PROFILE: What To Know About Chidi Onyechuku Uwabuofu, The 2021 APC Chairmanship Candidate For Ukwuani LGA

Introduction:

Chidi Onyechuku Uwabuofu was born in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State on the 23rd of May 1981, to Mr. Isaac Okeiuku Robert Uwabuofu and Deaconess Sumele Victoria Eyesan, both of blessed memory. Genealogically, Chidi has link with the three senatorial districts in Delta State. Chidi’s father was from Umuebu, Ukwuani LGA, Delta North Senatorial District. His mother hailed from Koko (Itsekiri), Warri South LGA,  Delta South Senatorial District, while his maternal Grandmother, Mrs Robeca Eyesan (nee Otone) was a descendant of Urhobo immigrants in Ukwuani LGA from Delta Central Senatorial District.

Chidi began his educational journey at St Gokate’s Nursery School, from where he proceeded to Emeni Primary School for his primary education. After his primary education in 1992, He attended Boys’ Secondary School Obiaruku, and then Ndokwa Secondary Commercial School, Obiaruku from where he completed his secondary education in 2002. Soon after his secondary education, after a failed attempt to secure admission into Delta State University, Abraka to study Geography and Regional Planning, rather than stay idle, he secured an admission into University of Uyo in 2004, where he later bagged Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in International Relations in 2006. This was soon followed by a Bachelor of Art (BA) degree in Philosophy in 2010. After his National Youth Service from 2011 to 2012 at Isulo, Orumba South LGA,  Anambra State,  he went back to school at the University of Uyo to pursue a higher degree in philosophy in 2012.  He has since completed his studies and subsequently bagged the award of a master’s degree (MA) in philosophy which marks the apex of his educational journey so far. All his degrees were acquired at the University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State where he remains highly regarded among his lecturers and colleagues.

Chidi lectured at the School of Management and Technology, a private polytechnic in Obiaruku, Delta State for about two years where he taught courses in Philosophy, Psychology, Anti Corruption Studies, General Studies etc.  On the 1st of March, 2019, he honorably announced the voluntary withdrawal of his laudable services from the institution stating that his ‘core values’ ceased to be in tandem with the institution’s culture. In 2020, Chidi picked up a job in the hospitality industry, precisely at VNN Suites and Resorts as a Supervisor where he served diligently. In January 2021, Chidi withdrew his services at VNN as a requirement for those seeking for public office and in order for him to focus on his chairmanship ambition. Chidi is happily married with three lovely children.

Social Works

Being an ardent student of philosophy, Chidi honed his art with a clear sense of purpose, and like most philosophers, he found an idea which married his innate disposition and he made it his own, and called it his philosophy. His philosophy centers on what he calls ‘Sacrificism’. Sacrificism is a guiding principle, an inevitably philosophical and ideological orientation borne out of the need to refine the value we place on materialism and individualism. Sacrificism simply dictates that everyone must make sacrifices for social advancement and prosperity.This ideology no doubt is behind the philanthropy of the young man himself which led to the evolution of the Ukwuani Social Improvement Leaugue (USIL) in 2015, a non profit making organisation whose primary aim is to address the socio-economic challenges of the Ukwuani youths. In the same year, the organisation hosted the maiden edition of it’s annual sports festival, an event which was well received by the majority of the Ukwuani people. Invitations were extended to every corner of Ukwuani and it was nice to see the good faith in which the games were competed. Many agreed that the event was a success, and the support from private individuals as well as those in government was vital for it’s survival. The organisation has been able to organize one of the biggest sports events in Ukwuani, with support from individuals like himself who were willing to do the needful, for the good of the society. Apart from USIL Chidi is also a member, the vice president of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Think Tank Assembly, a nonprofit organisation which promises ‘to give perspective to national questions with lucid claim to chart a path for the developmental aspirations of the Ukwuani people’.

Religious View

Chidi’s religious view is eclectic — that God manifests in all religions and hence the need for religious harmony. He is a traditionalist and free thinker.

Politics

Chidi had been a supporter of Labour Party but left the party to join the Social Democratic Party, SDP where he served as the party’s LGA Chairman in Ukwuani from 2016 to 2017. As the party’s LGA chairman, he was very instrumental to the popularisation and consolidation of the party in the LGA. He later resigned from this position to contest in the January 6th 2018 LGA chairmanship election in Delta State. Chidi’s participation in the election no doubt redefined grassroots politics in Ukwuani. His campaign was holistic and fact based, with a true heart of love for the people and with a clear vision of where Ukwuani as a nation should be. It featured door to door evangelism primarily geared towards public sensitisation on the need for the Ukwuani youth and even the poor,  regardless of their social status, to be actively involved in politics, stressing that politics remains the most viable instrument for social and economic change. Indeed,  Chidi’s participation significantly inpacted on the political consciousness of Ukwuani people.

On the 14th of August,  2018, Chidi Uwabuofu officially resigned his membership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing the decision of SDP’s national leaders to form an alliance with the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections in what they called Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP). Not long after his resignation from the SDP,  he officially joined the APC with his teaming supporters in a ceremony which was well attended and highly celebrated among the rank and file of the party in Ukwuani LGA. On joining the APC,  he was immediately chosen as the secretary of the reconciliatory committee that was set up to reunite the existing factions within the party in the LGA. Chidi has been officially declared the Ukwuani LGA APC candidate for March 6th, 2021 chairmanship election having formerly participated as SDP chairmanship candidate in 2018.

Motivation

Chidi drew an inspiration for social service from the deaths of his loved ones. In the early 90s, his youngest brother, Moses lost his life after being knocked down by a vehicle in Obiaruku. In 2007 he lost his dad in the hands of armed robbers, in 2015 his elder brother, Chima died suddenly soon after an operation as a result of medical incompetence, and in 2016 his mum lost her life in a kerosene lantern explosion. From these experiences, Chidi realised how short and unpredictable life could be and hence decided to devote his life to social service. He thought that if certain things were in place in Nigeria, the deaths of his family members and other Nigerians who have lost their lives could have been avoided. Thus, he is motivated by the desire to improve the socio-economic and political welfare of his people and the nation at large.

Hobbies

Chidi enjoys writing, reading, playing scrabble and football. He also enjoys listening to good music, especially Ukwuani traditional music by King Ubulu,  Rogana Utah, Smart Williams, etc.