FEATURE: Ezechi, Rising Into The Spotlight As Ndokwa Youths Host Him

By Fidelis Egugbo

LIFE is certainly, not a bird of roses, but when God’s benevolent spirit singles you out for favour, it is important that arrogance will not make you to forget where you are coming from.

It was therefore, a thing of joy to see the youths of Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta State, coming out to host Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi for his excellent performance as the Commissioner representing Ndokwa East on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission (DESOPADEC).  Few months ago, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, having emerged for second term, dissolved the Board.

Following his exceptional performance as a Commissioner, the governor found him worthy to serve the entire state and humanity as an Executive Assistant to the state government.  The new position has thrown up greater challenge to Hon. Ezechi because, if he did well when he took Ndokwa East as his sole constituency, the coast is now wider for him to serve the 25 local government areas of the state and beyond.  So, on Thursday, August 29, 2019, the big wigs in Delta State politics in particular and other walks of life stormed Kwale, the headquarter of Ndokwa West Local Government Area to honour Ezechi.  Governor Okowa was represented by his Political Adviser, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta North, Chief Moses Iduh was there, the member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nicholas Ossai was also at the event with his followers.

The Commissioner for Finance in the state, Chief Fidelis Tilije was the Chairman of the occasion which the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Christopher Ochor sent a representative.  The Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Chika Ossai was also there with his team, several Commissioners including that of Youth Development, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga was there.  Those who served with Hon.  Ezechi at DESOPADEC, Hon. Ejaife Odebala,  Chief Pius Ovidje (POC), Dr Ossai Chukwuneye and Hon. Fidelis Oputa (Flenjour) were also at the event.

A great Deltan who was the driver of Governor Okowa’s re-election campaign in Delta North Senatorial District, Chief Godwill Obielum sent message in solidarity with Hon. Ezechi and organisers of the event.

Naturally, the Chairmen of Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East local government areas, Hon. Ifeanyi Osakwe and Juan Governor were personally present at the carnival-like event that characterises political events in this part of the world.

Majority f youths from Ndokwaland sees in him, a positive representation, a flower that should be watered to attract more patronage to them.  The choice of Kwale for such ceremony was also, very significant; it is seen as the headquarter of Ndokwa people due to the fact that it was once the local government headquarter of Ndokwa Local Government Area before it was split into three – Ndokwa West,  East and Ukwuani.

The hosting of the Okpai-Oluchi, Ndokwa East Local Government Area-born politician by the youths was an occasion for Governor Okowa to re-echo his administration’s commitment to meet with the needs of Deltans.

To the governor, political office holders must serve selflessly; “when you serve well, your people will recognise you.  They will always remember you because, service delivery is the primary aim of holding political office which is held in trust for the people.  Wherever you find yourself, know that the people are watching you, taking note of your actions.

“We are working for a stronger Delta to be achieved and the political office holders should assess themselves based on their performance to the people of Delta.   Ndokwa is one of the most peaceful ethic groups in Delta State,” Governor Okowa said.

Chief Obielum in a message, congratulated Hon. Ezechi for the recognition asserting, “I am glad that our people in the Ndokwa nation has recognised you (Hon. Ezechi) with this great honour.  Take it as a challenge to always improve on whatever you do for the good of the society and to the youths of our great state, know that building a stronger Delta translates to a better future.  Remain supportive to the government and respectful to elders.”

Chief Tilije thanked the youths for recognising one of their own while the Commissioner for Youths Development in the state, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga said, “as youths, we must build on capacity and competence.  It pays to go through mentoring; it pays to persevere.”

Hon. Ezechi who rode in an open-roof vehicle where he had the opportunity to wave to the people with a motorcade to the event, danced round the venue, exchanging pleasantries with the people on arrival.  In his speech, he said, “I was overwhelmed after listening to the youths of Ndokwa nation who came with an agenda of hosting me for my performance when I was a member of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission (DESOPADEC).

“It is my desired goal to ensure that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets stronger in Ndokwa nation and Delta by working with the leaders and various stakeholders.  As youths, we must key in properly into the stronger Delta programme of Governor Okowa-led government having seen a lot of projects across Ndokwa nation and Delta State at large; we must shun hatred for us to move forward.”

The organisers of the event through their coordinator, Comrade Anslem Nzete popularly known as Omamuli said hosting Hon. Ezechi was important as it will encourage other youths who are in appointive or elective positions to do their best in meeting with the aspirations of the people.  He expressed confidence that Hon. Ezechi will do more as the Executive Assistant to the Governor of the state bearing in mind, his antecedents in DESOPADEC.

There is no doubt that one good work attracts more work and it is also indisputable that hard work does not kill, what kills is laziness, idleness.  Ezechi is young, educated, vibrant and energetic; qualities that he will have to deploy in ensuring that he succeeds with his new appointment as Executive Assistant to the governor on Youth Development.

Most of those who spoke identified him as humble and respectful which are also qualities expected of a young man who will go places in politics.  There is no doubt that like the proverbial child who is not expected to be dirty on a market day, Hon. Ezechi is now in the spotlight more than ever before and as such, he needs prayers and support in whatever form for him not to make mistakes.

The eyes of the world are on him and may God guard and guide him as he move on.

(As published on page 8 of today’s (01/09/19) edition of The Pointer Newspaper)