Ikenga Ugochinyere at 42: An ode to a great and noble man

The member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere at 42, has fulfilled all that William Shakespeare says: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

To be great, one needs to be much more than average, be a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, a hero or legend.

Greatness comes in different categories. There are people who greatness is their birth right, they do not have to struggle for anything, everything they need is offered to them on a platter of gold as they were born with a silver spoon.

That was not the case for Ugochinyere as this Son of a Noble Teacher, attained greatness through hard work and strong will, passing through many hurdles.

That he achieved greatness today at such a young age is not in doubt for those who followed his trajectory in the last 42 years. Ugochinyere worked hard, very hard through thick and thin to achieve his goals, be they social, economic and political.

As a strong spirited person, he never gave up even when he fails, he continues because he knows that failure is only when you fail and fail to continue.

Of course, at a very young age, he was quickly identified as one to be saddled with leadership responsibilities and positions of authority any where he finds himself. It is the reason why as student and youth he was made a leader, as a politician he was given leadership position and now as a lawmaker he is leading not just Ideato but the Downstream sector of the Petroleum industry in the parliament.

Transcending from the title of Comrade, an Activist, Barrister, a consummate lawyer to ‘Honourable’ member of the House of Representatives further confirmed his commitment to serve Nigerians even at the highest level of government – legislature.

The title honourable is conferred on people who get elected to the green Chamber of the National Assembly and at any given time, they are addressed or introduced as ‘Honourable’.

But, beyond legislative parlance, Ugochinyere has always distinguished himself as an honourable man before been elected into an office through standing for what those who answer the title should.

At 42, Ojeozi Ideato (the People’s Messenger) as he’s fondly called remains a beacon of hope for the common man; voice for the voiceless, mentor and role model to the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow. All these he has been doing as a student and youth leader, activist and lawyer long before he was elected into the hallowed Green Chambers of the National Assembly.

In the nation’s apex legislature which he has been in the last one year, he has shown that indeed and truly, a lawmaker is not for himself but for the people. Mentioning his impressive legislative outing which is so far so good can only be contained in a book by the UNESCO definition of ‘at least 49 pages’.

Is it the people oriented motions and bills that seek to address the socioeconomic and infrastructural challenges of Nigerians beyond the Ideato people which he primarily represent in the House? The co-sponsorship of the South East Development Commission Bill already assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give new lease of life to Ndi Igbo? Will it be the Orlu State which he’s championing its creation to correct the regional imbalance in the Southeast.

Aside legislative interventions, Ugochinyere as a humanitarian has helped his constituents for so many years through various programmes and schemes.

Just to name a few, he initiated an agricultural programme that has many of his constituents undergoing training, he has also floated scholarship scheme for his constituents.

On December 5, 2023, the lawmaker presented scholarship grants to qualified beneficiaries who participated and performed excellently well in the scholarship examinations, which took place few months earlier.

The 100 lucky beneficiaries all from Ideato North and South constituency gladly gathered at St. Dominic Savio Comprehensive Secondary School, Ntueke, Ideato South LGA of Imo State, to receive grants to support their educational pursuit.

For his safe school campaign initiative, Ugochinyere has started renovation of many schools in his constituency, and as well as the clean water campaign which involves drilling water projects from Umuojisi to Urualla.

Just recently he upgraded his annual entrance scholarship scheme with the release of N11 million for the 2024 edition!

There’s no gain saying that Ojeozi Ideato embodies the attributes of one born to be great – fearlessness, resilience, hardworking, uprightness to mention but a few!!!

Happy Birthday Sir!! Ride on! the sky is your beginning!!!

Udora Orizu writes from Abuja