06/11/2023
*CELEBRATING THE BREATHTAKING VICTORY OF COL AUSTIN AKOBUNDU...A call for collective cooperation from all.*
By
๐๐ป ๐ค๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฌ๐ฑ๐พ๐ด๐๐พ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ซ๐ฎ
It is no longer news that Col Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu has clinched a last gasp victory at the Appellate court. A remarkable feat indeed.
What has ensued has been a roll call of encomiums from faithfuls and praise singers *(like they call us).* On the other hand, it has been some muted and un-muted mixed feelings and discontentments from a few of the disgruntled minority.
However, while we embrace the reality of this political escapade, it is worthy to review the qualities and capacity of the tear rubber Senator for Abia Central. The media mischief of the reversal by a single judge 'Suo Moto' after a 'functus Officio' court had ruled has long been discarded by a purported protest which was referred to as a "March Past".
Analysing the factual disposition of the man - Col Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu (Rtd) you would be amazed to note that hardly does any of the countless public misgivings match the ingenuity, magnanimity and capability of the gentle giant.
Someone asked on the NEW FACE OF IKWUANO of his Contributions to Ikwuano stating that the man Akobundu has done nothing. Instead of responding by asking the ignorant contributor, what his own contributions to Ikwuano were, I decided to unearth a piece of the silent achiever of which he prefers to remain anonymous in most cases.
*1. Human Capacity Development;*
A peep into the career of about 75% of past, present and future political leaders from Ikwuano, Umuahia, Abia State and beyond has the imprint of Col Austin Akobundu (Rtd) written on them. This is not counting the impacts made in other sectors outside politics in Nigeria as a whole. You would hardly find any sitting political leader of note who hasn't drawn from the immense resource of this living legend. By advice, financial support, guidance, placement or connection, so many, including so many proponents and opponents of recent and past political journey, are privately grateful to him. Even the most recent from the court of Appeal is a testimony of this fact.
*2. Community Development;*
It is on record that Col Austin Akobundu has been responsible for the annual grading of his community roads for several years from personal pockets. Against popular opinions, this is an individual who has used personal funds to alleviate the condition of road contracts awarded him but not funded by the Clients. A man who single handedly rebuilt the Women Civic Hall at Oloko besides the facilitation of the market. While most of the critics wag their tongues, they fail to ask themselves, "What have I done to contribute too in my own capacity? Today, the only Government General Hospital in Ikwuano which stands at Olori, irrespective of operational status, was attracted to Ikwuano by the same - Col Austin Akobundu (Rtd). One man who single-handed supplied the entire Oloko electricity, with cables and transformers all by himself.
*3. Social Welfare Management*
Unknown to many, this Philanthropist runs a Social welfare scheme that manages widows and widowers for the past 40 years. He has often refused to quote this in public space owning to his personal belief that the rewarder is God. Besides the sustenance of these persons by form of food and health bills, he organizes an annual Celebration at The end of each year to give to the indigent, a sense of belonging, a voice of recognition and a pride of place.
*4. Philanthropy and Charity;*
Col. Austin Akobundu has paid and still pays the medical bills of numerous persons from Abia State and beyond. He assists so many homes to provide their basic daily food. He pays examination fees and runs Scholarship schemes for countless individuals yet refuses to go public about them. This is not withstanding his relentless donations to Charity organizations, Churches, support to indigent persons and other free will support. People should strive to emulate such benevolence and quit castigating the excellence of virtues we should strive to imbibe.
*5* *. Leadership and Management;*
As a career personnel, he rose to the level of a Colonel in the Nigerian Military with countless successful military exploits.
As a Party officer, he has served as an ex- officio, as a National Vice President and the National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, he was appointed a Federal Minister for 2 months and 9 days before the overthrow of that Government. He is the Managing Director of his Construction company amidst other appointments held on the bases of meritorious service. This therefore furnishes us with the details of seasoned Leadership acquired overtime in various sectors of diverse extremes encapsulated in one person - Col Austin Akobundu (Rtd).
*6. Experience & Expertise;* The former military guru had a brilliant career with the Nigerian Army where he rose from the station of an ADC to a Military Administrator. As a military officer, his records of achievements are impeccable. By the end of his military career, his love for service led him into politics where he also held several leadership positions. His appointment as the National Vice Chairman of PDP for South East Zone brought decorum, justice and equity to the party in the South East and to the Party at large.
He also served as the National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, his most recent feat which is still fresh and evergreen in the memories of many which orchestrated the political and structural repositioning that heralded the rebirth of the PDP.
Perusing the above listed, it is time to disregard the dissenting muses of detractors and give assent to this gallant exponent of excellence. Abia Central Senatorial Zone is indeed privileged to have such an experienced, Sagacious, Magnanimous, Benevolent, unbiased, Perspicacious protagonist on the Senatorial seat.
*WAY FORWARD*
Away from the eulogies and citations, it is time to rewrite history, disprove insinuations, display proactive leadership and redefine legislation on the following premises;
1. Reunite Ikwuano and Abia Central absent political disentments
2. Divert, attract and direct infrastructural development towards Abia Central (with copious emphasis on Ikwuano) to address the backlog of infrastructural decay via legislation.
3. Manage tantrums and public misgivings with regular town hall meetings and public presentations of scorecards and activities.
4. Creating a future legacy by Developing, Empowering and Building the Youth capacity of Ikwuano and Abia Central for tomorrow.
5. Understanding and addressing the most pressing concerns of the constituents (you can never do all) by way of legislation
6. Development of Synergy, locally and Nationally especially in a politically heterogeneously faceted Nigeria.
*OUR PART.*
1. Support his legislation by all means
2. Criticize constructively
3. Submit to his leadership ( Anything that has 2 heads is a monster - Bishop David Oyedepo)
4. Promote unity instead of divisiveness
5. Stop falsehood and dual-faced Politics.
6. Engage our skills and intellect in positive ventures while attending to politics as means of governance not livelihood
7. Understand the theory of " *Turn by Turn"* . When it's another man's turn, clap for him. One day when it is yours, others will clap for you.
Congratulations *Col Austin Akobundu*
Congratulations *Our Senator*
To God be the Glory
*Dr Ugochukwu Ezeribe*
