“I Won’t Give Constituents What I Can’t Give My Children” — Obi Aguocha Defends Empowerment Philosophy, Highlights Achievements
The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has highlighted his achievements in office, stressing that his approach to empowerment is centred on creating sustainable value rather than distributing temporary relief materials.
Aguocha made the remarks while speaking during a radio programme on Rapid FM, Umuahia, where he reviewed his representation, ongoing infrastructure projects and his vision for the development of Ikwuano/Umuahia and Abia State.
Speaking once more on his approach to empowerment, Aguocha said he would not give constituents what he would not be willing to give his own children.
“I can’t give to you what I can’t give to my children in terms of empowerment,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that his empowerment philosophy was based on providing opportunities capable of improving people’s lives in the long term, rather than limiting empowerment to the distribution of food items, motorcycles or other short-term interventions.
“My empowerment is value-added. I’m not one that will give you rice and keke. I can’t give to you what I can’t give to my children in terms of empowerment,” he stated.
Aguocha also highlighted several projects and interventions he said he had attracted or facilitated within the constituency and the state.
He disclosed that the New haven to Isi court Road had been captured in the budget of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority and would be completed, describing the project as an important intervention for residents of the area.
He also spoke about an erosion-control intervention at Atayi Ibeku, which he said had recently been carried out, as well as several school projects across the constituency.
According to him, he is preparing to commission and flag off various school projects at Ndume Ibeku, including the rehabilitation of two-storey classroom blocks at Amuzukwu, classroom blocks at Ofeme, and the reconstruction of more than 15 classroom blocks at Umuwawa in Umuahia South, among others.
Aguocha said the projects were part of his broader effort to ensure that constituents directly benefit from democratic governance.
He further disclosed that about 3,000 streetlights had been installed across different communities in his constituency, particularly in Ward 3, Ugwunchara.
He also pointed to the Umuahia–Ikote-Ekpene Road as another major intervention, recalling that he moved a motion in the House of Representatives seeking an investigation into the road and advocating for action after years of neglect.
According to him, the Abia State Government eventually took over the road project as a matter of urgent public importance, despite the fact that the state would have to await reimbursement from the Federal Government.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for prioritising the project, saying the decision demonstrated a willingness to act in the interest of the people rather than wait indefinitely for federal intervention.
The lawmaker also highlighted his legislative efforts towards the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Ikwuano, saying the bill had been transmitted by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the Presidency for presidential assent.
Aguocha expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would assent to the bill, noting that the establishment of the medical centre would have significant implications for healthcare delivery and economic development in the constituency.
He said the proposed Federal Medical Centre, together with the conversion of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, into a conventional university, would create opportunities for the transformation of the existing Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia into a tertiary teaching hospital.
According to him, the expansion of federal institutions in the area would bring employment opportunities, stimulate economic activity and promote institutional development.
“These things are institutional empowerment,” Aguocha said, distinguishing them from short-term empowerment programmes.
Aguocha also addressed the issue of pensioners’ gratuities, describing it as one area where the Abia State Government must continue to intensify efforts.
While acknowledging that pension payments had improved under the present administration, he said the government needed to go beyond regular pension payments and ensure that retired workers receive their outstanding gratuities.
He said Governor Otti was committed to clearing the backlog and had already phased the payments into different stages.
Aguocha expressed confidence that the outstanding gratuities would be substantially cleared before the next election cycle, allowing pensioners to use their entitlements to support their families, invest in businesses and improve their living conditions.
He also spoke emotionally about the issue, recalling that his late mother died without receiving her gratuity.
According to him, the experience reinforced his conviction that retired workers who spent their productive years serving the state deserved dignity in retirement.
The lawmaker said governance should not be reduced to meeting immediate needs without planning for the future.
While acknowledging the hardship and rising cost of living confronting Nigerians, Aguocha argued that governments must simultaneously address present challenges and make long-term plans for future generations.
He stressed the need for adequate housing, healthcare facilities, schools, roads and other infrastructure as Nigeria prepares for significant population growth in the coming decades.
He also advocated a change in the mindset of citizens, arguing that development requires collective responsibility and a willingness to look beyond immediate political and material gains.
Aguocha said the present administration in Abia was working towards changing the state’s development narrative, describing himself as a passionate advocate and defender of the Labour Party-led government of Governor Alex Otti.
He maintained that the administration had achieved significant progress within its first three years and argued that its performance should be measured against the condition of the state before it assumed office.
“No government has come into power that has done better than the present Labour Party-led government,” he said.
Aguocha also spoke extensively about his advocacy for justice, particularly his involvement in the case of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
He said his advocacy was not solely about Kanu but about ensuring fairness in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and addressing what he described as perceived disparities in the treatment of people from the South-East.
According to him, the issues surrounding Kanu’s case are connected to broader concerns about the treatment of Ndi igbo and the roots of the agitation for Biafra.
He argued that the Federal Government needed to engage honestly with the underlying grievances that fuel separatist sentiments, saying that the issues would persist unless their root causes were addressed.
Aguocha said he was encouraged by the recognition he had received from Kanu’s family and others for his role in the matter, describing the endorsement as a validation of his commitment to justice.
Aguocha said his ultimate objective was to provide representation that would leave lasting benefits for the people rather than temporary political rewards.
He said his focus was on projects and policies capable of creating employment, improving infrastructure, expanding access to education and healthcare, and giving young people opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.
He maintained that development should not be measured only by what people receive today but by the structures put in place to improve their lives tomorrow.
For Aguocha, true empowerment is therefore about creating opportunities that he would be proud to provide for his own children and that, he said, remains the guiding principle of his representation of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
