INTRODUCTION
Nigeria as we know it is currently at a crossroad and is threatening to cave in under the weight of its numerous internal contradictions and it doesn’t take rocket science to decipher that we are merely hanging on a precipice whilst hoping against hope that the inevitable never occurs in our lifetime.
There is a certain conversation which must hold in our polity for peace to reign and although it has been put off countless times and we have simply chosen to pretend like it doesn’t hold pride of place, recent events which has seen diverse groups clamoring, should inform the discerning that this disposition is no longer tenable and it is only a matter of time before things unravel.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Ndigbo are a most marginalized people within the Nigerian experiment and this has found expression in the recent resurgence of Igbo Nationalism that has seen a large swathe of our youth asking deep questions that seek to question the wisdom in owing allegiance to the Nigerian state and there is no greater time for every constituent units to put forward their best than now.
In the 2019 general elections that would see these units electing men and women to be their mouthpieces, Ndigbo cannot afford to go about it like it is business as usual for the consequences of putting square pegs in round holes cannot be over emphasized.
Come 2019, there is an urgent need for individuals who have the grasp and are properly equipped to stand in that hallowed chamber to speak on our behalf for failure to do this, we run the risk of blaming none other but ourselves for not seizing the moment.
2019 is that year this nation will naturally begin to confront its many internal contradictions and we do ourselves a huge disservice if our idea of a representative is the usual run of the mill politician who neither understands the scope of the office he occupies nor the intricate workings of the legislative arm of government.
From 2019, we need men and women gifted in the art of persuasion who with effortless logic and disarming erudition horned from years of experience, can sway the minds of their colleagues to a cause they passionately pursue, which is why we are pleased to introduce a man who has seen it all, is imbued with a vaulting passion for service, is more than equipped to engage in the said inevitable conversation, can hold his own among peers, is exceptionally humane and has been serially tried, tested and trusted.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you our very own Hon. Barr Chugbo Enwezor LL.B (Hons) Ife, BL, ACL., Arb. FCIA, FCIM. JP.
WHO IS HON BARR CHUGBO ENWEZOR?
Odezuligbo as he is fondly called, was born into the family of Akunne James Ositadimma Enwezor and Ugonne Margaret Nwadiafor Enwezor of Daike Anyo Kindred of Umuaroli village Onitsha.
He started his education at Ogboli Primary School Onitsha and later proceeded to Washington Memorial Grammar School Onitsha where he completed his secondary school education.
Owing to his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer, he would later gain admission into the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1993 and from there he proceeded to the Nigerian law School Victoria Island Lagos in 1994 where after a protracted strike by ASUU during the Sani Abacha military interregnum, he was eventually called to the Nigerian Bar as Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the 22nd of March, 1995 (BL) after passing the Bar examinations with flying colors.
The then young lawyer would then proceed to serve his country under the mandatory NYSC scheme at the chamber of I.F Chude & Associates (1995-1996) which lasted for a year, after which he joined the chamber of Anthony Idigbe S.A.N & Co (1996-1999).
He also cut his legal teeth at Dele Oye & Associates (1999-2001) and the famous Ikpeazu Chambers (2001-2006) before teaming up with Barr Obele Chuka to found the then thriving Obele-Chuka & Chugbo Enwezor chambers (2006-2008).
In January 2008, Odezuligbo decided to form his own chamber which has to date, recorded an astronomical level of success that has seen it winning cases and taking on many cases on pro-bono basis.
He is like we mentioned earlier, a Member, Nigerian Bar Association, Associate Member, Chattered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria, Fellow, Chattered Institute Of Corporate Administrators, Fellow, Certified Institute of Management of Nigeria,Former Vice Chairman, Nigerian Bar association and A Two Term LegislatorRepresenting Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
It is pertinent to note that Barr Chugbo Enwezor also served the NBA Onitsha Branch as Member High Court of Anambra State 2006 Rules Review Committee and was also Member, Anambra State Criminal Procedure Law Review Committee (2009) which was headed by Justice Peter C. Obiora and it was this committee that provided the template and necessary legal expertise that ushered in the current Anambra State Criminal Procedure Law 2010.
A thoroughbred party man who has loyally stood by his party APGA, it is a testament to the trust and faith reposed in his legal capabilities by the party leadership that he was appointed Chairman of the Committee which drafted the guidelines for the 2013 APGA primaries for the Local Government Election in the state.
FORAY INTO POLITICS
In the murky waters that has come to characterize Nigerian politics where round pegs remain supremely confident pretending to fit perfectly into square holes, it is very easy to impulsively lump all politicians as belonging to that hue where service is the last thing on their minds but sometime in 2007, Barr Chugbo Enwezor reckoned that it made no sense criticizing the polity from afar and that the only way to demonstrate and make a difference was to join the political fray and so it was that he first contested and eventually won a first term to represent Onitsha North 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly and on 13th June 2011, was sworn in as an Honorable Member.
Odezuligbo’s emergence was seen by many acute observers and bookmakers as the harbinger of great things to come for his people.
It’s been six years and counting of a solidand purposeful representation that has seen his constituents clamoring for more and we have no doubts whatsoever that he can now say like Julius Caeser, “I came, I saw, and I conquered”.
This erudite lawyer whose compelling eloquence within the House is a beauty to behold, saw the problems and challenges bedeviling his people and he not only conquered them but still leaves in his trail, a host of confounded critics and indeed, the peculiarity of his deeply humane personality as embedded in his strength of character, legacy of achievements and vision in public offices, sets Hon. Barr. Chugbo Enwezor apart from the crowd.
WHAT DID HE REALLY ACHIEVE IN THE HOUSE?
Owing to a whole lot of misconceptions and faulty understanding of the duties of a legislator and before we delve into this matter, it is important that we educate ourselves on what the legislative arm of government stands for.
The legislature is PRIMARILY an arm of government prescribed by the constitution to make laws for the smooth running of the business of governance.
This arm is different from the Executive which is vested with powers to execute the laws made by the legislature; which is why the business of legislating involves a whole lot of debating on the floor of the House with a view to arriving at a consensus favorable/unfavorable to whatever cause is being championed.
A legislator representing his people therefore looks out for opportunities that would be beneficial to those he represents and it is a great testament to the dexterity and influence of a legislator that he can successfully lobby the Executive to bring much needed development to the area he/she represents and this can happen if he successfully lobbies to ensure funds for a particular development within his constituency are appropriated.
Anyone who comes to you to seek your votes and tells you that as a legislator he will build roads for you, know immediately that he lies but if he says he will do everything within his powers to ATTRACTinfrastructural developments like Roads, then he’s talking and same also applies to attracting jobs and every other dividends of democracy to ones constituency.
With the above in mind, we will now go ahead to showcase Hon. BARR Chugbo Enwezor’s six year verifiable scorecard in the Anambra State House Of Assembly and we will break it down to segments.
A. LAW MAKING
Owing to his vast knowledge of the law, it is a well known incontrovertible fact that Hon. BARR Chugbo Enwezor has played pivotal roles in ALL laws passed in the House since he joined in 2011 and he has equally passed some successful private member bills like
1. Bill for the amendment of the Customary Court Of Appeal
2. Bill amending the proposed anti-kidnapping law
3. Bill for the House of Assembly Service Commission
4. Order of Precedence bill
5. Prohibition of violence against women bill
6. Bill for the accreditation of medical department of the state owned university
It is in recognition of his vast input to the business of lawmaking that he has been a member of the positions mentioned below.
1. Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary and Justice (A position he has held all through his first and second tenure).
2. Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on Development and Implementation of Strategic Plan for Anambra State House of Assembly.
3. Vice Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions and Conflict Resolutions
4. Member, House Committee On Finance and Appropriation (Budget Matters)
5. Member, House Committee on Information
6. Member, Legal Sub-Committee South East Economic Commission (SENEC)
7. Member, House Committee on Anambra State Independent Electoral Commision(ANSIEC)
8. Member, House Committee on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
9. Member, House Committee on Political, Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters
10. Member, House Committee on Human Rights and Anti-Corruption
These positions are a clear pointer to the political sagacity and professional dexterity of this amazingly erudite lawyer who had garnered wide contacts and network across the state in the preceding period of his political career.
Indeed it is a great testament to his contribution to the business of lawmaking that the Federal House of Representatives in 2014 singled him and a few colleagues around the country out for the award ofOUTSTANDING PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDER.
B. REPRESENTATION
Like we said earlier, it is not the primary business of the legislature to execute projects but a good legislator worth his onions should be able LOBBY with a view to attracting said projects to the constituency he/she represents and it is a testament to ones on the job efficacy that projects affecting your area are being appropriated for and executed.
In terms of infrastructural developmentwith a bias for roads, Hon Barr Chugbo Enwezor has over time, been able to leverage on his clout to attract the attention of the executive to the under listed roads which have been executed.
1. Water works Road Onitsha
2. Jideofor Nzegwu Street Onitsha
3. Chukwurah Lane Onitsha
4. Osuma Road/Ogbuli Nwawulu Street Onitsha
5. Enweonwu Street, Onitsha
6. Adibua Onya Street, Onitsha
7. Obeleagu Street, Onitsha.
8. Ideani Street, Omagba
9. Achukwu lane, Onitsha
10. Enweonwu Lane, Onitsha
11. Isiafor Road, by Army Barracks/Inosi onira
12. Ifenu Street, Onitsha
13. Nkisi Aroli Street, Onitsha
14. Omozele is currently being addressed.
It would also be recalled that Odezuligbo persuaded and attracted the intervention of the Governor of Anambra State towards rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated blocks of classroom at Ado Girls Secondary School along Awka Road Onitsha and Onitsha High School , along Egerton Road.
He equally financed the complete renovation and refurbishing of the front and back of one storey block of classrooms at Ogboli Primary School Onitsha.
Please find below other infrastructural developments by our very own Odezuligbo
1. Facilitated the installation of electricity transformer at Obeleagu Street Inland Town Onitsha with adequate protectors.
2. Sponsored the installation of inverter-powered street light along Adibua Onya Street Inland Town Onitsha.
3. Supported the stakeholders/residents of Enweonwu Street Onitsha to actualize the installation of solar powered street light along Enweonwu Street Onitsha.
4. Sponsored the sinking and continuous maintenance of functional water borehole at Agba Street /Ojedi Road Onitsha.
5. Sponsored the sinking and continuous maintenance of functional water borehole at Ime Obi Umuezearoli playground along Emmanuel Church Road Onitsha. Theses boreholes have been of immense benefits to the numerous users including market women, children and others who use water from the boreholes for various domestic and ancillary purposes.
6. Sponsored the construction of security gate and security post at the main entrance to Omagba Phase II Onitsha.
7. Lent financial support to residents/stakeholders of Iyi-Ukwu community Awada Layout Ward 9 Onitsha North with which they procured the necessary gadgets and needed materials for the security needs of the area.
8. Sponsored the sinking and continuous maintenance of functional borehole at Obeleagu Street Onitsha.
9. Provided state-of-the-art school bands for Ogboli Primary School, Nwora Umunna Memorial Primary School, Anyaegbunam Memorial Primary School and Obi Okosi Memorial Primary School Onitsha.
10. Sponsored the sinking and continuous maintenance of functional borehole at Ilo Uto Umuase Onitsha.
11. Sponsored the sinking and continuous maintenance of functional borehole at All Saints Cathedral Onitsha.
12. Gave financial support to the tune of N500,000 for a building project at St. Marys Catholic Church, Onitsha.
13. Bought musical equipment worth N1.3m for the Choir at St Marys Catholic Church, Onitsha.
14. Cheque of N350,000 to Washington Memorial Grammar School for a building project.
Not someone to rest on his oars, Hon. Barr Chugbo Enwezor, through contacts, referrals and recommendations has also been directly instrumental in securing employment for some members of his constituency as listed below
JUDICIARY
1. Barr Dubem Chude (Ogbeabu village) Onitsha, President of Customary Court, Ozubulu. It is instructive to note that Hon. BARR Chugbo Enwezor sponsored the bill eventually passed in the House of Assembly which law has necessitated the President of the Customary Court to become a career civil servant, a complete departure from the past order in the Anambra State civil service.
2. Barr. Uchenna Anyaegbuna (Umudei village) Onitsha, Member of Customary Court.
3. Mr Chukwudi Ayalogu (Umuaroli village) Onitsha, works in the High Court of Anambra State, Idemili Judicial Division.
4. Mrs, Rita Ofile Oguno (Odoje village) Onitsha, Onitsha High Court.
5. Mrs, Chinelo Ibekwe (Odoje village) Onitsha, Ogidi Customary Court.
6. Mrs. Chinwe Chuba Egbuche (Ogbeoza Village) Anambra State Judiciary, Atani.
CIVIL SERVICE
Hon. Barr. Chugbo Enwezor successfully moved a motion on the floor of the House of Assemble which prompted the constitution of a functional Civil Service Commission to enable the latter to promptly commence employment into the State Civil Service and the following people benefited from this very noble exercise.
1.Her Worship, Chizoba StanleyUdoh (Umudei), Chief Magistrate, Anambra State Judiciary.
2.Mr Reginald Obiozor (Ogbeoza) Member, Customary Court.
3.Mrs Chinelo Selogu Ibekwe (Odoje) High Court, Onitsha.
4.Mr Olisa Ibekwe (Odoje)Customary Court, Onitsha.
5.Mr Ifeanyi Attoh, High Court, ogidi.
6.Mr Goddy Okonkwo, Resident in Omagba, Anambra State Judiciary.
7.Mrs Helen Chibuogwu Enwezor (Umuaroli) Anambra State Judiciary.
8.Hon. Nnaemeka Ononye (Ogboli Eke) Special Assistant/Political to the Governor.
9.Mr Anthony Ibe Enwezor (Umuaroli) Ministry of Commerce, Awka.
10. Mr Obinwanne Pius okoye, Resident in Awada, Ministry of Agriculture, Awka.
11. Mrs Emetarom Ogoazi Morah (Ogbeozoma) office of the Deputy Governor, Awka.
12.Ifeoma Ndubuisi Olimma (Ogboli eke)Ministry of Lands, Onitsha.
13.Chinwe Emembolu (Umudei) Anambra State Inland Revenue Service, Awka.
14.Obei Ogoazi (Umuaroli) Protocol Officer, Judiciary Headquarters, Awka.
15.Chidinme Megafu (Umuase), Onitsha North Local Govt Adhoc staff.
16.Mrs Ogbo Ogoazi (Umuaroli) Onitsha North Local Govt Adhoc staff.
17.Mrs Oraegbuna Amene (Ogbeoza) Onitsha North Local Govt Adhoc Staff.
18.Odiakose Osenuokwu, Resident at Adibua Onya Street, ABS AWKA.
19. Mrs Ifeyinwa Chie Anyaora (Umuase), Anambra State Civil Service.
20.Mrs lawretta Annie Anyakwo, (Odoje) Judiciacy, High Court.
21.Cordelia Obiageli Ogbuli (Ogboli Eke) Anambra State Civil service.
22.Ngozi Ogbogu (Umudei) Anambra State Civil Service.
23.Vivian ogbogu (Umudei) Anambra State Civil service.
24.Ogom Amene ( Umuase) Anambra State Civil service.
25.Murphy Enwezor (Umuaroli) Anambra State Civil Service.
26.Mr Onuonicha (Umuase) Anambra State Civil service.
27. Uche Ozokwere (Onitsha Ward 5)Anambra State Civil service.
28.Chineze Chukwudebe (Umuaroli) Anambra State Civil service Teaching, Secondary School.
29.Maureen Nkiru Igweike (Ogboli Olosi) Civil Service/ Teaching , Secondary School.
30.Nwando Jane Chude (Ogbeabu) Civil service/Teaching, Primary school
31.Mrs Chinelo Onyejekwe (Ogbeoza), Civil service/teaching, Primary School.
32.Mrs Clara Ifeoma Obiozor (Ogbeoza) Civil Service/Teaching, Primary School.
33.Maureen Nkiru Okosi (Ogbeabu) Civil service/Primary School System.
34.Ann Chinwe Abadom (Ogbeodogwu) Civil Service/Teaching, Primary School.
Again, the underlisted women were assisted into getting employment as cooks into the Federal Government Feed Primary Schools Pupils Programme.
1.Vivian Akubudo, Onitsha North APGA Woman leader.
2.Nkechi Aniweta, (Umuaroli).
3.Esther C. Enwezor (Umuaroli)
4.Ezinwa Obianuju R
5.Egbuna ifeoma Linda (Obikporo)
6.Nkiruka Priscila Anyaoke (Ogboli Olosi)
7.Chizoba Aduba (Iyiawu)
8.Inoma Mary-Jane Ekwuife (Ogbeoza)
9.Achebe Kasia Frances (Ogbendida)
10.Ngozi Francesca Obianwu (Ogboli Eke)
11. Helen I. Okocha
12. Uchechi Nduaguba
13. Aronu Chizoba
14.Okogba Mercy E. (Former Woman leader,Ward 5)
15.Ebela Ejem (Ogbeoza)
16. Uchenna Ezea
17.Anthonia Menkiti
18.Mrs Ngozi Esimai
19. Oluchi Ikere
20.Amaka Ekwue Theresa (Ogbeabo)
21.Ngozi Menkiti
22. Felicia Molokwu (Ogbendida)
23.abadom Chinelo
24.Anierobi Chiamaka
25.Chukwura V. Chizoba.
26.Mrs Priscila Anyaoke N (Ogboli Olosi)
27.Ziemife Blessing Amene.
28.Mrs Uzoamaka Enwezor (Umuaroli)
29.Mrs Vikky Osaka (Umuonogbo)
30.Obiageli Okwugba (Umuaroli)
Another area Odezuligbo holds dear to his heart is EDUCATION and he believes that apart from being a source of information and knowledge, it plays a pivotal role in the development of the human powers and potentials.
He believes that school buildings must have befitting facilities of contemporary and international standards and that sports and other social amenities ought to be verifiable tools in molding the character of our youths. Hence he has at various times donated educational/financial support to many pupils and students in different primary, secondary and tertiary institutions within and outside Onitsha North 1 Constituency.
Please find below a brief but not exhaustive list of some beneficiaries whom he has assisted to gain admission into tertiary institutions.
1. Nonso Uzoechina (Ogboli Olosi village) Onitsha.
2. Chukwudozie Enwezor (Umuaroli village) Onitsha.
3. Master Aghadiuno (Ogboli Eke Village) Onitsha.
4. Ugo Ochei (Umuaroli village) Onitsha.
5. Victor Enwezor (Ogboli Eke village) Onitsha.
6. Ifeanyi Ochei ( Umuaroli village) Onitsha.
7. Ogugua Umunna ( Umuaroli village) Onitsha.
8. Chizoba Iwobi (Ogboli olosi village) Onitsha.
CONCLUSION
From the foregoing, there is no gainsaying the fact that Hon Barr Chugbo Enwezor is a thoroughbred legislator who has an implicit understanding of the demands of the office and it is interesting to note that he equally took it upon himself to further develop himself on this path that he has chosen as demonstrated in these various courses/awards attended both in Nigeria and beyond
1.Graduand of International Leadership Training School, Arlington Virginia, July 4, 2014.
2.Fellow, Institute Of Corporate Administration Of Nigeria.
3.Attendance and completion of the TL First Advanced Visioning and leadership Development Programme, Institute Of Leadership and Management, Dubai. June 2012
4. Certificate of Completion awarded for attending and completing in-depth legislative training with Ontario Government, Canada. October 26, 2012.
5.Nigerian Red Cross Society , Henry Dunant Gold Merit Award (Humanity Certificate) in recognition of his humanitarian activities and philantrophic gestures. 13th Nov, 2011.
This is a man equipped for the work of qualitative representation of his people and there is no doubt in our minds that he has the mental sagacity and is imbued with courage to speak truth to power in that very hallowed green chamber of the Federal house of Representatives.
Come 2019, Odezuligbo Hon. Barr Chugbo Enwezor shall be seeking your support to represent the good people of Onitsha North and South constituency in the Federal House of Assembly and there is no doubt in our minds that he who is faithful in little, shall naturally be faithful in much.
If he has succeeded in representing and empowering his people whilst in the State House of Assembly, you can now begin to imagine the sheer number of lives he’s poised to affect given the scope and reach of the new office he seeks.
The Igba Abuja train is a movement which every member of this constituency should key into and personalize for it is not just about Chugbo Enwezor but what is in our best interests as a constituency.
Gone are the days when we send selfish and indolent people who remain content warming their seats whilst issues of national importance are being discussed by their peers.
Gone are the days when we send people who have little or no understanding whatsoever of the demands of the legislative office but rather see it as an ego boosting trip.
We must not miss this one in a lifetime opportunity of sending this tried and tested very round peg to the round hole that is the Federal House Of Assembly for we are assured of a grand scale replication of the kind of quality representation the good people of Onitsha North 1 Constituency have been enjoying for the past eight years under the very amiable and humane Hon. Barr. Chugbo Enwezor.
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