By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Comrade Odunze Kingsley Chinonyerem, from Umudurumba Uba
Ifakala, has recently won the primaries for the councilor position of Ifakala
Ward under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). According to him, his
motivation to vie for the councilorship stems from his natural inclination as
an activist who consistently speaks out against bad governance. He views
Ifakala as a neglected community, plagued by deteriorating roads, inconsistent
electricity supply, and a lack of essential amenities such as pipe-borne water.
In his opinion, Ifakala is in dire need of a strong advocate who can represent
its interests and bring about much-needed development.
Reflecting on his achievements as the Youth President of
Umudurumba Ubaogwugwu Ifakala, commonly referred to as Uba in short form,
Comrade Odunze highlights his initial leadership role in the Anglican Youth
Fellowship at Christ Anglican Church, Umudurumba Uba Ifakala. He notes that
during his tenure as a youth leader, he spearheaded numerous projects that not
only benefited the church but also extended their impact beyond the
denomination, thereby fostering inclusivity within the community. For instance,
he led the drilling of a borehole at Christ Anglican Church in Uba Ifakala and
sponsored a free computer training program that lasted six months, benefiting
participants from both within and outside the church.
Moreover, Comrade Odunze emphasises that under his leadership,
the youth organised seminars and workshops, including one focused on starting a
fishery business. Additionally, they provided medical care for both church
members and villagers, further demonstrating his commitment to community
welfare. According to him, the youth of the church, under his guidance, also
furnished the pastor’s parlour and actively participated in various levels of
the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF). This exposure to church leadership, he
believes, played a significant role in bringing him into the limelight,
showcasing his leadership capabilities.
However, Comrade Odunze’s leadership experience extends
beyond the church. He shares that he has attended numerous leadership training
sessions and seminars, which have equipped him with a deep understanding of
what it takes to lead effectively. He credits much of his leadership
development to his mentor, Youth Pastor Timothy Ashama, who is now Venerable
Timothy Ashama, for tutoring him through church leadership.
Comrade Odunze’s early leadership journey began
immediately after completing his WAEC when he assumed the role of youth leader
in the church. Interestingly, at just 17 years old, he declared his interest in
running for office during the village elections for the Durumba Progressive
Youth Association (DPYA). Despite being the youngest candidate among three
contenders, he won the election with a wide margin, a clear indication of his
leadership potential from an early age.
Upon assuming office as Youth President of the Durumba
Progressive Youth Association (DPYA), Comrade Odunze brought the leadership
qualities he had honed in the Anglican Church back to the community. He
organised numerous seminars, workshops, and talk shows, some of which involved
travelling to Owerri for seminars. In terms of community development, he led
the construction of several security gates that significantly improved security
in Umudurumba. Additionally, he initiated road projects, including the creation
of Umudurumba Extension, which transformed a bush area into valuable property.
Notably, these projects were accomplished using youth resources without
requiring village funds for road grading.
As the Youth President of Durumba, Comrade Odunze
Kingsley Chinonyerem’s leadership was marked by significant developments. He
led the installation of streetlights in the community, ensuring that Durumba
and its surrounding areas were connected to the Nwaorieubi 33kva federal power
supply, providing the people with a steady electricity supply. His tenure was
also characterized by maintaining peace and harmony among the youth in the
village.
Under his leadership, the youth took it upon themselves
to annually grade the roads in Durumba, ensuring they remained accessible,
particularly to the Ifakala community. Comrade Odunze also played a pivotal
role in re-establishing relationships with their brothers in the diaspora,
actively engaging them in various village projects.
In the area of security, his relentless efforts led to
the mobilisation of the youth for night security watches to combat the
community’s security challenges. Comrade Odunze not only organised these
initiatives but also actively participated, demonstrating his commitment to the
safety and well-being of the community.
In the realm of sports development, Comrade Odunze’s
leadership introduced match bonuses for the village football team during the
Ifakala match competition. His team was the only one that provided such
incentives, resulting in their second-place finish and earning a silver medal
in the first-ever competition. They also had a team doctor and physiotherapists
to care for the players, further emphasising his holistic approach to
leadership.
Comrade Odunze’s commitment to social welfare was
evident when, immediately after the 2020 COVID pandemic, he led an initiative
to provide palliatives to the villagers, especially mothers. He recalls, ‘I
called the executive and said, Let us buy some palliatives and give them to the
mothers. We bought about six bags of rice and other food condiments and
distributed them to the mothers. These actions gave me a good reputation and
built my confidence, giving me a good name and reputation in the community.’
These efforts, among others, motivated him to aspire for the councilorship of
Ifakala Ward, knowing fully well that he owes his people a great deal.
In addition to his role as Youth President, Comrade
Odunze also served as the APGA chairman of Ifakala Ward. During his tenure, he
piloted the affairs of APGA, ensuring that the party’s activities were
inclusive and that palliatives received were distributed equitably among the
people. Under his leadership, APGA won several elections in his booth, and he
played an active role in ensuring the victory of various candidates in Ifakala
Ward. He also oversaw the distribution of over 100 forms for the Government
Special Public Work program, ensuring that they reached all the youth in
Ifakala/Nkalu, regardless of their political affiliation.
During his brief tenure as interim youth president of
Ifakala, Comrade Odunze made remarkable contributions, such as uniting the
youth and organising a cleanup around Ifakala CGC Hall and its environs. He
also ensured that promises made by candidates visiting Ifakala and Nkalu were
fulfilled, demonstrating his commitment to accountability and follow-through.
With these achievements in mind, Comrade Odunze
strongly believes that, if elected as the councilor of Ifakala Ward, he will
accomplish remarkable things that no previous councilor has achieved. He is
determined to be a shining light that will illuminate Ifakala, a community
often used as a dumping ground by politicians who make empty promises. He is
committed to bringing real change and fulfilling the aspirations of his people.
Bags of rice and cartons of condiments stacked and ready for distribution as part of Comrade Odunze’s post-pandemic relief effort, aimed at supporting the villagers, particularly mothers, during challenging times.
Grateful women receive a bag of rice and a carton of
tomatoes as part of Comrade Odunze’s post-pandemic initiative to support the
welfare of villagers.
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