A PRAGMMATIC SERVANT-LEADER, PROF. STEVE SINIKIEM AZAIKI

By :Etete Enideneze

BIRTH AND EDUCATION

Born to Mr. Stephen Azaiki and Mrs. Abirindi Azaiki, both late of Yenebebeli-Atissa in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki had his primary education in St. Peter's Primary School, Yenagoa. He proceeded to Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa, and later Government Secondary School, Kaiama, where obtained a Grade One West African School Certificate (WASC).

He obtained first, second and doctorate degrees in crop science from the Agricultural Academy in Kiev Ukrain, now known as University of Life and Environmental Sciences. These are in addition to a master’s degree in Project Management from Federal University of Technology, Owerri; a second PhD in Public Administration from the Ukrainian Regional University of Personnel Management, besides certificates in foreign languages; management and leadership, from Harvard and Oxford Universities, among others.

Prof. Azaiki is married, and blessed with children.

WORKING CAREER

Prof. Azaiki had a stint as science teacher in Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, soon after obtaining the WASC. On Return from studies abroad, he got employed as Level 13 officer in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 1993, and retired on Grade Level 17 in 2007, haven served as State Director in Rivers and Oyo States Directorates of National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

In Bayelsa State, he has served in about 16 positions, notably pioneer Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources; twice as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in late Chief D. S. P Alamieyesiegha regime, and a number of honourary advisory positions in the state, most recently, as Honorary Special Adviser on Agriculture, education and capacity building, to Governor Seriake Dickson; Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of the Niger Delta University (NDU).

At national level, Prof. Azaiki served as Special Adviser to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Special Adviser to Minister of Police Affairs; Special Adviser to Minister of Youth Development; Honourary Special Adviser on Agriculture to late President Umaru Yar'Adua and Governing Council member, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

NGO LEADERSHIP

Chief among NGOs founded and co-founded by him are the World Environment Foundation for West Africa (WEMFFA) and the National Think-Tank of Nigeria (NTTN), all which he served as president, respectively, as well as coordinator and chairman of 13 committees to generate and recommend ideas for the development of the country. He is also founded and served for four years as President of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST), Nigeria, an organization promoting development of knowledge and skills, especially in Africa.

PROFESSORIAL ENGAGEMENTS
He has held academic leadership as Professor of Agronomy/Plant Protection at the Institute of Potato Research, University of Life and Environmental Sciences, Ukrain, his Alma Matter; Professor of Conflict and Crisis Management and International Relations at the Ukrainian Academy of Personnel Management and International Relations, as well as a Visiting Scholar/Fellow at the Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port-Harcourt.

AUTHORSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ACTIVISM

Prof. Azaiki has delivered conference papers as well as published academic articles and books such as Inequities of Oil Politics in Nigeria; Oil Politics and Blood; The Evil of Oil; Oil, Gas and Life in Nigeria; Oil, Democracy and the Promise of True Federalism in Nigeria; Thoughts on Nigeria, My Journey in Politics (upcoming), and co-authored many others.

REMARKABLE SERVICES TO NIGERIA, NIGER DELTA AND BAYELSA

Some of his contributions to national development include resolution of Finima-NLNG crisis at the start of the project; initiation of the National Directorate of Employment’s skills acquisition schemes for youths; input into creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); input into creation of Niger Delta Ministry and submission of recommendations on restructuring and resource control at the 2014 National Conference through WEMFA and NTTN.

At the state front, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki contributed to the creation of Bayelsa; made valuable inputs into policies and programmes such as development appeal fund that helped to kick off the state soon after its creation in October 6, 1996, the proceeds of which were also used to construct a major road in Yenagoa City; classification of chieftaincy stools and the establishment of NDU; creation of 24 local government areas; award of foreign scholarships to over 1000 Bayelsans during Chief Alamieyesigha administration and facilitation of political appointments and employments to many Bayelsans at the state and national levels; facilitation of admission for foreign scholarship awardees in Governor Seriake Dickson’s era, among others.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Prof. Azaiki has contributed to the development of Christian and educational institutions as well as awarded personal scholarships to students; free health and housing support to the needy within and outside his community, besides providing and facilitating employment and political appointments for several persons in public and private organisations.

The Azaiki Foundation provides public library and cultural museum services, free agricultural and environmental management services; a languages training centre as well as science and technology institute for promotion of research and knowledge-based economy.

ACTIVE POLITICS

Prof. Azaiki is currently in the Reps, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, and serves on house committees in areas of interest to Nigeria and its citizens. Soon after inauguration in the House of Reps, he joined the contest for the party’s governorship ticket for the 2019 election, but withdrew before the primary election in order to focus on the legislative position, instead.

It is my privilege and honour, to present to you an illustrious Bayelsan, a scholar of diverse backgrounds, a crack administrator and pragmatic leader, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki. OON, JP, the Honourable Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja.