Abia State Governor Alex Otti marked a quiet but meaningful moment this week, pausing to honour retired Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe on his 86th birthday and calling on Nigeria to give the elder statesman his proper flowers.
At the heart of Otti's tribute is a story that deserves to be told more often. Ukiwe, who once held the position of number two citizen in the country, chose to resign rather than compromise his principles. That kind of integrity is rare in any era, and Otti made clear he considers it a model worth holding up for today's politicians and public office holders.
The governor described Ukiwe as a rare gem, urging Nigerians to reference his example when measuring what true service and character in public life should look like. With trust in political leadership at a low in many parts of the country, the reminder lands with some weight.
At 86, Ukiwe represents a generation of leaders whose stories often get crowded out by louder, more recent voices. If Otti's celebration prompts a wider conversation about the man and his legacy, that may be the most fitting birthday gift of all.
Originally published by Premium Times.