Celebrating Kenny Martins : A De-tribalised Statesman at 65
“COURAGE, according to the great and courageous Aristotle, is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.”
The renowned physicist, the revered Isaac Newton postulated that in life, “we build too many walls and not enough bridges”
Bridge building to every intent and purpose, has kept the world universally one. And as the world pivot around its empherical pole, so do we have decent men and women who ensure the unity and peaceful co-existence of their environment. One such excellent spirit is Kehinde Olufunmilola Martins fondly call KLM by his numerous admirers, friends and well-wishers.
Born 65 years ago in Lagos to the family of the late Pastor Joseph Oluyinka Martins and Mrs. Susan Olanrewaju Martins, both school administrators, Kenny whose trendy and very stylish dress sense stands him out, has kept his spotty and youthful look, even at 65. He can pass for a man in his mid – fifties.
One more thing which nature bestowed on this clear-minded gentleman is his deep intelligence. Those in authority in and outside Nigeria, occasionally seek his wise counsel on state matters.
A high networth player, though not a socialite, there is nevertheless no dull moment with this restless and very ambitious enigma. He never believed one cannot achieve a set goal. To him, you don’t plan to fail, but plan to win.
A game changer in power dynamics in Africa in the last 30 years, this unassuming smooth operator has seen to the successful emergence of several governments. His, according to him, is to make his very modest contributions to the sustenance of good governance not only in Nigeria but the entire Africa.
Nigerians may have not forgotten how in the wake of the General Abdulsalam Abubakar-led transition programme in 1999 to midwife the general elections, the Niger – Delta militants threatened and were very determined not to allow elections to hold in the entire south – south region.
He intervened by rallying together some influential south – south leaders for a peace meeting at the palatial home of the Esama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion in Benin – city. It was attended by leaders of the various militant groups, including the dreaded Egbesu boys.
That singular move snowballed into the relative peace we currently enjoy in that region. It saw to the gradual peace restoration after which a peace pact was reached and election peacefully held in the region.
A multi – dimensional businessman who has made success of his chosen career, Martins, had his secondary education at the Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, Ogun state after which he proceeded to the United States to further his studies. On his return to Nigeria, he joined his father’s chain of businesses as a young executive. After a while, he was seconded to administer day to day running of the family school – then Premier High School Yaba. After understudying the rudiments of business, young Martins, left the family business to establish his own chain of businesses which cut – across Printing, Motor Vehicle Distributorship, Real Estate, Refined Petroleum Products Shipping and Marketing among others. It is reckoned till date, that his, was the first indigenous shipping company to fly the Nigerian flag. The ship was named Asaba queen. In fact the unfavourable treatment he suffered in the hands of the powers that be, whereby the then Federal Secretary for Petroleum advised that the ship, which was then, the Nigerian pride and already sailing to Nigeria, will not be allowed into the Nigerian territorial waters due to some irreconcilable differences. This frustration further pushed him into party politics.
Kenny’s patriotism and nationalistic efforts to re-direct the near pitiable situation the Nigerian Police found itself after the December 31, 1983 coup was thwarted by the Nigerian factor as orchestrated by a few unpatriotic Nigerians. Full implementation of the foundation’s blue print for the Nigerian Police as replicated today by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, would have ensured a better and more effective policing in Nigeria. Today, all of us are witnesses to the comatose level of insecurity in the country.
A detribalised Nigerian and a strong advocate of the continued unity of this country and the rest of Africa, Martins’ palpable and tangible restlessness, have positively defined the contour and general texture of the very excellent spirit that have exemplified his life at 65.
This restlessness, coupled with his sanguine commitment to the intrinsic disposition to the continued peace our dear country urgently need at this moment of its sojourn, saw him with like minds, like the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Islamic Council, organising prayer sessions for Nigeria and a Presidential debate in the run- up to the 2019 general elections. This debate was attended by major contenders to the office.
Latest in this efforts, is the recently organised consultative meeting of the steering committee for another national prayers / peace summit to be organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) led by Rev .Yakubu Pam. This consultative meeting which had virtually all the Christian leaders in the South – West geo – political zone in attendance, was facilitated by this distinguished bridge – builder. In a communiqué, issued at the end of the meeting, the need to revisit the 2014 confab report was unequivocally echoed by all the Christian leaders.