In a build-up to party primary elections for various political offices, many qualified Igede indigenes came out with mouth-watering articles on social media platforms. Myekeemedia did an unedited collection of some articles found on Facebook in May 2022.
The man, Rt. Hon. Samson Ajah Okwu, does not need any introduction in Benue political firmament, but because memory could be both evasive and elusive, here is to refresh our memories.
By James Igiri Ode
Happy reading!
It was a great Poet and Playwright, Williams Shakespeare, that once said: “some are born great, Some achieve greatness while others have greatness thrust upon them.”
No statement could be truer of the life of Rt.Hon.Samson Ajah Okwu than this. A man whose life is a fusion of nature and nurture; raised by the invisible hand of divinity from grass to grace.
He was born on 7th February, 1974 in the remote village of Ohuma, Orihi Council Ward, Obi Local Government Area, Benue State, into the family of Mr./Mrs. Elias Okwu Ogah.
He became a Certified Public Accountant having passed the prescribed examinations conducted by Association of National Accountants of Nigeria(ANAN),2010 leading to his investiture as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Earlier in 2008, he concluded his Masters of Public Administration (MPA) Program from the University of Calabar, Cross-river State.
Young Samson Ajah Okwu studied at Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, where he obtained Certificate Course and National Diploma in Accounting and Auditing in the years 1996 and 1998 respectively and later went to Calabar Polytechnic, where he obtained Higher National Diploma still in Accounting and Auditing in 2005.
For his early education, he attended Igede Community Secondary School, Okileme and LGEA Primary School, Ohuma-Ito, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WAEC) and First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1992 and 1986 respectively.
The young, dynamic and visionary parliamentarian was appointed into the National Assembly Service Commission in 2000 as an Assistant Finance Officer from where he grew in the service and became a Senior Finance Officer.
By the stroke of luck, he was appointed as Chief Accountant in the Office of the Senate President by Distinguished Senator Ken Nnamani, the then Senate President, a position he held until 2007 when, again, Distinguished Senator David AB Mark became Senate President and appointed him as a Special Assistant on Finance and Accounts. The political appointment necessitated his taking a leave of absence until voluntary resignation from Civil Service 2011.
Needless to stress further that he performed his duties in the above offices creditably to the admiration of all and sundry until 2011 when he voluntarily resigned to contest the position of House of Representatives for Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, Benue State.
In the said election, he ran under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against seven political heavyweights but trounced them to pick the ticket and went on to winning the general election landslide.
Upon inauguration into the Green Chamber in 2011, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Samson Okwu was appointed Vice Chairman, House Committee on Pensions while in the 8th National Assembly, he was appointed Chairman House Committee on Air Force.
Rt. Hon. Samson Ajah Okwu is serving out his third term and angling for a forth term in the House of Representatives to enable him consolidate on the delivery of democratic dividends to the good people of Igede nation.
He has been honoured with several chieftaincy titles such as Ugbori Olega1 Ny’Adum East, Emu’Enyi Onyila1 Ny’Anyikpe Ogore and Ankpiridi 1 Ny’Opirikwu Odiapa Ito.
He is a devout Christian of Living Faith denomination and a deacon who believes in that divinity overrides humanity in the affairs of men.
He is happily married to Chief Mrs. Sarah Ogbenyi Okwu, who has been a backbone since his formative years in politics till date, and the union is blessed with three children: a girl and two boys.
He loves playing badminton, telling stories, reading, listening to the news and making new friends during his leisure time.
Dated: 18th May, 2022
Comments