By Sunny Udeh
Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, represents different things to different people. This is because within his sprightly and lithe frame springs forth an eclectic mix of multi dimensional achievements. A decorated lawyer who has risen to the zenith of the legal profession as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and crowned it all as a Life Bencher. A successful businessman who incubated several business endeavours and bequeathed them to others as he stepped into public service. An accomplished politician who enjoyed public trust at the relatively young age of 27 by becoming a commissioner for works, transport and agriculture in the old Cross River State and later went on to become a three term senator representing Cross River State Central Senatorial District topping it up with being a celebrated Senate spokesperson and later a stabilizing Senate Leader. He even served as the Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission where he brought innovations, albeit in a shortlived tenure.
Over and above all these, perhaps the greatest achievement of Senator Ndoma-Egba’s 67 years on earth is the large number of people who have passed through his school of mentorship and emerged very successful men and women shaping the developmental destinies of many in Cross River State and Nigeria at large. In this list are senior lawyers, some of whom have made the exalted rank of Senior Advocates, judges, academics, business people, the clergy, political leaders and public servants amongst a host of other human endeavours. It is an established fact that Victor Ndoma-Egba has built a commendable human assets base in his personal quest to better humanity in his catchment areas.
Sen. Ndoma-Egba is an affable personality, simple and down to earth. He is a good mixer who is does not discriminate and is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to impact people positively. As a scion of the revered jurist, Justice Emmanuel Takon Ndoma-Egba of blessed memory who was a Justice of the Court of Appeal and a mother who was a teacher and politican, his early life was shaped to recognize the path set out for him to impact humanity. However, he likes to refer to himself lightheartedly as a failed priest, in reference to his unsuccessful stint in the Catholic seminary. But what the Catholic priesthood lost, the legal profession and the Nigerian public service gained. He remains a devout Catholic who bears the rank of a Papal Knight of St. Sylvester the Great. He is also a multiple National awardee as the recipient of both the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The story of Victor Ndoma-Egba cannot be written exhaustively. To celebrate a man who has earned every right to be referred to as a pathfinder, trailblazer, philanthropist, legal luminary, exemplary servant of the people, a classy leader of men and an outstanding gentleman, a few individuals have these to say about him:
“Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN is an exemplary gentleman, a fine leader of men, my friend and colleague and a pride to Cross River State. I call him my leader and that speaks volumes”.
Senator Prince Bassey Otu (APC Gubernatorial Candidate for Cross River State).
“Victor is a shining star of the Ndoma-Egbas, Akparabong community, Ikom people, Cross River State and indeed Nigeria. He takes on responsibility with a typical equanimity that belies his small frame”.
Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba (Elder brother, renowned Hepato-Biliary surgeon and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital).
“Dad is a most dependable and reliable man… does what he says he will and doesn’t make promises he can’t keep”.
Hugo Ndoma-Egba (son)
“Chief is a considerate, caring, listening, kind, family oriented, wonderful, and God-fearing man”.
Mrs. Roberta Ndoma-Egba (Sister in-law)
“Senator Ndoma-Egba is a large hearted fellow whose entire being flows with human kindness. He is a God fearing man and so much fun to be with. He exhibits uncommon wit and intelligence to no end. Happy birthday to a friend and brother”.
Chief Chuck Amarikwa (friend turned brother)
“Chief is a good man. An astute leader who does not discriminate. I am a beneficiary of his good leadership. He is someone we look up to. He is dependable and reliable. We are very proud of him”.
Prince Eka Williams (APC State Deputy Chairman, Cross River State)
“Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, our founding Partner is a man of vision, a celebrated lawyer, an astute lawmaker and politician who has stamped his footprints of excellence wherever he served the Cross River State and Nation in both the political and economic sectors”.
Oladimeji Adebayo Esq. (Abuja-based lawyer).
“He is a proud and consistent son of the Catholic Church. As a reward for his dedicate contributions to the growth of the Church, Holy Father the Pope honoured him with the Papal Knighthood. Sen. Ndoma-Egba is a consistent man with legendary simplicity. He mixes freely with the high and low and is a friend to the poor and rich. On this occasion of his birthday, I pray that God will bless him more, grant him more healthy years and give him him more opportunities to serve God and humanity and grant his dear wife Amaka more peace in Heaven. Happy birthday Distinguished Senator. We love you.”
Father Bob Etta (Catholic Diocese of Ogoja)
” Sen. Ndoma-Egba is known for quiet philanthropy, supporting seminarians and trainee pastors, sponsoring both Christians and Muslims for pilgrimages to the Holy religious sites in Israel, Rome, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. With his accommodating outlook on life, Ndoma-Egba’s personality teaches humanity rich lessons about egalitarianism and non-discrimination”.
Olusola Sanni (Abuja based journalist)
The man of the moment, Senator Ndoma-Egba who was awoken to sounds of music played by trumpeters and a live band in his Ikom home this morning to mark his birthday, has just one message to the various groups that gathered to celebrate him, including the National Youth Council of Nigeria Cross River chapter, All Progressives Congress Cross River State and the Ikom Like Minds Initiative, amongst others has just one message to everyone: “If you truly honor me and are happy for me, please confirm this by voting for Senator Prince Bassey Otu as Governor of Cross River State and the two candidates of the APC for the two Ikom state constituencies. Then we can have a bigger celebration”.
