Back in his university days when young Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi exhibited uncommon leadership traits, as President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) little was it known that another visionary leader, astute politician, hyper achiever and one who walks the talk had been unveiled.
Having completed his National Service (NYSC), Chibuike demonstrated clear interest in politics, serving as the Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention in Ikwere Local Government.
Like other great men of vision, he towed the part of humility while working with Pamo Clinics and Hospitals Limited, a private medical facility owned by the then Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, where worked until 1992.
Incidentally, that association with Dr Odili became the spring board for his introduction to the political scene, culminating in his prestigious appointment as Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor. That launched him on the highway to greater political exploits. Peter Odili became his mentor. Rotimi worked side by side with Dr Odili even as he became a member of the Board of West Africa Glass industry and Risonpalm Nigeria Limited.
Rise in political arena
During the regime of Nigeria’s Military Junta, General Sani Abachan, Amaechi became Rivers State’s Secretary of the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) caretaker committee, in 1996. He was an honourable member of the River State House of Assembly in 1999.
Subsequently, he grew in stature in the political terrain of Rivers State and eventually rose to become the Speaker of the House; and served two tenures in that capacity, from 1999-2007.
However, his relationship with Dr. Odili went sour. He fought relentlessly and succeeded Dr Odili as Governor of River State, on October 26, 2007, under the People’s Democratic Party He was re-elected in 2011 for a second tenure under the same party.
During his maiden address to the people of the Rivers State on October 27, 2007, His Excellency, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi revealed that the trust of his government would be hinged on socio-economic strategy specifically on security of life and property, fiscal discipline, investment in education, healthcare, power generation, road construction, agriculture, and human capacity development, At that time, Rivers State was on the brink of anarchy, due to the activities of marauding militia groups disguised as Niger Delta militants. Knowing that it would be challenging to undertake any meaningful developmental projects under the prevailing climate of fear, he took cognisance of the fact that the prevailing situation had forced several multinationals and individual out of the state; and vowed to restore law and order.
Invariably, Rotimi’s resolve to restore order got the support of the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua. As a result, a major military offensive, which was lunched in December 2007, in Okrika dislogded the menacing members of the Niger Delta Vigilante led by Ateke Tom and others across the state. Rotimi’s zero tolerance policy against brigandage and banditry provided necessary support to security agencies in the areas of logistics, equipment as well as training of the police anti terror squad in Israel to enhance their capacity to provide security for residents. Similarly, his patriotic collaboration with the late President Yar’Adua’s administration facilitated the granting of amnesty to the militants whose activities claimed several lives and destabilised the state, in 2009, Having restored law and order in the once security deteriorated state, Rotimi turned full attention to providing social amenities and concentrated on the provision of dividends of democracy to the people of River State.
Paradise of Service
His Excellence Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s reign at the “Brick House,” as the Rivers State Government House is fondly called, left to his credit envious signature projects and initiatives. Political analyst told our correspondents that Amaechi turned the entire state into a massive construction site, adding that he attached dual importance to completing uncompleted projects which were initiated by his predecessors a just as he wasted no time in delivering his administration’s projects and programmes with great speed. One Chief Biribo in Ogoloma enthusiastically stated that no Local Government Councils in Revers State was exempted, rather all benefited from the exemplary infrastructural projects of the Amaechi administration.
Some of the projects include the Dualization of Oginigba – Slaughter Road Project which came with underground drainage systems, the dual carriage Ada George Road [From Nkpolu Orowurukwu (Mile 3) to Location junction Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt, the Obiri Ikwerre Interchange at the Obiri Ikwerre junction along East-West Road Port Harcourt, ans the completion of the Eleme Junction Interchange. Others are the dual carriage Elekahia-Rumumasi Road, reconstruction and Dualization of Air Force – Eliozu-Rukpokwu Road in PortHarourt, constructions of Cohisa Bye-pass/Civil Defence Road in Ahoada Town, Hospital Road/Odiemerenyi Bye-pass road with adjourning streets at Ahoada Town, Ahoada Internal Roads in Ahoada Town, the ualization of Omagwa-Elele-Omerelu (Rivers/Imo state boundary) road, dualization of Ikwerre Road (Education to Agip Junction) and Completion of Agip junction Flyover, and the construction of the 40,000-Capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and Sports Centre at the Greater Port Harcourt City. But that is not all. Amaechi also gave impetus to agriculture, human capital development, job creation/employment and promotion of culture and tourism that led to a massive boost of the states economy and attracting investments to the state at that time.
On the agricultural sector, the silent achiever left an indelible mark on the sand of time. According to some analysts who spoke to our correspondent, Amaechi laid a solid foundation for agricultural revolution in the state. One of his signature projects is the establishment of the famous Songhai farms in Bunu Tai. The project served as a nursery, crops and livestock production facility as well as a research centre aimed at ensuring food security not only for Rivers State but for the country at large. Other major agricultural projects are the Buguma Fish Farm, Ubima Fish Farm, Banana farm, Resuscitation of Risonpalm Oil Palm Estate and concession to SIAT.
Invariably, Amaechi gave a pride of place to provision of befitting health facilities for the benefit the people of Rivers State. Among which is the construction of Kelsey Harrison Specialist Hospital Mile One Diobu, the Dental/Maxillo-Facial (Mother and Child Hospital) Garrison and over 300 Model Primary Health Care Centre all over Rivers State. Amaechi warmed his way into the hearts of the people when he employment of over 400 Doctors and posting of at least one doctor to each of the primary health care. centre in the state.
On education sector, he broke another record as the only public officer to employ over 13,200 teachers; being the highest number ever undertaken at once by any state or federal government before that era. He also awarded over 4000 foreign scholarships to deserving Rivers State Residents through the Rivers State Sustainable development Agency and the Rivers State Scholarship Board.
In addition, he built over 500 model primary schools equipped with ICT labs, Solar power, sports facilities and well furnished Assembly halls around the 23 LGAs of Rivers State.
That single fit attracted a special award from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as the best state investing in basic education. The schools were declared free for all pupils, while school uniforms and Textbooks where also provided free of charge. Amaechi also took over the payment of salaries of primary school teachers from the local governments councils to ease their financial burden.
He also undertook the construction of several Model Secondary Schools in the state such as the NNE KRUGBO Model Secondary school Eleme, The model secondary school at Sakpenwa Tai (now used as a facility for the Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic), similar facilities were built at Etche, Degema and other parts of Rivers State. On the sport arena, Amaechi built the 40,000-Capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and Sports Centre at the Greater Port Harourt City. Subsequently, he hosted the 17th National Sports Festival tagged “Garden City Games” 201, which is acclaimed to be the most glamorous Nigerian National Sports Festival. There are of course other public utilities that are credited to Amaechi’s enviable numbers of achievements such ad the construction of the ultra modern OBI WALI CONFERENCE CENTRE. He successfully the Hosted the Rivers State Cultural Festival known as “CARNIRIV” an annual cultural festival that has put Port Harcourt and Rivers State In the nations cultural map. Propelled by his political sagacity, Amaechi,a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection earned him an appointment as the Director-General of Presidential Buhari’s Campaign Organisation. With the victory of Buhari in the 2015 election, Amaechi was rewarded his recent position as the Federal Minister of Transport, where has replicated a paradise of service in the multifaceted ministry. His achievements is applauded both by lovers and haters of Buhari’s government. Little wonder, one of the National Dailies, This day newspaper decorated him with award of “MINISTER OF THE DECADE.” Arguably the Minister of the present dispensation in Nigeria, Amaechi has become the POSTER BOY OF THE BUHARI GOVERNMENT” Amaechi is no doubt one of Nigeria’s prominent political personalities. Consequently, he was conferred with one of the highest national title, the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
His Midas Touch has manifested in his Rail transformation master plan. His enthusiasm for maritime security has resulted in lower crime rates in the Gulf of Guinea and his legendary project supervision has severally ensured prompt and quality delivery of projects.
As 2023 approaches, political analysts and pundits are speculating what his next move will be. For a leader known for his humility, simplicity and sense of service, he is keeping everyone guessing but it’s only a matter of time before he lays his cards on the national table.