Sir Peter Aliu: The life of an icon @ 70

“I saw you standing close to that man over there; do you know him very well?  He is one of the nicest humans I have ever met. I doubt he will recognise me; if not for him, my family will not have shelter over their heads today.” These were the words from a dialogue that […]

“I saw you standing close to that man over there; do you know him very well?  He is one of the nicest humans I have ever met. I doubt he will recognise me; if not for him, my family will not have shelter over their heads today.”
These were the words from a dialogue that ensued between a total stranger and I at the University of Abuja, where I had accompanied my father in-law, Sir Peter Oshoma Aliu, to check on the academic progress of his son, Patrick.
‘He is a very kind, hardworking and God fearing man while in office,” the stranger said further as she proceeded to pay homage to a benefactor whom as she predicted didn’t recall her encounter with him.
That is the quintessential Peter Oshoma Aliu, KSS, NPOM. A man I have come to admire, love and respect.
Born August 1, 1945, to late Pa Patrick Momodu Aliu and Madam Juliana Aliu, he is a native of Fugar, in Etsako, Central local government area of Edo State.
The story of Sir Peter Aliu is one of resilience, commitment, doggedness, and grass to grace. It is also a story of one whose passion became his profession. As stated in a tribute by Pastor Sylvester Abaka, a very close childhood friend: “Peter was the organiser of our group’s social events such as picnics at places like Ikoyi Park, Lagos. The events were always well organised that I nicknamed him Baba Eto (meaning, Chief of Protocol). An exact position he later attained in life and excelled at.”
Sir Peter Aliu, joined the federal civil service in 1967 and was posted to the Ministry of Economic Development, where he worked under former president Shehu Shagari who was then the minister in charge of economic planning.
In 1976, he was transferred to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as protocol officer. In response to his commitment and dedication to work, the first commissioner of FCDA, Chief (Dr.) Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun (1976-1979) and 12 other successive ministers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were very impressed with his performance as protocol officer that each in turn, asked him to stay on the job.
The ministers were Mr. John Jatau Kadiya (1979-1982), Alhaji Iro Abubakar Dan Musa (1982-1983), Chief Mark Okoye , minister of state, FCT (1982-1983), Alhaji Haliru Dantoro (1983-1984), late Major General Mamman Vatsa (1984-1985); AVM Hamza Abdullahi (rtd). (1986-1989), Major General Gado Nasko (rtd.) (1989-1993), Lt. General Jeremiah Useni (rtd.) (1993-1998), late Prof. (Mrs.) Miriam Ikejiani-Clark, minister of state (1993-1998), late Major General Mamman Tsoho Kontagora (rtd) (1998-1999), Arch. Ibrahim Bunu (1999-2001); and Engr. Mohammed Abba-Gana (2001-2003), the last of the minister he worked with until he retired meritoriously as director of protocol in 2003.
In his 35 years of service to his fatherland, Sir Aliu handled many sensitive national assignments amongst which are his being a member of the ‘think tank’ team that planned and executed the first independence anniversary celebration outside Lagos; member planning committee on Pope John Paul II (now St Pope John Paul 11’s) visit to Nigeria; member committee responsible for the reception of various heads of state visiting Nigeria, including former American president, Bill Clinton, to Nigeria; and member committee on the handing over of the military government of General Abdulsalam Abubakar to the civilian government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
His impressive performances at the various levels he served in the Nigerian civil service, were rewarded with various commendations and recognitions. He received several letters of commendation. Prominent amongst these are: Letter of Gratitude from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria (July 21, 1983); Letter of Commendation from the Executive Secretary, FCDA (1978); Letter of Appreciation from the Board of Trustees, Nigeria National Merit Awards Endowment Fund (June 18, 1986); and Letter of Commendation from the Chairperson, Better Life Programme, Abuja (1990).
Sir Aliu has distinguished himself in the service of humanity. His passion and zeal for actions aimed at helping the less privileged and improving the life of communities can hardly be matched. Spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria, his philanthropic and pro-life contributions and activities cannot be exhaustively discussed or listed.
He has carried out such activities as an individual and as a member of several charity organisations. He is a founding member of St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ebute-Meta Catholic Parish, Lagos; and the current president of the same association for helping the poor and needy at the Holy Family Catholic Parish, Abuja. He is a Paul Harris fellow of Rotary International.
Some of his direct profile and philanthropic deeds are the award of scholarships to indigent students, sponsorship of free comprehensive medical treatment, provision of drugs and payment of bills for indigent patients,  sponsorship of disease eradication programmes, donation of power generating sets to hospitals and assistance towards ward expansion some of these hospitals.
For direct poverty alleviation, he started small scale businesses for youths and assisted others to acquire computer literacy. There can be no meaningful progress without security of lives and property. This consciousness led Sir Aliu to single-handedly build and donate a police station to Fugar community and helped in equipping vigilante groups with motorcycles and torches.
Sir Peter Aliu is a recipient of many awards for his valuable contributions to humanity. These awards have come from governments, church organisations, many communities and clubs, students’ associations, artists and entertainers. A few of these awards include the prestigious National Productive Order of Merit (NPOM) from the Federal Government of Nigeria; Distinguished Service Cross on the Ribbon Medal from the Federal Republic of Germany; Papal Knight of St. Pope Sylvester from the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II (as he was then).
Today, I celebrate a man who gave me my very supportive wife, a good woman, Hilda, and pray that God continues to take total control of all that concerns you.
Happy birthday Sir!

Abu writes from Utako, Abuja.