Ojo Maduekwe: Tribute to a quintessential gentleman

Ojo Maduekwe, a quintessential gentleman, one whose ‘yes’ was ‘yes’ and ‘no was no,’ whose compliments always lifted you up when one were low in spirit. You were like a watchdog who always told the truth. To you truth, was gold. I will always remember you as an epitome of honesty. As colleagues in the […]

Ojo Maduekwe, a quintessential gentleman, one whose ‘yes’ was ‘yes’ and ‘no was no,’ whose compliments always lifted you up when one were low in spirit. You were like a watchdog who always told the truth. To you truth, was gold.
I will always remember you as an epitome of honesty. As colleagues in the House of Representatives in the 2nd Republic and members of the Committee on Petroleum, you said that the 2nd National Assembly intends to take its constitutional role very seriously and called for absolute co-operation from all bodies associated with the petroleum industry. It is only, on this, you said, that the principle of accountability to the people of this country would be tenable.
This is a patriotic statement from a patriotic man. You were a patriotic Nigerian and your appointment as the ambassador of Nigeria to Canada was not a mistake. There wouldn’t have been a better person. You kept the flag flying. Yes, Ojo Madueke ate with kings but still wanted to maintain touch with all.
Maduekwe was a man of the people, his suggestions and policies were people-oriented. You had wanted Nigerians to spare a thought for the bicycle when discussing the transportation mix. You even rode a bicycle from the ministers’ quarters through Shehu Shagari Way to the dederal secretariat in the rain. For you, it was more than a bicycle ride. You were simply practicing what you had been preaching. You explained that the car and the bicycle each have a distinct service to offer. You said that it will be foolhardy to embark on a journey from Gwagwalada to Abuja on a bicycle but it would make sense for a man to come from his home in Gwagwalada and cover the 500 yards between his house and the Gwagwalada Bus Stop where he would park his bicycle, lock it up and board a bus for Abuja.
You told State House correspondents after the bicycle ride that: “This may even help to redefine our values.” You also said that you were not bothered by reactions but that you made the proposal to elicit reactions from the public – the main stakeholders. That was why you were not in a hurry to send a memo on it to the Federal Executive Council until Nigerians had exhaustively debated it. What a democrat. You even sited a Guardian newspaper editorial which knocked the bicycle proposal. You said you had been grossly misunderstood, that in the spirit of democracy, it was not a policy to compel Nigerians to use bicycles but was a matter of choice. It was not mandatory; it was not cohesion, and also not force. You explained again that it was not intended for long distances.
You had a lot of respect for public opinion. As a Minister of Foreign Affairs, you unveiled a new foreign policy thrust for the nation. You announced the re-branding of the country’s foreign policy with focus on its citizens tagged ‘Citizens Diplomacy.’ The idea according to you was to ensure that the nation’s foreign policy “must benefit her citizens while they also serve as tool to project and defend the country.” The objectives of the policy, you said, were also to reflect the domestic, political, economic, technological, social and cultural aspirations of Nigerians in projecting the country to the entire world. This major effort led to your nomination by the Board of Editors of media organizations for the Minister of the Year award.
The very last time I saw you, was in a meeting about a month ago at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja. As soon as you saw me, you said to me like a gentleman as you began to hail me: “the Olivia herself, the great Olivia, the beautiful Olivia…” and so on. You made me feel good and confident. Little did I know that that was going to be our last encounter. Maduekwe knew the value of encouragement and he was a very jovial person.
Just when your country needed you the most, you made a glorious exit. You died doing one of the things you liked most – travelling. You did not disturb anyone with sickness and disease and being incapacitated.
I will miss you a lot. You are irreplaceable, you are an incorruptible icon and Nigerians will miss you.
Even though you are no more, you will forever remain in our hearts.
Agbajoh wrote in from Abuja.