By Moses Peter, Abakaliki
The 21st Century brings with it the clamour for the enthronement of the youths in all facets of leadership, but the question remains; are all youths ingrained with the requisite leadership qualities to effectuate a paradigm shift and a change of narration, particularly in Nigeria as "jagajagaed" by decades of leadership failures? The answer is a capital No.We have had youths who had the opportunities of holding the reins of power, but they messed it up and disgraced the clamour that catapulted them to stardom.
Whilst generalization is a grievous error in philosophy and logic, Hon. Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam, the Executive Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State stands out as the youth alchemy in the leadership chemistry of our time and clime. He is a perfect exemplar who exemplifies the rare genius in contemporary grassroot government and governance. The records are not just there; they are also impeccable and palpable in all their impressive manifestations.
Therefore, it is paramount to reel in the profile of this grassroot generalissimo for emphasis of substantiation and clarity:
This trailblazing Grassroots Leader, was born in the early 1980s into the family of Chief Godwin Ibiam Ekwe and Lolo Theresa Amaka Ibiam (Nee Nnajiofor) of Ezi Otinya, Unwana in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. His father was a consummate business Magnet and a successful Politician.
EDUCATION
He attended Onyeabor Memorial Primary School, Onitsha, Anambra State where in 1992, he bagged his First School Leaving Certificate in Flying Colours. He afterwards proceeded to Sedes Sapientae College,Nkpor Anambra State for his Secondary Education and performed excellent in his WAEC in 1998.
In his quest for higher education,the young but hard-working, Uchman as he was fondly called, got admission into the Prestigious University of Calabar where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics in 2007.
He was very outstanding in all the School Activities in the University of Calabar. At the completion of his University Education, he was mobilized for his National Youths Service in Bauchi State. He is currently holds M.Sc in Economics in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
POLITICAL LIFE
As an enterprising young man with special interest in politics and governance, Hon. Ibiam took time to understudy Political game under various political leaders, including the immediate past Ebonyi State Governor, His Excellency, Engr.David Nweze Umahi whom he served in honesty and sincerity.
His deep sense of responsibility and result oriented approach to any given assignment informed the State Governor to appointhim, Technical Assistant on Security on 1st September 2016.
Further to this, on 1st October 2017, Hon Uche Ibiam was sworn-in as the Coordinator of Ubeyi Development Centre. As a Co-ordinator, Hon Uche Ibiam was adjudged one of the best Coordinators in Ebonyi State because of his sterling performance in office which included; embarking on Rural Electrification Projects in Unwana Community by installing 300KVA.
Transformer, 20 Concrete Electric Poles and High tension Wires (Length 2kms). He also constructed motorized boreholes and donated generators at Enohia Itim;Nkagbogo; Kpoghirikpo; Amaekwu; Amagu; Uhuetiti and Youths and women empowerment across Ubeyi Development Centre.
At a period in the political history of Afikpo Local Government Area,that the people of the Area were yearning for quality leadership that would change the sad commentary the Council was known,Hon.Uche Ibiam made himself available to serve his people.
In the keenly contested primaries of the ruling APC, Hon Ibiam won by landslide to grab the party ticket and he went ahead to win the Local Government Election on August, 2022.
Hon. Uche Ibiam, as a Child of destiny was subsequently sworn in as 17th elected Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area by the former State Governor, “HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGR. DAVID NWEZE UMAHI,FNSE, FNATE,CON"on 1st September, 2022 and he, on assumption of office, hits the grounds running immediately with progress.
His leadership finesse is anchored on pragmatism, while the icing on the cake is his leadership ideology which finds expression in utilitarianism.
GIANT STRIDES OF HON UCHE IBIAM IN AFIKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
Proven to be an outstanding personality whose pattern of leadership has given the people of the Council Area of life changing projects criss-crossing the length and breadth of the Area
HON. UCHENNA NNAJIOFOR IBIAM'S
Successful & Impactful 2 years in Afikpo L.G.A
HON UCHENNA NNAJIOFOR IBIAM
AS CHAMPION OF GRASSROOT DEVELOPMENT
Infrastructure
Installation of Solar Street Lights from Afikpo to Amasiri covering over 3 kilometers with over 500 Solar LED Panels
Completion and commissioning of the 30 Shops Ultramodern Ehugbo Shopping Plaza complex.
Installation of another street lights from Amasiri Flyover through Okposi Road
Installation of street lights from Timber Shade Afikpo towards Ibii axis of Abakaliki/Afikpo Highway.
Surveying and parcelation of 70 hectares of land at Bishop Okoro Regional Market Cluster that will harbour ultra modern Rice Mills; Artisans workshops; Central Motor Park and Regional Market that will be monitored with CCTV. This is the first of it's kind in any Local Government Area in Nigeria.
Grading/Lateriting of 2km Roads in Unwana Ward A
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Unwana Ward B
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Itim Ward
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Nkpoghoro Ward
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Ugwuegu Ward
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Ohaisu Ward A
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Ohaisu Ward B
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM in Ibii/Ozizza Ward
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Poperi Ward
Grading/Lateriting of 2km Road in Ezeke Ward
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Amata Akpoha Ward
Grading/Lateriting of 2KM Road in Amogu-Akpoha Ward Provision of portable water to Akpoha people through the construction of Solar Powered Motorized Borehole at Amata -Akpoha.
Construction of a new 5km road leading to Amata-Akpoha Beach for easy evacuation -of agricultural produce as well as to facilitate commercial activities like sand mining.
Construction of 2 Bridges at Amata Akpoha Construction of a motorized borehole at Akpoha to complement the solar-powered motorized borehole at Amata Akpoha
Reconstruction and donation of a befitting office for the National Population Commission, NPC within the Council Secretariat.
Reconstruction and donation of a befitting office to the Federal Road Safety Corps,Afikpo Area Office.
Reconstruction of NYSC office at Afikpo Local Government Headquarters General renovation of Council Secretariat and repainting of perimeter fence.
PEACE & SECURITY
Inaugurated Peace and Security Committee involving all Security Chiefs and traditional rulers.
Inaugurated Peace Committee that has handled so many conflicts in the Council Area Appointment of Special Assistants on Security to fast track Security operations
Procurement and donation of 2 brand new Sienna vehicles to the Neighbourhood Watch also for patrol to maintain security
Procured and distributed 120 Motorbikes to members of Neighbourhood Watch to boost Security operations.
Payment of allowances to Security Heads and steady release of funds for the repair of their utility vehicles.
Installation of CCTV at the Council Headquarters and other strategic points in the Local Government Area to boost security operations.
Brokered peace between Unwana and Erei in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Brokered peace between Ndukwe Amasiri and Okporojo people in Oso,Edda Local Government Area □Brokered peace between Enohia Nkalu and Nkpoghoro/Ndibe People
Brokered peace among Afikpo Sand Dealers.
AGRICULTURE
Procurement and distribution of 1000 Bags of fertilizers to farmers across the LGA during the 2023 Farming Season
Distribution of Spraying Machines, Herbicides and liquid fertilizer to farmers.
EDUCATION
Granted scholarship from Secondary to Tertiary Institution to an indigent student of Amuro/Mgbom Secondary School, Afikpo who is from Ugwuegu Ward. Her WAEC, NECO and JAMB exams registration fees were equally taken over by the Executive Chairman.
Payment of school fees for over 230 indigent students in higher institutions in Nigeria.
Payment of WAEC/NECO fees for over 160 students of the Council.
Granted scholarships to some indigent students of the Council
Establishment of a Botanical Garden at Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana for research.
HEALTH
Enrolment of 250 indigents and those from financially handicapped homes from the 12 Wards.
Payment of Hospital Bills to so many Indigent Patients some of them trapped for months in the Hospital.
Release of financial assistance to so many to access medical treatment.
Constant release of logistical supports to the Health Department for programmes as well as other activities that would boost Primary Health Care Delivery.
Federal Polytechnic Unwana with those confirmed with eye defect to get free medicated glasses and drugs.6,000 people are targeted for free medicated glasses and drugs in the Programme.
HUMAN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Purchased and distributed brand new vehicles to the Vice Chairman of the Council and the 12 Councilors,Jeep RX350,while the 11 Councilors were gifted with Toyota Corolla cars and the Leader of the house a V6 cylinder push button start Toyota Camry.
Government Level and component Development Centres where the Best Department and workers were appreciated in addition to financial donations both at the Local Government and the Development Centres as well.
Instituted reward system in the Council. The first of its kind in the history of the LGA. For the first time,Departments as well as staff were appreciated with cash gifts to motivate them for optimal productivity.
Consistent and up to date payment of workers salary. These workers include; Staff of the LGAincluding those who are paid CONHESS; Staff of Education Authority;Primary School and Junior Secondary School Teachers;as well as payment of Pension to Local Government retirees
EMPOWERMENT
Empowered 30 youths of the Area with Toyota Sienna.
Empowered over 100 youths with Motor bikes which they are using to eke a living
Bought and donated a motor bike to the Council Chaplain to facilitate his ecclesiastical duties and other assignments
Release of financial assistance to so many to start business of their choice.
Empowered 236 young ones(male/female) and women with sewing machines and grinding machines which are presently serving as a source of income to them.
□Empowerment of over 1000 widows and indigent women with food stuffs, wrappers and cash.
Empowered the 3 Children of the slain Couple atAmuzu Nkpoghoro(Mr & Mrs
Joseph Onya)
GENERAL WELFARE
Provision of logistics to the Traditional Institution( Also,he gave a cow , rice and cash to the Royal Fathers during the 2023 Christmas season).
Donated cow, cash and rice to the Local Government Staff and Primary/Junior Secondary School Teachers Payment of Severance allowance to former Political Office Holders in the Local Government who served from 2017 - 2020. The beneficiaries include; Council Chairman,Vice Chairman, Councilors and Supervisors who served within the period.
Payment of Severance allowance to former Political Office Holders in the Local Government who served from 2020-2022.The beneficiaries include; Council Chairman,Vice Chairman, Councilors and Supervisors who served within the period
□Payment of Severance allowance to the immediate past Co-Ordinators of Development Centres in Afikpo Local Government Area who left office in April 2023.
Payment of arrears of salary owed to the Neighborhood Watch Operatives in Afikpo Local Government Area owed by the past administration, within a month of his assumption of duties.
Payment of arrears of allowances owed to sundry Staff in the Local Government by the past administration Placement of some orphans and vulnerable children on monthly stipends.
Placement of the elderly men and women on monthly stipends for their upkeep.
Donated Sienna bus to Afikpo Market Amalgamated Traders Association,AMATA.
Truly, Hon. Uchenna Ibiam popular known as Urch-man worked: no controversies.
