By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,
“…. Chief OGURU the unsung icon is an enigma, a study in resoluteness, workaholic, benevolence, audacity, resourcefulness, a consummate administrator, a humanist, creativity who out of dent of hard work positioned himself then as the embodiment of peace and unity among those of us privileged to be accommodated in the Brick House….”
Preamble
Dr Dakuku Adolphus Peterside, my friend and brother, is one of the most educated politicians from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He stands today as the most outstanding Commissioner of Works in Rivers State. He was a one-time member of the Federal House of Representatives. He was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers State Governorship Candidate in the 2015 general elections, ex ex-most outstanding Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the first Nigerian to head the African Maritime Industry. He is the Author of the top-selling book titled, Agency Strategic Turn-Around”. He once exclaimed thus; “Always VINTAGE EZE like no other. I challenge anybody in the land today. No journalist has as much information on anybody as Chief EZE C EZE. Chief EZE is without doubt a repository of knowledge.”
With this type of acknowledgement by a respected leader and highly educated personality like Dr Peterside for him to state that my humble self is a repository of knowledge is no mean acknowledgement. For him to say that there is no political leader of note in Nigeria that I don’t have enough information on has encouraged me on this day to unveil to the public one unsung but a prominent political Leader who distinguished himself in the service of the political Camp of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Fortune Oguru.
In another development, erudite and highly respected Prof Thomas I. Nwabueze recently sent this text to me, “Chief Eze, your latest efforts and strategy of using birthdays to repackage some of the great personalities that adorn Rivers State All Progressives Congress APC is very commendable The fact remains that people are gradually forgetting the brilliant personalities that adorn this state because of political recession in the APC. This task of using the birthdays of true progressives to showcase brilliance is very helpful because enemies are trying very much to bury them.” Prof Nwabueze.
Today, I am inspired and encouraged to unveil and present Chief Fortune Oguru who turned 69 on the auspicious day of 5th July 2024 whose inputs and sacrifices in making the Amaechi political dynasty a highly dreaded and respected political force in the politics of Nigeria
FORTUNE OGURU AND HIS INPUTS IN OUR POLITICAL STRUGGLE
Stephen Covey with Mr. Oguru in mind stated and I quote, ”Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out”.
Mr. Fortune Oguru the emeritus Permanent Secretary of Rivers State was the Permanent Secretary of Rivers State Government House during the eight-year golden reign of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the Governor of Rivers State whose inputs to the great feats of Amaechi’s administration need not be overemphasized.
Mr. Oguru created a father figure for himself within the Government House ensuring that the administration of Amaechi was run professionally without any hitch not minding the truancy and evil machinations of some of the Actors operating from the Government House then. Though as a tenant of the Government at the expiration of my operation as the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) he ensured my comfort and all other tenants of the Government House including both the Governor, his household and Hon. Adejoro Adeogun who served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives and others
This unsung icon is an enigma, a study in resoluteness, workaholic, benevolence, audacity, resourcefulness, a consummate administrator, humanist, and creativity who out of dent of hard work positioned himself then as the embodiment of peace and unity among those of us privileged to be accommodated in the Brick House.
Though a seasoned bureaucrat who gave a human face to his style of leadership based on his faith in the person and personality of the then-governor and was ready to give out his life to ensure the success of the political fortunes of his Principal. Though he is a witness of the wickedness of most politicians brought up by Amaechi he was never swayed by their acts of betrayal but stood firm to ensure that his Principal is not in any way disgraced.
While some of these dubious politicians will come to collect materials and tools for the campaign in their devious plot and will stay back at some of the best hotels in Port Harcourt to ensure that the party fails this man with Ambassador Oji Ngofa and a few others mobilised themselves to ensure that their Constituencies were able to confront Chief Nyesome Wike with his army of destructive political strategy and conquest.
It is on record that Mr. Oguru was one of the forces that ensured that all the elections held in Eleme his area of operation didn’t fall into the camp of the enemies no matter the odds. He mobilised, stood firm and matched Wike and his gang force for force, funds for funds and whatever you may think of. An army in the true sense of it.
One thing that distinguishes this great son of Rivers State and Head of Department in the School of Amaechi’s Higher Institution is that he wears humility and loyalty as a cloth though unsung has proved himself as one of the finest disciples of Rt. Hon. Dr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
WHO IS CHIEF OGURU FORTUNE
Chief Oguru, Oguru Fortune from Ebubu in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State was born on 5th July 1955 to Mr. & Mrs Oguru
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY:
The young Oguru Fortune commenced his educational career at St. Bartholomew School, Ebubu Eleme where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) from 1963-1971 before proceeding to B M G S, Bori also in Rivers State where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) from 1972-1976
This excellent scholar also attended
Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agricultural Economics from 1977-1981 before enrolling himself into the famous University of Port Harcourt for
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Education February in1996.
Not done with education, he went back to the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt and succeeded in obtaining his Masters in Educational Management (M.Ed) in October 1997.
HIS WORKING EXPERIENCE:
This detribalised Nigerian who sees every Nigerian that crosses his path as one of his own did his NYSC at Commonwealth College Of Commerce Jos in Plateau State from 1981-1982
HIS SERVICE IN RIVERS STATE CIVIL SERVICE
He started his service with Rivers State in December 1982 as a Community Development Inspector II on GL 08
He got converted into the Administrative Cadre as Chief Administrative Officer on GL 13 in 1995
While at Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt in 1987 he was a Coordinator for 3years during the Military Regime on GL 14.
He acted as Head of Government House Administration and Accounting Officer In charge of the Administration of Military Administrator’s Engagements. Liaises with the Secretary to the State Government on State matters. Responsible for the preparation of Estimates and control of expenditures in conjunction with the Chief Accountant. Liaises with the ADC and Military Assistant on matters concerning Government House Administration.
Responsible for maintenance of Government House Guest Houses including State Guests and Any other duties that were assigned by the Military Administrator
In 2005, he served as Director with the Rivers State Government in the following Ministries
A. Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs
B. Ministry of Water Resources
C. While at the Ministry of Special Duties, he supervised the Safety inspection, training, campaign and enforcement of safety regulations in Rivers State.
Capacity building for Political Office holders and indigenous contractors.
Formulation, Implementation and Enforcement of Fire, Emergency/Disaster Management Policies in Rivers State.
Later was in charge of the Rivers State Fire Service and Rivers State Emergency Relief and Disaster Management Services and saw to the formulation, Implementation and Enforcement of Consumer Protection Policy and Programmes in Rivers State.
He later took charge of consumer protection services in Rivers State; co-ordination and Implementation of the activities of the State Committee on Ecological Problems.
This patriotic son of Rivers State was a Member, the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) Coordination of Private Partnership Participation (PPP) Projects.
Implementation of State Policy on Science and Technology in line with National Policy on Science and Technology.
Any exigent function of Government not covered by other
HIS MINISTRIES/DEPARTMENTS FUNCTIONS.
Was In-charge of all Special Duties. Any other duty as may be assigned by the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
Assisting the permanent secretary in the running of the Ministry on all matters of administration.
Preparation of Estimates of the Ministry.
Chairman, Departmental Selection Board.
Member, Departmental Tenders Board.
Adhoc Duties:
Secretary, Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission
under Late Justice Kayode Eso 2008-2009
He served as Permanent Secretary in the following Ministries:
Ministry of Special Duties, Government House Port Harcourt
Supervising the following departments:
Protocol.
Press.
Government House Administration.
Catering
Transport.
Chief Host to all Rivers State Government Guests.
This workaholic is also a professional in Linear (Basic Computer Skills)
Internet and Typing Knowledge and was Permanent Secretary in the services of Rivers State Government from 2009 before he Voluntary retired on 30th May, 2015 due to malicious treatment he received from Governor Nyesom Wike immediately he assumed office as the Governor of Rivers State in 2015
CHIEF FORTUNE OGURU BIRTHDAY MESSAGE
As I celebrate my birthday today, I reflect on the journey that has brought me to this point. Blessed with the grace of God, I have navigated through the challenges and triumphs of life to reach a place of fulfilment and accomplishment.
As I look back, I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Surrounded by supportive family, friends, and colleagues, I am reminded of the importance of faith, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence in all endeavours.
Today, I celebrate not just the passing of another year, but the achievements, growth, and blessings that have come my way. With a heart full of gratitude and hope, I look forward to the future, ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities with the same passion and dedication that have defined my journey thus far.
Happy birthday to me.
CONCLUSION
I would like to conclude this short treatise on a true friend, brother and extraordinary Administrator, distinguished Hon. Perm. Sec. Emeritus,
Fortune Oguru by stating that he bears the brunt of our collective resoluteness against forces of darkness in Rivers State immediately after our ouster from the Brick House as the then newly elected Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesome Wike did everything humanly possible to disgrace and humiliate him but as a great son of Eleme who can’t be humiliated so easily he stood his ground to formally handover the reins of government on behalf of Amaechi to Governor Wike after which he voluntarily retired from service.
Finally, Mike Yaconelli with Chief Oguru in his mind stated and I quote, “Boldness doesn’t mean rude, obnoxious, loud, or disrespectful. Being bold is being firm, sure, confident, fearless, daring, strong, resilient, and not easily intimidated. It means you’re willing to go where you’ve never been, willing to try what you’ve never tried, and willing to trust what you’ve never trusted. Boldness is quiet, not noisy.”
Happy birthday my brother, friend and leader and may our great God not only bless your new age but grant you more fruitful years for better services to humanity.
Chief Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and can be reached via ezemediaconcept2020@gmail.com and 08022049770
