Today, he is identified with leadership and development in America and some other continents. An author and editor of about 68 books with more than 16 certifications in several academic disciplines, Edosomwan is a recipient of over 175 awards and citations.
An international development consultant, who consulted for the United Nations, among others, he spoke with PAUL UKPABIO about his sojourn in America and why he had to return to Nigeria after living abroad for decades.
How would you describe yourself?
I see myself as a visionary leader, entrepreneur and innovator. I am lucky to be among the respected intellectuals around the world; a pioneer in several academic disciplines. As a highly accomplished leader, I seek to dedicate my skills, knowledge and best business practices to making the world better. I have served as Chairman of Johnson A. Edosomwan Limited; the Johnson A. Edosomwan Foundation; JJA Consultants, Inc; Innovative Best Business Consultant (IBBC), Radio Companion and the Continuous Improvement Company. I have been a pioneer in leadership and management development, quality, productivity, re-engineering, customer satisfaction, innovation and technology management, diversity management and much more. As an executive coach and principal consultant, I can say I have worked and helped more than 6,000 organisations in numerous countries. I am also credited for the development of over 425 performance improvement tools, including the EBAT performance excellence tool.
What was growing up like for you?
I grew up in poverty, not knowing my father who had died when I was less than two years old, and my mother became ill soon after. I worked as a houseboy, going to school hungry and borrowing books for my classes. Where did you grow up? I am not ashamed to tell you that I was born into a poverty-stricken family in Benin City, Edo State. So, I grew up in Nigeria.
I
was, however, saved from poverty and misery at age 10. By age 17, I moved to
the United States of America. When I got to America, I had just $1400 in my
pocket. Gradually, I worked as a dishwasher, at other times as a housemaid, a
newspaper deliverer and other such work that was readily available.
You said you were
rescued at 10, how did that happen?
I
was discovered by a Good Samaritan who took me in and cared for me.
In what ways would
you say that your background influenced the person you are today?
Christianity,
which I learnt first of all from my mother, influenced my life with hard work,
prayers, service to the community, honesty, integrity and sound moral
standards. I have tried very hard to maintain these values in all seasons of my
life.
Why did you decide
to travel abroad?
I
always knew that development was key to progress, and the engineering knowledge
and ability in me opened new doors just as technology did. Seizing the
opportunity that America created, I became a pioneer in leadership and management
development, re-engineering, quality, productivity, customer satisfaction,
innovation, technology management, diversity management and much more.
Exactly what were
you doing in your first two years abroad?
I
was going to school. But don’t forget that, like I said earlier, I had to fund
my education by working as a dishwasher, house cleaner, security guard, and
newspaper deliveryman. That was how I was able to earn enough money to begin my
initial studies. Eventually, I earned scholarships and was able to attend Ivy
League universities.
I
studied at Miami-Date Community College and the University of Miami in Florida.
I later earned a BS and MS degrees in Industrial Engineering from the
University of Miami and also went on to receive a Doctor of Science in
Engineering Management and Economics from the George Washington University and
a Professional Industrial Engineering Degree from Columbia University. I am
also today a recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Virginia
Union University.
What was your
overall initial experience abroad? Were you convinced that you could make it
over there?
It
was not about whether I was convinced that I could make it abroad, I was sure I
could. I knew I would. I was determined to succeed. There was nothing else to
do but to succeed. And I thank God that He gave me the opportunity to impact on
lives.
How did you decide
on a career?
Well,
I can say that my early life decided that for me. Having struggled through
early life, trying to find a way out of poverty became a set goal for me. And
to do that meant growing and living on strategic development standards.
At what point did you eventually get a
breakthrough?
That
was while I was still in Nigeria. My breakthrough or life turn-around came when
I was able to build a savings that accumulated to $1400. With that, I was able
to migrate to the United States of America, with a grand hope to seek and get
the golden fleece that education offers.
What motivated you
to set up your first company?
What
motivated me to set up my first company in America was the desire to create
something good for my family and get myself an opportunity to serve others.
How has marriage
been?
(Smiles)
I would say that I have been well favoured by marriage. I am happily married to
Mary Edosomwan, an accountant who has been a partner of substance to me. Our
family life has been blessed by my Christian ministry whose contributions
include planting churches for the salvation of souls and implementing
programmes to help the needy around the world. The ministry has at different
times hosted TV and radio programmes. Some of them are ‘Life Solutions,’
‘Extraordinary Connection with God,’ and ‘Sunday Worship Hour’ on radio. I
regularly feature on One God TV, ‘Wisdom for You.’
Is your wife a
foreigner?
No,
she is from Nigeria here. My wife, Mary, was specially prepared by God for me.
She has been a great supportive strength to me and my ministry.
From your CV, one
notices that you have worked virtually everywhere in America and outside
America. How did you find the time to do all those things written in there?
It
was dedication. It came natural to me because I always had time for things that
involves development. I always had time for things that I know would benefit
everyone. Like I said earlier, I knew that with education, I would be more
positioned to make a better impact, so I studied. And when the opportunities
came for me to serve in leadership capacities, I readily offered myself.
You are a minister
of God. What led you into ministry life?
I
guess that my early life had a lot to do with that. My mum brought me up to
know, believe and trust in God. That belief and trust was what I held on to
into adulthood. Serving God came naturally to me afterwards.
To what extent is your wife involved in
your work?
My
wife is involved in most of the things that I do. We serve the Lord together in
His vineyard.
How about children?
Yes,
we are blessed with two adult children.
You have over the
years been associated with management and development, but now politics. Why
politics at this time?
My
vision is to unify and transform the Federal Republic of Nigeria into a
world-class democratic nation where every citizen contributes and lives
peacefully in safe and secure communities free from corruption, poverty,
violence, regionalism and tribalism into a modern nation that provides access
to jobs, clean water, clean air, electricity, infrastructure, education and
health care; into a forward-looking nation whose multi-dimensional and robust
economy eagerly awaits the coming technology age; and into a prosperous nation
that will make our citizens and Creator proud.
Which party
platform are you going to contest under? How will your party outdo the other
established parties?
I
have founded the Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP) in order to vie for
political office in the country. The Nigeria Democratic Congress Party plans to
unite and transform all aspects of Nigerians’ lives from A to Z, beginning from
2019. The motto of the Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP) is ‘We the
People Unite for Progress’. NDCP stands for equal rights, justice for every
individual, promotion and encouragement of a free market economy based on a
democratic system of government, family values, freedom of the press, freedom
of religion, freedom of speech, community, men, women and youth empowerment and
human rights in a federal system supported by states and local governments.
What do you hope to
do differently from what Nigerians have been seeing?
I
along with other members of the party will reassess the educational system and
incorporate world-class best practices from multiple disciplines that support
the jobs of tomorrow.
I
intend to establish vocational training and train-to-work programmes across the
country; offer free trade and technical education and encourage tuition reimbursement
at universities; implement a single-payer universal healthcare system for all
citizens; reduce healthcare burdens on families by offering national assistance
for the elderly and persons with disabilities; implement regulations requiring
businesses to accommodate persons with disabilities; fight corruption and
strengthen institutions to hold everyone accountable to the full extent of the
law.
I also intend to increase productivity and transparency of government
institutions; re-engineer government work processes to reduce waste and
increase efficiency and productivity; provide world-class military training for
our troops; invest in modern defence and cyber security systems; cooperate with
other nations and world organizations; strengthen positive, mutually beneficial
relationships; create fair and equitable tax and financial plans that encourage
foreign investment.
You have lived
abroad for long and now intend to lead as President? Are you sure you have acclimatized enough with the Nigerian political terrain?
Nigeria
has always been home to me. I was born here, I grew up here and the blood runs
in my veins. Even while abroad, I was always coming to Nigeria, getting
involved in one way or the other.
What are the things
you love about Nigeria?
I
love the people. Our ways of life are distinctively peculiar to us.
You have to be a
Nigerian to understand us fully. How much of Nigeria do you know?
I
have moved around the country a lot and have seen that we are not only a
special people, we have also been naturally blessed in our habitat.
What do you really
think is the problem with the country in terms of development?
I
can sum that up as leadership problems which, unfortunately, has hindered the
development of the country. I know that if we get the leadership factor right,
Nigeria will be great once again.
Do you think it is
a problem that can be fixed?
Yes,
it can easily be fixed. As a matter of fact, that is what has led me to offer
myself for leadership of this great country. We have to fix our problems for ourselves
and for posterity. If we can teach others to do it, we can as well do it for
ourselves.
There
are developing countries around the world with peaceful environment and
procedure. Nigeria can be turned into a developed country with an overhaul of
economic growth, environment and infrastructure, community women and youth
empowerment, education and health care, good governance and foreign policy.
These I have enumerated in my manifesto.
If you were not a
development consultant, what else would you love to be?
I
would have just loved to serve God. But I have also realised that when you
serve man, you are already serving God. And when you serve man and revere God,
giving God His rightful place, you become a better person.
What do you do for
relaxation?
I
worship the Lord and I minister to people physically and spiritually.
Which fashion
accessories appeal to you?
I
love to wear Nigerian native attires. However, I dress to fit the ceremony of
the day. My dress sense also depends on the weather. That is why when I am abroad,
I am mostly in suit.
Which memory of
life has refused to go away?
That
was in May 2014, in Fairfax, Virginia, when my citation was being read at a
ceremony where the Board of Trustees of Virginia Union University conferred on
me the highest honour—the the honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree for ministry,
leadership, accomplishments and contributions to humanity and to the world. I
was there with my family and tears welled up in my eyes.
Why?
I
was humbled by what was being read out as my citation. It was that day that it
dawned on me that I had contributed to development works in several continents
with over 175 awards to show for it; some of them being ‘Men of Achievement in
the World,’ ‘Who’s Who of Intellectuals,’ and ‘Who’s who in Distinguished Leadership.’
I didn’t even realise it. All I have believed in has been to continue doing
good.
We learnt that you
are a prolific author. How many books have you written?
I
have authored and edited over 68 books.
So where do you
live these days?
I
live more in Nigeria, though I also have a home in America.
What occupies you
the most these days?
Travelling
around Nigeria occupies my time. I use that to bond with the people and to
introduce true service to them. I also spend my time now coaching senior
executives in several organisations worldwide, assisting foundations, giving to
the poor and helping houses of worship succeed. I believe the greatest
contribution one can make is what one does for God and for humanity.
Are you into
sports?
I
usually enjoy tennis. I love fishing too. I see it as a form of sport.
Any regrets?
It
was difficult growing up without a father and a mother who became ill. I walked
almost 11 miles to school and at times had no food. I borrowed text books from
my classmates to do homework, but the favour of God was with me to see me
through. Those were my down moments in life.
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