Dear Councillor, Leave Stories; You Can Deliver If You Wish To: A Clear Example from Udenu LGA

(A eulogy to the most viable councillor in Enugu State RT Hon Dr. Nnamdi Odoh as he celebrates his office anniversary)

By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, Ph.D.
(Dr. Bookastro)

In the Nigerian political landscape, it is believed that being a Councillor is an early invitation to political retirement, likewise being a Local Government Chairman. This is because of the numerous burdens that they carry without much financial entitlement to sustain it.

The above statement has, however, appeared to be true, going by the political status of all the former councillors that we know across all the states. One can say that 95% usually enter political oblivion after their tenure and even make more enemies than they had before entering office. This is because many are either ignorant of their ordeals, while some of them abuse the privilege and use their position to drag PG elections, lands, and other local politics.

But that cannot be said of Dr. Nnamdi Odoh, the Councillor representing Obollo Ward in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Dr. Odoh, who is celebrating the 1st year of his 2nd tenure, has shown that leadership, irrespective of the condition of service, can be used to impact lives and make a difference, especially when the person involved is focused and has vision.

This Obollo man sponsored a bill that banned open defecation in Udenu, which was becoming a health problem for residents of Obollo Afor and Umuezejo. Though it may not actually eradicate the bad health behavior, it has helped in reducing its practice.

He mobilised his friends, which I am part of, to pay school fees for 15 intelligent but indigent students in his ward, which costs almost ₦2m yearly; an act that he has sustained for 3 years now.

When his capabilities were being politically caged, he moved to Enugu West Senatorial District and facilitated the installation of over 120 streetlights across his political wards through Senator Osita Ngwu; another capacity exhibition that shows his passion to limit leadership limitations.

As an educationist, Rt. Hon. Dr. Odoh has donated educational materials such as books, writing materials, clothing, and so on, worth over ₦1.2m, to schools in his wards to encourage academic excellence.

What about his termly donation of ₦300,000, coined from his paltry salary, to indigent families across the 5 communities in his ward, which he called education subsidy allowance?

This is a councillor who once donated 2000 litres of fuel to Okada riders in his ward, spending over ₦1m during the process.

He has also paid hospital bills for 3 of his constituents who were delayed in different hospitals due to unfinished bills that totaled ₦106,000.

Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Odoh, Ph.D., has been able to do this and more that I cannot remember in a state where a councillor’s take-home money, which includes both the basic salary and allowances, was less than ₦200k for both the executive members and non-executives before the recent review, which gives them ₦238,000 for ordinary members and ₦400k for leaders (speakers).

Rt. Hon. Dr. Odoh’s work has shown that councillors can achieve good results no matter the small money or support they get from government. His actions prove that progress depends more on good ideas, hard work, and a genuine desire to help people than on big budgets.

Through his different projects in education, health, and community development, he has shown that a councillor can make real impact in the lives of the people. This kind of leadership gives hope that local government can bring real change when those in office are focused and serious.(and not akụkọ Ndia hana akọkari)

This example breaks the common belief that councillors cannot achieve anything meaningful. It shows that they can set good examples and make their wards better if they want to. If more councillors follow this path, local governments will no longer be seen as weak or useless. Instead, they will become strong points for development and growth in different political wards.

Dr. Odoh’s leadership achievements are clear proof that good leadership at the grassroots level can bring lasting change.