BY IKECHI ENWEREJI
The argument may sound untenable, but the reality on ground demystifies any pedestrian disposition that tends to stand truth on its head. In the public space, it remains manifestly evident that the incumbent Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji is a man whose contributions in governance are outstanding and would remain a reference point in the years to come.
Born some 50 years ago to the family of Senator Theodore Orji; a former two time Governor of Abia State, Chinedum Orji after his post-primary education had proceeded to Government Secondary School, Owerri, where he had his secondary school education from 1982 to 1987. He later got admitted into the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering in 1996.
On graduation, the young Orji had looked forward to practicing his engineering profession but with a father who was already entrenched in politics, it could only be a matter of time for him to walk on the same path with the older Orji; though, he did not take undue advantage of the fact that his father was very much in the game to hurriedly launch himself into it also.
He had applied some caution as he did not initially become a partisan player in the political space but rather chose to identify first with the less privileged particularly youths like him. He became quite noticeable and standing in his own name as he positively touched their lives in ways that ultimately brought him closer to their hearts. In 2015, he took a bold step to declare his intentions to run for legislative position with a view to representing his people of Umuahia Central Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly.
He was successfully elected and despite the fact that he was a first timer in the House, Orji was unanimously chosen as the Majority Leader during the inauguration of the Abia State Sixth House of Assembly. This; obviously must have been made possible by Orji’s amiable disposition, large heartedness, political savvy and sagacious tendencies. His choice was ostensibly an aberration from the House norm of electing such principal officer from old members or returnees to the Assembly but his value addition was more important than any other consideration.
Expectedly, in 2019 Orji was re-elected to represent his constituency for another four years and the lot was his to be chosen as first among equals. He was unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. With this elevation, he automatically assumed a higher position where he would serve Abia State in a higher capacity. As a Majority Leader in the House, he must have carried himself with all elements of dignity and responsibility to merit such a wholesome endorsement to become the Speaker.
Since his inauguration as a Speaker in June, 2019; Rt. Hon. Orji has proved his mettle in the legislative parlance in various dimensions. Contrary to the expectations in some quarters, he has steadily ensured a robust relationship between the State Legislature and the Executive in a manner that guarantees smooth running of the State without the rancor commonly found in some other states. By his actions so far, Orji has shown that he is neither a confrontational nor a rubber stamp Speaker. He has been able to maintain a transparent balance.
With some dexterity, the Speaker has been able to make a huge difference within the few years so far on the saddle. Beginning with the renovation of the Abia State Assembly complex to give it a facelift and provide comfortable ambience for lawmaking, Orji has gone ahead to introduce the use of technology in the House legislative duties as plenary sessions are now streamed live for all Abians to watch and see what goes on in the Assembly.
Under his watch also, several Bills sponsored by some honorable members and executive have received timely attention. Many of the Bills which have now been signed into Law were initiated ostensibly to reposition governance of the State in certain areas that seemed to have been out of tune with current realities. Such Bills included the 2020 Appropriation Bill which was signed into Law before the beginning of the fiscal year contrary to what used to be situation in previous years.
Apart from the prompt passage of the 2020 Appropriation Bill, the House has passed no fewer than 15 Bills within the period Orji has so far presided as the Speaker of the House. Some of them were the Bills on financial autonomy of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Abia State Agency for free home healthcare services and the Abia State Security Fund.
Others were The Abia State Protection Agency Bill 2019, Abia State Safety Commission Bill, Abia State Donor Agencies Trust Fund Bill, Abia State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill 2019, the Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency Bill 2019 and the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre Umuahia Bill 2019. Some of the Bills were sponsored by Rt. Hon. Orji himself.
Apart from the timely deliberation and passage of Bills, the Abia State House of Assembly under Orji’s watch has moved the frontiers in its oversight functions of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State. From the House findings, some of such agencies of government in spite of the fact that they generate revenue and receive subventions from government, have remained unreliable with respect to payment of workers’ salaries. With Rt. Hon. Orji now in charge, the matter has been reviewed in a manner that accountability must be visible henceforth.
The Speaker who is fondly called Ikuku due to his spirit of oneness has shown himself as a performer in many respects and stands to be counted as one of the outstanding State Assembly Speakers Nigeria has produced in the nation’s Fourth Republic. He is not done yet as he displays sterling qualities and enthusiasm to serve Abians and humanity even in a higher capacity. History would surely speak well of him.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/rt-hon-chinedum-orji-moving-the-stakes-in-legislative-space/
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