Onaiwu
Over the years, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has like old wine, mature into a rare
and fine specie of those endowed with grace and are living gracefully.
Onaiwu, though a man of many parts, lives the conviction of his belief,
one reason he has weathered not a few storms to remain a near-permanent feature
of Nigeria’s political and social space.
A former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance,
APGA, in Edo state was born on December 23, 1958 in Benin City. A scion of
educator parents reputed for their disciplinary streak, he attended Ogbe
Primary School and Baptist High School, Benin City, Auchi Polytechnic majoring
in Mass Communications and have attended several executive courses.
Onaiwu is not only a successful business man but has a rich political
resume, which started in the Second Republic.
In 1983, he was appointed Special Assistant on Special Duties to the
late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, the famed former Governor of Old Bendel State,
credited for the many legacy projects in Edo and Delta states.
In 2007, having washed his hands clean, the late former Vice-president,
Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, appointed him as Special Adviser on Political &
Public Affairs, a position he held until 2010.
Having grounded himself in public organization with those and many other
positions, Onaiwu was positioned to offer his patriotic service as coordinator,
Nigeria Governor’s Forum, from 2012- 2013; and later coordinator and then
director general, PDP Governors’ Forum, in 2013 to 2015.
It was in this position that Dr. Bamaga Tukur, former PDP National
Chairman 2013 – 2015, appointed him as Special Adviser on Governors and
Government.
In 2018, he rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party and will be appointed
by Senate President Bukola Saraki, sometime in August this year, as Special
Liaison on State Matters.
For many, the appointment was a crystallization of the long held notion
in the political space that the Edo state born experienced politician and
public administrator, understands the matrix of engagement with state governors
and governments.
Before his active foray in politics, Onaiwu, who many of his followers
call the Earl, had cut an enviable niche for himself on the social space with
his sartorial taste and love for the arts and entertainment generally.
Owing to this, the Earl remains a toast of Nigerian entertainers as he
provided a platform in the bourgeoning days of the country’s film and video
industry to the upstarts.
The vehicle which he used to not only print his imprimatur as Nigeria’s
primus inter pares in protocol services and events management, but to galvanise
the top echelon of society is Red Carpet Protocols.
Over the years, Red Carpet Protocols became the signature for those who
are keen on details to attention when planning their occasions.
The point needs to be made that Osaro’s odyssey – political and
business-wise- has not come cheap but through dint of hard work, loyalty and
commitment to excellence backed by the patience of learning, retooling and
knowledgeable about timing.
Over the years, he has demonstrated that he is a man of many parts;
entrepreneur, socialite, philanthropist, patron of the arts, and fundamentally,
a vehicle for the formation of the Nigeria Governors Forum.
In the early days when the governors were without a coordinating body to
present a common front on issues affecting states, Onaiwu proposed a peer
review mechanism to the then chairman of the NGF and his current boss, Senate
President Saraki, where states can leverage on their economies of scale for
accelerated development. Years on, his vision has lived on leading to his being
a pivotal presence in the circle of governors over the years.
Speaking on what drives him in an interview recently, he said: “There is
no shortcut to doing well in any human endeavour especially in wanting to serve
your people. You need to have vision, focus and sincerity of purpose and for
you to do that you have to put in your energy, drive, passion, creativity and
loyalty or commitment if you like.”
It is something of a cheer that he sees the solution in every challenge.
Little wonder he cringes when others find fault rather than seek for answers.
According to him, it is common for people to lament, point out faults of
a system that is not working but rarely offering clear perspectives on
solutions.
And true to his conviction, as a governorship candidate, his motto was
‘Solution!
As he clocks 60 this Sunday, there is little doubt that this man who
towers imposingly as Nigeria’s Number 1, protocol impresario is not your normal
run-of-the-mill politician with all sorts of baggage. He has managed to stay
the course, eschewing political divisions, shunning religious schisms and the
temptation of filthy lucre.
A true and passionate family man, it is only fitting to say, may you
continue to sail the winds like Odysseus and always come up with the crown.
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