By Eddie Onuzuruike
A popular American, the current winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Bob Dylan, once sang, ‘ you got to serve somebody.’
All categories of human species serve somebody. Even the American President, leader of one of the leading democracies of the world, the man or woman holding the keys and the buttons of his country’s nuclear weaponry and therefore very powerful, serves the Americans, savouring all the victories of his nation and taking all the blames too. Paul Harris, acclaimed Rotary personality concurs that ‘a true spirit of service is capable of working the world’s redemption.’ The same line of thought comes from Mahatma Gandhi who intoned that, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Observable in our numerous worship centers, the most popular preachers, with all spiritual and visionary endowments, serve the congregants and answerable to the church committees most of them parochial. Everybody serves, from the lowest to the highest.
In like manner, Senator T. A. Orji has been serving. He served his Amokwe, Ugba Community in his capacity as a youth, cleaning and clearing roads, as was customary for youths. He worked in the expansive farms of his warrant Chief father, served teachers in Santa Crux college and was even a fag as a school fresher in Sancta Crux Secondary School Olokoro Umuahia.
In 1978 he was in Government Secondary School, Shinkafi Isa LGA of Sokoto State, where he taught English and Literature in the school for the NYSC primary assignment and thereafter joined the Imo Civil Service as admin officer and worked in various capacities. Within this time, he directly and indirectly served under military administrators ranging from Gen. Nwachukwu, Ikwuechegh, Madueke, to Sunday Adenihu and democratically elected governors Sam Mbakwe, Ogbonnaya Onu and many others.
The aphorism that to be a good leader you must be a good follower is strictly typical of the life of Sen. T. A. Orji. This is confirmed by Arch Bishop Lucius Ugorji, his classmate in St Michael’s Primary School Umuahia in the 50s who said about him, ‘if somebody would be a good disciple he would be a good master.’
In the history of his service life, he gave a good account of himself, paying attention to details, developed multiple psychology in handling people of different motives, natures and temperaments. Another close ally of his, Sir Harley Onuoaha of blessed memory commented: ‘if he is given an assignment he discharges it diligently and sometimes more creditably than any other officer.’ This same forte singled him out as the only officer of Abia extraction seconded to NECON as administrative Secretary towards the tail end of the 90s.
Is it not a surprise that his 8 years as chief of staff took multiple casualties as deputy governors, commissioners and other aides were speedily changed, yet he remained? But a time came when he was pushed beyond the wall and he reacted adequately and the tormentor learnt a lesson nobody has taught him all his life till today.
While serving as the governor of Abia-2007-2015, it was service to the limits as if he was supervised by God. He assuaged all groups in all the senatorial zones and among other astounding innovations delivered my firsts.
Outside building and renovating the highest number of schools, health centres, skills acquisitions and agric revolution, he was instrumental to removing the glass ceiling on women as one Mrs. Ihukwumere became the first female registrar of ABSU, a greater number of females made the state house of assembly, a higher number featured as commissioners and Permanent Secretaries.
He is the first to give a massive promotion to all civil servants, first Ibeku son to become governor and senator. Undisputedly, the first to insist on the equity standard in Abia as borne in the Abia Charter of Equity. He built the first house with elevators at the new twin tower secretariat, installed the first dialysis MACHINES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, built the first Government House irrespective of colonial relics, released 19 schools to mission owners, established ASOPADEC through an act of parliament for the oil producing areas, the biggest interventionist group in Abia. For the first time in Abia, the E-library, and International Conference Center are standing edifices making such structures in other lands green with envy. Not done yet, recorded another first to update the Magistrate Courts left at the state the colonial officers built them and provided the first helipad in Abia State for the security networking of the army. These may not be exhaustive.
Now elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is the same ingrained attitude of unquestionable and ultimate service to his constituents and nation. As reported by one national newspaper, he has sponsored one of the highest number of bills and motions, greater than some two-time senators have done. The spectacular thing is that these bills are people oriented. His office in the senate is a beehive of activities, listening to complaints, writing recommendations and even doling out cash in most cases.
In concrete terms, he has sponsored over 10 bills at different stages till date since inauguration as Senator in 2015.
The Food Security Bill 2015
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Council Act Cap N117 2004 repeal and re-enactment Bill
National Planning Process Bill 2015 (SB. 73)
Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act CAP D3 LFN 2004 Amendment Bill 2015 (SB – 119)
Nigerian Biodiversity Bill 2015 (SB. 79)
Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 [alteration] portfolio Designation Bill 2015
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DIVA)Bill 2015 (SB. 78)
National Centre for disease Control Prevention (Establishment etc) Bill 2016 (SB. 256)
Nigerian metallurgical industry bill 2016 [SB. 260]
In the holy writ comes another prognostication: Proverbs 14: 28, ‘in a multitude of people is the king’s honour.’ This was highly demonstrated in the feneral church service of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s mother in the Adventist Church, Mgboko, where Ochendo’s arrival into the church erupted in wild cheers to the extent that he begged all in the church and outside to quiet down as not to disrupt the proceedings of the service.
In true analysis, his name and titles have stuck on him like glue, confirming the Igbo cosmology that there is magic in the name. Theodore- a gift of God and Ahamefule, my name will not be lost are potent appellations that have led him like a guiding star. What about the titles: Ochendo, Utuagba Igwe and Ofuruiche are all pointers to divine guidance, delivery and greatness.
Today, November, 9, 2016 is one added year! Congrats Onye Isi! There are many more years ahead!