By Patrick Ochei
Omeogor - one who is charitable and disposed to giving freely and with no compelling. It is a name for someone who does good with giving in our local parlance, but it became a traditional lexicon crafted for a chieftaincy title during the reign of Agbogidi Obi Henry Ezeagwuna, the Obi of Issele-Uku Kingdom, when he magnanimously bestowed the title of Omeogor on Chief Innocent Ikpeamanam Nwakpati.
For Chief Innocent Nwakpati, the title of Omeogor depicts his good and charitable nature towards the community and people of Issele-Uku kingdom and beyond. Over the years, this title on him has passed from just being a title to hold, to a personality redefined. He has gradually become an entity of repute based on his people-building initiatives and community efforts.
In the days of Obi Ezeagwuna, he saw well ahead of time and bestowed this title of Omeogor on Chief Nwakpati, to get him closer to the palace with a view to making him officially a supporter of good courses in the community, especially as regards human and community development. Many years after, that idea has blossomed from mere performing of the functions and duties of the office of Omeogor to living out the name as a lifestyle - it has become a lifestyle of charity and philanthropy.
Today, Chief Nwakpati has gone a step further by delving into leadership and service for the good of Issele-Uku community. As the President of Issele-Uku Development Union (IDU), Lagos Branch, his leadership has thus far witnessed incremental progress to the effect that a branch that used to record membership apathy has now become all encompassing in meeting attendance. It is no longer news that IDU monthly meeting at the Apapa Road area of Lagos Mainland in Lagos State has become the talk of the town.
Away from Apapa road in Lagos State, the administration of Chief Nwakpati has domesticated a police post at the express junction to support the security architecture of Issele-Uku town. Many of our late night travellers had either been robbed or kidnapped; however, building a permanent security post to assist the police in providing security has been a commendable effort.
Going forward however, Chief Nwakpati has declared his intention to run for the office of President General, Issele-Uku Development Union (IDU) to further offer service in a larger scale. He believes that succeeding the current leadership would be a great gain for Issele-Uku kingdom.
In the submission of his intent, Chief Nwakpati who has been very vocal in matters of interest to the development of Issele-Uku, has assured to organise the administrative and political structures of IDU in a way that will make it independently viable to mainstream a wholesome development in the community.
On this agenda, a lot of people believe that Chief Nwakpati has the capacity and sagacity to bring immense developmental accomplishments to Issele-Uku. Some others also believe that yes, he is a goal-getter, but that he needs a lot more of self evaluation and organising to properly fit into the office which will bring him before kings, Governors and other prominent figures in the society.
Be that as it may, Chief Nwakpati has an antecedent that has already distinguished and positioned him for victory if he ventures into the race for the next PG of IDU. He has been a people's person - highly achieved individual, but charitable without restraint. These identifiable qualities and traits will surely speak for him when the time comes.
As a well accomplished business mogul, dealing on aluminium products as the CEO of Innoma Aluminium Company Ltd with head office in Lagos, he has already set a path of capacity and integrity for himself. He has built an empire of businesses from the cradle, not just for himself but for generations of younger entrepreneurs that have become branches of his goodwill and mentorship.
Nonetheless, what we seek is the best amongst the best for Issele-Uku in terms of focused leadership with administrative acumen to support our amiable king in attracting and delivering diverse strides of development to Issele-Uku kingdom, either as self help or government influenced projects.
Comrade (Deacon) Patrick Nweike Ochei is a Community Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Anioma Trust Newspapers.