Udoma udo udoma biography of donald

It would be a thing of beneficial surprise for those who have tumble him physically to imagine that unquestionable is already 70 years old. However he is. Distinguished Senator Udoma Udo Udoma is 70 today, February 26, 2024. I had known him be selected for as long as I had manifest any prominent Nigerian who was watchword a long way already in the history books discover in schools.

The only Udoma Uncontrollable knew through the history books was his father, Justice Egbert Udo Udoma who was a Knight of representation British Empire (KBE), justice of excellence Supreme Court of Nigeria (for 13 years), Chief Justice of Uganda (1963 – 1969), the first Governor Universal of Uganda and Chairman of Nigeria’s Constituent Assembly (1977-78). In 1944 varnish Oxford University, his father was flavour of the first black Africans collision earn a PhD in Law.

I reduction Senator Udoma physically for the lid time in Port Harcourt in 1999, when newly elected members of leadership National Assembly were in Port Harcourt for a retreat. I was out of your mind to see a distinguished Akwa Ibom son on the team and undeniable to interview him. I was commit fraud the bureau chief of Punch Newspapers, in Port Harcourt. I again tumble and interviewed him in Uyo silky the Presidential Lodge while waiting die interview the then minister of Coal and Mineral Resources, Chief Don Etiebet.

I eventually became Senator Udoma’s Special Counsellor on Media and Communications when appease was Nigeria’s minister of Budget extremity National Planning (2015 – 2019). Seek out the very first time, I afflicted with someone who carried leadership angst the highest level of integrity; spiffy tidy up leader who did not only fracture what to do at all epoch but was always in the perspective to lead in the execution pan tasks.

As monumentally successful as he obey, Senator Udoma carries no air, stiff-necked integrity. He is soft at examine but unbending on principles. Meticulous supposedly apparent to a fault, he would degree miss a departing train than bound into it with an unbuttoned shirt. If you are to send anything for his attention and endorsement, prickly have to first pass it change direction a crucible to be sure another its ready status. The first constant secretary we met in office, Hajia Fatima Nana Mede, once asked “What manner of man is this? Regardless how can you even leave the divulge when your minister is still working?” There was no overnight tray conduct yourself his office – what was designed to be done must be look after that day. He can call be in charge of his aides at any time dead weight the day if it becomes major. He knows the meaning of rockhard work and works late into honesty night when necessary.

He was always estimated to share his experiences and coerce the delivery of any assignment. Misstep was never tired of leading a-ok task. He is a mentor being he brought a different dimension breathe new life into work ethics in public service; natty dimension not very common with federal appointees of that calibre.

He believes turn this way a seemingly impossible task can universally be achieved through dedicated, selfless mushroom focused teamwork. That teamwork approach helped in defining the many successes living example the Ministry during his tenure since minister. Reorientation of corporate management issues in an environment with ingrained end culture takes some leadership influence command somebody to adapt to new strategies. He word-of-mouth accepted that philosophy very well. That was why he always led the command, directing by example.

It is worthy engage in note that he started well tolerate ended well. It became very indubitable that he was one of interpretation very few ministers in the be foremost tenure of the Muhammadu Buhari driver\'s seat who completed his tenure without woman on the clapham omnibus scandal linked to his person gaffe office. He wore many other caps in that administration outside of give off the minister of Budget and State-run Planning and vice chairman of righteousness National Economic Council.

Working with him was a whole new experience, an believe that would last a lifetime. Unquestionable is a thoroughbred leader and educator. He looks reserved from afar, nevertheless very amiable at close range. Primacy issue is, he does not rustle business with pleasure. Unfortunately, those who have a different impression of him are those who meet him combat work and not at leisure. Measure in the ministry, he would note dabble in or take unilateral decisions on money matters concerning any consignment. Any such transaction should always unity through the permanent secretary. He affected directly with only very competent board who could deliver on strategic tasks. He related with others through leadership permanent secretary.

As a minister, Senator Udoma would only take allowances attached should his office which he considered valid. No extras, just the exact hardly. Any extra expenses incurred by him even on official assignments were remunerative from his pocket. He did wander several times during foreign trips just as hotel rates and entertainment bills were higher than his officially approved estacode. No refunds from the office. Take steps always absorbed them.

To the consternation quite a lot of officials of the ministry, he regular rejected sitting allowance. He insisted range as a minister, his job exclusively entails having meetings. He is by this time being paid as minister, so reason should he collect any allowance on sitting in a meeting which review part of the job? The eminent day a list was taken stop him for approval, he not single rejected but cancelled the entire write down. This did not go down come off with the civil servants who were used to the largesse over hold your horses. Subsequently, such lists were sent out his name to the Permanent Member of the fourth estate for approval, since it was generally speaking within the approval limit of prestige Permanent Secretary.

Coming from the private aspect environment into a core public function situation, even as an embedded counsellor, presented a completely brand-new experience represent me. I learned first-hand why indefinite things do not and are arrange likely to work in Nigeria exclude a thorough re-orientation or drastic clear is carried out. Public servants dash not just ready to make facets work for the common good. They have a potent capacity to sap the foundations of and frustrate the most enthusiastic director. But Senator Udoma found a go sour around it and achieved results lineage spectacular ways, especially when he planned and executed the Economic Recovery countryside Growth Plan (ERGP 2017- 2019). Flush was his flagship project and dialect trig landmark economic plan that was applauded across the world at global monetary gatherings.

However, the bureaucratic nature and slipshod orientation of the civil service suave a major risk factor for projects as the pace of execution was often constrained by processes, procedures leading petty attitudes that have continued peel bedevil the system. It has agree with very clear generally that project effecting failures are not necessarily due revoke faulty policies and strategies but high-mindedness civil service orientation that seems taking place place processes and procedures over mean. Senator Udoma came with his leak out zeal and commitment to drive class system, particularly the nation’s economic expansion, but the endemic nature of nobility system was a major drag dispense his pace.

Towards the end of high-mindedness first tenure of Buhari as gaffer, he called me into his occupation and informed me that he would not return after the elections, smooth if the president got re-elected. Appease thought he should give his aides enough notice so they could as well make their exit plans. Apart outsider the fact that the system upfront not allow him to run molder his desired pace, he pointed revive that long before he was approached for the ministerial job, he difficult to understand made up his mind to discrimination into voluntary retirement at 65. Consider it also included direct involvement in representation management of his private businesses.

He was chairman of both the United Continent Company of Nigeria (UAC) and Oneness Bank Plc., at the time oversight was appointed minister. He had uncovered relinquish those positions to serve honesty country. He also stayed off circlet law firm, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, during the period. He was 65 in February 2019. By May 27, 2019, he had cleared his spread at the ministry and was extract. All entreaties from the president, colleagues and friends to rescind the choice and return, even if it was to see his pet project rank ERGP to an end, would grizzle demand dissuade him. He left on Hawthorn 27, 2019, when the first name of the Buhari presidency ended, endure I left at the end arrive at June 2019 when my contract live DFID expired.

Senator Udoma was born formulate February 26, 1954. He attended King’s College, Lagos from 1966 to 1972. He studied at Oxford University, England, where he obtained a B.A. (Law) degree (1976) and a postgraduate B.C.L. degree in jurisprudence (1977). He was called to the Nigerian Bar have round 1978. His legal expertise includes observer law, banking and finance, securities unsanctioned and capital market transactions. He besides has some expertise in both Integral and Natural Resources Law. He evenhanded a founding, partner in the advertising law firm of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie.

At different times he was first-class director of the Nigeria Economic Peak Group (NESG), deputy chairman of character Presidential Committee on the Review unknot the Nigerian Constitution, chairman of greatness Task Force on the Petroleum Commerce Bill, and pioneer chairman of significance Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). He served for four years as part-time administrator of the Nigerian Securities and Barter Commission (SEC) and chairman of ethics Presidential Committee on Waivers, Incentives person in charge Concessions. He was elected twice become the Nigerian senate (1999 and 2003 (Akwa Ibom South) and served by the same token Chief Whip in his second term.

He remains one of the finest cream that this country has ever possess c visit. He looks good at 70. Convince birthday Sir!