By Chidi W Nwachukwu

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce is unarguably one of the most respected serving Senators in Nigeria today. As a successful Entrepreneur with welfarist ideology and love for Country, he came with one mission; To take Nigeria out of the woods into a more creative and productive Country. And he seems to be in hurry to achieve this, the Senator currently has close to ten bills aside motions in the National Assembly in less than seven months. These are not just ordinary Bills and motions but very historic ones indeed.

As he would often tell me’’Chidi we need to change this Country, we will not just initiate bills to impress anybody, but historic bills that will change the lives of our people’’. He is known to arrive early at the Red Chambers eagerly awaiting for the business of the day, just as he would demand to get the Notice paper ahead of time.

His Common Sense advocacy which has taken over the airwaves in Nigeria is in line with the senator’s mission to change the Country for good through great ideas, as well as tell the truth to power. As a self made politician he owe little or nothing to political donors and financiers but owes everything to the downtrodden he represents in the Senate. If Ben Bruce was the God of Nigeria he will probably insist that the best be given the job always, including the onerous task of leading the Country, no matter where they came from.

Sen. Bruce

I am almost certain that in a few years from now,most Nigerians especially the youth population and well meaning Nigerians will call for Sen.Ben Bruce to lead this great country out of political and economic quagmire, due to his ingenuity, leadership skills and passion for Nigeria. But most importantly he has become the voice of reason for disenchanted Nigerians,which are in the majority today.

For many, the Senator is ageless. Not a few would agree that the man is already 60 years old, reason being his attitude of associating with the young and youth related events. Many years ago Ben hadstarted promoting beauty pageantry including Miss Nigeria, Miss Universe and various concerts. He was known to have brought prominent pop stars from various parts of the world to Nigeria including the Kool and the Gang, marvingaye, etc. All these are youth related events and it is not difficult to understand why the man continue to be as energetic and creative as the youth.

And for many of us who work closely with him it is difficult to imagine that Ben is not in his forties given his energy for work. If you are going to walk with the distinguished Senator either to the Red Chambers in the Senate or to Committee Meetings, be prepared to literally run after him because he walk with so much speed that if you don’t run you will miss him. And yet for many others who grew up to start watching Miss Nigeria peagent under Ben Bruce arrangement they will be amazed that the man is still only 60. His name has been around for so long.

The Senator has made impacts in the social and economic circle in Nigeria today that he need be commended. The business magnate cum media mogul through his establishment,SilverBirdEntertaimentpromotedNollywood, which is over a billion Naira industry today. He also resuscitated the Cinema culture in Nigeria. He has more than a thousand Nigerians in his payroll and has promoted many actors and musicians, little wonder many had signed to play in his birthday for free.

In a country where businesses fail after five years due to what many describe as poor business environment and lack of integrity for many, Ben Bruce succeeded as he recently marked the 35th Anniversary of Silverbird Entertainment Group. Research has shown that many entertainment outfits that came even after him have all disappeared, and a few others currently in operation are simply laboring to stay in business.

Silverbird is staff friendly, and this is not just out of good ethical business practice but the Chairman’s belief that people shouldn’t suffer while they work. He is a man of immense simplicity, with great value on people. Even in the National Assembly where some of his colleagues are known to throw their weights around always and sometimes making life difficult for their staff, Ben is different, very adjustable, he could storm out of the plenary sometimes, jump into his car and drive himself home without any qualms. He is result oriented. When you do a great job he commends you, and when you do a not so impressive job ,he also tell you and it ends there.He is indeed a great boss to work with.

It may not be so difficult to understand why Sen,Ben Murray-Bruce achieved such a tremendous success in an environment many have written off. First he is the most detribalized Nigerian I have ever met, he believes in what the philosophers describe as the light is stronger than the lamp. If you will deliver he will give you a chance ,it doesn’t matter who you are, or where you came from.He believes in specialization and honest hard work and ready to pay for it. He hates excuses no matter how genuine you may perceive it, with his usual words ’’just fix it’’. It is difficult to work with him without developing that sense of urgency,expertise and success in every thing.

I consider him a selfless individual with egalitarian instinct who believes in giving opportunity to people to succeed for themselves.He do not think that giving another man light from his candle will quench his. Again this is evident in his recent Common Sense advocacy where he rolls out many ideas that government can tap from for success. He focuses on ideas and not personality.

Educated at the University of South Carolina USA where he received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1979. Born in Lagos to an Ijaw parent Mullighan and Margaret Murray-Bruce who hails from Akassa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Attended Our Lady of Apostles, Yaba, Lagos, where he completed his primary education and St Gregory College, Obalende where he obtained the West African School Certificate.

The Senator was the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority NTA between 1999-2003. He is conferred with various awards including officer of the Order of the Niger 2014, Showbiz Icon of the Year Award” (2005),Top Ten” Significant Nigerian Businessmen Award” (2006) Life Achiever Award” (2006)Champion for Nation Building Award” (2007) and Excellent Personality Award” (2009).
Nwachukwu, a Lawyer and Development Strategist is the Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) to Senator Ben Murray-Bruce,representing Bayelsa East, and Chairman Silverbird Entertainment Group.