… As ‘God Used Ijaw Sons, Daughters to Ensure Olice Kemenanabo’s Survival’
By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State will soon establish its own Independent Power Plant (IPP) to complement the National Grid and ensure there is constant electricity supply in the state.
Governor Douye Diri stated this while speaking during the maiden edition of the Engr. Olice Kemenanabo Stem Quiz competition/Award ceremony at the weekend in Yenagoa.
He said contrary to criticism that he was not bothered by the darkness the state had been plunged into since the vandalization of electricity towers between Bayelsa and Rivers State, he is not relenting efforts at ensuring that electricity supply is restored to the state.
He revealed that Engr Olice Kemenanabo and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had been working hard to rectify the vandalized facilities, and expressed belief that this will not deter the state from establishing its own independent Power Plant, as approval had been made towards that.
He also used the forum to advise Bayelsans who visit him to discuss their personal problems rather than malign others, adding that he was bitter when a respected citizen came to him to malign Engr Olice Kemenanabo, his age long friend.
The state’s number one citizen also urged Bayelsans and corporate bodies to ensure that henceforth once the Nigerian anthem was sung, that of the state must follow.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Bayelsa State Electricity Board, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo has appreciated God Almighty for using notable Ijaw sons and daughters to ensure his survival during the 19th October, 2005 industrial accident at the Kolo Creek Power Station that almost incapacitated him.
Speaking to journalists during the maiden edition of the Engr. Olice Kemenanabo Stem Quiz Competition/Award Ceremony in Yenagoa, the MD acknowledged the role played by Governor Douye Diri, his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, Gen. John Ogidi, Amb. Boladei Igali and others, noting that their invaluable support and prayers gave him the strength needed during his trying time.
According to him, it was a life threatening accident but God used these great people to ensure he is alive today, so all glory should be given to Him.
Engr. Kemenanabo explained that during his recuperation in South Africa, doctors told him that he may be incapacitated for life and may also suffer other complications after five years. But due to the mercies of God, he is today celebrating 19 years of not experiencing any of the symptoms envisaged.
“I visited Singapore in 2009 and when the organizers of the World Engineering Forum saw me, they prevailed on me to make a presentation after which l was given a standing ovation because nobody believed that I would have survived such a fatal accident by way of medical evaluation.
“My daughter is my motivator, she was a very good mathematican. She read engineering like me and she had competed severally in the Cowbell International Competition and won at the state level and also came 3rd at the International competition, so she is my motivator.
“My son wrote me this morning, and said what would have been a tragedy has turned into a powerful testimony, resilient, strength, grace and favour what a powerful world.
“This motivated me to roll out the Engr. Olice Kemenanabo Stem Quiz Competition which will be an annual event. Be rest assured that I have very powerful brothers and friends who would sustain this project. It would be six per school and will cut across the three senatorial districts, totalling eighteen schools that will participate”, he stated.
Engr. Kemenanabo disclosed that Government Model Secondary School, Sagbama took the first prize of N200, 000, Nembe Girls Secondary School took 2nd position and a prize of N150, 000, while Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School came 3rd with a prize of N100, 000 and others that did not make it to the final getting N50,000 each.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Bayelsa State Chapter, Engr. Diepriye Owana-Omubo, described Engr. Olice Kemenanabo as a mentor and patron who had mentored so many female engineers within and outside the state, and a great support to the engineering family.
Noting the theme: ‘Breaking Barriers; The Transformative Impact of Women in Traditionally Male Dominated Fields’, the APWEN chairman stressed the fact that they were celebrating with their mentor on his survival for the past 19 years and in honor of the Quiz Competition for female students cutting across schools in the state.
She urged the upcoming female engineers in the state to collaborate with APWEN, which she said, is the women wing of engineering family, to encourage and enchance the girl-child.
In her response, the winner of the competition, from Government Model Secondary School, Sagbama, Ere-ebi Rejoice, said she was very excited when she won the 1st prize of the quiz competition, adding that she prepared hard for it.
Her advice to other students was for them to study hard, because without studying hard, one cannot emerge as a winner of the competition.
