By Norbert Chiazor
ANIOMA brotherhood was not my main influence for rallying Prince Ned Nwoko to the senate. His senatorial quest, to me, was much more than fidelity to a common ancestral brood. It was far beyond Idumuje solidarity.
As we say in Warri, I supported this boss/leader with my “full chest” for a catch of salient reasons.
The characteristics of Nwoko are scarce in the Nigerian market. Nigeria’s wealthy men are seldom humble. The typical highly-placed politician here is not sensitive. Most powerful and privileged Nigerians have no mercy.
For a mortal susceptible to flaws, this is not an anthology of Nwoko’s sainthood, but you cannot encounter the famous Idumuje -Ugboko man without being profoundly impacted by his humanity.
Those who know Ned, as he is fondly called, beyond public knowledge of his trademark snow white “agbada,” Anioma red cap, beautiful wives, exotic automobiles and mansions will never fail to notice his easy lifestyle, marked by infectious joviality and sacrificial kindness.
Whether as entrepreneur, international lawyer, Founder of first sports university in sub- Saharan Africa, arts and tourism connoisseur, anti-malaria environmentalist or the much advertised Antarctica explorer, Nwoko has done much to change the world.
When he headed to the Nigerian senate in June this year to represent Delta North, he went prepared.
Seven months as a senator, Nwoko is making his Anioma constituents smile, exuding colourful stand on the red chamber, addressing profound issues with penetrating insight and spell-binding charisma. Indeed, his impact are far beyond political rhetoric.
Last month, Nwoko initiated the empowerment of 250 youths and women in a skills acquisition programme at Asaba, the capital of Delta State and heartland of Anioma. Each beneficiary got a sum of N150,000 in a fulfilling poverty alleviation and wealth creation scheme.
He is set to give succour to over 1,000 people of Delta North senatorial district through direct implementation of conditional cash transfer of N50,000 each under federal government’s social welfare. And more are coming.
Today, he is one of the most quoted senators of the 10th Assembly, leading in the articulation of the highest motions on the floor, with hyper active advocacy.
These are motions and views on sanctions over crude oil theft by dubious economic saboteurs, rehabilitation of Asaba-Benin expressway and East-West road, gas flaring and compensation, security surveillance against criminal kidnappers terrorising the people, peaceful resolution of IPOB agitation and Boko Haram insurgency, non-military intervention in independent nations and within the country, as well as repatriations against transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.
Other motions include redress for the grievous 1967 Asaba Massacre, veto power for African nations at the United Nations (UN) Security Council,establishment of social media Platform offices in Nigeria for economic advancement and conflict resolution, upgrade of all Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) and treatment of public servants exclusively within Nigeria and ban on importation of non-essential goods,
At the National Assembly, Nwoko is a potent voice on critical national issues, such as degradation, health, employment, education and infrastructural needs of Nigerians.
He recently championed a Bill on Voting Rights for Nigerians in the Diaspora, as well as permanent seats in both chambers of the National Assembly- House of Representatives and Senate.
This is one of the most patriotic moves in history by any Nigerian, given the fact that it would make Africa’s largest democracy stronger, allow its large diaspora population to vote in its national elections.
The diaspora Nigerians have over the years been deprived of the opportunity to contribute to the political leadership process, despite their monumental contributions to the economy.
On November 28, this year, Nwoko came up with a Bill for the Establishment of Waste Management and Malaria Eradication Agency. The Bill consummates the selfless humanitarian efforts of Nwoko as a pioneering environmentalist.
Other proposed Bills by the senator include an Act to Establish the Nigerian Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, with an agency for oversight; One-Month Rent Limitation and Landlord Registry Act; Electoral Courts Establishment and Jurisdiction Act; Compulsory Professional Indemnity Act and Banks’ Capitalisation and Cashless Asset Acquisition Act.
These are in addition to the Self-Defence and Firearm Ownership Regulation Act; Coroners Systems Act and other Related Matters; Act Establishing the Parliamentary Governance System; Act for the Establishment of additional Nigerian Defence Academy in Delta State, as well as Act to Upgrade Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic to a Federal University of Technology
Even as a first-timer at the Senate, the former member of the House of Representatives ranks among the most respected. He is a member of 16 strategic committees, an unprecedented trust in recognition of his tremendous capacity.
He is the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Environment, with membership of the Committees on NDDC; NEPAD; TETFUND ;Gas; Upstream Petroleum; Works; Finance; Defence; Police; Drugs and Narcotics; Communications; State and Local Governments; Primary Health Care Development and Disease Control; Constitutional Amendment; Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes and Youth and Sports.
Nwoko’s place in the senate so far is phenomenal. Apart from the golden era of late Senator Nosike Ikpo in the Second Republic and the eventful sojourn of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa from 2011 to 2015, when history made him the first Anioma to govern Delta State, no other senator from Delta North had made impressive showing like Nwoko, an exemplary enigma.
Today, he is offering excellent representation to Anioma people, with integrity and honour to eclipse the embarrassing scandals and perennial ridicule that attended the immediate ugly past.
Nwoko has restored the lost glory of Anioma land. The people from all quarters are happy. Yet, it is just morning at the senate. With such an illustrious senator, a beautiful future beckons to the people.
–Chiazor is a veteran journalist/media leader
