THE PATRIOT CALLED NED NWOKO. By Patrick Ochei
The Patriot Called Ned Nwoko
By Patrick Ochei
Many have made impact in our society called Nigeria at different times and at the opportunities available to them. Some in politics, some in economy, some in career and others at different spheres of life's endeavours.
What drives any gifted individual remains opportunity. However, to sustain the impact you make with positive assessment result is passion.
At this point I have come to really x-ray the life and driving passion of the man called Prince Ned Nwoko. What makes him thick? What makes him unique and what has differentiated him from other Nigerian compatriots?
First he was born into a royal home and bred in royalty. He had the best of opportunity when he travelled to study in UK. His royalty blended with British orientation and stood him out in reasoning and behaviour.
He could have remained a thorough royalty, only made for the top, waiting to be served and dishing out orders. But No! His innate driving force and God given meekness for humanity wouldn't let him separate for princely lifestyle. He would jettison such frivolity to serve others.
Prince Ned Nwoko, after acquiring a degree in Law and History from a renowned University in UK, set up a law firm to fight for the rights of the oppressed Africans in UK. He became so famous for fighting to protect others who were unjustly treated in UK.
Meanwhile, UK couldn't contain him any more being a more civilized nation that respects human rights and justice; he decided to come down to Nigeria where it was tougher to fight for human rights and good governance.
This led him into politics. As a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, he made radical changes with his aggressive motions and bills. Workers benefitted periodic review of wage increment by law. NYSC benefitted increase in their allowances. Police Headquarters was immediately built in Delta. Benin-Asaba road dualization took immediate effect as he intelligently lobbied Obasanjo's Government to do it. Another was the construction of Abuja road through Ewohimi to Idumuje-Ugboko linking Benin-Asaba expressway.
Unfortunately, after his first term and he needed to make greater impact at the State level; he was stopped. Why? Because they found it too hard to comprehend the velocity of his mental progression. The bad guys were already infiltrating the political space; and they felt Ned would spoil things at the level he was going. His transcendental orientation of governance was incomprehensible.
However, before Ned left the National Assembly, he had commenced a fight that would compel the Nigerian foreign creditors - the London and Paris Club to refund to Nigeria the over deductions made from the country's debt repayment schedules. Pundits thought it was a vague fight. He was laughed to scorn that he would not succeed without Government backing. But he was not deterred. He took on the fight against super nations and damned their conspiracies and threats even on his life.
Alas! After 13 years of struggle, Nigeria, even in the heat of economic recession, celebrated the Paris Club Refund in multi billion dollars. It came in due time. It came courtesy of Ned Nwoko through his international law firm, Linas International.
The Paris Club Refund is the biggest and most worthy patriotic contribution any compatriot could have made to his dear nation. Prince Ned Nwoko fought it alone. The only endorsement he had was the signature of the then local government chairmen under ALGON, urging him to fight to get the money back on their behalf. He fought with his personal resources and his life which was at the risk of being assassinated.
Today, Prince Ned Nwoko is at it again; building a premier Sports University in his home town of Idumuje-Ugboko. First of its kind in sub Saharan Africa, a University of such magnitude, STARS University will berth in Ugboko. What a privilege, what a passion, what a love for his birth place!
But unfortunately, a set of ungrateful family elements, anti progress and retrogressive outlaws in nature are putting up a fight over the University land. What is it in a fallow land compared to the gains the University on it will bring to the community? Though legally acquired; they fight on to score a cheap point.
Unfortunately, again for them, they are fighting the master of the game of fighting. It is an error to be swallowed by a river after swimming successfully in the Atlantic Ocean. It is believed that the snake is never afraid of any battle, it is always battle ready.
Ned Nwoko singlehandedly fought the world powers, the international community and the Nigerian Government; the fight by a handful of Idumuje-Ugboko dissidents and their collaborator, Azuka Jebose won't mean anything to him. He would forge on until the STARS University takes off as planned. That's his dream for his community and people, nobody can stop this perpetual legacy from taking root in Ugboko.
Indeed, I admire the spirit of Prince Ned Nwoko. He is unarguably a Patriot, such that Nigeria has never had.
By Patrick Ochei
What drives any gifted individual remains opportunity. However, to sustain the impact you make with positive assessment result is passion.
At this point I have come to really x-ray the life and driving passion of the man called Prince Ned Nwoko. What makes him thick? What makes him unique and what has differentiated him from other Nigerian compatriots?
First he was born into a royal home and bred in royalty. He had the best of opportunity when he travelled to study in UK. His royalty blended with British orientation and stood him out in reasoning and behaviour.
He could have remained a thorough royalty, only made for the top, waiting to be served and dishing out orders. But No! His innate driving force and God given meekness for humanity wouldn't let him separate for princely lifestyle. He would jettison such frivolity to serve others.
Prince Ned Nwoko, after acquiring a degree in Law and History from a renowned University in UK, set up a law firm to fight for the rights of the oppressed Africans in UK. He became so famous for fighting to protect others who were unjustly treated in UK.
Meanwhile, UK couldn't contain him any more being a more civilized nation that respects human rights and justice; he decided to come down to Nigeria where it was tougher to fight for human rights and good governance.
This led him into politics. As a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, he made radical changes with his aggressive motions and bills. Workers benefitted periodic review of wage increment by law. NYSC benefitted increase in their allowances. Police Headquarters was immediately built in Delta. Benin-Asaba road dualization took immediate effect as he intelligently lobbied Obasanjo's Government to do it. Another was the construction of Abuja road through Ewohimi to Idumuje-Ugboko linking Benin-Asaba expressway.
Unfortunately, after his first term and he needed to make greater impact at the State level; he was stopped. Why? Because they found it too hard to comprehend the velocity of his mental progression. The bad guys were already infiltrating the political space; and they felt Ned would spoil things at the level he was going. His transcendental orientation of governance was incomprehensible.
However, before Ned left the National Assembly, he had commenced a fight that would compel the Nigerian foreign creditors - the London and Paris Club to refund to Nigeria the over deductions made from the country's debt repayment schedules. Pundits thought it was a vague fight. He was laughed to scorn that he would not succeed without Government backing. But he was not deterred. He took on the fight against super nations and damned their conspiracies and threats even on his life.
Alas! After 13 years of struggle, Nigeria, even in the heat of economic recession, celebrated the Paris Club Refund in multi billion dollars. It came in due time. It came courtesy of Ned Nwoko through his international law firm, Linas International.
The Paris Club Refund is the biggest and most worthy patriotic contribution any compatriot could have made to his dear nation. Prince Ned Nwoko fought it alone. The only endorsement he had was the signature of the then local government chairmen under ALGON, urging him to fight to get the money back on their behalf. He fought with his personal resources and his life which was at the risk of being assassinated.
Today, Prince Ned Nwoko is at it again; building a premier Sports University in his home town of Idumuje-Ugboko. First of its kind in sub Saharan Africa, a University of such magnitude, STARS University will berth in Ugboko. What a privilege, what a passion, what a love for his birth place!
But unfortunately, a set of ungrateful family elements, anti progress and retrogressive outlaws in nature are putting up a fight over the University land. What is it in a fallow land compared to the gains the University on it will bring to the community? Though legally acquired; they fight on to score a cheap point.
Unfortunately, again for them, they are fighting the master of the game of fighting. It is an error to be swallowed by a river after swimming successfully in the Atlantic Ocean. It is believed that the snake is never afraid of any battle, it is always battle ready.
Ned Nwoko singlehandedly fought the world powers, the international community and the Nigerian Government; the fight by a handful of Idumuje-Ugboko dissidents and their collaborator, Azuka Jebose won't mean anything to him. He would forge on until the STARS University takes off as planned. That's his dream for his community and people, nobody can stop this perpetual legacy from taking root in Ugboko.
Indeed, I admire the spirit of Prince Ned Nwoko. He is unarguably a Patriot, such that Nigeria has never had.
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