Okonkwo Samuel
By Kingsley Ubani
On the 11th of June 2019, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) was sworn in to represent Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This was after a hard fought electoral victory where she emerged over her opponents with a margin of close to 40,000 votes, earning her an unprecedented victory in the entire 7 local governments of the Senatorial District.
Described as “the authentic 7 over 7 victory”. Ekwunife’s victory was adjudged by many as a manifestation of her unparalleled antecedents and track records during her previous representations. Notably in the House of Representatives as Member representing one of the largest Federal Constituencies in Nigeria – Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency (2007 – 2015) and her short stay in the 8th Senate which lasted from June 2015 to December 2015 after a controversial and widely condemned judgment by the court. During these representations, Ekwunife served as the Chairman House Committee on Environment And Chairman Senate committee on Petroleum Downstream respectively – a position she holds the record of being the first Woman and the first Senator from South Eastern Nigeria to occupy.
Filled with the passion to address the yearnings of her constituents, Ekwunife, shortly after her swearing in, empowered some constituents with Tricycles, popularly known as Keke NAPEP. In three batches of distribution, particularly in June 2019, July 2019 and February 2020, Senator Ekwunife shared 66 units of tricycles in fulfilment of her promise to some of her supporters and members of her party, PDP.
Few months later when the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic became severe, to the extent that it grounded most businesses with the poor and vulnerable emerging as the worst hit, Senator Ekwunife in her usual empathetic nature and dedication to humanity swung into action and through her constituency office began massive distribution of Food Items to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor as well as Covid-19 Preventive Materials to assist constituents in protecting themselves from the deadly disease. Some of the items distributed during this period, include bags of rice, cartons of noodles, tubers of yam, groundnut oil, hand sanitizers, disposable and non disposable facemasks etc.
Today, it is safe to say that 18 months into the 9th Senate, Ekwunife has demostrated dexterity in the business of lawmaking. With 26 Critical Bills and 11 Crucial Motions, Ada-Ugo Igboukwu has re-defined constituency representation. Notable amongst her Bills, Include, Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2019, Local Government Autonomy Bill 2020, Public Procurement Amendment Bill 2019, Federal College of Automobile Engineering Obosi Establishment Bill 2020, Federal College of Commerce And Technical Skills Abagana Establishment Bill 2020 amongst others.
She has equally moved impactful motions on the floor of the Senate. Notable among these include, Motion of urgent national importance which sought to address the devastating storm in Obosi, Nkpor and Oraukwu communities of Anambra State, Motion on the need to complete the abandoned Greater Awka Water Scheme, Motion on the Fire Outbreaks At Motor Spare Parts Obosi and Loretto Special Science School Adazi-Nnukwu, Motion on the need to immortalize the Late Igwe Alex Nwokedi of Achalla amongst others. Her call on the 9th of October 2019 at the Senate Plenary for a representative from South East to be appointed on the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) led the Federal Government to on the 23rd of December 2020 appoint Mr Uche Nwude as a Non-executive commissioner representing the South East on the Board of the commission – this is best described as an example of her numerous efforts towards projecting the interest of the region.
On attracted projects and programmes, Anambra Central has never had it this good! One can say that Senator Ekwunife’s recent projects and programmes confirm her deep interest in the development of her constituency and Anambra State at large. Aside facilitating road projects, classroom blocks, erosion control projects, market stalls, transformer installations, solar powered boreholes, Solar streetlights and others in the Senatorial District, the Federal Lawmaker has shown tremendous commitment to human capital development. Some of her most recent activities in this regard include, ICT training and laptop grants for some youths in the Senatorial District, Distribution of Educational materials to over 131 schools, the National Office for Technology Acquisition And Promotion (NOTAP) technology story board distribution programme to some secondary schools in Anambra State, facilitation of a Strategic Seminar for the Clergy in Anambra Central, Capacity Building Conference for the Presidents General in Anambra Central, Leadership and Conflict Management Conference for the Traditional Rulers in Anambra Central, Entrepreneurial Development and Skills Acquisition training programme for the women and youths in her constituency, and many other programmes and projects, including the much applauded construction of 3 bedroom bungalows for some less privileged families in the Senatorial District which have had many without a decent shelter leap for joy in gratitude to God for the good works he has used the Senator to do in their lives.
The roads construction ongoing in the Senatorial District are testimonies of Senator Ekwunife’s capacity and capability to deliver impactful dividends of democracy to the people. Notable amongst these include, Rehabilitation of Awka-Ekwulobia Road, Construction of Oguejiofor Road Adazi Nnukwu, Timber and Building Materials Market Road Umuokpu, Amikwo and Iyiagu Roads Awka, Umuogbuefi Village Road Ebenebe, Umuorji Village Road Enugwu-Ukwu and other road projects which are at the last count over 20 in number, evenly located in many communities under the district.
Having established herself as an Amazon of repute and a gift to Ndi Anambra, Anyanwu Nri has through the both chambers of the National Assembly shown legislative prowess. Her projects in the various communities are felt, seen and verifiable, and her resolve to stretch the limit of good governance unmatched. As Ekwunife continues to deepen her connection with the people through the delivery of excellent representation, we pray God to grant her the grace and the enablement to do more for the masses, whom she often times describe as her reason for seeking public office.
Kingsley is the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senator Uche Ekwunife.
