by Tony Icheku, Abuja

Though God's own State, Abia bears  leadership and good governance challenges,  it nonetheless  abounds in surfeit of talents: men/women with creative intellect, vision and distinct leadership capabilities which has earned them national and international recognition as go-getters, achievers.

Try compiling list of Nigeria's go-getters, and Abians like Sen Enyi Abaribe, Minority Leader of the Senate; Rep Sam Onuigbo who recently pulled through with the Climate Change Act would readily show up.

Indeed, Abians are ever striving to put their best foot forward, thus another  list of emerging Nigerian go-getters would readily throw up Rt Hon Chinedum Orji，Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly as an emerging leader to watch.

That is the position of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as on Saturday, Jan 29, 2022 it conferred the position of  'National Patron of the PDP National Youth Movement' on the Abia's numero uno legislator

Rt Hon Orji's gradual, consistent climb to the top most rung of the leadership ladder  reminds one of Chinua Achebe's Okonkwo at his prime of whom one observant old man said: "Looking at a King's mouth, one would think he never sucked at his mother's breasts"

Agreed, his was not a grass-to-grace ride,   it would be unfair to suggest Chinedum Orji's palm kernel had been cracked for him by a benevolent spirit.

No, Ikuku Oma Abia, as he is fondly hailed is not the first Nigeria son bred by a former First Citizen.  The difference is that the Abia Speaker embraced  that passing phase as his  catalyst, and it shot him up like a meteor to solid self-discovery.

Political naysayers may argue otherwise, but Rt Hon Orji reminds one of  that man of whom the Bible wrote: "Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. (Amplified Bible, Classic edition)

In what ways has Rt Hon Orji been diligent and skillful? In his diligent pursuit of his vision to create a fair, just and equitable society, primarily through his philanthropy;

In his relentless drive to visualize and execute   projects that  directly touch the lives of the people notably through his Direct Touch Initiative... which has driven projects on water supply to communities and schools; Powered electricity projects for communities; Provided health services; Awarded scholarships to the indigent and empowered numerous youths  with means of earning respectable livelihood - an outstanding story in this regards is that of Mr Uchenna Umekwe (Akaraka) the proprietor of Ochendo Mobile  Transport Company being one of the products of Rt Hon Orji's philanthropy

Says Umekwe: "My  life was transformed after the Speaker gifted me with a brand new Hummer bus years ago with which he started the Ochendo Mobile which has now grown into a household transport company in the state.

"...after receiving the bus, I vowed  to use it responsibly for transportation business and grow it into a bigger company which today has several other vehicles including trucks in its fleet"

A popular quote says anyone who says he is leading, but with none following is only leading himself, not so for Ikuku, as the PDP contends that his antecedents speaks highly in his favour: “...in recognition of the Speaker’s efforts in building the youths of Abia and his various contributions to national development has drawn our attention for him to be meritoriously chosen as our National Patron as a motivation to do more for Abia youths in particular and Nigerian youths in general”.

As Rt Hon Orji waltzes to the national stage one remembers Abia State Diaspora Commission Law which earlier earned him commendations from the Presidency.  ,as the 7th Abia House of Assembly became the first State to enact the law after the Federal Government.

And as if seconding PDP's position, the budding businessman-politician and philanthropist, Dr Chukwukemeka Onyenucheya affirmed that the "... appointment of Mr. Speaker as the  Patron of the PDP National Youth Movement marks  another milestone  in recognition of his  achievement in uplifting the youths of Abia in diverse sectors of the economy and his endless contributions to national development. This will spur him to do more as a superb lawmaker"

The picture emerges thus of Ikuku as that  diligent man standing before Kings, a leader willing to be servant of all. Congratulations  Mr Speaker.