Hon Ogbonna Nwuke is a graduate of Martin Luther King Junior Ideology

By David E. Oguzierem

Dr Martin Luther King Jnr in accepting one of the world’s highest honours, the Nobel Peace Prize, said“Nonviolence is the answer to the critical political and moral questions of our time, the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression.”

Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, whom I refer to as the “Martin Luther of Etche Politics” has clearly lived and practically demonstrated the words of Martins Luther written above. Hon Ogbonna Nwuke is a man of nonviolence and peace. As the present APC political leader of Etche ethnic nationality, he has consistently and continually encouraged nonviolence as against violence, peace as against crisis, unity as against disunity. His words and silence, actions and inactions clearly point to the single fact that he abhors violence and loves peace.

Hon Ogbonna Nwuke is a great pioneer in spirit. He has constantly pushed back the frontiers of justice, ignorance and poverty. During Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration between 2007 and 2015, he served as Director of Press, Commissioner for information, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and Member House of Representative.

Most people don’t really know the generous side of The Prince of Nwuke Dynasty. Let me tell my story of his gracious support upon my life. Aside from living free of charge in their GRA family house in 2009, when I returned from Lagos with his junior brothers Ugochukwu Nwuke and Ichie Nsirim, which I am very grateful for, I have also benefitted financially from this good man.

During Oga Ogbo’s tenure as commissioner, I secured a 90 million naira contract from my Boss then, late Amb Ignatius Ajuru from Isiokpo, another good and decent man, (may his soul rest in peace). He wanted to empower me, so he asked me to supply all the stone base and sharp sand on the contract awarded to him by Rivers State Government, which was Igwuruta – Eneka – Umukurushi road. The contract was awarded for 12Billion naira. He told me that by the time we are done with road, I will be a millionaire.

Unfortunately, the devil struck. He was killed a week after signing the Purchasing Order. We all know the story of his death, so no need recasting how it happened.

Immediately after his burial, the company new management refused to mobilize me for the job. I was asked to go use my money. As at that day, I had no kobo anywhere. Then it occurred to me that I have a big brother as commissioner. I ran to him. Right there and then, he called his account officer to come to his office. When his account officer arrived, Oga Ogbo asked her to give me any amount of money I want. In less than a week I signed off  millions of naira from that bank to handle my contract.

Sadly, the company collapsed because of mis-managemt, and our payments became an issue. We were not paid. In the process the bank requested for their money. Oga Ogbo magnimously wrote off the debt. How then can people ascribe laxity and weakness to such a great man of wisdom?

Oga Ogbo is my master come rain come shine. Etche people should understand that there is no perfect mortal. We are all weak one way or the other.

One further story about this most extraordinary man which very clearly illuminates his character is his constant encouragement, transformation and development more than any other commissioner in the history of Etche ethnic nationality. We have never had it so good in terms of mass development.

Between 1999-2007 we had a system that was more interested in sharing the people’s resources among themselves. But under the leadership of Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, via Hon Ogbon Nwuke, we have had responsive and responsible government that is very much interested in building schools, hospitals in every deserving community, constructing roads and bridges in all deserving environs, bringing power supply and water to the people.

A drive around Etche clearly demonstrates that Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, is a man born in due season, trained with the right heart, and released at the peak moment. Etche ethnic nationality received more schools and hospitals than any other local government in Rivers State under Amaechi administration. Amaechi administration built more roads, bridges, power supply in just three years than any other government in history.

Government special interest in Etche cannot be without Hon Ogbonna Nwuke’s preference for communal development more than individual enrichment.

Most people have asked why Hon Ogbonna Nwuke is not as rich as some political appointees under the CRA administration. Let me try to give a simple answer. He prefers that the resources of the people should be used to develop the people and not himself. He prefers to be poor and let the people enjoy development, than for him to be rich and the people be denied development. In a nutshell, he frankly hates and totally detests corruption.

In conclusion, Dr Myles Munroe clearly captures the political philosophy and basic principles of Hon Ogbonna Nwuke. “Leaders have purpose for their actions and what they influence. Leaders seek what is best for the group and not what is best for individuals. Leaders are inherently selfless and hardworking. They are driven by their conviction and purpose and resonates the passions in their vision statements.”