By Chief Emmanuel Eboh
I have some clear perspectives on the man popularly called Ned. Oh yes, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly. This is based on my long-standing association with him.
Nigerians are generally in awe of Senator Ned Nwoko as one of the most time-honoured public figures to have emerged from Africa‘s most populous nation.
Nothing can be more salutary and ennobling in a nation in search of inspiring political leadership.
Ned Nwoko easily evokes spell-binding charisma. Good to the skin and spirit, his trajectory commands the finest of finesse.
Nwoko, a prince of Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North local government area, hit public consciousness over 25 years ago, when he made a dramatic entry into Nigeria’s politics to emerge as a member of the House of Representatives, Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency in 1999.
Brimming with brilliance, he had conquered Europe then as a world-class scholar who attended two of the best universities in the world -University of Keele and King’s College, University of London, where he earned double honours and a master’s degree in law.
At the peak of his amazing legal practice in the United Kingdom, as a proud solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, he was recognised as the best black lawyer of African descent in London.
The pedigree of Senator Ned Nwoko is unassailable. His offerings are so diverse and deep.
Whether as an entrepreneur, international lawyer, doyen of Paris club loans refund, founder of the first Sports University in sub-Saharan Africa, Arts and Tourism connoisseur, anti-Malaria environmentalist, Antarctica explorer, or much celebrated champion of Anioma state, Senator Ned Nwoko has done much to change the world.
With these heavy moral instruments, he came prepared for service when he headed to the Nigerian Senate in June 2023 to represent Delta North, popularly called Anioma.
Two years and months after, Senator Ned Nwoko had proved an excellent exemplar.
His impact far beyond rhetoric. His accomplishments are real. His legislative resonance is pleasing to those who matter most – the people.
He has consistently made Nigerians, especially his constituents, smile, exuding value and hope in the red chambers, addressing profound issues with penetrating insights and bold action.
Even as a first-timer at the Nigerian Senate, Nwoko ranks among the most respected. Few months ago he was adjudged the best performing senator in Nigeria by a credible peer review.
He is a member of 16 strategic committees, an unprecedented trust, in recognition of the tremendous capacity of one man. He is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Curbing Crude Oil Theft by Dubious Economic Saboteurs, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, with membership in other vital committees.
These include NDDC, NEPAD, Gas, TETFUND, Upstream Petroleum, Works, Finance, Defence, Police, Drugs and Narcotics, Communications, State and Local Governments, Primary Health Care Development and Disease Control, Constitutional Amendment, Anti-corruption and Economic crimes, Youth and Sports. A golden era for Delta North never seen in the annals of history.
Senator Ned Nwoko has so far demonstrated exceptional competence and clout in the service of the people of Delta North and Nigeria.
It has been two years and a few months of powerful strides at the senate.
HSenatee 30 memorable achievements of the Senator since he took the helm:
I. Sponsorship of record-breaking and 21 motions, rising as the most dutiful Senator in the 10th Nigerian Senate.
2. Agitation for ANIOMA state creation, now the most talked about issue in Delta political landscape and far afield.
3. He attracted 3.5 billion Naira projects to Delta North in 2024 federal appropriation, the highest ever in the district.
4 . Widespread provision of solar-powered lights across Delta North communities.
5. Empowerment of over 2,000 youths through skill acquisition training and entrepreneurial financial boost worth N150,000 per beneficiary.
6. Social investment succour to 1,000 market women in Delta North Senatorial District, enhancing their trade with over N100,000 each.
7. Establishment of Internet and Communication Technology Centres ( ICTs) in some communities in Delta North
8. Construction of expansive town hall in Amai community.
9. Renovation and equipment lifeline for Idumuje-Ugboko Medical Centre and Ezi Primary Health Care facility both in Delta North
10. Medical outreach programme across communities in Delta North.
11. Provision and distribution of transformers to several Anioma towns and villages
12. Procurement of tractors and agricultural tools and yields for farmers across agrarian Delta North in sync with the Renewed Hope Agenda and M.O.R.E Agenda.
13. Building of classroom blocks to enhance education in Delta North schools.
14. Construction of Idumuje-Ugbokoad.
15. Rehabilita tion of Ogwashi-Uku water supply scheme, to serve over 22 villages.
16.Provision of solar -drisolar-drivenraction borehole for Delta North communities
17. Construction of small/medium earth dams and erosion control works in Delta North
18.Developmen t of markets (open and locked-up stores) in Delta North communities.
19.Procuremen t and distribution of high – endhigh-end and laptops for students in Delta North
20.Constructi on of mini stadia um, Issele -UkIssele-Ukue sporting activities among youths in Aniocha North local government area,Delta Stat e
21.Constructi on of administraan tive block for Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale
22.Influenced through NDDC 2025 budget, development of massive coastal road traversing: Asaba – Oko – Abala – Utchi – Okpai – Abalagada – Aboh – Akarai – Umoru – Adaja – Oworubia – Onyah – Asaba-Ase – Abari – Patani
23. Upgrading of Federal College of Education Asaba to University status
24.Attraction of Universitythe of Agriculture Ute-Okpu,, first of ithe t’s kind itshe South South geo-political zone.
25.Vigorous a dvocacy leading to federal gothe vernmentgovernment’sve rehabilitation of the failed portions of Asaba/Benithe n expressway,a strategi c link across South -souSouth-south eastSouth-east26. Heightened nation-widnationwideon security surveillance against criminal kidnappers terrorizinterrorisinge and peaceful resolution of IPOB and Boko Haram insurgency,
27. Championed propagation of non -militnon-militaryion in independent nations and within the country as well as repatriations against transatlanthe tic slave trade and colonialism.
28. Member of the highest committee , Constittional Review Committee representing Delta state.
29. First prominent Deltan to lead in moving from PDP to APC in audacious and patriotic acknowledgacknowledgementsionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu (GCFR)
30.Restoratio n of national prestige and glory to Delta North through excellent legislative representation unprecedented in history.
These great efforts among oth,ers had earne,d Senator Ned Nwoko admiration and endorsement from Anioma peothe ple as their high perfohigh-performing
Today, Nwoko remains the most quoted Senator of the 10th Assembly in the service of Nigeria.Timeless glory from Anioma ilAnioma’sous son, offering patriotic representation with all integrity and honour.
There is a persona of Nwoko worth emphasizing. Working closely with him ,here are my candid observations. He is exceptionally social and accommodating with admirable pleasantries. He is the only high profile political leader in Delta who gives unfettered access to ordinary people. At his iconic Mount Ned palatial Idumuje-Ugboko ancestral abode, his doors are open almost 24 hours to thousands of people who thronged his residence for all manners of financial and moral assistance,any time he is home.
At his National Assembly office,Abuja,he stays as long as 10 pm most times working,receiving visitors,including the mighty and low. His Maitama residence is both Mecca and Jerusalem for multitudes of guests on daily pilgrimage of succour. This plain humanity of Nwoko is in sharp contrast to the whimsical arrogance of most Nigerian political office holders, deluded with the arbitrariness of crude power. Mostly selfish and insensitive. Never mind that their vain indulgence is tragically transient,fading all too soon like fickle flower.
The people of Delta North from Aniocha to Oshimili ,Ndokwa/Ukwuani to Ika are generally happy with Senator Nwoko for standing fair and firm for their collective aspirations and needs.
Indeed, the voice of the man representing Delta North has been comforting on the Senate floor,soothing our worries and rekindling our hopes.
Anioma land is on national stage,smiling without scandals. A game changer is confidently in charge of our dreams.
Yet, it is just morning at the National Assembly. With Senator Ned Nwoko on the saddle, I am convinced like most people, that a beautiful future beckons to Anioma people.
The manifestations are clear, for the good of the populace, even far beyond 2027 with divine grace on Ned.
– Eboh is a prominent Deltan and chieftain of the APC
