For Prince Nduka Obaigbena at 65

BY FRIDAY OLOKOR

“A true hero is not inspired by their strength, but by their ability to inspire and lead others” — Mahatma Ghandi (1931).

“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his heart” — Zeus

Congratulations and Happy Birthday to you, My Brother and Chairman, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, a man that has put smiles on over 100,000 Nigerians. Directly or indirectly, Obaigbena has placed food on the tables of many homes, be it in the East, West, North or South. Through him, since THISWEEK Magazine, THISDAY and now ARISE NEWS GLOBAL, many hungry lions can roar, and many homes, saved from hunger. When I became the latest casualty of Newsroom Politicians, and VOLUNTARILY RESIGNED and decided to be on my own, he provided an irresistible safe ground, even though our discussions had been towards a different line of duty. But today, I’m happiest! Nigeria can ONLY move forward if we have people like Prince Nduka Obaigbena whose free hands are spread across regional, political, religious and political boundaries.

History has a way of making its Heroes. Unlike The Prince of Nicholo Machiavelli, The Prince of Owa and scion of Ika brought a positive revolution into the Nigerian media space, fixing people and politicians in the right places. He damned all odds and challenges and survived every temptation.

Attaining 65 years in a tough terrain like Nigeria is not an easy feat. We’re aware of your positive exploits towards making Nigeria and the society a better place. These have made THISDAY and Arise News Global Brands special in your new desire to OIL the Journalism business in Nigeria. You came, saw and conquered and may your efforts NEVER be in vain.

Your contributions to humanity are well captured in these words of Stephen Grellet, a prominent French-American (October 28 1772 – November 16 1855)

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now.
Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

A Little Digression

In August 2022, I was issued a Query for attending Mama’s burial at Owa – Oyibu (I will publish the document at the appropriate time); Earlier before then, after I had posted this photo (with him) when I was his Guest on his invitation, I was warned (I can still trace this chat on WhatsApp). Meanwhile, they have been paying economic pilgrimages to Government Houses especially in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and States, and even The Villa. I battled the vampires for 15 years and came out alive and inspired. Wherever I’ve worked, my job and my God have been my strength. I’m the most subservient servant, either older or younger. I’m not an activist, but greed, oppression, repression and environmental toxicity is dangerous to peace.

My first encounter with OGISO, was around 1994/95 at Ribadu Road in Ikoyi, Lagos. As PRO of the National Association of Ika Students (NAIS) at the Obafemi-Awolowo UniversityIfe (OAU), Ile-Ife, I was mandated to go after our brothers and sisters in Lagos. When I found my way to THISDAY, the then young woman who took me to Prince Nduka Obaigbena was IJEOMA NWOGUGWU. The rest is history. Nobody introduced me to him! A few days ago, my friend and Learned Silk, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, cracked jokes and included me in his list of “Agbor Mafia” who have done well in their chosen fields.

Once again, congratulations and Happy Birthday, our Duke

Olokor is Arise News political correspondent in Abuja.