The Rise And Rise Of Osita Chidoka

'Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them'-- William Shakespeare


As a student of the world, I have come to realize that, the road to greatness is never an easy one! There are many obstacles one must encounter and should be able to conquer them so as to cross over! A part from the natural challenges, manmade barrier is one of the most difficult ones as I have observed. It is in this regard that I have resolved to celebrate successful personalities in our society, because, it not easy to become successful! Having said this, the life of Chief Ositadinma Benjamin Chidoka is reflective of what the legendary Shakespeare said ' Some have greatness thrust upon them.'


As a commentator on national issues, I quietly placed Chief Chidoka on the list of successful people I'm watching and observing events and happenings around them! Ever since, he was appointed the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in 2007 at the age of 36; a time some of his contemporaries were still struggling to overcome education and employment challenges! So, happenings around his life have inspired me a lot! Apart from that, he represents the change both in character and in status young Nigerians yearn for! Hence, hearing that, President Jonathan has nominated him for a ministerial job some days to his birthday, it became more enthralling to me and have decided to do a piece in his honour.

Like late Nelson Mandela of South Africa who was born on July 18, Chief Chidoka was also born on July 18 and would be celebrating his 43rd birthday in the coming days, and before the date, God has again lifted him to a new position and higher status!

Born on July 18 1971 in Obosi in Anambra State, he attended the famous Union Boys Secondary School, Awkunanaw, Enugu State, where he obtained his Senior School Certificate in 1988. Without wasting time, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) where he bagged Bachelor of Science degree in management in 1995. After the completion of the compulsory one year national youth service, he obtained his graduate diploma in Marine and Ports Management from the National University of Singapore in 2002. Seeing the need for preparation for any opportunity life may present, in faraway United States of America, Chief Chidoka added Masters Degree in Transport Policy and Logistics to his qualifications from George Mason University's School of Public Policy in 2006.

However, the mark of excellence in him is not something that actually started today; instead, it has been there right from his childhood! As a student of Union Boys, the young Chidoka was appointed Deputy Senior Prefect by the school authority. As a serving corps member, he emerged the best corper in the entire Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 1996.

Having worked in the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and served as Personal Assistant to Minister of State for Works and Housing as well as Minister of Transport, his performance elevated him to a higher position of Special Assistant to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Legal Matters. He was also appointed Senior Advisor, Government and Business Relations to Mobil Corporation, a place he performed creditably well! Unknown to him that the various positions held were preparing him for higher positions! In 2007, he was appointed Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at the age of 36. His quest for breaking new grounds was recognized, and another position, the President, African Group of International Road Safety Organizations was given to him. It is however on records that, he is the youngest Nigerian to ever head FRSC in that capacity.

At Federal Road Safety Corps, Chief Chidoka again displayed the excellence that has become his hall mark! For instance, under his watch, the number of crashes on our roads dropped drastically to single digit number of 4. This success did not in any way come as a fluke, rather it was a product of clear-cut policies and sustained efforts made to stem out carnages from our highways! To achieve desired result, he introduced continuous awareness programs for road users, especially commercial drivers and special patrols. The introduction of ICT to enhance patrol operations, the establishment of modern communication centers, the deployment of phones to capture offenders as well as capacity building for the men and personnel of the corps so as to attain globally acceptable standards, made him outstanding! His latest implementation of no custom papers, no vehicle registration policy as directed by President Good Luck Jonathan is also a plus for him! It will be recalled that, before now, people use their custom duty papers to register their vehicle, but, with the new policy regime, FRSC men can now hold any car without original papers longer than required as well as investigate how it entered the country without going through the normal process!

Also, under his leadership, the workforce of the commission increased from 11,000 in 2007 to 19,000, while the number of patrol vehicles also increased from 170 to 800 as well as increasing the number of ambulances from 10 to 52. The successes recorded by him is now attracting global attention as Ghana and Sierra Leone have asked Nigeria to assist them on ways they can also improve their own road safety management.

Hence, as the Corps Marshal sets for higher position of the minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to use this rare opportunity to say congratulations and happy 43rd birthday anniversary.

Comrade Edwin Ekene Uhara is a journalist and Commentator on National Affairs. He is also a Member of PDP Project Reloaded Media Team.

Reach him on 07065862479 or [email protected].

He writes from Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

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Articles by Edwin Uhara