Our Personality this week is a Delta-born, but Lagos-based legal luminary. He is a business mogul, a management consultant, a socialite and a philanthropist. Meet Chief (Barr) Andrew Oru, who was recently conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration by his alma mater, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). In my telephone conversation with him, I could hear the voice of a man who has achieved so much, and has positively impacted so many, yet he was very polite, simple and humble.
His message, thereafter, was also a show of the spirit of gratitude for even making my intention known to him.
Before reaching out to him, I had taken the time to nose around, intending to know who he was. I made calls to some people, unknown to him. I confess, the responses I got were an encouragement, thus I was eager to hear him talk. I called, he responded immediately, but the network wasn’t good enough, so he couldn’t hear me well. I had to end the call, and made another effort to repeat the call. But before the call could get through to him, he called back. I was impressed and humbled by his response and humility.
Barr Andrew Oru is the founder of Oru and Co. Chamber, Director of Aiteo, and Chairman of Rojitel and many other companies. Aiteo is an energy conglomerate with a full spectrum, integrated energy company that is involved in different aspects of the oil and gas industry; exploration, production, storage, marketing, distribution and power generation.
The occasion was the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN 54th convocation ceremony, held last Saturday at the University, where this well-respected Urhobo son was honoured with the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA Honoris Causa).
The convocation ceremony, which brought together dignitaries from academia, government, industry and the UNN alumni network to celebrate service, intellectual achievement and excellence, was in keeping with the University’s tradition of honouring persons who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advocating the values of knowledge, leadership and service.
According to the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Oguejiofo Ujam, the honour/award was in recognition of Chief Oru’s enviable contributions to the Alumni Association, enterprise, and public life in Nigeria and beyond.
He had his secondary school education at the prestigious Government College, Ughelli in Delta State. Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, where he read Law, graduating in 1983, and from the Nigerian Law School in 1984. In the same year, he was called to the Nigerian Bar.
Known for his immense contributions to the growth of education, Pan Africa enterprise and institutions, and having served as principal partner, A.O. Oru & Co, he has held chairmanship positions in companies – real estate, mining, gas and power and telecom.
Aside from being a successful legal practitioner, he is an accomplished executive with more than 40 years of multi-sectoral leadership across Africa and beyond; a certified Management Consultant and a philanthropist par excellence.
Chief Oru was the Global/National President of the UNN Alumni Association from 2013 through 2017, and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants.
Quoting the Acting Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof Ujam, on the occasion: “Chief Oru’s leadership of the UNN Alumni Association sets a standard for national engagement and institutional support. His impact continues to resonate within and beyond the walls of this University”
Reacting to the Award, Chief Oru, in his humility, has this to say: “Quite honestly, this award comes to me more in the light of further responsibilities. Yes, I’m very glad, and I feel honoured to have been bestowed with such a prestigious award, coming from the great University of Nigeria, in particular. I’m not likely to have accepted any other one; anyway, I thank God for it.
“You see, with so many things I’ve been hearing people say about me of late, I begin to wonder what exactly they’re talking about, because I’ve never really felt that I’ve done so much to deserve so many accolades and all of that. I give all the thanks and glory to God.
“I hope this will serve as a source of inspiration for the younger ones — to try to be a bit more selfless, to be a bit more modest in their actions, and to be a lot more compassionate towards society.
“I have a feeling — God feeling — that was what probably engendered this award. And I pray that God gives me the strength and resources to do more of what I think I probably have been doing. And may God continue to guide me, and guide me aright, as I look forward to being in a position to advance the cause of humanity in a greater sense.”
Going down memory lane, I mean, in the 80s and 90s, those of us who knew Ughelli and its people would agree with me that the Oru family was one of the popular families in the town, back then. And young as we were, if you were a first timer in the town, the family name, ‘Oru’, rang a bell, for good. Permit me not to mention some of the respected members of this family for obvious reasons. But don’t doubt me, Barr. Andrew Oru, though a younger Oru back then, is today one of the prominent sons of this family. No apologies on this, please. If you are in doubt, go, ask questions; ask sons of the soil.
As he savours the joy of being honoured by his alma mater, may I draw attention to the display of humility and submission to God by Barr Oru, in returning the glory to Him, and his willingness to do more for the advancement of humanity, only by His grace. What a man of great achievements, yet with total submission to the will and direction of his maker?
