By: Emma Nnadi
Grassroots politician, Hon. Dr Blessing Nwagba, courageous, bold, confident, intelligent, and a woman with a heart of gold is a personality to behold.
Both in politics, in her religious work and socially- relevant services she has remained outstanding.
She is one with a vision and mission in politics to serve humanity.
As one who served in the 6th Abia State House of Assembly, her giant strides will remain evergreen.
Hon Dr Blessing Nwagba a two-term member of the House of Assembly who represented Aba North State Constituency left a legacy of great accomplishments.
The dogged politician is always remembered for her numerous contributions in the House ranging from her Bills, motions and general contribution in the House.
She was the only woman in the 24- member Abia State House of Assembly and proved that women can stand tall on competence.
Hon Dr Nwagba chaired the following committees in the House
.
- Chairman House committee on commerce and Industry (2011 to 2015)
- Chairman House committee on Health (2016 to 2019)
- Chairman House committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare (2016 to 2019)
She sponsored many Bills which included among others
- Abia State Identification of Blood group and Genotype Bill (Passed into Law)
- Abia State Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Installation Bill (Passed into Law)
- Abia State Institutional Support for Disability Bill ( Passed into Law)
- Abia State Bill on Widowhood Rights
- Bills For the Domestication of Anti- Discrimination Law on HIV/AIDS Carriers in Abia State.
She was also involved in many oversight functions.
They included “Development of the legislative framework that drove multinational investment promotion into Abia; ensuring that regulation is well defined for their operations.
Sample Industries overseen include Nigerian Bottling Company, Nigeria Breweries, Star Paper Mills Ltd, Guinness Nigeria PLC. - Directed several monitoring exercises to verify implementation of government industrial policies in major Industries and markets such as the Ubani Ibeku market and the industrial market.
Some of her motions included motion to pressurise EEDC to improve on its services and issue Bills based on the energy consumed as a means of curtailing the exorbitant bills charged by EEDC.
- Motion on the need to forestall the sabotage of the efforts of the government in the rehabilitation of roads and waste management.
- Moved motion on behalf of the South-East and South-South Houses of Assembly in respect to the grazing reserve proposal and activities of herdsmen in the two geo -political zones.
She was equally active on raising sensitive matters of urgent public importance.
Among them were matters- On the deplorable state of Faulks road leading to Ariaria International market.
- On the poor state of Enugu -Port Harcourt express way.
- Constantly drew attention of of the State government to the deplorable state of roads in Aba which earned the Sobriquet ” madam matter of urgent Public Importance”
On advocacy and representation, Dame Nwagba drew the attention of state and federal government to key Social and Infrastructural challenges facing Aba residents with respect to erosion, road and market dilapidation and overall disruption to the social order.
Selected examples of solution provided as a result covered:
- Rehabilitation of the Ariaria International market access road
- Rehabilitation of Ukwu Mango
- Federal government intervention on Eziama erosion restoring access to rail line.
- Organized public hearing and and legislative intervention on the Abia State university gang rape Incident in October 2011.
Dr Nwagba, pioneered health programmes.
In collaboration with Rapha Hands Foundation USA, she organized free medical programme comprising of standard check-up and medication for diabetic and hypertensive patients.
Also, in conjunction with Ogbuka foundation USA, she coordinated free medical programme which included surgeries. Paid for those who couldn’t get the attention of the USA Doctors to get medical attention/surgeries at FMC Umuahia.-
Organized free Eye Care Services and issued them with Eye glasses and Drugs.
Dr Nwagba”s empowerment project has been massive.
For her, Women empowerment is identified as a catalyst for national development and prosperity, hence the need to equip women with the right-skill set to contribute to nation building.
Little wonder, she attracted Federal government Enterprise Empowerment Programme GEEP loan to over 200 Small Scale Business, both market men and women in her constituency.
She attracted the Federal Government Trader Moni to over 5000 petty traders in Aba and its environs.
- Organized empowerment programme where generators, Sewing machines, grinding machines, Hair Dryers and clippers, wrappers and over 300 Bags of Rice were distributed.
- As a member of PDP she gave two Siena cars to the party ( PDP Aba North LGA and Aba South) and another Siena car to Aba Ngwa Youth Congress.
Other interventionist projects she was involved in included the annual grading of Rural roads in her constituency., Scholarship to some Indigent students in my constituency.
Assisting of some of her constituents to secure admission at the State own Higher Institution.
Securing of Employment for some of her constituents in the LGA and State parastatals.
Securing of political appointments for some of her constituents.
Dr Nwagba is an award-winning Doctor of Sociology, and lifelong public servant.
A strong believer in the power of competent and accountable
leadership to bring about Renewed Hope to the Nigerian society.
She is passionate about economic growth, education, and youth
empowerment, and sustainable living.
She was the 2023 APC Senatorial Candidate, Abia South Senatorial District and
Member, APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The former lawmaker was also Member, APC 2022 National Convention Planning Committee.
Nwagba has an outstanding 30-year career and Ph.D. research built around experiences across
Southern Nigeria, but with a strong pan-Nigerian interest..
She was the 2019 Governorship Candidate for Abia State, and now an active
stakeholder in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
She is also a Knight of Saint Mary (KSM) of the Anglican Diocese.
Dr Nwagba has attended major courses and seminars which includes :
i. Leadership and Conflict Management, Advanced Training (2019), at
which she received an excellence award by the European Centre for
Electoral Support.
ii. African Regional Training for Parliamentarians on Human Rights, HIV
and Tuberculosis, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (2017)
iii. National Summit on Political Representation and Zonal Intervention
Services in Nigeria (2016)
iv. First Pan-African Legislative Summit, Abuja (2013)
v. National Women in Parliament Summit, Abuja (2013)
vi. Legislative Training by the Scottish Legislative Council, Edinburgh (2012)
vii. UNDP Training on Representation, Lawmaking, and Oversight (2011)
viii. UNDP Workshop – “Training the Trainer on Entrepreneurship,” Jos. (1997)
ix. National Council Workshop on Education and Youth Devpmt. (1996)
x. Youth Development Courses in Citizenship Training Jos (1991 – 1996)
xi. Quality Management and Services Improvement Workshop for
Supervisory councilors, Heads of Department of Local Governments.
xii. United Nations Courses on Protocol and Security (1992)
xiii. National Directorate of Employment, Entrepreneurship Training (1990)
Her research and Publications
includes:
i. International Journal of Education and Research, Vol. 8, No. 6, 2020;
(2313-7410); Nwagba, Blessing Okwuchi, Ph.D; Chukwu, Christian
Chima, Ph.D; Scent, Grace A. T, Ph.D and Obuzor, Mezewo Emerinwe
— “A Critical Appraisal Of Nigeria’s University Education at Crossroads:
Checkmating The Decay, and The Way Forward.”
ii. International Journal of Gender and Women‘s Studies, Vol. 8, No. 1,
2020; (2333-6021); Scent, Grace A. T, Ph.D; Chukwu, Christian Chima,
Ph.D; Obuzor, Mezewo Emerinwe and Nwagba, Blessing Okwuchi, Ph.D
— “The Impact of Patriarchy on Women Police Officers in Nigeria: The
Need to Abolish Gender Discrimination.”
iii. European Modern Studies Journal, Vol. 4, No. 5, 2020; (2522-9400);
Nwagba, Blessing Okwuchi, Ph.D; Chukwu, Christian Chima, Ph.D; and
Scent, Grace A. T, Ph.D — “The Emergence of Ethnic Militia in the Niger
Delta Region of Nigeria and Its Impact on Revenue Generation in the
Tourism and Hospitality Industry: A Critical Appraisal.”
iv. International Journal of Social Science and Arts, Vol. 3, Issue 4, 2020;
(2581-7922); Nwagba, Blessing Okwuchi, Ph.D; Chukwu, Christian.
Some awards, honours and prizes Dr Nwagba has received includes: Excellence award in leadership and conflict management by the European Centre for Electoral Support (2019).
ii. “ODO ABIA”: the next highest honour given to women in Abia State,
awarded annually by state consensus, for outstanding leadership,
service, and impact to the development of the State (2014)
iii. Knight of Saint Mary (KSM): the highest category of honour given to
any individual in the Anglican Church (2014)
iv. Women of Worth Award by St. Matthews Anglican Church, Aba (2012)
v. The first “Ezi Nne” (great mother) conferment at the Emmanuel
Anglican Church, Osusu/Umule, Aba. (2001)
vi. Chieftaincy Title of “Ada di Oha Mma 1” of Mbutu Umuojima
Autonomous community by Eze Chidi Nwigwe. (2000)
vii. Chieftaincy Title of “Ugomba 1” of Umuola Egbelu Autonomous
Community, by Eze Love Nwogu. (1999)
viii. Chieftaincy Title of “Ezi Agwa Di Mma 1” of Eziama Autonomous
community, husband’s community, by H.R.H. Eze I. A. Ikonne. (1998)
ix. “Ezi Nne Eji Aga Mba” of St. John’s Anglican Archdeaconry, Osusu Aba
x. Awarded Honorary Member of the Inner Wheel Club, District 914, Aba
xi. Honoured by the Federation of Ngwa Students Union in recognition of
Contribution to Humanity and Ngwa Land. FUTO Chapter (1992), UNN
Chapter (1995).
xii. Prize for Best Student in Food and Nutrition in West African School
Certification Exams, Federal Government College – Odogbolu (1977)
xiii. Prize for Best student in Christian Religion Studies in Higher School/GCE
A/Level Exam, Federal Government College – Ikot Ekpene (1979)
Nwagba is well travelled and has visited many countries of the world, among them are: The
United States of America, United Kingdom, UAE, Germany, Yugoslavia, Togo,
Egypt, Republic of Benin, Israel, Scotland, Cote D’Ivoire, Seychelles, Kenya.
For Nwagba, education is pathway out of poverty, a treasure no one can take from you.
Her hobbies include among others
: Traveling, Reading, Sports and Exercise, and Cooking
