BY NATIONAL PANEL REPORTERS
A Scottish historian and essayist, Thomas Carlyle once observed that “No great man lives in vain, for the history of the world is but the biography of great men. The life of the former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State, former commissioner on Abakaliki Capital City Development Board and now Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Barrister Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi whose title “OHAMADIKE” is a profile in greatness through service.
The living legend, Sen. Onyekachi Nwaebonyi was born on 4th July 1981 at Isofumini village, Mbeke-Ishieke Autonomous Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State into the family of the late Mr Simon Nwedeoga Nwebonyi, who was a hard-working and disciplined head teacher, is a man of great destiny and reputable values.
As a man who knew the value of education, Late Nwedeoga ensured that all his children acquired Western education, a legacy which young Onyekachi imbibed and carried on, even after the death of his father. As a destined child of greatness and fame, he never allowed any factor in whatever form to stand in his way to many schools.
Chief Onyekachi sowed, nurtured, plucked, ate and swallowed the seed of greatness right from the very day, he got admitted to Mbeke Ishieke Community primary school in 1989. And between 1994 to 2000, he bulldozed his way to excellence from Urban Model Secondary School, Abakaliki to community secondary school Mbeke –ishieke where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC).
Still thirsting for more academic exposure, He migrated to Ebonyi State University in 2006 and obtained the LLB (Hons) degree, and spared no time to proceed to the Nigeria Law School, Kano where he obtained the BL in 2007. He was subsequently called to the Nigeria Bar on 13th November 2007.
Onyekachi started his political life, way back in 2004 when he became the president of the National Association of Ebonyi State Students (NAESS) in 2005. He also won an election that was keenly contested as the President of the Law Students Association (LAWSA) at Ebonyi State University.
He has served as a zonal ex-officio member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East Zone in 2007. In 2015, he was appointed the coordinator of the Mbeke Development Centre. He was an officer as a coordinator in 2016 when he voluntarily resigned to contest for the PDP State chairmanship, which he won. He was at the same period the chairman, of Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency (EB-CSDA).
Onyekachi early childhood portrayed him as one who came into this world with an assignment to fulfil. Quite early on, Onyekachi accepted the responsibility for activating his potential and events of 42 years, now show that he has adequately unleashed the potential to the fullest. He has not robbed the world of the treasure he brought to this planet to deliver. He rather hung a big picture of his achievement on the wall of fame in the Museum of the Earth. All things considered, he is a man of purpose and great.
Many years back, William Shakespeare out of his intellectual and philosophical wisdom came up with an all-time formula for the attainment of greatness by immortal man. But of all these formulas, one is most mathematically and strikingly applicable to Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi is a great but one of the most humble and generous men of the contemporary Ebonyi State and Nigeria.
No doubt, he has achieved greatness through his effort and unshaken determination to attain success in life.
Unarguably, Onyekachi Nwebonyi is a patriarch and patriarchs are stars who emblazon the space of human existence, leaving in their trail tremendous impacts that change the tide of history positively for humanity. He is an ardent Christian father with an unquenchable love for charity, coordinating so many Christian families under the aegis of ST. PETER’S FAMILY.
He is a true believer in the gospel, a temple builder and a benefactor of many religious groups. His charitable works are so numerous that one cannot quantity exactly in figure, but of note, he has built over thirty (30), bedroom bungalows either two (2) or three (3) for his aides and the less–privileged Ebonyi people.
The beneficiaries include;
- Lawrence Nwodomoke
- Mrs Mary Nwori Nguji
- Sabinus Nwaja
- Christopher Obashi
- Peter Nwali
- Mrs Roseline Obashi
- Mrs Bridget Onuoha
- Chief JP Nwenu, and 2 bedroom bungalow for a widow at Okpuitumo in Abakaliki Local Government Area.
He procured and distributed hundreds of motorcycles and cars as gifts to his party loyalists and the needy. One unique life about Onyekachi is that he is not desperate for power or anything else. He has a flair for employment, empowerment, peace, unity and all other values that accentuate life. He is a boss who loves, appreciates and respects people a lot.
He can be stubborn about His commitment but always humble enough to own up when He discovers he erred. Those who worked or encountered him insist he is balanced–minded, hardworking, refined, sophisticated and gallant. He is a man of his word. A leader with a proven track record of integrity whose propensity of generosity and passion for grooming the youth for an impactful life and a better tomorrow is second to nothing.
The Senator, who spoke to newsmen recently during his birthday celebration, revealed that his vision, mission, passion and strategies, are to pursue the course of liberation of his people, now that he has been allowed to serve as senator representing Ebonyi North senatorial zone in the national assembly.
He looked back and recalled the support that the Izhi people gave to the political leaders in the time past and their seeming willingness to do more, and comparing such support with the quality of leadership the people have received in return from such leaders, his heart bleeds and he feels compelled always to offer himself for service on a salvage mission.
He said that enough is certainly enough for the deliberate betrayal and planned underdevelopment of our people. The Senator in the incubator expressed that the National Assembly, especially the senate is primarily peopled with very experienced citizens who make laws for good governance. He opined that these laws are expected to continue to impact positively the lives of the citizens of such nations. And noted that the National Assembly could be said to be the torch–bearer of any democratic society.
According to him: “And as a lawyer of over 16 years post call experience, I should be very well versed in the art of making laws and legal drafting and should find it very convenient to produce and sponsor bills for quality legislation" he stated.
He vowed to be particularly interested in seining that constituency funds and /or any other public fund meant for Ebonyi North Zone will be properly channelled as dictated by the state policy and directive principles of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“My article of faith will also include, the courage of our people to challenge and possibly prosecute elected representatives who fail to use constituency funds for what they are intended. He promised that never will he be interested in the primitive acquisition of wealth at the expense of the already impoverished people of the zone.
“With my enhanced power as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would use my contacts and positions to generate employment for our teeming youths who roam the street in search of the proverbial golden fleece" Chief Nwebonyi assured.
He noted that farming is known to be the major industry and source of income, and will do the much he could to see that this industry continues to thrive. He further noted with utter dismay that the youth in Nigeria constitutes 60% of the country’s population, yet, they are the vulnerable of the lot and negatively impacted by bad governance. "With their good certificates, they have been forced into common trades and derogatory jobs they primarily never bargained and assured that the situation would not remain the same while in the Senate.
Nwebonyi who said that politics should not be taken as do or dead affair, condemned in its entirety the idea of people who are seen as indivisible people proceeding to court to challenge the victory of their brother in a contest they knew they failed woefully.
He however, called on Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Professor Benard Odoh of the All Progressive Grand Alliance to withdraw their suits and close ranks with the winner Governor Francis Nwifuru, in moving the state to a height worthy of emulation.
He detested with passion the character of some politicians who do not quit a race honourably with their reputation intact, but down all consequences and remained in the race with a tarnished reputation.
The senator, Nwebonyi applauded the unflinching and unhallowed support of the political leaders from Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone for their wonderful roles which culminated in the success story we all tell today.
