WRITTEN BY CHUKWU CHRISTIAN
Only the finest of metals stands the test of fire, says the blacksmith. The story of this man, whom has been baptized as Ohamadike, is an iconic one. Senator Chief Sir Victor Chukwunonyelum Umeh has not only enshrined his name in the cave of Nigerian politics, but has paved the way for an exemplary leadership.
Eleven months in office is a microcosm to 48 months and more his folk spend in such offices without leaving behind any laudable legacy. Though many stunts on his way to greatness, this tenacious alumnus of Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School Adazi-Nnukwu where he emerged the Best Graduating student of the 1980 set, has gallantly surmounted them without a scratch. Despite his short days serving as a Senator representing Anambra Central District, he has carried out numerous projects in his constituency.
In less than 340 days, Ohamadike has awarded scholarships to over 70 indigent students, evenly spread across the 7 local government areas under his district, not disregarding his scholarship scheme that has spanned over a decade. Less than eleven months, over 20 persons gained express employment into reputable offices in the federation through him.
Over 30 people benefited from his Tricycles Project. He has equally created over 160 jobs for youths, thereby reducing unemployment rate in Anambra. In a very short span of time, Ohamadike has provided credits and grants worth over ₦15 million to Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs.
Ohamadike has invested in all sectors. The sports, economic, human capacity development, religious, political and cultural compositions of his constituency, in 44 weeks, felt the resonating touch of true leadership.
Ohamadike, in 11 months, has attracted constituency projects worth over ₦600 million. He also sponsored four pragmatic motions among which were: Motion on the illegal confinement of underage offenders and infants in the same prison with adult prisoners; motion on the urgent need to appoint a representative of the South-East into the National Defence Council and National Security Council.
Other motions by Senator Umeh are: motion on the need to include the Eastern Rail Lines in the Nigerian Railways Development Project and motion sponsored on the World Environmental Day, 2018. Within 11 months, Ohamadike has questioned the rationale behind the disarming of community vigilante in the face of cattle herdsmen invasion.
Similarly, his unequalled contributions spurred the federal government to ban the importation of palm oil and palm allied products into Nigeria so as to promote and protect local industries. When some people hijacked and dished out power to their selfish delights, it was Ohamadike who stood his grounds and questioned the presidency’s impetus over lopsided appointments and stark nepotism.
He equally protested against the regionalized appointment of EFCC members. When some were hell-bent on proscription of IPOB as a terrorist group, Chief Victor Umeh was among the first to correct the propagators of ethnic bigotry. This was a sign of his defence of the tenets of democracy.
No doubt, Ohamadike is an investor in humans. Ohamadike is a man who believes that the reward for hard work is more work. If he had, under eleven months, touched countless lives, then in the next 48 months or more, his name would be hanging on the lips of everyone under his representation.
Respectable people of Anambra Central, let us make the only wisest choice available of massively rallying behind Senator Victor Umeh under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for our own good and most importantly, for the benefit of our children.
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