On Friday, the 29th day of April 2022, all roads leading to No 1 item street, Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State for the official declaration to contest for the office of the Governor of Abia State on the formidable All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections by the Doyen of Abia Rejoice and the Ebullient Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah (OON).

Undisputably, and on obvious facts, that the geninue quest by Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah to seek for the gubernatorial seat of Abia state under the great party, the APC, come 2023 is hinged on the yearnings and geninue quests of the larger population of people of Abia state, and coupled with several calls and appeals by socio-cultural and political groups both at home and the diaspora, whom for a long time ago, are desirous in the enthronement of purposeful, responsive and development-oriented leadership in Abia state.

It remains a reality, and no iota of doubts and contradictions that, the current mood of the ordinary citizens of Abia state yearns in the entrenchment of true democratic leaderships in all levels of the state, and tilted at restoring the lost glory of Abia, and the rebuilding of numerous legendary legacies of Dr Michael Iheonuakra Okpara, the late Premier of the Old Eastern Region of Nigeria; and which are not in doubts, that those entrusted with leaderships successively, had been unable to show capacity and the political will, to resuscitates and foster the needed development in Infrastructures and the economy of the God’s Own State in order to make lives suitable, affordable and conducive for the future and unborn generations to come in every fields of human endeavors.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the indefatigable leader, quintessential minister, philanthropist per excellence, renowned entrepreneur and Businesss Management guru, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah formally join the 2023 Abia governorship race on Friday, it lies on the shoulders of good and industrious people of Abia state, to rally round him with the maximum supports to enable him replicate the tremendous and laudable strides achieved in the private sector business investments that later and successfully translated to ownership of bussines conglomerates with over 15 subsidiaries and interests across a variety of industries, amongst is Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited. And equally, it’s on the record that over 10,000 citizens of Abia state and beyond, that cut across across the six geopolitical zones of the country are currently engaged followed by job opportunities provided by the management of his business conglomerates, and they receives daily to monthly pay, and this uncommon gestures, have continued to create positive and uncommon impacts in their livelihoods, that have enabled them become self-reliable, efficient and productive to catering the daily needs and demands in family building.

Currently as the Nigerian Honorable Minister of State, and the Abia louder voice in the Federal Executive Council, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah has recorded unquantifiable and incomparable strides in the ministry of mines and steel Development has deepened the great efforts of government’s economic diversification process. He has demonstrated uncommon leadership, and responsive representation of Abia state, at the national government. And these wonderful attributes and characteristics displayed by Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah had metaphors into recognitions by the President, and several approvals of siting and attraction of people’s- oriented economic and Infrastructural federal projects  Abia state, by the federal Executive Council under the chairmanship of President Muhammadu Buhari, among not the least, the recent approval of Request by the minister for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic and that will be sited in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia state, an approval by the Council for the full reconstruction of Uturu-ABSU-Akara roads in Isiukwato Local Government Area, and facilitation of huge number of impactful Social Investment Business Development Programme/ Schemes that has genuinely in turn, empowered large population of the unemployed and less priveledged Abians, and many number of non-indigent Abians.

In the nation’s mines and steel sector, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah has displayed the wherewithal in reforming the mining sector and the economic diversification drive of the current administration.

It would be recalled also that Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, had as a result of hard-work, and well as, through transformative policies and programmes, has raised the bar in the Nigeria mines sector, especially in the area of revenue generation, and has wonderfully enhanced the economic stability being witnessed currently in the most populous country in Africa continent.

Other monumental strides achieved by Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, through policy actions aimed at diversifying the Nigeria economy had strengthened collaboration with state governments in the country and relevant security agencies to ensure security and safety of mining areas, introducing incentives to improve the investment climate for mining activities.

It’s equally in records that the ministry of mines under Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah had recorded successes in the eradication of illegal mining and had also formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining activities across the country, in collaboration with the private sector to create a large number of well-paying jobs for Nigerian youths. His administration in the ministry has continued to launch myriads of programs, such as the federal government direct Intervention Fund under the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project (NIMEP) designed to take advantage of the under-explored metal organic belts. According to a statement by the Honorable Minister, “this is aimed at generating geoscience data capable of spurring investments into the sector, especially commodities such as Gold, lead, zinc, tantalite, lithium, Iron Ore, Nickel, etc”.

Born on December 22, 1969 into the great family of Late Chief Wilson and Ezinne Pauline Ogah in Onuaku Uturu, Isiukwato Local Government Area of Abia State, and also had his education
at Ishiagu High School, after which he worked at West African Examination Council (WAEC) from 1986–89, before he proceeded to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State where he obtained Upper Credit at Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in 1992 and Distinction at the Higher National Diploma (HND) Level in 1995 in Accounting.

He also attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in 2005. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree (Banking and Finance) from Ogun State University and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos. Ogah obtained his ACA in 2007. He is a Fellow, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); a Fellow, at the Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria; a Fellow, at the Nigerian Institute of Shipping; a Fellow, of Employment & Career, and a member, of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

As he declares his bid to contest the gubernatorial seat of Abia State in the upcoming general elections in 2023, it equally behooves Abia people to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and enthrone the desired change in the narratives of governance in Abia state. That can only be achieved under the All Progressive Congress (APC) as it remains the best choice and greater alternative for the socio-economic and Infrastructural development and prosperity of Abia State.

Finally, the Abia youths, men and women are encouraged to troop out in their large numbers at Abia Rejoice Office, located at No 1 Item Street, Umuahia, on the 29th day of April 2022 by 1 pm prompt, for this historical and epoch-making event aimed at salvaging the state and provide dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of every Abians.

In the special grace of almighty God, the Abia populaces shall rejoice when they collectively work hard and render greater support towards the actualization of this Progressive and genuine dream, to make Abia State, a new destination for human, economic, and Infrastructural investments for the better of the state and her people.

It is also a reality that under Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah that Abians shall rejoice and march to the promised land provided by Almighty God in heaven.

Chijindu Emeruwa Chinedu writes from Ohokobe Ndume Ibeku Umuahia North area of Abia State