Chukwumerije: As northern Abians look beyond 2015

It is a congregation of senior citizens with a mindset for service to the people and country. It is believed that a senator must necessarily demonstrate an infectious ability to not only cause things to move in his direction, but also exalt healthy influence on colleagues to earn their mutual understanding for positive results.    Therefore, […]

It is a congregation of senior citizens with a mindset for service to the people and country. It is believed that a senator must necessarily demonstrate an infectious ability to not only cause things to move in his direction, but also exalt healthy influence on colleagues to earn their mutual understanding for positive results.    
Therefore, in 2003, when the septuagenarian Senator Uche Chukwumerije  first sought the mandate of Abians from the Abia North senatorial district to represent them at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, his emergence from the array of aspirants who vied with him in the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) was not a difficult choice for his constituents. He later decamped to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In his personality and gait, many saw an illumination that could not be blighted for any reason. Having worked in several capacities and rising to the peak of public service as a Minister of Information, his choice as representative could not be compromised for another candidate, less popular and barren of national exposure to be entrusted with the mandate.
Indeed, the fiery bearded Senator Chukwumerije’s years of representation of Abia North in the Senate has advertised no less of his competencies. His record of performance, both at the chamber, Abia State in general and Abia North senatorial district particularly, are eloquent testimonies of a true representative who has matched words with action.
As an economist and politician, with core legislative interest in social welfare and infrastructural development, the people of Abia State and his immediate constituency, these past years, can only voice out accolades in appreciation of his milestones in welfarist schemes and packages. A thoroughly cultured person, with a broad perception of representation, Chukwumerije has not restricted his performance to his senatorial district alone, but sees the entire Abia State as his larger constituency that must be nourished and serviced.    
Essentially, Senator Chukwumerije, who is currently the chairman, Senate Committee on Education, and member of the Senate Committee on Power, has left no dull moment throughout these years in the Red Chamber.  He has not only influenced the inclusion of federal projects for Abia State into yearly national budgets, but has also generously serviced communities within his catchment area with constituency projects funds.
These projects, which strewn the landscapes of Abia North or elsewhere in the state, manifest in roads, water schemes, education, electricity supply, women empowerment, environment, transportation, information and communication, youth empowerment and hordes of other areas. Cumulatively, Abia has enjoyed multi-billion naira projects, courtesy of Chukwumerije’s years in the Senate.  Despite the economic crunch Nigeria has experienced these past years, climaxing in the global fall in oil prices, he has monitored the release of funds for their execution.  And it is to the delight of Abians that most of these projects have been completed, while work is still in progress on many others.   
While it is impossible to specifically  recount countless projects in this piece, his outstanding performance in curbing the scourge of unemployment  among Abians remain a reference point even among his contemporaries.  Through his graduate employment scheme, areas where others dread, the senator has imposed on himself the duty of sourcing vacancies and aiding the placement of Abia indigenes in gainful employment.  Many attest that on the average, the senator sends out at least 50 recommendations in this regard, and beneficiaries of this gesture simply regale him with praises in appreciation. And since 2007, the senator places an average of 50 students of his constituency on scholarship yearly.
His youth lecturer series does not only inspire youths to position themselves towards greatness as future leaders, it also serves as a platform to intellectually engage the youth with modern thoughts and ideologies.      
Consequently, as bells of 2015 general elections resonate, the good people of Abia   North senatorial district may not necessarily look afar for a representative. Senator Uche Chukwumeriji is again poised to seek their mandate in order to consolidate on these gains by attracting more dividends of democracy to the constituency and Abia State.
It is said that a tested leader continuously yearns for new ways to positively affect the lives of his people. Chukwumeriji would always give out his heart and mind for the people of Abia State. So for northern Abians who are looking at sustaining the brightness beyond 2015, the sun is yet to set for Chukwumerije in the Senate, and the people are unanimously chorusing his return to the Red Chamber.
Chiahemen wrote in from Abuja.