Echo woman is a new page introduced to celebrate our women who are accomplished in their various endeavours and who provide a source of inspiration to others. In this maiden outing we bring you, Rt, Hon Amb Uju Onwudiwe popularly known as Igolo Njaba. She is the legislator representing Njaba State Constituency in the Imo House of Assembly. In this chat with our editor, AFAM ECHI, Igolo enjoins professionals to join her hands in salvaging our nation. #
Education: Rt. Hon. Uju Onwudiwe, popularly called Igolo Njaba attended Queen’s College Enugu, where she sat for and obtained her Senior School Certificate (SSCE). She proceeded to Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) where she studied Accountancy and obtained Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree with honours. She also attended University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) where she obtained Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance. Onwudiwe proceeded again to Imo State University Owerri (IMSU) where she studied International Management and obtained Master of Science (MSc.) degree. She is currently a doctorate degree student of International Management of Imo State University, Owerri.
Career Path: On graduation from the University, young Miss Uju Onwudiwe worked with Mefor Systems Inc. and Nnamdi Nwakwesi & Co. Lagos, where she served as consultant in financial solutions to organizations. She rose in ranks and became senior consultant. She also worked briefly with Arab Contractors. Thereafter, the legislator delved into private practice, served as a consultant and general contractor. She entered into politics and became elected as the first female legislator to represent Njaba State Constituency. In the 8th Assembly, Hon. Uju Onwudiwe was the Chairman House Committee on Financial Institutions and Labour. Returning as a ranking member in 2019, Rt. Hon. Amb. Uju Onwudiwe became Chairman House Committee on Education, Gender Development and Vulnerable Affairs.
Honours & Awards Received: Rt. Hon. Amb. Uju Onwudiwe has been honoured by various organizations and reputable institutions. She was honoured by women of Njaba as Igolo, meaning the shining light. Also, in recognition of her sterling qualities, the financial expert has received double recognition as Ugosimba. From the traditional institution, she has the exalted conferment of Ugololo Okwudor, a unique title of distinction.
The eagle eyes of the Nigeria Union of Journalists did not escape her extending their Legacy award of Excellence to her. The vibrant law maker has also been honoured by the International Women Ambassadors for her distinction in championing the affairs of women and the less-privileged. She has over 70 awards in her kitty from organizations and institutions in Nigeria and beyond.
Bills and motions sponsored: Rt. Hon. Amb. Uju Onwudiwe has demonstrated outstanding performance in her legislative role. To her credit is sponsorship of over 15 Bills and 20 motions and these bills and motions span through environmental upgrade, agriculture, public utilities and safety, combating violence, promoting skills and human capital development, education, etc.
Among the bills she has sponsored includes: Violence Against People’s Prohibition (VAPP), a bill to stop foreign medical tourism for Public Servants, a bill to stop Children of public servants from studying abroad, a bill to make it compulsory for people living with disabilities to acquire skills and to be self-sustainable, a bill to repeal fire service edict and to enact fire bureau law, a bill for a law to establish micro-credit guarantee scheme, and lots more.
The motions she has sponsored includes: motion for urgent government intervention in erosion/flood menace at Okponakuma flood ravaged area, motion to urge the Imo state governor to urgently construct park for trailers, fuel tankers and other long vehicles along Onitsha/Owerri express road to avert further loss of lives and property, motion to appraise the land allocation to NBC Plc, motion to urge the government and FERMA to carry out palliative work on Orlu-Owerri road, etc.
Igolo Njaba has demonstrated brilliance carrying out legislative functions and she has the record of being one of the most prolific lawmakers in terms of number of Bills and Motions sponsored, co-sponsored and participated in parliamentary discussions of the 9th Assembly.
Onwudiwe seemed to have stepped on the toes of some elements in the state with what is now termed her controversial bill-VAPP Bill, 2021
The Long title of this bill is – A BILL For A LAW TO ELIMINATE VIOLENCE IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIFE, PROHIBIT ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS, AND TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM PROTECTION AND EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR VICTIMS AND PUNISHMENT OF OFFENDERS; AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS. The bill is principally a compendium of acts of violence and the prescription of punishments for defaulters.
The bill is meant to provide the right legal framework such that the society will have laws that are upwardly relevant. While some people tagged it with malicious intent, alleging that it promotes same sex marriage and seeks to permit females to be ordained priests, the bill expressly and in every sense does not promote such. It rather condemns acts of homosexuality and encourages cultural development but seeks to establish dignity of human person devoid of all forms of slavery, such as psychological, mental and economic slavery. It condemns all forms of violence including Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Also, the bill addresses traditional harmful practices and prescribes punishment for offenders. The Bill is at the final stage of passage in the house. When passed, it will create some sense of sanity in the polity, eradicating barbaric acts.
Life changing projects: Onwudiwe has done a good number of projects. Significantly, human empowerment projects address poverty and uplift standard of living. Igolo Njaba has consistently held annual empowerment of constituents where she has distributed cars, motorcycles, equipment for skills start-up, distribution of farm inputs to thousands of recipients, construction of ICT centre at Njaba LGA Headquarters. In addition, she has provided seed funds to over 2000 constituents to support their petty trading. Also, annual sponsorship of free comprehensive medical outreach tagged Blooming health, a program where she invites health team comprising of medical doctors, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, nurses, lab scientists, etc, indeed a comprehensive medical team, who spend one week per edition attending to patients across Njaba Constituency, holding in six centres. She attracted renovation of Ulo Okwute, sinking of borehole and water reticulation, grading of roads, and many more.
On the reason for being in politics she stated, “I believe that politics offers the right platform to render elaborate and effective service to people across board. People with capacity need to offer themselves for public service as it is necessary that a system change is initiated. This is only plausible where all hands are on deck to effect positive change, meaning that people should eschew political apathy”. Igolo Njaba believes that affairs of women and youth need to be addressed through pragmatic approach and genuine commitment.
On her vision for women she stated she will always speak for women and youths. “I believe that the empowerment of a woman is the direct fight against poverty and squalor in the home. The battle to empower women and youths is a significant step towards restoring the dignity of womanhood who are meant to compliment men in the family. Women empowerment is therefore a critical endeavour that has to be undertaken to reposition the society”, she concluded.
How has politics fared in developing society? In her views, “Politics is an ideal endeavour that should create the society of dreams based on credible initiatives that should impact humanity but it has not been done the right way in the developing world. We cannot give a blanket condemnation because there are credible people who have paid huge price trying to do right things ideally; we are not yet where we ought to be.
Ugololo holds the view that there is the need for all strata of people such as professionals, technocrats and people to embrace politics so that together, everyone can effect a change of the things not working properly in the society.
