Hon. Osinachi Nwaka 


By Chidinma Omar


A youths and opinion leader, Engr Wilson Onwubali on Saturday described as mischievous political remarks, insinuations that the Transition Committee Chairman of Ikwuano LG Hon Osinachi Nwaka has performed below expectations


Speaking to newsmen on Saturday, Engr Wilson Onwubali proffered that Hon Nwaka is a purpose-driven leader whose short tenure as CTC chairman has raised the standards for  governance and administration of the LG


"The Ikwuano Mayor, Hon Osinachi Nwaka is a pragmatic, purpose-driven leader whose vision is still unfolding. From the little over six months he has been in office, he has raised the stakes so high, that only the exceptionally outstanding could do better. One can see Hon Nwaka's template, his course of action to drive  positive change and usher in sustainable socio-economic development. In all modesty Ikwuano LG has not had it so good since 1999", Onwubali, President of Ikwuano Graduates Forum, IGF asserted

 

In his response to criticism against Nwaka's leadership from Labour Party, LP member, to which Nwaka belongs to, Onwubali attributed it to politicking


"Am yet to see the original words of the critic, all I have so far is second hand information. Incidentally, I have not heard that the LP critic also expressed a negative view of Governor Alex Otti. Anyone who is critical of Nwaka must start from Gov. Otti because Nwaka is a disciple, and evangelist of Gov Otti's New Abia philosophy

 

"In the old order, Hon Nwaka would not be appointed the CTC Chairman because he does not belong to that order of hustler-politicians for which anything goes


"Gov  Otti by appointing the class of men he titled 'Mayors' was  attempting to rebrand the neglected third tier of government as  driver of socio-economic development in the grassroots. He selected tested men/women, not  run of the mill politicians,  who would see his/her appointment as settlements


"The  calibre of Gov Otti's Mayors are pragmatists driven by results rather than business as usual politics. Their mandate is taking to the grassroots, the message of  a new LGA system that would be service-oriented, development focused,  accountable and transparent


In all the points ticked for his appointment, Hon Nwaka has shown outstanding performance


"We Abians knew the wind of change that brought Gov Otti to power, men like Hon Nwaka were foot soldiers of that  politically conscious Abians who yearned  for a better State  where there is rule of law, rather than reign of men. The men in power in this new Abia are men willing to put in the necessary work to realize their dream State


"If you want to say Hon Nwaka has performed below expectations, I would want the critic to show by working, Ndi Ikwuano who had experienced his leadership would not definitely buy such a sweeping false rhetoric. I mean we are talking about a man who staked his life in the search of some missing children and  left no stone unturned till they were found and returned to their parents


"Hon Nwaka may not your typical hustler-politician, but he is a leader,  a visionary, compassionate, focused and determined purpose-driven leader who once he put his hands on the plow does  not look back.


"The typical hustler-politician erects structures for elections, but Nwaka  knits   structures to drive his philanthropy, youths  empowerment and  reaching-out to the less privileged and vulnerable. He has touched the lives of widows, People Living With Disability, PLWD, and other hitherto neglected members of the society


"Whether as Mayor of Ikwuano or in his personal capacity Hon Nwaka is in  the business of lifting the youths, mentoring and  nurturing them to become contributing members of society. He is offering scholarships, skills acquisition opportunities, and assets for youths desiring to  establish self-sustaining livelihoods. I would therefore like to see arguments listing where Hon Nwaka got it wrong


 Going down history lane, Onwubali recalled that Nwaka met a LG Secretariat that was run down and dilapidated,  lacking such basic amenities like water, electricity, toilets and office equipments


He added that "...a leader must have sufficient self-confidence to take drastic steps and engage in decision-making without hesitation"

The IGF leader maintained that Nwaka has tackled longstanding challenges head-on, including tackling the lack of power supply at the council headquarters and other communities by resolving the issues hampering lack of power supply and installing  transformers in these communities, putting in place a comprehensive plan for the grading of several rural roads across Ikwuano while the welfare of the council's staff and teachers remains his top priority.