Former Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Osima Ginah will unveil a new book titled, “The Audacity and Inscrutability of Barr. Osima Ginah”.
A statement by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said the event will take place on Sunday, January 5, 2024, at the prestigious L.A. Kings Event Centre, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt, commencing at 2 PM.
To give a little glimpse of the contents of the historical book, Eze unmasks a portion of the literary piece in an excerpt culled from chapter Six subsection ten which beams light on the subject “Osima Ginah’s Strides in Development”
He also x-rayed Ginah’s experiences with his two major Principals who were former Governors of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Barr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Chief Nyesom Wike.
Excerpts
Osima Ginah’s Strides in Development
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a seasoned philosopher, says, It is the duty of youth to bring its fresh power to bear on social progress. Each generation of young people should be to the world like a vast reserve force to a tried army.
They should lift the world forward. That is what they are for. In compliance with this postulation, many people in this generation have made numerous sacrifices towards the enhancement of the society.
Some of the people indulged in the provision of social amenities while other engaged themselves in empowerment programmes and peacemaking, which is one of the essential tools for development in any given society. It is no doubt, however, that Barr. Osima Ginah falls in this category of people. He has through his developmental agenda touched many lives in his community and society at large.
Barr. Osima Ginah, knowing the importance of empowerment programme in a community, chose not to do away with it.
He has indulged in Human Capacity Building (HCB) which is one of the numerous ways of empowerment, and has through this, helped many people, especially the youths who are not privileged to engage in any meaningful activity for the sake of surviving the current economic harsh weather. He aims at making a number of the youths in Angulama, in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, contribute positively to productive economic activities, which will in turn, enhance their living standard.
Helper 1967, stipulated that “Capacity building is like an industrial processing, which converts basic ores and raw materials into useful tools through moulding, tempering, shaping and sharpening them for some ultimate purpose”. This belief, however, shows that the character and potentials of human beings will remain inactive like other factors of production, if not trained. They will only become agents of production and economic activities when they are developed through education and training.
To achieve this objective, the then Urban Development Commissioner instituted a scholarship scheme in his Local Government and dedicated his monthly salary to the education of some children and youths of Asari-Toru local government origin at the primary, post-primary and tertiary levels. It was equally gathered that Barr. Ginah did not stop there.
In a bid to encourage other youths in the area, he took the burden of paying the WAEC and GCE fees of those that were interested in writing those examinations. The good gesture was also extended to his Alma mater, Kalabari National College (KNC). That gesture encouraged people to a great extent as those who would not have sat for any of the examinations declared their interests and explored the opportunity to sit for the examination that may lead to their pre-eminence in society in the nearest future.
While commenting on this noble development, Barr. Ginah said: “I decided that I would pay the West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) fees for every person in my community who was ready to write the examination. In one of the years, I paid for 50 persons and for 55 persons in my alma mater, Kalabari National College, Buguma. I believe that it will be a stepping stone for those who want to go a higher education. I also assisted those of my people in various higher institutions by paying their school fees. I did this so that my community and Kalabari Kingdom at large will have more people of my type and those that will be greater than me.”
Continuing, Ginah averred that he wanted to take the opportunity to carry out both infrastructure and human development in Anguluma, stressing that he laid emphasis on human capacity because of its importance in society, as no one would rise to a higher position without being educated. In his words, I see it as an opportunity to develop my community, to develop human capacity and for infrastructural development of my community. I have started because I always tell my people that if they killed one man, they have killed a Commissioner, because the standard in my community, for me, is that everybody is a Commissioner and I come from that community. There is still the opportunity that someone else can be a Commissioner. Since we have achieved that height of Commissioner, I encouraged people who are in the community to start learning because I know that the only thing that can help them to achieve that is when they go to school. Your curriculum vitae will determine what you will be.
Those that are occupying important positions now passed through a process that qualified them for the positions. ”
Barr. Ginah, having embarked on human capacity building, has been marked as of the eminent sons and daughters of the state that hold something meaningful for the people of his community, because developing human being is a very important instrument for development and survival of any economy. It is interesting to note that most people that benefited from the good gesture are those that come from poor families. This has indeed, forced people to describe the gesture as a wise one because one of the most powerful decisions a person can make is to do something for someone who does not have the power or resources to return the favour.
Barr. Osima Ginah’s quest for the execution of empowerment scheme in Angulama and Kalabari kingdom at large could on the other hand, be seen as one major way of solving the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta region. It is a fact because most of the idle youths from the area who would have been lured into sub-mission by the militants that time, were encouraged to enrol in school by Osima Ginah.
It is worthy of note that Barr. Ginah’s programme is in line with that of the then Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who took human empowerment as the first priority of his administration, thereby contributing immensely to the resolution of youths restiveness in the Niger Delta region and Rivers State in particular. The then Governor Amaechi, having discovered that idleness, which Nyefibo (2006) described as devils workshop, is one of the major causes of the problem of militancy that bedevilled the State, hastily embarked on youth and human empowerment programmes and succeeded in engaging a number of the youths in meaningful activities that may not give them the opportunity to take up arms again. So, for Barr. Ginah to also embank on such programme with his little but hard-earned resources simply showed that he really means well for the State and should be encouraged in the interest of the people of the State.
As a progressive-minded fellow, the Kalabari-born politician did not stop there. Ginah has made considerable donations to several other institutions with the aim of improving them to peoples advantage. Recently, he donated media equipment to the palace of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari kingdom, and as well engaged a Press Secretary for the Palace of the Amanyanabo, a development that was described by many as first of its kind in the history of the kingdom. The reason behind this is not farfetched. It is to bridge the gap between the ruler and the governed by bringing information closer to the people of the kingdom and to market the Kingdome to the world and attract goodwill and development. It is pertinent enough to note that once the information gap is bridged, cooperation and proper understanding between the two classes of people will definitely be achieved and this will go a long way in promoting peace and order in the kingdom.
In furtherance, peace, they say, is one of the essential ingredients of development in any society. Any community that lacks peace will invariably lack development. So, for effective development to take place in any community, there must be absolute peace. This could be seen as the reason why Barr. Osima Ginah sponsored a peace rally at Augulama community, which helped to restore peace and conducive atmosphere for developmental projects in the community that was rocked by crisis. It will also be noted that apart from sponsoring the peace rally, Barr. Ginah was instrumental to the resolution of the crisis that erupted as a result of who occupies the position of the King and Chiefs in the Community.
As a youth leader in the Angulama community, he carried out a study on why the area was in crisis and found out that in the history of the Community there was no Chieftaincy institution. It was not known to their tradition because it was introduced there during the administration of late Melford Okilo, the governor of the old Rivers State.
Having discovered the cause of the crisis, Ginah organized the youths of the community and formed a Peace Committee for the resolution of the conflict. He was appointed the Secretary General of the Peace Committee, and at the end, they succeeded in restoring peace in the Community. This singular effort, to a large extent, has brought development to the Community, as the people now speak with one voice and pursue their common interests collectively.
Confirming Barr. Osima Ginah’s role in the resolution of the crisis in Angulama Community, a source from the area said; “The Kalabari Kingdom, just like others in Rivers State, is a kingdom that is bedevilled by numerous problems including the kingship and chieftaincy tussles in the various communities with factions claiming that they are the right people to the throne. In this regard, several moves were initiated and executed in other to actualise their dreams. There were several litigations instituted by the different factions to enforce their demands for the titles. Hon. Ginah was also one of the front banners of those agitating for the kingship of Angulama and made immeasurable contributions towards it. The kingship struggle became so intensified that it degenerated to what could be described as a mini war between two factions at one stage. That was capable of tearing the entire community apart.
Today, having realised the importance of majority rule in a democratic society, his people were told that there was no need for factions. This has since brought everybody together.
Hon. Barr. Osima Ginah is a peace-loving gentleman who never subscribes to violence, but prefers to adopt dialogue to press home his demand. He believes that with dialogue, there is nothing one cannot achieve. He had initiated moves to reconcile all aggrieved parties in the Kalabari kingdom with a peace rally at Angulama, which later gave birth to the grand Kalabari Peace Rally in order to ensure rapid development both in Angulama Community, the Central Group, and Kalabari in general.
Again, when the communal clash between Krakrama and Minama communities erupted years back, Barr. Osima Ginah was among the personalities in the area who felt disturbed, aware of the negative impact it would have on the affected areas, and even beyond. To him, it would affect development, claim lives, and as well lead to the destruction of already acquired wealth. To arrest the ugly situation in the interest of the future generation, the Kalabari-born legal practitioner personally visited the turbulent Krakrama community at the wake of the disturbances. He did not only paid the visit but also organized and hosted peace meetings and instituted a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to forestall further crisis. The crisis came to an end and peace was restored.
It is, however, quite unarguable that without the quick intervention of the government of Rivers State at that time and that of some personalities in the state, including Barr. Osima Ginah, the problem would have degenerated.
Interestingly, Barr. Ginahs philanthropic gesture has been extended to various religious institutions in the state. As a devoted Christian who appreciates Gods blessings in his life, he has funded several church projects. He was said to have built the pastors residence at Angulama and at various times donated musical equipment, electricity generating plants worth millions of naira for churches in Rivers State, and has as well supported religious crusades.
For emphasis, Barr. Osima Ginah stands out as one of the very few that served the most opposing political camps in Rivers State but yet maintain very close relationship with the two political camps.
Hon. (Barr.) Osima Ginah, while in government, distinguished himself in the realm of public service as a versatile political leader and an accomplished lawyer, who made a profound impact in both fields. As a politician, Barr. Ginah has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the public interest, while championing causes that promote social justice, equality, and economic growth in Rivers State and Nigeria, in general. With a deep understanding of governance and great managerial acumen, having served in various capacities as a Commissioner, Ginah successfully navigated the complexities of policy-making, earning a reputation as a shrewd strategist, proactive, visionary and effective leader.
As a lawyer cum politician, Barr. Ginah, while serving at different times in the administrations of former governors, Chibuike Amaechi and Nyesom Wike, leveraged on his expertise to make informed policy decisions with legal acumen to advocate for legislative reforms that promote justice and equality. This synergy has earned him the respect of peers and constituents alike, solidifying his position as a trusted leader and champion of the people.
Through a remarkable career in the Rivers State Executive Council, Barr. Ginah has exemplified the highest standards of integrity, compassion, and intellect. As a Cabinet member in the administrations of Amaechi and Wike, Barr. Ginah has inspired future generations of public servants, demonstrating that with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to justice, one individual can make a profound difference in shaping a better society. Under both administrations, Ginah was capable of taking decisions and working for the betterment of Rivers State. When it comes to Rivers politics, Ginah is said to be active having worked at State Executive Council, Judicial Service Commission, and Civil Service Commission. On why he has been given appointments at one time or the other, Ginah is of firm belief that for anyone who has opportunity to serve, let the government that you are serving feel your impact as somebody that should be trusted, who has integrity, and somebody who has what it takes to man that office that has been given to him. As a pioneer Commissioner at the Ministry of Urban Development, Ginah admitted there were a lot of challenges but with patience, he saw the need to explain his policies and programmes to the understanding of the public. To actualise his mission, he engaged the populace, made them understand to key into the policies and aspirations of government. For Ginah, the catchwords to his success in politics and governance are focus, and determination; not forgetting the possibility of stepping on toes. He always does the right thing, very conscientious, never allows his decisions to be politically motivated, safe for principle, rules and regulations and the law of the land. Once you do all these, government at all times, he said, will need your service.
That is why at any time government comes and goes, they need my services because they know that I will be sincere, focussed, and will be determined to do my job in the right way. And there is no task that is given to me that is too difficult to achieve” Ginah said.
Barr. Ginah recounts his experiences while serving the two former governors and evaluated it as exemplary, memorable, and exceptional. Serving in the administration of Chibuike Amaechi, as a pioneer Commissioner in the Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban Development was Ginah’s first time in the Rivers State Executive Council. With the permission of the State Executive Council and Governor Amaechi, Ginah initiated and got the principles, the rules and regulations guiding urban renewal, and development control. As a governor that had clear focus and vision on what he wanted to achieve in the Ministry, Amaechi allowed Ginah a freehand to work, and he did. He describes Governor Amaechi as “an administrator per excellence” for the period he worked with him in his first tenure. Nevertheless, Ginah recalls that Wike, as Chief of Staff, rightly understudied Governor Amaechi. Having seen and known Ginah as a workaholic, a loyal, tested, and trusted politician, when Wike became governor, he called back Ginah to work with him in the State Executive Council. Under Amaechi’s government, Ginah saw the need to propose an entirely new legal framework that would guide the Ministry of Urban Development conduct it activities. Ginah took the steps, but wasn’t able to achieve that before he left. But on returning in the second tenure he discussed the matter with the then governor, Wike, who probably being a lawyer, understood the need to have a legal framework to back the activities of the Ministry of Urban Development. Being a very resilient and visionary man, Ginah worked hard to get an entirely legal framework that would back the Ministry. The House of Assembly in 2020 passed that bill into law. Unfortunately, it was not signed into law by Wike before he moved Ginah to Ministry of Transport. Under the Wike administration, the Urban Ministry did few urban renewal regulations and few cleanups but not as much as what was done during the Chibuike Amaechi time. While Amaechi’s focus was on the demolition, compensation, and development of waterfront, Wike’s major issue was on enacting a new legal framework for the Ministry. “His Excellency Nyesom Wike had his own focus too, but I can say that both former Governors are administrators, and achieved their own as good governors” Ginah said.
Ginah while serving as a Commissioner commanded a great personality that made his bosses to so much believe and listen to him. This played out when the Trans-Kalabari Road project was first conceived over 20 years ago. It was only when Governor Nyesom Wike came that the Kalabari people agitated, but it got to a point, the governor wanted the section of the road that he could execute; start, complete, and commission before he would leave office. As a result of Ginah’s closeness to Wike at that time, he suggested that his area in the central group area with six communities, which would take less than three years to complete be considered. Wike listened, the project began where Ginah advised and was completed before Wike left office.
Former Governor Amaechi also accorded much recognition to Ginah, which helped in building his political standard. Ginah worked very closely with Amaechi to the extent that he was called “first son” of the governor. “When you have reasonable ideas, Amaechi listens to you. If you are able to convince him he goes with it and he monitors. He also gives his backing to see that you achieved your aim” Ginah said. But as a man of principle, in 2013, Ginah left the camp of Amaechi when he saw that his opinions and suggestions were not taken any longer. There is no gainsaying the fact that Ginah was closer to Wike than Amaechi because he knew Wike back then in school at the Faculty of Law, while he knew Amaechi only when they came into government. “So, Wike and I already had relationship. When I came into government, in the first instance, I was not in cabinet but he listened and in some cases he would want us to discuss feedback about him. He will weigh the feedback I got for him, and use it” Ginah stressed. It was that closeness that made Ginah to get that part of Trans-Kalabari Road project executed (at the first phase). So, if you give Wike useful advice and you were able to convince him, he will take your advice. He has his own focus and you must understand what he intends to achieve. My being with Wike influenced the starting and completion of the Trans-Kalabari Road from the central area” Ginah revealed.
That is the difference between two of them. I was close to Wike than Amaechi, even though in the first tenure when I came in, Amaechi being the governor, I was close to him. But when I left, I become closer to Wike than the way I was to Amaechi because we travelled together, ate together, discussed together”, he added.
Yet, to Ginah, he learnt from Amaechi to be open-minded, but easier to work with Wike. To Ginah, both Amaechi and Wike have human feelings. To him, they have their own bad sides, sometimes they could be angry. “Wike’s anger does not last long but Amaechi can carry over his anger till the next day. Amaechi has this ‘I am the boss you are the servant’ attitude, while Wike has this ‘We are working together but know that I supervise you’ attitude. Ginah explained that the boss style worked for Amaechi just as Wike’s “we style” worked for him with his friends, and few of his colleagues. “Working with both in the state executive council, all of them exerted authorities. Sometimes Amaechi would not shout at you but Wike would shout to see whether you would move from your position. They both influenced my political style today”, Ginah disclosed.
In chapter 17.05, Barr Osima Ginah exposes his thought on Amaechi and Wike
On Amaechi and Wike – My Thought
“I learnt from Amaechi style, he has some open mind to work with. But sometimes you may not predict him as a person but if you do the right thing he will go with you but if you do the wrong thing he will withdraw. I learnt from it my first time I worked with him in his first tenure. He gave me the enablement to work; he sold me in the public. On the part of Wike, we are all lawyers so it is easy for us to understand the language of the law. Nyesom Wike will always ask you where its backed by the law, is it any regulations or provisions in the law? Once you say so, he agrees but when not satisfied he waves it away. But it is easy to work with Wike, although haven understudied Amaechi after he went to the federal and became a Minister that also influenced me because I understudied both of them on how decisions were taken. Both of them have human feelings, they have their own bad sides, sometimes they could be angry. Wike’s anger does not last long but Amaechi can carry over his anger till the next day. Amaechi has this ‘I am the boss you are the servant’, while Wike has this ‘We are working together but know that I supervise you’. He doesn’t create the issue of the boss. Now working with both of them has their own styles, that the boss style worked for Amaechi because he worked with most of his friends and the only way he could command respect is the boss-style. Wike also worked with his friends, few were his colleagues. We came in with our wealth of experience, its business like and once this is done, Wike will also create opportunity to be friendly so that you can leave whatever that had happened between Governor and Commissioner and then you come back.
“What I learned from Amaechi is that when you want to take him for granted, he will make you understand that he is the Governor. At any such time, you see the boss nature in him. The same thing with Wike; he has the attitude that if you want to cross him from achieving a particular target, you are no longer his friend. Just ensure that you work towards achieving it, then you can come back to become his friend. Always, he will be the first to attack to actually see if you meant what you are saying. Working with both in the state Executive Council, all of them exact authorities. Sometimes Amaechi will not shout at you but Wike will shout to see if you will move from your position. They both influenced my political style today.
“At the Ministry of Transport, I also saw the need to put in place some legal framework which I was working before I left. The drafts were there. Transport is like a market place where everybody that goes there is feasting on it, and so we tried to do a one-stop-shot where it is only those who are qualified by law that can have dealings with the Ministry. We developed a system where collection of transport related fees can be done online, then you can stay in the comfort of your home and the car where it is, you can pay for your transportation at convenience without leaving your house.
” From your phone you can pay levies and the money will not go into private pockets again and the governor from where he is can check and know how the money is being paid. As I said every government has its focus that was not in the priority of the government as at that time, because that did not see the light of the day. Some were unable to achieve that but the framework was done and is in the archive. Building of recreational centres and park we could not achieve even though we put all that were needed in place. Basically, the road map for transportation sector was set by me and that is what others are following now.
“It was said; charity begins at home, and as a public servant we should also grab the opportunity to attract development to our area. So, as a great son of Kalabari which project did you attract to the area that you are proud of as a Commissioner.
“As a member of the State Executive Council, first, you are not the Chief Executive, you can only suggest and if it is what the Chief Executive wants to achieve, he will take it up and then do it. Now, when you look at the Kalabari areas, then our main concern was the Trans-Kalabari Road even during Amaechi time. Amaechi wanted to link every community; that was his policy with roads and electricity. And so, we were asked to submit, I came from Asari Toru, and in the LGA, the road we submitted myself and late Dr Doris Fisher were members of the cabinet before later she left and Dr Dawari George came in. Is the Telma-Ifoko Road and Sama-Oproma Road. Those roads were not done. Telma-Ifoko Road was awarded but it was not funded. So, there were no major things that were done, except that I say peace is major thing I can say I achieved. This is because there were times when there were crises in communities, houses were burnt, Krakrama, Minama, human beings were killed. And so, people started running, militants were ravaging these communities. So as a Commissioner that came from the area I moved to meet with the people. I went to see things by myself, set up peace committee. It took us time and money but we were able to restore peace. I can say it is a very big achievement.
“I reached out to my people. In my area, there are poor families I built houses for. I trained indigent students. I paid students school fees, as the need arose. I renovated houses for people. Uptill now I am still paying school fees for people within the Kalabari area and outside the Kalabari area. I am one man that doesn’t advertise what he did but people know that I am a last resort. When you come to me for what I know I have resources to attend, I won’t waste time (not considering your identity), I will do it. I know that in the process God has used me to send some persons to abroad.
“Tomorrow when these children graduate, they will know you are part of their educational development and growth. I have not also stopped paying WAEC (West African Examinations Council) and JAMB (Joint Admission and Matriculation Board) fees for students. And because of that I am very close to the people, both the old, young, chiefs and elders. I was able to reach out to them.
“In government, because I advertised my local community Angulama, greater number of them call me Angulama. If they don’t call me demolition man they call me Angulama, because back then working with Amaechi, Angulama was like a passport to enter Government House. It is in that way they also come to know that there is a community called Angulama and there is no road. And they asked me how I go to the community, I said when I get to a particular point I travelled by the boat. So, in 2009, my community organised a reception for me and the State was moved to Angulama and they saw the difficulty to the community. I think it is one of those things that influenced Wike to agree to construct a road down to Angulama and move people out, so you don’t just go and start showing them your car key, but you can also drive in.
“It is an achievement, and actually it was what my people needed because I know before I came into government, severally we had written letters to government on that road. So, when I found myself in government, I decided to pursue the dream:”.
