THE IMPERATIVE OF A RIGHTEOUS ORDER IN NIGERIA'S POLITY

Fourteen years into this democratic dispensation, not a few Nigerians are disappointed and frustrated that the anticipated "dividend of democracy" appears elusive. Despite our celebrated "potentials" for greatness, we are still yearning to be accorded our rightful place in the comity of nations. While our macroeconomic indices have improved by all the standard empirical measures, we still lag far behind on the world's human development indices. Our people long for a quantum leap in their quality of life. While change in human affairs is often by way of gradual improvement, the patience of Nigerians has been stretched thin. And discontent is evident in the cynicism with which most people greet indicators of progress. And can you blame those who want to see the Nigeria of our dreams yesterday?

So what really is our problem? Why is our hope deferred? We lament that we have poor leadership and bad governance. We point at the greed which has virtually canonised corruption in public service. But why do we really expect bad trees to bring forth good fruits? Why are we surprised when bad trees produce after their kind? Why do we expect sweet waters from fountains desecrated by bile?

It is futile to expect positive change when our politics and government officials at various levels are without morality. When truth is despised; when justice is trodden upon; when lucre is the object of all things; how will peace, progress and prosperity reign?

When I speak of Righteousness as one of the cardinal principles of my political philosophy (CREST: Courage, Righteousness, Equity, Service and Truth), some have presumed I speak of religion. Religion never did any good in the world. Religion is not righteousness. Righteousness is the genuine fear of God which produces right conduct before men and towards men. Righteousness: the Fear of God; the love of Truth, Justice and Equity; Goodness; Humanity; Transparency; Integrity.

Righteousness is what exalts nations. Nigeria will not be lifted by religion or religiosity. Nigeria will be exalted by Righteousness. Those who are in leadership or seek to be leaders must make righteousness their lifestyle if Nigeria is to be exalted. It is time we emplace a Righteous Order!

God bless Nigeria!

Nigeria di fure!!

EGHEOMHANRE EYIEYIEN FOR SENATE 2015: GETTING TO KNOW ME

EGHEOMHANRE EYIEYIEN: AN INTRODUCTION

My name is Egheomhanre Emmanuel Eyieyien. Most people know me as Eghes. I grew up to find that my Mum had shortened my first name, which in the Bini language means “My Time Has Come”, by adding an “s” to the first four letters. And I loved it.

I was born on 29th April, 1967, in St. Camillus Hospital, Uromi, in the then Midwest Region (now Edo State), to late Deacon Fidelis Ewaleifo Eyieyien of Uhondughe Clan of Egbele, Uromi, and Mrs Martha Eroboman Eyieyien (nee Ogbodaga) of Uzenema Clan of Arrue, Uromi. I am the first of two sons.

I am the Group Chief Executive Officer of Pharez Limited. I founded the Company in April, 1998, with the support of six other promoters and we have since grown to have subsidiary companies involved in Ratings, Business Consulting, Human Capital Development and Training, and Investments. 

I had my primary education in Government School, Uromi, from 1972 to 1974 and St. Patrick's Primary School, Yaba, Lagos, from 1974 to 1978. I attended King’s College, Lagos, from 1978 to 1983 and read Accounting at the University of Benin from 1983 to 1987.

I did the statutory National Youth Service in the 1987/1988 service year. My place of Primary Assignment was the Lagos State Ministry of Finance, Alausa, Ikeja, from where I was seconded to the Accounts Department of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos. I passed the qualifying examination to become an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in May, 1989, and I became a Fellow of the Institute in year 2000. I am also an Associate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management. 

I joined the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as a pioneer staff in August, 1989, as an Assistant Bank Examiner (equivalent of an Assistant Manager) and I served for eight years resigning in October, 1997, as a Senior Bank Examiner (equivalent of a Senior Manager) to establish Pharez Limited. The Company was incorporated in January, 1998, but we formally commenced business operations on 16^th April, 1998.

I have extensive experience in bank examination, operations, restructuring and failure resolution having led various assignments covering several financial institutions.  And I acquired international exposure through a work-study attachment with the Division of Resolution of the United States’ Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 1993.

I served as the Executive Director, Operations and Corporate Services, on the Management Board of Merchant Bank for Africa (Nig.) Ltd., which is now defunct, as an appointee of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation between September, 1995 and August, 1997.  While at NDIC, I was formally recognised for outstanding performance as a “High Flyer” in 1996 by the Management under the leadership of late Mr. John Ebhodaghe, the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive. 

Between October, 2005, and February, 2006, I took a leave of absence from Pharez to serve as the Executive Director, Operations and Retail Banking, on the Interim Board of Allstates Trust Bank Plc as an appointee of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

I am a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA) of the Aspen Institute, Colorado, United States of America. I was recognised by Financial Standard Newspapers among its Top 50 Nigerian Corporate Achievers in 2003 and by Thisday Newspapers as one of its I-Pod Generation of 40 Under-40 Young Nigerian Achievers in 2005. And, yes, I would love to add that I had the distinction of being the Best Student in Economics in the 1983 Graduating Class of King's College, Lagos. I still have the Economics book I was given by the School; duly signed by the Principal, Mr. A. A. Ibegbulam. It is unarguably my most treasured Award till date. :-D 

I initiated Stand Against Corruption and Kleptocrats! (SACK!), a people-driven anti-corruption campaign and it was launched in Lagos in October, 2011. I presently coordinate SACK! I am a Public Affairs Commentator, Public Policy and Social Analyst, Speaker and Writer. I am frequently a Guest Analyst on several radio and television programmes in Nigeria focused on Banking and Finance, the Economy, Politics and sundry topical issues in our society and polity. My articles are well published in the print media and are available on my blogs: http://eghes.blogspot.com and http://egheomhanre.wordpress.com.

I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria's Sub-Committee on Strategy, Research and Advocacy and a Volunteer Business Mentor of Fate Foundation. An ordained Pastor, I minister in the office of a Teacher/Prophet and I am an Apostle in the Market Place.

I am passionate about national transformation and committed to playing my part in the renaissance of Nigeria and Africa, in righteousness, with integrity and excellence. I am very happily married to Awesiri Nwaji Eyieyien (since 5th September, 1992) and we are blessed with a son, Omoseona Isaiah Chukwuyenumkekanma.


Esan di fure!

MY POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

I am a social democrat with conservative values founded on my strong Christian faith and ethos. My Political Philosophy is based on the CREST Principles:

* COURAGE

I am committed to consistently stand by my values, principles and convictions. I am not afraid of confrontation, if need be, in defence of what I believe in. 

* RIGHTEOUSNESS

My faith in God, my Fear of God and my personal relationship with Jesus Christ are the bedrock of my life. I am committed to seek the Will of God in all situations and live in obedience to Him. Integrity and transparency are my watchwords. I represent a New Godly Order. Righteousness is what exalts nations. And righteousness will exalt Nigeria.

 
* EQUITY
I believe equity and social justice are fundamental to building a good society. All men are equal before the law and should have equal opportunities to pursue their life purpose and dreams with freedom.

* SERVICE

Public office is about service to the people. I am committed to offer selfless service to the people and to promote legislation, policies, programmes and actions which advance their welfare and protect their best interest.

* TRUTH

I believe truth is sacred. Truth is liberating. The truth people know is what sets them free. I detest deception, duplicity and hypocrisy. I will uphold and promote truth in my public service.

 

Esan di fure!