OJI-RIVER HONOURS RT HON DONATUS OKECHUKWU UZOGBADO WITH AN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEGISLATIVE PERFORMANCE TO THE PEOPLE

OJI-RIVER HONOURS RT HON DONATUS OKECHUKWU UZOGBADO WITH AN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEGISLATIVE PERFORMANCE TO THE PEOPLE

By H.C. Nnebe

Saturday,May 25,2019 will go down in the annals of Oji-River Political History as a day the Good People of Oji-River rewarded Excellence. It was the Occasion of the OJI-RIVER PEOPLE'S PARLIAMENT (ORPP) AWARD/AGENDA SETTING.The Venue was the magnificent Enugu State House of Assembly Auditorium.

The Chairman of Oji-River People's Parliament -Chief Jeff Ukeh (Egbeigwe Jesus) led Ndi Oji and their friends from within and outside Enugu State to grace the Epoch-making Event.

In March 2017, the member representing Oji-River State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly and Honourable Deputy Speaker of the House -Rt Hon Don Uzogbado created the Oji-River People's Assembly (ORPA) in his determined efforts to unite the good people of Oji-River and to also bring the Programmes and activities of the Government to the doorsteps of Ndi Oji.

Thus, the Forum metamorphosed into a Uniting Force which bound the good people of Oji-River together as far reaching decisions as they affect the Progress and Development of Oji-River were taken in the Forum. In May of the same year, OJI-RIVER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY (ORPA) was renamed the OJI-RIVER PEOPLE'S PARLIAMENT(ORPP).

Within less than Two Years of its Creation, the Oji-River People's Parliament recorded unprecedented remarkable achievements as  Schools in Oji-River were equipped,Lives were rehabilitated and Hope restored to the Downtrodden. Through the People's Parliament, several Oji-River youths were empowered.

As if this was not all, the Indefatigable, Able and Amiable Leader of the Parliament -Rt Hon Don Uzogbado shocked everyone in September 2018.

It was the Battle for who should bear the PDP Flag for Oji-River State Constituency in the build up to the 2019 General Elections. Rt Hon Don Uzogbado who is a High Ranking Member of the Enugu State House of Assembly felt his wealth of legislative experience was an added advantage to Ndi Oji and so sought another opportunity to return to the house for a Third Term. Rt Hon Don Uzogbado had the Fame, the Influence and the Money it would take to bulldoze his way back to the House having being an Honourable Member of the Enugu State House of Assembly since 2011.

But one odd stood against Rt Hon Uzogbado's Political Ambition.In Oji-River LGA, there exists a Zoning Arrangement among the three Political Zones that make up Oji-River. Rt Hon Don Uzogbado who hails from Zone A is a Beneficiary of this Zonning Agreement having succeeded the Former Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly -Rt Hon Johnny Obidimma who hails from Zone C.

The prevailing situation therefore demanded that the remaining Zone - Zone *B* should produce Rt Hon Uzogbado's Successor.

And so the Political intrigues continued, with Zone B very unwilling to either Negotiate or Compromise a Position they felt was rightfully theirs.

But even during his short campaign to return to the house for a third term, Rt Hon Uzogbado made it very clear without mincing words that his ambition was not a Door-or-die affair. And so at the All Oji-River Expanded Stakeholders Meeting convened at the Council Secretariat in Oji-River on September 28,2018, Rt Hon Don Uzogbado announced to the Surprise of Ndi Oji that he was giving up his Political Ambition in the interest of *Peace* and *Unity* of Ndi Oji.

He didn't end there. After the immediate former T.C. Chairman of Oji-River from Zone B -Hon Jeff Mbah emerged the PDP Flag bearer, Rt Hon Don Uzogbado led the campaign for his Election and continued to preach message of Peace and Unity as he led the Campaign.

These were among the factors that moved the members of Oji-River People's Parliament to unanimously resolve at a meeting in April last Month to Honour Rt Hon Don Uzogbado with an Award of Excellence for an Outstanding Legislative Performance for his people.

Earlier after the Parliament took the decision, Rt Hon Don Uzogbado had pleaded with the House to make the Award an online affair but the Parliamentarians wouldn't want to give into that unpopular demand. They opted for a Physical Award where Rt Hon Don Uzogbado would be openly seen by Oji-River sons and daughters.

The May 25 Epoch-making event was attended by the Executive Governor of Enugu State -Rt Hon Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was ably represented by the Chief of Staff to the Governor -Chief Dr Festus Uzor. Also in attendance was the Secretary to the Enugu State Government -Dr G.O.C. Ajah.

Among the Distinguished Guests of Honour were The Deputy President of the Senate -Sen Prof Ike Ekweremadu and the Member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives -Rt Hon Toby Okechukwu who were represented at the event by Chief Alex Ogbonna and Dr Godwin Uduhele respectively.

The Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly -Rt Hon Edward Ubosi was Live at the event with Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi,Nze Dr Eric Oluedo, The Execute Chairman of Oji-River LGA -Hon Harrison Okeke, Enugu State PDP Secretary    -Hon Cletus Akalusi, Oji-River PDP Chairman -Hon Goddy Anekwe among the important dignitaries that graced the event.

Chief Dr Chike Madueke (Agbalanze) and Chief Greg Anyaegbudike delivered Erudite Lectures at the event  with a Call on Oji-River to rise up and take her proper place in the Comity of LGAs in Enugu State, maintaining that Oji-River has all she needs to develop.

The Chairman of the Occasion -Sculptor Okay Ikenegbu,Ph.D rightly captured the theme of the event when he exclaimed in his opening Remark: "We gather here today to celebrate the existing Peace and Unity in our dear Oji-River."

And so May 25 will go down in History as a day the Good People of Oji-River gathered together to celebrate One Man who sacrificed everything for the Unity and Peace of his People.

Describing Rt Hon Don Uzogbado as a Loyal Colleague and a Trusted Ally to work with, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly -Rt Hon Edward Ubosi presented him with an Award of Excellence for his Outstanding Legislative Performance for the Good People of Oji-River.

Everyone in attendance at the event was treated to a heavy refreshment as the PARLIAMENT made sure it provided enough Food and Drinks.

Hygienus Chidozie Nnebe is the Senior Special Assistant (MEDIA) to the Executive Chairman of Oji-River LGA. He sent in this Report from Enugu.