The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Sam Onuigbo (Odozi Obodo), has declared interest to run for Abia Central Senatorial district, disclosing that since he came on board as a Federal Lawmaker, Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, has witnessed colossal projects.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at Damgrete Hotels Umuahia, where he officially declared his interest to run for the Abia Central Senatorial Seat, Onuigbo said, since he was elected into the Green chamber, he has conceived, implemented mammoth projects for the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency.
The projects which included the Rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road, the ongoing total reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road, training of selected women and youths on fashion designing by the Industrial Trust Fund, training of selected youths of the constituency on solar panel installation, POP, painting and web design.
Others are the construction of a block of four classrooms at Ekebedi, Ikwuano LGA, construction of a block of three classrooms in Umuahia South, training and empowerment of 100 men and women with galvanized battery cages, point of lay birds, bags of feed and start-up funds among others.
The lawmaker stated that he has always lived a life of service, which he said has remained a constant in his life, thus, he is most satisfied when he is fully engaged in serving people.
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According to him, his love for service was further framed by the principle of EAR- Effectiveness, Accessibility and Responsiveness.
“At the core of this, is the simple belief that leadership that endures is anchored on a genuine desire to impactfully serve the people and this is further underscored by ensuring that services are tailored according to the legitimate needs and yearnings of the people. This was why in my service to the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia, every action we took was tailored to address a specific need”.
He said his desire to serve his people made him when he was being sworn-in in June 2015, he had to immediately begin the process of finding a temporary solution to the totally dilapidated and failed sections of the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal road.
Onuigbo revealed that his philosophy of service is centered around being effectively responsive to the core needs of the people, gathered by being accessible to them, also led to the construction of many classroom blocks, provision of educational support in the three local government areas under his constituency to address educational needs, electricity projects, water projects, erosion control works to safeguard the livelihood of the people, training/empowerment, hospital and medical outreaches to address health issues, passed Motions and Bills to address the myriad issues affecting the people as well as interfacing strongly and boldly during oversight functions.
“In essence, the entirety of my representation for my constituents is structured around being a representative of the people, guided by the voices of the people”.
He said a great example of his representation was the efforts he made to restore the delisted courses at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; a move he noted was followed up with massive media campaigns and personal meetings.
“Am happy today that most of these courses have become accredited. This, for me, is what representation is all about, paying attention to the voices of the people and amplifying those voices as their representative.
“Having set a standard and positioned Ikwuano/Umuahia constituency on the path of legislative excellence, my yearning to ensure that purposeful, visionary and people centered leadership is firmly enthroned in our country, one corner at a time, compelled me to answer a higher call of representing the people of Abia Central Senatorial district”.
Narrating further what spurred his interest to serve his people in a higher capacity, Onuigbo maintained that it was time to replicate the principle of leadership as service, imbued with the EAR political philosophy and also redefine representation in Abia Central, making it more people centered.
“We will again redefine representation of Abia Central Senatorial District and put in place a standard that will grow our district decades after we have gone”, he said.
While soliciting for continuous support, he said the people of Abia Central should expect all round development and growth anchored on visionary leadership and representation.
“We cannot afford to make mistakes as doing so will set us back decades and harmfully impact on our children and children’s children. That is why this election is critical and one that we must approach devoid of sentiments.
“Practicality and a keen eye on our futures should guide our actions. In all modesty, I am the best candidate for this job. Not only am I visionary, effective, responsive and accessible, my wealth of experience in progressive leadership makes me eminently qualified”, he added.
Reacting, the leader of the APC in Abia, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, who was represented by the State Organising Secretary of APC, Chief Obinna Atuonwu, disclosed that Onuigbo has always lived a life of service, right from his days as a commissioner, describing him as a dogged legislator and a light to the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia
In their separate speeches, Grant Nwogu, Hon Nnadozie Uruakpa, the APC chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Hon Adindu Chinedu, the APC State Youth leader and the woman leader, praised the candidacy of Rep Sam Onuigbo, describing him as a good product.
They pledged their support to his senatorial ambition, stating that Onuigbo is one man that counters impunity, lack of development, undemocratic practices and pushes for effective and quality representation to his constituents.
