INTRODUCTION

Life is but a joy to behold when one appreciates the goodness of God made visible in creation. While some human persons report the beauty of the maker, it is extremely difficult to find the harvest of Beauty, Humility, Brain, Compassion, Goal-oriented and intelligence, ensemble in a single creation. And truth be told, the convergence of these mysteriously rare traits is found in Rt. Hon. Amb. Uju Jovita Onwudiwe (PhD), popularly called Igolo Njaba.

ACADEMIC HISTORY

Rt. Hon. Amb. Uju Onwudiwe’s academic history sets her apart as a personality in all ramifications. She is a product of the Prestigious Queen’s College, Enugu. Furthermore, she studied Accountancy at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) where she bagged Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc. Hons.) and also studied and earned Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree, from University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), a great lioness indeed. In addition, Ugololo Okwudor bagged Master of Science (MSc) degree in Management, Imo State University, Owerri. She now has bagged Doctorate degree (PhD) in management, Imo State University, Owerri.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Igolo is a seasoned administrator and a financial expert who grew in corporate ranks and created performance records. Having worked through various cadres and ranks in Arab contractors, Mefor Systems Inc. and Nnamdi Nwakwesi & Co., she no doubt was drilled and equipped for impactful leadership and representative task. This is an eloquent indicator that she is not a political jobber but a polished gift and indeed an answer to a long-time prayer of Njaba and indeed the entire Orlu (Imo West) Senatorial zone. Today she is roaring where it matters, at the political epicentre of the Eastern Heartland, the hallowed chambers of Imo State House of Assembly, Owerri, where she is serving as a ranking legislator.

EXPLOITS AT THE ASSEMBLY SO FAR

Igolo Njaba began her legislative exploits with the 8th House, (2015 – 2019). In 2019, she was re-elected for another term (2019 – 2023). She is the first indigene of Okwudor ancient Kingdom, and also the first female representative to come from Njaba State Constituency to the hallowed chambers of the Imo State House of Assembly. Hon. Amb. Dr Uju Jovita Onwudiwe (Igolo Njaba) has left no one in doubt of her zeal, determination and strides, to put Njaba conspicuously on the state map. She has been working tirelessly to ensure that the concerns of the people are given requisite visibility and attention. She has sponsored a significant number of bills and motions both in the 8th House and the present 9th house of assembly. Presently she has a good number of important bills that tend to address poverty alleviation; economic diversification; and public safety, among others. Through her effort, the control of gully erosion threatening Orlu-Owerri road has received intervention of FERMA for immediate control. She is the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Imo State House of Assembly. She is also the Chairman House Committee on Education. She also belongs to other notable committees in the House of Assembly and had headed several committees in the past.

CORE VALUES

Ugosimba Okwudor has always maintained that her core leadership values de-emphasize self and promotes the needs of the people; the people-centric attitude. To her, nothing is worth celebrating except to rejoice that a needy has received concrete assistance to alleviate sufferings, end squalor and poverty, and heave a sigh of relief; living a quality life. She is a woman with compassionate heart and true human value without indulging in societal stratification aimed at identifying class. She indeed is a friend of the low, the high and the mighty… A FRIEND OF ALL

CORE FAMILY VALUES

When one focuses on her sterling qualities as a leader, the basic ingredients of true values may be lost. It is pertinent to note that Hon. Amb. Uju Onwudiwe’s humility and sense of purpose is a product of an entrenched core family value. She hails from a strong Christian home, a good and devoted wife, a good mother, wonderful aunt, relating excellently with all around her, humorous and a personal friend to all.

 In her biological children, one finds the manifestation of a devoted mother, a true friend of her children and an inspiration to all. To all her children in Njaba, we have a caring mother; the mother who truly has a large and loving heart. She indeed is a star per excellence.

POLITICAL CREED

Perusing into Igolo’s political convictions, it is her political creed to serve the people diligently and obliterate the scourge of poverty and misery, provide good governance and representation based on Accountability, Transparency and Team work, enhance women and youth empowerment, provide rural infrastructure, be a champion of family values and preservation of societal values, provide basic education and girl child education, integration of community into governance, and fruitful touch on the lives of the physically challenged, in addition to Re-orienting Youths towards Self Reliance/Employment.

Constituency Office Address

No. 1 Umuezeala Street, Umuezeala, Opposite CKC Church, Umuseke, Okwudor, Nnenasaa, Njaba L.G.A, Imo State.

Awards Received

Rt. Hon. Amb. Uju Onwudiwe PhD was honoured with the traditional title of Ugololo Okwudor. She was the first person to receive the revered title, which is equivalent to chieftaincy conferment but only lacks the faculty of kolanut rituals. She is a member of the Eze’s cabinet. She also was honoured as Igolo Njaba by Njaba women. In the catholic community, St. Paul’s Parish and CKC Parish women both conferred on her Ugosimba titles. Among other award of honour received include A woman of Worth, by Anglican Youth Fellowship Sisters’ Forum, Anglican Diocese of Owerri, Ugo Chara Acha Dynasty Award, by Ohaneze Ndigbo Njaba L.G.A, Most Dynamic House of Assembly Member 2016, by Ascalem Entertainment, and Pan African Distinguished Leadership Award as Icon of Nation Building in Africa, by African Students Union Parliament (ASUP).

She was also honoured by Onyeaghala nwanneya consolidated movement, Orlu zone, South East Communities Development, as Ada Ugo Oha Ndigbo, National Association of Special Citizens for Physically challenged of Nigeria (NASCPCN), Imo State Chapter, Imo State University Faculty of Health Science Students, as Ambassador of Good Leadership Award, and Nze na Ozo Council of Royal Fathers South East Students, as Golden Mother Award, and a host of other awards numbering over 70 in total.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Hon. Amb. Uju Jovita Onwudiwe is a new breed leader, who though has mingled with the political waters, but remains stainless and resolute about minimizing the negative attributes of politics. To her, positive change can be possible where people learn to identify with causes they are fully convinced of; not purely a matter of clannish interest. She strongly believes in the dictum of Mahatma Gandhi – “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”