Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, a Knight of St John International (KSJI), is a scholar of human nature and a conflict resolution expert. Apart from his years as a consultant in the private sector, he served in the highest executive arm of government during which he was Special Adviser to the President and served in various critical committees of government including Committee on Niger Delta militants, Presidential Task Force on Power and SURE-P.
From founding ASA Theatre to floating Resource Development System, being the General manager of Anambra State owned Umunze Oil Mill Limited, and founding ‘Think Ltd.’, to develop ‘Operation Libra’ to resolve oilfield conflicts, you have alternated between being in the public and private sectors before ending in the Presidency. What informed the Presidency move?
It was President Goodluck Jonathan who brought me back. I recall that in 2003, my consultancy was doing well and expanding across the oil industry. Our average monthly income was N15million and I was happy with it. Then I met Dr Goodluck Jonathan as Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State, during my work for Shell in Gbaran Ubie Project. Hmmmm….Meeting Jonathan was like what the Sicilians will describe as ‘Thunderbolt’. If you encounter Jonathan at a very personal level as I have done, if you experience his deep amiable side as I have done, if you have been engulfed in the midst of turbulence by his calm disposition as I have, if you have experienced Jonathan ride a positive momentum out of a chaotic situation as I have seen, you’ll never equate relationship with him with any other. There is nothing more attractive to a true soul than following such a master. So when he summoned, I followed him.
The past nine years of following Jonathan has been a rare lesson in classic strategy. More than any leader in the history of this country, Jonathan understands the dwelling place of the master strategist which is the point of intersection between power, purpose and principle. At that point of intersection, there is a void. The master strategist finds that void and dwells there in quiet decorum. He sees without looking, he hears without listening, and he goes without moving. He is a master of momentum which is the only thing that survives in every motion. He knows when it shows, he knows how to ride it effortlessly. It is time for Nigerians to stay calm, watch mastery take its place and watch the master ride us home. I thank God for the singular privilege of letting me mature under this master.
In my various stages of growth, he placed me in exceptional circumstances of duty that tremendously matured me both as a person and as a professional. It all began from the Niger Delta conflict, to rescuing the Junior World Cup, to putting the power sector on the path of recovery, and finally to managing the fall- outs of the President’s efforts to stop the waste of Nigeria’s petroleum subsidy. I guess I don’t really miss my consultancy now. I just miss the money. It is definite that delivering public good cannot go with looting public funds. If you do the money, you can’t do the service.
You have clearly been very busy in both the private and public sectors; do you have time for your family?
If you were raised the way I was raised, it is impossible for you to exist outside the comfort zone the family provides. All around me and all through my life are incredible examples of excellent family life. My grandparents, my parents, my parents’ in-law and my marriage sponsors presented me with family life styles that are very attractive. When circumstances made it imperative that I was going to get married at the age of 22, I was neither afraid nor worried. Marriage all around me was something you enjoy doing, so I had no anxiety.
Today, my family is the centre of my life. My father taught me to come home every day before 7 pm to play with my kids before they go to bed, and to see them in the morning before leaving the house. My wife with whom I have been married now for 29 years is the first woman I said, “I love you” to. I really do not feel married in the sense of some responsibility that you have to carry out. I feel more like someone just hanging out with a buddy. I could tell her stupid things that I do and she can respond anyhow she feels. So we cry, we laugh, and do whatever it is that buddies do.As each day comes and the sun rises and sets, we just keep hanging out in an unbroken addiction for each other.
Our children are just excited participators in this addiction. No amount of work or sundry preoccupation can interfere with this kind of fun. My family is the greatest asset of my life. Without Onyinye, my first daughter; Ifeoma, my second daughter; Ekene my first son; Chibuzo, my second son; and Ifunanya, my last and star baby, my life will be empty, passionless and boring. But the ultimate excitement is the five little ones, my grandchildren, they and my sons in- law, Tommy and Toochukwu, remind me how old I have suddenly become. I have time for my family. In whatever I do they keep my sanity.
You seem to know so much about values. How did you learn all these?
I have been very privileged in my life. I can actually claim that I have been mentored all my life by the masters. From early childhood, I have enjoyed the company of the old. I was the favourite child of my paternal grandmother and my maternal grandfather, who was literally the founder of our local church and made sure he took me with him to church every day. I had the rare privilege of being the only grandchild he demanded to see on his death bed.
Now, look at the list of national classics that God has given me the privilege of working under; the late Monsignor, later Bishop Otteh; the late Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, a Niger Delta icon and contemporary of the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; the late Senator Melford Okilo; and recently the late General Kontagora.
The lessons I have learnt from these classics have embedded in me a deep seated respect for human values. Dr Christopher Kolade, current chairman of SURE-P, under whom I served as Secretary, is one of Nigeria’s finest diplomats, boardroom guru and a consummate handler of complex situations. Working under Kolade was the ultimate seasoning. Dotted between these elderly classics are pinnacles like Chief Mrs V.V.I Okoye, Chief Charles Igboka, Professor ABC Nwosu, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Prof Barth Nnaji, etc.
The gubernatorial election is due to hold in your home state of Anambra in November. What advice do you have for the people?
Every Anambrarian should believe President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise of a free and fair election in their state. Edo State enjoyed it. Ondo State has enjoyed it. Now, it is our turn in Anambra State to enjoy Mr President, the promise-keeper. Every Anambra citizen should stand up for democracy. Make sure you register. Make sure you vote. Make sure you stand firm and protect your vote. Above all, pray for Anambra State. Never forget ‘God loves Anambra State, so do I’.
Every time you see your Anambra brother or sister, shout out to him or her, ‘God loves Anambra State!’ Encourage him or her to shout back, ‘So do I!’ Decorate your cars with it, decorate your house with it, wear the T shirts, wear the pin-ups, join the movement:
ANAMBRA RESPONDS!. … because everybody needs to do more.
– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/anambra-jonathan-ll-deliver-free-fair-election-nwankpo-ex-presidential-aide/#sthash.u28GqoTf.dpuf
