Prof. Pat Utomi @ 70- A Personal Tribute, By Ejike Ekwegbalu

On Prof. Pat Utomi’s 70th birthday, I recall two profound encounters with him over three decades ago, both of which contributed immensely to shaping my professional trajectory to date.
The first was in January 1990, shortly after I graduated from the University of Nigeria. A six-month-long closure of some universities arising from the Anti-SAP riots by students in 1989 meant we graduated in October and missed the first batch of the NYSC programme.
I wanted to be productively engaged in the months leading to the second batch call-up in March 1990. So, armed with a note from my Mum to Dr Pat Utomi (as he then was), whom she knew from their days as Mass Comm students at UNN in the 70s, I set off to Lagos to meet him, unsure of the reception I’d receive. I had met Prof. Utomi earlier in 1987 when he came with other Jackson Building (UNN Mass Comm Department) Alumni for “Homecoming”, and he was a role model to many of us as undergraduates.
Then (in 1990), he was the DMD of Volkswagen of Nigeria (VWoN), so I wasn’t surprised when I got to the VWoN Factory gates at Ojo, Lagos, on two occasions and was told I could only see him on appointment. Undeterred, I devised a plan- I knew if I got the opportunity to tell him who I was, I would likely get the elusive appointment. So, I placed a call to VWoN the next day and asked to speak to him. Once the call reached the Secretary, I clearly stated my name, and within seconds I was speaking with him. He gave me an appointment without any fuss.
The meeting turned out better than I had ever envisaged- I was thrilled, not only by the warm reception I got from him, but also by a note he gave me to Patike Communications, a firm he co-founded with his classmate, Mr Ike Emeagwali, before resigning to join VWoN. That note landed me my first job and an accompanying pay package that was a 19-year-old fresh graduate’s dream! He was under no obligation to give me that job (or paid Internship), and I’m sure he wasn’t expecting much from this very greenhorn. When I was assigned to the Team producing the Annual Nigeria Handbook at the Agency, I saw an opportunity to add value by researching and writing feature stories for the publication. I left for my NYSC programme after two months, but that brief working experience was priceless in moulding me professionally.
Most C-Suite Executives would have been at a loss as to how to handle a fresh-faced teenager during office hours, especially one at a key subsidiary of one of the world’s largest firms. Not Prof Utomi- he not only spared precious time to see me, but he also gave me the opportunity to start my professional career, and I remain eternally grateful.
The second encounter was a year later, when I dropped by Patike after my NYSC, only to be told that Dr Utomi would like to see me. When I saw him at his Ikoyi residence the next weekend, he told me that, on reading my Features in the Handbook, he had decided that a young man like me “should not spend a day in the employment market”. For a 20-year-old still unsure of what the future held, that was an endlessly motivating endorsement, especially from such an esteemed role model. He offered me employment with Patike, which I would have loved to accept, but for another job I had just secured from the then venerable Daily Times of Nigeria Plc.
He has since become one of my key professional mentors, as he has been for thousands of other Nigerians. Aside from his uncommon intellect, Prof. is one of the most selfless and generous people I have ever come across. His humility, spirituality, and bravery are also extraordinary. There’s also no half measure to any commitment he makes; it’s either the best or nothing! I have often also marvelled at his incredible work ethic, particularly all he manages to achieve in a single day (and indeed, to date)! We’re better off as a society because of his contributions and interventions, especially in the area of thought leadership.
It is not surprising that his 70th birthday will be celebrated in 5 cities: Enugu, Asaba, Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna. It is a fitting celebration of a man whose roots are not only very pan-Nigerian but also blessed with that rare natural gift of viewing everyone based on their individual qualities and abilities, without prejudice to their race, tribe, or creed.
On this 70th milestone, I celebrate one of our finest and most accomplished intellectuals; one of our very best in all ramifications and a life-long role model of mine and so many others. Happy 70th birthday, Prof! Best wishes for the many years ahead.