Mere narration & poetic license. One time only will not do it again. Once a feminist, always one. SORRY. AMA Brewery 3B dollars US. Largest outside Europe. Located on the apogee of Udi Hills, we Nkanu call them Agbaja. As young minds driven, we chased after the great Eze Festus B. Odumegwu, great lion, Bachelors first class Hons. Industrial Chemistry , best graduating student. A story he gave me the first minute we met and was to learn was his habit, to my admiration always, being a proud triple lion myself. I remember rolling out the red carpet. I took my Exco, members, traditional rulers,drums/dancers, and the “entire” Enugu to meet them at the airport. Routinely interrupted activities to meet them, Many Banquets and Cultural nights later. As a young man, I can not pretend, but I did salivate and ONLY admired those young beautiful ushers. Sashaying alluringly and sensuously in those skin tight pants and breast hugging T shirts.
The NBL/AMA chaps usually selected them straight out of NYSC camps. Almost fell to the temptation of one. The young damsel and great lioness from Awgu almost overwhelmed me. Dedicated to my table, with regular and ceaseless inquiries about my welfare. Leaving our table, nubile curvy hips swaying , voluptuous breasts bouncing, amongst the lustful stares of the dreamy humbled old masculine energy sapped VIPs. The frequently tempting salacious experiences marked almost the daily life of a then late thirties State Chief executive.
There is God o! Over a decade after leaving office, the good, virtuous and innocently intentioned now professionally successful ladies still resurface on my WhatsApp. Usually rebuffed by a “fine wine” type, older man, more deliberate with a lesser libido and decimated by the, vagaries, wear and tear of political tribulations and a victim of life threatening political intrigue/betrayal by whole class of political beneficiaries but for the loyalty of minuscule number most especially Peter Mbah, another past mentee was to make jest of it in kicking off his now fledgeling gubernatorial campaign.The story of my political life.
Peter Mbah, humble, lawyer, urbane, philosopher king, refinement self evident and successful Oil executive never betrayed despite months of extreme deprivation. I commanded my staff and interfaced with the community to accede to all their requests in order to attract them. Ensured no demands were made of Nigerian brewery like supplies, contracts and kick backs.
But we insisted on employment quota at various levels. Later to learn that a top Senator not from Enugu State allegedly cornered supply of Sorghum, another politico allegedly cornered bottle corks contracts. I believe Hon. Frank Nweke and later Hon. Dr. Peter Mbah were chiefs of staff. Frank later nominated straight for Ministerial appointment at 37. To God’s glory they are both Gubernatorial candidates of their respective parties.
Though the ebeano choice is PETER MBAH. I begged and pressured President Obasanjo to commission the project personally. I was aware of the rather questioning doubts of his Chief of staff amongst the spectre of a fast moving Sharia blitz in Nigeria’s group of Moslem dominated States in her North. Tweeps, the rest they say is history.
