Rt Hon Chinedum Orji


By Tony Icheku, Abuja

It's that season again, when politicians are compelled to render accounts of what they have done with the offices they were entrusted with，and  appeal to the constituents for a second chance to do better.

Some, - like that servant in the Bible who buried the one talent he was entrusted with, - once they were sworn into office turned their backs on their constituents. They believe they paid their way to the office, and settled their constituents while campaigning. Politicians in this category may scale through the party primary, but more often than not, voters usually reject such at the polls. Such is the beauty of democracy.

But some politicians place premium value on their constituents and go out of their way to put a smile on their faces.  Rt Hon Chinedum  Orji,  Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly stands  out in this respect.

Beyond politics, the lawmaker reminds one of Bashorun MKO Abiola of blessed memory. In his time, MKO was synonymous with philanthropy. He may not have been the wealthiest in his days, but his unparalleled generosity separated him from the wealthy class, giving him a toga of the super wealthy

"The giver's hand is always on top", the businessman-politician replied when journalists quizzed him why he gives consistently. MKO did not give to lobby for political office, giving was his second nature, his lifestyle

In Abia state, Hon Chinedum Orji is  also easily becoming synonymous with philanthropy. He gives unconditionally. "I give to show mercy, to help the needy but more importantly, it is Christlike - Be your brother's keeper"

The cynic might argue that he gives from his abundance. Really? Of course not. It has been   established that one must have the spirit of a giver to give. Remember the rich fool in the Bible who urged himself to eat and be merry because he has in abundance. How about the beggar Lazarus, who,  though he sat daily at a rich man's gate could could not get even the crumbs that fell from the table as the rich man's dog lapped up everything.

Beyond politics，Rt Hon Orji proves again and again that putting a smile on  the faces of Abians remains his predominant priority.  Some,  like Uchenna Umekwe aka Akaraka go on to lift up others after a touch from Ikuku-Oma-Abia lifted him. A hummer bus gift from the Abia Speaker, blossomed Akaraka  into Ochendo Mobile Transport Company, making him an employer of hundreds directly and  indirectly. Such is the power of philanthropy - it's multiplier effect and potentials to redistribute wealth.

Rt Hon Orji is at it again:  5 Toyota Sienna SUVs give away to five persons.

Would another Ochendo Mobile Transport Company emerge from any of them? The answer is in the winds.

The occasion for the Sienna give-away was during an update of his stewardship in the House of Assembly,  as Majority Leader, 2015 - 2019, and as Speaker from 2019 till date.

Besides the various infrastructural projects, including roads, electricity and water facilities which has dramatically changed the face of his Umuahia Central State Constituency, Rt Hon  Orji told the people to expect more from him as their representative.

 Also speaking at the ceremony,  Chief Charles Ogbonnaya said it was obvious that the constituency did not make a mistake in electing  Hon Orji into the Assembly as he has surpassed all expectations by far. He urged the people to repay the Speaker's commitment to them by demonstrating even greater dedication to his future political endeavours.

Indeed, the lawmaker's mission to  empower the people cuts across the Constituency: youths trained in various relevant aspects of ICT, free of charge; Scholarships  awarded to indigent students; Start up capital given to young entrepreneurs, and MSME operators empowered with needed work tools like power generating sets, barbing kits, grinding machines, hairdressing machines, etc.

In some cases some of these projects had been sited in adjoining Constituencies like Umuahia South and Ikwuano State Constituencies which had benefited from the mini-stadium projects.

Perhaps it was in appreciation that he was recently honoured with the chieftaincy title: Ubazuoke Nke Ndi Abia (Wealth has gone round Abia) by HRM Eze Ndubuisi J Nwabeke Eze Amara 1 of Eziama Ntigha Ancient Kingdom and Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers.