Chief Johnson Nwachukwu served as the President-General of our community from 2010 to 2015. His tenure is remembered as a time of purposeful leadership and measurable developments.
Background
Born in January 1961 in Umuebulekwu village, Chief Johnson was a respected community development enthusiast before stepping into leadership. He became an OCDU member in 1984 with the Umuahia branch. He later entered politics by joining People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His foray into politics gave him an insight into the grassroots needs of our community. This knowledge came to the fore when he was elected the President General.
His Footprints as President General
During his tenure, Chief Johnson championed several projects that greatly improved the quality of life in the community:
- Electricity Project: By the time he was elected as the President General, PG, the community had been without light for six years. To the advantage of the community, this coincided with his appointment as the Transitional Chairman of Ikwuano LGA. All the electric poles leading into the community had fallen due to age and adverse weather conditions. He quickly got the poles replaced and restored light back to the community. He was seen as an “I talk and do” President General. He replaced all the poles from the Local Government headquarters at Isiala to Ekebedi (a community after Ogbuebulle) from wooden to concrete poles and with both high tension and service lines.
- Furthermore, he provided the community with brand new 300kva Transformer. This was installed at Mbara nta ocha and energised using donations from a worthy son of the soil, Mr. Festus Akobundu. He also attracted a second Transformer provided by Abia state government. This was installed at Ahia Nma.
- Community Water Project: He spearheaded the construction of one solar-powered bore-hole at Ogbuebulle Central School, thus eliminating the need for the students to go in search of water from distant streams. This also eliminated dependence on unsafe streams and improved public health.
- Ogbuebulle Community School: Chief Johnson built a new two 3-Classroom blocks with a Headmaster’s office, stores and toilets at Ogbuebulle Central School and also renovated another 6-classroom block, to provide a better learning environment for students. Following a request from the School Principal, he built a Science Laboratory for the Secondary School. He equally assisted in registering indigent pupils from our community in both WAEC and NECO examinations
- Community Roads: He used his good offices as a political office holder to facilitate the construction and asphalting of Ogbuebulle – Oloko road for the first time in its history.
- Payment of Dues and Levies: one of the decisions of his administration was that no member needed to pay either dues or levies. Income from dues usually went into entertainment at gatherings, while levies were utilised for community development. Also, he personally financed entertainment of members throughout his tenure in office. Funding for projects were usually attracted from sources outside the community.
- Youth Empowerment: Under his leadership, the youth were reorganized and empowered to play a vibrant role in the community.
- Compensation for land acquired from the Community: One of his regrets while in office was his inability to satisfactorily resolve the lingering issue surrounding the compensation paid by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), for the land acquired from the community.
- Community Civic Centre: one of the projects dear to his heart which he could not realize was the establishment of a Community Civic Centre. Although, he had initiated processes to actualize this dream, he left office before the work could materialize.
- Home coming: during his administration, the first ever home coming was organized in the community. The highlight included a nationwide essay competition for both senior and junior secondary school students. A quiz was also organized for pupils of Ogbuebulle Primary School. Winners in all categories received different cash prizes. This was the first of its kind in the community.
Still on home coming, he published a historical almanac that provided highlights of history and culture of Ogbuebulle. It included, the origins of Ogbuebulle people; the killing of the hyena (kwura) that tormented Ikwuano people towards the end of the Second World War; the discovery of Iyi Nta Ocha; Afo Amaghi Onuma and other historical landmarks.
Leadership Style
Chief Johnson was known for his inclusive leadership and open-door policy. He believed in collective decision-making and always consulted elders, women’s groups, youth leaders, affiliate branches, and religious heads before taking key decisions. His ability to build consensus earned him respect from all and sundry.
Life After Office
Even after his tenure ended, Chief Johnson remained active in community affairs. He has continued to mentor young leaders. He is a member of the Community Development Advisory Council and interfaces between the leadership of the community and the government of the day. His legacy lives on not only in the physical projects he left behind but in the spirit of unity, service, and progress that he promoted.