Since I ventured into public commentaries – thanks to the encouragement of our own Uncle Sam and the Vanguard editors, I have refrained from issues concerning individual politicians.

I have always believed that they are the same irrespective of the parties they belong; you are a conservative when you are in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and a progressive when you cross to the other side. Also because of the way politicians have dealt with our own Delta State, nay Nigeria, I have been put off from their activities.

My opinion, however, changed when I met a gentleman on the weekend of November 21, 2014. On this bright sunny Friday afternoon, I  met Chief Peter Eseloka Okocha at his expansive Ikoyi office. I have chosen to publish my encounter with him as my contribution towards finding a viable leadership for our own Delta State and I leave posterity to be the judge.

A one hour face-to-face chat with him convinced me that he is the man Delta State needs. His thrust is to bring business into politics, to make government profitable, using all of his experience as a very successful business entrepreneur to bring this to fruition. He is not noisy, not arrogant but packs a lot of stuff that will benefit the state.

His pan-Nigerian and international background will benefit a multi-ethnic, diversified Delta State, the type to bring peace to all; no faction, no godfatherism, no cronyism but God Almighty for all.

A state that prides itself of the best in liquid minerals, solid minerals and human resources must have a capable hand to manage these resources. It has not been so obvious as now, that the country’s oil revenue has nose-dived and value of the Naira battered to the point of embarrassment. There is a strong need to get businesses working, create enabling environment and put infrastructures in place to drive all of these. That is the value Chief Okocha brings into the gubernatorial race.

Deltans have very intelligent and capable persons; we must begin to use our intelligence for the overall benefit of all; we must say never again to a mediocre personality to run the affairs of the state; with the huge resources available, Deltans deserve more.

What we require now is a man whose performance speaks for him, who has been tested in several ways in the business world and came out tops; who by virtue of his birth and upbringing paints a pan-Nigerian picture that will work very much to the advantage of the state if he is given a shot at the guber seat of Delta State.

Chief Okocha was born in the North, did his secondary schooling in the South and acquired multiple degrees from various universities in the United States of America. He is an embodiment of a self- made. At age 14, he had lost both of his parents and at the time Ogbemudia was governor of then Bendel State, with EK Clark as education commissioner, he got scholarship to complete his secondary education. After a brief stint at work, he travelled to the US for further education.

He came back to Nigeria in 1981 to undergo the compulsory NYSC programme and in 1982, he set up Chrismatel, which is one of the biggest indigenous shipping companies in Nigeria. His shipping company presently occupies two terminals, which provides job for over 7000 workers. In the course of business advancement, he set up Sadiq Petroleum, named after his third son and built the largest pharmaceutical company in Delta at his home town Ibusa, named dispharm. He has tarred roads, sunk boreholes in several communities and awarded scholarship to many, through his Peter Okocha Foundation, POF.

He has built a very successful home as his marriage to an American produced children who are all doing very well. He wants to help make Delta State livable for everyone so that when it comes to choice, his children – who also carry American passports – will choose to remain in Nigeria.

Chief Okocha(OON), is charming, articulate and intelligent; he seems to have the right answers to the multiple challenges facing Delta State. He craves for a pan-Delta, where every community will be factored in. He said he will commit himself to completing all on-going projects of the present government, especially the vast road networks, and ensure that education will be absolutely free because of his own experience. Apart from that, it is also his intention to establish technical colleges, and revive and restore the old Sapele Technical College to its glory days as wellas improve on our teachers training colleges.

He remembers, with nostalgia, the glory days of St. Thomas Teachers College, Ibusa as the best teachers college, and want to bring back that era, while bringing the Eku Hospital to the height of a teaching hospital. Even the interest of those not interested in attending university, will be factored in: the fisherman will not live a less quality of life to the professor’s and the professors will be respected as professors.

The oil producing communities hold a special place in his heart, as he believes that they deserve full compensation for the ravages done to their land. He will give a truly international bearing to the Asaba International Airport through his business links.

Chief Okocha has not worked for anybody since he graduated from the university; rather, he has created jobs for multitudes through his businesses and connections. He does not believe in money journalism and politics but on what values he will bring to Delta State governance. He is the man that will help build Delta State.

This is not the first time he is offering his service to the people of Delta State. According to him: “I did offer to help rescue the situation in my state but the people turned it down.”

Deltans must really consider this man for the job; it will be to the advantage of all.

Mr. Sunny Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.