Senior Correspondent, OKEY MADUFORO, writes on his encounter with former Vice Chairman of NCC and Anambra South senatorial candidate of APGA, ERNEST NDUKWE.
Former Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ernest Ndukwe, is hardly a strange name to most Nigerians. The name, in fact, resonates when issues concerning telecommunication regulation are thrown up.
Ndukwe, however, puts up a humble carriage that conceals the technocrat in him.
This was the impression of our reporter at a meeting with the accomplished electronic engineer at his country home, Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Given his disposition, it was also thought that he should not have anything to do with the murky waters of Nigerian politics where decorum and caution are thrown to the winds. But Ndukwe has a contrary opinion, preferring not to see politics as being dirty or even being a game after all.
“I had always nursed the ambition of going into politics and to contest an election. I am somebody who is very development-oriented. I have served the country; I have served the private sector. I thought that one thing that I have always wanted is to be involved in the development of my country.
“I wasn’t too pleased with the level of representation that Anambra has had so far. Some of them had tried in the past. But in the recent past, we think we needed to up the game a bit; that is why I am offering myself for service because I think I have the background, the boldness and the readiness. I have the spiritual and physical balance to do a good job of a senator,” he said.
Politics, he said, is a call for service to humanity and not what people describe as a dirty game, adding that when responsible people shy away from politics, the society is left at the mercy of those who are not there for the people. It is the activities of such participants that people understudy to call politics a dirty game.
According to him, “It is only when experienced people get into politics that service is appreciated. That is when we can clearly understand that it is not even a game let alone being a dirty game.”
On account of this conviction, he is running for Anambra South Senatorial district on the ticket of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Aside his aspiration for the Senate, Ndukwe lamented the fall in oil price which, he said, portends danger in the country. He stressed that only very experienced people should be entrusted with the welfare and wellbeing of the country.
“Our over-dependence on oil in everything that we do is not proper. People like me and other well-meaning Nigerians, when they get into policy-making situation, will be able to impact on our country effectively without fear, and people will be able to be in line with what is going on,” he remarked.
In his manifesto, which he christened ‘My mission in the Senate’, the former NCC vice chairman pledged that what he intends to do first and foremost is to be an agent of truth for politicians that are regarded sometimes as people that cannot be relied on.
His words: “I am proud to call myself a politician. Politics produces most of the leaders of a nation so it is a very serious business.
“For Anambra South Senatorial Zone, I intend to focus on youth development and skill acquisition. Our people have very high entrepreneurial spirit, and this is good. So we have to train them properly in those areas and make sure that they will be able to hold themselves high to compete with other people from other parts of the country. We intend to facilitate the creation of skill acquisition centres that would empower our youths.
“I see plenty of need for social infrastructure which is water supply, hospitals and the like and shall be able to provide a lot of investment in this area. We shall attract international community to invest in our zone and create that social security for the people.”
Analysts are agreed that despite his lofty agenda, Ndukwe has a herculean task in Anambra South Senatorial District, especially with identified old war horses and gladiators holding sway.
This is, for instance, a senatorial district that has the self-styled Anambra political godfather, Chris Uba, contesting with his elder brother, Andy Uba, currently a senator, for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Aside the Uba factor, PDP also seems to have a foothold in the zone. Ndukwe, however, does not appear intimidated, believing strongly that he possesses all that it takes for one to become a senator. His supporters agree, adding that he is among the first 11 that Anambra needs to parade before the National Assembly in the next dispensation.
Ndukwe, incidentally, has the required credentials to flaunt in this respect. He said: “As at the period that I worked in NCC, we were voted the best regulatory agency in Africa. We had about 80 million connected lines by 2010 when I left office. I worked as the chairman of the Administrative Council of the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) and immediate past chairman of the West African Telecommunication Regulators Association (WATRA) which I helped to pioneer.
He has also represented Nigeria at various international events and is a regular resource person at international conferences including International Telecommunications Union (ITU)-organised fora and events. He is also a Vice Chairman of Telecom Development Advisory Group (TDAG) of the ITU, representing Nigeria.
His tenure in the private sector and at the NCC has exposed him to many international travels.
He is also on the Board of Directors of Research ICT Africa (RIA) based in Cape Town South Africa. RIA conducts public – interest research on ICT policy and regulation in Africa.