PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: As the New Year ushers in January 1, 2026, a prominent political commentator and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chukwuemeka Eze, has chosen to mark his 68th birthday by celebrating the 61st birthday of his younger brother, Osima Ginah, a lawyer, technocrat and administrator whose life story, he says, deserves deeper public reflection.
Eze, who is also a profilist and writer, said he deliberately set aside personal tributes to himself to honour Ginah, whose career has spanned public service under two former Rivers State governors—Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike—at a time when the political atmosphere in the state remains sharply polarised.
In a book authored by Eze and launched in 2025, the APC chieftain examined Ginah’s life and public service, describing the work as timely, coming amid renewed jockeying between political blocs in Rivers State ahead of future governorship contests in 2027 and 2031. He noted that the state’s deep political divisions have made neutrality rare, with most public figures instantly attracting praise from one camp and hostility from another.
According to Eze, Ginah stands out as an exception. He said the lawyer-administrator enjoys cautious respect across rival political lines because of his uncompromising approach to public duty, often enforcing rules without regard for personal ties or political patronage.
Tracing Ginah’s background, Eze recounted a journey marked by adversity and resilience—from a childhood as a fisherboy and motor conductor to becoming a trained lawyer known for his doggedness in court. He said Ginah’s years in school were defined by activism, courage and a consistent willingness to challenge unfair systems, even at personal cost.
“He was never afraid to take the bullet,” Eze wrote, noting that Ginah’s interventions often led to policy reversals, reduced fees and waived courses in defence of the ordinary people.
Eze further recalled that Ginah earned a reputation in legal and political circles for confronting even senior advocates in court, while maintaining strict transparency in handling legal funds—an attribute he said exposed the excesses of many practitioners.
His reputation for integrity, Eze said, paved the way for Ginah’s appointment as Commissioner for Urban Development during the Amaechi administration, where he was tasked with restoring order and integrity to the state’s urban landscape. In what became a defining moment of his tenure, Ginah reportedly approved demolitions without exemptions, including properties linked to highly placed individuals.
The biographer noted that Ginah’s resolve sent a clear message that there were no sacred cows, a stance that initially generated backlash but ultimately cemented his image as a public officer committed to due process.
Remarkably, when political power shifted and relations between Amaechi and Wike deteriorated, Eze said Ginah still found relevance in the new administration, a development widely interpreted as recognition of competence and character over partisan loyalty.
“Competence made it possible for him to work in the home of perceived enemies,” Eze stated, adding that Ginah’s acceptance across divides reflects rare bipartisan credibility.
Beyond politics, Eze highlighted Ginah’s grassroots appeal, describing him as a figure respected among creek communities, urban youth, student activists, professionals and political stakeholders alike.
Providing insight into the book, Eze devoted significant attention to Ginah’s development efforts, particularly in Angulama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area. He said Ginah placed strong emphasis on human capacity development, instituting scholarship schemes, funding education from primary to tertiary levels, and personally paying WAEC and GCE fees for dozens of students, including those from his alma mater, Kalabari National College, Buguma.
Quoting Ginah, Eze said the celebrant viewed education as the ultimate tool for empowerment and social mobility. “Your curriculum vitae will determine what you will be,” Ginah was quoted as saying, stressing that sustainable development must be anchored on education and peace.
Eze also revealed that Ginah sponsored peace initiatives in Angulama community, helping to resolve leadership disputes and restore stability necessary for development.
In a personal reflection, the author attributed much of Ginah’s success to the support of his wife, Elijalba Ginah, describing her as a pivotal but largely unknown influence in his life—a story he said readers would find compelling.
Eze concluded by offering prayers for his brother’s new age, wishing him greater strength and impact in the years ahead, and reaffirming that Ginah’s life remains a testament to service, integrity and the power of resilience in public life.
