WHY I EMBARKED ON FEEDING THE STREET RIVERS EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE—ENGR. NDUBUISI NWANKWO REVEALS
He took to the streets of Port Harcourt feeding the less privileged people to mark the 52nd birthday of Dame Judith O. Amaechi. The man who wants to represent Rivers East Senatorial District in the February 25th 2023, Engineer Ndubuisi Nwankwo Ph.D of All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers state is poised to defeat his opponents with programmatic approach devoid of fanfare but grassroot interface with the electorate in his Rivers East Senatorial district. He has been a vibrant native politician from his youthful days with highly earned academic excellence as a scholar and entrepreneur.
Engineer Ndubuisi Nwankwo hails from Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers state which was carved out from Ikwerre/Etche Local government Area of Old Rivers state now under Etche Nation ethnic nationality in now Rivers state. He is popularly addressed as BISI by his political followers and admirers who cherish his gentle but serious dispositions in solving societal developments. This clever politician who is Light complexioned and handsome is an accomplished politician who is still hungry to render more services to his people of Rivers East senatorial District come 25th February, 2023. READ ON
On Saturday 24th of December 2022, at his Port Harcourt country home spoke to THE EAR WITNESS Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, Emeka Amaefula (+234(0)8111813069) on key issues pertaining to his avowed love for politics and his obedience to honour Dame Judith O. Amaechi, the wife of APC leader in Rivers state His Excellency Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as his wife celebrated her 52nd birthday on 24th of December, 2022.
May I meet you?
My name is Dr. Engr. Ndubuisi Nwankwo JP.
At what time did you develop interest in politics?
I have been in politics right from my days as a youth. When I was in the University, I was deeply involved in Students’ Union Government-SUG Politics. In fact, in 1997 in Kaduna, as I was working after the National Youth Service Corps -NYSC Scheme when this current political dispensation started in 1998, I had to run back home to Rivers state because of Politics. As for me, I don’t care what anybody will say, I am a career Politician. For me, Politics is a Career. And that is my career. It is not like I don’t have any other business, I have businesses that I am doing, of course I am a qualified Engineer being a COREN registered Mechanical Engineer. I have a Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D. degree in Management. I am a member of Nigerian Institute of Management-NIM.I am a member of British Institute of Management. So, professionally I think, I am okay. But my passion, my love is in politics. That is why I am taking politics as a career.
So, how can you define politics?
For me, it is purely service and making life better for our people.
Let us have a run-down of your academic background?
I studied at Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Orowurokwo, Port Harcourt now Rivers State University Nkpolu Orowurokwo Port Harcourt. I studied Mechanical Engineering -Bachelor of Technology B. Tech Engineering degree. I have a first-degree B. Tech Bachelor’s degree in Technology. Which is the highest in First degree in engineering while others will have Bachelor’s degree, B. Engineering or B.Sc Engineering but the highest in that class is B. Tech being Bachelor’s Degree in Technology. I am not saying that other first degrees are inferior. No but B. Tech is better. After that I proceeded to the University of Nigeria Nsukka UNN the famous University of Nigeria where I studied for a Masters’ Degree In Business Administration, MBA. Then followed by a Doctor of Philosophy Degree Ph.D. in Business Administration.
Now somebody will ask you if politics is all that you know, what are your working experiences like?
I did not say politics is all that I know. But I said that is my passion. Like I said I read Mechanical Engineering and after NYSC service in Kaduna, Kaduna State I was retained by the company where I served known as YS Technical Nigeria Limited, it is an Engineering Firm. That’s where I was before the current political dispensation came.
That’s before nature called you to politics?
Yes(laughs).
I am also a farmer. In fact, I have one of the biggest Farms in Rivers state currently. I am also a manufacturer as we speak, I have a water Processing company. I also have a Medical equipment Company. I am a Consultant. I am an Investment Banker. But in all these my passion is politics. But for these other ones to me they are my businesses. But politics is what makes me fulfilled. It is what gives me to have joy. I want to serve. I like to serve. I am also a Philanthropist. That one gives me joy too.
What is the name of your Foundation?
I am the Executive Vice Chairman of Mercy Nwankwo Foundation, Mercy Nwankwo Foundation is named after my late mother. For over 20-years I have been involved in philanthropy where we offer helping hands to the needy. We organize Free Medical Outreach. We give out Scholarships. We assist those who cannot afford to buy Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME / Joint Admission Matriculation Board-JAMB organized Admission Forms to buy them. A lot of network that I am involved in.
When we look at politics, people seem to believe that those involved in it are not honest people, are you an honest man?
Well, you have known me for over 20-years so, you need to know whether I am an honest man or not. Anybody who says politicians are not honest, it is like every other part of life. There are dishonest people everywhere as it’s not only in politics. Like I can’t blow my own trumpet but I can allow people to tell what they know about me. Like I said that you have known me over the years, so you are supposed to say whether I am honest or not. But I try my best not to be dishonest. I do my best not to hurt the other person. I do my best not to tell lies, because there’s this common adage that if you tell one lie you need to tell ten lies to cover that one lie.
Since the creation of Rivers state in 1967 to date Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency has not produced any senator, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Rivers state except Deputy Governor under late Melford Okilo when Dominic Anucha was Deputy Governor for few-months, how did you find it easy to emerge as Candidate for Rivers East of APC?
First of all, our Party, the All Progressives Congress-APC, zoned the Senate to the Etche Nation. If you follow up our campaign you will find out that for me Rivers East Senatorial Zone was keenly contested within our party APC. It was for me against Nnamdi Okere and Captain Sunday Nwankwo. Yes, three of us were those who went to the polls so it was a keenly contested election primaries and by His grace I won. Not that it was as a result of hard work but by His grace I won the Primaries.
Your party APC in Rivers state has not been in power for the past seven and half years since 2015 to date, how can you be able to galvanize votes for yourself during election into Rivers EAST Senatorial District in RIVERS STATE?
Don’t forget that PDP has been in power for 16 years and APC was able to topple them in 2015, APC won that election without being in political power. We are also letting the people know the difference between our party APC and PDP that has been ruling this state since 1998 to date. The people will look at what we have for them vis a viz what Rivers people want especially what this current government has done in the past and they will take a decision. I can tell you if going by the way it is now, given the new electoral Act 2022, we are home to the people of Rivers state. We are loved by our people. I am sure they will be able to vote for us because the outgoing government is a big disappointment to the people. And they are yearning for positive change. People want change. That is why we are hopeful. That is why of course we are not God but we know that we will win the election. We are in touch with the grassroot and we are in touch with them every day. By His grace they will vote for us.
When somebody goes around Rivers East Senatorial District your campaign posters are not verily seen quite unlike that of Chief Allwell Onyesoh your PDP opponent, what went wrong?
Everybody has his own strategy; my strategy is to go around to the grassroot and have one-on-one contacts as I still have posters all over the place. Like you said, they may not be as many as that of others. But my strategy is to go down to the grassroot and have one-On-One contact with Voters in Rivers East as posters don’t win elections. But posters only remind people that this man is there. The major thing is to have an interface with voters, the people that is what we have been doing.
Although Lawmakers do not appropriate projects to themselves except constituency projects which the executives implement, in your own case what are you bringing to your people of Rivers East Senatorial District when you win, what will be developmental issues you’re bringing to your people?
Thank God you said that our business there is to make laws to better the lots of our people and I intend to work closer with the executives to make policies and projects that will bring about development to my constituency of Rivers East. Executing projects by the Federal Government those projects will not be on the Air but will be located in the Local Government Areas and states of the Federation. Some communities must get these projects. Some communities will benefit from these projects being earmarked by the Federal Government. So, it is my duty as a Senator to lobby those agencies of the Federal Government. And to lobby the executives to make sure that most of those projects are sited within my constituency. So, for me, it is not just to go to Red Chambers to speak big grammar but to go and lobby the Executive Council to make sure that certain projects are sited in my constituency. I will consult with my constituency and they will tell me what exactly they want, is it university? Is it Market? Is it a farm? Is it a Water Project? Is it Electricity Power? Is it good Road? What exactly do they really want? So, armed with that I will now go and lobby the Federal Executive Council to cite these projects in my constituency. And of course, I will go and lobby the private sector because if they have any community project it must be in the community, especially those around my constituency they must also be part of the development of our area. Of course, we tend to partner with developmental agencies to make sure that they also bring developmental projects to our communities.
When we look at demographic statistics of any society, the youth constitute the majority of an economically vibrant group that work and pay tax apart from the other segments Comprising of the aged and the minors who are not capable of contributing much to developmental values. So, what are your plans towards having the youth from your constituency benefit from developmental projects?
I said earlier that I will lobby the executives and I will partner with the international community. I will also partner with local corporate organizations operating in my communities. The aim of doing this is to get them employed or empowered. When juxtaposed that when lobbying it is not for the aged it is for the youths. Because most of the aged are retired they will also benefit from some empowerment programmes. Some youths are not necessarily leaders of tomorrow. I think they should start now because they should be incorporated now. So, we will have a deliberate policy to make sure that they are empowered or they are employed. When that is done you avert some crises.
Take us to who brought you into politics. Do you have a godfather who brought you into politics?
My godfather is God. As a young man I started following political activities while attending university at Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt.
What position did you hold in the University Students’ Union Government?
I was National president Of National union of Etche Students. I was also a member of the Students Union Government. At Rivers state mainstream politics, I was Pioneer Assistant Secretary of PDP in 1998/1999. I later became the Acting Secretary of the State PDP.
Which year?
That same 1999. Then at about the year 2000 I became the State Youth Leader before our master Dr. Peter Odili graciously appointed me as a Commissioner. Before I became a Commissioner I was a Member of Rivers state Library Board also appointed by Dr.Peter Odili. I was also a member of the Nigeria Gas Company-NGC also nominated by Dr. Peter Odili. Then later I became a Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources. Since then I have been doing my private businesses.
How many terms did you serve as a Commissioner?
My tenure, it was not up to one tenure. After the first I became a Special Adviser. My tenure was less than about a year. Then, that Cabinet was dissolved after a year or so. I was then appointed as a Special Adviser on Energy and Natural Resources. That too lasted about one year plus. It is not up to about one tenure. I did not even serve up to one tenure. But within that period, I did my best as Energy and Natural Resources Commissioner.
How do you want to bring Women in your Senatorial District to the level of relevance should you win as a senator come February 25th 2023?
There’s this Beijing Declaration that women should be given 35 percent affirmation in holding public office, I don’t believe that. If I have ten positions and I have ten women that are qualified I will take them all. So, to me, bringing women to the limelight is a priority for me. Getting women involved is a priority for me.
Today, Saturday 24th of December 2022 you are doing outdoor activity. What is it all about?
The activity today, is called FEED THE STREET. Today is the birthday of our leader’s wife, Her Excellency Dame Judith Amaechi. So, I used that opportunity to celebrate her for she is a wonderful woman. A Christian Mother. A caring woman. A woman of valour. A virtuous woman. She is giving strength to our Leader, His Excellency Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. So, we thought it wise to at least celebrate with her. We went to the Streets and fed people on the streets. We were to feed about One Thousand people. Get it right that feeding is symbolic. It is just to show love and care. It doesn’t mean that. Just by His grace we take over government, we will care for the poor. We will care for the needy. It is not about feeding them. I mean if you give them today are you going to give them tomorrow? So, you can’t feed them every day. But today’s feeding is symbolic. Like I said earlier, it is to give them hope…to let them know that when we take over the government, we will take care of them.
Can you tell us what exactly took place in the areas that you visited?
Today is the birthday of our leader Her Excellency, Dame Judith Amaechi. As a way of celebrating her, we did something symbolic. Those who know Dame Amaechi know that she is a very caring mother and loving wife. She at all times, extends help to the needy. So, what we did today was to feed about a Thousand people on the streets. Initially, I thought that we’re going to only feed just those who are really in need but I saw that many people are hungry even able-bodied persons were coming to collect food. You saw the crowd; they were just mobs. Even what we went out with over one thousand were not enough to show that there’s hunger in the land. So, that exercise of feeding those in need on the streets is symbolic because of the woman we are celebrating. We used her to give them hope. We used her birthday to assure that their future is protected when APC takes over realms of governance in Rivers state. We used her birthday as a symbol to give people hope. To let the man on the street, know that when we take over as Government, we will care for them. We will show love to them. We will help the needy.
For those you had contact with have you sensitized them on the issue of obtaining their Permanent Voters’ Card?
No. No. This is not about having PVC or not. I don’t care whether they have PVC or not even though I am a politician and I am also a candidate. It’s not political. Like I said it’s symbolic…whether you are a party person or you’re not. Whether you are a Voter or you are not… you are a member of the society. Whether you vote or not you are a member of the society. So, what I am saying is that our mother Her Excellency, Dame Judith Amaechi symbolizes love. She is a symbol of care. So, that’s why we went to the streets today to communicate with them using her birthday as a platform to assure the people that when APC takes over the government, we will show love. We will care for them. By and large as a Government we will take care of the entire society whether you voted or you did not vote.
What message do you have for eligible voters in Rivers state?
Now for the voters come February 25th 2023 for the National election we appeal to our people to support our Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We also expect them to support our National Assembly candidates of which I am one coming from Rivers East Senatorial District going for senate under our party APC. We also appeal to them to vote for our Federal House of Representatives Candidates on that same day of 25th February, 2023. Then in March 2023 we also appeal to them to support our Governorship candidate that is Architect Tonye Cole, he is a pastor, he is a man of God- and God-Fearing man and an entrepreneur who wants to change the state for better. In the same vein, we expect them to vote for our Rivers State House of Assembly candidates. We can change the face of governance in Rivers State. It is very important. At the National level we will improve on what President Buhari has started.
——————————————-Emeka Amaefula——————-+234(0)8111813069
