Senator T A Orji, Ochendo will be 74 come November 9, 2024. His story is well known, some painstakingly captured in a published biography titled, `on the wings of fate’ in 2010, and others volunteered by commentators and curious authors in varying newspapers, magazines and journals.
His education began at st Michael’s Primary School, Ugwu Nchara, Umuahia North LGA Abia State and stretched to Sancta Crux Secondary School, Olokoro in present day Umuahia South LGA, Abia State. He later advanced to Holy Ghost College Owerri Imo State for higher school after which he gained admission into the prestigious University of Ibadan where he graduated with honors in English.
Being the law abiding type, he subscribed to the NYSC and served in old Sokoto State, Isa LGA to be precise. Thereafter, he enlisted in the civil service of old Imo State in 1979 as an Administrative Officer, served in the cabinet office and other ministries under military administrators and the democratically elected governor, Dr Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory.
At the creation of Abia state in 1999, he headed back with other civil servants and had various postings to Government House, Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau of Budget and planning, while attending so many courses and seminars, being promoted along the line until a secondment to Nec as Administrative Secretary and consequently midwived the election in Enugu State in 1999.
In a divine transformation returning to Abia from Enugu, he retired as a Pemanent Secretary, going into political appointment as Chief of Staff, a platform good enough for his civil service experience where he soothed the melancholies and wounds of aggrieved politicians, disgruntled and displaced opponents and at the same time, rendering strategic guidance to his principal, and at the same time, striking a highly delicate diplomatic balance. This he did for 8 years, curiously when the state witnessed a quick succession of departing deputy Governors. Yet no queries or reprimand for him.
His diplomatic and unassuming approach won him a lot of friends and admirers as he was transparently neutral. This made him a better candidate for governorship against some hardcore politicians in the new party, the PPA, which came out of a political manover and exigency that outwitted the PDP which was then the national party, where the federal Government then weilded the big stick. He became a victim of misplaced vengeance and put away from circulation and eventual detention which put him into the history books as the first in Nigeria to win elections from detention.
On 29 May 2007, he was sworn in as the 3rd democratically elected governor of Abia State. It was 8 years of governorship where Abia witnessed the highest turnarounds in human capital development, scientific and health updates, massive infrastructural development that is yet to be equaled but not without challenges as the kidnapping saga gave him gray hairs overnight but he triumphed to which Mohamed Dikko, former IGP observed and boldly said that, ‘Abia is a case study.’
On more of his achievements, good examples abound in the good governance tour of 2013 where the Federal Minister for information, Dr Labaran Maku exclaimed that the International Conference Center that he saw in Abia can rub shoulders with the ones in Pretoria, and other developed countries of the world. He equally wished that he had more time to visit the list of project sites he was given by the governor. The other achievements, to mention a few are the new government house, the new secretariat, the e~library, multiple car gifts to youths as empowerment, free education in primary and secondary, free buses ferrying students in Umuahia and Aba, not forgetting the diagnostic centers and ambulances to all the local governments. Would you believe that a medical collaboration existed between the Amachara Specialist and an American doctor as attested by a visiting nurse of the NANA.
Spectacularly, the handing back of all missionary schools to the original owners and also the shattered glass ceiling for women which made it possible for one Mrs Iheukwumere to become the first female Registrar in Abia State University, followed by having the highest number of female legislators in his eighth years are extra marks.
How was he able to accomplish all with low federal allocations without excess crude and Paris Club funds of today? One visible difference was that he gave free hands to directors of departments, parastatals and Permanent Secretaries of ministries to liaise with the bureau of budget and planning to source counterpart funds which made Asopadec, Asubeb, ABROMA, CSDP and others to execute aboundant projects to the extent that he lost count of completed and ongoing projects.
It would have been unjust no to mention the peace process with his PDP which was historic and yielded a stunning result in the 2011 landslide in Abia.
The senatorial journey in 2015 was a= tangible gratitude from Abia People for a job well done as Governor where he continued his achievement oriented style as he gathered more firsts with over 17 bills and multiple motions including the National Centre for Disease Control bill, NCDC. Its importance resonated during Covid 19, not forgetting the Food Security Bill. One can still recall the 2016 survey by the Daily Trust Newspapers that proclaimed him to have the highest number of bills by a rookie senator. Other highlights are the self sponsored scholarships and free eye surgeries.
T A Orji bowed out of the Senate in June 2023 with high accolades from friends and colleagues and at the same time making new friends from all the senatorial districts in Nigeria and other sectors. On a general note, we cannot forget in a hurry the equity standard he installed after asking the question, what did the Ngwa do to be denied the governorship slot? Characteristically, Ochendo hardly forgets his constituency whether political or social. Remember the one level ahead massive promotion of all civil servants in Abia, unprecedented and begging for a repeat.
Let me remind you that Abia is gifted with exceptional leaders, especially Umuahia that put its name in the map of the world dating back to Dr M I Okpara, The Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Major General J T U Aguyi Ironsi, first Military Head of State,
Dr JOJ Okezie, parliamentarian and Minister of Agriculture and lastly, Ochendo but no doubt, he is luckier than his predecessors in having a longer tenure, coupled with the fact that his son rose to the Hon Speakership in his lifetime. It is equally worthy of note that among these, he lived up to 74 years and we thank God and pray that he lives longer to guide the youth. As he deposed in a private chat, he has not done these alone, his highly supportive wife, Osinulo oils the wheels if you care to ask.
In conclusion, his father’s wish of him becoming a District Officer (DO) manifested as he soared higher than the Perm. Sec category. Based on insider information, his unshakeable believe in God has trailed along his name Ahamefule, a potent name factor in Igbo cosmology and he avowed in March 2008, ‘I have the people’s mandate which is Devine, only God who gave it to me can take it away from me!’ To God be the Glory!
Eddie Ouzuruike06/11, 09:12] Chief Eddie ONUZURUI: Ochendo at 74: A case study in power and social dynamics!
Senator T A Orji, Ochendo will be 74 come November 9, 2024. His story is well known, some painstakingly captured in a published biography titled, `on the wings of fate’ in 2010, and others volunteered by commentators and curious authors in varying newspapers, magazines and journals.
His education began at st Michael’s Primary School, Ugwu Nchara, Umuahia North LGA Abia State and stretched to Sancta Crux Secondary School, Olokoro in present day Umuahia South LGA, Abia State. He later advanced to Holy Ghost College Owerri Imo State for higher school after which he gained admission into the prestigious University of Ibadan where he graduated with honors in English.
Being the law abiding type, he subscribed to the NYSC and served in old Sokoto State, Isa LGA to be precise. Thereafter, he enlisted in the civil service of old Imo State in 1979 as an Administrative Officer, served in the cabinet office and other ministries under military administrators and the democratically elected governor, Dr Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory.
At the creation of Abia state in 1999, he headed back with other civil servants and had various postings to Government House, Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau of Budget and planning, while attending so many courses and seminars, being promoted along the line until a secondment to Nec as Administrative Secretary and consequently midwived the election in Enugu State in 1999.
In a divine transformation returning to Abia from Enugu, he retired as a Pemanent Secretary, going into political appointment as Chief of Staff, a platform good enough for his civil service experience where he soothed the melancholies and wounds of aggrieved politicians, disgruntled and displaced opponents and at the same time, rendering strategic guidance to his principal. This struck a highly delicate diplomatic balance. This he did for 8 years, curiously when the state witnessed a quick succession of departing deputy Governors. Yet no queries or reprimand for him.
His diplomatic and unassuming approach won him a lot of friends and admirers as he was transparently neutral. This made him a better candidate for the governorship against some hardcore politicians in the new party, the PPA, which came out of a political maneuver and exigency that outwitted the PDP which was then the national party, where the federal Government then wielded the big stick. He became a victim of misplaced vengeance and put away from circulation and eventual detention which put him into the history books as the first in Nigeria to win elections from detention.
On 29 May 2007, he was sworn in as the 3rd democratically elected governor of Abia State. It was 8 years of governorship where Abia witnessed the highest turnarounds in human capital development, scientific and health updates, massive infrastructural development that is yet to be equaled but not without challenges as the kidnapping saga gave him gray hairs overnight but he triumphed to which Mohamed Dikko, former IGP observed and boldly said that, ‘Abia is a case study.’
On more of his achievements, good examples abound in the good governance tour of 2013 where the Federal Minister for information, Dr Labaran Maku exclaimed that the International Conference Center that he saw in Abia can rub shoulders with the ones in Pretoria, and other developed countries of the world. He equally wished that he had more time to visit the list of project sites he was given by the governor. The other achievements, to mention a few are the new government house, the new secretariat, the e~library, multiple car gifts to youths as empowerment, free education in primary and secondary, free buses ferrying students in Umuahia and Aba, not forgetting the diagnostic centers and ambulances to all the local governments. Would you believe that a medical collaboration existed between the Amachara Specialist and an American doctor as attested by a visiting nurse of the NANA.
Spectacularly, the handing back of all missionary schools to the original owners and also the shattered glass ceiling for women which made it possible for one Mrs Iheukwumere to become the first female Registrar in Abia State University, followed by having the highest number of female legislators in his eight years are extra marks.
How was he able to accomplish all with low federal allocations without excess crude and Paris Club funds of today? One visible difference was that he gave free hands to directors of departments, parastatals and Permanent Secretaries of ministries to liaise with the bureau of budget and planning to source counterpart funds which made Asopadec, Asubeb, ABROMA, CSDP and others to execute aboundant projects to the extent that he lost count of completed and ongoing projects.
It would have been unjust no to mention the peace process with his PDP which was historic and yielded a stunning result in the 2011 landslide in Abia.
The senatorial journey in 2015 was a= tangible gratitude from Abia People for a job well done as Governor where he continued his achievement oriented style as he gathered more firsts with over 17 bills and multiple motions including the National Centre for Disease Control bill, NCDC. Its importance resonated during Covid 19, not forgetting the Food Security Bill. One can still recall the 2016 survey by the Daily Trust Newspapers that proclaimed him to have the highest number of bills by a rookie senator. Other highlights are the self sponsored scholarships and free eye surgeries.
T A Orji bowed out of the Senate in June 2023 with high accolades from friends and colleagues and at the same time making new friends from all the senatorial districts in Nigeria and other sectors. On a general note, we cannot forget in a hurry the equity standard he installed after asking the question, what did the Ngwa do to be denied the governorship slot? Characteristically, Ochendo hardly forgets his constituency whether political or social. Remember the one level ahead massive promotion of all civil servants in Abia, unprecedented and begging for a repeat.
Let me remind you that Abia is gifted with exceptional leaders, especially Umuahia that put its name in the map of the world dating back to Dr M I Okpara, The Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Major General J T U Aguyi Ironsi, first Military Head of State,
Dr JOJ Okezie, parliamentarian and Minister of Agriculture and lastly, Ochendo but no doubt, he is luckier than his predecessors in having a longer tenure, coupled with the fact that his son rose to the Hon Speakership in his lifetime. It is equally worthy of note that among these, he lived up to 74 years and we thank God and pray that he lives longer to guide the youth. As he deposed in a private chat, he has not done these alone, his highly supportive wife, Osinulo oils the wheels if you care to ask.
In conclusion, his father’s wish of him becoming a District Officer (DO) manifested as he soared higher than the Perm. Sec category. Based on insider information, his unshakeable believe in God has trailed along his name Ahamefule, a potent name factor in Igbo cosmology and he avowed in March 2008, ‘I have the people’s mandate which is Devine, only God who gave it to me can take it away from me!’ To God be the Glory!
Eddie Ouzuruike
