Chijioke Emenike
Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, christened “Mama Palliative” by some and others as “Nkechinyere Ideato” has been on the lips of many people over time as a possible contender for Ideato House of Representatives seat come 2027. As her name implies, she has been one who looked out for the people, especially, the less privileged through regular provision of palliatives to cushion effect of hunger and starvation over the years. Few weeks ago, Mama Palliative organised one of the most talked about empowerment programs in recent times. The empowerment programme captured hundreds of Ideato indigenes – empowering them with valuable items, including; medical kits, SME starter packs, cash gifts, etc. She did all these as someone who is not yet an elected federal office holder, but a mere state appointee. Records of her empowerment programs in the last seven years speak for itself.
Nkechinyere Ugwu could be said to have been born for what she does. As daughter of one of the most respected political leaders in the old Ideato, she grew up observing her father, Chief Engr. Godwin Ugwu, working assiduously to put smiles on the face of ordinary people. He paid school fees for children of those who could not afford it and helped everyone around him that needed help. She took after her father by assisting families with food stuffs, medical care and other basic support needs she could offer. She is said to have been inspired by her father and of course, mother’s commitment to the service of God and humanity even before she was appointed a commissioner in the state.
With a degree in Criminal Justice and as a Registered Respiratory Practitioner, her productive and professional work time in law firms and hospitals in the United States of America, gives her an edge over others. Until her appointment as commissioner, she was and is still the Chief Executive Officer of Greeco Global Networks. She was first appointed Board Chairman of Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri before His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Executive Governor of Imo State elevated her to the post of Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group. Upon reelection of Senator Hope Uzodinma as governor of Imo State, due to her outstanding performance in office, Lady Ugwu was reappointed to the same Ministry.
For those who may not know her, she is hardworking, resilient, reliable, embodies a quiet boldness and strenght and gets things done. This could be seen in her fearless campaign in 2015 Ideato South House of Assembly seat against the establishment. In 2015, it took some high-wired judicial interventions, that some people would say was manipulated, as she was almost coasting home to victory, not withstanding that she ran against the incumbent and in the constituency of the incumbent governor.
Her Achievements in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in six years are too numerous. For want of time, permit me to highlight just few of her achievements in office. They include;
Six years of budget presentation and defence with success;
Six years of external audit of the ministry’s accounts with a NO BILL report;
Six years of submitting and presenting memos and getting approvals at the Imo State Executive Council;
Several State Action plans drawn from the ministry regarding, Child Rights, Human Rights, Persons With Disability Law and VAPP Law;
Six years of leading the initiatives of the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma administration in rescuing many girl childs from abusive homes and guardians, resettling widows and vulnerable women, rescuing children and minors from abusive parents and guardians in Imo State;
Six years of coordinating effectively, the UNICEF endorsed campaigns for bringing an end to the Female Genital Mutilation and other harmful cultural and health practices in our communities;
Six years of coordinating the numerous humanitarian initiatives of the First Lady, Her Excellency, Barrister Dr. Chioma Uzodimma, which includes building new houses for displaced women and other women, especially, widows, whose houses got damaged or is dilapidated;
Six years of overseeing the empowemerment of over 3,000 Women Entrepreneurs, Widows and Orphanage Homes through the office of the First Lady;
Six years of coordinating the State Government’s efforts in partnership with the Congregation of St. Dunstan for the effective and efficient management of State Rehabilitation Centre, Umuneke Ngor, in Ngor-Okpala LGA which is now emulated by other states;
Six years of coordinating the efforts of Her Excellency, the First Lady of Imo State in the repatriation of young victims of sex trafficking within and outside Nigeria and ensuring the rehabilitation and resettlement of these victims;
Six years of coordinating the State Government’s initiatives on ensuring adequate provision of basic amenities at Imo State Custodial Center – provision of hair dryers, hair barbing equipment of different sizes, electric and manual sewing machines, etc;
Six years of coordinating the vision of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, in encouraging, sponsoring and equipping women with skills necessary for economic self-reliance, leading the campaign against all forms of child labour, victimisation and abuse of minors;
Six years of coordinated and transparent distribution of multi billion naira worth of palliatives distributed to Imolites through the office of the First Lady, especially, during the period of the COVID 19 till date;
With the inestimable support of Her Excellency Barrister Dr. Chioma Uzodimma, and the compassionate attribute of the governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, the ministry under Nkechinyere Ugwu has earned the trust of Imo people and is always accessible to anyone who might need its services. It is to the credit of her personal diligence that the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare ranks tops in the country, among the most transparent, responsive and responsible ministry;
Under her watch and with the support of Her Excellency Barrister Dr Chioma Uzodimma, the long-delayed Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) bill (VAPP) and PWD law was assented to by His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON;
She supervised and ensured that the Sexual Assault Referral Center called Deborah House was opened and is functioning. This SARC Center commissioned by Imo First Lady, has housed several Imolites who were sexually molested or trafficked;
In six years, Lady Ugwu has overseen several Talks, Seminars and Workshops organized through her Ministry in support of, and for awareness of important societal issues;
Six years of Interfacing with the police and the courts to make sure that victims and people’s rights are protected and justice delivered;
Six years of massive mobilization of Imo women to several Government functions like yearly August meetings and empowerment programmes;
Seven solid years of giving palliatives and empowerment to Ideato indegent sisters and brothers.
Through her efficiency and commitment and effective delivery, Ministry of Women Affairs in the State has conceptualised, initiated, implemented, coordinated and supervised fruition of over 150 programs and projects in her six years at the helm of affairs as commissioner.
Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu is a compassionate leader, a grassroot mobiliser, a builder of people, a transparent manager of public resources. When she is elected member, House of Representatives, there is no doubt that Ideato nation will be guaranteed of effective and efficient representation and judicious use of scarce resources earmarked for constituency projects.
Ideato needs a servant leader and not a Master. As Mama Palliative accepts this call, I enjoin the peace loving people of Ideato federal constituency to choose wisely maka odimma Ideato Nation.
