2023: Professor Ikonne Sets to Adjust Abia's Sail
- By Chief Maxwell Kanu.
In the words of the American author, John Maxwell, "the pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”
Professor Uche Ukonne perfectly fits into Maxwell's definition of a leader.
His emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP's gubernatorial flagbearer is indeed a trigger for a new Abia.
Professor Ikonne's expected victory in next year's gubernatorial polls will be a fitting, proper and deserving call to service, a call to reinvent Abia by recalibrating its economy and infrastructure.
He is not coming to learn on the job.A consumate administrator and academic colossus, Professor Ikonne is eminently qualified, prepared and equipped with innovative ideas with which he will be adjusting Abia's sail for the better when he becomes governor next year.
His exhilarating performance as the Vice Chancellor of Abia state University still resonates.
Like a goldfish, Professor Ikonne has no hiding place. It is not therefore, a surprise that the PDP spotted him and saddled him with the task of deepening Abia's socio-economic and infrastructural ascendancy.
It is obvious that the party recognises a competent leader, a doer and an achiever when it see one. For sure, the PDP sees one in Professor Ikonne.
With a plethora of youth and women organisations, civil society groups, academics and religious leaders as well as traditional rulers routing for him, Professor Ikonne is the man to beat in the 2023 Abia guber contest.
Born in Agburuike, Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, Professor Ikonne's academic career spans over three decades.
He attended Ngwa High School, in Aba and later proceeded to Manila Central University, Philippines to study Optometry.
He also holds specialist master's degree programme in Hospital Administration at St. Jude College, also in the Philippines.On his return to Nigeria in 1985, Professor Ikonne served as consulting optometrist at the Park Lane General Hospital, Enugu, and was later to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Health Science from Abia State University.
In an ironic twist of fate, he would in later years, serve the University as Vice Chancellor.
From 2010 to 2014, Ikonne served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Abia State University and was seconded to Abia State Polytechnic, Aba as Rector on what was described as Rescue Mission.
Upon returning to the University, he was appointed its 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor in December 2015.
He also attained the following positions:
Head, Department of Optometry – Abia State University.
Director, Institute for Distance Education, Abia State University.
Acting Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Abia State University.
Deputy Provost, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Abia State University.
Professor Ikonne is a member of several professional bodies and has sat on many professional and academic Boards and Committees including:
Member, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria from 1993 to date
Chairman of the Education Committee, 1993 to date
Chairman, Disciplinary Committee, 2007 to date
Vice-Chairman, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, 2009 to date. He was also Registrar, Nigerian Postgraduate College of Optometrists.
Professor Ikonne has in his kitty, an avalanche of awards including, the African Optometric Educator Award of the year 2003 and the Distinguished Meritt Award of the Nigerian Optometric Association, 2006.
If elected governor next year, Professor Ikonne will join the list of erudite academics, especially Professor who were/are in partisan politics and who offered quality leadership and contributed immensely to national development.
The roll call include the second Republic governor of the defunct Bendel state, the late Prof Ambrose Alli, former Education Minister,
Professor Jibril Aminu, Former Vice Chancellor of ABU, Processor Ango Abdulahi, Late Minister of Petroleum, Professor Tam David West, Former Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, Former Health Minister, Onikoye Ransom-Kuti, Former Education Minister, late Professor Babs Fafuwa, Former Minister for Science and Technology, late Professor Godion Ezekwe, incumbent Governor of Borno state, Professor Zulum among others.
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Chief Maxwell writes from Isukwuato, Abia State.
Ideato South/North Federal Constituency: Dr. Chika Abazu as the Way to Go
- By Micheal Nnaji
According to John. C Maxwell, a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.
Dr. Chika Abazu clearly fits into this discription.
Dr. Abazu raises above the fray and stands out on the pedestal of competence,reason a broad spectrum of people across the constituency are earnestly praying the All Progressives Congress, APC to do the right thing by giving him its ticket for the election.
Describing the last seven years of representation the constituency has had at the House of Reps as years eaten by locust, an APC chieftain from Umueshi, Ideato South,who craved anonymity said: "Ideato North and South has suffered the worst form of representation since 2015.
"We are like orphans in the midst of parents; in this new dispensation we want someone who is in touch with the people and with reality; we want a people oriented person who has the Ideato nation and its people at heart, a representative who has no baggage, who puts Ideato first. Irrespective of party, we want the best and in Dr. Chika Abazu, I find this representative."
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.
°Sponsorship or co-sponsorship of at least two bills and two motions that would impact the Constituency every year; meaningful contribution in plenary and committee activities especially oversight function.
As a technocrat, Dr. Abazu will ensure prudent utilisation of Constituency Funds for genuine, people-focused, transparent and verifiable projects and programs.
He is primed at building and equipping of modern school structures and making learning fun for children through learning aids; financial support to primary/secondary school students; facilitating university scholarship for exceptional students.
As a youth enthusiast and a bridge between the young and old, Dr. Abazu, if elected, will be committed to establushing a training hub for the training of youths and women in various vocations including ICT and Agriculture; giving of starter packs/seed grants to trained persons.
Erosion menance is one of the environmental problems facing Ideato and to tackle it headlong, if elected, Dr. Abazu will see to the procurement of heavy construction vehicles like bulldozers, font loaders, grader, compactors, trenchers etc for all year round erosion control, road grading and maintenance.
To modernise Ideato and make it a liveable urban area, Dr. Abazu has pledged the following:
•Facilitation of the restoration of electricity to all communities in Ideato through procurement and installation of transformers and other power installations; construction of solar street lights at designated areas
•Greater Ideato water scheme will be birthed for provision of basic water supply; procurement of motorized borehole drilling machines; all year round drilling of boreholes in designated and accessible areas within the community; provision of borehole drilling services at highly subsidized rate.
•Construction and equipping of primary health centres
And to curb youth restiveness, he will facilitate the construction of mini sports stadium for sports and recreation.
He will also strengthen local security networks so as to secure the lives and property of Ideato people.
Dr. Abazu is accessible and reachable and will at all times be avilable to his constituents
With his international connections and contacts, Dr. Abazu will ensure the mobilization of funds for various projects from donor agencies and development partners.
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Onyedum: Celebrating a Goldfish at 60
- By Ingram Osigwe
Goldfish has no hidding place. That is why at 60, Chief Evergreen Jude Ezeobi Onyedum (Onwa Mbosi) is being celebrated.
A man of the people, Onwa Mbosi at 60, according to his friends and associates, deserves fitting accolades and kind words due to a man who is faithfully serving God and humanity selflessly.
A touching birthday eulogy rendered by his beloved children perhaps best summaries Chief Ezeobi's personage and unknots the nexus between ageing and goodness of the heart:
"Lots of love from your Children"
Sixty years ago when he was born in his sleepy village, Umuezike, Mbosi, Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, his birth neither heralded stars nor caused rainbow to appear on the sky, yet, unknown to many a man who would change the narratives of the world around him, a star himself had been born.
Onyedum's journey to life started shortly after his higher education when he joined his brother in business and due to his can do spirit, later moved on to establish his own company, Bravo Products Limited (Bravo Foam) in 1991.
A shrewd business man and goal getter, Onwa Mbosi also went on to establish Evergreen International Services Limited, and Evergreen General Merchandise Limited.
A major player in the foam industry, Onyedum's foam depots distribution, wholesale and retail outlets are situated in most parts of the country.
He also distributes for Mouka foam limited and has remained the number one distributor of Mouka Foam for 18 consecutive years.
A successful businessman, Onyedum has won several honors and recognitions in the foam Industry which is a testimony of his astuteness in business. Onwa Mbosi was rewarded with the title of “Onwa Platinum” of Lagos for winning the distinguished award of platinum for outstanding sales performances in 2014 from Mouka foams.
Chief Onyedum is a philanthropist who has contributed generously to the development of his home town and his environs has numerous awards and recognitions in Ihiala LGA, Lagos and beyond for his benevolence.
In 1997-2000 he was awarded the “Pillar of Development” by the Mbosi Town Development Union.
He is the President Emeritus of G21 Committee of friends club for 12 year and was indeed the founding President
He has also been elevated to the position of High Chief Owelle Mbosi since September 2019 among numerous awards in the last few years
Evergreen as he is fondly called has also contributed immensely towards youth development, education and the society at large. In 2014 he received an ambassadorial award from the symbol of hope foundation (NGO) in recognition of his support to the organization.
A devout Catholic, Onwa is happily married to Chief Mrs. Ogechi Onyedum (Lolo Onedo) and their union is blessed with children.
The sixth year in one's life is indeed a significant milestone, so it is in Onwa's 60th year on earth.
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Ingram writes from Akokwa, Imo State
