Councillor Who Built Roads, Sponsored Students, Installed Solar Lights Set for Inauguration as LG Chairman

By Tony Okafor, Awka

Ahead of his inauguration as the Executive Chairman and Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon. Oluchukwu John Ilogbenu (Olutek) has unveiled his scorecard as the councillor representing Nnobi Ward 2 in the Idemili South Legislative Council.

Ilogbenu, who spoke exclusively to our correspondent, said his two-year tenure witnessed a number of interventions in road construction, education, healthcare, solar street lighting and human capital development.

According to him, the interventions were aimed at addressing critical needs of residents of Ngo Nnobi and improving living conditions in the community.

He said one of the major initiatives undertaken during his tenure was the Light-Up Ngo Project, through which several internal roads and public facilities in Nnobi Ward 2 were illuminated with solar-powered streetlights.

Ilogbenu listed the areas covered by the project to include the road from Umuagu Hall through St. Christopher’s Anglican Church to the Nnobi-Alor boundary; Agbom Primary School Road to the Ngo-Umuru boundary at Ebenesi Nnobi; Umuagu Uhuoshi/Igwedo to Ezenweile Junction; Late Sunday Ajokwu, Umuagu to Umuikechem Road; and Umueze/Umuikechem/Ndam through Dr. Wilson Azugo’s residence to Umuagu/Nnobi Divisional Police Station.

Others, he said, included Umuezeme/Ugoewulu through Agwuncha to the Nnobi/Nnokwa boundary; Umuegbu Hall through Rt. Hon. Charles Odedo to Ogbo Olu/Nnobi Hall; Uhuoshi Road to St. Kelvin’s Catholic Church, Umuagu; Umuezeme to Umuobia Road; Obinagu, Umuagu to the rear of Nnobi Divisional Police Station; Umuezeme to Chukwunonso Hospital Road; the Obiaja-Mmiri Mgbo axis of the Nnobi-Nkpor Road; and the Umuagu Model Health Centre.

On healthcare, the incoming council chairman said his tenure attracted the installation of a solar power system capable of supplying electricity to the Umuagu Health Centre.

He added that palliative engineering works were also carried out to mitigate the impact of flooding around the health facility.

Ilogbenu further said he commenced the process of upgrading the Umuezeme/Ndam Health Post to a primary healthcare centre and facilitated the enrolment of residents of Nnobi Ward 2 in the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme.

In education, he said more than 45 students from the ward benefited from his sponsorship of WAEC registration, at a cost of about N1.5 million.

He also disclosed that he facilitated the complete renovation of a four-classroom block at St. Simon’s Central Primary School, Ngo Nnobi.

On road infrastructure, Ilogbenu said his tenure facilitated the construction of a 1.3-kilometre Umuegbu Road to Ukpaka Ndam and a 1.5-kilometre Sunday Ajokwu/Late Emma Nwokoye Road, linking Umuagu to Umuikechem.
He said the two projects were sponsored by High Chief Emeka Agbanari, MFR, Ike Idemili, Chief Executive Officer of Seaman Oil and Gas Company.

Other roads, according to him, included the one-kilometre Okenwa Crescent, Umuagu to Umuikechem, sponsored by High Chief Ikechukwu Azugo, Okenwa Idemili, and Chief R.N. Akusoba Crescent in Umuegbu, Ngo Nnobi, sponsored by Chief Obinna Akusoba, Ojiewulu Nnobi.
Ilogbenu said the roads were also equipped with solar-powered streetlights.
He further disclosed that approval had been given for the construction of a one-kilometre road in Umunebo-Eziagbom, Ngo Nnobi, to be undertaken by an indigene of the community, Chief R.N. Okongwu.

In youth development, the incoming mayor said more than 35 youths from Ngo Nnobi had been enrolled in various skills acquisition programmes under the Idemili South Youth Development Initiatives.

His claims were corroborated by the President-General of Nnobi Welfare Organisation, Chief Aloysius Olubialu, who described Ilogbenu’s tenure as impactful.

Olubialu said Ilogbenu was the first councillor to introduce solar-powered street lighting in the area, adding that he also facilitated several road construction projects.

The President-General described Ilogbenu as a man of peace who mobilised stakeholders in Nnobi and involved them in community development initiatives.

Similarly, the Episcopal Vicar, Iyiowa Region, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Very Rev. Fr. Martin Obum Ikeagu, PhD, said Ilogbenu’s tenure produced positive results in the community.

Ikeagu said the councillor’s representation was characterised by accountability and good human relations, adding that he facilitated road construction in areas where residents had previously considered such projects unlikely.

He also commended Ilogbenu’s peace-building and conflict-resolution efforts, saying he had helped reconcile factions and promote unity in Ngo Nnobi.

With his inauguration as the new Executive Chairman and Mayor of Idemili South imminent, Ilogbenu said his administration would focus on education, healthcare and human capital development.

He said his administration would improve public schools through better facilities, learning materials, information and communication technology infrastructure and academic excellence programmes for pupils and teachers.

On healthcare, he pledged to strengthen primary healthcare centres through improved infrastructure, essential equipment and drugs, maternal and child healthcare support and regular medical outreaches.

He also promised to equip youths and women with practical digital, vocational, agricultural and entrepreneurial skills while supporting small businesses and sustainable livelihoods.

“My key areas of interest are Education, Health, and Human Capital Development, with a clear focus on practical interventions that directly improve the lives of our people,” Ilogbenu said.