As the saying goes, everything that has a beginning must have an end, and today, with the indefinite adjournment of plenary by the 9th Senate, Senator Uche Ekwunife’s watch as the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District has come, to a blissful end.
Ekwunife was first elected to represent the good people of Anambra Central Senatorial District in 2015, making her the first woman to occupy the seat since its first establishment in 1979.
Her promotion to the Senate came after she delivered unprecedented representation to the people of Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal constituency during her two memorable terms in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2015. However, Senator Ekwunife was removed by an unfavourable court judgment in December 2015 – six months after her inauguration into the 8th Senate.
Senator Uche Ekwunife
Charged with a strong determination to return to the Senate, Iyom as she is fondly called threw her hat into the ring in 2019 to win back the mandate of the people, and indeed the people of Anambra Central gave her an overwhelming victory, to the extent that she won in all the 7 local governments that make up the zone.
Her 7/7 victory was one to celebrate and jubiliate over, but it also meant that the Federal Lawmaker will upon assumption of office bear a huge burden of expectations, afterall to whom much is given, much more is expected.
In working to meet the expectations, Ekwunife discharged her enormous responsibilities with purpose and devotion, resulting in her facilitation of numerous developmental projects and programmes in the 59 communities of the Senatorial District.
Typical of a mother, Ifekaolaedo as she is also known carried the 7 LGAs and its communities on her back, painstakingly working day and night to address their challenges to the extent that some of us who worked closely with her struggled to catch our breath due to her uncompromising demand for quality and excellence in her service to the people.
For Senator Ekwunife, communicating and engaging with the people she represents was paramount! Nothing escaped the Amazon, she was always abreast of events in her Senatorial District. She showed leadership and her proactiveness and mentorship positively rubbed-off on all who worked with her.
In fact, the easiest way to know the length and breadth of Anambra state is to be on Ekwunife’s entourage. Week after week, Iyom graced events organized by different class of persons in the society.
As I personally pondered on the outcome of the last election which pratically paused the lives of many who invested time, intellect, energy and resources in it, I came to the conclusion that it is natural for those who taste victory to sometimes equally taste the opposite of victory, and It has to be said that the reaction of Senator Ekwunife on the outcome of the election, again brought to fore her exemplary leadership skills.
Immediately the contest came to an end and it was clear that Anambra Central will have a new Senator-elect, I patiently waited for the Senator’s next instruction, and shortly after the INEC returning officer declared the Senator-elect, the instruction came. It was short and direct: “Ubani congratulate Victor Umeh and wish him well”, the Senator communicated.
As I got the message, I had the feeling of nostalgia, remembering how the Senator known to many as Madam Project also congratulated the winner of the 2021 PDP Governorship Primary election which she also contested strongly. It has to be said that in both occasions Ekwunife imbibed the spirit of sportsmanship. She elevated the wishes of the electorate above her personal ambition.
While congratulating the Senator-elect and urging the people to give him all the necessary support, Ekwunife also appreciated Ndi Anambra Central and assured them that the outcome of the election will not dampen her spirit and desire to offer them quality and effective representation in the remaining months of her stay in office.
She kept to her word, and charged her staff to sustain the tempo and remain alive to their responsibilities while she embarked on the completion of some of her ongoing projects.
As I reminisce on Senator Ekwunife’s representation in the last four years, I take pride in her legacies and unparalled developmental efforts. Ekwunife’s representation was focused on addressing the yearnings of the people. She refused to limit her responsibilities to sponsoring of bills and motions even though she ranked 3rd amongst the 109 Senators in this regard, finishing with 30 bills and 18 motions.
Everything that her office could bring home, Ekwunife fought for. The Federal Lawmaker attracted Agencies of government such as SHEDA to Anambra state. She also attracted the first ever National Innovation Workshop to the state, a Mega Skills Acquisition Centre to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, upgraded the Bio Resources Centre in Abagana, facilitated federal employment for over 600 Ndi Anambra, facilitated grants for thousands and empowered a long list of young people, amongst others.
It has to be said that the road, housing, school, market, health and many other projects Iyom attracted did not come without a price – the price of denial of self-gratification. The result of her sacrifices and efforts are seen in the numerous life-changing projects she had embarked on. Ekwunife’s effort in the building of 14 units of 3 bedroom bungalow has forever given permanent and comfortable shelter to poor and homeless widows, orphans and families.
As I conclude, I wish to state that Senator Ekwunife has ran her race in the 9th Senate and won hearts in many respect. In her first meeting with some of her supporters after the election, the vibrant Senator stated that she has NO REGRETS.
Truly she doesn’t and shouldn’t! As a first class witness to Iyom’s devotion and commitment to her legislative duties, I can boldly say that Ifekaolaedo gave Ndi Anambra Central all that her position could offer, and posterity will judge her kindly as we wait to see what the future holds for the Lady with the Midas Touch.
Reacall that on Saturday, 3rd June, 2023, Senator Ekwunife held her final stakeholders briefing/townhall meeting, an event that was unprecedented in the history of constituency representation in the Senatorial District and Nation at large.
The well attended event which put a ceremonious cap to what has been an eventful and impactful representation, afforded the people-focused lawmaker the opportunity to give detailed account of her four years stewardship to Ndi Anambra Central before gloriously bowing out of office.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the 9th Senate held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, Senator Ekwunife expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve the people of her Senatorial District. She thanked Ndi Anambra Central for the overwhelming support they have given her over the last four years. Iyom also poured encomiums on her beloved husband, Chief Larry Ekwunife for his love and extraordinary support. She thanked her colleagues and members of her Senate committee for their cooperation.
While appealing to the returning Senators to ensure the passage of the gender bill which according her will improve women participation in politics and governance, Ekwunife appreciated the outgoing President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan for steering the ship of the 9th Senate with wisdom.
Kingsley Ubani
Media Aide to Senator Uche Ekwunife
