Modesty At 61, The Okezie Ikpeazu Motivational Example.
Saturday, 18-10-2025.
A deliberately chosen union between a Trained Teacher and a Registered Nurse can, at worst, biologically produce a well tamed, disciplined and respectful offspring. Infact, it will be difficult to have a child of such an uncommon union not tilt towards humanity and philanthropy.
On Sunday 18th October, 1964, in the rural natural setting of Umuebere compound in Umuobiakwa village in Isialaukwu/Mbato Autonomous Community of Obingwa Local Government Area, the cry of a newly born baby was heard. He was, eight days later, to be named Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. His parents, now late, were Pa Ishmael and Deaconess Bessie Ikpeazu. While Pa Ikpeazu was a trained Teacher, his wife, Deaconess Ikpeazu was a Registered Nurse.
Expectedly, being a product of these two noble professions and personalities, the young Okezie was brought up in the best global standards of discipline, respect for humanity, industry, tolerance and forgiveness.
In his educational pursuits at his home Primary School at Umuobiakwa, Eziama High School, Aba and Ihie High School in Isialangwa-North Local Government Area, signs of greatness had emerged that Okezie was cut out for leadership, even futuristically at the macro level. No wonder at relatively age of 16 in 1980, he had gained admission to study Clinical Biochemistry at University of Maiduguri and, in 1984, had graduated with a B.Sc Second Class Upper Degree, 2:1, in his choice of study.
In 1990, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu had successfully completed his Master of Science Degree Programme, M.Sc, in Biochemical Toxicology, from the same University of Maiduguri. Still propelled by the love for excellence in Intellectualism, at exactly the age of 30, in 1994, if not less in age, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu was crowned with a golden academic laurel of a Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D, with accomplishments in original research in Biochemical Pharmacology, this time, from the University of Calabar, distinguishing himself as a Scientist.
A Man distinguished for his modesty and humility, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, after his engagements teaching in some Nigerian Universities, altruistically ventured into Politics. He started as a Transition Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Council in 2002, under Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.
Having the educational sector as his primary constituency, he successfully embarked on massive recruitment of qualified Teachers to boost education in the the Local Government Area.
He later held some other political offices, such as; Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, General Manager of Abia State Passengers’ Integrated Manifest Safety Scheme, ASPIMSS, and Deputy General Manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, Aba Zone.
Having unambiguously manifested humility, character, capacity, confidence and trust, it was no surprise that Governor T. A. Orji, Ochendo, saw in him a worthy successor. So, through massive support built upon the encouragement of Governor T. A. Orji, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu was elected Governor of Abia State in 2015 as the 4th civilian Governor of the State.
As Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu put in a lot of efforts in Infrastructural revival in the State, especially in the commercial hub of the State, Aba.
For the first time in the history of Abia State, Scholarship to Abians for study overseas was conceptualised and implemented. There was visible and verifiable evidence of School buildings started and completed by his Administration.
In the history of Abia, the Ikpeazu Administration was the first, if not the only Government, that motivated Teachers with cars, on Teachers’ Day. His Administration also increased Teachers’ service duration by five years.
Hospitals were built and properly equipped in the State under the Ikpeazu Administration while security in the State was topnotch. Security watch was so glaring that criminals did not need any body or person to advise them to leave the State. Abia State was calm.
The eight-year Administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, 2015-2023, who out of humility and respect for God declined the title of Excellency, created many Agencies that expectedly translated to Job Creation. The newly established Ministry of Home Land Security employed thousands of Abians. That vision alone complemented the collaborative efforts of Government Security Agencies, especially in intelligence gathering, to make sure that Abia State was one of the safest States in Nigeria.
His Administration, being purposefully determined to address the challenges of indiscipline in traffic in the State, created Abia State Road Traffic And Safety Management Agency, ARTSMA. Again, a large number of Abia Youths got employed in that Agency, which is still doing great in Traffic Management in Abia State.
Ikpeazu’s Government confronted youth unemployment and poverty through many angles. Firstly, his Administration intensified emphasis on Skill Acquisition. Many Tailors and Shoe Makers were sponsored to China and Turkey to become almost perfect in their trade. Such development had never happened in the State before.
To crown it all, the Government of Dr Ikpeazu initiated, built and effectively made to be functional two industries in the State. Enyimba Garment Industry was built, and at the same time, a Shoe Factory was also built in Aba. Evidently, these were unprecedented in the annals of development in Abia State.
A Youth-friendly Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu made his Administration a collective venture. He appointed more than Five Thousand Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants. This initiative effectively addressed youth restiveness and crime in the State.
Knowing that Abia State, especially Aba, is a commercial hub for trade and investment, he deliberately restrained his Administration from over tasking traders in Ariaria International Market and others in the State. Keke operators were not held to the jugular with heavy taxation.
Knowing that Government is a continuum, the Ikpeazu Administration, did not delve into any act of disparaging his predecessors. He, rather, honoured whatever they had done before him. State ABSIEC Wards which were created by the Administration of Orji Uzor Kalu in order to deepen democracy and its dividends in the grassroots and which were sustained by the Administration of T. A. Orji were also put into use by the Government of Okezie Ikpeazu. Those wards were helpfully instrumental to reduction of poverty in the State.
It is important to recall that Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, as Governor and as in his natural personality, was and remains a jolly good fellow that bears no grudges against anyone. He does not have a vindictive heart.
He, like the First and Second Republican amiable Politician, Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri of blessed memory, whose mantra was ‘Politics Without Bitterness’, accommodates all, tolerates all and forgives all.
That good nature of his accounted for the reason why he was seamlessly able to work with one Deputy Governor for the eight years he served as Governor, which was unprecedented.
Because of his peaceful credentials and understanding of human dynamics, Political Leaders in the Nine Local Government Areas of Ukwa/Ngwa in Abia State approached Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to come and lead them at a crucial moment of their trajectory. It is interesting to note that, in his humility and sincerity of purpose, he accepted to serve, not necessarily to lead, his Peoples.
The entire Peoples of Ukwa/Ngwa are happy to have Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D, as their Sevant Leader, and earnestly wish him a very blissful and purposeful birthday.
It is their prayer that God would continue to manifest His grace upon him.
Congratulations and a very happy birthday!
Sir Don Ubani; KSC, JP
Okwubunka of Asa and Okeamadi Gburugburu.
National Publicity-Secretary,
Ukwa/Ngwa Political Leaders’ Forum.
