Morning Yet on Creation Day” Chinua Achebe’s elegant book of African life best captures the birth trajectory of famous Ned Nwoko.
Everyday is new morning, new day,special dawn for the senator,born a prince into the Ibo royal family of Idumuje-Ugboko, Southern NIgeria in 1960.
December 21, is his birthday anniversary.
A man who scarcely marks birthday. He believes each day is a beautiful gift, extraordinary,worthy of endless veneration.
Today, he basks on the spotlight.
Since June 13,2023 when he was inaugurated senator representing Delta North senatorial district at the National Assembly,Nwoko has been a central feature of the red chambers.
He stands on national reckoning as one of the strongest voices of the Nigerian 10th Senate.
A powerful senator, he has so far championed a slate of profound bills and motions on education,health ,youth empowerment, road infrastructure, economic revival, diaspora voting, anti-colonial reparations , good governance and more.
Except for late Senator Nosike Ikpo and Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, no other senator from Delta North (Anioma ) had proved as emblematic in service as Ned Nwoko. The beauty of his bounty is that he is just beginning. Less than 6 months, he has endeared himself to Anioma people and Nigerians.
Senator Nwoko’s charm at NASS surprises no one. Put aptly,those familiar with his pedigree saw it coming.His life story is a journey of integrity.
For a man who reached his apogee in British clime as best black lawyer of African descent,by international rating, Nwoko has always been an enigma.
He returned home in 1999 to shape Nigeria’s future,when Africa’s most populous nation needed the eyes and ayes of its finest patriots to have a clear vision.
Then a troubled nation was emerging from the throes of military turbulence, compelling Prince Nwoko, London returnee,then in the bloom of 30s to roll up his sleeves and help midwife democratic government,under the People’s Democratic Party,PDP.
He was in the parliament as Member,House of Representatives,Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency.
By the time he was exiting the green chambers of the National Assembly in 2003, after serving only one term to relinquish office voluntarily like Mandela, Nwoko had in his kitty, a record -breaking 22 bills,setting a precedent in the annals of legislative adventure.
Beyond leading in making laws for the good governance of Nigeria, he left indelible footprints elsewhere.The now famous Asaba -Benin expressway, Asaba international Airport, preliminary works on the proposed Ogwashi -Uku Dam, NTA Asaba to mention a few, are all part of his flagship legacies as Federal lawmaker.
That Ned Nwoko was rewarded about 24 years after his sojourn at House of Representatives ,with his election by Anioma people as Senator representing Delta North senatorial district is just a curtain raiser to his thrill – a page story, never truly or excellently told.
Not many people are aware that Anioma agenda- a well known euphemism for political advancement of Delta North towards governorship of multi -ethnic Delta was championed by Prince Ned Nwoko. After Professor Eric Opia from Ndokwa axis of Delta North first took a shot as gubernatorial candidate under the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC,in 1993, and lost to Chief Felix Ibru of the Social Democratic Party,SDP, It was a bold Ned that stood for Anioma in fierce governorship contest in 2003, through the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA.What set Ned apart on higher ground,miles ahead of his fellow Anioma compatriots was courage under fire.
A lion by heart, he exhibited rare bravery contesting against then incumbent governor, Chief James Ibori of Urhobo stock ,at a time it was almost an anathema to challenge the status quo. Nwoko did not win the election. But he won the battle. He gave Anioma pride, as a people worthy of voice and verve ,in a state where ethnicity is so pronounced. He would earn the respect of the sitting governor, who saw in him an audacious fighter ,after an enervating no holds barred combat. The details of that awesome governorship encounter, uncompromising in execution and gripping in pursuit,are best left for an epic movie.
So telling that another Anioma good son, intrepid Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa would finally consummate the protracted search for Anioma – born governor of Delta state, on history day, May 29, 2015.
The epiphany of Ned Nwoko is a lengthy reel of reaches and riches.Founder of the first Sports university in Saharan Africa, established in his Idumuje -Ugboko country home, first black African to tour the icy land of Antarctica, in symbolic global campaign for Malaria eradication, doyen of the biggest black law firm in England in the I990s, initiator of London-Paris Club Loans refunds which ended Nigeria’s recession,cultural connoisseur of Mount Ned, a wonderland of palatial architecture and rarest wildlife, benefactor of a thousand students and the needy.
Hon. Ned Nwoko an accomplished father is happily married with wives and children.Dotting husband of Regina Daniels Nwoko, the darling of Nollywood.
At 63, Senator Ned Nwoko is fittingly entitled to the epithet- COLLOSUS.
CHIAZOR, a veteran journalist writes from Asaba.
