Interests
Image Consulting
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Image Consulting
As I listened raptly to Prof Pat Utomi’s interviews on NTA (Funmi Iyanda’s New Dawn - Feb 21) and Africa Independent Television (Feb 22) on his programme of action if elected president; he struck me as a man with an air of believability around him. Convincing, compelling, consummately passionate and well grounded on topical issues, he has a contagious mien. Pat Utomi means different things to different people. He’s a man people love to hate and hate to love. Either way, he just cannot be ignored. One of the most recognizable faces in the media, he is a leading light in the fields of business and academics nationally and internationally. Our frontline presidential candidate also has tentacles in several high value-yielding enterprises in Nigeria. A visionary, competent, committed, credible, capable, versatile, charismatic, savvy, suave, excellence exemplifying, captivating, inspirational, down to earth and likeable economist, politician, board room guru, entrepreneur, activist, social commentator, leader, empowerment speaker and resource person, is how Pat Utomi has been described in various fora. He’s deeply passionate about giving Nigeria its long neglected place of pride in the comity of nations. A true nationalist, he’s an issue-driven grassroots politician, with a patriotic zeal to move the nation forward in all ramifications. Prof Utomi has a clear understanding of the complex and vexing Niger Delta issue and has outlined a clear and practical programme of rapid infrastructural and manpower development there. His simplicity, sincerity and downright forthrightness have won him the hearts of Niger Deltans who see him as one leader they can trust. The practical, youth-friendly employment generating programme and the revitalization of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme are among his highly commendable programmes. An overview of the vast experience, Prof Utomi has garnered over twenty years at the top level in both the public and private service, are reasons to believe that he is all that’s needed to make the desired change in our dear nation. He’s a viable alternative to the throng of politicians gunning for a shot at Aso Rock. With a crumbling manufacturing sector; a moribund health care system; a lowering life expectancy ( 46.5 yrs: males and females: 47.7 yrs. Source: 2006 estimates of the CIA World Fact book); a poverty rate of 71%; an unemployment rate of 5.8% (Source: 2006 estimates of the CIA World Fact book); a questionable, opposition targeted anti-corruption drive; state lawlessness and brazen disregard for the rule of law; perennial and embarrassing fuel scarcity; rising insecurity; epileptic power supply; error laden voters registration exercise; worsening instability and militancy in the Niger Delta; unnecessary and wasteful image laundering schemes; unaccountable rulers (not leaders), unacceptably high unemployment rates; a confused and inconsistent educational policy and a presidency looking increasingly more interested in public mudslinging matches than in the serious and pressing issues of governance; it becomes imperative that it cannot be business as usual in this nation. The nation’s youths are being subjected to emotional, intellectual and financial rape on a daily basis. In Pat Utomi’s words, “change must come”. That change starts with you and me, when we recognize that those fit for public office must of a necessity, be individuals ready and willing to live out a new philosophy of accountability, incorruptibility, excellence, integrity, good governance, nationalism, vision, credibility, competence, diligence, positivism, social responsibility and youth empowerment as well as have a track record of same. No candidate in the current political spectrum best exemplifies these worthy attributes than Prof Utomi. He’s done it before and he can do it again. He’s one of the faces of a re-birthed Nigeria – one that can hold her head high in the international arena. The mobilization of progressive forces is already on and “no force on earth can stand against an idea whose time has come”. No matter the outcome of the elections on April 21st 2007, Pat Utomi you remain a winner. Ride on worthy compatriot! |