By Nelson Egware
Diamond jubilee age is
one milestone usually celebrated by many with profound fanfare and passion
because it marks a critical turning point in one’s life. To Leo Ogor, Minority
Leader, House of Representatives, this long-established aphorism is not any
different as he clocked 60 on Sunday, January 6, 2018. For someone who has
accomplished so many enviable feats in politics and public service, Ogor has a
lot to cheer, celebrate and many red carpets to lay, consistent with his
towering accomplishments. But as a man not given to boisterous celebrations, he
has opted for a quiete thanksgiving service at St Paul's Anglican Church in
Ozoro the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State to
thank God for his mercies upon his life especially for surviving a stroke
attack in 2016 which he is still recovering from.
In the words of Mario
Puzo in his famous book "The Godfather", "Great men are not born
great, they grow great". Ogor’s diamond jubilee commemoration is
remarkable in various ways. It coincides with the period he is contesting for a
record 5th term to represent his people once again. He is the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives flag-bearer for the Isoko
Federal Constituency in next month’s general election, with his chances of
clinching the position for a record 5th term brightening each passing day. His
victory, predictably on the heels of this milestone would open yet another
uncommon vista but largely striking chapter in his life because he as worked so
hard to grow great.
Born January 6, 1959
to the illustrious family of Mr. and Mrs. James Okuweh Ogor, Hon. Leonard
Okuweh Ogor hails from Ozoro and Idheze respectively in Isoko North and South
Local Government Areas of Delta State. Hon. Ogor started his working career at
the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos in 1980 before proceeding for further
studies abroad at the Emile Woolf College of Accountancy, London, where he
obtained the AIB Qualification (1981-1983). His zeal and insatiable taste for
knowledge further took him to Cambridge University, London, in 2012 where he
successfully attended Negotiation Strategy Course. He is also a Chartered
Administrator from the Chartered Institute of Administration of Nigeria,
2005-2007. In February, 2017 he bagged the International Executive Master of
Business Administration, IEMBA in Strategic and Project Management from the
Paris Graduate School of Management, Paris, France.
Before venturing into
politics and subsequent election as Representative of Isoko Federal
Constituency in 2003 at the House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor was a successful
businessman. He owned and managed chains of companies. He was the Chairman of
Trinap Manufacturing Company, Peanard Manufacturing Company, Peanard
Pharmaceuticals Limited and a host of other companies. These business
attributes have had a far-reaching effect in shaping Leo Ogor, accounting for
his astronomical growth and success in public service and politics.
At 60, Ogor has
amazingly held several strategic political positions. In 2011, due to his
vibrancy, inter-personal relationship with over 10 years experience at the
lower house, Hon. Leo Ogor was overwhelmingly elected as Deputy Majority Leader
of the House of Representatives and leader of the South-South caucus in the
House. Hon. Ogor has been Chairman of several Adhoc Committees of the House,
including the Pentascope Investigative Panel, Malabu Oil Block Sale, Single
Windows System, BOFIA Amendment Act Committee, Adhoc Committee on the poor
services of GSM service operators in the country and many others. Hon. Leo Ogor
has sponsored several Bills, moved numerous motions and has made quality
contributions to other motions at plenary and Committee sittings. He ennobles
the office with remarkable skill, exceptional diligence, elegance and panache
and also demonstrates an extraordinary acumen in the face of seemingly
insurmountable obstacles.
Since his emergence in
the political scene, Hon Ogor has left no one in doubt about his vision and
mission in public service, which is anchored on service to humanity and also
the unity of Nigeria. His belief in the Nigerian project is infectious, which underlines
his conviction that a united Nigeria can be enthroned where every citizen can
actualize his or her potentials in any part of the country irrespective of the
person’s ethnic or religious background.
That Hon Ogor has
pursued these beliefs through robust, intelligent and bipartisan legislative
engagement is not in doubt. Realizing that the legislature is the engine room
of any functional democracy, he has initiated so many bills and motions that
bear directly at the nation’s unity and welfare of the citizens. Interestingly,
Ogor has won four consecutive elections, resulting in his 16-year stint in the
House. His stay in the National Assembly has shown him to be
development-focused and infrastructure-led. His pursuits for empowerment
programmes resulting in wealth creation and employment boost have remained
palpable and unassailable. These realities, including his regular interface
with his constituents, are instructive of his dexterity for effective
legislative governance.
Although this piece is
a birthday tribute to the "legislative general" and not principally
fashioned to enumerate the many projects he has brought to the Isoko nation,
the record of his road infrastructure, electricity projects, education
facilities, water projects, hospital facilities are significant and verifiable.
For instance, Ogor got the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to award
contract for the construction of a new bridge linking Enhwe and Unenurhie
communities which was damaged by the 2012 flood. He has also attracted several
road, water and electricity projects, as well as building of ICT Centre at the
Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro from the NDDC. He has also used his position as
a Principal Officer in the House to attract other people-oriented projects including
the Uzere-Aviara road awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and the Ofagbe
Orie Okpe Isoko, Uro Ada Road with a spur to Idheze and Ozoro in Isoko North
and Isoko South Local government areas awarded by the Federal Ministry of Niger
Delta Affairs as well as construction of Ozoro and Oyede township roads,
building of 18-classroom-blocks including a Science laboratory at Alaka
Secondary School, Ozoro; The Eru Primary School Igbide; the provision of Health
Centres across Isoko Federal Constituency; the building of classroom block at
Umeh Secondary School as well as in Emede, Aviara, Irri and Okpe-Isoko.
Beyond Ogor's astute
representation, one secret that has kept him endeared to his people is his
constant keeping in touch with them. Call him from the first day of the
inauguration of the National Assembly to the next election date, he will pick
your phone all through the four years. His gates are never locked. He attends
to the young and the very old. It is an indisputable fact that he has the
record of the Isoko political office holder that stays in Isoko the most in the
last 16 years. Always around to face the pressure and ever ready to hear from
the people and proffer solutions to the myriads of problems he is accosted with
on a daily basis.
Driven by the desire
to build human capital to propel socio-economic development in Imo, he has at
various times organised empowerment programmes for the people of Isoko Federal
Constituency. At 60, Leo Ogor is set to return to the House of Representatives
for a record 5th term. His pedigree, profound public service experience,
legacies, accomplishments, inspirational leadership style, sincerity and
results-oriented programmes and projects for his people place him above all
other candidates in the race for the House of Representatives, Isoko Federal
Constituency. The real gift Isoko people would bestow on this man of vision is
to commemorate his diamond jubilee celebration by voting him again to continue
in his effective representation of his people till 2023. It is only
incontrovertible that such is a plausible and wise decision Isoko would benefit
inestimably.
• Egware is Special
Assistant (Media) to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
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