“A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.” Matthew 13:57.
The Biblical passage is normally consoling for political leaders because it is rare for them to be honoured by their people. Even those who are not doing well or assisting their people for them to be so recognized easily quote the passage, using it to justify why they were not honoured.
One man whose love for humanity is evident across the political, religious and ethnic divides is the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA. Since leaving the civil service where he held several positions as an Accountant, Lecturer, Bursar, as well as a banker, to delve into the political space, his activities have made several persons, especially, the technocrats, to have a different perception about politics; with him, some of them no longer see politics as dirty.
The great philosopher, Plato, in his book, The Republic, wrote “The fate of good men who refuse to become involved in politics is to be ruled by evil men.” The 18th Century British statesman, Edmund Burke, also echoed the same thought when he wrote in his ‘Thoughts on the Cause of Present Discontents’, “All that is necessary for the forces of evil to triumph is for enough good men to do nothing.”
Also, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the 26th President of the United States of America, put it more elaborately and explicitly in his April 23, 1910 speech at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, titled ‘Citizenship in a Republic’. He said, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Working in several places at different times, and having several significant investments in agriculture, the hospitality industry and the education sector, among numerous others, many people believe that Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, has a financial war chest, hence is financially comfortable and venturing into politics may be his last interest. Yes! Sir Monday Onyeme cannot be grouped with those who joined politics because of money; he could not have also joined politics to get contact or the pecks of office. Yours sincerely can comfortably say that he joined politics to make a statement – politics is not dirty, it is the individuals who are dirty because good men refused to join politics.
Sir Onyeme was a renowned philanthropist long before venturing into politics in 2015 when he was made the Chairman, Delta State Revenue Service; he was sponsoring educational activities and awarding scholarships to exceptional and indigent students but one jinx that he broke with his coming into politics was repositioning Ndokwa ethnic nationality in the Nigeria political space. Since the Mid-Western Region, Bendel State and now Delta State, the Ndokwas had always contested for the governorship position in every election but that position had always eluded them; they were not even considered for Deputy Governor’s slot because the area is so rich in oil and gas and it was like it was well arranged situation for them not to have a voice politically for the area to remain marginalized. Most times, people who think only about themselves and how to protect the interests of their “masters” who are not from the area were thrown up politically for the area to remain marginalised. It is unfortunate that, to this day, most of the roads in the area are not motorable; they are not even graded, not to talk of tarring. Electricity supply to the people is a luxury; yet, the area generates the electricity that powers the Presidential Villa in far away Abuja, among others. Ironically, electricity is one of the many amenities that are lacking in the area.
So, the people of the area are grateful to God and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the emergence of Sir Onyeme as the Deputy Governor of Delta State, the first person from the area to be so close to government at the level of the state He is a trail blazer and his emergence as the Deputy Governor has started yielding fruits, naturally because, he would not compromise for amenities that are meant for the area to be diverted to other places.
Though, detribalized because of his exposure as someone who was brought up in the North where he had his primary and secondary education, schooled in Calabar and went back to North to work before moving to Lagos, the United States of America and other places, Sir Onyeme sees Nigeria as his constituency but that would not make him comprom such that what is meant for his people, the people of Ndokwa, would elude them; he is courageous, tactical and diplomatic in ensuring that the desired results are achieved at all times.
In some quarters, he is described as the man who achieves results without making noise; succinctly put, he is result-oriented.
So, it did not come as a surprise when the people of Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, a twin community to Onicha-Ukwuani where he hails from, honoured him with the Obuzor chieftaincy title. Obuzor, which literarily means, the first, leader, among others, was made popular as a title by the Obuzor of Ibusa, HRM Obi Prof Louis Nwoboshi. As such, Sir Onyeme is the second known person to bear that highly respected title.
More importantly too is the fact that he is respected and accepted by his people, evidently proving that in rare cases, a prophet can be honoured at home.
Chief Chuks Nzei, President of Utagba-Uno Legacy Forum (ULF) during the grand reception held for Onyeme where the Obuzor title was conferred on him, gave reasons for the occasion which took place on December 28, 2024 at Utagba-Uno.
Inter alia, h said, “we are excited because this is the first time in recent history, that we are producing such a high profile official of Government as the Deputy Governor. We can only say ‘thank you, God Almighty, and our amiable Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for finding Sir Monday Onyeme, (FCA), worthy of the position.
“We know you based your government on the four cardinal principles of Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security otherwise known as the “MORE” agenda. To this we believe our people will fit in properly and adequately to achieve.
“We note with gratitude that your government has embarked on the construction of the next phase of Utagba-Uno Ndemili Road. It is a thing of immense happiness to our community because we are not left bare after all. This project has been in the plan of the government for decades. Our clan is one of the largest in the state but suffers unimaginable neglect and deprivation. We, therefore, use this opportunity to draw your attention to many other areas of our pressing needs like Utagba-Uno/Olieogo road, Utagba-Uno/Etua road and Utagba-Uno/Ikilibi road.
“Recently our communities have been exposed to attacks by kidnapping activities and deadly banditry. We, therefore, appeal for more security presence in our large clan as highlighted in your “Enhanced Peace and Security” of your MORE agenda. Our vigilante groups are working very well but require support to do more. “The two Police posts in Utagba-Uno and Ndemili need to be upgraded, equipped and supported. Your Excellency, our primary and secondary schools are in a bad state of disrepair. They need immediate renovation and qualified teachers.
“Your Excellency, while thanking you for the much you have done, we are using this opportunity to inform you that we have many qualified young men and women that can be appointed to achieve your MORE agenda.”
With Onyeme as Deputy Governor, there is no doubt that such important link roads in the area, such as Ugiliama/Ossissa road, Ugiliamai/Obikwele road, Amorji/Edeli Farm road, Ogume/Abbi road, Abala road, among others, will also get the attention of government and its agencies.
With the construction of Ndemili/Utagba-Uno road and Utagba-Uno road, no doubt, the area will witness socio-economic activities which buttress the need for a police station, standard government hospital, among other amenities to be sited in the area.
The occasion, the member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi bagged the title of Egba Oma of Utagba-Uno, Chief (Sir) Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, the Commissioner for Finance was conferred with Dike Na So Osa ; Chief Festus Ochonogor, the Managing Director and Chief Executive (MD/CEO) of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) was also recognized with Ochiligwe Onyeudo title, Chief (Hon). Samuel Osumili Osasa (Esq.), the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Security Trust Fund (DSSTF) bagged Omenosa title, Chief Tony Amechi, Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State (Milinezueniosa) and Madam (Comrade) Florence Omoni Johnson, the Chairperson of Delta State Institute of Continuing Education was conferred with Nwanefulu Obodo chieftaincy title in recognition of what they are using their positions in government to do for Utagba-Uno in particular and humanity.
Chief Nzei said, “Your Excellency, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, we thank you for finding our people worthy to be appointed into your cabinet; we can assure you that you have appointed from our “first eleven” those who are by all standards, the brightest and most competent and who have made their marks in their different callings with integrity, commitment and decency.
“To my brothers and sister elected and appointed into the government of Oborevwori in Delta State, while congratulating you, let me remind you that it is said that ‘to whom much is given, much will be expected.’ God has endowed you with talents, knowledge and good health, you are expected to deliver the best to the people of Ndokwa Nation, Delta State, Nigeria and humanity at large. We shall continue to support you with prayers.
“Utagba-Uno and Onicha-Ukwuani are peace-loving clans. We cannot do otherwise, especially now that we are involved in your government. All our Okpala-Ukus, Inotus and top ranking Chiefs join in welcoming you and your entourage to Utagba-Uno and Onicha-Ukwuani.”
Governor Oborevwori was represented at the occasion by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo.
Speaking at the occasion, Sir Onyeme said, “I am deeply hono ured to be standing here today as the Deputy Governor of Delta State. I will say that my position was made possible by God and from the addresses read at this occasion, this is a new dawn for our people, the Ndokwa people and Deltans in general.
“I cannot express how much this reception means to me and, of course, to all of us who are honoured at this special occasion. The government of Delta State belongs to us, so, we have to work hard to ensure that it succeeds because, the success of the MORE Agenda translates to our success story.
“Within just one year and some months, we can feel the impact of this government on our people as you have enumerated some of our achievements in your addresses – roads have been constructed, some are still under construction, a lot of people have been appointed into different positions in government, a lot of persons have benefitted from the empowerment programmes of this administration, among several other achievements.
“I want to assure you that your requests as enumerated in your addresses would be looked into as they are genuine demands expected in a democracy.
“Events of today, will certainly remain indelible in our minds and it will challenge us to do more for Deltans and humanity.”
Some of those who spoke at the occasion include Brigadier-General Mike Ndubisi (rtd), President-General, Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), the Onotu-Uku of Utagba-Uno, Rear Admiral Mike Onah (rtd) thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for appointing Ndokwa sons and daughters into different positions in government.
It was indeed a great honour for the Deputy Governor to be recognized by his people, just a few months to his 60th birthday anniversary and the people of Utagba-Uno deserve accolades for doing the right thing, encouraging those who are succeeding to inspire others to bring out their best.
The Nigeria political scene is improving and if people who have the mindset to serve the people are elected or appointed into political positions, more people will see politics not as dirty but an avenue to serve God by serving humanity.
Certainly, with Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, in the saddle of leadership of Delta State, the state is in safe hands.
God bless Delta State!
The author, Fidelis Egugbo, is the Senior Special Assistant, Media to the Governor of Delta State
