In a recent statement, Elder Uma Eleazu, 88, once dreamed of being a pastor, however, his ambitions shifted, leading him to study abroad twice, as reported by Daily Trust.
Upon his return to Nigeria, he played a crucial role in drafting the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions.
Eleazu’s career includes leading the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and establishing similar associations in Kenya and Uganda.
He consulted for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
He also headed the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and taught in Nigeria and the USA.
In 1993, he ran for president in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), losing to Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
In a recent interview, Eleazu reflected on his diverse career and experiences.
He also discussed the creation of the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions, his thoughts on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and his views on IPOB and other issues.
Addressing his time as Chairman of PPMC during the Ibrahim Babangida regime.
“One of the first things we did was to audit what was handed over to us by the PPMC. Our audit was on all the pipelines, depots, vehicles and vessels of the NNPC. So much was discovered by the auditor, obviously secrets the NNPC was hiding from public glare. We did what is now referred to as forensic auditing. I got a query from the NNPC headquarters. They gave me, the Chairman of the Board, a query for asking an outsider to audit the PPMC and a part of the NNPC without their permission. When I got the query, I took it to my fellow Board.”
“Members and everybody laughed, saying they didn’t know who they weredealing with. A letter signed by me was sent back stating, ‘Chairman of Board does not answer query.’ We were a Board not under the NNPC; at least, our letter never indicated that.”
“There were all kinds of intrigues. Later, I sent some hands to check on the illegal activities of some people who were loading at our depots but taking fuel to Niger Republic to sell. Big people in Nigeria owned those trucks used for the business. People were making millions of naira on a daily basis. We would be suffering here because there was no petrol but our fuel was being sold in Cameroon, Niger and Chad at lower prices than Nigerians were getting it,” Eleazu said..…….See More