Opinion: Emulate Gbaramatu Ijaws, Monichelle CEO Tells Bayelsa Elites

By Ebi Egbe

As an Ijaw man who strongly believes that only we Ijaws can build our dream Ijaw nation, I relocated my office from 19B Ribadu Road, Ikoyi, Lagos to Yenagoa over 20 years ago. For someone like me, who is used to honey lifestyle and business environment, moving my corporate base to Yenagoa encouraged many others to also come into Bayelsa.

Through our brand, Monimichelle Sports Facilities Construction Ltd, we have consistently projected the Ijaw nation positively to the world.

Today, Monimichelle Sports has emerged as the preferred company in sports construction, boasting an impressive portfolio of sports facilities projects across all geo political zones in Nigeria, thereby creating employment opportunities for our citizens and providing them with valuable insights into the business world, with its corporate head office strategically located in Yenagoa, the only Ijaw capital globally.

However, what I get in return from some of my Bayelsa Ijaw brothers most especially the political class is nothing but relentless envy, jealousy, blackmail, and collaboration with external parties to destroy a brand that has been built through tireless efforts and sacrifices.

Sometimes, the thought of moving my office out of Yenagoa crosses my mind. But I keep asking myself one simple question:

Should the corporate headquarters of Monimichelle Sports be relocated from Yenagoa based on the sentiments of a handful of politically opportuned individuals lacking insight into private sector survival and growth strategies?

The Gbaramatu guys will never work against their own Ijaw brother. Some persons in the political class in Bayelsa State who are privileged to hold government offices still do not believe in true oneness within the Ijaw nation.

I doff my hat to the Gbaramatu Ijaws for showing that unity, loyalty, and deliberate empowerment of ijaw people is possible within the Ijaw nation.

I may not personally know many of them, but I follow their activities on social media and I am genuinely proud of the way they showcase Ijaw culture and identity to the world.

Ebi Ezekiel Egbe is a FIFA-licensed match agent and stadium construction expert from Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State.