As Victor Umeh goes to the Senate by Don Peter Okoro

As Nigerians warm up for the general elections coming up in February 2015, one political juggernaut that will not escape the lens of social commentators and political observers is Chief Sir Victor Umeh, Ohamadike Agulu, Agunechemba of Obeledu and Akaji Ofo Igbo of Arochukwu.

A man of no mean achievements, Chief Victor Umeh has been in the forefront  of the battle for the entrenchment of democratic ethos and values in the political system. What is prompting this write up is a congratulatory message placed by the respected Chief in honour of the former Governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, on the occasion of his Knighthood in the Catholic Church.

This writer is particularly moved by the kind words used by Ohamadike to describe Peter Obi, despite Mr. Obi’s actions, including his defection from the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the party that nurtured and nourished him politically. One is moved to tears by Ohamadike’s forgiving spirit. If other political players can imbibe this spirit of accommodation and forgiveness, politics will not be the do or die affair many have turned it into.

For a man to possess such magnanimity of spirit, enough to forgive and forget one that dealt  him such a deadly blow, is beyond mortal comprehension. But here is Chief Victor Umeh ever ready to let go.

This write-up is a tribute and a salute to a true Catholic, a true Christian and a quintessential Gentleman.

As Ohamadike Victor Umeh marches gallantly to the Red Chamber (Senate), it is our prayer that he carries along these worthy virtues and qualities. Nigeria is in dire need of bridge builders, Nigeria is in dire need of peacemakers and Nigeria is in dire need of trend-setters. Ohamadike is one.

Though, there are very few literate Nigerians who will truthfully admit that they do not know who Victor Umeh is, but not many people know much about his antecedents and pedigree. As a matter of fact, an acquaintance of this writer was ready to swear that Victor Umeh is not a graduate; it is for this reason that we shall take a peep at his profile.

Born on the 19th of July 1962, his parents Late Sir Innocent Ofojekwu Umeh (KSM) and Lady Elizabeth Umeh (LSM) of Ifite Village Aguluizigbo in Anaocha L.G.A of Anambra State were devoted and committed Catholics. After his primary education at St. Bridget’s Primary School Aguluizigbo, he proceeded to Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School Adazi- Nnukwu, where he made Division One as the best in his class of 1980, with a record aggregate of 13. He secured Eight (8) As and One (1) Credit. The same year, he got admission into the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he read Estate Management and graduated in June 1984 with a B.Sc. Honours in Estate Management.

After his National Youth Service in 1985 as a Lecturer at the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, he engaged himself in the practice of his profession. Chief Umeh is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers. He is also a Registered Estate Surveyor and Valuer by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria. He is an Associate member of the Rating and Valuation Association of Great Britain as well as a Senior Certified Valuer of the International Real Estate Institute Scottsdale, Arizona U.S.A.

From the foregoing, it is clear that Chief Victor Umeh is not just a graduate, but a sound professional; a very cerebral intellectual whose grasp and grip of social and political affairs is completely overwhelming.

His first stint in politics was in 1998, when he became a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party where he was elected State Treasurer of the party in Anambra state in 1999. He resigned from the P.D.P in 200l and joined hands with other progressive minds to register the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2002. He was the first National Vice Chairman South-East of the party and later its National Treasurer and eventually the National Chairman. He has led the party to a glorious height. His strong principles, dexterity and resilience saw the party APGA, in 2006 through in its struggle to recover the Governorship of Anambra state.

He also doggedly fought with Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s backbone to achieve re-election for Governor Peter Obi in the February 2010 Governorship in Anambra- State, in a feat seen by many as almost impossible.

In the 2011 general elections, he led the party to win the Governorship election in Imo state through His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha. In the same year, his party got elected a female Senator, Sen. Christie Anyanwu, seven members of the House of Assembly taking over majority seats in both Imo state and Anambra State Houses of Assembly, producing  Principal officers in both Houses. An APGA woman Legislator in Anambra- state Princess Chinwe Nwaebili was elected the first female Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly!

An avowed defender of true tenets of democracy, Chief Umeh has received several Awards and Chieftaincy titles in recognition of his strong belief in the cause of justice.

On the 21st of February 2009, he was honored with the Chieftaincy title of AGUNAECHEIBE of Nri by His Majesty Eze Nri OBIDIEGWU ONYESO Eze Nri Ancient Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards the advancement of democracy in Nigeria. Just last December 2014, he was crowned as the Ikemba 1 of Aguluizigbo.

Chief Umeh was among the 492 Eminent Nigerians appointed by Mr. President as Delegates to the National Conference,At the end of the Conference in august 2014, Chief Umeh was decorated with a Medal of recognition by Mr. President for his esteemed participation and quality contribution to the National Conference. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International.

To crown his numerous Honours, on the 29th of September 2014, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR decorated Umeh with the National Honour of Officer of the Order Of The Federal Republic (O.F.R.) in appreciation of his numerous contributions towards the development of the Nation and particularly in his efforts in helping to deepen democracy and rule of law in Nigeria. He is happily married to Lady Prisca Chinenye Umeh a Graduate of English Language Education from Enugu State University of Science And Technology.

As Chief Sir Victor Umeh the Ohamadike of Agulu marches gallantly to the Senate to represent Anambra Central Senatorial District of Anambra State, the wisest thing the people of the District can do now is to throw their weight behind him. He has done it before, he will do it again.

•Okoro writes from Nnewi, Anambra State via [email protected]