SERIES>>>
By: Chukwuemeka Obinna Nonyelu
Right from the days of yore; before she became an independent nation, Nigeria has had leaders who distinguished themselves with sheer brilliance, knowledge and correct practical application of their knowledge. Those were leaders who could hold their own as the most eloquent members of the political order. Back then, people felt greatly honoured to be associated with politicians. Though some were revered like royalty, they never dissociated themselves from the plight of the ordinary Nigerian.
Effective leadership is marked by courage in the face of great odds and a willingness to sacrifice all. It is in this spirit that we must shine a light on one of the true heroes of the political space in Abia. He may not be someone that we can consider as a ‘’career politician’’. Rather, he was a man that stood for ideals bigger than himself and laid the framework for some of the things we enjoy today as Abians.
Before we proceed, we must reiterate that there are some cardinal reasons that undergird this series. First, as a public service, a way of further enriching the various reflections and interpretations of the policies of the various leaders and administrations in Abia State. Also, the documentation of this piece is essentially to create a national and international platform that allows the public greater access to Abia’s political history via a treasure of rich information that points to some of the unsung heroes as well as those that currently hold sway in Abia’s political landscape.
Without much ado, we will quickly highlight one of the leaders that most people in contemporary times might not be well acquainted about. In the light of pushing for an ideal future, we must look at the past to find out what worked, what we have not done well and the things that can be done in order to get an ideal environment of peace and prosperity for all Abians. We will therefore walk through the annals of history as we look at the contributions of Commodore Amadi Ikwechegh.
Amadi Ikwechegh was born on 25 February 1951 in Amakpo, Igbere in Bende, Abia State. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1974. He attended the Armed Forces Command & Staff College, Jaji, and also earned a masters in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. From 1986 to 1989 he was Military Governor of Imo State and a member of the Provisional Ruling Council, the highest decision making body of the country at the time.
The fact however, regrettably, remains that only few, very few Nigerians really understand the man himself, the currents of his times and ideas, their relationship to the wider national and international community, and how they were shaped by historical and cultural factors. This initiative will open new areas of learning and discovery and will preserve a precious document for future generations to rely upon in order to understand the underlying principles and structural forms of the life of Comodore Amadi Ikwechegh’s administration, and to generate theoretical formulations (and solutions) in areas of political, social and economic problems.
Comodore Amadi Ikwechegh (cousin to prominent philanthropist and International business mogul, late Chief Mascot Ikwechegh), thrived as a leader of the Old Imo State which gave birth today’s Abia State and he pursued infrastructural developments and initiatives that still speak volume till today. He influenced a new crop of stakeholders to push for an egalitarian Abia where everyone can enjoy the real dividends of purposeful and focused leadership.
Chief Alex Ikwechegh, former Abia North Local Government Chairman, is a philanthropist that has helped to turn the fortune of many lives for good. He has continued the tradition of the Ikwechegh dynasty to touch lives and lift the lot of the less privileged.
On the other hand is Emeka Ikwechegh, a philanthropist and renowned businessman with chains of businesses in Uyo, Lagos and Port Harcourt. He had also served as Special Assistant to former Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, Hon. Mascot Kalu, in 2007 under the leadership of Senator T. A. Orji as governor.
The heart of service and the sacrifice to put Abia in its rightful place is something that is synonymous with the Ikwecheghs, a legacy that is being effectively sustained by the duo of Alex and Emeka Ikwechegh.
To be continued…
Nonyelu writes from Lagos
