By Chidiebube Okeoma
One of the biggest set backs of Nigeria’s democratic rule was the December 2023 Appeal court judgment which sacked one of Nigeria’s most honest, compassionate, dedicated and resulted oriented parliamentarians, Ugonna Ozurigbo popularly known as OZB of Nwangele/ Nkwerre/ Isu/ Njaba federal constituency of Imo state. The parliamentarian had won the election clean- clear having exceptionally done well during his first stint in the country’s lower law making body between 2019 and 2023. OZB was the darling of his people and lived up to the expectation of being the true representative of his people.
He was an eloquent representative of his people. Mr empowerment personified. He championed programs and projects that progressed his constituency and benefited his constituents, immeasurably. From his time as a councillor representing his people of Umuozu in Nwangele legislative chamber to his sojourn to the Imo State House of Assembly in Owerri , the state capital and his metric rise to the rank of the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly from 2015 to 2019, OZB remained a lawmaker who effectively maximized his role as a lawmaker and a beacon of hope for his people.
OZB’s eight years scintillating performance in the Imo State House of Assembly gave space for his ascendency to the national Assembly. His election into the House of representatives was an easy ride as his goodwill to his people while a state lawmaker cut across the length and breathe of Imo state. No wonder when it was time for him to seek the support of the people of his federal constituency, it was easy because of his indisputable social value and political sagacity.
OZB as a parliamentarian understands very well that beyond his constitutional responsibility of lawmaking, repealing and amending laws and oversight functions of the other two bodies of government, empowerment of his constituents through job employment, infrastructural projects, lightening up communities, start up businesses for vulnerable youths and women and other human empowerment programs are the core responsibilities of a pragmatic lawmaker.
Here are some of the scorecards of one Nigeria’s most result oriented parliamentarians who was unjustly sacked by the court. Today his constituency is not feeling any better because the man the court replaced him with is yet to find his feet in the national Assembly; OZB presented Bill To Amend The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission Act Lfn (Legislative Action). He also presented Bill To Amend The Companies And Allied Matters Act 2020 (Legislative Action).
OZB presented Bill To Establish The Federal College Of Health And Management Sciences Amaigbo, Imo State, To Provide Full-Time Courses, Teaching, Instructions And Training In Health, Management Sciences, Applied Sciences And Other Related Matters (Legislative Action).
OZB presented Bill For The Amendment Of The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission Act Lfn (Legislative Action). He also Presented Bill For Amendment Of Compulsory And Free Universal Basic Education Act, Lfn (Legislative Action).
OZB sponsored motion To End Recurrent Scarcity Of Nigerian International Passport Booklets In Our Immigration Offices. Motion For The Construction And Widening Of Nkwerre – Nwangele L.G.A’s Failed Section Of Ihiala -Orlu – Umuduru – Oku Federal Road. Motion For The Checkmate Of Isu-Umuanu-Amaju Amaigbo Gully Erosion In The Federal Constituency
In the state area of e, he facilitated two Permanent Employment opportunities at Federal University Of Calabar And Federal Ministry Of Justice (Full Time) for two persons. Six Permanent Employment opportunities at Federal Medical Center Owerri (Full Time). Two Permanent Employment Of Doctor And Nurse At Lagos State Teaching Hospital (Full Time). Enrollment Of 50 Persons Into N-Power Program Of Federal Government (Temporary). Enrollment Of 400 Persons Into Special Public Works (Spw) Of Federal Government (Temporary). He Secured Job For a Constituent At Federal Ministry Of Labour And Productivity.
His empowerment Programs and Projects are numerous but I will highlight a few. He renovated Orie Chineke Market In Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). Completion Of a Block Of 24 Shops At Nkwormiri Market in Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed).
Construction Of 10 Lock -Up Shops At Ubaha Amaigbo Nwangele Lga (Completed). Renovation Of Stalls At Orie Egwedu In Atta Ward 3 Njaba Lga (Completed). Construction Of 2 Blocks Of 10 Lockup Shops And 2 Warehouses In Nkwormmiri Ultra Modern Market Nwangele Lga (For 2022). Construction Of 4 Blocks Of 8 Open Stalls At Afor Agbugba Amaju Market Nwangele Lga (For 2022).
OZB also oversaw the Installation Of Solar Borehole At Uloano Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Eke Amandugba in Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Isunjaba Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Mechanized Borehole At Nkwormmiri Market in Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Umuduruoha Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Umuduruna in Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Umuduruaro Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Amaokpara Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Afor Umuaka Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Motorized Borehole With Purifier At Umueze Umuozu Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Okwudor (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Umuobi Umuozu (Completed). The Installation Of Solar Borehole At Ekitiafor (Completed). The Provision Of Solar Borehole At Comprehensive Secondary School Nkume Njaba Lga (Completed). The Provision Of Solar Borehole At Aboh Dimnanume Nwangele Lga (Completed 2022). The Provision Of Solar Borehole At Umuopara Abba Nwangele Lga Completed 2022).
Provision Of Solar Borehole At Isiala Umudi Nkwerre Lga (Completed 2022). Provision Of Solar Borehole At Umuokwara Isunjaba Isu Lga (In 2022 Appropriation Act). Provision Of Solar Borehole At Umuzi Amauju Isu Lga. Provision Of Solar Borehole At Acharaji Akah Njaba Lga. Provision Of Solar Borehole At Umudibi Ekwe Isu Lga. Installation Of Solar Borehole At Onusa Nkwerre (Completed). Conversion Of five Motorised Boreholes Tosolar At Amurie Omanze (Completed). Conversion Of Motorised Borehole To Solar At Okwuome Isiala Umuozu Nwangele Lga. Conversion Of Motorised Boreholes To Solar At Umudike Amaigbo Nwangele Lga. Conversion Of Motorised Boreholes To Solar At Ndiokwu Amurie Isu Lga. Conversion Of Motorized Boreholes To Solar At Ndiahia Owerre Umuamucha Njaba Lga and the conversion Of four Boreholes At Amurie Omanze in Isu Lga.
In the area of electricity,OZB oversaw the rural Electrification And Extension Of Electricity To Umuoparadim in Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Constituency. Provision Of Transformer For Ogwuaga Abba Ward in Nwangele.Provision Of Transformer For Umuozu Ward (Completed). Provision Of Transformer For Umudurueze Amandugba Ward 1). Provision Of Transformer For Umuezealanwoke Amaigbo Ward 4 (Completed). Provision Of Transformer For Umueze Amaigbo Ward 1 (Completed). Provision Of Transformer For Umunam Atta Ward 1 (Completed). Provision Of Transformer For Nkwerre Ward 2 (Completed). Donation Of Transformer For Nkwerre Ward (Completed).
Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Isuneliligborogu Civic Centre (Completed). Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Ukwube Nnannano Nkwerre (Completed 2022). Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Umudiwuoha Ibeoma Ekwe Isu Lga (Completed 2022). Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Okporo Umundugba Isu Lga.(Completed 2022). Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Umuduruewurum Amucha Njaba Lga(Completed 2022). Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Umuaro Nkwerre Lga (In 2022 Appropriation Act). Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Umudi Umuwala Nkwerre Lga. Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Isiozi Akah Njaba Lga. Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Adii Abajah Nwangele Lga. Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Ndiuhu Umuchoke Amaigbo Nwangele Lga. Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Isuobishi Isunjaba Isu Lga. Provision Of 500kva/33 Transformer For Durunguma-Duruodu Umuokpoko Isuokporo Isu Lga and Umunwanze Dimnwaze Isunjaba Isu Lga.
Because of his undying love and passion for education, OZB Constructed two Blocks Of Class Rooms With Modern Toilet Facilities At Comprehensive High School Nkume in Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). Renovated And Furnished Isu High School in Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed) Constructed Block Of six Classrooms At Ogwuaga Abba (Completed)and financed the renovation Of Abajah Community School (Completed)
Renovation Of Obinwanne Community Primary School Obinwanne Umuaka (Completed). Renovation Of Oboro Amurie Secondary School (Completed). Construction Of A Block 6 Classrooms King Jaja Secondary School Amaigbo Nwangele Lga (In 2022 Appropriation Act). Renovation Of A Block Of Classroom In Okwudor Technical School Njaba Lga (In 2022 Appropriation Act). Perimeter Fencing Of Nnerim Ndugba Primary School Nnerim Isu Lga (In 2022 Appropriation Act).
In the area of empowerment, OZB distributed Of Over 50 Grinding Machines With Cash Grants To Women Of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. 1st Phase (Completed). Distribution Of Over 128 Motorcycles And 14 Tricycles To Youths, Women And Men Of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. 2nd Phase (Completed). Distribution Of Mini Buses To Youths Of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. 2nd Phase (Completed).Distribution Of 5 Tricycles To Youths Of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. 3rd Phase (Completed). Training Of 70 Youths And Women Safety Driving And Road Usage In Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. 3rd Phase (Completed). Distribution Of 70 Vehicles Of Sienna Buses, Mini Buses And Passat To Youths And Women Of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. 3rd Phase
(Completed).Distribution Of 5000 Hand Sanitizers To Prevent Covid-19 Within Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. Palliative (Completed). Distribution Of Over 500 Bags Of Rice, 2000 Cartons Of Noodles And 3000 Tubers Of Yams To Indigent People Within Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. Palliative (Completed). Enrollment Of 165 Youths Into Federal Government Survival Fund Grant.Empowerment Of 30 Women With Seed Money In Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal constituency. Completion Of 6th Phase N250,000 For 50 Persons Sme Empowerment Scheme (Completed). Conducted Training For Youths Of The Federal Constituency In Film Making In Conjunction With Nigeria Fil Corporation And National Film Institute, Jos, Plateau State (Completed). Empowerment Of 600 Persons With Different Skills And Start-Up Fund (Completed). Distribution Of Over 30 Motorcycles And 10 Mini Buses As Part Of The 5th Phase Empowerment (Completed).7th Phase Empowerment 400 Student Bursary Support Scheme. 9th Phase Economic Empowerment Distribution Of 50 Mini-Buses In Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency.
In the area of road, OZB oversaw the Construction And Asphalting Of 1km Umuorlighi – Umunakara Road Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). Maintenance Of 1km Isiala Road Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal constituency (Completed). Construction Of Ultra-Modern Civic Centre Owerre Nkworji Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal constituency (On-Going)
Erosion Control, Construction Of Drainages And Culverts At Umuozu Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). Construction Of Lodging Facility At Isuneliligborogu Civic Centre (Completed). Erosion Control At St. Peters Anglican Church Isiala Umuozu Nwangele Lga (Completed 2022).Completion Of Isu Na Eliligborogu Sports Complex Nwangele Lga. Construction Of ICT Centre At Abba Nwangele Lga (On-Going). Construction Of Water Processing Factory In Umudurueze Umuozu Nwangele Lga (Completed). Rehabilitation And Erosion Control On Okoroduru-Ekwe/Okwudor Road, Isu Lga. Completion Of Nkwerre Country Club Guest House Nkwerre Lga (Completed). Construction Of Unity Forum Amaigbo Recreation Club House Amaigbo Nwangele Lga (On-Going). Renovation Of Umuola Hall Obeakpu Njaba Lga (Completed). Completion Of Umuezealaerioha Hall Ekpe Isu Nwangele Lga (Completed).
In the area of health, OZB is responsible for the fencing Of Umunakara-Isu Health Centre And Addition Of Solar Borehole, Nwangele Lga (Completed). Installation Of Solar Borehole Umukabia Health Centre Nkwerre Lga (Completed). Renovation Of Doctor’s Quarters At Eziama Obaire Health Centre Nkwerre Lga (In 2022 Appropriation Act). Equipping Of Abba Health Centre Umuokwara Abba Nwangele Lga (In 2022 Appropriation Act). Free Medical Scheme For Nkwerre/Isu /Nwangele /Njaba Federal Constituency (In 2022 Appropriation Act) . Construction Of Community Health Centre Umuezeanoruo Eziama Obaire Nkwerre Lga (On-Going). Installation Of Solar Borehole At Primary Health Centre Umunam Atta Ward 1 Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed). Fencing Of Primary Health Centre Umunam Atta Ward 1 Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Fed. Cont. (Completed).Renovation Of Abba Health Centre Nwangele Lga (Completed).Construction Of Amaiyi Umuaka Health Centre Njaba Lga (Completed).
In the area of Solar Lights, he masterminded the Installation Of Solar Lights At Umuaro Nkwerre Lga. Installation Of Solar Lights At Umudi Umuwala Nkwerre Lga. Installation Of Solar Lights At Isiozi Akah Njaba Lga. Installation Of Solar Lights At Adii Abajah Nwangele Lga. Installation Of Solar Lights At Ndiuhu Umuchoke Amaigbo Nwangele Lga. Installation Of Solar Lights At Isuobishi Isunjaba Isu Lga. Installation Of Solar Lights At Durunguma-Duruodu, Umuokpoko Isuokporo Isu Lga. Installation Of Solar Lights At Umunwanze Dimnwaze Isunjaba Isu Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Agbajah Ward 2 (Nwangele Lga).Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Ekitiafor Abba Ward Nwangele Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Amaju Amaigbo Ward 3 Nwangele Lga..Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Dim-Na-Nume Ward Nwangele Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Amazano Umuaka Ward 3 Njaba Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Umuduru Isu Njaba Ward 2 Isu Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Nnanano Ward Nkwerre Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Ime-Owerre Isunjaba Isu Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Amucha Ebeise Njaba Lga. Installation Of Solar Street Lights At Uipu Civic Centre Centre Nwangele Lga and the Distribution Of 5000 Bags Of Rice to Constituents.
With the above mouthwatering achievements of his highlighted above, though abridged, there is no gain stating the obvious that there was a grand conspiracy to dime the political career of OZB. OZB is a man who is loved across the length and breathe of Imo state and I make bold to say that there is no federal lawmaker dead or alive who achieved 50 percent of what he ( OZB) did for the people of the state.
No matter the conspiracy to bench OZB’s political career, I strong believe that one with God and the people are in the majority. His political value, electoral rating, social value and capital value and integrity are top notch. It is just a temporary setback. He will rise again. Certainly soon.