FOOTPRINTS OF A TRAILBLAZER: RT.HON (PRINCE)CHIBUDOM Nwuche,OFR..AN INSPIRATION TO YOUNG NIGERIANS-
BY BLESSED OYAGIRI
Great achievers all over the world share a unique attribute,they are men/women of less words but much action put them on the encyclopedia of the movers of the social,political,economic and religious affairs of the universe.
Prince Chibudom Nwuche,without fear of contradiction belongs to the unique group of silent achievers.
He is however not unmindful of the necessity of galvanizing the support of the people at every form,he had harped on the need for the people of Nigeia to join hands in building a nation that truly works.
Ever wonder what it means to stand out from the crowd? To be treated as an individual,an entity separate and distinct from the rest.Imagine being singled out and accorded attention by his people.Imagine them at his beck,attending to their every whim,awaiting his people's command,and things they considered unattainable now at their fingertips.
That is the power that comes with being recognized as an individual with a unique personality and redefined service delivery towards humanity. Undoubtful,he is as passionate,as committed,assuage,as dogged,and as pragmatic,as workaholic,but his admirers says ‘The Esama Ekpeye of Ekpeye kingdom’ is perhaps more frugal,more principled and less trenchant.
At the last count.The LEGISLATIVE CZAR has cut a niche for himself as a much-focused burning with the zeal of taking leadership to the level beyond excellence. In pursuing the realization of his dreams,Prince Nwuche has ensured compliance with the rule of law,this he viewed as the only way to ensure accountability,transparency in government and to strengthen confidence building among the various segments of the society.
Rt.Hon Chibudom Nwuche by every sense of reasoning is an embodiment of integrity,humility,a trailblazer with a unique personality.Or what better way would a resourceful,hardworking and creative young man be described?
His ideas do not come from vacuum. He learns from the elders, he adopts ideas from other climes to suit his environment and, always involves people at the grassroots in finding solutions to problems.
Another virtue that stands him in good stead is his pragmatic acceptance of room for improvement.
This has been evident from his beginning,which accounts for the consolidation of his success as a lawmaker and, a businessman. A politician of the new breed, Honourable Prince Chibudom Nwuche remains a role model to many; an inspiration to young Nigerians. Inspiring in the sense that he loves urging people to do what he did, a near overnight success.
“I didn’t come into politics for want, but to cause a positive change”, he once noted. His approach to issues is legendary; though focused in terms of delivering political promises. Not given to controversy, his response to critics is bedded in style.
Prince Nwuche was born in Enugu into the royal family of late Eze Clifford Cheta Nwuche and Madam Grace Ogbuta Nwuche. He is a native of Ochigba town in Ahoada East, Rivers State. The Prince started his educational career at St. Cyprians State School, Port Harcourt where he got his First School Leaving Certificate. He proceeded to Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt for his Secondary Education where in 1979, he graduated with an Ordinary Level School Certificate. Not done, he proceeded to Lansdowne College, Oxford, United Kingdom for his advanced levels.
Educated at the prestigious University of Keele, between 1982 and 1985, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts(Hons) in Politics and Philosophy, with subsidiary subjects in History and Astronomy, Prince Nwuche between 1985 and 1987 obtained an LLB (Hons) in Law, with a Second Class Upper Division from the Aberystwyth University after which he came to Nigeria for the mandatory Bar programme at the Nigeria Law School.
Always desirous for excellence, he went back to the Kings College London and obtained a Master’s degree in Law (LLM).
He is an expert in Shipping Law, International Finance, International Commercial Law and Intellectual Property. In addition, Prince Nwuche has overtime attended several workshops, courses and seminars in and outside the shores of Nigeria on Legislative Matters, Public Policy among others.
His leadership traits were discovered and horned while in school. At the Stella Maris College, he was elected as a Prefect and; while in London as an undergraduate, he ran and won election as President, Nigeria Society at the University of Keele.
A pace setter, Prince Nwuche whose creed remains an untiring zeal to make a mark, returned to Nigeria after his sojourn and studies abroad. He has since worked in different organizations and held different positions in which he roundly performed to the admiration of all.
He serves as the Chairman and Director of Mass Telecommunication Limited. From 1990 to 1992, Prince Nwuche was a legal practitioner in the law firm of Ajumogobia Okeke and Oyebode and; also in the law firm of Mudiaga Odje and company. And as the Legal Adviser and Consultant to Petgas Resources International Limited, the Prince was applauded for brokering the Beneficial Term Contract Agreements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Petgas Resources International Limited is a crude oil trading company that worked in corporation with other international oil companies. They include Nap-Oil, Petrol SA of Argentina and, Mark-Rich International, Zug, Switzerland. He served between 1992 and 1994. Also a Director of Omega Petroleum and Energy Company, an organization whose specialty is in shipping of Wet Cargoes and marketing of coastal petroleum products, Prince Nwuche served as the Managing Director of Rheingold Nigeria Limited between 1994-1998.
For his humanitarian efforts and genuine bond he shares with his people, partly persuaded by his impressive achievements in the academia, legal practice and business, he was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in 1999. At the National Assembly, his colleagues quickly noticed his fine ideals and vibrancy and was elected the Deputy Speaker on June 4, 1999. His Ahoada East/Abua/Odual Federal Constituency, the area that elected him into the House immediately took note of a rising star.
Whilst as Deputy Speaker, Hon (Prince) Nwuche was very visible as he chaired the Committee of Whole that was responsible for the passing of both Executive and Member Bills. He also sponsored the Local Content Bill, Disability Bill amongst several others.
He also promoted dialogues between the World Trade Organization and its effect on industrialization of the nation.
A highly articulate Prince, he was nicknamed “Tiger” by his colleagues for his dogged and polished views. When he was elected into the Federal House of Representatives, little did the people reckon he would make positive impact. But as he matured in legislative duties and settled in, he became more embolden.
He marched with refined ideas and energy and, he moved on with aggressive vigour. He was eager, visibly enthusiastic to serve the nation and her people. His focus was to restore the dignity of the common man.
In return, across the country, the people appreciated him. He was bestowed with traditional titles, Ozurumba of Umunya; Aha Egi Aga Mba of Okigwe, Imo State, and Ebubedike of Ogbunike. His Ekpeye Kingdom aptly recognized him as their Adigwe (Moon); later elevated to famous title of Esama (Moon light).
Founder of the Foundation for Youth Development, other traditional honours include the Agbawo Dike Izu, Egbema, Ada-Idaha Ke Efik Eburutu, Calabar; Onwa Netiliora of Enugu State, Nta-Nta, Oron; and he is the Maitaimkin Sarkin Talakawan Nijeriya. Prince Nwuche is a member of the prestigious Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), an award from the Nigerian nation.
A Honorary Fellow of the Nigeria Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), the Ekpeye Prince holds other honours and awards. The list includes an award from the All African Students Union; Life Patron, National Union of Rivers State Union; Hallmark Award for Distinguished Nigerians of the 21st Century; and an award for Exceptional Performance in Politics, from the Igbo National Council. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and, he holds an Award of Excellence in Politics and Leadership Accomplishment.
Noted for his commitment to the promotion of dialogue between the organized private sector and the National Assembly, he facilitated dialogue between a coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations and the Parliament on matters of media rights and sustenance of a credible democratic system. The Nigeria Local Content bill which is now in existence was set out to allow for greater participation of indigenous companies in the oil industry.
A grassroots activist and politician, he played important role in the passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act and the Onshore Offshore Dichotomy Bill. He is a unique lawmaker, his love for the down trodden buoyed him to sponsor the Nigerian with Disability Bill and another bill establishing a National Agency to enforce laws against trafficking of persons, particularly women and children.
Beside presiding the House Committee of Whole, he was Vice Chairman, House Committee of Selection; Vice Chairman, National Assembly Joint Committee in the review of the 1999 constitution; and he led several delegations to various International Conference and Summits.
These include the 107th Conference of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Morocco; Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption in Ottawa, Canada; Parliamentary Summit in Venezuela; and Commonwealth Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers, Kesane in Botswana. He also led the delegation to the 106th Conference of Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Parliamentary visit to People’s Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, African Region held in Ghana and; Nigerian Parliamentary Delegation to the Economic Community of West African states, ECOWAS.
A member of the Board of Directors of Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, Prince Nwuche is the Chairman, Nigerian Chapter of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption. He holds the membership of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, London Institute of Petroleum, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Institute of Directors and, he served as Chairman, Trade Group of Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce.
Hon (Prince) Nwuche is a community worker. He has set-up scholarship and grant schemes for indigent students. Even the small/medium scale business men and women have benefited from this philanthropist. No wonder, Prince Nwuche was adopted as the Leader of the Orashi Region, an area comprising of Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua-Odual and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas.
Hon. (Prince) Nwuche is happily married with children.
Those who love him,do so,because they either see him as their role model,while those who hate or criticise him do so because,they neither know him nor able to stand his guts. His attributes-good or bad,his flaws and perfections in deed,add up to what many describe as the embodiment of humanity.He may not be a saint by human standard,but he is a present day description of"a man after God's heart." His tenacious spirit and resilient attitude even when the chips are down is the reason why he has been able to catapult himself to greatness.
Blessed Oyagiri is the Publisher/CEO of BBOreporters.com,an online medium based in Port Harcourt.
