Uche Ekwunife: The Doyenne of The Senate

LINUS CHUKWUMA

As people who I believe to be much more intellectual than I am would always say, winning a NASS election is never enough, it’s apposite that you must work hard not only in exercising the constitutionally required duties, but also in being able to attract tangibles to the real masters: in the context of the foregoing, the constituents.

Like it or not, not all Senatorial District are as lucky as Anambra central in the 9th Assembly. The broadly smile on the faces of the constituents while listening to the zonal briefing by their senator is akin to the joy of the Nigerian students’ upon receiving the news that ASUU has called off it’s nine-month-long strike that has grounded academic activities in the public universities.

At a time of life when obviously many are sloughing responsibilities, Senator Uche Ekwunife – a star performing senator- is adding more and more to the district. In all modesty, the woman whose teeming supporters otherwise like to call Iyom is certainly on a different trajectory. When on December 26, 2020, she thought it wise for zonal briefing, any person who has known the Igbo-ukwu born Senator must have known that her achievements in the circa 18-month-old representation would be anything, but intangibles.— She has stupendous projects across the length and breadth of communities that make up Anambra central.

To avoid bias, I emerged at Senator Uche Ekwunife Event Centre, venue of the Zonal briefing, to hear straight from the horse’s mouth. At first glance, I observed that, the hall was filled to capacity, Wherein the elegantly groomed woman looking much younger than her 50 years. However, let me make no mistake she oozes infrequent representation, is full of energy and awesome legislative proficiency. Put succinctly, she is the doyenne of the senate.

Speaking, Senator Uche Ekwunife enormously unloaded verifiable scorecard report, to the great satisfaction of the audience, albeit, her mein suggests one who is not resting on her oars.

I was to learn via her terse but intimidating recital that work commenced even before the inauguration of 9th Assembly in the shape of sharing about 66 tricycles in the bid to reduce poverty and idleness. And upon inauguration she has never looked back in fulfilling campaign promises.

But it would have been less pleasing if nothing went towards the education sector, and I was dead sure that, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, HE Peter Obi who was in attendance and globally celebrated for his immeasurable contributions in education would had been in affirmative. But, the man known as Okwute could not contain his excitement as Iyom recounted how she gave out educational materials to 131 schools. And for record purposes, the materials cost more than 100 million naira.

HE Peter Obi had nothing but praise for Iyom. In his remarks, he showered encomium and advised Senator Uche Ekwunife to continue doing good especially helping the poor in the society.

“Unless we care for the poor people, it will consume all of us one day” Obi says.

Meanwhile, the educational materials was not the last on the report card of Senator Uche Ekwunife, 58 communities benefited in the medical outreach attracted by her. And to think it was for no fee made it very laudable because thousands of indigent families who ordinarily would not have afforded hospital bills received medical care and treatment.

The ace Senator effortlessly did not leave the less privileged behind. Building of 14 houses – 3 bedroom bungalow – are ongoing in different communities and nearing completion. The beneficiaries, as I learnt are families who genuinely are in the aforementioned category not based on political leanings.

However, the woman the people of Anambra Central has chosen to represent them at the upper chamber till 2023 in her wisdom long envisioned what has become worrisome by my ilks and organized leadership and conflict management for Ndi Igwe and as well as how to manage conflict between the President Generals and Ndi Igwe.— available records show that, no legislator has, before now, organized such enriching, educating and fruitful conference in Anambra state.

Speaking further, Senator Ekwunife whom Nigerian former minister of women affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih describes as “diligent and dedicated” and has a proven track record, with pleasure remembered the recently meticulously coordinated entrepreneurial development and skills acquisition training for women and teeming youths – ICT which Its benefits are too numerous to mention- was part of the training.

One of the party stakeholders, High Chief Sen Ben Obi who doubled as the chairman of the occasion is super proud, because the woman dubbed 7/7 Senator whom he toured the LGAs for support in the last elections is exceedingly doing well in NASS.

While the event ensured, Sen Ben Obi watched in great deal of delight as the fastidious legislator continued to spellbind Ndi Anambra Central on what uncommon representation necessitates.

“Everybody knows what Iyom is doing. When she was at the National Assembly it was evidently clear she represented very well. At the senate, she has continued with the quality representation.

“When we were campaigning we said that she would bring home whatever is due for Anambra Central and I’m convinced she is doing so even till tomorrow. She doesn’t allow what is meant to be for Anambra Central, Anambra and Igbo race to elude her.”

No thanks to the Covid 19 induced economic recession, Senator Ekwunife, however, facilitated Nirsal Microfinance Bank loan – a central bank of Nigeria authorized institution – offering loans to support individuals and micro, small and medium enterprises (SME) chiefly affected by the pandemic. The lawmaker revealed that it’s a single- digit interest loan and said that applicants should reach out to her once the necessary documents are filled to speed up the availability. Moreso, it’s to her credit that when Nigeria was hit by the first wave of Covid 19 between the first and second quarters of the year, she equally facilitated the distribution of relief materials to strengthen the curves of economic meltdown.

Thunderous applause rented the air when Senator Ekwunife stated that she enabled 129 pensionable Federal employment across different ministries for job seekers in Anambra, however, she enjoined others who are yet to be absorbed to remain steadfast in prayers assuring she will always do the best she could to assist.

And when I thought she had exhausted her scorecard report, the Senator, I like to think mellifluously struck the naysayers below the belt announcing the rehabilitation of schools and about eight has been handed over to the communities.

On roads, the distinguished Senator assured that while more roads will be captured in the coming budgets, nonetheless, about 27 roads construction presently are ongoing within the zone, the good news is, all will be completed in the coming months.

Important bills and motions have been sponsored by the Chairman senate committee on Science and Technology since her sojourn on the floor of the senate. If you ask me, I think, all these informed HE Peter Obi’s remarks while addressing journalists that if we are going to choose people to lead we must ensure that those we are voting for are people who have capacity and competence to contribute in building a better nation. All these adjectives best describe Senator Ekwunife.

The great and the good who spoke at the event were former minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka as well as the chairman of Anambra Central Traditional rulers council, HRM Christopher Okpala, the Traditional Ruler of Akwaeze and the PDP state Vice Chairman of Anambra Central, Hon C. C Okeke.

Dignitaries present at the event were the Senator’s beloved husband, Chief Larry Ekwunife (Ochendo), Sen I. G. Abana, Hon Obinna Chidoka, PDP state chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, Professor Stella Okunna, PDP State Excos, the DG Senator Uche Ekwunife Organization, Chief A. A Anagu. Others were PDP LGA chairmen, friends and associates of the distinguished Senator.