Opinion
Emma Ogbeche: When Excellence And Generousity Of Spirit Pay Off
By Omonu YG Nelson
In February 2018, I traveled on an assignment to Zamfara State, in company of some senior journalists, prominent amongst which is, the former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Waheed Odusile of The Nations Newspaper, Victorson Agbenson, a political editor with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Emma Ujah of the Vanguard Newspapers; Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, then the Editor of Abuja Enquirer; Patrick Okon, one of the top guns at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ forum and a host of others.
As we criss-crossed the length and breadth of the State, I heard Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche say, “I am a man of ideas, I can make things happen. I can fix anything.” To be clear, he wasn’t directly talking to me but the statement caught my attention because of the law governing my own thoughts. Since then, I have never missed any opportunity to call him “Mr Fix it!
The following year, Comrade Ogbeche threw his heart into the ring to vie for the chairmanship of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists. Of course, despite the stiff opponent, he triumphed. That was the opportunity for him to validate the earlier statement that, “I am a man of ideas, I can make things happen. I can fix anything.”
Suffice it to put on record that, before Ogbeche emerged chairman of FCT-NUJ, there was nowhere to call a secretariat, as the building that was under construction for many years, offered very slim hope of completion. The abandoned project was a perfect den for street urchins and phone thieves from Berger junction, who take refuge in the dejected environment. The building, which was overgrown by weeds was the most convenient place for those pressed and looking for where to defecate.
It’s also important to put on record that before this era, respect for FCT-NUJ, even by its own members was at lowest ebb because of concatenation of occurrences and uncoordinated way of handling affairs.
However, tides began to turn, immediately Ogbeche mount the saddle. At this time, a hotel around Utako serves as the secretariat with the hotel pool side as the meeting venue. Soon, work on the secretariat project resumed. And, with the speed of light, the main secretariat building was completed. Journalists in FCT, never had it so good, as social life at the FCT-NUJ Press Centre was fully activated. Finally, the Gentlemen of the Press now have a place to unwind after a hectic day, in the Nigeria’s ‘anti-press’ environment.
Not only did Ogbeche build, furnish and beautify a relaxation spot and press centre for the men of pen profession, he laid the foundation and completed an event hall of about 300 hundred seating capacity.
The crown of it all is that, Ogbeche is a comrade to the core. In an environment that is reprehensibly hostile to the Press, Ogbeche has sticked his neck for his members. Because he’s wired with the tenacity of a bulldog, he respects but fears no one. Whenever any journalist is the hook, he exploits contacts to the highest level, but when authorities remain recalcitrant, you can be sure Ogbeche will mobilise and lay siege to your gate.
Suffice to buttress with one or two examples. The case of journalist Tordue Salem, a National Assembly Correspondent with the Vanguard newspapers, aptly captures Ogbeche’s unparalleled generousity of spirit. In the case of Omonu YG Nelson, a former diplomatic Correspondent with Leadership newspapers and publisher, SUMMIT POST News, even when he wasn’t a registered member of the NUJ, out of magnanimity, he stood for me. He went all out against the authorities, which led to my being charged to court in record time, as against the original plan.
One important leadership lesson from Emmanuel Ogbeche’s management of FCT-NUJ, is “When the purity of motives of a leader is not in doubt, trust by followers becomes effortless.”
Another important leadership lesson from him is, unwavered power of believe or, what the Christians calls faith, is the first and most potent currency or recipe for accomplishments, both in public leadership engagement or private life. Like he said in February 2018, “I am a man of ideas, I can make things happen. I can fix anything.” Pronouncements such as this are the spillover of what’s abundant inside.
As a preacher and televangelist, Dr (Pastor) Paul Enenche said a few years ago, “Excellence destroys prejudice.” No matter how unbalanced factors are, nothing is impossible to a man that’s dogged and driven by divine ideas. That’s why the Monday’s announcement of Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, may not come to many, who are familiar with Ogbeche, as surprise.
A visit to the FCT-NUJ secretariat today… Evidence, they say, is the end of argument. Since he proved his mettle, I have changed from calling him “Mr Fix it” to “Chairman Wey Sabi.”
On behalf of Highland Media Ltd, publishers of SUMMIT POST News, I congratulate you and wish you a successful outing.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.