BIRTH AND EDUCATION

Born to Mr. Stephen Christian Azaiki and Mrs. Abirindi Azaiki, both late of Yenebebeli-Atissa in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki did his primary education in St. Peter's School, Yenagoa. He proceeded to Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa, and later Government Secondary School, Kaiama, where obtained a Grade One West African School Certificate (WASC).

He further obtained bachelor’s and master’s Degrees as well as a Doctorate Degree in Crop Science from the Agricultural Academy in Kiev Ukraine, now known as University of Life and Environmental Sciences. Much later, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Project Management from Federal University of Technology, Owerri; a second PhD in Public Administration from the Ukrainian Regional University of Personnel Management. These are besides certificates in foreign languages, management, and leadership, from Harvard, Oxford and Wharton Universities, among others.

He is married and blessed with children.

WORK CAREER

Prof. Azaiki had a stint as science teacher in Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, soon after obtaining the WASC. On Return from studies abroad, he got employed on Grade Level 13 in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in 1993, and retired on Grade Level 17 in 2007, after serving as State Director in Rivers and Oyo States Directorates of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

In Bayelsa State, he has served in about 16 positions, notably pioneer Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources; twice as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and a number of honourary advisory positions in the state, most recently, as Honorary Special Adviser on Agriculture; Education and capacity building, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the Niger Delta University (NDU).

At national level, Prof. Azaiki at various times, served as Special Adviser to the Minister of Special Duties, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Minister of Police Affairs and Minister of Youth Development. He was also a member of Governing Council, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

NGO LEADERSHIP

Chief among Non-governmental (NGOs) founded and co-founded by Professor Steve Azaiki are the World Environment Foundation for Africa (WEMFFA) and the National Think-Tank Nigeria (NTTN), all of which he served as President, respectively, as well as coordinator and chairman of 13 committees of NTTN, which also submitted memorandum to the 2014 National Conference in the era of Former President Goodluck Jonathan. He also founded and served four years, as President of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST), Nigeria, an organization promoting research, development of knowledge and skills, especially in Africa.

Prof. Azaiki, is also active in organisations such as Comparative & International Education Societies of America, (CIESA); World Congress of Comparative Education Societies, (WCCES) which he is co-opted into Executive Committee; Under Represented Group Societies (UREAG), Executive Member and Southern African Comparative and History of Education Society (SACHES), as Co-opted Executive Member.

Recently, Azaiki was elected President of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), Nigeria.

PROFESSORIAL ENGAGEMENTS

He has held academic leadership as Professor of Agronomy/Plant Protection at the Institute of Potato Research Nemecheva, Ukraine, University of Life and Environmental Sciences, Ukraine. He was a visiting Professor at the Ukrainian Academy of Personnel Management and International Relations, as well as a Visiting Scholar/Fellow at the Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port-Harcourt, among others.

AUTHORSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ACTIVISM

Prof. Azaiki has delivered many conference papers as well as published academic articles and books such as Inequities in Nigeria; Oil Politics and Blood; The Evil of Oil; Oil, Gas and Life in Nigeria; Oil, Democracy, and the Promise of True Federalism in Nigeria; Thoughts on Nigeria, My Journey in Politics and Price of Loyalty (upcoming), and co-authored many others, especially in the areas of environment, agriculture, plant protection, plant diseases and others.

REMARKABLE SERVICES TO NIGERIA AND BAYELSA

Some of his contributions to national development include resolution of Finima-NLNG crisis at the start of the project; initiation of the National Directorate of Employment’s skills acquisition schemes for youths in Rivers State; input into creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); contributions to national policies through advisory roles to ministers; input into creation of Niger Delta Ministry and submission of recommendations on restructuring and resource control at the 2014 National Conference through WEMFA and National Think Thank of Nigeria (NTTN), among others.

At the state front, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki contributed to the creation of Bayelsa state; made valuable inputs into policies and programmes such as development appeal fund that helped to take off the state, after its creation in October 6, 1996, (the Bayelsa Development Appeal Fund, 1998 chaired by then Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), Muhammadu Buhari, the proceeds of which were also used to construct a major road in Yenagoa City.

While serving as Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Azaiki played pivotal roles in establishment of Niger Delta University (NDU); creation of 24 local government areas; award of foreign scholarships to over 1000 Bayelsans during Chief Alamieyesigha administration.

In Governor Seriake Dickson era's scholarship programme, Prof. Azaiki was engaged gratis, to facilitate admission and conveyance of many Bayelsans, notably, twenty-nine students to Lincoln University at Pennsylvania in the United States of America, where the scholars’ broke records. Indeed, a Bayelsan Mr. Perewari was the valedictorian on the graduation day.

He has also facilitated political appointments and employments to many Nigerians at the state and national levels.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Azaiki has contributed to the development of educational and faith-based institutions as well as awarded personal scholarships to students, free health and housing support to the needy within and outside his community. These are in addition to providing and facilitating employment and political appointments for several persons in public and private organisations. .

He has also through the Azaiki Foundation, provided public library, cultural and museum services, free agricultural and environmental management services; languages training centre as well as science and technology institute for the promotion of research and knowledge-based economy.

The Azaiki Foundation has one of the best public libraries and museums in Nigeria. In April 2019, the Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Library Board, Professor L. O. Aina after visiting the Azaiki Public Library in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, wrote that; “Indeed, library stands as the best I have seen in Nigeria”.

ACTIVE POLITICS

Prof. Azaiki is currently a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, and serves on vital house committees.

In his first year in the House of Representatives, the people-oriented leader, made valuable input into motions, bills and committees' reports, and rendered laudable constituency services to his people. These include skills acquisition training and empowerment with cash; installation of solar streetlights; donation of electricity generating sets to about forty primary health care centres; donation of safety gears, hand washing drums, medicines, food items, free books, educational materials and carried out strategic enlightenment campaigns against Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, among others.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in 2011 Nigeria recongised the services of Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki, by confering him one of the highest honours, Member of the Order of the Niger, otherwise suffixed as OON.

Esteemed audience, it is a privilege and honour, to present to you an illustrious Bayelsan, a patriotic Nigerian, global scholar of diverse backgrounds, crack administrator and pragmatic leader, Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki. OON, JP, the Honourable Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja.