TRIBUTE Otiotio: An ambassador of ChristTurns 56
ISufuyan Ojeifo
met Ambassador Emmanuel Oseimiegha Otiotio in 1998 while I was Deputy Bureau Editor in the Abuja Office of Vanguard newspapers. At his instance, I attended a lunch meeting, in his house at the “E” wing of the Apo Legislators’ Quarters, which provided an opportunity to let us into his political plans and build a friendship that has, since then, flourished. Otiotio, an official of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, was Chief Protocol Officer in the Office of the Head of State, a position he assumed in 1995. In 1998, he resigned to make a foray into the murky waters of politics; and, his aspiration was to be governor of Bayelsa State.
He was confident that he would make it. But his quiet mien and soft voice, as he regaled us with his vision for Bayelsa State, painted a contrasting picture of a gentleman taking up the gauntlet, to confront a horde of rugged, desperate and unconscionable politicians who were all set to grab power at all cost.
At the end of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries that he reportedly won, but which victory was awarded to Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, President Olusegun Obasanjo, acting in concert with the leadership of the party in the state, decided to pacify him by appointing him Nigeria’s ambassador to Japan. While in the saddle as ambassador in Tokyo, he performed creditably, helping to develop frameworks that strengthened bilateral relations between Japan and Nigeria.
He returned to the country in 2003, with his eyes sharply focused on the governorship of Bayelsa, but he did not enter into the race. Yet, he believes he is a battle axe in the hands of God to deliver and take his people people to El-Dorado. He says he is waiting for specific instruction from God on the right time to take the plunge.
Otiotio, who is 56 years old today, is not under any pressure to make a hurried decision. He does not believe the factor of age is potent enough to stymie the plan and purpose of God for his life. Ask him any question, no matter how tricky, his answer is always: “I am praying and we must continue to pray. God will guide me and He is the One who has the final say.”
Born in Nembe, Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State on December 27, 1958, Otiotio, who is happily married with five children, attended Government Primary School, Opobo Town and State School, Bassambiri between 1966 and 1971, before proceeding to Nembe National Grammar School from 1972 to 1976.
From 1978 to 1982, he studied and obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in History from the University of Port Harcourt, and from 1985 to 1986, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos. He studied at the Foreign Service Academy, Lagos, from 1987 to 1988 from where he obtained a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies.
Consequent upon graduation and his oneyear National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Otiotio was employed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was posted to West Germany in August 1992. He was seconded from the Ministry to the International Training Institute for Peace, Lagos in 1994. He was thereafter seconded to the Office of the Head of State as Chief Protocol Officer in January 1995.
His Emmanuel Oseimiegha Otiotio Farms and Foundation both of which he established in 2005 are up and running. And because of his influence and capacity to offer Godly advice, he was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Government of Bayelsa from August 2008 to February 2012.
A polyglot, who speaks Ijaw, Igbo, German and English, Otiotio is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. His hobbies are reading and studying the Bible, singing Christian songs, praying for leaders (any time he sees me, his admonition has always been for us to pray for Nigeria and its leader), playing golf and doing community service.
He has attended so many important courses spanning the secular and religious spheres. He took courses at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Havard University and Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. In the religious sphere, he has taken a number of courses organised by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
But it is quite significant, perhaps, to locate his passion for Jesus Christ in his global view. For him, Christ is the fulcrum on which creation and its totality revolve. Little wonder, therefore, that he cannot divorce Jesus Christ from all his discussions and dispositions. He is also quick to preach the crucified Christ. This is wishing my beloved Christ’s ambassador, a happy birthday.