In a few hours from now, precisely on July 2, we shall, hopefully, roll out the red carpet fittingly accompanied by a consort of musical instruments. Why you may ask? Of course, to celebrate a great daughter of Ijaw nation, a scio of the Ndiomu dynasty. Her father, Major General Charles Bebeye Ndiomu, you would recall was one of the funding fathers of Bayelsa State. Even though he is rarely acknowledged as such because of his military service. People forget too soon that he was actually in the military hierachy that birthed the state. He was behind the scene pushing the right buttons in General Abacha’s cabinet. General Ndiomu was a prominent figure whose footprints remain indelible in the sands of time. Ijaw nation cannot wave him aside owing to his patriotic service to the nation in general and the Ijaw nation in particular. He was very passionate about the education of his people. Indeed, he was an apostle of free education. And he gave it freely to those who desired education.
In case, (just in case) you’re still wondering who is the subject of our discourse here? Don’t search any further, the amazon is none other than Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu Brown, a renarkable ranking member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Highly ornamented as a technocrat and public servant, Mrs. Ebizi Brown turns a full cycle on July 2 as a sexagenarian. What that implies is that she has unwittingly joined the club of reserved, respected persons of age and wisdom in the society. Aptly referred to as statesmen or women.
Obviously, occasions such as this calls for grand celebration.
The last time we had a similar outing was a decade ago when Ebizi turned 50.
It was an exquisite birthday bash by any standards. The occasion brought together the high and the mighty in the society including some of her siblings- from far away Europe. Ebizi was the deputy chief of staff to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson at that time. Today, she has transited from the executive to the legislative arm of government. And she done commendably well for the people of Odoni kingdom in Sagbama local council area.
This year’s landmark event must not go unmarked. Sixty years of extraordinary life and living deserves more than a mere mention. It merits outlandish, (excuse my language) celebration. With no less pump and pageantry, if you ask me. We must pull all the stops to celebrate the master of project management in Nigeria. She is, for the records an exceptional event planner and executor. Ebizi is a lady with a midas touch. Every thiing she touches turns gold. She is a woman of ideas and intellect. And that is often demonstrated in her official duties and her selfless service to her people. Need I say Ebizi Ndiomu Brown handles every assignment with diplomatic or is it? ambassadorial finesse.
I believe no effort or expense should be spared in creating a memorable and magnificient tribute for a wonderful woman of compelling substance. And why not? Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu Brown has lived a selfless, virtuous life – impacting many lives on daily basis. I am a living witness of her big heart. From the day I started working with her as her media aid, there was a palpable bond that oiled the relationship especially because we both speak Yoruba language with a tidy fluency. Our line of communication was fluid and candid. I understand her winks and body expressions so I could avoid her other side. As a boss, she is a pleasant person to work with. She forgives easily no matter the offence as long as it is not involving corruption.
Besides, the fact that I had to study and understand her temperament with clinical precision. I didn’t stop there, I invested time in understanding her goals and dreams for the tourism industry in Bayelsa State. That way, I was able to translate them into concrete publicity ideas. At the end of the day, I had a fantastic working relationship with her. Largely because she cares and gave ear to the concern of her staff. But more salutory is the fact Ebizi is very generous with money.
Her success as the Director General of Bayelsa StateTourism Development Agency opened the doors of opportunity to her. While we were still contemplating on the next move after her resounding stint at the tourism agency, she was elevated to the position of the deputy chief of staff. I also relocated with her to Government House. Guess what? Ebizi fitted into the shoes effortlessly as though the office was custom made for her. In the Government House of that era, Ebizi was the cynosure of all eyes as she worked like a jackal to build a brilliant, acceptable public perception for the Dickson administration. She was the alter ego of some sort of the government. All because of her efficiency and effective leadership qualities.
Today, Ebizi plies her trade as a paw maker is the state legislature, courtesy of her amazing, unblemished track record of service to her people.
I am still confounded by Ebizi’s quick and seamless transition to local politics in Bayelsa State given the fact that she was barely 16 years old in Bayelsa State. And she was never at any point involved in politics. To be sure, she didn’t know anything about local politics before 2012, when she relocated to the state. She was in the diaspora doing busines and offering consultancy services in the oil industry. However, she relocated to the state in order to contribute her quarter to the development of mother land.
How she was able to move swiftly in to the vortex of power and politics despite the barriers and bullocks placed by local politicians is a mystery. Indeed, I recommend it as an academic thesis for graduate students. I do believe – whether we acknowledge it or not that there’s a mutual distrust between the local polical class and those persons coming from the diaspora. I srand to be corrected though, Ebizi seems to have scaled the hurdles and this may portend good tidings for others. This may lead to greater transformation in the polity.
Let’s not forget that tommorrow is the birthday of a transformative leader and an amazing woman who combines beauty, brain and brawn. Some times I am inclined to say, she is fastidious. For good. For instance, there’s nothing you’ll write no matter how brilliant, she must decorate it with her green, or red biro. Of course, you know what I mean. Often times, you cannot fault her interventions. Because it was done with care and candour.
Congratulations ma’am on this auspicious occasion of your 60th birthday. It is my sincere prayer that the good Lord will continue to grant you sound health, wisdom, knowledge and understaing. As you represent the good people of Sagbama constituency 3, in the state legislature. May God bless you as always. Do not relent in serving God and the people because therein you’ll find fulfilment and the grace to carry on your father’s legacy.