Exactly by tomorrow, Saturday March 24, 2018, a Prominent Son of Nigeria, from Imo State, but of Mbaise Nation extraction, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha will be fifty (53) years.
Ihedioha needs no introduction as he has bestrode the Nigerian land scape like a colossus, having served the Nation in various capacities.
From a humble beginning, but of Royal hood, via the mother, who is a Princess and a father of immense Christian background, Emeka out of dint of hard work skyrocketed himself to the pinnacle of success, an indication that the road to stardom lies on every individual’s hand.
Ihedioha commenced his education career from “home” at Town School Mbutu, his place of birth, before he moved “abroad” to enroll in SDA Primary School Abulu Oja, Yaba Lagos. He later returned “home” to St Ephraim’s Secondary School, Owerrinta in present Abia State under the tutelage of the likes of Chief Charles Okereafor, an astute educationist from Umuhu, Ward 9, in Ngor Okpala LGA who retired as a Permanent Secretary in Imo State.
Ihedioha again moved “abroad” for his University education at the prestigious University of Lagos, famously called UNILAG.
The Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise born “Boy” graduated in 1988 with a Degree in Foot Technology. But as destiny would have it, rather than find himself in the hospitality Industry or any of the Beverage companies, Ihedioha followed his mind, and fortune threw him into the Shark- infested Nigerian political waters.
While his peers and colleagues were still yet to overcome hang-over of unemployment, Ihedioha had already landed a lucrative job then, as the Press Officer to the former Senate President, Senator Iyorchia Ayu between Dec 1992-93.
He later served a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Albert Legogie as Chief Press Secretary CPS.
At such a young age, he became Special Assistant to Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo and later was Special Assistant to Vice President Atiku Abubaka.
In other words, from 1993 till 2001, the Foot Technology Graduate had become so important that all the big wigs in Abuja sort for his hands in their offices, an indication that he was incharge of his forth, and could be trusted.
Because of Ihedioha’s exploits at the National political circle, he decided to also follow the steps of his bosses and contest for a political office.
But rather than begin with either LGA chairmanship or House of Assembly, Ihedioha assessed his own quality and pedigree and realized that he could “begin” from such an elective position as “Federal House member”.
On his first outing as a practical politician, Emeka hit the Bulls eye and became a member of the House of Representatives representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala.
Rather than get there and relax and collect allowances every other month, the youthful Lawmaker exhibited high level of intelligence, to the notice of his other colleagues from the entire federation and it did not take long before they handed him a position of responsibility; House Committee Chairman on Marine Transport.
When he returned for a second time to the House after the 2007 elections, his colleagues made him the Chief Whip of the House. At this period, he combined the position with numerous Head of committees which included that on Review of Police Act, Constituency projects and the constitution Review for Nigeria.
The icing of the cake for Ihedioha’s political career came in 2011, when he was made a presiding officer of the House of Representatives as the Deputy Speaker, a position he performed so creditably well that by the time the Speaker, Rt. Hon Aminu Tambuwal withdrew as Speaker to pursue his Governorship election, Ihedioha fitted into the position seamlessly and presided over the House until its legislative period was concluded.
At the time of Ihedioah’s reign as the Deputy Speaker, no other single individual can boast of the quantum of infrastructure Ihedioha attracted to Imo State from the Federal Government except a sitting Governor of the State.
Ihedioha apart from influencing development in the State, also empowered too many individuals from Imo State, who till date enjoy the dividends from this gentleman. But as alway, with humans, you cannot satisfy all the people all the time.
However, despite his well recorded exploits at the National politics, Ihedioha in 2015 joined the Imo Governorship race under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with the conviction that if he could attract such humongous facilities to Imo State from Abuja, even as a Lawmaker, what then would happen if he becomes an Executive Governor with the Allocations entering Imo State every month, including the State’s internally generated Revenue IGR.
But this particular election placed Ihedioha in the eyes of the storm. This because there were other political heavy weights jostling for the one single diadem.
As expected, all political weapons were deployed by those involved in the race, to dismantle one another.
One of the major mudslings thrown at Emeka Ihedioha was that he is arrogant and comes from Mbaise Nation, one of the most sincere and hard working tribe in Nigeria.
The only known “crime” committed by an Mbaise is that he/ she does not suffer fool easily and remains focused at all time. Therefore, for you who tried to cheat the Mbaise but fails, it means the Mbaise man “knows too much” because he refused to fall “mugu”. What an ironical way to judge a people!
On the issue of arrogance, that is the tale of those who have not been able to go close to Ihedioha. Remember, they say you don’t judge a book by its cover. Therefore do not, conclude from afar.
Before I deviate; After the PDP 2015 battles, Ihedioha engaged the incumbent Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha in one of the fiercest Governorship elections in the history of the State. And Okorocha will never forget that election in a jiffy. Because he was so scared after the first ballot that he has to resort to coalition of other forces to escape Ihedioha’s rout.
For students of history, it was just a single Local Government Area result that separated PDP and Ihedioha from victory. Therefore, Ihedioha became the best Governor Imo State nearly had if not for internal intrigues and shamefully, from his own political party PDP, as the usual Horse-trading that have kept PDP losing Imo Governorship election since 2007 reared its ugly head again in the last minute.
Well, they say good wines get better with Age. Therefore, with Emeka Ihedioha stepping into 53 years on Saturday, what next is expected of him?
One thing certain is that Ihedioha has learnt from his mistakes, and has made that open at various fora even as he has also said he is a human and bound to make mistakes. After all, nobody is above mistakes.
However, one unfortunate thing which Ihedioha should pray against is having fair weather friend’s surround him again, as he pursues his political career further.
Indications are rife that a majority of people who have benefited from Ihedioha’s benevolence are the people today waging war against his person and ambition. But would that stop Ihedioha from extending hands of goodwill to those in need? No. But he should shine his eyes.
Then, why do people pay Ihedioha’s good with evil? Sociologists say it is usual when a person is doing better than his peers. It is called peer-group jealously. Unfortunately, Ihedioha has no hand in his destiny, as we are all pencils in the hand of God. Therefore, why would some envy his rise in Life?
However, such reactions from “Friends” have not deterred Ihedioha from pursuing his destiny as proffered by God Almighty. One thing sure in life is that nothing good comes easy.
In other words, whatever befalls a man is part of the test for greatness. Therefore, it is only the strong that weathers the storm. That is why the Eagle is a great Bird. And there is the saying that the wide road leads to nowhere, while the narrow roads lead to safety.
As 2019 approaches, politicians of different hew have started dusting their plots for the march towards the polling booths. And for sure, Emeka Ihedioha had already thrown his hat into the Imo Governorship ring. And majority of Imo people do not expect anything less from this “Birthday Boy”.
Ihedioha had only attempted to be Governor for just once. Therefore, he still has opportunities to try further more. Age is also on his side.
Abraham Lincoln tried every category of election in the United States of America USA and failed all, only to win the Presidency.
In Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha began the quest for Governorship since 1999 only for fortune to smile at him in 2011.
Therefore, the likes of Ihedioha should gird their loins and step out in 2019 and clean the dirty augean stable in Imo State
A holder of Commander of the Order of the Niger CON, a fellow Institute of Chartered Mediators, FICMC, a fellow Institute of Food Science and Technology, a fellow Chartered Institute of Shipping, a fellow of National Institute of Legislative Studies, a Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) and plethora of others.
Married to Ebere, with three Boys and one Girl. Ihedioha has over twenty Chieftaincy titles. But he is in love with “Ome Nke Ahuru Anya of Mbaise” Happy Birthday! While Imo State awaits you.
