Isaac Emiyede At 61: A Living Legend With Credibility
As I was searching through some documents in my library when I stumbled into Otunba Isaac Emiyede's printed profile that I ought to used for Mindset Media book someday. It was now dawn on me that, I have not written anything on Otunba Isaac Emiyede' birthday bash. His diamond birthday bash last year was highly celebrated by crème da la crème of the society at his house in Ikorodu, Lagos. Otunba Emiyede is a man of the people with humility. Though I remembered that I sent him a text message to his cell phone and he reverted to me.
He is not a man of just wishing happy birthday on cell phone but to publish him on the print media to be read again on his immense achievements in life. Otunba Isaac Emiyede is one Isoko man in Lagos who has distinguished himself from the crowd.
Otunba Hon. (Engr.) Isaac Emakaran Emiyede was born into a royal family at Oghara-Iyede in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State on the 13th of June 1953. He is a man of many parts whose career has spanned across the globe.
He lived all his life in both Ondo and Lagos States. Having gotten all the required education in life, he decided to join the murky waters of Lagos politics to play a non- indigene politics that has earned him political respect without hesitation. At 59 he was conronated as “Otunba” at Ibeju-lekki in Lagos in 2012. As a trained engineer cum politician who sojourned in USA for many years, he knows what he takes to run a political party in Nigeria.
As a stalwart member of the defunct ACN and now APC, he knows that politics is run on integrity and that is why Lagos State recognises Otunba Isaac Emiyede as one of the fast-growing South- South politician in Nigeria. He once told me that political defection is not the best for Nigerian politics. He has held several political positions in Lagos State. One thing about Otunba Emiyede is nationally recognised politically, religiously and traditionally in all ramifications.
As a hard-working man, he decided to set up his own company Samzaak Industries Limited where he was the Chairman/Managing Director between 1990 and 2001. He was also the Chairman Board of Director of Lawrence Engineering Work Limited between 1995 and 1998 and Safety Net Works Limited between 1996 to 2000.
Pastor Otunba Isaac Emiyede is a man after God's heart. He has contributed largely to the developmental progress of Lagos politics and others. He has used his little God- given resources to affect lives positively and still remains faithful to God. His royal background in life also helps Otunba Emiyede to know the essence of displaying quality leadership to people.
Today, Otunba Isaac Emiyede remains the political voice of South- South people in Lagos. As a Pastor, he still devotes his time to the things of God. His career cut across all professions in Nigeria and abroad. Otunba Isaac Emiyede has received over 50 national and international awards to his selfless service to humanity. He was recently added to the Mindset Media Hall of Fame Leaders, Innovators and Entrepreneurs for 2014 and also won Mindset leader for 2012.
He is the present Chairman of South South People United forum in Lagos State. He is one of the influential Isoko politicians in Lagos State with a pedigree. He remains the only Isoko living legend of Lagos politics. He is humble and dedicated to both grassroots and national politics. Even though APC is described as Boko Haram party, Otunba Isaac Emiyede still sees himself as not an Islamic politician but a politician that has intellectual credibility to lead South- South people to the Promised Land.
He does not allow APC bad image to influence him than doing what he is known for as a politician. Otunba Isaac Emiyede is a father to many present and past local government chairmen in Lagos State. He is a role model of both Delta and Lagos politics. He is staunch member of Isoko Country Club too.
Everybody should know that Otunba Isaac Emiyede is the only recognised South- South politician in Lagos that any promising politician can consult for any political position either in Delta or Lagos, he or she wants to win his or her constituency as far politics is concerned in Nigeria. He is happily married to a beautiful wife and blessed with godly children and a grandchild. Once again, happy birthday, to my father and mentor of Isoko nation.
Godday Odidi Public Affairs Analyst/Mindset Media Limited 08058124798 Lagos