Celebrating Theodore Orji at 73

Charles  Ajunwa writes that as Senator Theodore Orji marks another year, he stands out as a patriotic leader 

His political ascendancy didn’t come so easy. He got to the peak of his career through dedication, hard work, integrity, honesty, loyalty and above all, the fear of God. Many say that mother nature has been so kind to him – As he served as Chief of Staff to executive governor for eight years, became a two-term governor, and icing on the cake he served as a two-term Senator (Abia Central). 

For an unbroken 24 years, Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, served Abia State in particular and Nigeria in general, meritoriously. Before this time, he had served in various capacities as a public servant where he left indelible marks, a feat that endeared him to all who came in contact with him. 

Orji, who marked his 73 birthday on November 9, always observed it solemnly with his creator without any fanfare or parties. “I’m not a party man. Anything I do, I do it quietly. If my birthday comes I celebrate it in a very quiet way – praying to God and thanking Him,” Orji explained. 

 Orji was born in his hometown Amaokwe-Ugba, Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on November 9, 1950. He was the only son of his mother and one whose father, Chief Tom Orji, a well-known Warrant Chief that built the very first storey building in modern Umuahia, the state capital.

Orji, who had his primary education at St. Michaels Catholic Primary School, Umuahia, proceeded to Santa Crux Secondary School, Olokoro in Umuahia South Local Government Area, before moving to Holy Ghost College, Owerri. He capped his educational pursuit with Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, from the prestigious University of Ibadan, in 1977. 

After successfully completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Sokoto State in 1978, Orji was employed as Administrative Officer in the old Imo State Civil Service on December 18, 1979. Upon creation of Abia State in August 1991,he returned to Umuahia to ensure a solid foundation for the smooth take-off of the new state. He served, at various times, in the Government House, the Bureau of Budget and Planning, and the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Orji’s entry into politics didn’t come to many as surprise as his good works spoke for him. He contested for and won the Governorship primaries of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), and eventually won the 2007 election and was sworn-in as the Executive Governor on May 29, 2007. 

Ochendo, as he is fondly hailed  by his people, laid a solid foundation for the state, during his eventful eight years as governor. Apart from his policies and programmes which transformed the image of the state and positioned her as one of the most active states in the country, he ushered in a new lease of life in the state, with his developmental projects. 

On March 9, 2014, Orji was elected as Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, and having distinguished himself in the service of his fatherland, Orji, on September 29,2014, was conferred with the prestigious National Honours awards of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), by then President Good luck Jonathan. 

Orji ascribes his emergence as governor and Senator to destiny, crafted by Almighty God. According to him, “Once you are born in life, God destines you and if you are hardworking and follow God’s destiny you will achieve your goal. When I was growing up there was no time I thought I would be governor. Honestly speaking, God has blessed me so much that I have gotten those things I never expected I would get in life. I never thought I would be governor. I was a civil servant and I was following the dictates of my father who said what he wanted me to be was a permanent secretary.

“And after achieving that, I was ready to go and rest until destiny came. This window of being a governor opened. It was the work of God; it opened and I went into it and succeeded. I succeeded not only for the first tenure, I succeeded for the second tenure and did eight years. Despite all constraints, God was there for me. And after doing those eventful eight years as governor, I made up my mind to go into retirement and rest.

“It was still my people whom God pushed and used. The people of Abia Central came and started persuading me. They said no, you are not going to retire. You will still go to the Senate. The Senate form was bought by my constituents; they helped me with the campaigns by talking to the people…I remain grateful to God and to every other person who has remained with me right from the time I was governor.” 

Orji, in 2016 was adjudged the third most productive senator in the Senate due to the many bills he sponsored in the Red Chambers namely: The Nigerian Investment Promotion Council Act Cap N117 2004 Repeal and Reenactment Bill, The Nigerian Biodiversity Bill 2015 (SB 79), Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration), Portfolio Designation Bill 2015, Deoxyribonucleic Acid (NDA) Bill 2015,Food Security Bill 2025, National Emergency Bill 2016, Nigerian Oli Research Development Agency Board Bill and many others including Motions of urgent national importance that he moved on the floor of the Senate.

Many indigent and intelligent undergraduate students from the six local governments comprising his senatorial zone benefitted from Orji’s annual scholarship scheme, as each student got N100,000. The former governor also empowered numerous constituents with cash, and other empowerment equipment to boost their businesses. 

Before exiting the 9th National Assembly, Orji voluntarily announced his retirement from active politics at least for now, in order to give the younger generation an opportunity to also prove themselves politically. It will also afford him the opportunity to give adequate attention to family, relax with his darling wife, Osinulo, and play with his grandchildren. Orji, has every reason to be thankful to God for blessing and leading him so far. He came, he saw and he conquered!