“Presence, they say, is all that matters. Imagine a parent that is not present. Imagine servant that is absent. I won’t be that servant. I’ll be here when you need me.”

With these opening words, James Carr Ezekiel-Hart advertised his candidature for the position of Secretary General of the Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF) in the forthcoming elections that will usher in a leadership in the indigenous body of Bonny professionals.

In a chat with Kristina Reports, Ezekiel-Hart stated that the rebranded BGF needs to leave up to the expectations of stakeholders to be a resource centre for professional of Bonny origin, an advocacy platform for issues affecting Bonny graduates and melting pot of ideas to propel the development of Bonny LGA, hence the need for “a well-grounded professional” to be its scribe.

“Let me say that at the stage and time we are now, BGF is looked up to in terms of driving the agenda of a bigger picture Bonny LGA, harnessing intellectual resources to crystalize what we should do and where we should be as a people.”

“These expectations would not be achieved if we have a secretary that would not be available. So, I’m here and would always be a call away at the most critical of times to run the BGF secretariat.”

Ezekiel-Hart, who is rooting for his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Green Logistics and Supply Chain Marketing at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), where he initially obtained his Master in Science degree in Green Marketing in 2020, had earlier obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka in 2005, and Marketing at Anambra State University, Uli in 2009.

A testament to his professional astuteness, the BGF Secretary hopeful is currently the Head of Department, Petroleum Marketing and Business Studies at the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny.

James Carr Ezekiel-Hart’s membership of the Bonny Graduates Forum has not been uneventful a s he has served in various capacities including Chairman, Constitution Drafting Committee; member, 25th Anniversary Planning Committee; member, Electoral Committee, and member, 28th Anniversary and Award Committee of the BGF.

Those who know him say he is affable, god-fearing, devout Christian, accessible, versatile and empathetic. They describe him as a go-getter, disciplined and passionate about any cause he commits to, trustworthy and reliable.

With the avalanche of support, he is already garnering, the pendulum might swing in his favour as graduates of Bonny origin march out to cast their votes in a make or mar polls that would determine a new dawn or sustain the status quo in the BGF secretariat.