On June 13, 2023, Prince Ned Munir Nwoko was sworn in as Senator representing the Delta North senatorial district. His ascension to the Senate was met with a groundswell of support from the people of Anioma, spanning all social classes and eliciting a wave of optimism and excitement for the future.
Before the election, Ned Nwoko’s supporters pointed to his impressive track record as their primary motivation for backing him. Votes of confidence were abundant in his favor. Fast forward to his tenure in the Senate, and many constituents have unequivocally declared that he is the finest representative Anioma has ever had—remarkably responsive and actively engaged on the Senate floor. Even a distant observer can see that the lawmaker has honored the trust placed in him.
In contrast to a political office with direct control over resources and agencies, enabling swift execution of projects, a senator’s role is fundamentally distinct. Senators work within the legislative framework, crafting and amending laws that impact their constituents and ensuring federal resources are allocated appropriately. Senator Ned Nwoko has embraced these roles with vigor and unparalleled commitment.
No issue requiring Federal Government intervention escapes Senator Nwoko’s vigilant eye. Regardless of its perceived insignificance, he brings it to the Senate floor. Including the ones the public has labeled “no go area”, due to its sensitivity. Recently, he tackled the security threat posed by herdsmen in Delta State, a matter that few dare to address. Utilizing the Senate Standing Order, Senator Nwoko raised the issue, decrying the killings of police officers in Ughelli Local Government, the President General of Agbor, and other atrocities suspected to be perpetrated by these herdsmen. Such actions require a just and fearless representative, and Senator Ned Nwoko has proven himself to be precisely that.
He sprang into action upon hearing about the arrest of a family of eight involved in illegal arms manufacturing in Onicha-Olona. The lawmaker made headlines in national tabloids when he secured the release of the offenders, explaining that their talents should be nurtured and not wasted within the four walls of the prison. This led him to sponsor a bill to establish the National Talent, Rehabilitation, and Integration Agency. The bill addresses the ineffective management of specialized skills and the problem of skilled individuals engaging in illegal activities due to a lack of structured opportunities. The bill has passed its first reading, gaining support from the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Focusing on the major issues that are key components of his senatorial agenda—oil theft, environmental degradation, and lack of electricity—it is no longer news that Senator Ned Nwoko has raised the issue of oil theft in the region on the Senate floor and has followed up with the pertinent agencies and Senate committees. This is a battle Senator Nwoko has vowed to fight to the very end, even if it takes his entire tenure to achieve it. He has unequivocally stated that, regarding this issue, there are no sacred cows in the process of unearthing the perpetrators.
Adjacent to the scourge of oil theft lies the pressing concern of environmental degradation inflicted by certain IOCs in host communities. Senator Ned Nwoko, however, does not simply raise this issue in the Senate and leave it at that; he takes proactive steps by personally touring the facilities of these IOCs, with the full backing of relevant federal authorities.
The delays in distributing 100 megawatts of electricity from the Okpai Independent Power Plant to the Delta North Senatorial District have persisted for nearly 20 years, since former President Olusegun Obasanjo commissioned the IPP and issued the directive. Senator Ned Nwoko, in his unwavering commitment to Anioma’s development, raised this issue in the hallowed chamber through a motion. He followed up by convening meetings with the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz. These discussions resulted in a prudent resolution, with the Minister of Power confirming that contractors have been mobilized back to the site.
Senator Ned Nwoko goes beyond merely sponsoring motions or bills; he also follows up with visits to pertinent agencies and ministries. He never misses any committee meetings and doesn’t attend them just to be physically present; he actively engages by asking pertinent questions, making astute observations, and voicing his opinions. This commitment can be affirmed by government bodies who have encountered him in Senate committee meetings.
The indefatigable Senator also maintains a strong physical presence back home. Since assuming office, Senator Ned Nwoko has been unwavering in his commitment to visiting his constituency regularly to engage with the people. Few lawmakers can match such dedication. He pledged responsive governance, and he is fulfilling it by making himself consistently available and accessible to his constituents.
In the area of projects, it is evident that senators must navigate the bureaucratic process of securing federal funds and working with various ministries and agencies, which often results in delays beyond their control. Despite these challenges, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko has actively engaged, both formally and informally, with numerous agencies and ministries to attract landmark projects to Delta North.
These projects, which have received approval, encompass a wide range of initiatives, including the establishment of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, the renovation and construction of administrative blocks in schools, empowerment programs for livestock farmers, the construction of water projects such as boreholes, the maintenance of dams, the installation of solar streetlights and renewable energy lamp posts, the rehabilitation of failed sections of federal roads, the construction of jetties, skill acquisition programs for women and youths, the rehabilitation of police stations, the construction of mini sports stadiums, the equipping of primary health care centers, medical outreach programs, and ecological projects.
However, it is crucial to note that, several months into the 2024 fiscal year, the Federal Government has yet to commence the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 national budget. This delay has inevitably hindered the execution of projects across the country, including those planned for Delta North. Nonetheless, delay is not denial.
Turning to the area of federal government palliatives and grants, Senator Ned Nwoko stands as a vigilant guardian, ensuring that every entitlement destined for his constituents finds its rightful home. He has facilitated various grant opportunities for his constituents, including the ongoing Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, where beneficiaries are expected to receive fifty thousand naira for a period of six months. While it’s one thing for the presidency to approve such grants, it’s another for a representative committed to the well-being of his constituents to ensure their inclusion. This effort, though less visible than physical infrastructure projects, significantly impacts the lives of the people.
Regarding federal job recommendations and security, in a bid to address unemployment in the Delta North senatorial district, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, in his inaugural year in office, has recommended hundreds of his constituents for employment opportunities across various federal sectors. The beneficiaries are poised to fill positions in critical sectors including law enforcement, defense, healthcare, technology, and more. Swift as a coursing river, some of the Senator’s recommended candidates have already received their appointment letters, and have come bearing testament to his proactive stewardship and unwavering dedication to their advancement.
While many well-meaning individuals may raise eyebrows at the Distinguished Senator’s non-involvement in the local government elections within his senatorial district—viewing it as a missed opportunity to handpick LGA chairmen who could serve as his loyalists in future elections—the uncommon lawmaker prioritizes making his first tenure impactful. Moreover, he staunchly advocates for Local Government autonomy, consistently opposing the notion of local government chairmen serving as mere puppets to state or federal government officials. Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko may not fit the mold of a conventional Nigerian politician, but the efficacy of the principles he holds dear cannot be denied.
Happy one year in office to the Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko and the esteemed people of Anioma.
Dr. Michael Nwoko, FRSPH
Chief of Staff to Distinguished Senator Ned Munir Nwoko
Delta North Senatorial District.
