ARC NYAETOK: THE GOLDEN TROJAN MARCHES ON

ARC EZEKIEL NYA-ETOK: THE GOLDEN TROJAN MARCHES ON! By Aniekeme Finbarr “Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age|”-Victor Hugo. He is a man you must definitely fall in love with, I mean at first sight. Baby faced, grey hairs, disarming smile, graceful, classy and ravishing. A man exceptionally blessed by nature with a distinctively seductive charm powered by finely chiseled features and endearing frame. His sparkling well-shaped face invites you to a unique personality and that comely face finishes off with a robust cheek and supple chin. His eyes, ever bright, firmly rooted and boldly looking out from their sockets. The portrait of his face is incomplete if you never notice the dark, curly and defining moustache sitting atop his well curved nostrils. His mouth is put into place by a pair of chubby, pinkish and smooth lips. And to compliment his striking and snazzy outlook is a crawling pair of rainbow-like curved eyebrows. The totality of his face emits innocence, confidence, integrity and finesse. I invite you to meet the boy at 50, Architect Ezekiel Nyaetok. The name Ezekiek Nya-Etok will conjure in your mind many images; a man of many parts and multiple mix. Politician, technocrat, architect, writer, motivator, mentor, broadcaster, husband and father. Acclaimed across all over Nigeria as the leading crusader of affordable Housing for the poor, low and medium income earners, little wonder why he is called Mr. Social Housing. He recently turned 50 and has been attracting a plethora of messages of goodwill. His life has indeed been a study in success and hard work, passion and excellence. His gentlemanly credentials are further appreciated from the dapper dignity of his appearance to the brisk, pragmatic intentions of his movements, the wisdom, insight of his writings, the clear and precise tone of his speeches and the authority and discipline with which he carries himself in his private and public lives. He exhibits an uncommon and calm disposition, never wavering in his inner strength and belief in God. A well exposed and widely traveled man, committed, dedicated and confident ever to succeed. He is not easily angered, very patient and listens to all sides before taking a stand. Arc Nya-etok reposes confidence in people, especially in the younger generation, a meticulous man, prudent in his managerial projections and will not dare pursue anything in life that have not satisfied his critical and measured standards. Friday, 1st November, 1963, has found its way into the history books for all good reasons and will remain there for eternity. A certain beautiful woman went into labour and expected a baby. Her bundle of joy came forth and behold, she smiled. It was a boy. Baby Ezekiel was born. The pains of labour were gone. The Prophet Jeremiah had equally had a word about this baby, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you as my chosen instrument, and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you…” And young Ezekiel grew under the watch of his parents with the fear of the lord. The turning point in his life came when he gained admission to the Prestigious Federal Government College, Warri in Delta State, where he mingled with other youths from every part of Nigeria and the world. He was an outstanding student. He couldn’t have ended it there. He proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and at the Enugu Campus studied Architecture. Arc Nyaetok’s academic records are a clear testimony of his intelligence, hard work and perseverance. He currently is the CEO of Novone Consults, an architectural firm with its Head Office in Abuja. At 25, he was done and dusted with the basics in life. He hooked up the love of his life; Chika, who was already a doctor at 22 and sailed on to marital bliss. The union is blessed with 2 lovely boys, Aniekan and Iniabasi and a pretty girl, Eme. Aniekan, his first son already holds a Masters degree from Manchester University. At 50, I have been so impressed with the strides of Arc. Nyaetok. The fruits of his life so far can be likened to course worthy to be studied by anybody wishing to succeed in life. His commitment to the plight of the low and medium income earners in getting affordable housing is legendary. I cannot dare say more. The words of Senator (Dr) Bukar Abba Ibrahim, CON, FNIQS, FNIAE, Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development says it all “…Finally, today is a special day and I want to use this opportunity to extend the warm felicitations of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to a man who has been a friend and a partner-in- progress to the Senate, and the people of Nigeria, Architect Nyaetok Ezekiel who turns 50 years of age. When the Bill was being considered at the floor of the Senate, he was at the Senate gallery. We thank Almighty God for keeping him to attain the golden age of 50 years. National Honours should be bestowed on people like Architect Nyaetok, who invested the last quarter of a decade to fighting the cause of shelter for the less priviledged. On account of his dogged determination, social housing has become a mantra and today, a full chapter of the new approved National Housing Policy is devoted to Social Housing. This is soon to be followed by an approved Social Housing Bill by the grace of God|” Even in politics, Arc Nyaetok has demonstrated enough commitment to the growth of his immediate community, state and country. He threw his hat into the ring in 2007 and vied to be Governor of Akwa Ibom State. I am left without a choice than to conclude that if Arc Nyaetok could impart humanity and deliver excellently with his present capacity, then he can surely do more with more. I specially celebrate him as a mentor, a savvy, purpose- driven, value-maximizing and thoroughbred professional whose driving force hinges on the fundamental need to make a difference. His achievements have had no magic wand other than his commitment to excellence which derives its finer stuff from hard work, dedication and recourse to endless prayers. This is one birthday too big for one day to contain. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIR!