A Unique Philanthropist in the House
Some analysis and historians see politics as a dirty game. This is as a result of the blackmail, kidnapping, and killings of political opponents and other negative activities of politicians. The activities of this category of people therefore make politics a dirty game. In contrast, there are a good number of people, decent people who are in politics to improve the lot of their people. They are not in politics to make money and do not see it as a do or die affair.
One such decent mind in politics is Honourable Dozie Ferdinand Nwankwo who was sworn in a few weeks ago as a Member of the House of Representatives for Njikoka, Anaocha and Dunukofia Federal Constituency.
A native of Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, he bagged his BSc degree in Accounting from the University of Port Harcourt Rivers State and he is currently studying for his MSc in Business Administration (Leadership Option) in the University of the Liverpool UK. His quest for professionalism and specialisation routed him to many trainings, conferences, and exhibitions around the world including value world conference in Amsterdam, value engineering exhibition in China, Buffaloes fire-fighting equipment exhibition in the USA, oil and gas exhibition in Germany, Chemical spill cleanup pump exhibition in Sweden etc. The giant strides towards excellence have earned him series of awards including the Peace Ambassador touch on the citizens. From the records of the Foundation, over 44,000 people from 22 communities in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone have benefited from the various programmes of the Foundation. A breakdown of the beneficiaries indicates that over 3000 widows have been assisted through the poverty alleviation scheme, 500 people have undergone eye surgery while over 1000 others have been treated for various eye related illness and another 2000 given medicated eye glasses. Over 50,000 exercise books have been given to secondary school students. The Foundation has so far drilled 3 boreholes spread within the 3 local government areas comprising the Federal Constituency. It is said that when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice. So it is with Dozie Nwankwo ala Onyendozi.
Nwankwo has been a man of the people since he joined the murky waters of politics. In 2011, he contested for the same Federal Constituency seat under the banner of the former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and clearly won the election, but the usual abracadabra of politics of Anambra State could not allow the people will to prevail. He persevered and continued with his programmes of assistance to humanity. Again, he won convincingly in the 2015 elections, this time under the banner of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The forces of intimidation, power connection at the highest level of government in the country and in the electoral body could not allow his victory to prevail despite winning at all the polling booths. But since the Almighty God is the overall winner in every contest, the denial of his victory could not be pulled through this time around. The convincing victory was confirmed by the Election Petition Tribunal and affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Enugu.
Nwankwo has the Youth Empowerment and Assistance to small scale enterprises as his main focus. He believes that establishment of ICT centers in the various communities will assists the youths acquire knowledge to be on their own while skill acquisition in soap production and other small scale businesses will keep some youths busy. He sees the problem of erosion as a major one in his constituency and believes it needs serious federal government attention. He is of the view that APGA is the party to beat in Anambra state since it derives its appeal and mass following from the grass roots. He is very confident that Chief Victor Umeh will emerge victorious in the Anambra Central rerun election when it is held. He is full of praises for the administration of Governor Willie Obiano. Having tackled the serious problem of security and made our people to return home for celebrations without fear of kidnapping, he has indeed revived the former motto of the state Home for All and Investors are now coming into state in their numbers.
On his relationship with Prince Arthur Eze, the scion of the Eze family whose cousin he defeated in the election, he says that the prince has always been his political mentor and one of the giants of industry and commerce in the state.
Nwankwo is a rising star in the firmament of Anambra state and will definitely make an impact in the politics of the state both at present and in the future. A gold fish has no hiding place.
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