Ndoma-Egba and COCMEG Award On Patriotism

Recently, the Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance (COCMEG), an umbrella body of NGOs, CSOs, activists, and media executives honoured the immediate past Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), with the Centenary Certificate of Credence and Commendation, for his “patriotic legislations over a decade ago and people-oriented leadership.” According to COCMEG’s President, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, the honour was accorded Ndoma-Egba because a critical appraisal of his actions over the years showed that he had engendered a cordial relationship between him and his constituents, whose lives it was confirmed he had been positively touching. Aigbegbele added that Ndoma-Egba puts the nation first in everything he does, before his personal interest, his nationalistic ideals and philosophy towards a new Nigeria. The former Senate Leader and Senior Partner of Ndoma-Egba & Co. who felt elated by the honour bestowed on him, hailed the coalition for their advocacy over the years for the common good of our country, noting that the award will spur him to continue to give his best at all times and for the greater good of humanity. Speaking in an interview, Ndoma-Egba, a three-term Senator between 2003 and 2015 said patriotism is an obligation that every citizen owes to his/her country. While expressing his gratitude for the honour, he stressed the need for Nigerians to continue to remain patriotic even in the midst of the various challenges facing the country. The legal luminary called on Nigerians to be patient with the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Admirers of the Senator believed that he rightly deserves the honour accorded him by COCMEG with the award on patriotism. To them, his eventful and action-packed twelve-year sojourn in the highest lawmaking body of the country clearly portrayed him as a man who truly loves and desires the best for his country. The award, in the words of his followers, could not have come at a better time after offering a worthy service to his fatherland in his capacity as a member of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. Ndoma-Egba is reputed to be one of the highly cerebral Senators the country produced since we returned to democracy in 1999. Peter Ayang had once said in a piece titled, “Exemplary Leadership and Sacrifice: The Victor Ndoma Egba Example”, “Rising to the occasion of his election as Leader of the Nigeria Senate; he was well equipped with a nostalgic roadmap towards surmounting the daunting challenge of his office while mindful of the enormous responsibility thrust upon him. He is an administrator with exceptional strength, ability and vision. The depth of his understanding of policies, bills and laws and their backgrounds proved vital in his efforts towards the administrative running of the Senate. He is a great motivator and steel frame for the advancement of people-oriented causes, a firm advocate of debate who possesses the uncommon ability to pursue popular causes even if they vary with his own personal interest. He is not only an astute technocrat and a team player; he has integrity that can be described as uncommon in this part of the world.” A former chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and now member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ndoma-Egba, in his legislative adventure, single-handedly sponsored over 39 bills, an unprecedented feat in the history of Nigeria’s legislature.