Umuahia Premier Club celebrates Okonjo Iweala, Onyema Ugochukwu and others

By Sam Ekeledo

LEADERSHIP is often times both a privilege and a burden, distilled in the dynamics of community, club or enterprise.  And so come Saturday, July 6, 2013, Chief Sunny Osuagwu, OON, ex-Permanent Secretary of the Federal Republic and president of arguably the most prestigious club south and east of the Niger will step up the podium and induct 21 new members of the Premier Club and further convey award of excellence to four deserving notable figures.

For the recipients, including Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Rear Admiral Onyemobi, Rear Admiral Ajuonu and the sage himself, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, this recognition assumes a much more significant attraction because it is from home. More so, since the Premier, M.I. Okpara died, no one else from that core part of Igbo has been so honoured, by this select group.

I have been privileged to know both the Premier Club, Umuahia and these award recipients, somewhat. These are truly deserving men and a lady. The Club has, from its humble beginnings in 1983,  since metamorphosed into a leading group of elite able to turn the tide politically in Abia State should it so choose. Which is my nagging grouse with this powerhouse.

Premier Club is, however, not your equivalent of the once very prosperous Kaduna mafia. It is certainly a gathering of some of the most brilliant and articulate technocrats, reverent ministers, politicians, sports administrators and businessmen you can find anywhere with such defining values as fostering the unity, culture and values of Umuahia people and the development of the place for all.

They have treaded gently, yet have made steady progress, organizing youth boot camp, award of scholarships, free healthcare delivery, an endowment for space studies for the best graduating student in mathematics, and now they have concluded plans for the construction of a resort that will contain an international conference centre, leisure facilities as well as a skill acquisition centre both in Umuahia and Abuja, if only government will graciously give the land.

It is open to all. Membership requirements include an interview at some point, but most especially your comportment in observer status participation in a number of meetings in which you are feted like a king afterwards. I have not witnessed a more splendid buffet in any occasion. Who wouldn’t like to show up again? It is, indeed a large place fit only for men of courage. Is the Club not gender sensitive? No. Wives of members are full-fledged members, except I don’t see them in Club meetings.

As part of the preparations for this year’s event, Premier Chukwunyere Nwaononiwu, Chairman of Abuja chapter of the club reminded everyone in a recent Press briefing that it has only happened this once in the history of this burgeoning nation that a person, let alone a woman has been seen to occupy the office of Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Nigeria’s unofficial prime minister, if you like.

Her achievements have already filled the annals of more than one lifetime and they are all in the public domain. To be sure, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, despite all odds (boko, et al) is opening the vistas of a global economy and international best practices toa normally renegade people. Indeed, she is making us all feel we belong to a country.

At least no one has printed his own money, neither has our reminiscences compelled us to do more than write a book. She will rise to receive this award of excellence from her people who love her so much and take pride in her commitment to the development of this nation. So much can be said about Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, first African editor of London based West Africa magazine; editor of that legendary largest nationwide daily in Nigeria, Daily Times, Executive Director, Daily Times of Nigeria, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors.

He achieved all these under 50. By 1998 when Obasanjo’s fledgling campaign for presidency really needed a bite it was Onyema Ugochukwu that the campaign approached. Success breeds success and so he would go on to become Senior Special Assistant on National Orientation and Public Affairs (and it would seem that the appellation Senior to special assistants  had to be because of him); pioneer Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission where he ensured the production of the Niger Delta regional development master plan and laid the foundation for that enduring agency. It was that integral plan and other sure visions that Chief Onyema Ugochukwu was going to bring to the Abia State governorship but blind innocence sadly prevailed against him.

[caption id="attachment_401764" align="alignleft" width="115"] Chief Onyema Ugochukwu[/caption]

Were it in the days of military regime, Air Vice Marshal Chimechefulem Onyemobi and Rear Admiral Azubuike Isaac Ajuonu would have sat in the Supreme Military Council and from there quite gladly issued my own Federal Government guarantee for whatever business whim or better still my very own OPL. Imagine. Air Vice Marshal Onyemobi comes from a notable political family in Ibeku whose political sagacity is traceable to the Eastern Region era.

There is a long line of legislators from that time to Imo State era and to present Abia. All of them are Onyemaobis. It is heartening that early in 1978 this one pursued a different career, nonetheless strategic. Through training, experience and diligence garnered over the years in various parts of the world under the auspices of Nigeria Air Force, he can fly anything man made that has wings. This self effacing, unassuming man is presently Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Nigeria Air Force, Makurdi.

Intimidating proportions

Rear Admiral Isaac Azubuike Ajuonu is a man of intimidating proportions both in learning and in size. An all round soldier, he has practically served the Navy all his life. Little wonder he is today the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Apapa. And he is a very kind man too. I remember very well when he served in the Defence Headquarters, Lagos and how he awarded Randy Ukawoko and I a handsome contract to supply basic drugs for our military operations in Sierra Leone.

Years later when I took interest in a demining operations contract this time, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, I really missed him. I know that he is truly deserving of this present honour as many more younger elements from all around Umuahia can still attest to his professionalism and generosity.

These are some of the bright stars from Umuahia, home of Nigeria’s first indigenous General of the Nigeria Army and military head of state, Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara, Dr J.O.J. Okezie, Dallas based Ben Iroha, Nigeria’s ex international, and so many other dignitaries too numerous to mention, who are inspiring our world.  As she celebrates these great personalities, Umuahia Premier club is geared for greater heights.