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Hon Amobi Ogah is a first time member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, elected under the platform of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections. He represents the good and resilient people of Isiukwuato and Umunneochi in Abia State. Hon Ogah began his legislative journey in the House of Representatives amidst some controversy following a press remark he made. Irate citizens argued that he would fail in the discharge of his duties due to this remark, which they found inappropriate and widely criticized.
However, time and events have proven his critics completely wrong. Today, without sentiment or prejudice, I can emphatically say that his tenure marks the dawn of a new era filled with progress and development.
As a legislator who is yet to mark his two years in office, Hon Ogah has made significant strides, revitalizing legislative impact and reach across towns and villages in Isiukwuato and Umunneochi. The Uturu born business mogul turned political tactician is currently making impressive strides in his legislative duties and oversight responsibilities.
Bill Newman, the celebrated Australian writer, rightly argued that a leader is someone who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way. I dare to say that Hon Ogah is a perfect representation of Newman’s ideal philosopher king.
Progressively, the tenure of Hon Ogah is notably characterized by infrastructural development, including the construction and maintenance of roads, as well as empowerment initiatives for youth, women, and men. Remarkably, in November 2024, he distributed cars, trucks, minibuses, tricycles, sewing machines, grinding machines, motorcycles, generators, hairdressing equipment, vulcanizing machines, food items, fertilizers, and other materials.
He empowered over 500 constituents with the aforementioned items as he marked his first year in office.
The energetic lawmaker, known for his verbal confidence, explained during the event that a concerned legislator should do more than building hospitals, markets, and other infrastructure. He emphasized that empowering constituents was essential to alleviate the effects of economic hardship, particularly hunger. This demonstrates empathy, a humanistic approach, and a leadership style that prioritizes people’s needs.
He has sponsored several bills reflecting the interest of his people since his emergence. Prominent among them is a bill to establish the National Institute for Organic Agriculture and Food Safety Research, which has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives. He has also sponsored and facilitated healthcare outreach programs for the people of Isiukwuato and Umunneochi through the Amobi Ogah Foundation.
In July 2024, driven by the need for justice, fairness, and equity, he sponsored the Etiti State Bill, which seeks the creation of a new state in the Southeast, encompassing parts of Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Imo states. On August 17, 2024, he flagged off the construction of a modern cottage hospital in Umuchieze, a landmark project aimed at providing access to quality healthcare services for Umuchieze and surrounding communities.
Recognizing the immense importance of agriculture, Hon Ogah took it upon himself to rekindle interest in an agricultural revolution within his constituency. He encourages farming, animal husbandry, and other agricultural activities by providing essential materials such as fertilizers and related items.
In February 2024, Hon Ogah moved a motion for the reconstruction of the Mmam Bridge, a critical linkage between his constituents in Isuochi and the Nkwuli people of Enugu State. Before August 1968, the bridge served as an economic and social connection, fostering cultural, social, and economic ties between the two states. Moreover, he has forged numerous partnerships and collaborations that have greatly benefited his constituents, in addition to sponsoring skill acquisition programs.
As a lover of education who places premium value on learning, Hon Ogah has also made substantial input in empowering students in his constituency with fully funded scholarships across a number of tertiary institutions within southeastern states. He made it a compelling necessity to enroll students for the Joint Admission Matriculation Board Examination (JAMB), especially for indigent students. In the same vein, he secured a major infrastructural upgrade for Uturu Secondary School, a project he facilitated through the National Senior Secondary School Education Commission.
Hon Ogah, known for his compassionate nature, suspended planned activities for his first anniversary as a lawmaker in a remarkable gesture of empathy toward the poor and less privileged, given the economic hardships in the country. His achievements as Chairman of the House Committee on HIV AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control expedited his advancement to chair one of the most important and technical committees in the House, the Committee on Aviation.
In August 2023, he made a strong statement condemning the unlawful detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that the security challenges in the Southeast were linked to his continued detention, and called for his release. This underscores his love for the generality of his people in the Southeast. It is worthy of note that aside from the flurry of achievements mentioned above, Hon Ogah has also facilitated job opportunities for a good number of his constituents across both public and private agencies.
Evidently, Hon Ogah is a master at his craft, a legislator and consummate grassroots politician who understands and speaks the language of his people. His achievements in less than two years in office are a prelude to the subsequent chapters of his legislative leadership. Carving a niche of legislative excellence, outshining his predecessors, and succeeding where they had failed, Hon Ogah has earned the joy, satisfaction, and absolute acceptance of his constituents and Nigeria at large.
Quite frankly, Hon Ogah has not just proven his critics wrong but has also established the fact that he is a legislative powerhouse, a dispenser of impact, and a repository of values that has stood the test of time against all odds.
Sunny Ibeh Jnr
Journalist, Media & Communication Executive
Abuja, Nigeria
Editor.meridianspy@gmail.com
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