Hon. Ojema: A rare legislator from Benue South

By Uji A. Iliyasu 

Hon. Ojotu Ojema ( PDP, Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency) is the Chairman, House Committee on Inland Waterways.

I am propelled to write this article because of his unique political shrewdness that focuses on the people. 

I was glad when I visited Agatu and saw a road linking  Engila and Ogwule being constructed by this lawmaker.  This road is very important for Agatu West because it has boosted commerce within and outside the zone after completion. His pursuit of a Bill that has a national appeal also galvanized me to write this peace. 

Like all other public officeholders, Apa/Agatu sees  Hon.Ojema’s appointment as a window of opportunity for them to benefit from his extensive connection with colleagues, political  associates as well as other  allies outside the shores of Nigeria. 

Ojema is living up to expectations because the people of Apa/Agatu have unflinching faith in him due to his priestly background. As a pastor, he can team up with the governor  of Benue State, Father Hyacinth Alia, even though they are on different political platforms, they can collaborate to make Benue State a haven for civil servants, market women and all residents.  The governor is already doing that as pensioners who had been neglected by successful administrations in Benue State have found succour in his leadership.

The Idoma nation is also basking in the euphoria that the Och’Idoma, HRM Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, is also a pastor. This is not a coincidence. It is  the doing of God. The triumvirate are making impact in their different areas of jurisdiction.

Although Ojema is not on the executive arm of government, he is making impact through a robust legislation that will benefit all, that will have a far reaching impact on the society.

Legislating  and securing funding for infrastructure development by the committee  Ojema is chairing in the House as it relates to inland waterways, such as construction or rehabilitation of ports, jetties, and other  infrastructure will improve the commercial and social life of the people. The provision of life jackets will also help to contain the incessant boat mishaps on our water ways. 

We are glad our representative, besides ensuring the safety of passengers and goods, is promoting policies and initiatives that support the ease of doing business and industries along the waterways. By so doing, he is creating employment opportunities for his constituents  and the reserved army of unemployed youths across the country. 

We in the constituency stand solidly in support of this rare legislator from Idoma land who, unlike his predecessors, is making waves in the National Assembly. 

Moreover, Hon. Ojema is working to  put in place measures that protect the environment and promote sustainable practices along the waterways, and also  working on policies that promote tourism. This will attract visitors, and boost the local economy in the area. 

The appointment of Hon. Ojema has thrown Apa/Agatu constituency on a global reckoning. Thus, puling the constituency boldly  out of the hitherto legislative obscurity, into an enviable prominence.

It is clear that Ojema’s  foray into politics is a divine call. God called this priest in his vineyard to go and give a vibrant representation to a people who are hungry for government’s presence in their areas.  The constituency the priest represents has been yearning for impactful representation for years past. 

We are happy that even as a first time representative, Hon. Ojema has already made and an impactful presence. 

We are aware that his priestly background is an asset the country can leverage to provide a difference in the business of lawmaking.

The political wit and dexterity Ojema employs in his oversight duties prove naysayers wrong. It is generally believed that a first time federal legislator should be apprenticed to his seniors, the older ones in the House. Fortunately  for us, the priest-turned politician is not on-the-job training. He goes about the legislative business as if he has been in the National Assembly for  years. 

Hon.Ojema’s chairmanship of Nigerian Inland  Waterways is timely. What does they do there? It is a network of navigable water routes and bodies of water that are located within Nigeria’s territory. These waterways play a crucial role in the country’s transportation, trade, economic and social activities. Therefore,  a chairman of the standing committee in the House  should be one who is committed to his job and well acquainted with the needs of riverine communities and their idiosyncracies. Yes. He is Hon. Ojema. 

Significantly. following a series of boat mishaps across various states in the country,  Hon. Ojema said the committee will use legislation and oversight activities to address the root of the problem. He said he was not unaware of the several reports of deaths resulting from boat mishaps in the country, therefore,  assured that through effective oversight by his committee and relevant agencies of government,  Federal Government will find a lasting solution to the menace. He is doing just that. 

To curb this menace, the House Committee is to oversee the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its parastatals.

Although the committee understands that the oversight here  is enormous due to the dwindling revenue generation apparatus of the NIWA as an agency, he promised to lead the agency to it’s golden era in terms of revenue generation. 

The Committee is working hard towards ensuring that relevant government agencies enforce the use of live jackets in water transportation to reduce incidents of water transport accidents. 

Hon. Ojema assured members of his committee that under his leadership, they would give NIWA and other marine stakeholders the needed support so that the agency can make the nation’s waterways navigable and accident-free. 

Bill for leadership rotation 

Driven by patriotism, Ojema is proposing a Bill to include power rotation in the constitution for all elections. 

 In the Bill he is pushing for a constitutional review that will ensure that political offices are rotated  withing the six geopolitical zones in the country. The rotation of elected leaders will also apply in senatorial zones and constituencies in the state. 

The Bill proposes to amend sections 133, 179, 48, and 49 of the constitution to rotate the office of the President among the six geopolitical zones, with each state holding the presidency for a maximum of two terms.

In this case, the geopolitical zones that have previously produced presidents since May 1999 will wait untill all other zones have had the opportunity to produce a president. Definitely, if this is done, there will be equity and fairplay in the polity. 

Recall that North-east, North-central, and South-east geopolitical zones have not produced presidents since 1999.

The draft bill also seeks to rotate the office of the governor among the three senatorial zones within a state, as well as senatorial elections among all federal constituencies within a senatorial zone.

It also seeks to prohibit a LGA from producing a member of the house of representatives for the second time of asking, until all LGAs within the federal constituency have had their turns.

Going by the weight of the bill and controversy it will generate, it is only a courageous man full of divine spirit that can undertake such a herculean task. 

In all, we are proud of Hon. Ojema. Whether the bill is allowed to see the light of day or killed by political interest groups, he has made his mark in the national legislative business.

A