The
Profile of the Anambra State Governor
Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, OON
Dr. Chris Nwabueze
Ngige was born into the family of Chief Pious O. Ngige (Akunnia),
and the late Mrs. Priscilla N. Ngige, (nee Okafor), of Alor
town in Idemili South Local Government area of Anambra State
on 18th August, 1952. A crusader of social justice, he always
goes on the conviction that division based on issues is to
be preferred to unity based on hopelessness. This accounts
for his doggedness in standing firm by his people in periods
of trials and tribulation as accentuated by the inept past
leadership in the State. According to him, “I can
not stand akimbo, while this beautiful edifies which is already
in sight, is again destroyed by disgruntled elements of devils
creation.” THIS IS VINTAGE Chris Nwabueze Ngige.
Dr. Christ Ngige is happily married to Dr. Mrs. Evelyn N. Ngige,
a consultant pediatrician, and the union is blessed with 3 children.
He obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) with
distinction in 1972. Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery (BM.BCH)
degree at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, (UNN) in 1979, Diploma
in Hospital Management in Peshawar in 1990. He became a fellow
of the Pakistan Institute of Hospital Service.
An ideal medical doctor with vast experience in administration,
he has occupied the following positions in Government Service:
| 1. |
Medical Officer, National Assembly
Clinic, 1980-82 |
| 2. |
Physician to the Senate Present,
1983 |
| 3. |
Physician of State House/Federal
Government special Guest House, 1985-90 |
| 4. |
Consultant in-charge of Federal
Government State Clinic, The Presidency, Abuja, 1992-93 |
| 5. |
Consultant and Assistant Director
in-charge of all Federal Medical Centres in Nigeria, Federal
Ministry of Health headquarters, Abuja, 1994-97 |
| 6. |
Deputy Director of Hospital Services
Federal Medical Centres/Teaching Hospitals Federal Ministry
of Health Abuja, 1997-98 |
| 7. |
Member, Ministerial Task Force
on Completion of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
(UNTH), Ituku Ozala, Enugu, 1996-98
|
According to Martin Luther King, “Good works do not make
a man good, but good man does good work.” In recognition
of the above citation, Dr. Chris Ngige is the proud recipient
of the following recognized honours/appointments:
| < |
Recipient of Nigeria’s
National Honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger, (O.O.N.) |
| < |
Member, Nigeria G 15-Economic
Cooperation Council 1990 (Special Federal Government Delegation
to under study Indonesia and Malaysia economic experience
in agriculture, health and technology) |
| < |
Member, Vision 2010 sub-committee
on health |
| < |
Ad hoc lecturer on Budget/contract
procedures to Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON)
Badagary Chief Medical Directors Course 1996 |
| < |
Foundation Sole Administration,
Aka-Ikenga, Lagos 1988-90 |
| < |
President, Aka-Ikenga, 1992-97 |
| < |
Chairman, Alor Development Union,
Lagos Branch, 1990-99 |
| < |
President General, Alor People’s
Convention, 1996-99 |
| < |
Special Adviser and member Igwe
Alor In-Council, 1990 - present |
| < |
Co-Convener Nkpoko Igbo, pre-constitutional
conference seminar in Enugu, 1995 |
| < |
Member, Ohanaeze Council of Elders
and member strategic committee, 1992-97 |
| < |
Holder Chieftaincy titles of
Onwanetiliora of Alor, Idemili South LGA, Okaaome of Okpanam,
Delta State, Okaa Ituku of Awgwu of Enugu State |
| < |
Foundation Member PDP, National
Level, 1998 |
| < |
Former senatorial Aspirant PDP
Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, 1998 |
| < |
Recipient of Rotary of Trans-Ekulu,
Enugu Prestigious/Meritorious Community Service Award, 1999 |
| < |
Elected Assistant National Secretary/Zonal
Secretary PDP South East, Nov. 1999-2002 |
| < |
Member National Executive Committee
(NEC) PDP 2002 - present |
| < |
Governor, Anambra State (PDP)
May 2003 - present |
A Nigeria political insider, he observed the massive squander of
the states resources by the government officials, political godfathers
and cronies from 1999-2002 and was determined to stop it. The powerful
godfathers and cronies controlling the corrupt political machine
subjected him to humiliations and assaults, and forced him to sign
agreement of allegiance to their wish in order to allow him to
contest for the governorship.
Upon winning the election and assuming the office of the
Chief Executive of the poor state, however, he resisted the
pressure by the machine to squander the state resources among
themselves. For that, he was kidnapped in a terrorist operation
organized by the brother-in-law of the Nigerian President
Olusegun Obasanjo. The terrorists reportedly made a ransom
demand of 3 Billion Naira (over $23.6 million in U. S dollars).
Throughout the ordeal, he stood firm with the people of his
State.
His life was saved
when a quick thinking local community Chief contacted the Nigerian
Vice-President and the press and smuggled a cell phone to the
governor while in captivity. The Nigerian press aired the governor’s brief statement identifying his location and naming
his abductors including the president’s brother-in-law and
other felons, including a chief of police.
His abduction and the subsequent cover-up further
exposed the deep involvement of high-ranking government officials
in the scandals and corruption devastating the oil rich nation
since the second coming of President Obasanjo to the seat of
power in 1999.
So far, he has ensured
that schools remain open, paid teachers’ and
civil service salaries and pension, maintained stability and
has established transparency in government for the first time
in the history of the state. Anambra State needs the help of
local human rights group and international community because
freedom and democracy is under assault in the peace loving
state.
Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige (OON) no doubt, is
an embodiment of experience personified judging by the innumerable
positions he has held in high places throughout the length and
breath of Nigeria and beyond. We are only praying that God in
his infinite mercies may continue to guide and direct his wealth
of experience to the governance of Anambra State.
END
