Sir Don Ubani’s Impact On Humanity As A Politician.
Sunday (Afor)16-03-2025.
One of the lessons I have learnt not only as a Politician but generally as a human-being, is that one should tell one’s story.
According to Jeremiah 17:9-10, the human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and the most desperately wicked. The hallmark of the human heart is ingratitude. The Man you help today, becomes the most horrible enemy of yours tomorrow. That is the nature of Man. It is very seldom to see any Man that can stand up and publicly acknowledge having been assisted by another. We are very few that do that.
Being conscious of the nature of Man, I do not expect much from him in appreciation of what I have done for him. What I do as an alternative to Man’s natural ingratitude, is to announce to the world whatever little assistance I render to People.
Currently trending is a post being shared by Abia Commissioner for Information, Mr Okechukwu Kanu, that alleges that I did not, in any way, impact on my People of Asa (Ukwa-West) while I occupied some political positions, and purportedly written by Hon Dannie Manja Ubani of Isialangwa-South Local Government Area. Ironically, the Manja was a beneficiary of my natural benevolence. I had taken my time to assist him when his fellow Ngwa Man wanted to deal with him in a very unfriendly manner. Manja, out of his volution, later appreciated me for my considerate nature.
I would have had the temptation of ignoring such spuriousity, especially after I had discussed with Hon Dannie Manja Ubani who had bluntly denied writing the balderdash but because of a Traditional Ruler, HRH Eze Anthony Wabara, had shown undue interest in an issue that is purely political, and not knowing what his real intentions could be, I felt compelled to try and recount some of the things I had done while in Government, in no particular order.
I will like to state before continuing that in Politics, just like in life, there are both tangible and intangible achievements. Achievements are not restricted to only construction of roads and hospitals. At the end of my write-up, any articulate reader, including the anxious Traditional Ruler, should be able to classify my contributions into either tangible or intangible achievements.
Having laid my foundation, I have to enumerate some of the things I did for, not only for Asa People but also for Ndoki people and some others outside Ukwa Land;
(1) I used my political sagacity, in the company of late Chief Ferguson Okoro of Okotoko-Ndoki, at Toll Gate, near Umuikaa Junction, in the early hours of Sunday (Afor) 21st February, 1999, to make sure that votes were not increasingly manipulated against votes secured by Chief (Senator) Adolphus Wabara in both Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West in Abia-South Senatorial election of Saturday (Orie) 20th of February, 1999. If I had not done what I did, he would not have been elected into the Senate in 1999.
(2) In 2003, after Senator Wabara had lost his relationship with the Powers that were in Abia State, and consequently lost Senatorial Election to Elder Dan Imo of Ohanku-Ndoki, and being aware that President Olusegun Obasanjo had promised he would be President of the Senate, I had to work seriously on my late cousin, Dr Chidi Emelogu, alias Bakeba, to bring out Elder Dan Imo for discussion with Senator Wabara. If Elder Imo had remained inaccessible to Senator Wabara, the latter could not have gone back to the Senate, and the post of President of the Senate could not have been possible. Senator Enyi Abaribe is my witness, and he also publicly said it about 2009 when he visited Traditional Rulers of Ukwa-West in the Palace of HRM, late Eze Shedrach Ezere Ahuama, Ekwueme 11 of Obokwe Autonomous Community.
(3) My memoir to Governor Orji Uzor Kalu in 2002 was holistically responsible for the appointment of late Professor Ikechi Ekeke as Commissioner for Education. His wife is alive and is my witness.
(4) Barr Glory Kanu became Chairman of Ukwa-East Local Government Council, courtesy of the link I gave him.
(5) An Ndoki Man, Mr Balenta Ajara, had almost been frustrated where he was working by a Governor’s Chief of Staff who wanted Mr Balenta’s subordinate to head the Department that, by hierarchy, should be headed by Mr Balenta but when Balenta brought the report to me, even though I had not met him before, I took up his case and when the said Chief of Staff wanted to persist in that path of injustice, I threatened I would take the matter to the Governor, and knowing that I would do it, he withdrew from that pursuit and Mr Balenta assumed his rightful position. Mr Balenta Ajara is alive and is my witness.
(6) It is unfortunate and painful that Mr Ngozi Adiele from Mkporobe in Ukwa-East died recently. He was either a Head of Personnel Management in the Unified Local Government Service of Abia State or a designation within that level. I was responsible for his employment.
(7) As a Member of Abia State Executive Council, I wrote and defended a memoir in the Council, urging the State Government to conduct a feasibility study on the possibility of constructing a Seaport at Obeaku-Ndoki. My memoir led to some Members of the State Executive Council, including me, paying a visit to Obeaku River. HRH Eze Ikeabuchi Ekeke is my witness.
(8) When late Professor Uche Ikonne was about leaving as Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Professor Nwahunnaya, from Ukwa-East, approached me and requested that I help project his interest in becoming Professor Ikonne’s successor, from my own angle. I told him that, if he would not mind, I would like to engage some prominent Political stakeholders from Ukwa for us to put our heads together in pursuit of his wish. It was at that point that I summoned a strategic meeting of some Ukwa political Stakeholders at Abia Hotel, Aba. Those I invited to the meeting included Chief Reginald Ezenta and late Dr Solomon Ogunji. It was in that meeting that late Ogunji suggested that we inform His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Adolphus Wabara. We all agreed, knowing that he would make it easier for us to have access to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who was the Visitor to the University. True to our calculation, Senator Wabara facilitated our meeting with the Governor at Government House, Umuahia, accompanied by Professor Nwahunnaya. Though it was likely the Governor appeared not to be either familiar with Professor Nwahunnaya or favourably disposed towards him, we were able to secure a promise from him that an Ukwa Intellectual would be Professor Ikonne’s successor. Apart from the concerted efforts we made as Ukwa Stakeholders, I personally made some interventions that were not ignored. That Professor Maxwell Ogbulu became Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, can not be detached from my patriotism.
(9) My proposal stopped incursion by Rivers State to make false claims over Oil wells in Abia State when, as Hon Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals’ Development, I successfully advised the State Government to survey Oil wells in Owaza and environ. The then Hon Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Eboh Okorie is my witness.
(10) In order to establish cordial relationship between Abia State Government and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, I arranged a meeting between Governor T A Orji and the Country Manager of SPDC in Port-Harcourt and that resulted in Abia State taking part in the Company’s grassroots’ investment programme called Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMO. The Cluster projects that sprang up in Oil-Producing Communities in Ukwa-West were as a result of that Global Memorandum of Understanding. The records can be verified from SPDC.
(11) I drew the attention of Abia State Government to renovate the Primary School in Umuiku-Isi-Asa.
(12) Umuiku-Isi-Asa Community Hall was built by Abia State Government at my request.
(13) Nkwo Market at Umuiku-Isi-Asa was built by Abia State Government at my request.
(14) I personally sank a borehole and reticulated water at Primary Health Centre, Umuiku-Isi-Asa.
(15) I have attracted more than 250 Street Solar Lights to Umuiku-Isi-Asa. NDDC Commissioner, Chief Eruba Dimgba is my witness.
(16) The construction of the first tarred road that passed through my community was influenced by me, with the assistance of Barr Aloy Nwagboso.
(17) The first and only Medical Outreach carried out by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, at Primary Health Centre, Umuiku-Isi-Asa, was at my request, through Barr Aloy Nwagboso.
(18) When I realised that the State Government was not disposed to reconstructing Ariaria-Umuiku-Isi-Asa Road, I personally had to embark on an aggressive grading of the 12 kilometre Road, and also bulldozed and created three internal Roads in Umuiku-Isi-Asa.
(19) In 2022, I successfully led a delegation of some Stakeholders from Ukwa-West to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to restore Electricity to Ukwa-West. The Governor released almost N40,000,000.00 to the 3-Man Committee that we set up to manage the fund, made up of Hon Tony Mezie Nwubani, Dr Lucky Eleogu, and Sir Eugene Ijeoma Dike, as Chairman, Secretary and Member, respectively.
In order to sustain electricity to Ukwa-West, we had to redirect flow of electricity through the Aba-Port-Harcourt Express Road, to Umugo-Obingwu-Umuezeke- Road. Since we connected light from Umugo, Electric Poles and Wires on the Express Road that were always damaged and vandalized by hoodlums have become a thing of the past. Two factors have been the bane of Electricity in Ukwa-West, (a) Criminal activities of vandals who vandalize Transformers and steal armoured cables and wires, and
(b) Inability of Consumers to pay for Electricity. As for restoring Electricity to Ukwa-West, I successfully spare headed the movement in 2022.
(20) When it was erroneously alleged that the first outbreak of COVID 19 in Abia State came through late Dr Amanna of Umuorie, even though I was in Government, I strongly rose against it, and that impression was corrected, as Dr Amanna was not a COVID 19 patient.
(21) There was a time the State Government wanted to establish a Cattle Market at Obehie-Asa, which was rightly interpreted by Asa People as a form of RUGA, not minding that I was a prominent Member of the Government, I rose vehemently against it. I had nearly lost my position in Government because of that singular action of mine but for God’s grace.
(22) I have always stood for equity, justice and fairness. That was why when Dr Onwubiko Ngozi Dike drew my attention to a situation where a Staff junior to his wife in Ukwa-West Local Government Education Authority, LGEA, was bent on manipulating his way, by either hook or crook, to become the Head of Personnel Management, HPM, above his wife, I took it up with the appropriate authority at Umuahia, sanity was observed and Mrs Dike was appointed HPM, Ukwa-West Local Government Education Authority, LGEA.
(23) I have never been associated with either selfishness or greed. That was why I served as a Pathfinder to many Ukwa Politicians and some others from other areas. In this regard, I altruistically introduced some Politicians to some Powers that were. Some of the persons that benefitted from my broad mind and selflessness include; (a) Chief Uzoma Nwaji, (b) Rt Hon Chinedum Elechi, Ph.D, Esq, and (c) Pastor Ralph Egbu. Ironically, one of them that I introduced to the Powers that were have turned around to deny that I did not introduce him to any source of Power. Typical of me, I have handed such behaviour to God Almighty who knows how best to address such cases of ingratitude.
(24) I singlehandedly initiated and influenced the appointment of Mr Henry Nwokemgbede as a Commissioner in Abia State Local Government Service Commission by Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.
(25) Through my instrumentality, Barr Henry Chilaka was appointed a Commissioner in Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, ASOPADEC. His appointment as a Sole Administrator of the Commission also had serious input by me.
(26) Sir Eugene Ijeoma Dike was appointed a Commissioner in Abia State Local Government Service Commission via my recommendation.
(27) Barr Ama Enere became Chairman of a State Government Board in Abia State, on my advice.
(28) Chief John Ajuzieogu was appointed Transition Committee Chairman of Ukwa-West Local Government Council by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, on my recommendation.
(29) In the same vein, Engr Chikodi Ogbonna was appointed Transition Committee Deputy Chairman of Ukwa-West Local Government Council based on my recommendation.
(30) Dr Charles Ikechi Onyema from Obokwe was appointed a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(31) The first son of Dr Charles Ikechi Onyema, Grant, was appointed a Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(32) Mr Obinna Nwabeke from Obokwe was appointed a Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(33) Comrade M Ahukanna from Obokwe became a Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(34) Hon Okezie John of Ugwati was appointed a Member of Umuahia Capital Development Authority by Governor Orji Uzor Kalu on my recommendation.
(35) Apostle Ikeokwu Nwankwo of Owo-Asa came to my house and pleaded that I assist him secure an appointment from Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, he gave me two additional names, and I helped secure appointment as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor for him and Special Assistants for the other two.
(36) Through my recommendation, Hon Osondu Nwankwo of Umunteke-Asa was appointed a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
(37) Comrade Precious Ehisianya from Umuorie-Asa became a Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(38) Mr Uzoma Ogbuji of Umuelechi-Obuzor was appointed a Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(39) Chief Isaac Wogu from Umuiku-Isi-Asa was appointed a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, for the first time, on my recommendation.
(40) Hon Chikezie Nwobia, from Obingwu-Asa, was appointed a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(41) Hon Chino Ahunanya of Umuiku-Isi-Asa, got appointed, on three occasions, as a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(42) Chief Chidi Ahuruonye from Umuiku-Isi-Asa, was also a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(43) Chief Onyedikachi Onyema, from Umuiku-Isi-Asa, on my recommendation, was appointed a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
(44) Also appointed a Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation was Mr Chigozie Alozie from Umuiku-Isi-Asa.
(45) Mrs Uchechi Okere from Umuiku-Isi-Asa was a Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(46) Mrs Adaku Nnaji, a former Senior Banker at Union Bank, from Isialangwa-South, was appointed a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on my recommendation.
(47) A Man from Uratta in Isialangwa-North by name, Chief Iheanyi Elijah, alias Mototo, complained to me that no body had remembered him despite all his efforts politically, I influenced his appointment as a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
(48) I assisted a Media Influencer from Ohafia, by name, Mr Val Nanna, to be appointed a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
(49) I influenced the appointment of Lady Nkechi Anuruegbe, from Umuiku-Isi-Asa, as Head of Department of Health in Abia State Unified Local Government Service, when the whole of Abia-South had no such Officer.
(50) Through my recommendation, Elder Eze Idima was appointed an acting Treasurer while on he was on Salary Grade Level 08 and at the expiration of that appointment, I made sure he was appointed an Internal Auditor and posted to Aba-North Local Government Council.
(51) Courageously but most diplomatically, I convinced Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to allow equity, justice and fairness to prevail in the appointment of Heads of Service in Abia State Unified Local Government Service, and that led to the appointment of Lady Rachel Esiaba Iwezor, from Ogwe, as a Head of Service in Abia State Unified Local Government Service.
(52) I influenced the employment of Prince Ikenna Agu as an Administrative Officer in Abia State Unified Service, without going through any interview. I conveyed him on the day he was employed from my compound in Umuiku-Isi-Asa to Local Government Service Commission, Umuahia, and gave him money for his transport from Umuahia back to Umuiku-Isi-Asa, as I had other engagements that would not allow me go back with him.
(53) Through late Sir Peter Ogbonna of Oberete-Asa who was Financial Controller at Abia Agricultural Development Programme, ADP, I secured employment for Mr Okezie Ubani of Umuiku-Isi-Asa.
(54) I helped secure employment for Mr Ugwunna Ubani of Umuiku-Isi-Asa at Umuahia-South Local Government Council.
(55) As a Board Member at Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, RRIN, Benin-City, I influenced the employment of Mr Ejiofor Stanley Ubani at the Rubber Research Institute.
(56) Through me, late Mr Chimezie Ekwuluo from Umuiku-Isi-Asa was employed by the Unified Local Government Service of Abia State.
(57) Mr Onwukwe Amajuruonwu got employed by Ukwa-West Local Government Education Authority, on my recommendation.
(58) Late Shedrach Obimba of Umuiku-Isi-Asa was employed by Ukwa-West Local Government Education Authority at my request.
(59) Late Mr Eze Amaku of Umuiku-Isi-Asa was employed by Ukwa-West Local Government Education Authority, courtesy of my request.
(60) Ekwuluo Osinachi of Umuiku-Isi-Asa is working as a Staff of Abia State Government, on my recommendation.
(61) Mr Anyahuru Loveday Dike, from Umuiku-Isi-Asa, secured employment as a Teacher in Ukwa-West Local Government Education Authority and taught for many years before retiring, courtesy of me.
(62) Mrs Peace Okere-Ogbonna, originally from Umuiku-Isi-Asa, got employment at the National Assembly Service Commission, Abuja, on my recommendation.
(63) Mr Stanley Ogbonna, from Omuma-Uzor, Asa, got employed at the National Assembly Service Commission, on my recommendation.
(64) Comrade Chidi Azubuike, from Mkpukwe, formerly Umuekechi-Asa, was employed in the Unified Local Government Service of Abia State, on my recommendation.
(65) Mr Jonadab Mgbeahuru, from Obokwe, is a Government employed Teacher, on my recommendation.
(66) Mr Kingsley Nwabeke, from Obokwe, is in one of Security Services of Government, courtesy of my recommendation.
(67) Mr Ernest Nwagbo, from Umunteke-Asa, is a Staff of Abia State Unified Local Government Service, on my recommendation.
(68) Miss Ogechi Azubuike, from Ntigha, works in Government, on my recommendation.
(69) Ms Ndidi Rufus, from Ntigha, is a Staff of Government, on my recommendation.
(70) Mrs Nkechi Onyekachi, from Ntigha, is a Staff of Unified Local Government Service, on my recommendation.
(71) Mrs Ihechi James Chikwendu, from Ntigha, works in Government, on my recommendation.
(72) Mr Friday Christian, from Umuezeke, works in Government, on my recommendation.
(73) Mr Victor Chukwudi, from Ogwe, works in Government, on my recommendation.
(74) Mr Ndukaku, from Umuebulungwu, is working in Government, on my recommendation.
(75) Mrs Chioma Akanwa, from Obiakpu-Obuzor, works with Government, on my recommendation.
(76) Mrs Nnenna Adi, from Umuahia-North, works with Government, on my recommendation.
(77) Sir Don Ubani altruistically sponsored a Poverty Alleviation Programme in Umuiku-Isi-Asa in which not less than 100 persons received between N50,000.00 and N100,000.00.
(78) Sir Don Ubani is an employer of Labour and makes sure that his workers are paid regularly, as negotiated
(79) Unlike what majority of Politicians in our clime are known for, Sir Don Ubani has never used any of his positions to deceive, exploit or defraud any person that had come into contact with him. He is not a ‘Wayo’ Man.
(80) Of all the young persons he he had assisted secure employment for, he had never asked for a kobo or even a bottle of Coco Cola. That is why he holds his head very high.
(81) Above all, while in Government, Sir Don Ubani did not attract disgrace to his People by engaging in petty theft or any act of dishonesty. His integrity and dignity were never compromised.
The above verifiable 81 assertions are just the ones I could remember for now. For any one that said that Sir Don Ubani made no impact, let the person contradict him, and also present his or her scorecard.
Sir Don Ubani, Okwubunka of Asa and Oke Amadi Gburugburu, is a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, Prolific Essayist, Social Activist, Blogger, (WWW.equityreporters.net) and writes from his native Asa land beautifully situated between Aba in Abia State and Port-Harcourt in Rivers State.
