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| Atife |
Many personal assistants to high society and very
important personalities in Nigeria have a n tendency of always warding people
off from their bosses. But Mr. John Atife, who has been the personal assistant
to Olorogun M.C.O. Ibru for many decades before his retirement in the recent
past, has been described by many close to him as a good example of how a
civilized personal assistant should be. In this report, Ada Dike digs
out the background of the man whom is still receiving encomiums from those
that are familiar with him, for his exemplary style of relating with
people who visited his boss while he was in active service, and even after, and
his love for books.
Speaking on his adventure into the office of Personal
Assistant to Olorogun M.C.O Ibru, after he was employed unofficially to work in
one of Ibru’s offices in Lagos far back 1972, Atife in his characteristic
humourous but conservative style, tried every joke possible to make this writer
forget the discussion he wanted to have with him concerning his life activities
since he retired from serving his kind and philanthropic boss, the owner of
Ibru Organisation, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In response to a question about how long he has lived
in Lagos, Atife said: “Where I have my peace, I live.”
In a country where many personal assistants to notable
people deny others any opportunity to benefitting something from their bosses,
the amiable Atife philosophizes that, “It was by the grace of God that I was
there. But I don’t know if I did well. How long are we going to be on earth if
we can’t help ourselves?”
Considering his capability of living in high brow
areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Garden City, Magodo Estate and other notable areas
where rich people live in Lagos, the humble man revealed that he lives at
Shomolu because he likes relating with people, generally referred to as the
common masses. He attributes his living there as the grace of God. The Urhobo
man, who originated from Agbarho clan in Ughelli-North Local Government Area of
Delta State, also, is a blue blood in Otogor Kingdom, courtesy of his maternal
royal lineage.
After series of tactics employed to avoid this writer
from giving him what he calls ‘unnecessary publicity,’ Atife finally dropped
his guards of conservatism and unveils his background thus, “My father is from
Ikwegwhu town in Agbarho clan, while my mother is from Otogor Kingdom. However,
Agbarho clan contains a lot of villages, but I grew up in my great grandmother’s
place of the popular and very kindhearted Edjefia family in Ughelli-South Local
Government Area.
“The Edjefia family has love for children so they
allowed me to stay as I am not expected to drag inheritance with them. But my
maternal grandmother is from Ekrebuo/Agbon in Ethiope East Local Government
Area of Delta State, which also makes my lineage spread beyond Ughelli-North
and South to other Urhobo speaking areas of the state.”
However, when asked why he is not appending prince to
his name as his maternal origin is embedded in traditional royalty, Atife
responded in his usual humble and unassuming manner, “What does that mean? We
did not come from heaven with any title. So what is special about being called
a prince? It is nothing but pride. Some chiefs are honorary title holders which
do not make them royal people, yet they address themselves as princes and
princesses. That is sheer pride.” He is simply called Uncle John.
He also commented about his religion and educational
background that, “I am a Catholic. I attended Saint Anthony’s Catholic Primary
School, Owo-Olumu, In Ughelli-South. I later attended Saint Williams Modern
School Orerokpe in Okpe Local Government Area. Thereafter, I came to Lagos to
write my oversea Cambridge General Certificate Examination. I got my B Sc in
Business Administration from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.
Throwing light on how he became personal assistant to
Olorogun Ibru, he said, “Chief M.C.O Ibru’s mother, Chief (Mrs.) Janet Omotogor
Ibru, was the one who handed me over to Mr. Panama Okagbare Osadjere, who later
recommended me to work directly in Chief’s office, due to my diligence at work.
I was employed without writing any application. I rose through the ranks from
the position of a stenographer to personal assistant.
“I started working with Olorogun Michael Ibru since
1972, from a very low position as stenographer and gradually rose through the
ranks and became his personal assistant. I did not officially apply to work
with him. I was in the audit department and people noticed my hardworking
trait. That was how I was drafted to work in Chief’s office.”
While appraising Olorogun Ibru for his personality,
Atife said “He is a very kind person. I don’t think we have his type in this
country. He is very kind and humble.”
“I have retired from work but life continues. By God’s
grace, I am in this new office courtesy of Mr. Peter Ibru who is the chief
executive officer of Monigood Investments Limited. We buy invoices from
suppliers of oil and gas to companies.”
At this juncture, this writer inquired about the
challenge facing oil and gas suppliers in the country. Atife informed that the
challenge facing oil and gas suppliers is the delay they encounter for the
payment of the products supplied.
On this note, he said, “But when they are in such
situation, we pay the suppliers the amount are owed. For example, after your
jobs have been completed with an oil company, you no longer have to wait long
to get paid by such company. We would after due negotiation and understanding
with you, take over the pursuance of payment of your invoices after we would
have paid you the full invoice value.”
Beaming on the type of food he eats and his social
lifestyle from childhood, the amiable ribs cracker said he does not have any
favourite food but avoid eating food that is not good for him.
“I was a good footballer when I was in primary school
and also played lawn tennis in my secondary school days. None of my children is
involved is sporting activities.
“I also spend my leisure meditating and reading books.
I like reading religious and philosophical books for spiritual and
philosophical development.”
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