By Ejike Anyaduba
Birthdays mean different things to different people. For Chief Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Anthony Ibezi, PhD (Ochiagha Idemili), who turns 50 on February 17, 2026, the milestone is less about fanfare and more about reflection. Rather than a celebration of grandeur, his golden jubilee is conceived as a moment of gratitude — a sober reflection on a life shaped by hard work, courage, compassion, commitment, and, above all, reverence for God.
Hon. Ibezi is not the typical politician who seeks power for its own sake, but one who believes that power is a means to an end and not an end in itself. He often remarks that “power belongs to God, but one should humbly seek it as a means of achieving the common good”.
His 50th birthday is designed not merely to mark the passage of time, but to touch lives, create opportunities, and empower others to live meaningfully. It will be marked by medical outreaches at Ogidi and Ojoto for the people of Idemili North and South Local Government Areas; hospital visits; the distribution of thousands of bags of rice; and a microcredit scheme for women. The celebrations will be rounded off with a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Saint Dominic Catholic Church, Agbaja, Abatete.
Ibezi began his political journey in his early 20s, and has through personal effort rather than any known family connections, navigated the Nigerian political space. He has demonstrated sufficient goodwill to garner the support of the people of the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Anambra State. His skilful grassroots approach to politics has earned him the affection of his constituents so much that, in and out of office, his name continues to evoke admiration, nostalgia, and concern. Admiration for his exceptional compassion and loyalty over the years; nostalgia for his brief but impactful five months in the 9th National Assembly; and concern from his political opponents.
A humble, focused, and confident politician with immense skills and political foresight, Hon. Ibezi is driven by an unwavering commitment to the people. He is arguably one of the few politicians in Idemili North and South LGA whose politics have positively impacted all 17 communities fairly and equitably.
Born February 17, 1976, in Enugu, to the late Chief Francis Nwafor Ibezi (JP) and Mrs Caroline Logodokwu Ibezi, of Ezimuku, Agbaja Abatete, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, he started and completed his primary and secondary education at New Heaven Primary School and St. Paul’s Secondary School (Mission), Eke, both in Enugu State respectively. Subsequently, he attended the renowned Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, where he earned both the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Studies, specialising in Marketing, Purchasing, and Supply. He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Abuja, Nigeria. He also has an M.Sc. in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He recently bagged a doctorate in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja.
A man of many talents, Hon. Ibezi is a successful businessman. His business acumen and leadership abilities were such that within months of completing his compulsory one-year national service at the National Assembly, he established the Anbez Group of Companies – a logistics and general contracting firm with interests in various sectors of the Nigerian economy. It provides both direct and indirect employment to a significant number of Nigerians.
Ibezi began pursuing leadership roles early. He was appointed by the Federal Government as a member of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, in 2009, at the young age of 32. At the time, he was among the youngest members of the Boards of Federal institutions in Nigeria. His strategic foresight was recognised when he was appointed Director of Planning, Logistics and Operations in Governor Willie Obiano’s 2017 re-election campaign, contributing to the historic 21/21 victory. Impressed, Governor Obiano later appointed him the Chairman of his Inauguration Committee. In 2021, he was appointed Chairman of the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation (ASHDC), where he again demonstrated his leadership skills as the organisation experienced numerous innovations in service delivery during his tenure.
A focused and dynamic politician, Hon. Ibezi contested and won the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency seat in 2019. In June 2019, he was sworn in to represent the constituency at the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives. Sadly, his tenure was brief, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, nullified his election; an annulment regarded as one of the errors of judgement since the dawn of democratic rule in 1999. Nevertheless, he was able to achieve notable successes as his historic motion on the reactivation of moribund Eastern ports and the decongestion of Apapa and Tin Can ports initiated the proceedings of the 9th National Assembly. The motion, which later received the Federal Government’s support, significantly boosted economic activity in the South-South and Southeast regions. He served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services. He was a member of several House Committees, including those on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Power, Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Steel Development, Justice, the Federal Judiciary, and Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements.
A consummate politician with a cosmopolitan bent, Ibezi has travelled to over 23 countries worldwide. He is actively engaged in various charitable and philanthropic activities, especially in support of widows, youths, and the underprivileged. To his credit, the current wave of road development in his Abatete community is traced to his pioneering effort. The construction of the 4.1km Synod road was all that was needed to inflame the passion for tarring roads among the well-heeled in Abatete. Ibezi holds numerous traditional titles and has received awards from many distinguished organisations and institutions.
At 50 — often described as an influential stage of life — Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi speaks of success not in terms of titles or wealth, but in terms of impact and peace of mind. For him, the milestone is not about cutting a cake, but about counting blessings and sharing them with humanity. It is also about reflecting on life lessons and setting new goals for the next stage of life.
As he marks this significant chapter, the focus appears clear: service above spectacle, gratitude above grandeur and self-possession over worries.
Ibezi loves reading and travelling and is happily married with children.
Ejike Anyaduba wrote from Abatete
