A popular scientist, Albert Einstein once stated, “Try not to become a
man of success but rather try to be a man of value.”
Recently, the ever electrifying podium of the social media has become
a periphery of political reasoning as it affects the welfare of all
and sundry.
Many arguments have been trashed on this platform with cynical and
sycophantial views aired but most of all views are highlighted with
out gunshots or other forms of violence.
Social media has recently been stuffed with fuming youths who have
berated our President, Muhammadu Buhari, for excluding the youths who
make up a large chunk of the population, from his cabinet while many
others believe that the youths are in themselves not ripe enough to
handle sensitive government portfolios.
With the recent electoral victory of Justin Trudeau as the Prime
Minister of Canada. The issue of the youths in government slyly
protruded its head again even as the Noble Laureate, Wole Soyinka, in
a recent write up wondered what has become of the Nigerian youth.
I believe that our youths may not have done as badly as we may think,
atleast the were the focal point of the purging of the widely corrupt
PDP government, many thanks to the Omojuwas, Ogundamisis, Ikejis,
Donjazzys, and even MrAyedee who did a lot of investigating to
enlighten most of us.
I believe the youths need an individual of their like who they can
look upto and emulate.
A person who’s story they can liken to theirs.
There is this one youth I know in my locality of Imo State who has
silently begun to build for himself without cynicism a following for
himself, one that is stringed to value addition, such that anywhere
his three piece alias is mentioned it craves a lot of respect.
He is barely 40 years of age yet he has surpassed the ambitions of
many by establishing legit business lines that have gone ahead to
become yardsticks for other business.
This young man did not leave the business of politics for the old and
witless but joined the foray and in his first attempt in vying for an
elective position he succeeded in coming out tops.
He has become a model of sort as his political style changed the
politics in his constituency which led him to emerge victorious again
at the just concluded 2015 general elections.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo is that man.
Born in 1977 to the humble Ozurigbo family of Umuozu in Nwangele LGA, Imo State.
This young man took up the rings and reins of leadership to fight for
students right in the Abia State University were he was part of the
Students Union body before graduating in 1998.
The man Ozurigbo should be studied and emulated by the youths.
He is the brain behind the popular OZB Communications, a
telecommunications retail outfit that cuts across every nook and
corner of Imo State and its environs.
He joined mainstream politics in 2003 and in 20011 contested to
represent Nwangele state constituency at the Imo State House of
Assembly wherein he won after a keen contest and was nominated to be
Chief Whip in the 7th Assembly under the speakership of Rt. Hon. Ben
Uwajimogu, a duty he devotedly performed.
For representing his people well he was gifted the APC ticket to
contest for the same position in 2015 general election where he won
with a landslide victory and went ahead to be elected Deputy Speaker
of the 8th Assembly without any opposition.
This young legislator should be a point of contact to all youths
hoping that in the years to come they will take their place in the
mantle of leadership.
The generous and benevolent Deputy Speaker who is known for his
‘givership’ is not the only successful youth from Imo State but his
charitable heart has distinguished him.
According to him “I might not be able to transform the life of all the
people, but I must transform the life of so many people.”.
This is definitely a sign of one who believes in impacting the lives
of those around him.
Ozurigbo Ugonna is the man all youths should emulate as he is a
wonderful Christian, loving husband and caring father.
Like Justin Trudeau, like Ugonna Ozurigbo.
We will get there.
Dike Philip,Media aide to the Deputy Speaker Imo State House of Assembly.
Email: dikephil000@gmail.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/officialugonnaozurigbo