AMB. UCHE OGBUAGU @47: WHEN PASSION MEETS OPPORTUNITY.

Perhaps, Elaine Maxwell had Amb. Uche Ogbuagu in mind when he posited, "my will shall shape the future! Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing, but my own. I am the force, I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice, my responsibility, win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny". This statement succintly portrays the life of Amb. Uche Ogbuagu as he clocks 47. Amb. Ogbuagu has not only carved a global niche for himself, he has allowed his passion to drive him into fulfilling his destiny to the glory of God.

This, also confirms Abraham Lincoln's view when he wrote, "you can have everything you want if you hold that desire with singleness of purpose". Amb. Uche Ogbuagu has gotten virtually everything he wants because he has pursued his desires with uncompromising passion and singleness of purpose. At 47, his passion for excellence has met with opportunity and the result is the humongous accomplishments he has recorded both for himself and for humanity.

A seasoned creative comedian and mass communication guru, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu means different things to different people. He is a change agent, result-oriented, mobilizer of men and resources, mentor, a defender of the oppressed, avid advocate for an egalitarian society, father figure, genuine philanthropist extraordinaire with a heart of gold and love. Amb. Ogbuagu believes in the philosophy that one can only use the power of love to overcome the love of power.

Highly cerebral and gifted, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu is an employer of labour and the proud owner of three flourishing radio stations and a television station in the offing. Myradio fm and Gold fm in Akabo Ikeduru, Imo State, and Real fm in Aba, Abia State. He has a knack for excellence, and has used his position to touch many lives within and outside his constituency. His historic emergence as the member representing Ikeduru State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly can simply be described as an act of God. He is not only godly, but takes delight in leading other people to Christ.

Born to the family of late Pa Alexandra and Madam Lovendar Ogbuagu on August 17, 1972 at Amii Akabo, Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, Amb. Ogbuagu attended Amii Akabo Primary School, Asa Triangle Primary School Aba and later completed his Primary Education at Abayi Ariaria Primary School Aba. He acquired his Secondary School Education at Comprehensive Secondary School Okpu-Umuobo in Osisioma LGA of Abia State, and later gained admission at Abia State University, Uturu, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication.

Amb. Ogbuagu was the head of Creative Media Department of the famous Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), which rose to become the most intimidating political campaign platform ever witnessed on the Nigerian political scene since independence. In 2011, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu was appointed Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Entertainment and Chief Comedian of the State, and he later became the Senior Special Assistant in 2013, a position he used to foster unity among artists and entertainers in the State under the auspices of Imo State Bureau for Entertainment.

His less than 100 days in office as the member representing Ikeduru State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly has witnessed unprecedented achievements and has brought fame and fortune to the good people of Ikeduru. He has placed the name of Ikeduru on global map and is among the first lawmakers to sponsor bills and motions in the current nineth Assembly.

This is inspite of the political shenanigans and manipulations that denied him a principal position he so much merited both by zoning and by qualifications, against the expectations of majority of Imolites and even his colleagues in the House. Announcements of principal officers were prefered to the standard practice of election. This clear injustice and complete circumvention of extant laws did not detered Amb. Uche Ogbuagu as he has gone ahead to prove that in football, it is not the jersey that a team adorns that win matches but the system of play.

His motions on the recovery of government properties allegedly converted by the immediate past administration, and his motion on the deplorable state of roads in Ikeduru, especially the Owerri Okigwe road at Ekemele Akabo are not only patrotic but has portrayed him as one with a clear cut idea of what he wants to achieve for his people. His views are not only respected by his colleagues in the House, he has become a rallying point among his colleagues members.

Amb. Ogbuagu is the House Committee Chairman on Budget and Appropriation. A committee he is expected to use in assisting the state governor, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in the rebuilding project of the state, as well as attracting people oriented projects to the people of Ikeduru. He has used his position to foster unity in Ikeduru by incorporating the views of key stakeholders in the constituency in all his actions. His avowed commitment to use his position to better the lots of his constituents as encapsulated in his campaign promises is manifested in the number of projects he has embarked upon in less than 100 days in office with his personal resources.

It is heartwarming to note that majority of these self sponsored projects will be commissioned as part of the activities to celebrate his 47th birthday anniversary, as well as his less than 100 days in office as a state lawmaker. They include, ultra modern police station with officers quarters and borehole, patrol vehicle and power bikes donated to the police, rehabilitation of water borehole and building of modern lavatory at Ngugo Comprehensive Secondary School, construction of Interlocking roads in Akabo, rebuilding of Rt. Hon. Bethel Amadi's classroom block at Akabo High School, modernization of Orie-Akabo market with a banking facility, donation of 500kva transformer to Iho Dimeze, reconstruction and regrassing of Ikeduru Stadium Iho, etc.

Amb. Uche Ogbuagu has before now paid school fees for indigent students in both secondary schools and universities, secured employment for Ikeduru indigenes, settled hospital bills of some less privileged people and assisted Ikeduru indigenes to start various businesses.

As Amb. Uche Ogbuagu clocks 47, the people of Ikeduru are united in thanking God for the gift of this illustrious son of Ikeduru.  A man that has sufficiently proven that true leaders do not seek power; they rather seek to empower. It is indeed a new dawn for the people of Ikeduru, a new narrative of quality representation and sustainable development. Happy 47th birthday to a quintessential and consumate family man.

*Kelechi Eke is a media consultant and public affairs analyst*