Linus Abaa Okorie: Still On a Mission To Serve Humanity
Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi
The recent emergence of Honourable Linus Abaa Okorie as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ebonyi South Senatorial District come 2023 elections is a clear indication that a new era is on course for the members of the constituents to heavily embark on the journey of reaping the dividends of democracy as envisage by every other citizens in Nigeria.
The seasoned politician, Honourable Okorie, attained this feat after he defeated the incumbent Senator representing the district in the National Assembly, Chief Micheal Ama Nnachi, in a keenly contested primary poll held at Afikpo to pick the party’s ticket. Amazingly, Okorie did not just secure the victory, but he won with landslide margin as he polled 132 votes to beat the incumbent who was able to garnered a paltry 35 votes.
Believe me and truth be told, for Hon. Okorie to beat the incumbent and navigated his way through this rank, it is crystal clear to demonstrate how strategic, experienced and well groomed Okorie was in matters pertaining to politics, leadership and how well he relate with his people and kinsmen in confronting matters aimed at uplifting their living standard over the years.
Honourable Okorie has been in a political cycle for over couple of decades where he has been using his vast wealth of experience to fight for the liberation of his communities by anti-democratic forces. However, despite all the challenges, Okorie has never shown signs of discouragement as to either take a U-turn from this holy spiritual fight. Of course, he is a dogged fighter who leaves no stone unturned the moment he sets sight on a mission to serve humanity.
Meanwhile, a quick glance at Okorie’s profile will leave every right thinking person amazing on how the astute politician was able to accomplish so many milestones over the years when he made foray into the political industry.
The 56 years old Linus Abaa Okorie was born on March 9th, 1966 in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
He attended Federal Government College Minna, Niger State where he obtained the Senior School Certificate. He holds a Higher National Diploma (HND). In 1988 he enrolled at Nigeria Army School of Finance and Administration and graduated in 1990. He immediately proceeded to Mayo School of Chartered Accountancy in Yaba, Lagos and graduated in 1992.
Hon. Okorie served at Ebonyi State House of Assembly from 1999-2001. In 2011, he was elected into the Federal House of Representatives under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party.
While in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, where he served under the following committees; Public Procurement, Police Affairs, Legislative Compliance, Banking & Currency, Public Accounts, and Aids, Loans & Debt Management and finally served as the Chairman of Agricultural Colleges and Institutions Committee when he was re-elected in 2015-2019.
During his spell in the chamber as a federal legislator, he was involved in the emergence of several bills where he either solemnly sponsored or co-sponsored, some of which have since been ratified into laws and the outcomes being enjoyed by whole Nigerians.
Some of these bills include: National Fertilizer Board Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015; Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015; Veterinary Surgeons Bill, 2016, National Agency for Albinism and Hypo-Pigmentation (Establishment) Bill, 2016; and Nigerian Institute of Agriculturists Bill, 2016.
Others are; Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Bill, 2016; Nigerian Co-operative Societies Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Act (Amendment), 2017; National Commission for Colleges of Agriculture Bill, 2017; Voluntary Income Declaration, Recovery and Amnesty Scheme Bill, 2017; Nigerian Street Trading Regulation Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2018; and Federal College of Veterinary Assistants, Onicha (Establishment) Bill, 2018.
In terms of capital developmental projects, the giant stride of Honorable Okorie in that sector speaks volume of what he can achieve when entrusted with the envisage task of representing Ebonyi South in the Senate Red Chamber.
The long list included grading of Afo Mgbaneze Onuani road to Osodi Eri junction, construction of Inyize-egu bridge in Ekenu Umuifi in Amanator Anioma-Isu
construction of 3 Nos box Culverts at Ugwogo-Umuna road Mgbaneze and
drilling of 2Nos boreholes at Police station Nkwoagu Isu and HRH Eze Ambrose Ogbu’s Palace Umuniko Isu. The borehole in the police station was the very first of its kind since its establishment over 30 years ago.
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Through his initiatives, Okorie has connected various communities with electricity which is very vital in boosting their economy. Some of these activities are connection of Onicha LGA Headquarters (including of Isuokoma and Onicha Igboeze) to the national grid from Agba through the completion of about 4km HT line from Agba to Eke Agbabor Isu; Replacement, repair, reactivation and restoration of of 21 fallen HT electric poles along Achiuzam- orieagu – Ezaegu road; Extension of electricity LT from signboard Mgbalukwu towards Obeagu Isu (5 km) and Extension of electricity (LT) poles and cables from HRH Eze Ambrose Ogbu’s Compound to his father compound Amefi Umuniko.
Others included Extension of electricity poles from Afo Mgbaneze to Ugwogo Mgbaneze; Extension of electricity poles/cables LT from Achiuzam to Uhuoge Umuniko Isu; Extension of LT electricity from Achiuzam to Umuogudu Umuniko 1.5km; Installation of 300KA transformer at Umugama Ezieto Umuniko; Repair and restoration of 500KVA transformer at Oriagu and Installation of transformer feeder/Circuit box with extension of electricity (LT) at Mgbalaukwu among others.
Still, in terms of human capacity building projects, Okorie’s developmental strides were nothing but sterling performance which are unmatchable among his peers. He has improved the lives of thousands of people through his empowerment programs for people of varied demography including women, youth and the elderly. Beneficiaries were trained on various skills and later been rewarded with equipment, logistics and capital to start their enterprises for betterment of themselves, families and relatives.
Back in 2016, over 3,500 farmers in Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State have benefited from an empowerment and enlightenment program where they were taught how to produce cassava chips, biscuits, bread, flour, Fofo, tea, among other derivatives, they were also enlightened on the benefits and needs of biofortified Vitamin A cassava in the life and health of people.
Also, over 200 constituents of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State were trained on various agricultural value chains at Osborn Lapalm Hotel Uburu. Additional 400 beneficiaries were also incorporated into the gesture, all courtesy of Honorable Linus Abaa Okorie.
While expanding beyond his local territories, it can also be recalled that over 70 Old Ohaozara Sons and Daughters who are residing in Gombe State were empowered by Chief Okorie.
Again, the astute politician had also supplied assorted empowerment materials to many recipients across the three wards of Isuokoma. These include: Cars, Keke (Tricycle), Motorcycles, Industrial and Regular Sewing Machines, Grinding machines, Hairdressing Kits and accessories, Generator sets, Laptops and Barbing kits and accessories.
As political Iroko that he was, Rt. Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie is among the few legislators who are building infrastructure, the empowerment Representative, the Caring Heart Commander, the Man that offers indigent Education, Cash Transfer, the only Legislator that has no police Protocol and the man that introduced Vitamin A cassava to Ebonyi people. This is his identity! Always on a mission to serve humanity.
In another dimension, Okorie also championed the construction of two historic bridges along the F113 Federal Highway at Okposi and Umubo Onicha. These two bridges represent a giant stride in his long drawn battle to achieve the reconstruction of the Nara-Isu-Onicha-Okposi section of the F113 federal highway. This project is only next in scale of importance to finding jobs for unemployed graduates; which remains the most cherished achievement and desire of Okorie at all times.
Apart from that, he also established Fruits/Vegetables Processing Factory and Modern ICT Center both located at Enuagu Onicha.
The fruits and vegetables processing plant is a value addition platform for the numerous horticultural products for local farmers, especially the women who lose the greater percentage of those annual harvests due to the acute dearth of post-harvest support and facilities.
In addition, the ICT centre is a star project for engendering a knowledge economy to drive the future of the constituency as it was designed to turn out a minimum 1000 high caliber personnel annually. The ICT center, upon completion, was affiliated with Microsoft and other notable organizations so as to offer specialist modules and DLPs to help bridge the digital gap within the environment.
Chief Okorie was very vocal and passionate about speaking truth to the power, no matter how bitter it is. He stood firmly on ground in spite of being threatened with arrest by Governor David Umahi after he spoke the minds of millions of Ebonyi people. He is a strong foot soldier who doesn’t shift ground or compromise in matters related to entrenching development for his community.
Believe me, the aforementioned track record of success achieved by Okorie within the span of his political journey is just a tip of an iceberg from the long inventory of his accomplishments.
Therefore his antecedents guaranteed the heights and feats he can attain in future when given the chance in 2023 to introduce his presence at the Red Chamber. The man has performed beyond expectations and thus proven himself as a veritable candidate and the right person for the job.
Let me reiterate, Okorie, that man, he is on another mission to salvage and equally serve his community. Give him the chance and see the wonders!
Mukhtar wrote from Abuja.
