“My father explained the value of integrity to me like this: those who hold high office in public life must be men of integrity; otherwise they betray the trust reposed in them by the community. When, however such men are possessed of integrity, they will devote themselves to the welfare of the community which has placed its confidence in them”.
—Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor
One Nigerian who has achieved greatness, demonstrated through his love for his environment and people through philanthropic activism is Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor. Here is one man whose antecedents prepared for the role he plays today as a community activist and advocate for good governance, transparency and accountability in governance.
Born and bred in Benin City Edo state, a young Patrick saw first-hand examples of injustice, corruption and, suffered therefrom.
Brief background
Prince Patrick Osagie Eholor, was born on Saturday, December 24, 1964.
Patrick, who goes by the moniker Ultimate Equal, hails from Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The social crusader, who has a certificate in Sociology from Humber College, Etobicoke, Canada, uses the One Love Family and Caring Association(One Love Foundation, Nigeria), a non-profit/non-governmental organisation, which he founded in 2000, to propagate his philanthropic ideals.
In his fight for a better society, he has undertaken certain actions that he felt would wake up the lethargic governance system especially in Nigeria. Some of his actions include protests against the Federal and Edo State Government respectively in Abuja, Lagos, and Benin City, to bring the attention of the government to the parlous state of infrastructure in the state in particular, and across the country in general.
Eholor led a one million man protest to call the attention of the government to the death trap called the Lagos – Benin Express Way;
*one man, one vote campaign mantra to curb election violence; crusade to curb the sex-for-grade menace that’s prevalent in higher institutions;
*vocal agitator for the freedom of information;
*led a massive protest to call the attention of the government to the sorry state of Sapele Road, Benin (the FG promised to fix the roads after the protests, while the state government later moved in to provide palliative measures on the road).
He also led protests to Lagos to block the Edo State Government from selling off the iconic Edo House; he led an anti-corruption protest in Abuja under the auspices of One Love Foundation in 2020.
Some of his landmark philanthropic gestures include notable support for special kids and people with disabilities; support for the police to ease its operations especially in the area of logistics and electricity supply;
*scholarships and bursaries for indigent and exceptional students;
*regular support for orphanages etc
In his campaigns for equality and social justice, Eholor has particularly undertaken a tireless campaign for welfare of security agencies and their personnel. Hence, his constant call for the reform of the Nigerian Police to have a human face, which entails better working conditions, good salaries and welfare packages, etc. His argument was that cases of human rights abuses perpetrated by security operatives arise from a transfered anger against the state to the citizens. He says once the police or military officers are well taken care of, they would naturally take care of the citizens.
He fully supported the #EndSARS protests, which was a call by Nigerian youth for the total reform or overhaul of the police.
Eholor was among the people arrested on October 20th, 2021, during the #EndSARS Memorial. He was arrested by police officers, while he was speaking with newsmen about the importance of the protests. Interestingly, he was arrested while saying that the protest was important because it exposed areas within the police where reform was needed for the total welfare of police officers.
In the area of active political engagement, Patrick has played his role to the level of being the gubernatorial flagbearer of the Labour Party in Edo State in 2012.
The civil rights campaigner is a member of Amnesty International, Patron of the African Bar Association and Democracy Observer-General of Nigeria among several others.
His crusading and philanthropic gestures have not gone unnoticed as he has won recognitions and awards one of which is his recent elevation to the position of patron of the African Bar Association which was graced by President George Opong Weah and notable citizens of Liberia where the ceremony was held.
Ultimate Equals as he is fondly called, has instituted a number of litigations against the Edo State Government and the Federal.
In 2020, he dragged the of the FCT for banning street protests, he has also taken up several human rights abuses cases against agents of the government, notable among which are-
*Instituting a case against the Edo State Government over its refusal to conduct local government elections(2021)
*Suit against Edo State Government over failure to appoint Aides Commsioners (2021)
*Suit against the Federal Government over the murder of a 14 year old girl, Jumoke Oyeleke who was shot dead during a rally in support of Yoruba nation in Lagos
*Suit against Edo State House of Assembly over its refusal to hold sittings and perform their Legislative duties in 2014
*Suit against the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police over alleged assault of his person during the #EndSARS Memorial of 2021
*Suit against the Federal Government of Nigeria for banning Nigerians from using Twitter
*Suit against Nigerian banks over indiscriminate charges in 2019
*Challenged the Inspector General of Police and Federal Government for the continued detention of young Gloria Okolie, who was arrested over 170 days ago just because she is a girlfriend of a member of the IPOB, etc.
He has an avalanche of business concerns which includes Ultimate Equals Simplicity Enterprise; Patrick Richard Global Enterprise situated in Canada; Evolino Nigeria Ltd; Izegbuwa Farms Ltd; Enobore Oil and Gas; Le Patriot Hotel and Plaza in Lagos and Benin respectively, Makia Media Magazine, TV and Online, and many others.
He believes in diligence, integrity, honesty, ideal parenting values, friendship and honour. While his philosophy is hinged on making the world a better place where there is no master or slave, high or low caste but one global community of love and justice that is truly a melting-pot of caring humanity for one another irrespective of race, tribe, skin colour, religion and station of birth.
Patrick reflects this in his business endeavours, investments in Human Rights crusades and others.
In his leisure time he loves swimming, reading, staying abreast of events around the world, aerobics and sports.
He is addicted to healthy living through rising as early as 5.00am every day, going for exercises and jogging, right dieting and taking health enhancing herbs.
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