Emma Okah: Living a Life of Purpose

An accomplished lawyer, media man and politician, Emmanuel Ihuoma Okah brims with goodwill marked by a successful career captured in this moving tale of his journey to 60. Vanessa Obioha writes

For many Christians worldwide, December 25 marks Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Okah household, however, this season holds extra significance, as the birthday of the family patriarch, Emma Okah, coincides with the global celebration- a further attestation to the relevance of his native name Ihuoma which means the lucky one. This year, the celebration will resonate across the town as Okah, a renowned lawyer and politician, steps into his diamond jubilee. Despite the excitement, Okah has his reservations as he welcomes this new chapter in his life.

“The reality of turning 60 is not a myth. Beyond personal attainments for which we constantly give God glory, I am not a happy man. All around us are numerous Nigerians who are hungry and cannot afford the basic needs of life. We are living in a country with abundance of resources and yet citizens live in squalor. I doubted that the Buhari government was not going to do much because he fell into the same inglorious entrapment of a few persons subverting the rules to create ethnic and religious advantage for his kinsmen. I saw President Tinubu rule Lagos State well as Governor but I am afraid his outing as president is not showing signs of good things. The economic dislocation in the land is making a bad Buhari administration look like a golden era. At 60, I wish I could close my eyes and open them to see smiles return to the faces of millions of Nigerians.”

An indigene of Rivers State, Okah is well-known in the media as well as legal and political circles for his influential reputation. Born in Elele Town, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Okah’s journey to greatness began with a solid foundation in education. He attended County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche, earned his LL.B (Second Class Upper) from the University of Calabar in 1988, BL ((Second Class Upper), Nigerian Law School in 1989 and his LL.M from the University of Lagos in 1991. His commitment to personal and professional growth continued as he trained at the London-based Blandonmore agency in 2003, where he obtained a certificate in media and communications and later earned his PhD in Law from Imo State University in 2022.

A Notary Public and member of both the Nigerian and African Bar Associations, Okah’s legal career kicked off in Newbreed Magazine where he served as a legal officer during his mandatory NYSC days. While in Newbreed, Okah began to sharpen his writing skills, even without a formal training as a journalist. He would later be retained and appointed as the company’s secretary and set up the Chris Okolie Chambers.

He worked with the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi Chambers as a student attachee where he gained invaluable experience before joining the law office of Rickey Tarfa, SAN, where he formed a deep camaraderie with his mentor during their LL.M programme at the University of Lagos. After he left Tarfa in 1995, he established his own legal chambers.

“Looking back to our early years as young lawyers in Lagos and learning from legal giants to fuel our appetites to meet challenges at that time would remain evergreen in my memory,” he continued. “Today, I feel for many young lawyers who are perforated by low earnings and harsh economic climate that one wonders if it is the same law we all read. It sends a chill up my spine, sometimes.”

One of the defining moments of his legal practice in Lagos before he joined politics was when he defended Newbreed Magazine and his former boss, the late Chief Chris Okolie, in a landmark libel case. The case, filed by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo against Beko Ramsome-Kuti, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Chief Chris Okolie, and Newbreed Magazine, revolved around alleged offensive materials written by CD to all foreign missions in Nigeria  and published by Newbreed magazine about stopping Obasanjo’s bid for the UN Secretary-General position. While Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Falana defended CD, Okah represented the others before Justice Adeniji of Lagos State High Court. Ultimately, Obasanjo lost the position.

As a lawyer, Okah earned the respect of his peers for his intelligence, collaborative spirit, and broad international experience, which have established him as a distinguished figure in both the legal and political spheres.

“What I learnt from these great men, I cannot quantify them. They thought me a lot that shaped my life and practice as a lawyer,” he said.

In politics, Okah’s rise was swift and undeniable. After the fall of the Third Republic, he was set to contest the Ikwerre Local Government chairmanship under the SDP, but he soon pivoted, making a name for himself as a dependable party man and media personality. His efforts caught the attention of Dr. Peter Odili, who appointed him Chief Press Secretary in 2003, a role in which Okah’s brilliance, organisational skills, and commitment to public service shone brightly. Under his guidance, Odili’s administration became one of the most publicised in Nigeria. He later served as Commissioner for Information during Celestine Omehia’s brief administration. He also served as the Commissioner for Housing and Commissioner for Information and Communications during Nyesom Wike’s first-term as governor.

“Since leaving legal practice in 2003 to take up a political job with then Governor Peter Odili, I have been privileged to work under two other governors – Sir Celestine Omehia and Chief Nyesom Wike. Dr. Odili became like an institution and visionary of sorts. He combined kindness, fear of God, experience and a supporting family to send a message that a better Nigeria is possible beyond rhetoric. I knew the enormous power of a Governor of Rivers State in driving national politics. For the eight years and three months I spent in public office combined, I was exposed further to the potential of our great country and why we are still backward. Most public office holders have two faces. One is when they are not in office and the other is when they are in office and exposed to money, free wealth in a country with scant regard for rules.

“We can rise again. From President Tinubu down the ladder, we can cut down on luxury living, tighten the belt, produce much of what we need, educate our children especially in the North and bail ourselves out of squalor. That is why I believe that Nigeria is in need of more patriots and role models to build a nation where no one is oppressed. I am afraid some of our leaders are handing over banners with stains and if we don’t narrow the gap between the rich and the numerous poor, it may be difficult one day for the rich to contain the explosion that may follow.”

Before he joined Wike’s cabinet, Okah attempted to represent Ikwerre/Emohua LGAs in the House of Representatives under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011. His ambition was fired up by a desire to see a positive change in the nation.

“If the centre gets it right, the states will fall in line. The people of Ikwerre/Emohua LGAs need a new voice, a new hand and a new face with a purposeful agenda that will drive their aspirations locally and nationally. My people need positive vibration,” said.

But Okah’s influence was not limited to the courtroom or politics. His service in the media, particularly with Newbreed Magazine during his NYSC, led him to become a respected commentator on socio-political issues. Without formal journalistic training, he became a voice of reason, offering insights into Nigeria’s political and economic landscape. His columns in Sunday Sun and National Interest newspaper shaped public discourse and established him as a force in Nigerian media.

“I commend the Nigerian media for holding forth in good and bad times. Across the board, the mass media has been in the forefront of good governance in Nigeria. I don’t know how much they would still stay on but I doff my hat for the electronic media houses that stay on generators 24 hours, the print media that must show up in the news stand everyday and still pay salaries despite the harsh economy under which Nigerians live.”

Although he no longer writes columns for these publications, his words still resonate with many who see him as a tireless advocate for Nigeria’s betterment. Okah is still active in the political front and trying to be a good citizen.

Back home, Okah advocates and practices support for purposeful education. It is for that reason that he quietly grants scholarships to the needy and encourages more people to pursue education.

“Any nation that toys with the education of its citizens is destined for doom. Sadly, we have so damaged our public education system that Nigerian parents slave for foreign universities where they send their children for better education. Nothing can be more shameful than this. Therefore, our quest for national rebirth must begin with reorientation by creating a sense of pride in the things we have.”

As he approaches his diamond jubilee, one can reflect on his selflessness, vision, and commitment to service—qualities that have defined a life well-lived. A life that continues to inspire and uplift all who have been fortunate enough to witness it.