Gov. Rotimi Amaechi @50: “I’m not stubborn, but principled”

Getting the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi for an interview is a tough task considering his busy schedule not just as a governor but his role on a national capacity in the All Progressives Congress(APC). Amaechi is 50 today! Recently, he spoke exclusively to City People Online Editor, KIKELOMO IWAJOMO on his life at 50.

Your Excellency sir, you attended Command Secondary School in Lagos. A lot of people attribute your name ‘Rotimi’ to your schooling in South-Western Nigeria. What’s the origin of the name ‘Rotimi’ knowing you hail from Ikwerre in Rivers State?

My father wanted me to be a lawyer so he named me ‘Rotimi’ after legal luminary Rotimi Williams. Though I studied English Studies and Literature at the University of Port Harcourt, till today, I am still interested in becoming a lawyer because fighting for justice has always been a part of me since my childhood years. As a person, I like to be the voice of the voiceless. You can see what happened at the election – I am proud to be a part of the change process. I am not stubborn but principled. I speak the truth and abide by the rules.

What were your childhood years like?

I had amazing parents. While my father was a disci­plinarian who didn’t spare the rod, my mother was very compassionate and quick to tears. My parents instilled in me a religious life. And the fear of God has remained in me since then till today. I attended primary, secondary schools and the university when there was poverty everywhere but I was never hungry. Because one was poor, I struggled to become somebody and today you can see the story.

You are married to a beautiful woman, Dame Judith Amaechi, how did you meet her?

I always say it that my wife played tricks on me when I was still chasing her while she schooled at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. She gave me a wrong room number. We met at a friend, Major Chidi’s wedding, and it was there she gave me a fake address. I went and didn’t meet her in the room at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. Unknown to me, we both lived in the same es­tate. As fate would have it, one day, while taking a stroll in the estate, I ran into her and then she gave me the genuine address. It was from there we started a relationship.

How long have you been married?

22 years.

What has sustained your 22-year blissful marriage this far?

I will give this to God and my wife. Despite challenges especially the vagaries of politics, my wife has been there taking care of not just me but also our children. So in all, I give to God and then my wife. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I don’t go to parties. You will only see me at the right place and with people who are doing politics with me.

What attracted you to Her Excellency?

As you said, she’s beautiful and ultimately sealed with her great character.

How do you unwind?

As I mentioned, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I don’t go to parties. I have never taken alcohol in my life and I have never smoked cigarette. As a hobby, I enjoy reading books a lot and this cuts across various genres.

You will turn 50 soon. How do you feel hitting the golden age?

I thank God for bringing me this far in life. I started politics when I was way younger than this. I am just somebody who has been in the hands of God. From being a Speaker of the House of Assembly, I rose to be a 2-term governor. At every point of my life, I have carried on. And I know that whatever has happened to me is God’s trajectory for my life. Do I feel fulfilled? Oh yes I do but I give all the glory to God.

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.