THE LEGENDS OF SENATOR IYOM UCHE EKWUNIFE by MAZI ODERA 18/12/2015

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SENATOR UCHE EKWUNIFE ,A CLOSER LOOK

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THE LEGENDS OF SENATOR IYOM UCHE EKWUNIFE by MAZI ODERA  18/12/2015

The Lady from Igboukwu married to LARRY EKWUNIFE, a businessman of repute from NRI TOWN, known as the Cradle of Igbo nation. She came into limelight during the Democratic dispensation of later years. She ventured where men are scared to thread and she stood her ground even when the state that pride self as the CENTER of NIGERIAN EXISTENCE, a state that has been eating before the meeting. A state where Angels fears to thread ,a state that makes and mar many,a state not ready to accept a feminine Political heavyweight and that was when IYOM ventured into the terrain . The problem is not her venturing but she came in with a classical swag, courage, carriage and message of Hope, truly that scares even yours truly, kedu nke bu kwa nwanyi ibia buru uzo egwu na Anambra? [Which one is a Lady coming to lead the dance in my state]. Since then the plot of rejection intensified, the plot to pull her down catapulted, the plot to blackmail or say WHITEMAIL her became our political MAIN EVENT.

The fear is that since she is undeterred from the negative fabrications ,that enye this Lady imi ,okpo anwuru [if you give her space she will inhale Snuff] ,especially Men that has the Money but no brain ,men that believe in buying election instead of building political platform which is more expensive to maintain as it is full time expense .

As we speak the Brother Mafias are also doing everything possible to support even SATAN himself to whittle down the influence and powerful Aura of the woman with a MIDAS TOUCH, it was believed in the Coven of the MONEY BAG but empty upstairs brother that, if this woman is not stopped, she is going to get the Gubernatorial ticket of PDP and when that happened, they knew that it is only God will stop her from taking over from THAT APGA MISFIT.

I have watched her ,studied her and waiting for her to fizzle out as expected in such Hostile environment ,instead for her to fizzle out she keep moving from Step to Top Ladder and from her Swag ,her reach out ,her Local outreach ,it seems as if the SENATE is just her starting point ,but I digress ..

Senator Uche Ekwunife is not new to controversy ,many people has tried to rubbish her or tell tales of derogatory status about her ,but what goes for her is the Igbo saying that provides “Ugbana ka etere unyi na aru ,Ugbana sacha aru makaria ka odi na mbu”[The more they try to smear pelican with Charcoal ,the pelican will be whither after bathing out the Charcoal] ,so this Lady has been smeared ,tainted and ridiculed like no other but she always stay focussed and poised in the cause of giving untainted democratic dividend to the fortunate constituency she is serving .

I have read where they said she defrauded MBADINUJU of some magical fund, then I have searched, researched to see where Mbadinuju sued her for fraud or where he lamented on Newspaper or on social gathering about the said fraud, but none so far. I have checked to see if Mbadinuju has some speech defect that He cannot cry out nor complain of such cheat, but none so far...

I read one person say that UCHE EKWUNIFE withhold PENSION FUND which Mbadinuju left with her bank in her care, but for a better record..

ANAMBRA GOVERNMENT IN THE DAYS OF MBADINUJU never banked WITH STANDARD BANK which was the Bank Uche Ekwunife worked with, the state where banking with UNITED BANK OF AFRICA "UBA" and later changed to LIONS BANK.

This is just to set the record straight as we proceed.

 The story of EKWUNIFE defrauding MBADINUJU is like the story of ZIK AND MAMIWATER. The Legends has it that when they were about to erect BRIDGES IN LAGOS, MAMIWATER said No way and the water keep rising to submerge Lagos, then the Legendary Zik of Africa went to BAR BEACH and meet with MAMI WATER, Zik flew into a Bottle and came out, then challenge Mami Water to do same, the Mamiwater flew into it and Zik Cork the Bottle ....The story goes that if Zik open that Bottle that Bar beach will submerge the entire nation.

I agreed with that story until as adult, I discovered that it is nothing but URBAN LEGEND or as MIKE EJEAGHA will put it, AKUKO NA EGWU. I reconcile this Urban Legend with same mind set of many boys ,when I say boys I mean Juvenile ,,,when they CHASE  a girl and the Girl is hard to get ,the boys will start spreading lies that she is a HARLOT ,but ask him how many of his relations ,friends or those he knew one on one that can swear on sleeping with the said harlot ,you will only get gesticulation from south to west .Moving on with Love ...

Actually I am not here to discuss her rise to fame because that is not here or there, but I am here to discuss her PATHWAYS into the Corridor of Power, the Merits and demerits   .

In her days in the house of REPS, she did wonderfully awesome, you may not like it but my business is to tell you the hard truth and your business is to agree with me.

 Before joining politics, Uche Ekwunife had a successful banking career. As a banker, she showed her mettle and wisdom in money management and brought her administrative acumen to bear on the banks she worked for, and the people she encountered. With an enviable banking experience at Royal Merchant Bank, Onitsha, Equatorial Trust Bank, Onitsha, she later joined Standard Trust Bank, Awka and thereafter Standard Trust Bank Abuja, where she rose to the post of Area Manager and Head Private Banking Unit respectively. Hon. Ekwunife left a legacy in that sector. The excellent banking carrier projected her to the position of President, Young Banker’s Association, 2000-2006.

 Many people see Hon. Ekwunife from different point of view depending on the relationship with her or perspective, as a role model, a goal getter, a trail blazer, a philanthropist and an Amazon of distinct quality and character who has distinguished herself in all spheres of life.

Hon. Ekwunife has continued to put smiles on the faces of people especially the less privileged and the down trodden in the society. Indeed, she has become a succor to many families whose lives she has touched positively in various ways. She assisted over 600 unemployed youths to get employment both in private and public Sectors, assisted over 100 women travel to Dubai for Business and sponsored a lot of women’s travel to Israel on Holy Pilgrimage.

 Hon. Uche sponsored over 100 people to visit the Holy land to encounter God in a special way. She has moved several motions including the motion on the menace of armed robberies in Anambra State. This motion to an extent portrayed her interest and desire to see to the progress and security of her home State.

The motion on the erosion menace in Nanka which left many people homeless and properties destroyed and which she presented on the floor of the house was admired by a lot of people. This motion was unique because it manifested her unequalled love and passion for humanity being that Nanka is not within her constituency. Till date, Hon. Ekwunife fights for the welfare of Ndigbo both at FCT Abuja and beyond.

The motion on the completion of the abandoned Zik’s Mausoleum in Onitsha, Anambra State is another motion that was appreciated by all and sundry. The project which was abandoned after 15 years after commencement was brought back to life with a call on the Federal Government to urgently ensure that work is completed at the Mausoleum. This motion was her brain child.

Apart from the National Projects Monitoring Agency (Establishment) Bill and other bills credited to Hon. Ekwunife the Bill for an Act to amend the provisions of Sections 7 and 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended ) to provide for independence and financial autonomy of Local Government Councils in Nigeria; and for related matters, 2011 was not only applauded and passed by the House, it was also referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for it to form part of the issues to be deliberated upon by the committee.

Other Bills credited to Hon. Ekwunife include but not limited to:

1.         A bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the National Environmental Sanitation Commission (NESC).

2.         A Bill for an Act to Amend the Environmental Health Officers (Registration Act) 2002 and other related matters

3.         A bill for an Act to Establish the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria and other matters connected therewith.

4.         A bill for an Act to Establish the National Youth Development Agency of Nigeria for The Purpose of Planning, Implementing, and Overseeing  a National Integrated Youth Promotion Development Program and for Connected Purpose.

Hon. Uche Ekwenife contested the February 6 Governorship election in Anambra state as the flag bearer of the Progressive People Alliance and ran the best campaign ever to be undertaking by any woman in the Nation’s history. Her performance is the election is today a case study for female politicians in the country.

Being a woman of substance that enjoys putting similes on people face, Hon. Mrs. Uche Ekwnife in 2001 established a Scholarship scheme for the education of the indigent and intelligent students. The scholarship and welfare scheme which was named after her father, Sir Emmanuel Ogudebe has over 1500 beneficiaries across Anambra state. She has also established many women through trading. The Welfare Scheme has uplifted the lives of many widows and families of the less privilege in the society. The Hon. Uche Ekwunife Youths and Widows Support Centre is a Non Governmental Organization established by her to help in the capacity building of the Youths and Widows. The dream is to help develop families as the bedrock of the larger society.

Hon. (Chief) Mrs. Uche Ekwunife is a recipient of several Awards and Chieftaincy titles from communities around Anambra state. She has been conferred with the tiles of Iyom Ugochinyelez-na-nwata, (Nri), AdaUgo-Igbo (Igbo-Ukwu), Anyanwu-Aguluezigbo, Ife-Abagana ‘Nnedoramma of Aguata’ Ezinne na Nimo and Ugomba-Agulu.

Iyom, is a fellow Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration, hold MBA in Business Administration, 2002 (Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka) (PPA) and B.Sc (Hons) degree in Business Education (Accountancy) in 1992 from University of Calabar.

Among Programmes and Training attended include:

Harvard Business School (University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg) South Africa, Lagos. Business School-Management Development Program, IBFC Augusto Training Lagos- Leadership Development and Fundamentals of Human Resource Management Skills Training, Policy Programmes and Projects-United Arab Emirates and others.

Hon. Uche Ekwunife sits today as Chairman, House Committee on Environment where she continues Legislatives business.

She is the leader; Anambra State Caucus (House of Representative) Mrs. Uche Ekwunife is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club International for the enviable roles she has played for the enhancement of humanity and development of the communities of the state. She also has many other international and local Award among which is Award Excellence Performance by Nigerian Union of Journalist, Anambra State.

Iyom as she is fondly called is a hard working, determined, focused, kind hearted and God fearing personality who to her credited the construction of a Chapel of perpetual Adoration at St. Mary’s  Catholic Church, Nri to provide for the spiritual need of the people. Hon. Ekwunife is also credited to have sponsored Choir Competitions’ among churches within the constituency.

She is happily married to Chief Larry Ekwunife, a successful businessman from Nri community in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State. The marriage is blessed with children. Hon. Ekwunife is a devout Christian and firm believer in the Power of God.

HIGHLIGHT OF SOME OF THE PROJECT ATTRACTED BY

HON. MRS. UCHE EKWUNIFE (IYOM)

TO HER CONSTITUENCY

ANAOCHA L.G.A

Adazi-Ani Community

Projects:

1.  Supply of Books and instrumental Material (Community Primary school)

2.  Installation of Solar Street Lights

3.  Erosion control and construction of Asphalted road at Udohbunka Ezietiti.

4.  Erosion control  

Adazi-Enu Community

Projects:

1.  Classroom Block with VIP Toilet, Furniture at Immanuel Anglican Church

2.  Installation of Solar Street Lights.

Adazi-Nnukwu Community

Projects:

1.  Umudiani Gully erosion control

2.  Installation Solar Street lights

3.  Renovation of schools hall at St. Lorreto Special Science School.

4.  Construction of asphalted road.

Aguluzigbo Community

Projects:

1.  500/33KVA Transformer installed at Iruowelle village

2.  Installation of Solar Street Ligths.

3.  Erosion control and road construction at post office.

Obeledu Community

Projects:

1.  500/33KVA transformer (2) installed at Oke-Offia village (emebor/Okeofia junction leading to Prof. Peter Ejiofor’s house) and Enu-abo village at Umudibunam junction.

2.  Installation of solar street lights.

3.  Erosion control

Akwaeze Community

Projects:

1.  Installation of solar street lights

2.  Construction of a community hall (On-going)

3.  Construction of 3 classrooms Block

4.  Construction of asphalted road.

Ichida Community

Projects:

1.  Provision of the solar street lights

2.  500/33 KVA Transformers

3.  Erosion control and flood channelization works

4.  Construction of asphalted road.

Neni Community

Projects:

1.  Supply of school Furniture (St. Michael’s Primary School Eziaja)

2.  Construction of market stalls

3.  Installation solar street lights.

In conclusion we must fast forward to her 5 months in the Senate, where she has sponsored Bills to better South East .She initiated and executed the relocation of the CORE 47 out from Anambra state. She sponsored a Bill that made the Senate send high powered Committee of Environment and Roads to visit South East and start the rescue of the caved portion of Nkpor road .

She is the only Senator from South East that is Chairing a Petroleum Committee in the Federal house. That is why everybody from Anambra Central is saying “IYOM GA ECHIGHA NA SENATE OZO” and with that I am going off but staying on.

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Mazi Odera

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