By Maurice Okafor, Enugu
A medical surgeon and chairmanship aspirant for Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State on the platform of the APC, Dr Collins Nwannebuike Nwokedi, has lamented that Oji River has failed to attain the semi-urban status for which it was originally created.
Dr Nwokedi, who is seeking to become the next executive chairman of the council, said his ambition is driven by the desire to reverse underdevelopment in the area and complement the developmental efforts of the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
In a 14-page manifesto made available to The Authority Newspaper, the APC aspirant stated that Oji River is richly endowed with human resources and economic potentials capable of transforming the council area and contributing meaningfully to the economy of Enugu State.
Part of the manifesto reads: “Recently, Commercially exploitable fossiised Coal deposits has been discovered within some Communities in Oji River local government area.The local government area was created in 1976, initially designed as an urban area to serve as a regional hub for energy and industry,but the area has witnessed a gradual decline since after the civil war. It has largely regressed into a rural hanitat with trickles of few scattered private developments here and there.
“It is against this backdrop of the foregoing that I offer myself for Service to administer Oji River Local government area.
“I want to refocus the trajectory of development with tangible indicators, result-oriented policies and programmes”, Dr Nwokedi said.
The medical practitioner noted that Oji River’s strategic location between Enugu and Awka, the capitals of Enugu and Anambra states respectively, presents an opportunity for industrial growth and economic expansion.
According to him, “Building a lively and livable city is not an act of accident or happenstance,it involves deliberate efforts to lay the foundations and future trajectory for the controlled growth and development of the city with it’s physical and social Infrastructures like Schools,Health Centers, Shopping Centers, Sports Centers,Town Halls, Library services(digital and physical),etc.”
Speaking on healthcare, Dr Nwokedi stressed the need to strengthen the General Hospital in Oji River to function effectively as a district referral facility for local clinics and primary healthcare centres.
He commended Governor Mbah’s Type-2 hospital initiative, noting that primary healthcare facilities had already witnessed improvements under the current administration. He pledged to sustain and improve the operational efficiency of such facilities if elected chairman.
Dr Nwokedi further disclosed plans to maintain detailed health statistics, including maternal and infant mortality rates, teenage pregnancy rates, communicable and non-communicable disease records, as well as health worker-to-population ratios.
On emergency healthcare services, he said: “If the budget permits, It will be wise to procure a refurbished well -equipped Ambulance which will serve as a mobile clinic,staffed by trained paramedics,nurses and possibly a trained emergency doctor.They should have a dedicated hotline as a Rapid Response Health Squad. They must be tracked and monitored closely’,Dr.Nwokedi emphasised.”
In the education sector, the chairmanship hopeful unveiled plans to improve infrastructure, teachers’ welfare and school supervision across the council area.
He said: “In this case,We must look after our teachers, ensure that their wages and emoluments are paid timeously.Every year,We must lobby for NYSC teachers,pay them extra stipends and offer them decent accommodations so they can be attracted to teach our children in our rural communities.
“The administering authority will also provide desk,chairs and essential teaching materials for the students and teachers under decent shelter. As a control measure, digital clock in/clock out ought to be installed in every school to monitor truancy and absenteeism. Alternatively,Every community through their governance structures (Igwe,Town Union and the School Alumni, Associations) should supervise the Schools’ attendance and Job compliance by the teachers,” Dr Nwokedi advocated.
He also praised the Smart Schools initiative of the Enugu State Government, noting that several of the facilities were already operational in Oji River LGA.
On agriculture, Dr Nwokedi said the fertile lands and river networks across the 403 square kilometre council area provide enormous opportunities for commercial farming and agro-allied businesses.
He explained that his administration would encourage wealthy indigenes and investors to participate actively in agricultural production and related value chains.
“As the administering authority, efforts should be geared towards procurement of new tractors and other vital machinery and water irrigation machines, repairs of the old ones,robust documentation and management of the small and heavy equipment hire, rural roads construction to create access to farmlands,soft and revolving loans to registered individuals and cooperatives, encouraging partnerships,helping farmers to procure high-yield pest/disease resistant strains/species, Fertilizer distribution,linking farmers to agricultural institutions, creating industrial zones after Environmental Impact Assessments,Engaging the services of Agricultural Extension Workers and supporting cultural practices,arts and festivals that enhance production or exhibition of farm products,” he stated.
The APC aspirant also proposed an “Agricultural Governance” model that would involve all the 20 autonomous communities in the council area through Community Councils to implement food security and agricultural policies.
Dr Nwokedi said his administration would prioritise women, children and persons living with disabilities through people-oriented programmes and policies tailored to local realities and global best practices.
On youth development, he described Oji River youths as energetic and talented individuals in need of opportunities to develop their careers.
“One of the things Oji River local government area can boast of is a large population of hardworking and energetic youthful population in our various autonomous communities.(The Youthful age between 15 and 35 years according to the African Youth Charter) is clearly the period of life when energy and learning are at their peak That is also the period our various career paths are identified and actively pursued”, he said.
He pledged to revive school sports and community sporting activities across the council area.
“The already existing school sports programme especially the culture of inter-house sports competition need to be strengthened and supported.The existing quiz clubs, debating clubs,farmers clubs,etc, will be incentivesed.Also will assist Communities to set up and maintain specific sports ground for training and competitions.Most of all,will look upward to establishing a modest stadium at Oji Urban.
“Oji River local government area budget can fund the establishment of a modest stadium at Oji River Urban where talents are developed in various sports like football, basketball, netball,table tennis, Chess,athletics,etc. The government can assist with hiring part-time trainers or use the local serving or retired sports teachers in our communities on pay-service basis to save cost. There could be periodic inter ward or inter-community sports competition,” Dr Nwokedi buttressed.
The medical doctor said his understanding of the terrain and exposure over the years would help him drive development in Oji River and its communities.
Born in Awlaw, Dr Nwokedi had his early upbringing in Awlaw, Ugwuoba, Amankwo Inyi and Achi, where his parents served as classroom teachers.
He studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Benin and completed his internship at Parklane Hospital, Enugu, before serving in Yauri, Kebbi State during his NYSC programme.
He later worked with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health in South Africa, where he rose to the rank of Medical Manager and Acting CEO of a hospital. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Aside from medicine, he established Heroes Garden Lodge Pty Ltd in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Dr Nwokedi has also carried out several philanthropic projects in Awlaw and neighbouring communities, including sponsoring the Awlaw Health Festival and a three-day free medical outreach in 2017, distributing palliatives during the COVID-19 period, constructing and rehabilitating roads, and sponsoring pupils of Nkwuni Primary School for several years.
He also introduced the “Education Adoption Scheme” through which beneficiaries have studied up to postgraduate level, including a PhD student currently lecturing in South Africa.
In recognition of his contributions to community development, traditional rulers in Awlaw honoured him with the chieftaincy titles of “Ugosinachi of Isiama Awlaw” in 2018 and “Ahaejiejemba of Ubaha Awlaw” in 2025.
