Tony Okafor, Awka
The dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof Oby Lilian Orogbu, has quit her job for the House of Representatives race in 2023.
Orogbu, a lecturer and dean in the federal university said she had to call it quit to vie for the position as a result of her love and passion for her people.
Orogbu is vying on the Labour Party (LP), which is currently enjoying a boisterous popularity in Anambra State and beyond apparently because of the presidential candidate of the party in 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi and his OBIdient movement.
Addressing LP stakeholders and supporters in Amawbia, she said her emergence as the faculty dean where she polled 120 votes out of 160 votes cast to defeat her two male opponents in a keenly contested election was an indicator of her capacity, capability and competence.
She said, “My quitting my office as dean of Management Sciences and my job too is my desire to serve my people, to deliver dividends of good governance and to provide selfless service and leadership of inclusion.
“I’m going to provide quality representation at the green chambers. Many have lost hope. I’m here to assure hope. We’ll do jobs that’s visible, including tackling deplorable roads, unemployment.
“We’ll move from consumption to production economy through farming. I’m not in politics for my stomach. This movement is beyond ethnic and religious inclinations. We must rescue this country before it finally collapses.
“I’ll ensure that projects are not only attracted to my constituency, but seen to its execution completion. We’ll also empower youths and women, including activating the moribund Youths Development Center so as to eradicate crimes and poverty in my area.”
On how she would be going to execute the project in view of the financial implications, Orogbu said, “that won’t be a problem. People are ready to fund it because they’re tired of the status quo and desirous of change and purpose driven leadership.
“Besides, there’s nobody contesting this election that’s as qualified as I am. I’m very fit intellectually, morally and healthwise, I’m physically strong not just to run campaigns, but to ensure effective supervision of projects if elected.
Asked what she would do if the outcome of the election was not in her favour, the university teacher expressed confidence of victory, describing the election as a win-win exercise, stating, “I’m not going into the election with the mind of losing. It’s as good as won. And peradventure it happens the other way, I’m a professor, consultant and entrepreneur. I have so many alternative things I can do. But then, I’m not going to lose the election.
Earlier, President General, Amawbia Development Union, Goddy Aronu said the community was supporting Orogbu not just because she hails from the area, but because of her competence, reliability and capability.
“We can’t afford to continue to mortgage our future on the platter of money. We’re not supporting her just because she’s our daughter. We’re projecting her because of competence, reliability and capability,” he said.
Speaking, the deputy director, Unizik Business School, Chinedu Onyeizigbe, described Orogbu as capable, reliable and industrious, wishing her resounding victory at the poll.
“Unixik as a community is crying because she’s living us. Prof( Orogbu) is someone you can trust and have a heart of gold. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she distributed over N3million to younger lecturers. She also used to give monthly N10,000 to some others. Amawbia is indeed lucky to have her,” he said.
Also speaking, a former President General of the town, Prof. Eleazar Ofodile, assured the LP candidate of the community’s maximum support, adding
“Prof. Orogbu is a woman who possesses the requisite knowledge, capacity and strength of character to change the narrative that will drive her constituency into economic growth and development.”
