By Akpodhoma Mike

Again, another moment of joy has come the way of Isoko’s first minority Leader at the House of Representatives in the 8th National Assembly, Hon Leo Ogor, as he celebrates his 57th birthday anniversary.

Impressively, all progressive Isoko elements, both in Diaspora and home are proud to have such an eloquent son as their representative at the green chamber.

An important part of his legacy in the body politic can’t just slip away from peoples’ eyes.

Hon. Ogor is from Delta State, and he represents Isoko South/ North Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

He was born on January 6, 1959 to the illustrious family of Mr. and Mrs. James Okuweh Ogor. The ‘Oyibo of Isoko’ as he is fondly called by his constituents back home, hails from Ozoro and Idheze respectively in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State.

The affable legislator completed his primary education at RCM (Roman Catholic Missionary) Primary School, now Ekwerigbe Primary School and secondary education at the revered Notre Dame College, Ozoro, Delta State before proceeding overseas for further studies.

Before he delved into active politics and also as a member of the 5th National Assembly in 2003, he had established for himself a meritorious and indelible employment history.

He started his career with the Central Bank of Nigeria, before he established his own private business; where he played a vcmajor role in reducing unemployment rate in the society.

However, the impactful participation of Hon. Ogor in today’s politics, especially the aspect of his intimidating track records as a federal parliamentarian has positively raised the stakes for men from minority ethnic groups to get engaged in our political affairs.

Although our political terrain perhaps doesn’t make the involvement of minority group into elective positions come easy.

In 2003 when he was elected into the House of Representatives, he was made Deputy Chairman; House Committee on Communication among others, in 2007 he became the Chairman, House Committee on Governmental Affairs.

He was also chairman of several Adhoc Committees, as well as member of several committees. In 2011 after he won the heart of his constituents back home, he was elected for a third term to represent Isoko Federal Constituency.

It was at this moment he was elected as Deputy Majority Leader of the 7th National Assembly, after he won the admiration of his colleagues in the lower chamber. Although Ogor was successful in his bid for re-election to the house of representative for a record fouth time in the hallowed chamber, the fortunes of his political party – the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was not as rosy as his. Its 16-year dominance of the Nigerian political space was reversed with the loss of the Presidency and pole positions in the National Assembly.

The situation fuelled a gale of defection of members from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

These were those who were overcome by a wave of uncertainty and feared for their political future if they remained in the opposition in a country, where partisan politics is admissibly ridden with adversarial orientation, and ‘the winner-takes-all syndrome is the rule of the game.

Given that the defectors from the PDP featured elements from its rank and file, with even erstwhile party diehards involved, it was easily predictable that a gold fish like leo Ogor will not be missed by the rumour mill.

Among other factors, the change in the composition of the new assembly, with the dominance of the legislature by the APC.

In any case, even if that was his intention, he would only be following the tradition of some African political leaders, who have raised the ignoble ‘sit tight syndrome’ to an art.

And this is where the poor reading of the character of leo Ogor failed the rumour merchants, as he proved that he is not just an ordinary run-of-the-mill Nigerian, whose sole purpose in public office is the promotion of his nation.

After the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly, the ‘GENERAL’ as he is mostly called by his colleagues in the house emerged the minority leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, his new office placed the once Deputy Majority Leader of the 7th assembly as leader of the minority group in the house.

In the face of all the circumstance surrounding his political party, after the 2015 general election, his voice still rings loud on issues that bothers on national issues, even as he constructively opposes certain ill treatment being meted on members of his political party, PDP.

Ogor is the stuff which heroes are made of, it is indeed gratifying to note that Leo Ogor has steadfastly and irrepressibly demonstrated unwavering support for not just Nigeria’s democracy; and willingness to readily avail our dear nation of his time and wise counsel whenever occasion demanded at the hallowed chamber and elsewhere.

In his efforts to encourage the younger generation in his constituency to embrace education, toward realizing their full potential, the minority leader during the Christmas celebration hosted a cross section of Isoko social media family in a breakfast meeting at his country home Ozoro where he briefed members of his constituency on his plans towards the Isoko younger generation.

He noted that as part of his constituency projects, he has made provision for over 800.000 note books, 500,000 text books respectively, prominent among them is mathematics dictionary, modern science equipments for the secondary school laboratories and computer set to enable the pupils be familiar with electronic learning.

The distribution according to the lawmaker which will commerce early this month (January 2016) will cut across all primary and secondary schools within Isoko Federal Constituency.

The federal lawmaker also explained that he has commenced the distribution of table and chairs to some selected schools across the constituency, the distribution of the items which lasted for a period of five days witnessed accolades from his constituents.

According to the lawmaker, the gesture was to stimulate the younger generation to embrace quality education.

The host used the occasion to charge the advocacy family to make themselves available during the distribution of the instructional materials.

The occasion witness more applause when he made mention of the renovation exercise, cutting across 24 schools across the federal constituency, provision of township roads across Isoko major communities which include Oleh, Ozoro, Olomoro, Umeh, Erowa, Igbide, Aviara ‘et cetera’.

Our astute, dynamic and cerebral leader, I join your family, colleagues, members of staff, numerous friends and many well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His continued guidance, protection and provision for you in the past fifty-six years of a life of outstanding accomplishments, I wish you a very happy birthday and many more years of good health and personal fulfillment.

May God bless and prosper Nigeria.

Akpodhoma Mike is the Press Secretary to Hon Leo Ogor.

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