For any purposeful endeavor by great men of substance comes usually with moments of strategies, enormous resources and a determination that is built on unrivalled doggedness.
It was through such perseverance, youthful strategy and resourcefulness that great men like Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote were able to favorably pull the strings of success in the Microsoft revolution and entrepreneurship world.
Again, for those with the desire to improve the welfare of the people, they adopt pragmatic leadership traits to achieve set goals.
This has been the story behind the exploits of young, pragmatic and dynamic Barrister George Alabh Turnah.
A trail blazer from Kolo Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Barrister George Turnah was born on the third of September, nineteen eighty three to the Christian family of Mr. and late Mrs. Elvis Olobha Turnah of Kolo three town in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Young George Turnah took to fishing at a very tender age under the strict tutelage of his maternal grandfather, a distiller and farmer.
This background meant a constraint for young George Turnah, but he remained undaunted and fulfilling his destiny.
Thus, the young Turnah began his education at Eliben Nursery school, Ahoada and enrolled into the Universal Primary Education School, Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State where he obtained his certificate in nineteen- ninety three.
George later proceeded to Upata One Community Secondary School, Edeoha, Ahoada between nineteen ninety three and nineteen ninety four.
His gift as a potential leader manifested early in the late nineteen-nineties when he became the time keeper of the school at the Junior Secondary School category.
Still in pursuit for higher learning, George gained admission into the Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science Agudama-Epie to realize his childhood dream of university education where he read law.
Few years later, George Turnah’s dream became a reality at the Niger Delta University where he graduated in Law and was awarded the best graduating student after attending the mandatory one year law school.
Interestingly, George Alabh Turnah began his active unionism in two thousand and four when he was elected the Secretary-General, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Rivers/Bayelsa joint campus committee.
The dogged George Turnah held the position until two thousand and five when he was again elected into a higher office, this time as Secretary-General of NANS Zone B, comprising the eleven states covering the entire South-South and South East geopolitical zones.
In two thousand and eight, the National Convention organized by the
National Union of Bayelsa State Students, George Turnah received endorsement to chair the Convention.
George Turnah’s achievements as a student unionist includes, the reinstatement of politically victimized and rusticated student unionists, sustained struggle for improved welfare package for Nigerian students, resistance against incremental school fees and mobilization of students against cultism and other social ills.
Suffice to say, he was amongst the vocal voices that stood for the cancellation of Nigeria’s foreign debt by the Paris club during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, among other notable rallies he spearheaded.
No wonder his hardwork, philanthropic gestures and pragmatic leadership styles paved the way for the conferment of the prestigious National Honours Award of the Member of the Order of the Niger, MON by former President Goodluck Jonathan just at twenty-eight years of age.
George Turnah’s foray into partisan politics saw him pitching his tent with the People’s Democratic Party where he has enjoyed tremendous goodwill and has served in many capacities even as he was the founder, Jonathan/Sambo Youth Support Movement in Two Thousand and Eleven to mobilize youth support for the joint ticket of Jonathan /Sambo candidature back then.
Like a golden fish whose capacities are not hidden, Barrister Turnah led various advocacies to support the former President Jonathan’s administration in the areas of youth empowerment, wealth creation and capacity building for young Nigerians.
A peace and security builder across the country, he was appointed Special Assistant on Youth Matters to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission in twenty twelve.
He is the chairman of the EL-GODAMS and CELTIC group of companies with many under his pay roll.
Mr. Turnah is an active member of highly respected and reputable professional, political and cultural organizations and has been conferred with many awards including the United Nation’s Peace Ambassador Award twenty ten, Life member award two thousand and eight by the Niger Delta University Student Union Government, Peace/Unity Symbol Award two thousand and nine by the National Association of Nigerian Students.
He was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of the “Ochi-agha ndintorobia One of Nigeria”, meaning “The War Lord of Nigerian Youths” by King Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu of Ibagwa – Nike Kingdom of Enugu State on the twenty ninth of December, twenty ten.
Married to his beautiful and elegant wife, Timi- Jennifer and blessed beautiful children whom God has used to promote peace and stability in the privacy of their home, George Turnah is a core philanthropist whose desire to affect lives and better the lots of his people is unparalleled.
Undoubtedly, he is a dependable and astute youth leader, a thought-provoking rights activist.
Therefore, as he marks his fortieth birthday tomorrow, it is expedient for all well-wishers to rally round him and celebrate this great achiever, dogged and pragmatic youth leader and philanthropist.
Happy birthday to an iconic leader, Barrister George Alabh Turnah
