This particular piece stemmed from a torrent of reactions that trailed an earlier intervention titled ‘’A Reformer’s Strategic Efforts In Educational Sector, Human Capital Development’’. The referenced piece critically highlighted the noteworthy understanding of Mr. Chiedu Ebie, chairman, Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), of education as the bedrock of any nation and so, incumbent on all to grow and support the education sector.
Aside from describing him as a famous technocrat and reformer of repute, the aforementioned piece went ahead to articulate recent significant moves by Ebie that underscore commitment to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the nation through formulation, transparent implementation and support of diverse strategic youth empowerment initiatives and educational programmes.
For a better understanding of the present effort, it is important to add that Mr. Ebie, before the latest appointment as Chairman, Governing Board of the NDDC, served as the Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education (July 2015 to May 2019), and Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG) (2019 to May 2021), among other positions held in the private sector of the nation’s economy.
Essentially, while many believe that Ebie’s success in public sector is attributable to his understanding of the true meaning of leadership, and possession of right requirements, temperament, positive mindset, flexible attitude and enterprising spirit to work hard with concentration on policies and programmes, others validly argued that before his arrival in public domain, he has equipped himself with and gained adequate knowledge and experience with patience needed to excel in any given public position.
While these comments and analysis are in the opinion of this piece, well understood and fitting, the submissions on the topic by Delta State born but United States of America-based Grand Knight Emeritus, Sir Tonna Okei Ekuku, remains outstanding.
Tonna, who is the president, South Carolina Organization of African Unity (OAU), said, during an online media briefing with some selected media professionals on Thursday, September 5, 2024, among other remarks, that Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman, Governing Board of the NDDC, is redefining public leadership in the Niger Delta region through introduction of a paradigm shift that is transforming the lives, noting that Ebie, a lawyer, reformer and technocrat is from a family of leaders.
Okei cited the nationally celebrated 132KV transmission line and 132KV/33KV substation in Ode Erinje, Okitipupa, Ondo State, built by the Commission, ending 15 years of blackout at Ondo South Senatorial District, the 25.7km single carriage Ogbia-Nembe road project connecting 14 riverine communities with 53 culverts and seven bridges and the ongoing Youth Internship Programme for 10,000, among others as latest evidence of such ongoing sterling performance of the Commission’s governing board and management.
According to him, Ebie has what it takes to redefine public leadership in the country and will, through collaborative efforts of other members of the present governing board and management of the NDDC bring a change in leadership paradigm in ways that will lead Niger Delta to the next level.
While he observes that it is a long-held adage in law that ‘’you can’t give what you don’t have’’, the Ekuku Agbor, Delta State-born Okei argued that Ebie has what it takes to cause that paradigm shift, to make government closer to the people.
The African culture enthusiast further stressed that Ebie’s evidence of performance as the Chairman, Governing Board of the NDDC is already unfolding and therefore, submitted that he has no doubt that the board will be peaceful unlike previous boards of the NDDC.
‘’There’ll be no misunderstanding, no strife, no internal war between the MD and the Chair. I do believe this NDDC board will be the best. Because the driver himself, Barrister Chiedu Ebie would surely be a progressive leader. Barrister Chiedu Ebie comes from a noble home, a family of ideal leaders. I have no doubt that the new Niger Delta we all are looking for, that Barrister Chiedu Ebie has the capacity, the ability and the capability to move us to that place’’.
Continuing, Okei, Grand Knight Emeritus of St Columbus, stressed that the former Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and Secretary to the State Government, deeply understands the responsibility inherent in his position, the Niger Delta terrain, and the challenges confronting the region and its people as well as a detailed roadmap to solving the problem of the region.
Speaking further, he said, ‘”While in a conversation shortly after he was appointed the Chairman of the Board of the NDDC, he highlighted four steps to redefining NDDC. The first step is to take a critical assessment of the NDDC. Understanding first, the policy. What it needs, their challenges and their goals. After that, he was going to build an intervention plan or a case management plan where you could draw out how they’re going to intervene, and the third step is going to be the actual intervention, with the fourth step being the review to ensure that the intervention is working. Where it’s not working, they’re going to amend it. They’re going to tweak it. That tells you that he knows what he is going to do’’.
I have no doubt in my mind that Barr. Ebie is going to lead NDDC to the next level. I am equally full of hope that after his stay in NDDC, that the federal government will invite him to a higher level of position because he is a great thinker. Merely looking at him, you’ll understand so quickly. He stated.
‘’As a lawyer, a learned apostle of the temple of justice, he doesn’t talk for the sake of talking. He will critically analyse anything, understand where it’s coming from, understand the policy governing it before he will know what to do. And I believe that the new Nigeria we’re talking about requires 5G thinkers like himself. I said 5G thinkers because it requires thinkers that are able to see beyond the mortal eyes. Thinkers that are able to discuss with our counterparts all over the world; thinkers that are able to understand the progressive dealing of our people’’.
This is just the beginning of him. Nigerians will come to know him in better realms. He is one of those I believe is going to move Nigeria to the next level. If you’re looking for somebody who’s highly learned, a builder, an enabler, a progressive thinker and one who comes from a noble home, Barr. Chiedu is the man. I know he is going to make us proud. He is our ambassador and I believe in him. Just watch him, give him that space and let him take us to the next level. He concluded.
