Ideato Federal Constituency and Dr. Pascal Obi: When Continuity Becomes the Only Road To Travel

Ideato Federal Constituency and Dr. Pascal Obi: When Continuity Becomes the Only Road To Travel

- By Clifford Dike 

The legendary British writer C.S Lewis, perhaps had Ideato North and South federal constituency and the exhilarating performance of its representative in the House of Reps, Dr Chigozie Pascal Obi in mind when he uttered the timeless quote:"mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth.

Conversely, a broad spectrum of Ndi Ideato ultimately shares C.S Lewi's sentiment on continuity judging by the current groundswell of support for his re-election to the House of Representatives

Who would not w.ant a continuation of a quality and people oriented representation? Nobody, of course and this explains why the Ideato nation insists it cannot afford not to return Dr. Obi to the House.

Apart from the need for him to continue with his superlative representation of Ideato people and delivery of dividends of democracy, political leaders and opinion moulders in constituency hing their desire for Dr. Obi's re-election on national interest as regards parliamentary stability and growth of participatory democracy such as ours.

The high turnover of federal Parliamentarians every four years, especially in the Southeast, according to them does not make room for a robust legislative experience as obtained in the United States and other participatory  democracies around the world where some Parliamentarians spend upward of two, three decades in the hallowed legislative chambers.

A beautiful road is the darling of motorists and thus they keep plying it. This maxim finds definitive expression in Dr. Obi whose three and half years legislative journey is replete with quantum achievements.

When he was elected to the House of Reps in 2019 to represent Ideato North /Ideato South federal, his constituents entertained no doubt about his preparedness and capability to perform and he has not disappointed so far.

It is for this reason that the mantra in the constituency today is: Pascal, ga na agara anyi ije na Abuja ( Pascal will continue to represent us in Abuja).

In just three and half years in the House of Representatives, Dr Obi has brought the Ideato nation and indeed Imo state to national consciousness  on the floor of the House through:  

*Urgent call on the federal government of Nigeria to carry out full rehabilitation and reconstruction of Akwakuma - Orlu - Mgbee - Obiohia - Urualla - Akokwa - Uga federal road. It was adopted by the House and equally captured in the 2021 budget.

*A motion urging the federal government of Nigeria to create one more Federal Government College (FGC) in Imo State. Every state has three except Imo. This received instant approval and Obi, a result-oriented Federal Lawmaker insisted that it will be sited in Ideato Nation.

*A motion for the extension of Federal Medical Center Owerri to Ideato. It was also approved and included in the  2021 budget.

*A motion for the total turnaround of the National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu vis-a-vis workforce, facilities and structures. It gained approval.

*A motion for the canalization of river banks. This will protect our communities from excessive flooding during the rainy season.

*A motion urging the federal government of Nigeria to build more Ear/Eye hospitals in other parts of the country since the only Ear/Eye Hospital is located in Kaduna. It was approved, hence Ear Center for Lagos and Eye Center for Owerri, Imo State.

*A motion on the looming reoccurrence of Ebola crises in Nigeria: The need for the federal government to put in place detective measures in our airports, seaports and land borders.

*Calling attention to the need to construct a perimeter fence at the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri.

All communities in the federal constituency bear witness to Dr Pascal Obi's socio-economic and infrastructural blitz.

This can be gleaned from the total number of boreholes  he has drilled at designated points within the following communities:

URUALLA

OBODOUKWU

DIKENAFAI

UGBELLE

ORIE UMUOBOM

UMUMAISIAKU

AMANATO

NDIANICHE UNO

OSINA

OBIOHIA

He has also either established or upgraded comprehensive Health Facilities situated.

AKPULU, OSINA, OZU - URUALLA, UMUOKWARA, AKOKWA, DIKENAFAI, OBIOHIA, NTUEKE, UMUMAISIAKU, UMUOBOM and OGBOKO.

Phase similar project is also  ongoing at UMUALAOMA, UMUAGHOBE, UMUCHIMA, UGBELLE, UMUESHI, FMC ANNEX UMUEZEALLA - OGBOKO

Ideato is prone to erosion hence Dr Pascal Obi is paying special attention to roads and erosion control in the constituency.

So far, to his credit are a 1.5 Km Road at Akpulu, a 1.5 Km Road at Nneato-Ogwugwu Dikenafai, erosion control at Obiohia,

Solar-powered street lights at Umukegwu- Akokwa, Ozuakoli - Urualla and Obiohia - Umuago road.

A firm believer in human capital development, Dr Obi has established a plethora of various skill acquisition and empowerment programmes and centres across the constituency and has also, through his influence, secured federal jobs for several qualified persons in the constituency.  

A seasoned optometrist who has transversed public life at a relatively young age, Dr Obi was born in 1970. He read Optometry at the Imo state university and later capped it with a Masters's degree in Public Health from the University of Nigeria Enugu campus.

A knight of the Catholic Church, Dr Obi joined the  Imo State Ministry of Health Owerri in 1998.

He would rather rise to become The Acting Director of Public Health and Primary Health Care in the ministry and also the coordinator, of the National Programme for Prevention of Blindness (Vision 2020).

Former  Governor of Imo State Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha appointed Dr Obi Permanent Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Governor, a position he held till August 2018 to seek elective office.

As another election year (2023) approaches, the mood in Ideato is that of unwavering determination to travel the Dr Pascal Obi's route once more,this time around through the Labour Party route.

As a deft politician who  correctly guages the mood of his people and weighs their political aspirations and interest, Dr.Obi has keyed into the raging Peter Obi and the Labour Party revolution for the overall interest of the Ideato Nation.

Labour Party and its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi has become a national movement, a moving train every right-thinking politician who wants the best for his people must join hence Dr. Pascal Obi wasted no time in hopping in on board.

From all ramifications,  the people's parliamentarian, the Avatar of Ideato politics, Dr Chigozie Pascal Obi ( Ugwusinachi) is a king awaiting formal crowning. The crowning will of course happen in February next year when the Ideato nation would have resoundingly voted him and the Labour Party for a return to Abuja!

***

Clifford Dike writes from Urualla, Ideato North, Imo State.

Dr. Chika Abazu and Ideato 2023: A Healer Cometh

Dr. Chika Abazu and Ideato 2023: A Healer Cometh

- By Michael Nnaji 

An Avatar is set to happen on Ideato North and South federal constituency of Imo state.Dr. Chika Abazu is an agent of redemption and has sprang forth from his comfort zone in the civil service to offer to fill a yawning void in political presentation of the constiency.

Round the clock care for patients is consistent with medical practice and as a medical doctor of many years standing, Dr. Abazu is emphatic that his mission in politics and desire to represent the Ideato nation is borne out of the urgent need to pull the federal constituency from the doldrums, to heal it of its myriad of ills.

World all over, medical doctors in politics, bringing to bear on governance and leadership, elements of the Hippocratic Oath they swore to, are known to have performed creditedly well in office.

History is indeed replete with an array of medical doctors who have been politicians and political leaders and offered quality leadership the same way they would give quality care to their patients.Some of the famous ones are the Latin American Revolutionary Leader, Che Guevara, Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi, Agostinho Neto of Angola, Salvador Allende of Chile, Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) of Haiti, Gor Harlem Brundtland, First Norwegian Female PM, Houphoet Boigny of Ivory Coast, Nain Ramgoolan, PM of Mauritius, as well as the great Mahathir Bin Mohammed of Malaysia, who before his voluntary retirement from politics.

Here in Nigeria Medical doctors who became state governors or occupied other political office in the recent past and showed their mettle include Prof Ambrose Alli, Peter Odili, Bukola Saraki, Chimaoroke Nnamani, Chris Ngige, Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was also succeeded by another medical doctor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Olusegun Mimiko.

Also remarkable are former Secretaries to State Governments, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives such as Bisi Odejide, Dalhatu Tafida, Jubril Aminu, Martins Yellowe, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Aminu Safana, Wale Okediran among others, not to talk of Heads of Parastatals, Commissioners and Local Government officers.

From the foregoing, it is evident that medical doctors in politics have always left a trail of quality, people oriented and purposeful leadership.

There is no doubt that as the representative of Ideato people come next year, Dr Abazu will be following on the footsteps of these medical legends turned political icons.   

Sons and daughters of the the Ideato ancient kingdom who rue and grief over almost eight years of vapid representation at the House of Representatives in Abuja can now heave a sigh of relief  for Dr. Abazu is coming to right that which has been messed up and fix that which has been broken.

All he is asking for is to be given the All Progressives, APC House of Reps ticket and for the good people of Ideato to cast their votes for him in next year's election to enable him to usher in a dew of glory, the dawn of freshness and an exhilarating breathe of fresh air to the federal constituency.

If elected into the House of Reps as the representative of Ideato people, Dr. Abazu, pledges, in his words, "Prudent utilisation of Constituency Funds for genuine, people-focused, transparent and verifiable projects and programs".

His focuse, according to him will be social amenities and infrastructures, health care, quality education, economic empowerment, medium size agricultural and settlement  scheme akin to the Isreali Kitbzu system and social welfare for youths.

Dr. Abazu, is clearly the most prepared and focused among the aspirants angling for the Ideato North and South federal constituency seat.

Here is a man imbued with excellent mental, physical and academic qualifications to mount the exalted seat. He is God-fearing, honest, hardworking, dedicated, focused, charismatic and with rare leadership qualities that are tailored towards societal development.

A Public Health Physician of over 22 years experience in Civil Service; Dr. Abazu has risen to the position of a Director at the Federal Civil Service and has served at various levels with merit and distinction.

A consummate professional whose passion is excellence in service delivery for the good of humanity, Dr. Abazu is an alumnus of Abia State University,  Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna, West Virginia University Morgantown USA and Emory University Atlanta USA. He is happily married with Children.

***

Michael writes from
Osina, Ideato North, Imo State.

Sir Iheaku, the Stockfish Mogul Bows Out

Sir Iheaku, the Stockfish Mogul Bows Out

- By Chief Ingram Osigwe

According to the Holy Bible, there is time for everything- time to be born, time to grow, time to procreate, time to die. The irrepressible Sir (Dr) Godson Nwosu Iheaku (Omenkeahurunnaya 1 of Osina) has completed the cycle and has gone home to be with his maker.

He had seen it all and has, therefore, bowed out, in a blaze of glory and at a glorious age of 85. Sir Iheaku hailed from Osina town, in Ideato North local government area of Imo state.

This quintessential business mogul who brought to the zenith, east of the Niger, the trade in stockfish, popular and revered in Igboland as "Okporoko" was one of Osina's first Eleven- earliest wealthy men, business moguls and captains of Industry who brought the town to the limelight.

Apart from Sir Iheaku, in this league of great men, Osina's first Eleven, include Sir Chief D.U Nsudum( Akwaja Ahuogu 1 of Osina), Chief G.O Offor ( Omeokachie), Sir Peter Umeh, Sir Augustine Umeh, Nze F.I Onwadike(Omereoha 1), Sir B.U Ohanugo(Onwa), Chief Benniah Ume (Agubata) and Chief R.O Nwabueze.

The common denominator here is that all these great men have all gone to be with their creator long before Sir Iheaku joined them in that ecclesiastical journey.

He was Born on the 10th of September, 1936 as the first son of the family of Nze Iheakubiara Agwunobi Nwaebube and Mrs Akuoma Iheaku (nee Umezurike), both of blessed memory. The family belongs to Umuokearukwa kindred in Akpaka-na-Ezeala Village, Idima Autonomous Community (formerly, Of-eke Osina), Ideato North Local Government Council of Imo State, Nigeria.

Growing up, the young Godson was imbued with uncanny intellect. He was a brilliant pupil who dazzled all with electrifying academic performances that stood him on a pedestal for higher educational pursuit.

Had the interplay of factors not collaborated to eventually steer his life trajectory towards trading, Sir Iheaku would have ended up an erudite scholar with loud academic accomplishments. In fact, during his lifetime, Sir Iheaku was often referred to as "the Academic Giant" Osina never had.

However, the laurels and glories that he would have garnered in the academic world, Sir Iheaku got in the arena of trading and merchandising.

Thus, from 1951 when he ventured into business as a merchandise trainee/ apprentice till he breathed his last, Sir Iheaku was on a steady upward swing of success, conquering and dominating the business environment with his trademark importation of Stockfish.

Indeed, the dutiful young Godson, who started life in 1951 as a simple apprentice trader, had, before he joined the saints,  metamorphosed into a world-class business giant. Notedly, in addition to stockfish merchandising, Iheaku also veered into Agriculture and allied ventures, birthing in the process, many business subsidiaries.

Before his demise, Sir Godson Iheaku was the Chairman and Chief Executive of a Mega Group of Limited Liability Companies, including:

*G. N. Iheaku and Co. Ltd 

*Gincolin Associates Ltd 

*United Fish Merchants Ltd

*ICCI International Ltd

*Integrated Fisheries Ltd.

A large-hearted man, Sir Iheaku trained and mentored several young men from different parts of Nigeria in trading. Many of them are today successful businessmen in their rights.

There is hardly a Stockfish trader in Nigeria that does not have a business relationship with him; directly or indirectly.

His impact on the Stockfish business has been so profound that his mentees and business beneficiaries go as far as almost unionising to keep alive his business legacy. His business footsteps will surely remain indelible in the sands of time.

Sir Iheaku was not a slave to wealth. He believed in good living to demonstrate the goodness of God in one's life. This explained why, during his lifetime, he was fashion-conscious. It was not unusual to see him dressed in well-made, trendy traditional wears- Ishiagu, Agbada, French suits,Senator etc.

A community leader who was passionate about the development of his community, Osina, Sir Iheaku meritoriously served his beloved home town in different capacities from 1972 till he breathed his last.

Worthy of mention too are his services to the Church. He was a Christian of the Anglican Communion and was equally one of the pillars of St. John's Osina and St. Andrew's Onitsha. His services at both the local church and diocesan levels were subsequently recognized by the then Bishop of Okigwe-Orlu Anglican Diocese, the Rt. Rev. S. C. N- Ebo who, on 5th November 1989, conferred on him the Knight Order of St Christopher.

A consummate family man and a doting husband, father and grandfather, Sir Iheaku got married in 1962 to his heartthrob, then Miss Esther Ugbondu Aghajiuba from Ikpa, Urualla.

The marriage is blessed with several children and grandchildren.

All the children, well educated, are accomplished and have excelled in their various callings.

No matter how smooth and flowery it appears to be, life could sometimes be full of valleys, roadblocks and obfuscations, such that task one's emotional stability, faith and trust in God.

The above was Sir Iheaku's lot 13 years ago, precisely December 17, 2009, when kidnappers abducted and murdered his lawyer first son, Chijioke then aged 40, even after the family had parted with a ransom of 7million Naira. 

It was an agonising sight watching the then 72-year-old Sir Iheaku mourn and weep uncontrollably over the brutal murder of the first product of his loins.

As a devout Christian that he was, Sir Iheaku was to accept the grim reality of the untimely demise of his first son with equanimity while hoping that justice would be done. 

In a funeral invitation signed by his son, Sir Chineme Iheaku( Okosisi), Omenkeahurunnaya will be  laid to rest on Friday 18th February 2022 at his Country home, Osina, Ideato North LGA Imo state after 10 am burial mass at St John's Anglican Church Osina.

Osina has indeed lost an icon, a trailblazer and a good man

In the words of Sir Tony Ezenna( Ijele Akokwa), Chairman, Orange  Group, "during his eventful life on earth, Sir Iheaku was driven by diligence, patience, and tenacity of purpose, honesty and hard work- rare virtues that greatly endeared him to all who encountered him, including his family,  business partners, associates, friends and indeed the people of Osina, his community, and the ancient kingdom of Ideato as a whole.

"Omenkeahurunnaya was an illustrious son of Osina who gave his all to the community- serving it in various capacities thus contributing immensely to making the modern town it is today"

###

Chief Ingram Osigwe( Enyioha)  writes from Akokwa.

Nsudums Mark Tenth Anniversary of their Patriarch

Nsudums Mark Tenth Anniversary of their Patriarch

It was a time of remembrance, celebration and thanksgiving for the  Nsudum family of Akpaka na Ezeala, Osina in Ideato North local government area of Imo state recently as they marked the tenth anniversary of the demise of their patriarch, Sir D. U Nsudum( Akwa Aja Ahu Ogu) 

A philanthropist, businessman, community leader, devout Christian and a consumate family man, while alive, Sir Nsudum was humility and love personified.

As a successful businessman and a dutiful father, the late sir Nsudum bequeathed to his children and dependants, solid and quality education, producing seasoned businessmen, academics, professionals such as lawyers, Engineers, Doctors, nurses among others.

He also left behind for them to inherit, a thriving family investments and businesses that have stand the test of time.

No wonder Sir Nsudum's survivors spared nothing to celebrate and remember him.

The family rolled out the drums on January 2nd 2022 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his death.

St John' s Anglican Church Osina was  agog as it brimmed with dignitaries from all walks of life who throng there to identify with the Nsudums during the Thanksgiving service.

The service which was officiated by Bishop Okeke, the Bishop of Ideato North Diocese was attended by captains of Industry and commerce within the South Eastern part of the Country, lawyers, professionals and Traditional Rulers, title chiefs, including the  Obi of Akokwa, Eze Ikenna Okoli, EnyiOha na Akokwa, Chief Ingram Osigwe, Anyafulu Ugo na Akokwa, Chief Ifeanyi Nwosu, Barr Bill Ukachukwu among others.

The late Sir Nsudum is survived by the family  Matriach, Lady Pauline Nsudum, children- Mrs Kate Okoli( Aba based business woman), Dr. Mrs Bethel Godwins(U.S based medical practitioner), Kingsley Nsudum( Aba based business man) Barrister Iheanacho Nsodum( legal practitioner and Oil $ Gas Consultant), Mrs Divine Favour Onofuevure (A lecturer), Engr Chima Nsudum, Mrs Chiamara Nsudum( U.K based Nurse), Dr Mrs Chidalu Ibeneme (U.S based medical practitioner) and Mr Chisom Nsudum( Aba based business man who runs the family business of importation of all sorts of goods as well as real Estate.

The late Patriach of the Nsudum family is also survived by 23 grandchildren amongst whom is a medical practitioner- Dr Mrs Bianca Ume( Nee Godwins).