I’m respectfully dedicating this week’s personality page to my brother and friend, Hon. Ben Rolands Igbakpa, PhD, as he marked his 59th birthday last week with relatives, friends, political associates and admirers.
My association with him dates back to when he was the Delta State Commissioner for Transport during the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. I saw in him a hardworking, very humble young man with the strength of a “Lion,” but full of compassion.
He listened to you and treated whatever matter you brought before him with dispatch. He was friendly, easy, and accessible. I recall a challenge I once had, which was about 20 years ago, when I had my first child. I went to him, told him what it was, and with the speed of light, he proffered a solution to it; he came to my rescue. I’ll never forget his benevolence on that day. To date, he has remained a brother and friend after my heart.
At 59, it was a celebration of another milestone, marking another year in the life of a man whose service to his state, community and the nation is remarkable. It was the celebration of a dedicated public service and leadership.
The birthday celebration was marked with tributes from prominent personalities like Rt. Hon. Evenly Oboro, who praised him for his dedication to serving Ethiope Federal Constituency, Delta State and Nigeria.
A word for you, my dear brother, as you mark another birthday anniversary, and I refer to the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1, which reminds us that every moment, including birthdays, has its purpose and beauty. Each birthday marks a new season in our lives, filled with different experiences and opportunities. May it be so for you. May it be a moment to reflect on God’s faithfulness, goodness and presence in your life. May it be like a moment for you to express gratitude to God for another year, and to honour and serve Him with all your heart and substance. Happy birthday, my brother.
As a federal lawmaker, his leadership style earned him admiration and recognition from constituents and politicians alike.
Hon Ben Rolands Igbakpa is a humble team player, born into the Igbakpa family of Ovade-Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State in 1966. He rose against all odds to become a source of inspiration and hope to many who have crossed his path.
With a strong view that success is not a question of where we come from, but which way we decide to take in our journey of life, Hon Ben Igbakpa believes that we are first and foremost human beings, who are naturally unlimited, free-roaming and guided by personal principles. And all we eventually become, and the meaning we make out of life, and what people eventually remember us for must be guided by our personal rules of behaviour.
He also holds the view that the most decisive aspect in life is not the accumulation of wealth, prominence or being perfect; it is about being lawful, humble, selfless and able to touch the lives of other people positively.
He attended Onogborhe Primary School, Ovade-Oghara and Ogini Grammar School, Ogharefe, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West Africa School Certificate, respectively. He holds a Diploma Certificate in Computer Science, Computer Programming and Information Technology/Data Processing.
As an early riser, he got his first employment as a Management Information Officer (MIO) in 1988 with a Pharmaceutical Company in Lagos- Chemiron International Ltd, before proceeding to Vego Cosmetics Products Ltd in 1992; and in 1999, he got employed as an Assistant Safety Officer (ASO) in an Oil/Gas Company – CGG Nigeria Ltd.
He also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the Delta State University, Abraka, graduating in 2004, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the same University, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Novena University, Ogume.
His venture into politics began during the tenure of Chief James Onanefe Ibori as the Governor of Delta State, a journey that spanned from 1991 through to 2006. In 2001, he served in the Governor’s Office as Executive Officer, Special Project Unit. Thereafter, he was elected as a lawmaker in the Delta State House of Assembly under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Ethiope West Constituency.
As a result of his enviable performance in the House, he was deemed worthy of the position of Deputy Chief Whip and Deputy Majority Leader.
Under the former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration, Hon Ben Igbakpa was appointed Commissioner for Transport. And being a jolly good fellow who is focused on achieving positive results, he succeeded in turning around the fortunes of the Directorate of Transportation under his watch.
Within a short period in office, he revived the then Urban City Transport Scheme in the State. He introduced the Delta State Intra-City and Inter-state Modern Bus Terminals in major cities of the State, and brought Ultramodern buses to ease the era of stress-filled public transportation, with a sharp reduction in transport fares and created massive job openings through the revamped transport Commission.
Hon Ben Igbakpa took his journey into politics a step higher as he was elected as a lawmaker into the House of Representatives, representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, where he distinguished himself as a worthy representative of his people.
He will be remembered, among other things, for his tactical interrogation of the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, who slumped while being questioned by a probing panel in the House of Representatives over an alleged N81.5 bn from October 2019 to May 31, 2020.
After a successful completion of his tenure in the House of Representatives, Hon Ben Igbakpa set up a viable indigenous biscuit company in Sapele, with the brand name – Memories Foods, producers of Lilly Cookies, Fresh Butter Biscuit, Fresh Chocolate Biscuit and Lucky Bite Milky Cookies, thus creating employment for a good number of people in the State.
With one more year to his years, we celebrate him and thank God for His grace upon him, and for his maintaining a strong link and relationship with his old-time friends, my humble self inclusive; a unique quality that stands him out, not only as a leader, but as a good, reliable and trusted personality in one man.
