EKWUNIFE AT 51: GARLANDS FOR THE TIRELESS AMAZON

 EKWUNIFE AT 51: GARLANDS FOR THE TIRELESS AMAZON

A Piece In Commemoration of Senator Uche Ekwunife's Birthday

By Kingsley Ubani

Distinguished and established, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) ranks high among the political players within Igboland and Nigeria’s political firmament.

Born on the 12th day of December to the family of Ogudebe from Igboukwu, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Senator Ekwunife's entrance into Nigeria's political space remodeled the place of women in Nigerian politics.

Married to Chief Larry Ekwunife (Ozo Okutaoluoibe), a successful businessman from Nri in Anaocha Local government Area of Anambra State, Ekwunife has been a blessing to both her marital home, Nri and her home of birth, Igboukwu.

Her political sojourn which began after a successful career in banking, where she attained the positions of Regional Manager at Standard Trust Bank and Head Public Sector at United Bank for Africa (UBA) saw her represent the good people of Anaocha, Dunukofia and Njikoka federal constituency, one of the largest federal constituencies in Nigeria in terms of numerical strength.

Ekwunife's two-tenured representation in the federal house was effective and impactful. She moved motions for the betterment of Anambra State and her constituency. Motions against flooding, erosion, armed robbery and kidnapping form part of her contributions at the green chamber. Prominent among her motions was the motion seeking for the completion of the then abandoned Zik’s Mausoleum in Onitsha, an edifice of great emotional attachment to Ndi-Igbo which was abandoned by successive governments.

Ekwunife pursued bills that sought for constitutional reforms and alterations for the betterment of the larger Nigerian society. Her bill which sought to alter Nigeria's constitution to guarantee local government financial and political autonomy speaks volume in this regard. Iyom Ekwunife equally fought for the sustenance of the environment, she sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, an agency that had existed without a clear-cut document guiding it's establishment and administration - the bill was in 2018 signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Her stay in the 8th Senate, though short-lived did witness some significant achievements for the Senatorial zone. During this period, Senator Ekwunife became the first woman and the first South Easterner to serve as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream. She moved a motion to address the dilapidated state of the Enugu/Onitsha expressway as well as curb the erosion menace troubling her Senatorial zone.

Two years into the 9th Senate, Ekwunife has demostrated dexterity in the business of lawmaking. She has stood firm in projecting the interest of Anambra Central, Anambra State and the South East region. Her motion of urgent national importance seeking to address the devastating storm in Obosi, Nkpor and Oraukwu communities of Anambra State and her clamour for a representative from South East to be appointed on the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are only a few examples of her efforts in this regard.

Madam project as she is fondly called, has attracted numerous projects to the Senatorial District. Projects such as, road construction and erosion control projects, classroom blocks, market stalls, health centres, borehole construction, transformer installation, solar powered streetlights plus numerous empowerment programmes for women and youths have made Anambra Central the envy of other Senatorial Districts in Nigeria.

One of her unique projects, which is the construction of 3-bedroom bungalows for the less privileged has seen close to 20 vulnerable families across the zone become proud owners of new homes, earning her the nomenclature O JI UNO EME OGO.

The youth-friendly lawmaker has equally shown strong commitment to the welfare of the youths. She has facilitated federal employment for close to 1000 youths. Her scholarship programmes date back to her days in the private sector where she used the foundation she named after her late parents to sponsor many Anambrarians through secondary and tertiary education.

Through the both chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Uche Ekwunife has shown legislative prowess, her constituency projects in the various communities are felt, seen and verifiable. She has chaired the House Committee on Environment, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, and is currently the Chairman Senate committee on Science, Technology and Innovation. She is equally a member of critical standing committees in the 9th Senate.

Iyom as she is fondly called is loved by her people, she holds the prestigious title of Anyanwu-Nri from Nri community for her contributions to the socio-economic development of the town. Her title, Adaugo-Igbo is consequent of her contributions to Igboukwu community, the home of her birth. She is widely recognized by many communities and associations, with numerous awards in recognition for her strides in community development.

Iyom, your efforts in human capital development, community development and the socio-economic development of Anambra State and Nigeria at large have endeared you to the hearts of many.

Your scores of supporters and team of admirers wish you a Happy birthday and many returns!

Happy birthday, Adaugo-Igbo!

Happy birthday, Anyanwu-Nri Kingdom!

Happy birthday, Iyom Ugochinyelueze!