By Kenneth Orusi
When the Senator currently representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ned Nwoko, told his Anioma kinsmen and women that he has a lot to offer if allowed to go to the Senate, many thought he was speaking like the usual politician.
In 2015, he ran for the Senate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but the baton was given to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following the inability to secure the seat, the Pro-Chancellor of the Stars University of Nigeria went back to his business while in touch with the party and politics of the state.
Again, in 2023, when it was ripe for him to be anointed like King David, who was in the bush, tendering after his father’s sheep, he clinched the party’s ticket. This time, no doubt, the coast was clear for him. And the victory was supersonic.
It would not be out of place to state that since he subscribed to the oath of office in June 2023, his love for his people has tripled, as his vision for his constituency has remained untainted. His love for Delta North Senatorial District keeps him “awake”, as he is determined to turn the fortunes of his people around for good.
Hence, barely one year and five months on the saddle, many Anioma people are already thankful to God for voting him into the senate. For them, he is the answer to their years of yearning for true and purposeful representation.
He came with a style that took everybody aback. Already equipped with the peculiarity of his people, armed with his blueprint, he hit the ground running, mixing words with actions; the first-timer became one of the most vocal both at senate plenary and committee meetings.
It is either he is standing up for his people or the entire nation. He was among the Senators who donated their December salaries amounting to N109 million to the victims of the accidental bombing in Tudun Biri village, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
The philanthropic gesture was disclosed by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin when he said: “We are here to represent the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and indeed, other senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to sympathize with you for the lives lost and those who sustained injuries in respect of the unfortunate incident that happened at Tundun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state”.
In a similar vein, he spearheaded the release of an innocent king when he was incarcerated in the military cell in Abuja for three months. The traditional ruler of Ewu-Urhobo-kingdom, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe I, before his counterparts, Senators Ede Dafinone and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas representing Delta Central and South Senatorial Districts respectively came in.
Permit me to come home, as Senator Nwoko, the billionaire businessman and international lawyer of repute has transversed the nooks and crannies of the state, touching lives with his simple way of life and belief when he said in a forum, “I don’t believe in religion or colour. Whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, I render help”.
The almost state of anarchy between Ugboba and surrounding communities over boundary adjustment and the activities of MOSRA Energy Limited, the coal mining company was amicably resolved by him without spilling blood.
At the courtesy visit on the highly revered monarch of Ugboba Kingdom, HRM Obi Ezedimbu Emmanuel Nkebakwu to thank him for his community’s votes that added to his victory, the STAR Prince said: “The mining company has shown to me that they have license to mine and had done Environmental Impact Assessment before the commencement of mining.
“I am happy that they underwent various processes on conditions of mining and the federal government had given them a license to do business.
“However, my concern is that they met all their obligations to the community and even went further. I am here to have a knowledge of the coal mining environment.
“I’m aware that the state government had done their assessment with regards to pollution or any form of damage on the environment. The federal government will also send experts with a view to correcting any defect.
“This is to enable us to work in cohesion in the interest of development that positively impacts all,” Senator Nwoko noted.
Senator Nwoko commended MOSRA Energy Limited for showing capacity to mine from the interactions he had with them.
He said he is interested in coal mining both as an environmentalist and as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment to ensure that the activities of the company do not conflict with the interests of the community.
Senator Nwoko while maintaining that he was voted to represent the people of Delta North and that he had resolved to speak on any issues concerning them, commended the King for his leadership disposition that has kept the community peaceful and united.
He hinted to the monarch of his effort towards getting the federal government to supply electricity to every community of Anioma through the 980 megawatts Okpai Gas Plant in the Ndokwa east area of the senatorial zone.
The Senator affirmed that the Senate had agreed with him that of the 980 megawatts generated by the Okpai Power Plant, 100 megawatts should be stepped down for Anioma to boost the electricity supply within the senatorial district.
The lawmaker also authoritatively assured the king of water supply to every community within the Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency from the Ogwashi-Uku dam, which he attracted during his tenure as a member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003.
He said that having completed the body of the project, the next phase, which is distribution, is what he is engaging the federal government on, to hand it over to the state government for the local communities around to benefit from the water supply.
While reaffirming his legislative blueprint for every community being represented by him to enjoy the dividends of one or two constituency projects directly from him, he asked the monarch to agree with his people on a priority project for him to execute in the community.
Senator Nwoko, who is a privileged member of 17 senate committees, including boundary matters, assured the monarch that in a few months, the National Boundary Commission would be in Delta to adjust the boundary between Delta and Edo states to permanently resolve issues of land encroachment.
At Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area of the state, Senator Nwoko has left his presence with a magnificent solar street light project. It is one of his most notable achievements and “all-in-one” solar street lighting project done in July this year, 2024.
The solar light stands as a testament to the Senator’s commitment to providing safe and energy-efficient lighting across communities in Delta North.
The recent commencement of remedial works on the dilapidated sections of the Benin-Asaba Highway, after Senator Nwoko met with the Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engineer Chukwuemeka Agbasi, is yet another milestone that should be credited to the Senator.
The list of Senator Nwoko’s achievements in his one year in office which has attracted discourse on national television, is unending. This has positioned him in the hearts of his people, despite being a lone voice as he is the only Delta PDP Senator in the National Assembly.
Yet, he had manoeuvred his way into the hearts of opposition colleagues to push for the well-being of his people. So far, he has done excellently well.
Therefore, Senator Nwoko needs all the support he deserves to turn Delta North Senatorial District into an El Dorado, a place where every Anioma person, home and abroad, would crave to call their own.
– Orusi is the Editor-in-Chief of The Story Online
