She is, wise, brain, grit, humility and much more elegant personified. A detribalised, pan-Nigerian patriot. She’s organically wired with a surfeit of those virtues that are scarce among the accomplished.
Those who have had any close contact with her can attest to her warmth, her disarming, down-to-earth, and unassuming persona. In her husband’s hometown, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala (NOI), DG of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is not only loved and venerated, she evokes love that flows from the bowels. She loves them and they love her in equal measure. I witnessed this first hand in September 2014, when I had a rare privilege of spending a few hours in her family house in Umuda, Isingwu, Umuahia, Abia State.
Mind you, she was the then powerful Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), the first to occupy such an office in this clime.
To lend credence to her uncommon humility, NOI the effervescent CME then, personally served food to a ‘proletariat’ like yours sincerely. In spite of my loud protestations, she could only urge me to sit down and eat, in a most persuasive manner. I saw her retort, “Ndubuisi, you’re my guest. Sit down and eat.” What struck me most was that the two-time Honourable Minister had a retinue of domestic aides and relatives at her beck and call to serve me. Instead, she chose to personally serve someone who, by every standard, is beneath her. That experience has remained indelibly etched in my entire being.
I have come in contact with many personalities, far less accomplished than her, yet hubris defines their every step.
At the time she was minister, she would pick calls and respond to missed ones. Many after her never did. It’s neither silver nor gold that endeared her to many, including me. I have the highest regard for her uncommon humanity.
I value her regard and respect for people than all the material things in the universe combined. As she climbs the seventh floor, I have nothing but good wishes and prayers for God to continue to order her steps. I pray for wisdom to navigate the intricate global boardroom politics. I pray for happiness and long life etched in sound health.
Mind you, she was the then powerful Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), the first to occupy such an office in this clime.
To lend credence to her uncommon humility, NOI the effervescent CME then, personally served food to a ‘proletariat’ like yours sincerely. In spite of my loud protestations, she could only urge me to sit down and eat, in a most persuasive manner. I saw her retort, “Ndubuisi, you’re my guest. Sit down and eat.”
What struck me most was that the two-time Honourable Minister had a retinue of domestic aides and relatives at her beck and call to serve me. Instead, she chose to personally serve someone who, by every standard, is beneath her. That experience has remained indelibly etched in my entire being.
I have come in contact with many personalities, far less accomplished than her, yet hubris defines their every step.
At the time she was minister, she would pick calls and respond to missed ones. Many after her never did. It’s neither silver nor gold that endeared her to many, including me. I have the highest regard for her uncommon humanity.
I value her regard and respect for people than all the material things in the universe combined. As she climbs the seventh floor, I have nothing but good wishes and prayers for God to continue to order her steps.
I pray for wisdom to navigate the intricate global boardroom politics. I pray for happiness and long life etched in sound health.
Happy birthday, with much affection from Governance Today Nigeria news.
