*PROFILE OF A GRASSROOT DEVELOPER C*M MASTER OF YOUTHS EMPOWERMENT,HON UCHENNA NNAJIOFOR IBIAM,THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, AFIKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE*
The 21st Century brings with it the clamour for the enthronement of the youths in all facets of leadership, but the question remains; are all youths ingrained with the requisite leadership qualities to effectuate a paradigm shift and a change of narration, particularly in Nigeria as “jagajagaed” by decades of leadership failures? The answer is a capital No. We have had youths who had the opportunities of holding the reins of power, but they messed it up and disgraced the clamour that catapulted them to stardom.
Whilst generalization is a grievous error in philosophy and logic, Hon. Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam,the Executive Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State stands out as the youth alchemy in the leadership chemistry of our time and clime. He is a perfect exemplar who exemplifies the rare genius in contemporary grassroot government and governance. The records are not just there; they are also impeccable and palpable in all their impressive manifestations.
Hon. Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam
Therefore, it is paramount to reel in the profile of this grassroot generalissimo for emphasis of substantiation and clarity:
*PARENTAGE*
This trailblazing Grassroots Leader, was born in the early 1980s into the family of Chief Godwin Ibiam Ekwe and Lolo Theresa Amaka Ibiam( Nee Nnajiofor) of Ezi Otinya, Unwana in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. His father was a consummate business Magnet and a successful Politician
*EDUCATION*
He attended Onyeabor Memorial Primary School, Onitsha, Anambra State where in 1992, he bagged his First School Leaving Certificate in Flying Colours. He afterwards proceeded to Sedes Sapientae College, Nkpor Anambra State for his Secondary Education and performed excellenty in his WAEC in 1998.
In his quest for higher education,the young but hard-working,Uchman as he was fondly called, got admission into the Prestigious University of Calabar where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics in 2007.
He was very outstanding in all the School Activities in the University of Calabar. At the completion of his University Education, he was mobilized for his National Youths Service in Bauchi State.
He is currently holds M. Sc in Economics in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
*POLITICAL LIFE*
As an enterprising young man with special interest in politics and governance, Hon. Ibiam took time to understudy Political game under various political leaders, including the State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi whom he served in honesty and sincerity.
His deep sense of responsibility and result oriented approach to any given assignment informed the State Governor to appoint him , Technical Assistant on Security on 1st September 2016.
Further to this,on 1st October 2017, Hon Uche Ibiam was sworn-in as the Coordinator of Ubeyi Development Centre. As a Co-ordinator, Hon Uche Ibiam was adjudged one of the best Coordinators in Ebonyi State because of his sterling performance in office which included; embarking on Rural Electrification Projects in Unwana Community by installing 300KVA. Transformer, 20 Concrete Electric Poles and High tension Wires(Length 2kms). He also constructed motorized Boreholes and donated Generators at Enohia Itim;Nkagbogo; Kpoghirikpo;Amaekwu; Amagu; Uhuetiti and Youths and women empowerment across Ubeyi Development Centre.
At a period in the political history of Afikpo Local Government Area, that the people of the Area were yearning for quality leadership that would change the sad commentary the Council was known, Hon.Uche Ibiam made himself available to serve his people.
In the keenly contested primaries of the Ruling APC, Hon Ibiam won by landslide to grab the party ticket and he went ahead to win the Local Government Election on August, 2022.
Hon. Uche Ibiam, as a Child of destiny was subsequently sworn in as 17th elected Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area by the State Governor, *His Excellency,Engr. David Nweze Umahi,FNSE,FNATE,CON* on 1st September, 2022 and he,on assumption of Office, hits the grounds running immediately with progress.
His leadership finesse is anchored on pragmatism, while the icing on the cake is his leadership ideology which finds expression in utilitarianism.
*GIANT STRIDES OF HON UCHE IBIAM IN AFIKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION*
It is gratifying to note, that since his emergence on the Leadership saddle of Afikpo,Hon Uche Ibiam has proven to be an outstanding personality whose pattern of leadership has given the people of the Council Area a lot of life changing projects criss-crossing the length and breadth of the Area.
The awesome accomplishments of this blossoming grassroots developmentalist in Afikpo Local Government Area include;
✓Ongoing construction of Ultra modern Plaza
✓construction of Virgin road leading to Amata-Akpoha Beach
✓construction of 2 Mini bridges at Amata Akpoha
✓Construction of solar powered Motorized borehole at Amata Akpoha
✓ Payment of Severance allowance to former Political Office Holders in the Local Government who served from 2017 – 2020
✓ Restoration of peace and unity in the circle of critical Stakeholders in the Local Government Area
✓ Restoration of Peace between Amankwo and Amaobolobo
√Payment of Severance allowance to former Political Office Holders in the Local Government who served from 2020 – 2022
✓ Restoration of Peace between the Political Classes of Amasiri
✓ Restoration of Peace between Unwara Community in Ebonyi State and Erei in Cross River State.
√Payment of Severance allowance to the Immediate Past Co-ordinators of Development Centres in Afikpo Local Government Area who left office in April 2023.
√ Restoration of peace between Ezeke Amasiri and Amata-Akpoha
√Restoration of peace between Nkpoghoro/ Ndibe and Enohia Nkalu
√ Restoration of peace between Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area and Oso-Edda in Edda Local Government Area
✓ Injected vibrancy in the administrative structure of the Council with his amazing leadership style which is all inclusive and all embracing.
✓ Payment of arrears of salary owed to Ebubeagu Security Operatives in Afikpo Local Government Area owed by the past administration; within a month of his assumption of duties
✓ Payment of arrears of allowances owed Local Government and Ward Party Executives in the Local Government by the past administration.
✓ Purchased and distributed brand new vehicles to the Vice Chairman of the Council and the 12 Councilors, which is the first of its kind in the history of Afikpo LGA. For avoidance of doubt, let it be on record that the Vice Chairman got a Lexus Jeep 350, while the 12 Councilors were gifted with Toyota Corolla.
✓ Procured over 100 Motor bikes and distributed to the Youths and Security Outfits
✓ Granted scholarship from Secondary to Tertiary Institution to an indigent student of Amuro/Mgbom Secondary School, Afikpo who is from Ugwuegu Ward. Her WAEC,NECO and JAMB exams registration fees were equally taken over by the Executive Chairman as well as a political appointment given to the girl as one of his aides with monthly pay of 30K.
✓ Placement of the elderly men and women of Unwana on monthly stipends for their upkeep.
✓ Payment of school fees to some indigent students in higher institutions in Nigeria.
✓ Organized end of the year Christmas party for both Civil Servants and public officers at the Local Government Level and component Development Centres where the Best Department and workers were appreciated in addition to financial donations to the Local Government staff and the Development Centres as well.
√ Payment of Hospital Bill to an Indigent Patient who had a major operation at Centre of Hope Hospital, Afikpo
✓ Restoration of people’s confidence in grassroots governance in Afikpo LGA.
✓ Instituted reward system in the Council. The first of its kind in the history of the LGA. For the first time, Departments as well as staff were appreciated with cash gifts to motivate them for optimal productivity.
✓ Established a harmonious working relationship with Coordinators, Security Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Principal Officers and party leaders in the Local Government.
✓ Inaugurated Security Committee with all Security Chiefs, traditional rulers and Coordinators as members and holds regular Security meetings anchored on safety of the people which is the greatest law.
✓ Inauguration of Afikpo Local Government Peace and Reconciliatory Committee headed by Bishop Ken O Daniels to resolve inter-personal as well as inter-communal/Intra-communal conflicts.
√ Appointment of Special Assistants on Security to boost the Security of the Area
✓ Gives serious attention and implements at the grassroots; State Government and federal government policies and programmes.
√ Distributed more than 30 Toyota Sienna to some youths of the Area
√ donated Sienna bus to Afikpo Market Amalgamated Traders Association,AMATA.
√ Reconstruction of NYSC Office at the Local Government Headquarters.
√ Reconstruction and donation of a befitting office for the National Population Commission,NPC
√ Donation of a motor bike to the Council Chaplain
√Reconstruction and donation of a befitting office for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Afikpo
√Consistent and up to date payment of workers salary
√ General renovation of Council Secretariat and Repainting of Perimeter fence
√ Installation of Solar Street Lights from Afikpo to Amasiri(over 3km)
√ Procurement of Computer Accessories for office use
√ Procurement of office furnitures
√ Grading,/Laterating of 2km Roads in each of the 12 Wards of Afikpo Local Government Area
√ Construction of motorized Borehole at Amata -Akpoha
√ Installation of CCTV in the Council Headquarters and some strategic parts of the Area to boost Security operations
There are many others,but the above shall suffice. Hon Uche Ibiam is a record breaker.
In just 8 months in Office,he has broken records. He has also broken the hearts of those who preyed on him to fail and plastered smiles on the faces of those who prayed on him to succeed. What a guru Leader we have.
*HONOURS/AWARDS* The sterling performance of Hon Uche Ibiam both as a Co-ordinator and most recently as Council Chairman has attracted a lot of Honours and Awards from different bodies. Among the Honours Include; *An Award of Excellence* from Afikpo North Development Association (ANDA) given to him on the 16th Day of October 2022 in recognition of His Exceptional & Immeasurable Contribution towards Afikpo Local Government Area and the Growth of ANDA.
Other Awards include:
1)Best Performed Local Government Chairman in Nigeria on Security, Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment by Rootswatch Magazine, Abuja
2)Best Performing 2023 Local Government Chairman by Medal Magazine, Abuja
3) Anchor of Hope Award by the PYPAN,Eke Market Parish
4,)Gideon of Our Time Award by the Men’s Department of Assemblies of God Church, Eke Township Church
5)Award of Excellence by the SLT Department of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana
6) Bridge Builder Award by the Department of Social Sciences of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana
*HOBBIES:* Hon Uche Ibiam has as Hobby, Football; Reading, Researching and Counseling the young ones.
*MARITAL LIFE* Hon Uche Ibiam is happily married to his hearthrob,Mrs Onyinyechi Sandra Uche-Ibiam and the marriage is consummated with Three Gifted Kids; Esther Chiamaka, Emerald Uchenna and Melvin Chiemerie.
It is therefore with deep sense of humility that I present to you, this great leader of our time, Master of Youths Empowerment; grassroots developer and developmentalist par excellence ,Hon Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam, Executive Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State for the confernment of his well deserved Award from this reputable Organization.
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