Comrade Nwaka and deputy mayor, Chief Ugboajah with widows 




By Chidinma Omar 


Comrade Osinachi Nwaka's emergence as the Chairman of the Transition Committee for Ikwuano LGA   elicited widespread excitement, celebration and high expectations, he came  to the job armed with enviable professional and private sector experience and capacity.


In the old order which witnessed retrogression and infrastructural break down, , Nwaka would not be even be shortlisted for the job: His unwavering commitment for excellence and his dedication to prosperity for all would be a minus.


For 24/7 Emergency Response Team of Homeland Security 

 That old order nourished men who were skillful in diverting the public treasury for the belly of a few, but Nwaka would not appear on the list of politicians in that old order.


Incidentally, regretfully that old order where the hailing cry was: 'Share the money'  are not taking their sack from positions where they pillaged the public treasury lightly. In this era of Local government financial autonomy, they are more aggrieved that they might have no say in the scheme of affairs. But try as they may, the good works of Nwaka are imprints which would not easily be wiped off.



After the rescue of the Osinachi Siblings 

After his inauguration in November, 2023, Isiala, the headquarters of Ikwuano LG was decrepit and run down but today Nwaka's legacy imprints are on the following projects:


Besides buying computer systems for the administrative offices, the significance of the Information Communication Technology, ICT for a rural-agricultural community like Ikwuano was not lost on Nwaka, thus he constructed an ICT Centre at the council 


ICT CENTRE 

Before the onboarding of the ICT Centre Nwaka 's meticulous and pragmatic approach to governance shone brightly as power was the very first issue he tackled by the provision new 30 KVA generator for the Council offices and new 3000 KVA transformer for the Council's offices and community, Isiala 


Other transformational projects the Ikwuano Mayor executed include full rehabilitation of Council Stadium with conveniences and roofing - a project he initiated to underscore his affirmative action for youths development and empowerment.



Ongoing reconstruction of Elemaga/Itunta bridge 

He also undertook the rehabilitation of Agricultural departments office located within the Council's headquarters.


To ensure the security of the LG and responses to life threatening emergencies, he  constituted the round the clock Homeland Security patrol team, which he empowered with one  Sienna bus and three motorcycles.


In the area of social welfare and inclusion for all, Nwaka has set up an empowerment programme on a platform known as TGIF(Thank God is Friday with Dr Alex Otti)  for People Living With Disabilities which so far has empowered four people with disability with N250,000 each 


Other persons living on the margin of society, like widows are equally carried along in Nwaka's nclusive governance with  120 widows being taken care of  with food, money and  clothes


Like the good book says, 'show me a man diligent in his work and he shall dine with kings, Nwaka's painstaking efforts to rescue  three abducted boys, children of the same parents from  kidnappers shot his profile to National newspaper headlines. The rescue efforts was a combination of pragmatic leadership, and pro-people proactive approach to governance. His efforts did not fail to attract the attention of Abia State Governor Alex Otti who thereafter poured encomiums in him 


Current ongoing projects in the LG Council include landscaping and road network reconstruction and rehabilitation 


In the agricultural heartland if Ibere clan, the Elemaga/Itunta bridge which had been neglected for over 30 years is undergoing reconstruction  and expansion and would be commissioned in a matter of days  


Nwaka maybe new on the partisan political turf, but he remains a visionary, compassionate, focused and determined young man who has put his hands on the plow and is not looking back. He is a typical grass to grace story, whose   unyielding and resolute faith God made all the difference.


After the elections, Nwaka  knitted a structure he could use to  drive dividends of democracy through  partnership with the Gov Otti led-administration to the grassroots, thus was born the New Era Foundation, NEF - A civil society organisation to drive his philanthropy, youths  empowerment and  reach-out to the less privileged and vulnerable.


NEF  is in the business of lifting  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. His appointment therefore has only endorsed him for greater service!   Having already keyed into  Otti's visions and reforms, he is therefore a fitting person to drive same to the grassroots. 


The challenges awaiting the Mayor are multi-facted:  construction of rural markets, construction of rural roads, maternities and health centres,  youth development, community administration, community security, agricultural development, but expectations are high that he is more than a match for them all and would hit the ground running


 Nwaka's leadership emphasizes grassroots governance, aiming to bridge the gap between government and citizens. He prioritizes education, healthcare, and infrastructure development, promising to restore hope in local governance by ensuring that residents feel the benefits of democracy. His active engagement with youth and community members further fosters participation in local development initiatives, positioning him as a transformative leader dedicated to uplifting his community.