! great things he has done in the past and still doing. He is a force to reckon with but somehow some power brokers do not feel comfortable with him. He is still a Great man indeed. His people love him. I also love him. If his sincere desire is to serve his people, the opportunity has come to join the effort to search, pick and align with someone with integrity as our lovely Great’s choice to come out and take the baton.
We cannot discountenance our brilliant son, whose name announces the worthiness of God to be worshipped. We are so blessed with the best. Successful business gurus, professionals per excellence, named with glory to God Almighty. We know them from Aniocha, Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Oshimilli, Ndokwa, and Urhobo. So let’s go out to search.
We need a leader who exemplifies integrity, humility, intellect, a youth mentor and an international credible magnet of investors. We need a man; a peacemaker. We must find this man for Delta State.
Delta: a land of people who are creative, innovative, social and hardworking. We need someone who can mentor to make our people prosper. We export talents yet there is no yearly festival of these talents to come home and perform and then get youths trained. We need someone who can turn around our education to situate it on business management and entrepreneurship training and duch hubs. Someone with the pedigree of the Lagos Business School, Pan African University, a TV host, media guru, activist and publisher. Someone who is willing to serve by bringing all intellectuals together. A bridge builder who does not see an opposition as an enemy but someone who is having his or her turn to serve. Need we go on even if a name is not mentioned yet?
Let’s look at the way Nigerians play politics. Majority of politicians just seek power. No plan to serve the people. No plan to empower the people. No plan to enthrone how politicians can become wealthy without stealing.
So what can be done? The story has been ‘I will put you in power and in return you pay me so much’ A godfather bargain. Our offer is ‘support me to get power and I will for the 1st time provide you the needed opportunity to become a global player in business’ You can also ride on my integrity rating by a fresh associations’. A great leaders’ pledge.
Nigeria politicians are always scared of enemies they created themselves in desperation for power. We need someone to raise the flag of brotherliness. Parties are platforms for election not weapons of warfare. The difference must be policy and agenda, not a fraternity of tirades of acrimony.
Who can preach this to all? Just one man we need to line behind if you believe your best is yet to be unveiled. Are you already looking where I am looking? My thoughts are on one man. A Deltan. He has been around but has not come down to state level because he wanted to change the nation. Now we want to correct him. Don’t bother about the now nation for now; we need you at home in Delta State. Do our own as you helped did in those states making waves Nigeria.
This man is PU. I call him PU for short. He can help bring the needed change. Can’t we dream and our dream comes true? Show me another state with such talents and professionals!
Who can organise and talk to past Governors, Senators and Ministers to forgive themselves and work together for Nigeria? PPU. Who can also do seminars for serving and retired military officers? Many retired officers of the military don’t like how they were retired unceremoniously. Time to bring them together to shake hands. And challenge the military to retire its men happily not to allow them to regret serving the nation. Who can do this? PU can. Who can bring a conference for royal fathers. Yes. Where can royal fathers update themselves? At home with private teachers? Maybe. But how do they compare notes with colleagues? We need an executive training for royal fathers, our queens and princes. Who can organise this to the highest standard? I think PU can. A Delta of great minds and peace and then see the investments flow just because PU is on the saddle. Delta a state of peace, talent hunt, industries, tourism and modern transportation is possible.
Who is this PU? Your guess is so correct.PPU is Prof. Pat Utomi.
to be continued.|(The Sidney’s Perspective is a serial by Sidney Akaphiare on burning issues. Sidney is a non partisan Think Tank and Project strategist, and the initiator of the Urhobo People’s Progress Forum; a platform for social reforms, cultural revival, youth and women training and empowerment, and families unity.)
