Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi – My Real Oga

Let me talk briefly about my real Oga that “dragged” me into Public Service. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi…is he that God used to bring me into Public Service, when he was the Governor of Rivers State. “Dragged” me because when I heard he specifically wanted a non-politician and a professional to man that Agency I was encouraged to respond to the call.

The success of any organisation rests on the commitment and dedication of both the leader and the follower. My Oga gave me the freehand to run the Agency professionally and that compelled me to put my best foot forward. He speaks from the heart and if you pay attention, its easy to see his vision and feel his frustration and all I needed to do was contribute my quota to the success of the Team… I could have chosen to abuse the privilege…would we blame him?

At the initial stage of my joining the Public Service, at Intergovernmental Meetings and other such gatherings, when his eyes roam to where I am…he goes “Internal Revenue…Thieves. All of them are thieves. I know the stuff they are made of.” I almost get angry that what type of embarrassment is this, when I only got there. Then I heard in my spirit “There is nothing to get angry about. He is only drawing your attention to what he wants you to address – the public perception about that place.” Okay! So I took the message back to my staff and we started the process of cleansing ourselves. And it paid off! You know what? When he sees me subsequently he goes “It is good that we all pay our taxes. We need to increase our revenue base…” Now he has become our marketing officer.

Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the current Minister of Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  gave me free hand to run the Agency within the existing laws of the Land.

I recall when we had to shutdown a company that was in chronic default and some government functionaries as well as the management of the company believed they could bypass us and get the Governor to instruct us otherwise. He (the Governor) sent an instruction that the company be opened but we said we couldn’t because the relevant provisions of the law had not been complied with. He backed off and asked that the company clears itself with the Agency. That immediately put all parties in check (including the grumbling ones) and boosted our morale as an Agency.

He was quick to tell his friends…”So because you are my friend and you can access me whenever, you want to bypass her? My friend, you had better go back to her and sort out whatever the issues are and don’t ever come back to me on this matter” and “What is the problem? What is wrong with the demands she is making? Go and give her what she wants please and report back to me that you have” Meanwhile when they went, their hope was to upturn she who God has put on a seat for a period He alone knows.

My Oga “Come tell me, what is your problem with this girl (I no even know why him go call me girl sef)?

Response “Your Excellency, it is not that what she is doing is wrong, but she is too fast with the changes she is putting in place”

My Oga, laughing “So what do you want? She should wait for you? You can’t be serious”

My Oga “What did you say she did?”

Response “She drank a lot of coffee and was sleeping”

My Oga ” Drank coffee and was sleeping? Hmmm”…someone is being economical with the truth

He may be blunt, in short he is blunt, but not with negative intentions…it is to allow you use your tongue to count your teeth.

Whenever those that believe they had the ears of the Governor went to say stuff about our Office or my humble self, he sends for me and would ask that they repeat themselves to my hearing so I could defend myself if I have any defence. When your Oga gives you a fair hearing, what more could you ask for? Its truly amazing how base people could go to in their bid to undo others, but I believe my Oga understood the workings of man’s mind and within the confines of his limitations he allowed everyone to work and find expression.

I saw in him the raw passion to work and empower his people. I saw the opportunities. I saw the limitations and frustrations.  Through it all God stayed Faithful on behalf of us all.

It was a worthwhile experience…I would continue to share in bits as the days go by…