AKPAKOMIZA AT 53: Celebrating A Political Icon, Serial Entrepreneur, Humanitarian And Philanthropist

TRUTH, is like the bahama grass that withstand climate changes in all seasons. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but, in the end, it always stands strong and fresh.

Truth is the time companion that no one can cheat with lies or propaganda. This is the case of Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo (aka) Akpakomiza, a man who has distinguished himself as defender of truth, a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist per excellence, exceptional humanitarian, and a special breed of politician reputable for grassroots connection and mobilisation in Esanland, and by extension Edo State.

Born on 29th August, 1970, to the family of late Chief and Mrs. Peter Okpebholo of Udomi Community in Uwesan-Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, Akpakomiza had his primary and secondary education at Udomi Community Primary School and Ujabhole Community Secondary School respectively, both in Uwesan-Irrua, Esan Central LGA, in Edo State. He then went to University of Abuja where he obtained his first degree on Business Administration.

At a time, many business men and women in Nigeria were still peddling in analogue enterprise, Akpakomiza saw the future in computers and quickly keyed into the business by floating Chapman Computers Limited. The company soon became a household name in Plateau State, were it was conceived and birthed.

Akpakomiza foray into the ICT sector paid so well that he later established the Interweb Satcom Limited, a giant industry player in broadband sales and development. The young man soon found himself dealing with foreign entrepreneurs as Interweb Satcom Limited so began to be very famous in digital hardware.

With foresight, hard work and the exceptional grace of God, both Chapman Computers Limited and Interweb Satcom Limited, became mega companies in trading, importing and competing with global industry players from Europe and America.

To live up fully to the expectations and cater for the yearnings of the people of Esanland, Akpakomiza embarked on historic infrastructure and human capital development interventions with personal funds as a way of given back to his homeland. This was a feat, that elected political office holders, nor, appointed government officials couldn’t achieve.

His uncommon sectoral infrastructural interventions in Esanland precipitated the people of Edo Central to prevail on him to contest for the senatorial seat in 2023 general election under the All Progressives Congress (APC). And the moment he accepted his people’s clarion call, he became the Face of a political revolution that eventually smashed and shattered 24 years political jinx in Esanland.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but, where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

At a time in Esanland, when successful illustrious Esan sons and daughters where scared to commit their resources in the development of their homeland due to the fear of the unknown, but, as an act of courage, love and patriotism, Akpakomiza stood up and channelled his resources towards verifiable interventionist measures in roads, schools, security, transportation, health, and human capital development in Esanland.

As the Edo 2024 governorship race beckons, the vast majority of the people of Esanland, who has become his political army, are calling upon him to rise to the occasion and declare his intention to run for his party’s guber ticket as a distinguished son of Esanland, and as a good ambassador of Edo State.

Godswill Inegbe is the Media and Communication Aide to Distinguished Senator Akpakomiza.