Call him Tenth April or Ossy, you are not mistaken. Or call him the man with the vision and ability to give Mbaike Federal Constituency effective representation in the Federal House of Representatives in 2015; you will not be far from the door step of reality and truth.
But you will be absolutely correct if you call him, Ositadinma Oparaugo, the Umuomumu Mbieri Mbaitoli LGA born politician, lawyer, Industrialist and philanthropist.
“Tenth April” as fondly called by friends and well wishers has come to uplift Mbaike Federal constituency, the second largest federal constituency in Nigeria.
Mbaike consists of Mbaitoli/Ikeduru local Governments, an area that parades political titans who have left indelible foots print in the political landscape of the nation such as late Chief Evan Enwerem, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndi Igo), Hon Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, Chief Charles Amadi (Charlvon), Chief Josiah Odunna, etc.
Born 39 years ago in Umuomumu Mbieri, Osita began his primary education at Ebom Primary School, Mbieri and later proceeded to Archdeacon Dennis Junior Seminary, Mbieri and later Boys Technical College, Aba.
In further pursuit of his educational career, Osita left Nigeria for the United Kingdom where he obtained Bachelor’s degree in law from the prestigious Buckingham University. Today, he holds several international certifications including one in Capital Markets, Project Finance and Business Strategy from the respected and renowned Harvard Business School Boston USA.
Not swayed or tempted by the tremendous opportunities offered in the western world considering his vast knowledge and contacts, he returned to Nigeria to contribute his quota not only to the development of Imo State but to the entire nation.
In Imo State where most Industries and factories are in comatose condition due to abandonment and what most investors consider poorly developed to support industries, Osita took a bold step by contributing to revive the industrial sector in the State.
He realized that industries are crucial factors to alleviate crushing poverty and provide employment to youths who are vital components of economic development in any society. He understood the fact that an idle youth is prone to social vices such as kidnapping and armed robbery and only a gainfully employed youth can be useful to the society.
This fired his resolve to set up Tenth April Manufacturing company, situated in Umudagu community, Mbieri in Mbaitoli LGA, a huge factory that specialize in production of plastics and other items including the famous April Water. The industry established fourteen years ago, provided over 100 youths gainful and meaningful employment and at the same time stimulated economic activities in the area, Imo State and the South East.
Not done yet, Osita went into philanthropy. He established a foundation- Wings Of Justice International Foundation- which till date is offering free legal services to thousands of people across Africa.
The foundation which specializes on protecting and defending the rights of the less privileged has transcended beyond the shores of Imo State and Nigeria because of the giant feats it has recorded and achieved.
His foundation has freed over 67 persons in some African countries who were unjustly imprisoned and detained .The foundation has also restored justice to those who were denied of justice in various law courts across the African continent. His tour of Liberian prisons in 2011 made headlines all over the world.
A lover of sports, Osita has contributed significantly to sports development in Imo State. This was why he rendered meaningful assistance to the Weightlifting Association in the State. He was Chairman Imo Weightlifting Association, an association he single-handedly supported without one kobo from Imo State government.
He took exceptional interest in Disabled weightlifters in the Association based on his conviction that disability cannot extinguish one’s passion to actualize his or her dreams and expectations.
His assistance reaped benefits for Nigeria as some of the weightlifters, especially the Disabled in the association from Imo State won some medals at the 2000 Sydney paraplegics Olympic Games.
As an act of expressing gratitude for his benevolence, the successful weightlifters visited him at his country home in Umudagu Mbieri to present their medals.
It is on record that in the last 10 years Osita Oparaugo has given 3 cars, 12 motorcycles and 5 generators to various churches in the state. Though an Anglican, his love for the work of God is limitless and knows no bounds, as most of the churches which benefited from his magnamity are not Anglicans. At the moment, There is an on going multi-million church event centre undergoing construction in his local church St John’s Anglican Church in Umuomumu. No wonder he was awarded honorary doctorate degree in divinity by an American Theological University!.
Osita has also ventured into the murky waters of Nigerian politics which provides ample opportunity for him to showcase his ability to render dividends of democracy to his people. He believes that public office offers him a platform to exhibit not only his leadership qualities but to give more to the society he so passionately strives for.
This motivated his desire to join the race for Mbaike Federal constituency seat which he sees as a unique platform that will enable him transform his ideas aimed at lifting the people of Mbaitoli and Ikeduru LGAs out of the doldrums of underdevelopment that has ravaged the area.
He is pained by the fact that Mbaike is in dire need of basic infrastructure which he believes he can attract through effective and robust representation at the House of Representatives.
An apostle of politics without bitterness, he has remained a strong supporter of the present member representing Mbaike Federal Constituency in the House of Representative , Hon. Bethel Amadi who also doubles as President, Pan African Parliament.
In a chat with journalists recently where he declared his intention to contest for Mbaike Reps seat , Osita refrained from the usual practice where political opponents cast aspersions on a serving public office holder or perceived political opponents. He described his relationship with the three time lawmaker as cordial and rooted on mutual understanding.
He also believes Hon Amadi is a worthy son of Mbaike who has attained
enviable height on the African continent and therefore deserve commendation, respect and honour.
Hear him “Hon Amadi has done well. In his first term, he did very well. In his second term, he lost his position as the only principal officer in the House apart from the Speaker Hon Patricia Etteh because of bitter politicking from members of the House from Imo State that distracted him. Hon Bethel Amadi is a genuine PDP loyalist. He nominated the choice of the PDP national leadership for the position of speaker in the House, but this was eroded by some forces from Imo State that joined hands with ACN and CPC to scuttle the process. The records are there but time will be the judge.”
Those who know Osita acknowledge that he is a team player and has tremendous respect for elders and political leaders in Mbaike and beyond.
You need to have been at the high table of a political function in Mbaike to see humility at work. He smiled all through with his gap tooth that reminded me of the self acclaimed evil genius and former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
This is why he is in the good books of the political movers and shakers of Mbaike Federal Constituency.
It is also a known fact that he is in touch with the youths and widows of the area which attest to the brazen fact that he understands and feels the pulse of his people.
Coming from a humble background and loaded with ideas, “Tenth April” has the magic wand to transform Mbaike federal constituency. This has prompted him to line up series of programmes, policies and even Bills/Motions which he will present on the floor of the House that will be of immense benefit to the people of Mbaike if passed into law.
A staunch member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he is also a firm believer that the time has come for Owerri Zone to produce the next governor of Imo State in 2015. He contends that this will re- balance the Imo Charter of Equity which was disrupted when Rochas Okorocha from Orlu Zone emerged governor of Imo State in the 2011 election.
He has not also hidden his passion for the Igbo nation as he has consistently lamented over the poor state of infrastructure in the South East zone. He wonders why the South East should remain in tatters despite its vast contribution to the socio economic development of the nation.
This is why he laments over the poor state of the Imo Airport wondering why the Airport designated to be a Cargo Airport, yet goods do not arrive at the Airport. He believes that this is a hindrance to stimulate economic activities in the region.
These are among other issues he intends to address by the time he is catapulted to the hallowed chamber of the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja. Indeed, here comes the Elisha of Mbaike.
