One of the key attributes of leadership is that it is a burden borne by the individual upon whom that responsibility is thrust.
The leader must of necessity, not only feel the pulse of the people but must go the extra mile to ensure that their lives are meaningfully impacted by his actions.
This point was made by Franz Fanon, the late Martiniquian psychiatrist, writer and philosopher, who in his musings on the use of power, noted that, “if any philosophy is here being preached, it is that man must not only exist but must leave well; the measurement of any intellectual activity being the welfare of the people.”
In the main, this Fanonian admonition has often gone unheeded by generations of leaders around the world particularly in our country, Nigeria. However, in our clime, there are a few leaders who take this nugget of wisdom as Holy Grail. One of them is Prof. Obiageli Lilian Orogbu.
An academic, who unlike many before her, she has successfully transited to politics where in her short sojourn; she is inexorably, retooling the mindset of her people about leadership. She is showing through pragmatic leadership, that political leadership in Nigeria is still redeemable; that there are still “a few good men” moving beyond the use of hollow rhetoric and bland platitudes, to meet the people at their core areas of need.
Elected into the House of Representatives to represent the people of Awka North/Awka South Federal Constituency of Anambra State on the ticket of Labour Party,( LP) in 2023, Prof. Orogbu has shown exemplary character and evinced a deep understanding not only of the nuances of effective representation but equally, a passion and commitment to improve the lot of her people that sets her apart from her peers in the Green Chamber.
A relative newcomer in terms of legislative experience, she has more than made up for that with her unbridled passion, inclusive approach and uncommon compassion for the people who mandated her to represent at the House of Representatives. This has endeared her to not only her representatives but also to millions of other Nigerians yearning for effective representation and good governance.
One of the abiding memories Nigerians have of her is of her stance in a viral video of a debate in the House where she stoutly insisted that rather than her colleagues to celebrate more than two decades of unbroken democracy, which she reminded them was government of the people by the people and for the people, they ought to reflect instead on what tangible benefits Nigerians had derived from governance since the military retreated to the barracks in 1999. For her the observance of Democracy Day should not become a hollow ritual or time for sloganeering but should call elected representatives of the people back to a realization of the sacred trust reposed in them by the people, which they were duty bound to execute diligently and conscientiously.
For those wandering propels Prof. Orogbu; the truth is she has always been enamoured of excellence and circumspection in whatever she does.
Her sojourn in Nigeria’s ivory tower where as a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) where rose to the rank of a professor of Business Administration in December 2019 at age 43 and rose to become the Dean of Faculty of Management Sciences at the same institution two years later, mark her out as a thoroughbred academic.
It is incontrovertible that her rigorous application as an academic in solving complex problems of business meshing with her passion for service to the people has led her to become a dedicated servant of the masses utilizing her intellectual gifts as Fanon enjoined, to improve the lot of her people.
Understanding clearly, the nexus between an enlightened mind and societal progress, Prof. Orogbu has underscored the need for education not only for her constituents but for Nigerians in general.
Speaking recently, she noted:
“My representation is centered on education, human capacity building/empowerment and infrastructure development. I am deeply committed to improving our constituency by focusing on these key areas. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and our needs are met.”
This has not been mere talk. She is walking it! In the two years she has been in the House of Representatives, her constituents have never had it so good. With her sterling performance, they have suddenly woken up to the realization that leadership in Nigeria can actually be about leaders touching base with their people, investing in human capacity development, and providing infrastructure that make like life more meaningful and livable.
Across the stretches of her constituency, Prof. Orogbu, who is currently, chairperson, House Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, has initiated and completed projects that have transformed communities and individuals, reducing tension and enhancing security.
Just recently on Friday, February 21, 2025, Prof. Orogbu fondly referred to Ada Di Ebube by her constituents for her unwavering resolve in bringing development and progress to communities in her constituency, was at the commissioning of three projects in her constituency, which she facilitated.
The projects included the construction of an access road to the Holy Family Youth Village in Amansea, as well as the rehabilitation of classrooms for Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School and Agulu Awka Primary School.
His Excellency, Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Part who commissioned the project, had words of commendation for Prof. Orogbu:
“Prof. Orogbu is doing exceptionally well in driving progress in our communities. Her commitment to education and infrastructure development is truly exceptional”, Obi noted adding that Prof. Orogbu’s constituents made an excellent choice in electing her as she is delivering tangible benefits and true democratic representation.
Speaking at the commissioning herself, Prof. Orogbu said:
“I am proud to say that we have delivered on our campaign promises and these projects have shown that I am committed to the well-being of our people.”
Members of the communities were the projects are cited were themselves, effusive in their praise of the legislator.
Rev. Fr. Dominic Obielosi, Rector of the Holy Family Youth Village, Amansea, and Amarachi Ngozika, Students Community President, expressed heartfelt appreciation. This commissioning is just one of many projects, solidifying Prof. Orogbu’s legacy as a beacon of effective representation and progressive leadership.
The projects commissioned on February 21 are just three of the many dotting her constituency. Others include:
⦁Block of Six Class room Block Community Secondary School, Achalla.
⦁Renovated Three Classroom Block at Community Secondary School, Okpuno.
⦁Renovated Three Class Room Blocks at Ogulube Primary School, Ebenebe.
⦁ 1.Km Road Construction Holy Family Youth Village, Amansea.
⦁ Renovated Six Classroom Block at Community Secondary School, Mgbakwu.
⦁1.Km Road construction St. Stephen Junction – Omoh Block Industry, Mgbakwu.
⦁ Renovated Three Classroom Block at Community Secondary School, Ezioka, Awka
⦁ Renovated Six Classroom Block at Agulu Awka Primary school
⦁ Renovated Four Classroom Block at Ikwodiaku Primary school, Awka
⦁ Renovated Four Classroom Block Community Secondary School, Mbaukwu
⦁ 1.KM Road Construction, Ogechukwu Street, Awka
⦁ Donation of a 500 KVA transformer to the Ifite Isuaniocha Community, Awka North Local Government, Anambra State.
⦁ Installed over 400 solar-powered street lights in all the 19 communities in her constituency
⦁ Training and Empowerment of over 500 constituents in different capacities.
Aside these projects, there are others still under execution and still more to be rolled out before Prof. Orogbu returns to her constituents in 2027 to revalidate her mandate.
For the moment, she is focused on transforming lives through capacity building especially in the area of education, which she says holds the key true progress of the individual and community.
Speaking recently at an event organized by the BYU Pathway Worldwide Education Centre in Lagos, Prof. Orogbu emphasized the transformative impact of online education on spiritual and intellectual development, highlighting its flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness as vital tools for bridging the literacy gap.
She urged the pioneers of the online educational journey to embrace it with an open heart and mind, expressing hope that Nigerians would seize this opportunity and appealed for the extension of the programme to other regions of the country.
To Prof. Orogbu, it is evident that online education stands as a beacon of hope, providing accessible and personalized learning experiences. Her dedication to promoting education and development continues to inspire and uplift her constituents.
As she continues to represent her people, she is mindful of the fact that in the final analysis, her legacy will not be determined or judged by the amount of time she spent representing her people but by the quality of her representation. Prof. Orogbu has chosen to go by the latter bearing in mind the advice of the late United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold who once noted that, “we are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny but what we put into it is ours”.
Chris Emeka is a journalist and public affairs analyst and he writes from Anambra
