By Hon Dr Chidi Okoye, Founder, Ikemba Front
The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, CON, redeemed his promise of new year gifts to the people of Enugwu Agidi, two days after donating security equipment worth approximately 100 million naira(N100M) to the community as well as a cash donation of 10 million(N10M) to Enugwu-Agidi Stakeholders Forum, and yet another 2million naira (N2M) cash gift to the women and elderly.
After surviving a brazen assassination attempt on him on 11th September 2022, at Enugwu -Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, which led to the death of some of his security aides, Senator Ubah vowed to checkmate insecurity, not only in his Anambra South Senatorial District but in the entire state.
Rather than running away, “with his tail between his legs”, the Ikemba in him came to the fore. He could have chosen to stay away from Anambra, just like several other prominent indigenes of the state, who had gone into self exile. Alternatively, he can afford to protect himself with enough personal security, including armoured vehicles. However, as Ikemba personified, he realized that he could not really feel safe until the bizarre wave of unprecedented insecurity that had seized his beloved state was effectively checked. That was indeed a tall order. Nevertheless, he set about doing just that, starting from his own Local Government -Nnewi North.
On Sunday, 2nd July, 2023, at the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi, he unveiled a number of security gadgets and equipment he procured for security operations in the Nnewi and environs while tasking the vigilante operatives to ensure water-tight security for the people. He said, “The time has gone when armed robbers and criminals will be harassing law-abiding citizens in Nnewi and its environs. This time around, criminals will no longer have their normal field day both inside the bush and in the towns.“We will employ men and women of sound character to work at the security control room from where the movement of people in and around the communities will be monitored through a Close Circuit Television network. The walkie-talkies are to enhance communication between the security network. The vehicles are to help in security patrol.”
Since then, the Ebube Chukwu Uzo 1 of Nnewi, who has demonstrated his resolve and capability to arrest insecurity, outside his constituency has not relented for a moment in pursuit of the Herculean task he assigned to himself. Pursuant to that effect, he has gifted security equipment to various communities and other empowerment equipment and materials to thousands of youths in the state. The Senator, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ubah, on Monday, presented no fewer than 14 Toyota Sienna vehicles, 40 motorcycles, over 100 walkie-talkies and other security gadgets to vigilance groups and neighbourhood security watch in Nnewi, Anambra State. Ubah said the gesture was part of efforts aimed at equipping and fortifying the local security operatives and empowering them in the fight against the rising insecurity in Nnewi and its environs.
In his words, “No serious government will allow an inch of any part of Anambra State to be under the control of bandits. “We must do everything possible to ensure the security of lives and properties of our people. That was why I made the call on the various communities in Anambra State to organise themselves, and I will gladly deploy the same security architecture that we have successfully tested in Nnewi.”
You may recall that the Senator had in the recent past collaborated with and made similar donations to other communities like Igboukwu, Enugu Agidi, Abatete, etc, while several other towns have indicated interest in keying into the Senator Ifeanyi Ubah security model.
Sen Ifeanyi Ubah who is known for his popular quote ” Talk and Do” lived up to his words when he visited Enugwu Agidi Community, where the BOT chairman of Ikemba Front, a socio political organization, Amb. Prince Emeka Egwuekwe hosted him and his entourage on the 1st of January, 2023. He had promised to send food items to the people of Enugwu Agidi, as a New Year gift.
Today, January 5th, 2024, exactly on the day he promised to fulfil his promise, the truck of rice and additional security equipment arrived Enugwu Agidi to meet the expectation of a mammoth crowd numbering up to seven hundred persons.
Ikemba Front BOT chairman Prince Egwuekwe ( Apakata Onyi), who supported Sen Ifeanyi Ubah by adding two hundred bags of rice to the supply, told the crowd that Sen Ifeanyi Ubah is the only person that has excited him enough to join politics. According to the Abuja based business Mogul, it was based on the fact thst he is sure that he(Ubah) is a kind hearted, humane and experienced politician, who is dearly loved by his constituents and everyone who knows him. Furthermore, Prince Egwuekwe reminded them that Ubah is not the senator representing their district -Anambra Central. Yet, he is extending his good works to their community.
The people prayed for the Senator, asking God to grant him his heart’s desires, especially as it affects the corporate well-being of Anambra State. They then shared their gifts peacefully and went home happily.
Finally, according to an anonymous philosopher, “People with good intentions make promises, people with good character keep them”. Indeed, Senator Ubah’s character has shown, not only in his keeping his promises but in the amount of determination, dedication and dexterity he deploys in doing so. Yet again, the great Greek philosopher, Socrates said, “A promise should be given with caution and kept with care”. Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has indeed kept and is still keeping his promises with a great deal of care because from the profoundity of his soul, he cares for the well-being of Ndị Anambra. Therefore, Ndi Anambra have every reason to believe his words whenever he makes a promise because he keeps promises.
Hon Dr Chidi Okoye (Ogazi Umunri) Founder, Ikemba Front, writes from Enugu-Agidi, Njikoka LGA, Anambra State
