Most of your childhood friends, associates and allies have continuously attested to your trustworthiness and undying spirit of camaraderie, especially when it matters most.
It wasn’t by accident that you went down in history as the longest serving Speaker of a state House of Assembly in Nigeria. Even many of your fellow speakers in other states then who thought that they could guarantee their continuous stay in office either through rebellion or sycophancy, still got booted out, either by suspicious executives or by angry legislators, but with wisdom, loyalty, and competence, you led a House that wasn’t just peaceful, but vibrant and productive.
As a governor that was destined to be, you emerged when many had lost hope.
Apparently realizing the role of grace in your emergence, you took on the job of governance with courage and candour, and by the time you were done with your first tenure, your signature projects like Flyovers, monorail, bridges, solid roads, and of course,model schools were found in different parts of Rivers state.
Your onslaught against criminal elements was legendary, as your government courageously dealt a devastating blow to criminally minded militants; most times you led from the fronts.
Your greatest trial and tribulations came during your second tenure, but you manifested yourself as a student that took no lectures in cowardice. When the whole nation condemned the unprovoked and unjustified onslaughts against your government, you took it in your strides and refused to surrender to pity. No wonder, you repeatedly and successfully fought off the vicious invaders who were poised to impeaching you.
You would later emerge as one of the leading generals of the most successful opposition party, and proudly stamped your authority as a Director General that didn’t just direct, but physically and successfully drove the vehicle of change to its destination; to the shock and disbelief of those who had vowed to capture and dump you in prison once your presodential candidate was defeated.
The government you are serving may have had its shortcomings, to the disillusionment of some of its once ardent supporters, yet, its successes cannot be dismissed with the wave of the hand, and very interestingly, you have emerged as one of the brightest and beautiful brides in the government. With your heartwarming and verifiable achievements as a very Senior Minister in charge of the Ministry of Transportation, you’re once again writing your name in gold.
Your continuous pouring of encomium and consistent recognition of the roles of your brother, mentor and former boss, Dr. Peter Otunnaya Odili in your life, in spite of the perceived politicsl crack that occured midway around 2007, makes it easy for those who live a life of gratitude to love and cherish you the more, because genuine gratitude and loyalty are difficult to be found in this part of the world.
The Lion of Ubima, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, I join millions of other excited Nigerians in wishing you a beautiful 55th birthday celebration, while praying that God upholds and continues to inspire and equip you for greater exploits.
It’s still morning on creation day.
Happy birthday sir.
Ferdinand Ekeoma
27/05/2020.
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