By KWEMEZI NDIDI | Media/Entertainment Consultant

It was after the 2012 governorship election. I had been part of the media team of General Charles Airhiavbere, the PDP candidate at the time, through the recommendation of my boss, Hon. Chris Nehikhare.

After the election, my boss reached out to me and said, “Come and see me at this address. I have a job for you.”

As was the case with me in those days, I carried my laptop bag and off I went.

When I arrived at the address, I was amused to discover that it was the residence of Chief Dan Osi Orbih.

My boss introduced me to him and spoke about the work I had done during the campaign. Chairman, as he was fondly called, listened, gave me a brief on what he wanted me to do, and then told me to sit at the dining table and get to work.

Little did I know that moment would become the beginning of a relationship that would profoundly shape my life.

From that day, I became part of his media team throughout his tenure as the PDP Chairman in Edo State. I was part of virtually every campaign he was involved in.

But it became much more than a job.

His house became home to me.

During that period, I could confidently say I was the first person Chairman saw in the morning and, many times, the last person he saw before going to bed because I would stay back at his house, working.

And throughout all of this, Chairman never treated me like a stranger.

He treated me like his own son.

At the time, I was still in school, and Chairman would always ask about my studies. He encouraged me to take my education seriously. Beyond the work, he was interested in the person I was becoming.

There are many things people say about politicians. You hear stories about politicians using people, exploiting their loyalty and discarding them when they are no longer useful.

But my experience with Chairman was different.

The trust I have in politicians was, in many ways, shaped by him.

Chairman did not just reward my effort; many times, when he was impressed with my work, he would give me far beyond what I charged.

That was the kind of person he was to me.

Even after his tenure as PDP Chairman in Edo State ended and he moved further into national politics, Chairman remained accessible.

He answered my calls.

He responded to my messages.

And even when he was busy, he would simply say, “I’m in a meeting. I will call you back.”

And you could trust that he would.

Chairman always called back.

I remember my wedding.

Chairman did not just attend; he supported me financially, even at a time when he himself was dealing with significant challenges.

On the wedding day, I was still in church when I received a call that Chairman and his team were already at the reception venue.

By the time we eventually arrived, I was told Chairman had left.

I immediately called him to apologise for not being there when he came.

His response was classic Chairman:

“That’s not an issue. I quickly went to another event. I’m coming back for you.”

And to my surprise, Chairman came back.

He returned to my wedding reception and sat through the reception.

That gesture meant so much to me.

Because it wasn’t just about attending a wedding.

It was about showing up for someone he considered his own.

My Honourable Chairman, Sir!

I remember those sleepless nights.

I remember the countless hours we spent working.

I remember the videos we worked on together.

I remember your encouraging words.

I remember your fatherly love.

I remember how you made a young man who was still finding his feet feel valued, trusted and important.

You gave me an experience of leadership that went beyond politics.

You taught me, by your actions, that leadership could be humane.

That power could come with kindness.

That success did not have to make a person inaccessible.

And that when you believe in someone, you can change the trajectory of that person’s life simply by giving them an opportunity and treating them with dignity.

Looking back now, I realise that what started as a simple instruction to “sit at the dining table and work” became one of the most significant relationships of my life.

I came with a laptop bag.

I thought I was going for a job.

I did not know I was walking into a home, into a family, and into a relationship that would leave an indelible mark on my life.

Chairman, thank you.

Thank you for the opportunities.

Thank you for the trust.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Thank you for the fatherly love.

Thank you for always showing up.

Thank you for being Chairman.

But, most importantly, thank you for being you to me.

My Honourable Chairman, Sir, I will always remember those days at that dining table.

I will always remember the sleepless nights.

I will always remember your voice, your encouragement and your kindness.

And I will always be grateful that our paths crossed.

You were not just a Chairman to me.

You were a father, a mentor, a boss, and a friend.

And for that, I will forever be grateful.