In 2009, the Dutch Government through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised an international Gulf of Guinea Energy and Security Strategy Conference in The Hague, Netherlands. Four of the Niger Delta State Governors were invited. Among them was His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.
The organisers arranged a VIP Bus to transport all four Governors from their hotel to the venue of the conference.
I said to myself, I cannot be living in The Netherlands and allow my State Governor to be transported like that.
So, I rented a Volvo XC90 SUV with my own money to carry our Governor and his closed company Mr. Gary Bire.
I became my Governor’s chauffeur all through the period of the conference. I drove while he sat on the car-owners corner behind me.
I was full of joy because that was the closest I had ever come to being with any Governor in my life!
The day he was leaving back to Nigeria, at the hotel check-out point, he looked at me in appreciation and dipped his hand into his pocket to hand me over some wad of cash but I refused. I told him “My leader, I didn’t serve you because of money, it is my duty to make sure your stay is comfortable.” He thanked me a left.
Today I am a Governorship Candidate under the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Delta State contesting for the position that H.E. Emmanuel Uduaghan occupied for two consecutive terms of eight years.
Putting politics aside, I visited him for prayers and advice and he received me as a son and accorded me and my team a fabulous entertainment.
The pictures below are evidence of the overwhelming excitement that transpired. The atmosphere was like the return of a son to his father after several years of sojourn abroad.
The one time driver to the Governor is now contesting to become the Governor. This is how far humility can take you in the journey of life!
The short encounter with H.E. Emmanuel Uduaghan in The Hague inspired me a lot and has changed the course of my political journey.
My Excellency, I want to thank God for your life. Your humbleness and your show of love to many will continue to open ways for your own path to unassailable greatness. May God bless us and bless our beloved Delta State
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