The name Venatius Ikem is of course a very popular name in Obudu, Northern Cross River and indeed Cross River State in general. He is one amongst the early political key players in Obudu.
How a youngman was made head of a local government council at a very young age is a story that once attracted admiration from both young and old.
Sadly, the excitement that came with his early exposure to politics, power and wealth was one that disappeared like a follicle of hair in fire. All thanks to hard drugs and excessive intake of alcohol, Vena went down so easy.
His political career had since been staggering like a displaced pendulum. Today, he works for boys who should naturally be working for him. The people who praised him for his strides before he enslaved himself to drugs and alcohol, suddenly are his paymasters. His story is synonymous to that which Murphy Gingo sang in his hit track “Ogogoro”. Of course, “na Ogogoro cause am”
In a very short time, Vena transformed from a critical stakeholder to a necessary nuisance. Leadership at different levels referred to him as one who should just be kept around to keep grave yards noisy. Some pitied him, and wondered why the light in his candle faded too fast.
Like former Governor Imoke, Saraki, Ita Giwa and a host of others, Vena was also a Presidential Adviser. While others grew their political careers, gaining national prominence, influence and societal status, Vena on the hand prides himself a state party chairman. One wonders whom amongst this class of political leaders is at the level of a state party chairman today.
Former Governor Imoke appointed Vena Commissioner, a decision he (Imoke) later regretted and did everything to ensure he kicked him out of his cabinet. Vena at that time, will go into the EXCO Chambers, soaked in alcohol, exchanging words with the Governor who appointed him commissioner. He finally offered Governor Imoke wine in glass, a great opportunity to fire him, when he fought Boniface Ishamali in public, stabbing him with a bottle. Gosh! What a commissioner!
A man who many admired, rising up to becoming a national publicity secretary, a presidential adviser is today a state party chairman, answering yes sir to boys who ran errands, did dirty jobs for him years ago. Today he is his own soldier on social media fighting all those he perceives to be threat to his next meal ticket.
I would recommend the story of Vena to The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as a good story to use in sensitising young boys and girl on the dangers of hard drugs and excessive intake of alcohol.
A man who was once popular for good reasons, is today popular for very bad reasons.