By nwamkpa modestus
Please permit me to take a departure this week from the usual topical issues in the State and beyond to commending and encouraging few House of Assembly Members. Quickly, I want to say that I was neither instigated nor induced into taking this assignment but rather I considered it quite thoughtful and necessary in order to strengthen issues and also encourage them to continue to shine in their respective constituencies. I have both the stick and the balm as my style. I criticize and commend where necessary. You will recall that I had penultimate week took on the Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu’s led House of Assembly in the piece titled “Imo State House of Assembly members; suffering and pretentiously smiling”. I did condemn the sheepish loyalty to the executive and colourless representation of these present House of Assembly members. And my views have not changed. I also took out time to recognize few members like Hon. Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu (Sam Daddy) of Ikeduru, Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo (OZB) of Nwangele, Pat Ekeji of Ahiazu Mbaise state constituency etc whom I considered as doing better in terms of constituency reach.
Suffice it to say that immediately I wrote that piece at my colume in Horn Newspaper, I felt that there was need to expatiate more on some of the towering achievements of few of these Honourable members so as not to been seen as passing a blanket condemnation on all of them. Though they have all sinned and come short of the expectation of Imo People but there are others whose exploits especially in constituency projects and employment cannot be wished away. They say the reward for hard work is first appreciation and to the hard worker, more work. It is therefore on the basis of this that I am tearing the mask on their achievements which in my estimation are quite commendable.
First I want to talk about Hon. Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu otherwise known and addressed as Sam Daddy. This Honourable member who is representing Ikeduru State constituency has for some time now attracted my fancy. Not only that he was the first Ikeduru house member to organize the first elaborate constituency briefing where he gave out motor cycles, sewing machines, heir dryers, busary and cah donations among other things, he sponsored the Bill on Imo State Customary which seeks to allow lawyers to be appointed Chairmen and members of Customary Court in Imo State instead of the hitherto method of appointing laymen who have no Judicial knowledge into such positions. Worried by the menace of erosion in his constituency, he has made a strong case and representation to National ecological management fund and the state government for an urgent action. This move attracted wide spread commendation and applause not to his immediate constituency but to outsiders who understand the erosion menace in the area. Hon. Sam Daddy has also to the admiration of many attracted roads and other dividends of Democracy in his immediate constituency Ikeduru in addition to securing employment and admission to many youths in his area. He is one man who has provided his shoulder always for his people to lean on in times of difficulty. He has done well within the limit of his capacity and the prevailing environment that they are operating in the state. I have personally known this Amaimo Ikeduru born politician for some time now especially since he became the Honourable member of Imo State House of Assembly and I can comfortably say that this lawmaker is unarguably unassuming and infectiously compassionate. I rate him above average in terms of cordiality and assistance to his immediate constituency.
However, another man whom I have taken time to under study is the Honourable member representing Nwangele L.G.A Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo who is also known and called by many as OZB. Honestly this young man has done tremendously well as a lawmaker. Or how can any objective person not commend a man who single handedly built free pre to post natal medical centre for pregnant women, donated 200 foams and drugs to four medical centres in Nwangele namely Umukabia Health Centre, Ogwuaja Health Centre and Agbaja Health Centres.
Furthermore, OZB built and donated staff quarters with a 5KVA generator set for Ogwuaja Health Centre. Also on Health, he has organized not less than four free Medical Health Schemes for Nwangele people in conjunction with Chelsea Rinal Mediactics and also has been paying Health officers to be attending to the health needs of Nwangele People till date. Again, six disables were recently empowered with six wheel chairs and cash donations by OZB.
I went on a tour of his Constituency and discovered that he is presently building three CGC Halls in Umunakaria, Agbaja and Umudurueze Umuozu. Though, I do not believe in the so called CGC Government arrangement. I saw it as another ill -conceived an unworkable policy of this government. OZB has donated 18 seater executive buses’ St. Anthony Catholic Church Umuozu. In addition to these, he has constructed two Markets namely: Njanere Market at Dinanume and Orie Chineke Market which ongoing.
On the provision of Bore hole, this pragmatic lawmaker has so far constructed Solar Bore Holes at Nkwuonyeukwu Agbaja and at Umudioke Umuozu in additio construction of two coverts at Umuezeala Opi Amaigbo and Ubahu Amaigbo.
On youth empowerment, he has donated an utility vehicle and over 95 motor cycles to Nwangele leaders and youths. It is however on record that Hon. Ozuruigbo has employed more than 105 youths in various engagements of which about 9 are in Managerial Capacity. Also over 15 youths of Nwangele origin are today working in MTN courtesy of this man.
During his last Constituency briefing, he gave free grants of N 10,000 to 110 Nwanegele indigenes to assist them in small scale businesses in addition to monthly payment of stipend to over 1,900 people in Nwangele up till today. As a Network magnet, he has also given out over 2,000 handset and more than 9,000 Simcards and has attracted more than 11 GSM marks of which 4 are ongoing in Nwangele today. Equally, he made a donation of 100 seats to Amaigbo Town Union and another 50 seats to Nze na Ozo Amaigbo.
OZB who was recently criticized for defected to APGA from PDP after inauguration of the House has since return back to the PDP fold. He maintained that he is still a PDP man in body and soul but however seem to be unhappy with the use of what he called “Illegal” Party structure in Nwangele. He said he was motivated into joining politics in order to help In carrying the burden of the masses.
Another Honourable member that I beamed my search light on and who has also done his bit as a lawmaker is Hon. Obinna Okwara. This crowned Prince from Nkwere represents Nkwere State Constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly. To his credit, he has built two houses to indigent women even before the SNARP programme of the wife of the Governor. Again, Hon. Okwara has given out scholarships to over 10 Nkwere students in different higher institutions.
Also, he has given out over One Million Naira to indigent women and has bought over 20 Motor cycles to many youths in the L.G.A. he bought a brand new car to daughters of Devine Mercy St Thomas Catholic Church Nkwere. This is one Honourable member who has empowered all his four legislative aides as he has bought cars for them.
Hon. Obinna Okwara made a promise of financial assistance to Youths in Nkwere LGA who secure admission in Higher Institution or who intend to learn trade of his/her choice.
It is also to his Credit that the first ever private bill which is the law establishing Imo State Transport Management Agency IMTSMA was sponsored by him. Though, this IMSTMA has turned to a Gestapo agency terrorizing motorists in Imo state. I leant they have been suspended after so many complaints by Imo people. He also has another bill in his name which seeks to provide synergy for the harmonization of levies in Imo State instead of the present unnecessary duplication by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). This bill is on second reading Stage.
Conclusively, as I have said earlier, this column must always say the truth. In doing that, I shall inform, criticize, condemn, commend and encourage where necessary. I must again say that my commendation on these Honourable members has not in any way changed my earlier view that this present House of Assembly members have collectively failed Imo People. The only thing is that few of the members have actually done well in touching positively the lives of many of their constituents. So to me, that is the suiting balm.
Until you hear from me again next week for our weekly ritual, always remember that we shall continue to say the truth and only the truth shall set us free. I still remain your brother and friend.
