Today, the 2nd day of March 2024, is the birthday of Dr. Michael Nwoko, senior special assistant to Delta state governor and chief of staff to distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the National Assembly. As a man who has impacted lives of people around him, congratulatory messages have been pouring in from friends and admirers, especially people who know the worth of Dr. Michael Nwoko, a great son of Idumuje-Ugboko.
Dr. Nwoko is an expert in various aspects of public health particularly Global Health policy/management and Health economics. Arising from his knowledge of public health, he has served in various positions as a health professional in the Delta state government. In the administration of immediate past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr. Michael Nwoko served as the governor’s senior special assistant on health monitoring and evaluation, a position he held and served with vigour within the eight-year life-span of the Okowa government.
When the COVID-19 broke out in the early 2020, Dr. Michael Nwoko was fully in the forefront in the war against the disease in Delta state. He was fully in charge of ensuring that the borders of the state with others, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra and others were fully monitored to ensure that no unwanted individual passed through to the state. It was a herculean task but with his doggedness, knowledge of public health and being conscious of the health of Deltans, he executed the assignment without fail.
He was one of those who were instrumental to the low records of death in Delta during the heydays of the deadly coronavirus. He kept records and was ready to ensure that Delta state was safe and rate of death occasioned by the disease was reduced. He is a consummate healthcare professional and has proven it beyond the days of the coronavirus, even till now.
In his days as a student in the University of Benin, he fought for the welfare of students. He never allowed victimization of students from whoever dared to think of it. He narrated a development which made him to lead a body of sudents to the office of the then vice chancellor to ensure students of his class and others got the welfare they deserved as students of the great citadel of learning.
He was daring and he made significant impact in the lives of students as a union leader in his days. As a student, he was very vibrant and dynamic in his quest for what was due to students in the university. Following his daring spirit, he was nicknamed ‘Michael Power” by his associates on campus.
He also employed same energy in the struggle for the emancipation of students and youths of his Idumuje Ugboko community in Aniocha North. Reports say Senator Ned Nwoko nicknamed him The Political Oshobe due to his political strength in mobilizing people for the good of the People’s Democratic Party, a party he joined to move his community forward. This is one of the reasons he was appointed by the former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to be his SSA on health monitoring and evaluation and this duty he carried out excellently well.
As he celebrates his birthday, friends and political associates have made various beautiful commentaries about his personality as a public health specialist and a grassroot political mobiliser. Richard Ariavie, who wrote a special congratulatory message on Facebook, said: “Dr. Michael Nwoko is a consummate personality, people’s manager, administrator, public health expert and an unassuming gentleman.
“On this special day, I hope that “YOU” will take out time to reflect on the lives you’ve impacted and the bridges you’ve crossed to where you’re today. This is a testament that the Lord has just started and that he is preparing you for a greater task in the near future.”
Sunday Odita, another associate of Dr. Michael Nwoko, wrote: “The first role of Angel Michael in the Holy book is the leader of the army of God and the leader of heaven’s forces in their triumph over the powers of hell. In fact, he was a military commander of angels, an accomplisher and a stabilizer of the kingdom of God.
“Your earthly name, Michael Nwoko, was succinctly given by your parents, who must have, through their spiritual eyes not only seen that you are born to lead people, but also that you are a committed accomplisher of tasks. Dr. Michael Isioma Nwoko makes success happens per seconds.
“Your iconic role during the COVID-19 pandemic is still fresh on our minds. Infact, you were nick-named ‘champion of COVID-19 in Delta.’
“Prince Michael is a great soul of matchless courage, who did not attain success in the medical field and politics by sudden flight, but by dint of hardwork, humility and faith in God.
“A consummate healthcare practitioner, a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Delta State, Nigeria, Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, now the Chief of Staff to the Senator representing the excellent people of Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Ned Nwoko and SSA to Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Health Monitoring.
“He is a lovely father, a politician, community/youth development advocate and a business magnet. Yet he is always willing to be little, like a great man that he is. Michael carries on with his job of uplifting Senator Nwoko’s vision for his people not caring about the fault-finding of men.
“He is an inductee of the Health Care Committee of Pearland Chamber of Commerce, Texas, United States, member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and member of the Health Care Administrator’s Association (HCAA) of the United States.
“Michael has proven his mettle in medicine and medicare. The accolades he has received from several quarters for playing major roles in driving key health care policies and programmes of then Senator Arthur Okowa political administration down to the grassroots level is still blaring.
“An Idumuje Ugboko, Delta, Nigeria prince, Michael could best be described as emerging leaders leader and undisputed role model for upcoming politicians.
“Happy birthday to a super brother and gentleman. I hope you have an incredibly amazing birthday. Bravo Zulu my brother.”
Opia Joshua, also an associate of Dr. Michael Nwoko sent messages to honour Dr. Nwoko on this special day. He described Nwoko as his bossom friend.
He said Dr. Nwoko is a kind, gentle and easy going politician who made his mark during the aluta struggle at the great University of Benin ( UNIBEN) and has also contributed to the advancement of democracy in Delta state where he is fondly called The Political Oshobe by many.
Comrade Opia Joshua who is also the executive assistant ( EA) on security matters to the most distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko also described Dr Mike as proactive, goal getter, intelligent, hardworking, dependable and a reliable fellow from the Ned Nwoko political dynasty.
A media institution, State Press, described him as very versatile and with outstanding intellectual capacity. It said as an impact-maker, Nwoko has held several notable national and international positions in the health sector. He is also a member of renowned global institutions and associations.
The media outfit listed some of the health bodies where Dr Nwoko is a member. Some of these include Health Care Committee of Pearland Chamber of Commerce in Texas, United States; Member, Health Care Administrator’s Association (HCAA) in the United States; Member, American Public Health Association (APHA), amongst others.
On May 3, 2021, Dr. Michael Nwoko received an award from members of National Association of Post Graduate Students (NAPS) from the University of Benin, Edo state. The award was presented to him at his country home, Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North local government area by the president of the association, Mr. Chris Ovie alongside the Secretary, Miss Janet Ailegbo.
One of the most impactful quotes of Michael Nwoko which summarises his drive is taken from his Instagram page. It reads: “We cannot build our own future without helping others to build theirs, as the future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope.”
