By MICHAEL TIDI and TSEGBEMI MAYUKU
The Honorable Member representing Warri South-West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. (Barr.) Daniel Omayone Mayuku, popularly referred to as Bossman, attained his 51st milestone on the 8th of August, a milestone well-wishers, family members, business and political associates felt would appropriately be celebrated with the presentation of a compendium of essays amongst other celebratory activities. That we can be celebrating Mayuku’s birthday in such a remarkable way, underlines just how much his professional life, social grace and remarkable decency have defined values that those whose lives he has impacted positively upon, all appreciate in the man.
Those who knew him as a law student at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from where he delved into unionism, as well as those who encountered him as a rights activists, campaigner for democracy, and advocate for electoral reforms all attest to the clarity of his ideas in addition to his commitment to the public good. Yet Mayuku is not just an activist and politician. An irrepressible lover of sports, this thoroughbred parliamentarian is an ardent golf player, organizer and sponsor as well.
It was heart- warming, therefore, reading the touching tributes to Mayuku with the essayists attesting to his God-fearing and humanist nature as well as his reliability in good deeds, business and politics, referenced being particularly made regarding his legendary philanthropy. A man who keeps recording great achievements that cannot escape the focus of public commentators, coupled with his ranking status as a 4th term legislator, notwithstanding, this true man of means has remained consistently unassuming, a disposition that has informed his remarkable aversion for seeking undue media attention. It is thus noteworthy that in spite of his vast legislative experience garnered over the years, which ordinarily would make most men become vain and conceited, Mayuku on the other hand has incredibly remained steadfastly humble, choosing only to give glory to God in appreciation of his Creator’s exceeding grace. For us, it is not really surprising that Mayuku has chosen to don the garb of minimalism, which we believe is clearly a product of his humble upbringing, made possible by the discipline of a God-fearing father, mentor, and community leader, the “Ologbotsere of Warri”, late Chief Omayone Mayuku.
For us, the humility, together with other salient qualities of this legal icon and politician of enviable achievements deserve the payment of shimmering tribute to. There are many things we could say to pay tribute to him; he is above 51 after all, which is a whole lot of life lived! It is enough to establish the character of a man, and to know who he truly is. We, who have had the honor to identify with him, can attest that we truly know him for who he really is, a man whose anniversary is worth celebrating indeed. A man of prodigious intellect, he has shown capacity and dexterity in lawmaking, legislative advocacy and proficiency in building inter-tribal alliances. As a Marxist-leaning intellectual, he has practically lived according to the universalist dictum of recognizing your own nationality but never campaigning for the hegemony of your own nationality over others. Little wonder, he is so loved by the Itsekiris and Ijaws that make up his constituency as well as Urhobos in neighboring constituencies.
In 12 years, he has set the pace as a parliamentarian of immense consequence with several legislative milestones to his credit. Bossman, as he is fondly called, has become an undeniable revelation on the political landscape of Delta State. A man ever eagle-eyed in search of improvement for the lives of his fellow men, Mayuku on the floor of the hallowed Chambers of the Delta State House of Assembly, has consistently worked hard to enlarge and enrich his people to the best of his ability. Through legislative advocacy, he can boast of countless quality projects God has used him to attract to Warri South-West constituency of the State. At the last count, Barr. Daniel Mayuku has influenced an impressive number of employment opportunities for his people, both at local government and state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). Another example of his towering status as a do-gooder is the fact that between 2003 and 2014, indigent students across Warri South-West constituency were awarded scholarships from undergraduate to postgraduate programs in numerous Nigeria universities.
To us, this quintessential legislator remains a beacon of hope, and his birthday affords us the opportunity to celebrate a man who deserves to be celebrated. HURRAY!!! Bossman is 51, an occasion for which it warms our hearts to say: “Happy Birthday, Hon. (Barr.)Daniel Mayuku!”
Tidi and Mayuku wrote from Warri.
