By Frank Momoh
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday felicitated with the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Adeleke Olorunimbe Mamora, as he turns 70.
In his brief sojourn at the Ministry, there is no doubt that Dr. Mamora has carved a niche for himself that can appropriately be described and self-styled as the Apostle of 5Cs, inevitably implying that the Ministry Headquarters, the 17 Agencies, Institutes and Departments should work seamlessly together on the crest of: Collaboration, Cooperation, Communication, Coordination and Cordiality for rapid transformation of Nigeria from being a resource based economy to knowledge economy.
At the just concluded inauguration of NOTAP Governing Board members at the Ministry Headquarters, he said: “If we work having these have 5 Cs, in mind we will make the difference don’t let us have the attitude of me and me alone rather it should be we and we.”
The Minister is known for his humbleness, down-to-earth and a great team player even though he has piloted the affairs of other Ministries before being posted to the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation mid-2022.
The Ministry staff and the Science Journalists that reported the beat will not forget Dr. Mamora, in a hurry not even in the process of time to come.
His body languages and reflexes more often than not thrown up his unhindered in-depth grasp of the Scripture and the Word of God, in a joking spiritual outburst while trying to fix a malfunctioning microphone, he said: “No weapon fashioned against me shall proper.”…and the hall went aflame with laughter.
His theology comes to fore when ever he stands to address the media on national matters.
His understanding of the Bible is largely undisputed combined with powerful erudition in Philosophy.
While hosting stakeholders in the last quarter of 2022 at Nigeria’s /global competitiveness status, he maintained his ground as being a Medical Doctor in Politics to drive development across the country and make life better for humanity.
His often recognition and appreciation of Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh’s effort even as surrogate Minister resonates and speaks volume of a great team player. He never ceases to refer to Chief Ikoh as the only recognized and branded red cap Chief in the Ministry.
Senator Mamora has always threaded where others have refused and feared to step on. In brutally frank mannerism, he took several board members unaware recently when he averred that the line between Governing Board Chairmen and his members and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)/DGs of MDAS must be understand and properly drawn even though the job of governance must be done harmoniously to move Nigeria forward.
For him, the boardroom war and constant fight for supremacy between the board and management is unnecessary.
“What I have seen in a number cases particularly in my former position as Minister in the Ministry of Health a lot of times what you see is cat and mouse game between the board and management and if I may narrow between the Chairman of the board and the CEO of the agency.
“It shouldn’t be they are supposed to work together under the 5 principles that I have mentioned and for me and the Ministry, it is not our intention, we do not want to interfere as much as possible with how the agency is run.” He said.
Still on his birthday through a statement made available to EXTRAORDINAIRE Online, Mr. Femi Adesina, SA on Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, stated:
“In a video recording to mark the anniversary, President Buhari acknowledges the contributions of the Senator to the elections that brought him to office in 2015 and 2019 adding that “Dr. Mamora cannot therefore be separated from my political success.”
The full text of the video message is reproduced below:
“Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
“It is my pleasure and delight to pay this tribute to my Minister, Senator Dr Adeleke Mamora, as he turns 70 on February 16, 2023.
“I consider Dr Mamora a co-traveler in my political journey, having served as Deputy Director General of the APC Presidential Election Campaign Committee in 2015, and 2019, respectively.
“These were elections that brought me to office as President, and renewal of mandate for the second term. Dr Mamora cannot therefore be separated from my political success, as he worked with his heart, mind and strength for electoral success. Thank you very much.
“The medical doctor-turned politician has made a name as Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, a Senator of the Federal Republic, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Minister of State for Health, and now Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. Thank you for service to our party, the APC, and to Nigeria, our own dear native land.
“Happy 70th birthday. Best wishes to your dear wife, children and grandchildren.
“Congratulations and happy 70th birthday.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the Senator’s navigation of the Ministry with footprints that will be left in the sands of time.
Certainly, and with an assured amazing charisma and jokes, he will live long in the memories of Journalists and staff of the Ministry even though History remains the barometer as best judge.
More to follow…