By JOSHUA JARIKRE

Great Ovedje Ogboru is no doubt an accomplished International businessman, a philanthropist and a formidable political leader from the oil-rich Niger Delta region in Delta State. His impeccable character has placed him above most of those whose political narrative has been smeared by  inhumane standards and selfish agendas.

His protracted struggles in the socio- political space has been defined by his deep-rooted desire to restore and entrench integrity in Nigeria’s broken electoral system, especially in Delta State and he has been distinguished as the ‘bright spot of light‘ in a muddy political environment where political leadership oftentimes emerge from illegitimate processes laced with voters’ intimidation, suppression and fraudulent electoral outcomes.

Born on April 10, 1958 and fondly called the “People’s General”, Great Ovedje Ogboru comes across to many as first a hugely successful business man and a purposeful political icon.

His sojourn in Nigerian private sector started as a Marketing Officer in Exchange Fisheries Limited. A few years later, Ogboru left paid employment and started his own business. Within a short time, through hard work and consistent demonstration of resourcefulness, honesty, personal integrity and immense goodwill, he established different businesses in Nigeria and progressed, eventually, into a global economic force, as one of the youngest and successful business moguls of his time. On August 10, 1989, he took the world stage by storm as the youngest and highest Nigerian donor to the Namibia Solidarity Fund, NSF.

Ogboru’s inspiring life of integrity, accountability, humanness and humility was captured eloquently by the following excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography,  Long  Walk to Freedom thus: “I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances”. This  provides a vivid description of Ogboru’s audacious intervention in the stormy waters of Nigerian politics after his return from approximately 10 years self-exile in 2000.

Upon his return, Ogboru did not seek to return to politics. The stoic and ‘ordinary fish seller’ was focused on rejuvenating his business empire towards extending the ‘good life’ to those who he employed from all works of life,  following the numerous setbacks his business had suffered through extended military regimes. However, with a lot of encouragement and push from all that knew him, it was not long that he decided to venture into Nigerian politics. His intention was simply to bring to bear his extensive experience in leadership and management in the task of governance. 

He boldly launched the South-South Rainbow Coalition, SSRC, to mobilise the people towards a sane political leadership direction and his entry into Delta politics not only brought healthy competition and dynamism in that space but also provided an alternative platform that was used by many to distinguish themselves in the Delta State political space.

With a rare iconic personality defined by vision, resilience, tenacity, integrity and purposefulness as evidenced from the young age of 25 years, it is indeed a fact that Ovedje Great Ogboru possesses a mysticism that continues to resonate even as he strives to bring succour to all who come across him and we hope that he will continue to be a source of encouragement and hope to all men of good will. 

 Jarikre wrote from Delta State