By Ewere Okonta
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ewereokonta20@gmail.com
www.ewereokontablog.org.ng
“The sincerity of my motives is my strength”
– Donald Peterson
I can’t quite recall my first impression of him, but what stands out is my interaction with a sophisticated individual who brings fresh perspectives. This unique connection makes me deeply value our relationship. I believe the paths of the righteous are divinely guided to meet certain people at precise moments. I owe Dr. Donald Peterson immeasurable gratitude—a debt that words often fail to express, and ones he might consider unnecessary to mention.
I wish I had met him 32 years ago, but hindsight has taught me that our meeting was perfectly timed in God’s plan. I’m grateful for that encounter. Typically, I have little interest in following or engaging closely with politicians, yet Dr. Peterson changed that for me. He has captivated my interest and offered me a platform to delve deeper into philanthropy, politics, business, and human relations.
From attending countless meetings to reading, writing, and editing thousands of pages, to organizing events with specialists discussing various subjects—his guidance has taught me much about managing people and understanding policies. I recall a time I sent him an article for a project I coordinated. While presenting, I noticed some grammatical errors that I hadn’t had time to correct. After he reviewed it, he praised the work, saying it was fantastic. I questioned how he could overlook the obvious errors, to which he responded, “Mr. Ewere Okonta, this article has over one thousand words. The errors are less than ten—doesn’t that make you a fantastic writer?” That’s classic Peterson—always building confidence and enhancing capabilities.
His work ethic is exemplary, as anyone who has worked with him can attest. He personifies the work-play philosophy, where work is as enjoyable as play. Simply calling him a life coach wouldn’t do justice; his versatile knowledge is impressive, yet his humility remains vast and welcoming. Some people leave you diminished after an encounter, while others help you grow. With Donald Peterson, you only grow.
Join me in celebrating my brother, father figure, mentor, teacher, sponsor, and leader—someone I am honored to call a friend.
Happy Birthday to my Super Boss!
*Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He writes from Ekuku Agbor, Delta State*