I Didn’t Join Politics To Solve Nigeria’s Problems – Amaechi

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said he did not join politics to proffer a solution to Nigeria’s problems.
He said this in a chat with The Punch. He added that unemployment had forced him into politics.
Amaechi added that his father had been a politician in his days, running for councillorship. He said although he auditioned for a role at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), he became a politician before he got an offer of employment.
“My father was a politician. He ran for councillorship during his time. However, I didn’t join politics because I wanted to be a leader or because I wanted to solve Nigeria’s problems. I joined because of unemployment. I also believe there is a part that grace played in it.
“I actually got auditioned at the Nigeria Television Authority to be a broadcaster. I recall that I walked into their office then and said I wanted to see a certain person. But the person I met asked me if I had been auditioned because I had a wonderful voice. I told him I hadn’t and he asked for me to be auditioned. However, before the employment letter came, I was already into politics. That saved me. I would have been a broadcaster by now,” he said.
Despite his success in politics, the former Rivers State governor, said he does not want any of his children to become politicians. Asked why, Amaechi said Nigerian political scene is not one anyone would wish for his children, saying one can easily be destroyed.
“Nigerian politics is not something one would want one’s child to go into because there are no rules. One can be easily destroyed. One must have the grace to survive. I don’t know if he has that grace (and I’m not talking about tact or sagacity) to survive because it is a man-eat-man world,” he said.
Amaechi said aspiring politicians must work hard and be prayerful .
“They need to work hard. Beyond prayer and fasting, I also work hard. They also need to be bullish. Don’t just accept that it’s not your right. Rather, assert and protect your rights. Also, it is important to be at the right place at the right time,” he added.