Dr. NGOZI OLEJEME: AN AMAZON PAR DIFFERENCE

BY PATRICK OGBOGU

Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Juliet Olejeme is a woman of many parts. She is an acute administrator, Finance and Insurance expert, Entrepreneur, Management consultant, Philanthropist, Politician, Social Mobilizer, Human Rights activist, Nationalist and a devout Christian.

She rose from a humble background to national prominence during the military regime of late General Sani Abacha between 1993-1998 when she fearlessly joined other progressive forces in Nigeria to raise a strong opposition against the military dictator taking cognizance of the fact that military incursion into Nigeria politics is an aberration to democratic ethos. 

An alumnus of Ivy League Universities in both the US and the UK Ngozi is an Amazon with much piety and sagacity and has distinguished herself as an exemplary public officer who uses her skills, wisdom, and uncommon brilliance as the board Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and as the Convener of Subsidy Re-Investment And Empowerment Program (SURE-P) On Public Works to steer the ship of these trust funds to enviable heights amongst other government agencies.

 Apart from Ngozi's transformational drives as Chairman of Pension Trust Fund Plc, a subsidiary of NSITF, the Amazon won the admiration of Nigerian workers and labour leaders when she spearheaded the passage of the sumptuous Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS) bill into law. 

The scheme among other benefits provides for adequate compensation to all categories of Nigeria workers both in the public and private sector and their dependants in the event of any injury, sickness, disability or death arising in the course of employment.

No doubt, Ngozi has tore down barriers and has overtaken her contemporaries and surpassed men of timber and caliber. The secrets behind her success in life is based on her philosophy about life, which is "Faith in God and rendering selfless service to humanity" 

Ngozi's personal character, humane nature and her ability to impact on people's lives particularly the widows and the less-privileged ones in the society through her official contacts and financial capability has endeared her favorably to the generality of Nigerians who described her as a benevolent woman who is filled with the milk of human kindness, Ngozi's pet foundation the U and I and widowhood projects designed to improve the lives of widows and the down-trodden persons had in Asaba donated cash prizes to 200 widows cut across her Oshimili South Local Government Area to enable the widows establish the trade of their choice and be able to carter for their entire families. 

She has equally made some cash donations to each market woman to enable them improve on their trades. While committing her personal resources to afford educational facilities for indigent and brilliant students in different parts of the country, she has equally assisted many displaced youths and graduates to secure gainful employments in government establishment. 

Aside from giving financial support to the old people's homes, Ngozi has equally given priority attention to our traditional institutions in ensuring that royal fathers uphold our rich cultural heritage, encourage family values and promote peace and unity among various ethnic groups a well as to contribute to the political system of governance. 

As a woman, Dr Ngozi believes that women should be given the necessary support to reach high leadership positions and should not be discriminated against as a result of their gender. Surely, Ngozi has weathered all storms and has performed more than Napoleon Bonaparte. In recognition to Ngozi's outstanding contributions to nation building and for bringing more dignity to her home town Asaba the Delta State capital.

Dr Ngozi who was first appointed as board Chairman of the NSITF by late President Umaru Musa Yar Adua in 2009 and re-appointed by President Good luck Jonathan in 2011 for another four year term in office was on Saturday November 16, 2013 in Lagos honored overwhelmingly by her Asaba people who came from different parts of the world defiling all odds to confer on Ngozi the "Distinguished Citizen Award" in a colorful ceremony which was well attended by dignitaries such as the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien (CFR) and the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar amongst others. 

The award event which was organized by the Asaba Development Union, Women Wing, Lagos, during their 65th Anniversary and Special Award Ceremony brought to the fore, the Asaba Amazon and NSITF boss who had been working round the clock under the presidency towards resolving the FG/ASUU impasse.

Ngozi, had earlier bagged an honorary Doctorate Degree from the American Heritage University of Southern California and the prestigious African International Award (AIA) in Ghana. 

She is a Fellow of the Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration and Life Member / Commonwealth Ambassador of Royal Commonwealth Society among others. 

No doubt, these laudable achievements have not only endeared Ngozi favorably to the presidency but have also established her names beyond the frontiers of the Commonwealth. 

No wonder, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, a former US Secretary of State had described Ngozi as an excellent class of African women leaders who are championing democratic leadership in Africa.