Few weeks ago, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji worshipped at Power World Ministries Umuahia. The Speaker joined in celebrating with the family of Hon Humphrey Benson, Chairman of Umuahia South LGA, who dedicated his infant, little Master David Ejimgietochukwu Humphrey Benson at the church.

The Speaker was impressed by the voice and the spirit-filled rendition of one of the lead singers in the church, Master Akachi, the Speaker beckoned on him and asked him what he does, the young man responded by saying that he is a 3rd year student of Ebonyi State University. At that point, the Speaker promised to take care of the rest of his studies including his clearance at the University. To this effect, he announced a cheque with a very impressive sum that sent the entire church rocking to its foundations saying he was going to hand same to the Pastor for the young man's use. Intuitively, the young man broke down in tears and went down on his knees in appreciation to God.

In addition, the Speaker said he was willing to sponsor the lead singer on training to further enhance his voice for greater use in ministry. He requested the Pastor to make the arrangements and revert to him for immediate commencement of action.

Few weeks ago, the Senior Pastor of Power World Ministries, Umuahia, Rev Dr Uche Ume presented a cheque of a huge sum to Master Akachi, donated to him for all his academic and personal expenses for the remaining years of his university education by the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji.

But this wonderful gesture from the Speaker to Master Akachi has attracted several negative reactions from different quarters, some saying the Speaker was merely trying to score a political goal because of the 2023 general elections, how funny.

The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji popularly known as Ikukuoma Abia is a politician with distinction, effectiveness, integrity (associated with honesty, being true to principles, keeping promises) and competence (associated with skill, productiveness, getting things done), he has overtime proved that his aim and objective in politics is clearly to lift lives and push people to greatness.

In a bid to correct this misconceptions from few persons, i will be highlighting some of the huge humanitarian interventions offered by the Speaker prior to his gesture to Master Akachi.

1. On the 18th of April, 2021, the Speaker attended the Child Dedication & Thanksgiving Service of little Miss Princess Chikaima Ihedioha, daughter of Prince & Mrs Emeka Ihedioha of Ohuhu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

While delivering his speech in the church, the Speaker called out one of the worshippers, Mrs Enyiocha Grace Ifeoma, a pregnant woman who was the lead singer of the church's band, the Speaker said he watched keenly with amazement how Mrs Enyiocha, even though heavily pregnant and with another baby, was singing melodiously and with her whole being to the glory of God.

Moved by her dedication to service despite her condition, the Speaker asked her what she was doing for a living to which she announced that she was an applicant having studied Accounting and served in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The church went into wild jubilation when the Speaker there and then announced the offer of a job to her and requested Prince Emeka Ihedioha to proceed later to his office with her documents for processing.

The Speaker has long fulfilled his promise and Mrs Enyiocha Grace Ifeoma is now a staff of Abia State House of Assembly.

2. On 27th of September 2021, the Speaker paid a condolence visit to the family of Mr & Mrs Chibuzor Ikwunze, a native of Umuagu Umuohu Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area who lost their four children on the same night after a meal of barbecued meat popularly known as Suya.

The Speaker who was very emotional during the visit told the Ikwunzes that the incident was a very sad and unfortunate one but which is a burden no one deserves to bear.

He said he heard about the tragic incident while away on the annual recess of the Abia State House of Assembly but vowed to come on the visit to commiserate with the family once he resumed.

With teary eyes, the Speaker told the bereaved couple to hold steadfastly to God who alone can adequately console them at this most difficult times.

"Don't be too hard on yourselves by asking too many questions of what might have been or not because God knows the best; don't lose hope. I know it is not going to be easy but resolve to rebuild your family again, don't dwell too much in thoughts but let God be your Rock", the Speaker admonished.

Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji promised to relocate the couple to a better apartment, set up a new workshop for the man who is a refrigerator technician, and get a new shop in town for the woman who is a hair dresser. All these would be paid for for four years in advance.

This is in addition to the gift of a car the Speaker promised Mr Ikwunze to assist him in making extra income.

"I am directed by my conscience to help you make a meaning out of life from another dimension. Just try and be happy again even though it's not going to be easy, but I'm sure God will guide, protect, console and strengthen you and give you the fortitude to bear this painful loss", the Speaker concluded.

On 14th November, 2021, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji worshipped at Goodnews Pentecostal Church, Awolowo Street Extention, Umuahia.

The Speaker attended Service in the church to fulfill the promises he made to Mr & Mrs Chibuzor Ikwunze the day he paid them a condolence visit in their home.

Recall, that the four children of the couple died mysteriously few months ago after eating barbecue meat popularly known as 'Suya'.

Speaking to the congregation, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji thanked God for sparing the lives of the couple thus far because what happened to them was a devaststing tragedy. He advised the couple to take solace in God, do their best to forget the old ugly experience and move on because only God knows it all.

"From today, you will stop crying; look ahead for more prosperity; I will help you back on your feet and have a meaningful life", the Speaker said.

Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji also said that in fulfillment of his promise, he brought a car gift for Mr Chibuzor Ikwunze to help him make extra income.

He then gave Mr Ikwunze an automatic employment to work directly under Mr Uzochukwu Nwabufor, the Speaker's Special Assistant on Ikukuoma' s Free Water Scheme.

The Speaker equally presented a cheque for the accommodation rent of the couple and for the procurement of a shop outlet for Mrs Ikwunze.

Note: I sincerely apologise to the bereaved family for adding this story here, i clearly understand this might reignite and trigger painful feelings.

3. Few weeks ago, the Speaker also intervened to save two surviving members of family that lost four in a fatal accident.

The Speaker requested the medical team of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, to work assiduously and ensure that the two surviving children of Late Mr & Mrs Kelvin Uzuegwu were revived and given adequate medical attention.

The Speaker who sent funds to FMC for the revival and treatment of the survivors expressed shock over the sad incident condoled with the bereaved relations and their friends and said although he never knew the victims in person but he had to respond quickly when he was told about the incident by a concerned Abia.

4. On 3rd December, 2021, the Speaker attended the reception that followed the funeral service of Late Hon Chief Mrs Olileanya Edith Nwoha (JP), a former State Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, at Community Primary School, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Rendering his condolence message, the promised to take care of the school fees of one of the daughters of Late Chief Mrs Olileanya Nwoha, Miss Chinwekele Emmanuel Nwoha who is a 200 level Law student of Ebonyi State University.

The Speaker said the educational support for Miss Chinwekele will run till she graduates.

There are many other humanitarian interventions from the Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji which are way too numerous to capture here; Ikukuoma is a politician with milk of human kindness and one that will not combine his humane and compassionate deeds with politics.

Ikechukwu Kelvin Okorie is the Special Assistant on Media to the Rt Hon Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly.

✍: Ikechukwu Kelvin Okorie

TA Orji's son? A good man? You must be joking. Ask the common man on the streets of Umuahia who this man is

Oh

Thunder fire you and golden heart. Better tell him and his father to return all they have stolen from Abia state.