Abdulfatai A.l. Ibrahim
“Some people are born great, some achieve greatness while some have greatness thrust upon them” legendary Julius Ceaser.
Dr. Abiye Samuel Precious Sekibo, a medical Doctor by Profession, a consummate politician, a nationalist per excellence, an advocate of national integration as well as a grass root oriented person was born into the popular Sekibo family in the present Okrika local government area of Rivers State, 52 years ago. His philosophy has always been in line with the scripture which posit that “he or she that is humble shall be exalted”. His amiability, humility, simplicity and cosmopolitan nature, endeared him to people of different background.
Dr. Abiye Sekibo is a team player as in the words of a great motivational speaker, Mack Mudock “in every team work, it is not the role that matters but the goal”. As the Secretary to River State Government under the able, visionary and dynamic leadership of Dr. Peter Odili, the success of that administration was due to the experience, exposure and intellectual sagacity brought to bear by Dr. Sekibo and others, for the common good of all Rivers State indigenes.
It is as a result of his commitment to service delivery, that he was appointed as a Federal Minister of Transport, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, his landmark achievements today in the Transport Ministry since he left Office are legendary and his successors have been consolidating on them.
Dr. Abiye Sekibo’s pedigree and antecedent prepared him for public life; he was a trainee reporter Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation Radio Rivers 1976, Pre-registration House Office – University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH 1984 – 1985). Doctor in-charge St. Michael’s Clinic, Elekahia, Port Harcourt. Special Assistant to the Governor January 1992 – August, 1992. Director, West African Glass Industry January 1992 – August, 1992 and Special Assistant/Adviser to the Secretary (Minister). Federal Ministry of Industry – Abuja August 1992 – November, 1992.
Today, Dr. Abiye Sekibo is a major player in the politics of Rivers State and Nigeria in general. As in the words of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, “When you show the people the way, they will follow”. His vision to take his people and all those committed to the Nigerian project, from a pedestrian state to land of fulfillment is highly commendable. He is also a humanist to the core, apart from his professional calling as a Doctor, his philanthropic projects geared towards giving succour to the down trodden is unequal, no wonder his guiding principle is always in line with that of Benjamin Franklin who posit that “the greatest virtue of any man is doing good to his fellow being”.
Dr. Abiye Sekibo is a knight of John Wesley (KJW) Methodist Church, Grand patriot of the Diocese of Abuja (GPDA) Methodist Church of Nigeria, officer of the Diocese of Port Harcourt ODPH Methodist Church of Nigeria. He was also the Publicity Secretary Nigeria Medical Association 1984 – 1985. His interest includes politics, debating, reading, table tennis, photography, gardening, football, swimming etc. His extra-curricular activities also include member, Port Harcourt Club, Member, Rivbond Club, member, Checkmates Club. Dr. Abiye Sekibo is also a family man, with his jewel of inestimable value, Lady Alali Christian Sekibo and six amiable children.
As Dr. Abiye Sekibo has clocked 52 years, may God continue to strengthen him, give him more wisdom in the service to humanity, while urging him to continue to have solace in the immortal words of American Civil Rights Activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was once asked, what does he want to be remembered for? And he said, “I want to be remembered for feeding the poor, I want to be remember for clothing the naked and also want to be remember for helping one”.
Abdulfatai A.l. Ibrahim Esq, a Public Commentator/Analyst, wrote in from Elemona Compound, Offa, Kwara state.
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