Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo
By Clementina Olomu
Barely six months of emerging as a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo.
Member Representing the Idemili North and South Federal Constituency has put his best foot forward. Living up to the promises he made, prior to 2023 election, when he told his people that ‘he has come to change the paradigm, and shift the divided of democracy to their rightful owners, the people in his constituency’.
On the onset of the journey, he said ‘leaders and followers aliike, are all part of the democratic journey, from start to finish’.
Being a man of his words, his 200 days has been more than was expected, from a fresher, a first timer in political office.
Observers are of the opinion that, Harris came prepared, having leà rnt so much from his father, the late Senator Annie Okonkwo, whose positive lifestyle was rooted in decency, love for family and community, with a sense of propriety, humaneness and unblemished character that’s not tainted by vagaries of business or politics. The late Annie Okonkwo was able to harness his potentiial which brought meaningful contributions to the development of the nation. Hence his son, Harris, is living up to expectations, from his well accomplished achievements in his 200 days in office.
Some of his millages includes, his sponsored Nigerian Police Training College (Amendment) Bill 2023, which seek to establish Nigerian police Training College at Umuoji, and it has passed first reading. If enacted, if will bolster the nation’s law enforcement capabilities, with a realization of a state-of-the-art training facility, which will not only serve the local community but contribute profoundly to the enhancement of national security.
His dedication to advancing the security infrastructure underscores his proactive leadership and steadfast commitment to the welfare of his constituency and Nigeria as a whole.
Harris also promoted the Nigerian Mining Development Bank (Amendment) Bill 2023 , which has also scale through a successful first reading. This is also a fulfilment of his campaign pledge, to champion a production-based economy, This pivotal legislation is designed to facilitate governmental support and provision of accessible funds to empower entrepreneurs and the vibrant youths demographic within the Nigerian mining industry.
Moreover, it endeavors to stimulate widespread participation in the mining sector.
He assured the youths in his constituency of an open-door representation and pledged to extend the interactive forum to the grassroots through the organization of a comprehensive town hall meeting
His Federal Polytechnic Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 , which he sponsored has also successfully advanced through first reading..” This proposed legislation, aims to establish a Polytechnic institution in Oba, Idemili South of Anambra state, This institution will significantly enhance educational accessibility for our citizens and concurrently create substantial employment opportunities.The Polytechnic is slated to offer specialized skill development programs, equipping youths with the competencies required to excel on the global stage. In line with his dedication to ensuring gainful employment opportunities for youths, he has taken the initiative to sponsor a bill titled “Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition, Anambra State (Establishment) Bill 2023,” which has also successfully passed its first reading.The establishment of the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Ogidi, Idemili North, holds the promise of not only creating employment prospects for his community but also equipping the numerous youths with essential skills necessary for thriving in the contemporary world.
Hon. Harris keeps leveraging on all opportunities by partnering with his colleagues, Hon. Akanni Dolapo-Badru to facilitate the establishment of industries
Apart from his numerous outstanding bills, Harris, dedicates his time in following every process in the legislative chamber, as he followed an exclusive one-on-one interaction session conducted via the Zoom platform., contributing and bringing his expertise from his success as a business man to fore. He also delineated the committees he actively serves on and underscored the advantageous impact such memberships could have on his constituency.
Apart from the numerous activities in the legislative Chambers, he also creates time, in going the extra mile in associating with his people, rubing minds together for the possible ways of Identifying their needs and the way forward. This he did, when he provided a shuttle bus to the Chairman of Idemili South Local Government Area,
He also identifies with members of his constituents on their various celebrations. He is always in touch with his people as he carries out their mandate.
