Akpandem James
It will be a factor of nice shock for individuals who have met him bodily to think about that he’s already seventy years outdated. However he’s. Distinguished Senator Udoma Udo Udoma was seventy on Monday, February 26, 2024. I had recognized him for so long as I had recognized any outstanding Nigerian who was not already within the historical past books learn in faculties. The one Udoma I knew by way of the historical past books was his father, Justice Egbert Udo Udoma who was a Knight of the British Empire (KBE), Justice of the Supreme Court docket of Nigeria (for 13 years), Chief Justice of Uganda (1963 – 1969), the primary Governor Normal of Uganda and Chairman of Nigeria’s Constituent Meeting (1977-78). In 1944 at Oxford College, his father was one of many first black Africans to earn a PhD in Regulation.
I met Senator Udoma bodily for the primary time in Port Harcourt in 1999, when newly elected members of the Nationwide Meeting had been in Port Harcourt for a retreat. I used to be excited to see a distinguished Akwa Ibom son on the workforce and determined to interview him. I used to be then the Bureau Chief of Punch Newspapers, in Port Harcourt. I once more met and interviewed him in Uyo on the Presidential Lodge whereas ready to interview the then Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Sources, Chief Don Etiebet.
I finally turned Senator Udoma’s Particular Adviser on Media and Communications when he was Nigeria’s Minister of Price range and Nationwide Planning (2015 – 2019). For the very first time, I labored with somebody who carried management with the best degree of integrity; a pacesetter who didn’t solely know what to do always however was at all times within the forefront to steer within the execution of duties.
As monumentally profitable as he’s, Senator Udoma carries no air, simply integrity. He’s smooth at coronary heart however unbending on rules. Meticulous nearly to a fault, he would slightly miss a departing practice than bounce into it with an unbuttoned shirt. If you’re to ship something for his consideration and endorsement, you must first go it by way of a crucible to make sure of its prepared standing. The primary Everlasting Secretary we met in workplace, Hajia Fatima Nana Mede, as soon as requested “What method of man is that this? How will you even depart the workplace when your Minister continues to be working?” There was no in a single day tray in his workplace – what was meant to be achieved have to be achieved that day. He can name on his aides at any time of the day if it turns into needed. He is aware of the that means of onerous work and works late into the evening when needed.
He was at all times able to share his experiences and information the supply of any project. He was by no means bored with main a job. He’s a mentor as a result of he introduced a unique dimension to work ethics in public service; a dimension not quite common with political appointees of that calibre.
He’s at all times of the very robust perception {that a} seemingly unattainable job can at all times be achieved by way of devoted, selfless and targeted teamwork. That teamwork method helped in defining the numerous successes of the Ministry throughout his tenure as minister. Reorientation of company administration points in an setting with ingrained company tradition takes some management affect to adapt to new methods. He understood that philosophy very properly. That was why he at all times led the cost, directing by instance.
It’s worthy of be aware that he began properly and ended properly. It turned very apparent that he was one of many only a few Ministers within the first tenure of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency who accomplished his tenure with none scandal linked to his individual or workplace. He wore many different caps in that administration outdoors of being the Minister of Price range and Nationwide Planning and Vice Chairman of the Nationwide Financial Council.
Working with him was a complete new expertise, an expertise that will final a lifetime. He’s a thoroughbred chief and coach. He seems reserved from afar, however very amiable at shut vary. The problem clearly is, he doesn’t combine enterprise with pleasure. Sadly, those that have a unique impression of him are those that meet him at work and never at leisure. Whereas within the Ministry, he wouldn’t dabble in or take unilateral choices on cash issues regarding any undertaking. Any such transaction ought to at all times go by way of the Everlasting Secretary. He labored immediately with solely very competent administrators who might ship on strategic duties. He associated with others by way of the Everlasting Secretary.
As Minister, Senator Udoma would solely take allowances connected to his workplace which he thought of important. No extras, simply the precise quantity. Any further bills incurred by him even on official assignments had been paid from his pocket. He did that a number of instances throughout international journeys when resort charges and leisure payments had been larger than his formally permitted estacode. No refunds from the workplace. He at all times absorbed them.
To the consternation of officers of the Ministry, he even rejected Sitting Allowance. He insisted that as Minister, his job largely entails having conferences. He’s already being paid as Minister, so why ought to he gather any allowance for sitting in a gathering which is a part of the job? The primary day a listing was taken to him for approval, he not solely rejected however cancelled all the memo. This didn’t go down properly with the civil servants who had been used to the largesse over time. Subsequently, such lists had been despatched with out his identify to the Everlasting Secretary for approval, because it was normally inside the approval restrict of the Everlasting Secretary.
Coming from the personal sector setting right into a core public service scenario, at the same time as an embedded Adviser, offered a totally model new expertise for me. I got here to know first-hand why a whole lot of issues don’t, and are usually not more likely to work in Nigeria besides an intensive re-orientation or drastic purge is carried out. Public servants are usually not simply able to make issues work for the frequent good. They’ve a potent capability to cripple and frustrate essentially the most enthusiastic chief. However Senator Udoma discovered a means round it and achieved leads to spectacular methods, particularly when he conceived and executed the Financial Restoration and Progress Plan (ERGP 2017- 2019). It was his flagship undertaking and a landmark financial plan that was applauded internationally at international financial gatherings.
Nonetheless, the bureaucratic nature and laidback orientation of the civil service offered a significant threat issue for initiatives because the tempo of execution was typically constrained by processes, procedures and petty attitudes which have continued to bedevil the system. It has turn into very clear usually that undertaking implementation failures are usually not essentially as a consequence of defective insurance policies and methods however the civil service orientation that appears to put processes and procedures over outcomes. Senator Udoma got here along with his recognized zeal and dedication to drive the system, notably the nation’s financial development, however the endemic nature of the system was a significant drag on his tempo.
In direction of the top of the primary tenure of Buhari as President, he known as me into his workplace and knowledgeable that he wouldn’t return after the elections, even when the President obtained re-elected. He thought he ought to give his aides sufficient discover so they might additionally make their very own exit plans. Other than the truth that the system didn’t permit him to run at his desired tempo, he identified that lengthy earlier than he was approached for the ministerial job, he had made up his thoughts to enter voluntary retirement at 65. That additionally included direct involvement within the administration of his personal companies.
He was chairman of each the United Africa Firm of Nigeria (UAC) and Union Financial institution Plc., on the time he was appointed Minister. He needed to relinquish these positions to serve the nation. He additionally stayed off his regulation agency, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, throughout the interval. He was 65 in February 2019. By Could 27, 2019, he had cleared his desk on the ministry and was out. All entreaties from the President, colleagues and mates to rescind the choice and return, even when it was to see his pet undertaking the ERGP to an finish, wouldn’t dissuade him. He left on Could 27, 2019, when the primary time period of the Buhari Presidency ended, and I left on the finish of June 2019 when my contract with DFID expired.
Senator Udoma was born on February 26, 1954. He attended King’s School, Lagos from 1966 to 1972. He studied at Oxford College, England, the place he obtained a B.A. (Regulation) diploma (1976) and a postgraduate B.C.L. diploma in jurisprudence (1977). He was known as to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. His authorized experience contains Firm Regulation, Banking and Finance, Securities Regulation and Capital Market transactions. He additionally has some experience in each Constitutional and Pure Sources Regulation. He’s a founding, companion within the business regulation agency of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie.
At totally different instances he was a Director of the Nigeria Financial Summit Group (NESG), Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Overview of the Nigerian Structure, Chairman of the Process Pressure on the Petroleum Business Invoice, and pioneer Chairman of the Company Affairs Fee (CAC). He served for 4 years as part-time Chairman of the Nigerian Securities and Trade Fee (SEC) and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Waivers, Incentives and Concessions. He was elected twice into the Nigerian Senate (1999 and 2003 (Akwa Ibom South) and served as Chief Whip in his second time period.
He stays one of many best gents that this nation has ever produced. He seems good at 70. Completely happy birthday Sir!
