In Memory of Keniebi Okoko Who Sought to Change Bayelsa

Nuel Nnaya celebrates the impactful life of the late multibillionaire Keniebi Okoko, who contested for the governorship seat of Bayelsa State in the last election

If there was a man in recent times who kindled the flame of hope and expectation of a brighter future from both old and young alike in his community, it was the late multibillionaire Keniebi Okoko, who contested for the governorship seat of Bayelsa State in the last elections.

Keniebi in his short 42-year sojourn on earth did a lot to inspire particularly the youths of the Niger Delta region, who rallied around him in order to help make his aspirations come true, before being denied the ticket in the party primaries as a newbie politician.

His was a story of passion driven by a desire to enrich his people, as he visualised them sitting on idle opportunities that if properly mined, would create jobs for most youth and give them that leverage to live above poverty for life.

He identified the key socio-economic needs of a people that only leaders could see and was keen on transforming the fortunes of his people.

Keniebi however, did not wait to hold political office before touching the lives of those around him, a graduate of prestigious institutions of learning, including Harvard University, he divested proceeds from his successful business empire to provide and cater to the needs of the less privileged.

Realising that there was only little an individual could do to impact the lives of others economically, compared to a state’s impact, Keniebi threw his hat in the ring to become governor and manage the resources of Bayelsa, to yield optimal economic benefits for the people.

The excitement his interest elicited was palpable, as the impact of his personal efforts was used as a yardstick to measure what he would deliver, if elected into office.

During his political campaigns and rallies, he gave clear insights on how he intended to govern if given the opportunity, they were highly articulated plans by a brilliant mind, who had built a multibillion naira business from scratch and they made practical sense from every angle.

Indeed, in his footprints in such a short span of time, he left a template for the kind of leadership that will usher any state into a bright economic future and security of lives and properties.
While the exploits of Keniebi may not be taught in schools, his legacies have been well curated on a micro-website for those who care to learn more about leadership values and strategies, to glean invaluable insights from.

Keniebi will also be remembered for building a business that provided jobs for lots of youth. Especially in the Niger Delta region in the area of marine and construction.
He created the kind of value and awareness in and about his environment that many people who had the opportunity before him did not. He was able to create an inspirational brand around himself that many have attested continues to inspire young people, in the areas of business and political leadership.

He not only brought inspiration to the young but stirred up hope in parents and elders of the region for a better tomorrow. Even though he will be missed, the consolation is that like every great man that has walked the face of the earth and inspired generations to do greater things, the life of Keniebi as much as possible has been curated and documented to serve as a source of inspiration for every young and aspiring leader.

Perhaps someday young leaders will emerge and ascribe their successful impact on their state or the nation at large, to their study of Keniebinomics.

*Nnaya is a Socio-Political Analyst and writes from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja