Yemisi Abah
13 July 2008
interview
As efforts to find lasting peace in the restive Niger Delta region of Nigeria continues, one woman that has contributed, in no small measure, to see this through is Dr (Mrs) Esorhe Rosemarie Mark, wife of the Senate President, David Mark. Working under the auspices of Voluntary Positive Intervention (VPI) with her team of professionals, she has traversed most interior villages in the South South and South East, providing free medical treatment, free mosquito treated nets, sewing machines, providing school chairs and tables, amongst other essentials to these needy communities.
Affable and charming during an exclusive interview, Mrs Mark, in her dainty low cut hair style, dressed in a simple T-shirt and pink jacket also exhibited such genuine concerns that left one feeling warm and wanted. The interview was held during her brief visit to Lagos. She spoke on her activities so far in the Niger Delta communities, her life, her views on political issues amongst others.
What are some of the challenges you face trying to carry out this activity?
Lack of money. Another is the mind set because, we are trying to change their mind set and I respect peoples' mind. It's like trying to change your mind or mine. That is a challenge because changing their mind set is the most difficult thing to do. Frankly, when there is an answer to something I don't see it as a challenge, but it is because you have to repeat the same thing over and over again.
Oil is not the only thing in this world. You have your brains; you have your destiny; which is not necessarily to work for Shell or Chevron or Agip. But they keep repeating, "We were looking for job... Shell didn't give us a job." And, you go back again, "No. You are very brilliant you could sew, etc." Changing their mind set to accept these facts is really difficult.
From the interactions you have had with the Niger Delta youths, what would you say are the core issues and how do you think these problems can be curbed?
The issues, as we all know, is lack of development; lack of being fairly treated - in the area of jobs, education amongst others. And they have been brought forward softly, gently. And, it has also resulted in the youths taking up arms. Now, they are dropping arms, which they have dropped for me - their mother; to give me time to be able to see if things can be done.
The solution is what I have been saying. First of all, it is forming a bond. I know people will laugh at this but, that is the truth. Because, if you don't bond with someone you want to make peace with, you are not going to know that person and the way to set about making that peace. The basics, as in a generator that will provide light, drinking water, toilet, school for the children - so that they are not on canoe every morning, going to Port-Harcourt to attend primary school. They need a clinic - not a huge primary health centre as it is. Somewhere they can walk into and get their blood pressure checked, have anti-tetanus treatments etc.
These basics have to be on ground before we talk of the bigger things that are expected, of course: roads, huge buildings, bridges etc. I think the most important thing is an acknowledgment of their complaints because, if you have a child that comes to you to say, this person stepped on my toe, 50 per cent of your placation should be mild. But if you say, "Stop lying", you can't solve anything. So, just a simple acknowledgment that: Ok, we know that you have grievances; we are sorry and we will now from this point set about doing something.
Meanwhile, we are going to come and visit you to actually see the state of things. I tell you, the visit really would be wonderful. My husband, at present, is a father. It is just bureaucracy that will prevent him from going in but he wants to. But, because he's very busy. I believe it's this humane way of placating them that will bring success into anything. I think the summit that's being planned now is a good idea. I believe that it will work.
Tell us some of your experiences when you visited some of these areas.
They gave me their best water to bath with. We are all Nigerians; we don't refuse hospitality. But I know they were trying to do their best for us. They bought new a mattress for me to sleep on. They just couldn't do enough to showcase themselves. I was just too moved. One pair of sandals that I have been wearing for months was in bad shape, but the shoemaker immediately fixed it for me. And I was able to see the type of shoes he was making.
So, I thought we could have a shoe factory as well because they have land where we can do that. The way he prepared it was perfect; you won't see the thread. They were helping me in and out of the boat. There is a stretch of land along the beach. It is a very beautiful place where they used to have their Christmas parties. With my son, Tunde Mark, we are going to do a peace concert on the beach with Tu Face and my brother, who is also a musician along with other musicians.
The Federal Government ordered military option as a way to quell the crisis. Do you think this will bring lasting solution to the problem. And, what is your advice to the Niger Deltans on the proposed summit?
First of all, I do not claim to be chief adviser to the Federal Government so, I wouldn't comment on that. But my advice to my children in the Niger Delta is this: Please be patient. You are at the end of a dark tunnel and any violence is not going to be of any good. That would be my own advice as a mother.
You talked about money being one of the challenges you face. So, how would you sustain VPI?
In the real sense of it, I always say VPI is not an NGO; neither is it a pet project of mine. It is an initiative that all of us must join hands to do. There are other NGOs that have come on board, to do what we know we must do in Nigeria, at this time. You have asked how it's sustained. There are many kind-hearted people. When I left Abuja, that was when I told my husband, as a husband (not as the Senator), that there are many kind people out there and I am going to go look for them so that they can support everything that this government wants to achieve. And, I tell you, I am overwhelmed by what ordinary patriots have given to VPI. So, it is not that I have a lot of money but I have a lot of goodwill. I have a lot of people that have given their time and equipment so we can forge along.
It gladdens my heart to say that Nigeria is endowed with many kind-hearted people. And those are the ones I am personally targeting to support the simple things that we want to do. You (Allure Vanguard) are also supporting and this is more than money. So, the issue is this, if we were to go into a town and we were given accommodation free, that is solved. If we were given transport and many people do.
For instance, when I was coming from Port Harcourt three days ago, I was picked with a brand new Prado. And, it was a gift of support because I travel a lot on land. The reason why we travel on land is to be able to know the roads that are good or bad. And I must say also that Engineer Bunmi Peters has been very helpful with the roads. The main problem, specifically, is we want to build. I am planning on given a much more open press conference, in which I am going to call on all female architects, all female contractors, all mothers to support the scheme of building some units. Mrs Ojikutu, who was former deputy governor of Lagos, she says she sells cement and she will give some bags anytime. This is really the next explosive step.
Apart from providing some essentials for the rural communities, what other activities does VPI carry out?
We talk to children in primary schools; to secondary school children; those in the university, mothers, women and also professionals to join hands with an initiative that can really become an explosive thing in the country. We actually see VPI as the Red Cross of Africa. We will go into areas of emergency. We have been in the Niger Delta for quite a long time now, trying to bring help to the people and how have we done that? By bringing hope, by giving free treatment, free glasses, doing surgery where it's necessary, talking to the youths and forming co-operatives with them and their mothers; talking with their mothers and really trying to feel their pains as mothers and asking them to forgive and to advice their children that they will have peace in that area as soon as possible.
We are setting up cottage industries and in doing that we are able to provide jobs for them. But I think the most important thing is when you go there, you are able to cry with them, sing and dance with them, form a bond that really shows that you do care. And to me, in any philanthropic matter, what we need to do to show that we do care, is not just to throw things. You go there and sacrifice that time. It is the most precious thing that I have experienced - that they do appreciate. VPI has been talking to people who can come and build some structures because, we now know that there is a lot of land. We can have sawmills instead of them using their hands to work. We are also in the process of talking to some people that will convert salt water into drinking water.
What keeps you going?
Where do you get inspiration from to do what you do?
It is a calling; it is the right time. I believe it is what God wants me to do. So, whether my husband is Senate President or not does not matter. For these past 30 years, I have kind of paved my way towards reaching this promise. It didn't just start now. And by the grace of the Aalmighty God, there is a link between the mothers and the youths.
The Lord just naturally made it that it was time to form a link with elders. I am a missionary. I believe that this is a calling from the Almighty God and for anybody that comes on board, I say this is your voluntary work to please the Almighty God. You are not only serving Nigeria, you are serving God. So, if you to come on board, with that in mind, the Almighty God is going to release the help you need and in everything. This is my destiny and I am going ahead with it, regardless of any distraction that might come my way. That is my inspiration.
As a mother, what is your view on the role of women in nation building? And what is the Nigeria of your dream?
I go everywhere and I say to all women, "let us be friends. Let us stop back-biting each other. Let us stop competing with each other. Let us be like our counterparts - the men, who are loyal to each other. Let us be as Nigerian communities used to be." Four children are mine and with this I am telling all mothers in Nigeria right now, all those youths in Nigerian Delta are your children. We are the mothers of these youths and we are joining hands with the mothers of these youths who do not have the opportunity that some of us have. Let us dry the tears from their eyes. Then, we will be able to bring up our children to be the leaders of tomorrow that will make Nigeria what the Almighty intends it to be; a peaceful beautiful home for our citizens to be proud to live in and to develop into the highest level.
With your very busy schedule, how do you take care of the home front? And how do you relax?
First of all, my children are grown and they are not here. They are about their life. Then, the home front, of course, itself is very busy. Because, if you are married to someone who is very busy and have meetings till 4am... the home front is what I am doing now. My husband's home front is the whole of the country now. It isn't just our own home. We should see it like that. Then, you know that it is the home front that we are trying to take care of.
For relaxation, I love watching African Magic, and if I have the film especially with the movie; Pride and Prejudice, I relax with that a lot. Sometimes, I read.
What is the next line of action?
There is a lot but I don't want to reveal it in the papers. I will talk to you about that later
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