By Asu Beks
It is believed that the phrase “patience is a virtue” originated from a 14th Century poem, though also popular among adherents of various religions where patience is celebrated in various scriptures and texts.
More recently, adherents of various religions have also taken an interest in this virtuous trait. Kiran M. Newman, writing for Greater Good magazine says recent studies have found that “good things really do come to those who wait”.
Perhaps, this explanation fits Mr Chudi Offodile, executive director, Finance and Administration, who on Monday, March 10 was named a “place holder” even if for only 24 hours, as Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, upon the expiration of the tenure of the erstwhile Director General, Dr Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, on March 10, 2024.
For Mr Chudi Offodile, the erudite maritime lawyer, author and politician, ensuring the virtues of patience had become a part and parcel of him. Offodile believes in the age-long aphorism that “what will be will be”. But has the waiting just begun? Or has it come to an end? Offodile shot himself into political relevance when in 1999 he was voted into the Federal House of Representatives to represent the good people of Awka North/South under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Cool, calm and unassuming, Offodile is a man of few words and a good listener.
Unknown to many, his patience, unassuming personality coupled with his charm are his most lethal weapons. Offodile who got re-elected into the House in 2003 displayed outstanding leadership skills as Chairman of the Special Investigation Committee on Joint Venture Oil Operations.
As a direct outcome of his excellent performance, Offodile sponsored the bill for the creation of the Nigeria Content Development in the Oil and Gas Industry (2002). This bill, consolidated with similar bills, has become law and led to the significant improvement in the participation of indigenous companies in the Oil and Gas sector, thus leading to the establishment of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Upon his re-election in 2003, Offodile was appointed as Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee. In that capacity, he deployed his legal prowess and diligence in the discharge of his responsibilities, recording very impressive achievements. This Committee under his leadership investigated dozens of petitions from Nigerians ranging from wrongful dismissal from the public service, corruption and abuse of office, to cases of police brutality and other human rights violations.
This effort earned him “The Best Legislator Award” by Thisday in 2004. For a man who will attain the Diamond Age of 60 years on November 19, 2024, it would not be out of place to admit that Offodile has seen it all in Nigeria’s murky waters of politics. After he left the House, Offodile ventured into private legal practice where he was the Lead Partner of Chudi Offodile and Co, Abuja, but also playing an active role in Anambra State politics as a leading PDP member.
As a loyal party man, it was not surprising that fortune was about to smile on him as the candidate for the sole ministerial slot allocated to Anambra State, but for a last minute action by the former President Goodluck Jonathan. This happened on two different occasions forcing him to dump PDP for APC. As it sometimes turns out, patience looks pretty.
Often times, the season of waiting could take much longer than one had anticipated. In some cases, the waiting could be painful and excruciating. Things finally fell apart as he had no option than to dump the PDP for APC. His initial take off at APC was also bumpy, but solace finally came when former President Muhammadu Buhari on March 10, 2020 named him Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA. As a man who was forced to swallow some bitter pills while in the PDP, he took his new job at NIMASA as a call to serve his fatherland rather than a political patronage.
In his four years tenure as DG, Dr Bashir Jamoh saw in Offodile a confidant, an ally, and a brother. As a lawyer, Offodile recognized the fact there was only one boss at NIMASA and displayed his loyalty in a manner that was devoid of doubt. He didn’t for once cross the border line. Offodile was not one to go about complaining about his boss, unlike some of his colleagues in the esthwile Executive Management who openly campaigned to take Jamoh’s job. Offodile remained focused on his job and would not be found at a dinner where no invitation was extended to him. And by so doing, he kept his integrity intact, an act which won the admiration of his supervising Minister, His Excellency, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola. It was, therefore, not surprising that Offodile late last year got his tenure extended, the only Executive Director in the history of NIMASA to enjoy such a privilege.
As for Dr Dayo Mobereola, the NIMASA helmsman, he has a confidant and brother in Chudi Offodile that he could always count on to drive home the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed in the Marine and Blue Economy.
•Beks, leading maritime journalist and publisher, writes from Lagos.