APGA Needs Fresh Breed Of Legislators [Part 1]
–
Loading ...Dr. Egbebike has 8 university degrees in 5 distinct disciplines, including Law, Engineering, Environmental Science, Surveying and Finance. B.Sc. Surveying (UNN) – 1st class honors, M.Sc. Surveying (UNN), Registered Land Surveyor, B.Sc. Civil Engineering (ESUT), M.Sc. Civil Engineering (NJIT, USA), Registered Civil Engineer, PGD Finance (ESUT), Juris Doctor (JD) Law (USA), BL Law , Called to the Nigerian Bar, PhD Environmental Management.
The rebirth of the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] following the overwhelming success at the polls during the gubernatorial election will be put to test at the polls come the general elections of 2019 where entire legislative positions will be up for grabs.
Presently, APGA, as a political partly, represents the voice of the south east and arguably the strongest political platform in the region to win elective positions. As a result, a seeming latent rush for the party’s banner has ensued behind the scenes among would be aspirants and new comers to the political scene. Old timers who presently sit at an elected position find themselves battling to remain the choice of the people. This comes against Gov. Willie Obiano’s declaration of no automatic tickets in the APGA come 2019.
Governor Obiano’s declaration opens the field of competition for the would-be candidates in a manner to decipher the best amongst the best to stand on the party platform to contest against the other parties. This declaration portends a better future and standing for the APGA and deliverance of good governance.
The upcoming tussle for the Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives serves as one of the potential beneficiaries of the declaration by the leader of the party, Governor Willie Obiano. The constituency is presently represented by Hon. Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo who hails from Enugu Ukwu.
Hon. Nwankwo whose campaign was funded totally by the wife of the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi arrived Anambra State political scene unknown to the electorate. He lost the election but was given victory by the election tribunal. He decamped to the APGA shortly before his election. His immediate community and larger constituency have registered countless complaints of his inability to render the dividends of his representation to them.
With Obiano’s declaration, the constituency will be enabled the opportunity to select its preferred choice.
Well qualified individuals are many within the Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia federal constituency. One amongst many is the former two time commissioner of environment in Anambra State, Dr. Mike Egbebike who hails from Aguluzigbo in Anaocha local government Area. He was born on September 26, 1959 and is married with four children.
Dr. Egbebike has 8 university degrees in 5 distinct disciplines, including Law, Engineering, Environmental Science, Surveying and Finance. B.Sc. Surveying (UNN) – 1st class honors, M.Sc. Surveying (UNN), Registered Land Surveyor, B.Sc. Civil Engineering (ESUT), M.Sc. Civil Engineering (NJIT, USA), Registered Civil Engineer, PGD Finance (ESUT), Juris Doctor (JD) Law (USA), BL Law , Called to the Nigerian Bar, PhD Environmental Management.
Beyond an intimidating educational background, Dr. Egbebike attained enviable work experience that stretches from the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus where he served as a lecturer from 1984 to 1989 – to his stint at the United States of America from 1989 where he worked as an Engineer, Land Surveyor and Environmental Scientist until 2009. While in the USA he established Precision Engineering Group, Inc and Premier Capital and Investment Corporation.
At the conclusion of his 20year stint in the USA, Dr. Egbebike returned to Nigeria in 2009. He was appointed to serve as the first MD/SA Anambra Road Maintenance Agency. Later in 2009, Dr. Egbebike was appointed Commissioner for Environment where he served for two tenures until 2012
While serving as the commissioner for Environment from 2009 to 2012, he worked assiduously with the Governor and the Federal Government to initiate the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management project of the World Bank (NEWMAP) to battle gully erosion, the worst environmental hazard in the Southeast.
He became the first commissioner to introduce waste disposal using receptacles and compactors and other waste disposal equipment. He created ASWAMA and dissolved the infamous ANSEPA during his regime, bringing about sanity in waste management and revenue collection in Anambra State. He brought about a spike in the Anambra State Government’s internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through an improved transparent waste revenue collection. He eradicated corruption and brought about sanity in the Ministry of Environment.
In terms of charity and human touch, Dr. Egbebike have exhibited qualities that shows he is human. He set up the Mercy foundation for Community Outreach. Through the foundation, Dr. Egbebike facilitated medical missions, including eye care to various communities in Anambra and Enugu States using his mobile clinic. Some of the towns that have benefited in his yearly cash distribution exercise include Aguluzigbo, Akwaeze, Agulu, Obeledu, etc.
–
Juxtaposing side by side the present occupant representing the constituency in question against the person of Egbebike reveals the obvious. The people of Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency deserve to reexamine the parameters upon which it uses to elect its representatives.
Dr. Egbebike, may or may not be willing to be drafted into the race. He may or may not even be a politician. He may have never stood for an elective contest. But it behooves the leadership of APGA to reexamine its aspirants to ensure the party does not fail at the polls in 2019. The APGA deserves qualified candidates in the likes of Dr. Egbebike in its war chest.
Obiano’s insistence at leveling the playing field gives APGA the opportunity to reshuffle the deck of cards – to select quality candidates that will assure good pragmatic representation.
–
Stay tuned as 247ureports reviews the 14 NASS positions
