Tuesday, 28 January 2025 07:41

[OPINION] Osita Ngwu: Honour To A Performing Senator - Sheddy Ozoene

Sheddy Ozoene Sheddy Ozoene

In early 2022, when Osita Ngwu expressed interest in representing Enugu West constituency in the Senate, many dismissed his aspiration as a pipe dream. Many notable political heavyweights had lined up for the coveted seat after Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who was serving his fifth term, had declared that he would no longer run for the position. Although he was visible in the dominant Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State – having helped fund the party’s governorship campaigns in 2015 and 2019 – and his philanthropy had made him a household name in the senatorial district, Ngwu was not among the probable candidates. His lack of political experience, having not held any political office before, made his Senate bid seem a bit too ambitious. 

When the chips finally fell into place in 2023, however, Ngwu defied all odds and emerged as a worthy replacement for Ekweremadu. His victory was outstanding in several ways: he was the only PDP Senator to emerge from Enugu State and the entire South East geopolitical zone. Having survived the ‘Obi hurricane’ and found his way into the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, Ngwu was aware that he inherited oversized shoes, considering his predecessor’s 20-year tenure and the three terms he served as Deputy Senate President.  One of the youngest in the 10th Senate, he knew he had to put in extra effort to match the high expectations of his constituents.

                     Senator Ngwu and Gov Peter Mba…two of a kind

Senator Osita Ngwu, fondly called ‘RG’ by his admirers, rose to the challenge in grand style. Not only did he emerge as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission and influential member of many Senate committees, he is also the only first-time Senator with a major portfolio as the Senate Minority Whip. In the esteemed chamber of the Nigerian Senate, he is easily one of the most visible and recognizable faces with compelling contributions on national issues that resonate across the Chamber.

As we are often reminded, the duties of legislators are threefold: to make laws for the good governance of the country, to represent their constituencies, and to carry out oversight functions on the executive arm of government. While he has spectacularly risen to the occasion on all three fronts, Senator Ngwu has gone above and beyond to attract many life-enhancing projects to his constituency within just 18 months in office. These projects which are fairly spread across Enugu West constituency, range from road construction to provision of potable water, agriculture, education, community markets, civic centers, skill acquisition and empowerment programs as well as healthcare facilities.

Nsude community, one of the 81 wards in his constituency, has benefited significantly. A modern community market is nearing completion, courtesy of the Senator, while a water project in Umuaka village is already in place, with another borehole slated for completion next month. Students in the community, like hundreds elsewhere, have benefitted from the JAMB Center he set up at St. Mark Catholic Mission, Nsude while others have taken part in the Senator’s skill acquisition and empowerment programs as well as the annual sports competition.

                      With Agunecheibe III of Nsude, Igwe George Onoh

But by far the biggest project attracted by the Senator to the community is the planned construction of the 3 kilometer old Native Authority road that will commence from Amagu, through Umuaka to the old Mission Market and up to the Enugu-Onitsha expressway. The significance of these, as well as the potential impact of the new community market, water and road projects in the community is not lost on them. For a community that has never had it this good, there is no honour too big to confer on RG in appreciation. So on January 11, 2025, the community rolled out the drums to celebrate the young Senator whose short stay in office has captured the imagination of his constituents like no one had ever done. 

The ceremony in his honour, attended by top government functionaries and dignitaries from the five LGAs that make up Enugu West, was a testament to the impact Ngwu has made. From the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, to the member representing Ezeagu in the ESHA, Chima Obieze, to the Chairman of Udi Local Government Area Hon. Hyginus Agu and his predecessor, Nze Phillip Okoh, dozens of the political elite, business and traditional leaders in the area, thronged the event venue in solidarity.  

In honouring him with the prestigious title of Ohamadike, Igwe George Ejikeme Onoh (Agunecheibe III of Nsude), waxed philosophical. Surrounded by the President-General of the community, the Onowu, an array of clergymen, Ndi Ozo as well as the community’s traditional and political leaders, Igwe Onoh said the Ohamadike title best defines the manner in which the Senator has impacted the trajectory of development in the area and also projects into the future that holds bright prospects for his political career.

Senator Osita Ngwu has impressed his constituents with his superlative performance and a puzzling humility. From his humble upbringing in his Okwojo Ngwo hometown, he learnt early in life the virtue of hard work. An alumnus of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), he acquired his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 2001, and earned a Masters degree from the prestigious Business School of the University of Roe Hampton, in the United Kingdom.

                                     Ohamadike, Senator Osita Ngwu

Starting off as a trainee engineer, Ngwu rose to great heights, first as Project Manager in Baywood Continental Limited to become the Chief Operating Officer and ultimately, Executive Director at ZB Joint Ventures, two notable oil and gas service companies in Nigeria. He oversaw the delivery of crucial projects, one of which was a gas pipeline project for Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd and the tank upgrade projects for Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd.

With this impressive string of successes, he veered into private entrepreneurship in 2016. In less than 10 years, his multimillion Naira businesses now employ over 700 individuals across many disciplines. But it is his genuine love for people and his commitment to philanthropy and public service that ignited his passion for public service and eventually lured him into politics.

The honour accorded him is rare in Nsude, the head of Oshie Clan of Agbaja Kingdom in Enugu State, and Senator Osita Ngwu becomes only the second national political figure, after Chief James Ibori in 2005, to receive such high recognition. Coming after the one hosted in 2023 by his Ngwo Community, the Nsude reception drew a mammoth crowd with several dancing troupes. It was an honour the Senator gratefully welcomed and dedicated to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his inspiring leadership, with a promise not to relent in pursuing the expectations of the people at all times. 

Sheddy Ozoene, Editor-In-Chief of People&Politics, is the Vice President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.



Join us on Whatsapp Channel Subscribe to Telegram Channel