An Encounter With Dr Pat Utomi  

Recently, yours truly found himself as a member of the committee that hosted a fund raising dinner for Dr. Patrick Okedinachi Utomi in Indianapolis. As someone that has written about “when talk alone is cheap” I could not suffer apathy. Together with Mr. Jimi Akiboh, Mr. Alfred Dosekun, Ayoade Adewopo, Patrick Okigbo I I I and a host of other well meaning Nigerians, the Indiana event was a great success. 

The highlight of the event was the dinner at Architect Henry and Florence Onochie’s home. The host and hostess were very gracious and of course food and wine was aplenty. During the course of the night, yours truly sat down with Dr. Utomi for an half hour of questions and answers covering a wide range of national issues. The following are some of the issues we talked about. 

Q: The restoration group, who are they and what is their political philosophy? 

A: The restoration group came out of the concerned professionals, we are convinced that we need to raise a legion of servant leaders to reinvent Nigeria. Driven by character, competence, commitment and compassion. The restoration group believes in free market enterprise with a human face and we believe ultimately that human dignity should be the goal of public policy. Some of our members are Mr.Tunde Akinleye, Dr. Ayo Ighodaro et al. 

Q: You talked about servant leaders, what is the restoration group doing to recruit reputable candidates for the 2007 elections? 

A: The restoration group has placed advertisements in the national dailies to recruit individuals with the 4cs, character, competence, commitment and compassion. To field such candidates from the local government to the federal level. Right now, we have individuals such as Dr. Kayode Fayemi running in Ekiti state, Dr. Moses Momoh in Edo state and we are forming coalitions amongst the different parties across the nation. 

Q: Could you tell us briefly what your security goals are, given the fact that cases of armed robbery, assassinations and general insecurity pervades the land? 

A: Already as a group we have position papers on national security. I have said repeatedly that the devolution of police powers is an idea whose time has come, we will invest heavily on manpower training and we will use examples of what obtains in countries like South Africa, thereby recruiting administrators and technocrats to lead the police force. This will inject fresh ideas into the force and will steer it in a different direction. The devolution of police powers will pave the way for state and local police departments. 

Q: Pundits have opined that the lack of unique identification number something akin to the social security number in America is the reason why murders go unsolved and credit is hard to get in Nigeria, what would you do differently?

A: We will introduce biometric identification for all Nigerians and devolve some of the duties to state governments with coordinating federal institutions to ascertain quality. 

Q: If elected President of Nigeria, what would be your first 100 days goal? 

A: Entrepreneurship extension scheme roll out to create jobs, police reforms, infrastructure scheme roll out, the recruitment of an army of young men and women to help small scale growth and the introduction of public service reform. 

Q: In measuring the success or otherwise of your goals, what would be the yardstick? 

A: Budget process will be transparent and specific goals will have a benchmark and time frame to track its progress. And of course the administrators will be held accountable. 

Q: The military, what are your plans to engage them meaningfully? 

A: There is a need to dialogue with the military and appraise its present role in Nigeria. They are a part of us, we need to understand and dialogue with them. At the moment, I haven’t started any dialogue with the military as an institution but I have made personal relationships with some of them. 

At this point the security detail attached to Dr. Utomi cuts in and informed us that the Onochies are waiting on the candidate and the interview was abruptly ended, before I let the candidate leave however, I had to ask him one more question. 

Q: Overall, what is your vision for Nigeria? 

A: Our vision for Nigeria is building a country of a people of integrity and industry who are prosperous and respected around the world as a regional power. Stimulating the African renaissance and ensuring the dignity of the human person. 

Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia writes from Indianapolis, Indiana. Can be reached at abdu_mumi@yahoo.co.uk 

Post script: for more on Dr Utomi’s policy positions, visit www.patutomi2007.com 
 

Robot  # 1 | 13.10.2006 04:10

...Read the full article.

BiafranPrincess  # 2 | 13.10.2006 05:58

In my ideal world, Pat Utomi would be president, Buhari -vice-president, Ribadu-IG of police, Dora Akunyili-Minister of health, Nwabueze/Gani-Minister of Justice,.... etc One day na one day....

ELAWALO  # 3 | 13.10.2006 07:46

PAT UTOMI Is the Man I put my money on. Only if our electorate would be mature enough to do away with all those Confusionists, Incendiaries, Bandits, and thier ilk. Nigerians vote for proven leaders in business like PAT who are willing to discuss SUBSTANCE, ADD VALUE, and CREATE WEALTH. Let those of us away from home contribute positively. Pray that God Restores NIGERIA through Men with Genuine 4C's .. Amen

segun  # 4 | 13.10.2006 08:35

I hope he is given a fair go with all the circumstances we are into ... I pray it is someone that understands and is willing to do it cos it's another thing to understand and not do it as we have seen in the last 46 years ... with all the manifesto and loud mouth....... I hope things will get better from this next general elections ..Amen

pukpabi  # 5 | 13.10.2006 12:15

Folks, If this is a dream, please do not wake me up. That someone in the mould of Dr. Utomi wants to rule Nigeria, and is making waves is something to be cherished. Oh! God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hear the cry of your children. We need leaders whose minds are developed, and who understand what leadership is all about. With what is going on now in Nigeria, especially in Aso Rock, it is shameful to be identified as a Nigerian. Sometimes, I look at Obasanjo, and I wonder how he got to be President of a country like Nigeria; a country with some of the most intelligent people in the world. As if that is not embarrassing enough, this tug called Atiku wants to be my President. This gangster of the most larceneous kind wants to lead me. To where does he want to lead me to when he can't even see. Pray, what in the world makes Atiku think he is qualified to be the President of a country like Nigeria? Fellow countrymen, have we sunk to this level? A guy who did not have the hunger and thirst for education to earn at least a Bachelor's degree wants to be President. A guy from a part of the country where if he had what it takes, would have been sent anywhere in the world for further education did not do that, and he has the effrontery to bid for the nation's highest office. This guy, Atiku needs to be told it is a new dawn in Nigeria where men of integrity, ideas, developed minds, and great vision will preside. Paschal Ukpabi, J.D. Michigan, USA