NO MORE ACCIDENTAL PUBLIC SERVANTS

                    AN INTENTIONAL PUBLIC SERVANT

“Leadership is intentional Influence.” ~ Michael McKinney

Malam Nasir El-Rufai wrote a book “The Accidental Public Servant” am not looking at the merits or demerits in El-Rufai’s book as I have not read the book, but merely using the title to make a point. A reviewer of the book points to many contradictions in the Book and my personal assessment of the Author’s turbulent foray into the world of politics is a pointer to the fact that Accidents are best avoided. I will read the Accidental Public Servant because it takes Time, Effort, Resources, Intelligence and above all Determination to write a Book.

Back to the reason of this discourse; am using the book to point to the obvious leadership gap in the Country and my personal crusade to correct it. Let’s define the key word in El-Rufai’s choice of title for his book. “Accidental” it’s derived from the word Accident which means “Something which happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, and which often damages something or injures someone” Still surprised why the major challenge we have as a Nation is that of Purposeful Leadership? Accidental therefore is something “happening by chance” Bishop David Oyedepo says “If you leave your Life to chance, you don't stand a chance” How True!

The way our Public Service is structured you can estimate that we have more Accidental Public Servants than Intentional Public Servants. There are countless El-Rufai’s in Government; they are Councilors, Council Chairmen, Lawmakers, Governors, Commissioners, and Ministers etc. as we approach yet another election year, it’s important that we make a wise choice and elect or select if you like, intentional Public Servants , men and women who are not accidents waiting to happen.

In the run up to the Delta State Gubernatorial Elections we have over 15 candidates vying for the PDP ticket alone and there are other Political Parties in the State. Who among these stands out as an INTENTIONAL PUBLIC SERVANT?

One man stands head and shoulders above the pack; he is neither an accidental public servant nor politician. He was born to be a Politician. In a continent where many do not know their gift, potential or ability, he knew early in life that politics was his calling as he studied Political Science in the prestigious University of Lagos where he obtained a B.Sc. degree in Political Science. Knowing his goal in life, he contested and against all odds won the Councillorship seat in ward 3 and became the Council’s Supervisory Councilor of Education. An avid reader with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, he proceeded to the famous Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma where he obtained his M. Sc. in International Relations.

In 1995, he contested for the Chairmanship of his Council Area and again, against all conceivable odds, he won and became the Chairman of the Council Area. He was later appointed as Second Member of the Delta State Education Board. An astute politician, he became the State Party Chairman of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Delta State from 2000 to 2003. Knowing that the political equation favours the PDP more than all the other political parties and very sensitive to the yearnings of the people he became a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2004.

He was subsequently appointed Special Adviser, Urban and Regional Planning to former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori a position that opens him up to the developmental needs of the State. Nominated as a minister in 2007 and against all odds again after he had been denied the privilege to be sworn in three times, he was eventually appointed the Honourable Minister of Special Duties in November 2007. A firm believer in hard work, his tenacity pays off as he was appointed Supervisory Minister of the Federal Ministry of National Planning, in addition to his duties as the Minister of Special Duties (again Planning). He was moved to the newly established Ministry of the Niger Delta as Minister of State and was responsible for Youth Empowerment and Development in the Niger Delta Region.

When President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan commenced his Presidential Campaign, he played a very active role as the Deputy Director General of the Campaign Organization. He was appointed the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry 6^th April, 2010, a position he held until he willing contrary to some media reports stepped down (reputed to be one of the longest serving Ministers in Nigeria's History) to pursue his next Divine Assignment to Build Delta State.

His achievements in all these positions will be the subject of another days discourse. A firm believer in God, an Ordained Elder, he established the Glory Sanctuary Christian Centre (GSCC) in 2009 a non denominational Christian gathering committed to the propagation of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ where Monthly Vigil has been held every first Friday of the Month for the past four years with attendant mind blowing Testimonies. The Monthly pilgrimage had become a Praise festival as renowned gospel artist from within and outside the Country has graced his Country Home, venue of the Glory Sanctuary Christian Center that also host a Bible College, A well equipped Library, An ICT Centre, A Conference Hall and A Standard Helipad Location/Coordinates: N 05 05 035 E 005 49 028.

Who is this Man? He is a Philanthropist, a Lover of God and Humanity, committed to the work of the most High God, his People, his State, his Country and Humanity. His name is Elder Godsday Peter Amafiniowei Orubebe the immediate past Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry whose personal commitment to the development of the Niger Delta Region ensured that the East – West road a project that was established to be abandoned as the initiators had no plans to complete the project is now about 70 percent complete.

He is not an Accidental Public Servant; he has the Blueprint to build a truly United, Developed, Peaceful and Prosperous Delta State. He said recently "His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan our Governor started very well, he will finish strong and am poised to take over from him strong" Won't you Join him in this Crusade?