The Honorable member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Honorable Sam Onuigbo is Plus One today.

The passionate honorable member who is working hard to add value in the life of Ikwuano/Umuahia people is worth celebrating because of his total commitment to the welfare and welbeing of his constituents.

Brief Profile:

Samuel Ifeanyi Onuigbo was born in Umuahia on 1st of October, 1960, same day Nigeria gained independence from Great Britain. He had his early education in Ikwuano before proceeding to Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Imo State to acquire the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). He has a Diploma in Law from the University of Lagos; and Master’s in Business Administration from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu.

He has attended several courses and Executive Education Programmes including: John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA; the US Department of State Foreign Service Institute, National Foreign Affairs Training Centre, Washington, DC; Public Affairs Council, Washington, DC; and ASIS International at New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, London; Nigerian Institute of Management – Chartered; Member, ASIS International, Virginia, USA; and Patron, Nigerian Institute of Management, Umuahia Chapter.

Sam Onuigbo’s working career includes 17 years of unbroken and meritorious service with the US Embassy Nigeria, during which he held the highly sensitive position of the Supervisory Fraud Prevention Specialist before voluntarily resigning. During the period, he received several Long Service Awards from the Department of State; and Letters of Commendation from two former US Ambassadors to Nigeria.

Onuigbo has served as Special Adviser, Public Affairs, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja; Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Lands and Survey (Abia State); Hon. Commissioner for Finance (Abia State); and a former Board Member, International Glass Industries Limited, Aba. In 2015, he got elected as the Member Representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and was subsequently appointed Chairman, House Committee on Climate Change.

A social and community mobilizer, Onuigbo, in 1998, attracted a grant of $3,000 from the US Government Self-help Project for the construction of a block of three classrooms for his Alma mata—Community Primary School, Obuohia Obi-Ibere. The successful execution of that project ended years of suffering by pupils who had to pack two-streams in one classroom because of lack of space. This project was commissioned by the former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Howard Franklin Jeter and the former Governor of Abia State in May, 2001. Again, in 2003, Mr. Onuigbo attracted a grant of $10,000 from the US Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund, with which he facilitated the establishment of a public secondary school, Ambassador’s College, in his community, Obuohia, Obi-Ibere, Ikwuano. This worthy project put an end to decades of hardship of the students who had to trek upwards of 12 kilometres to and from school every school day.

It is on record that he also attracted the on-going construction of the Okwe-Obuohia-Umuemenike-Ahiaorie Ring Road, in the 2013 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC). Onuigbo is of the unshakable faith that education is probably the greatest gift that one can give to an individual. Accordingly, he has supported many indigent students from his community and beyond to actualize their academic dreams. This conviction is why he has been able to provide scholarships in various sums to students of Ambassador’s College, Obuohia Obi-Ibere, Ikwuano, Abia State. He also steadily supports materially and morally, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving at the Ambassador’s College. In furtherance of his resolve to continue to support people academically and professionally, he has assisted many persons to become professional managers by sponsoring their registration with the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered). All of these contributions to community and uplifting of humanity led to many recognitions, awards and honours for him, including the award of Okeosisi of Ikwuano by Ikwuano Development Union in 2001; Professional and Vocational Service Awards from Rotary Club International; and Award of Honour from the Forum of Commissioners of Finance of Nigeria. He holds two traditional titles: Odozi Obodo I of Ugwu-Ibere Ancient Kingdom; and Ebubedike I of Otu Uzo Autonomous Community.

A devout Christian, Onuigbo is married with children.

From us at Abia Facts Newspaper, we wish Honorable Sam Onuigbo Happy Birthday and greater future ahead.

Note: Some Content Of This Write Up Was Drawn From Nnaemeka Oruh Article.