By Thomas Peretu
[ ] Excerpt from my Memoir
I never at any point considered relocation as an option until the opportunity came knocking at my door. Bayelsa State has always been my “final bus stop” if you know what I mean. Or so I thought, But that was not to be. Because God who is the final arbiter in the affairs of men, thinks differently.
He had a better plan for me. As late Baba Sala once told his teeming audience at a very critical period in his career when fame and fortune took flight and kept him stranded in the wilderness. He said:”won se b’ola tan…ola o tan, ola shin bo.” A lose translation would mean something like: ‘they thought it was over but it wasn’t my glory is yet ahead… ‘
The reason why I never intended to relocate outside Bayelsa State is obvious; having spent a better part of my life—-(from my formative years to adulthood) outside the state. But more importantly, the times have also changed. Nigeria of yesterday is totally different from the Nigeria of today. There’s no gainsaying that our country has been encumbered by acute insecurity crisis. Besides other crippling socio-economic headwinds plaguing the nation. These hydra-headed troubles conspire to deflate our desire for adventure. Security, you’ll agree is a consequential factor that cannot be discountenanced. It is a major existential subject matter that is threatening —-to pull the rug off our feet. In addition, age as a decisive imperative was also having an adverse effect on my ability to swing with the times.
However, when the master of the Universe decided it was time to relocate, I had no option but to obey. It reminds me of what transpired between the children of Isreal and the almighty God on their way to the promised land. No sooner the people got to moount Horeb than they were overwhelmed by the feeling of ennui. Perhaps they were equally beguiled by the beauty of the land and the endless opportunities it offered. They were too satisfied and comfortable with life in the camp, apparently at the expense of a greater dream. God had to nudge them so as to wake them up from their slumber. In anger, He rebuked them thus:”…ye have tarried round this mountain long enough, it’s time to move forward…” They eventually left mount Horeb reluctantly to continue their journey to the land of Canaan.
Note that this was the first time I would take a long walk off the turf of Yenagoa after 18 years of continous abode in the Gloryland.
I arrived Abuja on September 13, 2022 to take up an appointment— to serve my nation. It was a privilege that I do not take lightly given the chance it afforded me to explore the world beyond my sphere of influence. But much more, it enhanced my profile as a media practitioner. Whatever that means. Suffice it to say however, that I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Let me at this juncture, express my profound gratitude to my boss now Hon. Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu Brown, an amazing Amazon in the Bayelsa project. She is a woman with the milk of kindness flowing in her veins. I really can’t thank her enough for her love and excessive goodness. God bless you ma’am. Ebizi, it was who recommended me to her elder brother, Maj Gen. Barry Tariye Ndiomu, a forthright and astute, indomitable administrator. A quintecential leader by all standards. A man of robust intellect. He brought his military discipline and command structure to bear on his new assignment as the ceo of a major federal government interventionist agency. As a matter of fact, Ebizi introduced two other persons from Bayelsa State to her brother. He was magnanimous enough to absorb all of us as
aides in the agency.
I had a pleasant time working with this genius of a man. An orator hewn in the mold of president Obama, Gen Ndiomu was largely driven by rational thinking backed by empirical evidence rather than reliance on emotion. He was very courageous in decision making. He listens and consults widely before crucial decisions are taken. As a visionary leader, his outward views on issues are predicated on cosmopolitan fervour. Often not narrow minded. His opinions are usually in the best interest of the beneficiaries even though it may not enjoy general acceptance across board. Gen Ndiomu is a man of colossal build whose voice booms like that of a lion in the wild. Gen Ndiomu had an herculean time trying to fit into a civilian environment where people are more concerned about political correctness instead of upholding the sanctity of the truth. Where black may not necessarily be black but a hue of gray and a shade of other colours.
My experience at that entity was less solitary for obvious reasons..
The work environment was everything and anything vicious and atrocious. No work place can be more toxic. The atmosphere was totally devoid of decency and systemic processes and procedures. Boot leakers and simplitudes and the likes held the administration by the jugular.
Although, Gen Ndiomu tried hard to sanitize the system, his effort was short lived. It was rebuffed and stoutly resisted by the beneficiaries of the system. There were interplays of intrigues, character assasinations, blackmails and such other macabre acts employed to outwit each other. The cleavages in the office were very pronounced. And they were fueled by greed, avarice and selfish ends.
I particularly had an interesting time working with one Donu Kogbara, the media consultant engaged by Gen Ndiomu. While Donu held sway, I was almost unhinged. A great woman she is.
My encounter with Prof. Okaba, the president of Ijaw National Congress (INC) and his younger counterpart of the Ijaw Youth Congress IYC were no less remarkable.
All the gory details are contained in my forthcoming memoir. How can I forget this wonderful gentle man and officer, Brig Gen John Obasa. A man of impeccable character who is ready to offer his shoulders—- to lean on when the the sea is tormented by demons and sailing gets tough. He cares and he listens always. Thank you sir.
Though, I may have had a bloody nose here and a brush with grifters there; in all, the experience has been excrutiatingly wonderful. I have seen the good, the bad and the urgly side pf Abuja. I take it my strides believing it is my baptism of fire. I nurse no regrets neither do I hold hard feelings against any man. Let me also acknowledge that I may have floundered here and there by reposing trust and confidence on some fellows. Yeah, I got my fingers burnt.
At the end of my tour of duty on March 13,
2024, I was torn between two opinions—- either to return to my abysmal, drab existence with its predictable outcomes or to remain here and swim with the sharks. In this farm house, dogs eat dogs for survival. Bouyed however, by a positive mindset, I decided to pitch my tent with the unknown—– hinged on a renewed hope, fortified by grace and determination. To be sure, I chose the latter, dictated in good measure by instinct and the spirit of adventure. Don’t forget this was my second missionary journey to the nation’s capital in 30 years. I had tried and failed, in company of a celebrity fashion designer friend, David Kolawole Vaughan Dakova for short.
Now, I am determined to fight my demons. I will not relent until I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I promise to fight fair and fight dirty where necessary. I will be on the offensive when occasion permits. It’s either I swim or I sink. No middle ground here. No retreat, no surrender.
That in a nutshell is my story. My knowledge of Nigerians especially residents of Abuja has greatly improved. Now, I know that not all that gliters is not gold. Remember, I told you earlier that I have had my nose bloodied on occasions. I have since realised my folly and I am better equipped to confront every character that crosses my path. Some persons in Abuja are so smart, they know how and when to take advantage of anyone especially if the person is new in town. I can’t be caught off guard. Not any more. In fairness, I have also met some usually beautiful souls. They are the epitome of gentillity, trust and gravitas
True friends are far and between in Abuja. Trust me. It is quite disturbing to note that those individuals who mill around you as friends in the days of glory rarely identify with you in twilight hours when darkness envelopes the horizon and the music stops playing. As fair weather friends— these opportunists adept at preying on people would leave you behind as they go on chasing after other unsuspecting victims. The moment the shoe is on the other leg, they will leave you in the lurch to square up with the elements.
Some will go to the extent of vilifying you. They will say unprintable things about you. To give dog a bad name. Who else could have put it better than Bob Marley in his evergreen song your best friend may be your worst enemy. He went on say they will eat and drink with you yet turn back and castigate you.
They forget that no condition is permanent.
It reminds me again of what Dele Momodu wrote in an article many years ago when he left May Ellen Eziekel’s Classique magazine. He narrated how his friends and associates deserted him—they turned their backs on him. It was at that moment, he decided to japa to London to start a new life as the publisher of the most successful people’s magazine titled Ovation magazine. I guess, I am at the same cross road with Bob Dee. Even my highly placed friends and colleagues no longer pick my calls. Can you imagine?
Even so, I am determined to forge ahead by making the most of the present circumstances. Life is not a bed of roses. The bible puts it more profoundly when it said, though weeping may endure through the night, joy cometh in the morning… After all He who started this good work shall complete it in due season. Come to think of it, there’s always a lesson to learn from history. When God told Abraham to leave his land of nativity, God did not tell him that it would be a crisis-free journey. Did He? Father Abraham embraced the tribulations that assailed him with equanimity. And a presence of mind to overcome them. Of course, he triumphed over every evil. Hence, we call him the father of many nations. Because Abraham was steadfast all through the period of his trials and temptations.
This is my lot. There’s no turning back lest I become a fitting example of Lot’s wife. I adjure everyone going through difficult times to hold-on. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Success is around the corner. If you obey and believe the Lord, you shall eat the good of the land.
Happy reading.
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