A Man of the People is a novel by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. Written as a satirical piece, the novel follows the story told by Odili, a young and educated narrator, about his conflict with Chief Nanga, his former teacher who enters a career in politics in an unnamed fictional 20th-century African country. Odili represents the changing younger generation, while Nanga represents the traditional West African customs inspired by Achebe’s native Nigeria and the book ends with a military coup.
Chinua Achebe must have had the likes of Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo in mind when he penned that novel in 1966. Born 46 years ago, the Nwangele serial entrepreneur, politician, community leader and philanthropist has redefined what representing a people is all about. His performance as a lawmaker at Imo State House of Assembly, where he rose to become the Deputy Speaker, to a federal lawmaker, representing Nwangele, Nkwerre, Isu and Njaba Federal Constituency, has endeared him to so many people across the country.
Popularly known as OZB, his humble beginning through a dint of hard work and of course the grace of God, is a major contributor to his examplary interest in things that concerns the poor masses, especially, those in local communities. This of course is exhibited in his human, practical and life changing empowerment programmes in all constituencies he has and is still representing.
Having empowered hundreds of thousands of people both in and outside his constituency with his private funds, through the judicious and prudent use of constituency project funds and facilitated the employment of hundreds of youths into federal jobs, Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo is so loved by his people, that when he moved to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from All Progressive Congress (APC), it made no difference to anyone. In fact, even as an independent candidate, assuming there is anything of such in Nigeria, he will still be the candidate to beat in any election. That is how good and deep he is.
Rt. Hon. Ozurigbo, during his first term in the green chambers, with the attraction of dividends of democracy to his constituents and investing heavily in human capital development, established himself as the most performing lawmaker, not just in Imo State but in the East of the Niger. He is not just the regular lawmaker who thinks his duty ends with sponsoring of bills and moving motions, but believes that providing working tools and enabling environment for people to operate on, will go a long way to showing them how to fish in other to feed themselves.
A true representative like Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo serves the people. Serves their best interest, and in doing so, he always leave people better than he met them. True leaders are motivated by loving concern than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay the price. OZB sees himself as a partner with his people. His actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.
Serving his second term in the House of Representative, he is work in progress, because Orlu zone, Imo State and of course Nigeria as a whole will demand more of Ozurigbo’s service in years to come.
Shalom!
Uju Onyechere