OBSERVING DR UCHE OGAH (PART 3)

GREAT IMO JONATHAN

In the year 2014, I asked myself: what should be the criteria for supporting any candidate for the Abia state governorship race? Should it be zone, political party or what? Abia is blessed with abundant human and material resources but her fortunes have not changed for good. Average Abia indigene is not happy with the situation of things in our dear state. How can a state be so blessed yet be lagging behind? A state that is historically and naturally blessed has become laughing stock. The notable history and glory of Aba and other cities and towns in the state has been diminished. Yet the potentials for greatness lie within our state. 

If we have such potentials, if we need more power; if we want our public buildings and facilities to be well maintained; if our schools require more trained teachers or more furniture; if public transportation is deserving of more infrastructure, equipment and personnel; whatever inadequacy you can think of, it can only mean that we are in dire need of a creative mind and an industrious hand who can take on these troubles.  Indeed, the more these gaps that remain in our development efforts, the more relevant it is for us to choose a manager of men and resources as a governor. I mean a technocrat who will be a solution provider and not a traditional politician.

To this effect I chose to support Dr Uche Ogah and I was bold about it. I am a member of the APC; But Dr Uche Ogah was in PDP. I am an Ngwa man, the same zone with the current governor and Dr Uche Ogah is from a different zone. It was a difficult decision to make, considering the fact that a lot of people in our society are driven by their prejudices and not necessarily by our collective need. That notwithstanding, I chose to work with Dr Uche Ogah and I am glad I did.

As it stands today, it is obvious that it is only a manager of men and resources like Dr Uche Ogah that can transform Abia state. Any other thing is a waste of time. But we don’t have such time to waste. At age 48, Dr Uche Ogah’s impact and achievement in Abia is a proof that he has what it takes to make Abia great. AND NO SENSIBLE PERSON DOUBTS A PROOF.

This great son of Abia in whom many indigenes of the state are well pleased, popularly known as Masters Energy, believes that democracy does not mean freedom from responsibility; on the contrary, he believes it is the building of a consensus of responsibility in tackling problems and re-engineering for the future.

Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, OON, and FCA, is the President of Masters Energy Group, a conglomerate that has over eighteen thousand (18,000) direct and indirect employees, with 16 subsidiaries and interests spanning Oil and Gas, Banking, Insurance, Aviation, Shipping, Dredging, Logistics, Construction, Agriculture, Travels and Tours, Power, E.t.c.

He is a manager of men and resources with proven evidence.
1. He has over 10 years banking experience with accolades.
2. He rose to the zenith of banking profession as Assistant General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc.
3. He resigned voluntarily to take a personal risk in the volatile world of business.
4. In 10 years he built his business into a conglomerate of 16 subsidiaries.
5. In just 10 years he has employed over 18,000 people directly and indirectly and they are well paid.
6. He built the biggest oil storage depot in sub-Saharan Africa, with 16 loading arms.
7. His company has automated tank gauging and dispensing systems
8. Two finger jetties that can conveniently berth two vessels simultaneously.
9. Functional  and dedicated jetty with about 9m draft at low water
10. His Jetty is included on NPA Global Map.
11. Dr Uche Ogah’s Masters Energy Group, has a target to have 42,000 persons in its workforce by the end of the year 2020.
12. He is the highest employer of labour in Abia state outside government.
13. He has built the biggest industrial city East of the Niger, with 12 industries located in Abia state.
In addition to that:
1. He built houses for widows and less privileged people.
2. He empowered youths of Abia by creating jobs for them. He bought buses and gave them to unemployed youths to help them find something doing for themselves.
3. In like manner, he gave countless number of people money to start businesses.
4. He built a functional health facility for the people. The center gives drug at affordable cost, thereby reducing infant and maternal mortality rates and other incidences of avoidable deaths in the once very interior community.
5. He electrified his community.
6. He also constructed a road into his community with a beautiful community gate comparable to any major estate in highbrow areas of Abuja and Lagos.
7. He built a palace for his king and built the house of God for his people.
8. He transformed his community from an obscure village into a magnificent city with street lights and CCTV Cameras in strategic locations; thereby providing security in the community.
9. Dr Uche Ogah built an ultra modern hall for Abia State University.
10. Dr Uche Ogah has given over one thousand  (1000) Abia youths scholarship.

Dr Uche Ogah is using the opportunities that God has given to him to be a blessing to Abia people and Nigeria; touching people’s lives positively. If all prosperous people in all communities in Abia state and Nigeria were like him, we would have been long a developed society.

Dr Uche Ogah is adding value to society. That is the point I am trying to make. He has straddled the world of business and politics and has as well used his position and resources to impact the state positively.

Dr Uche Ogah is a Manager of men and Resource; let us support him to bring development to Abia State.