By Comrade Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel
LAGOS JULY 29TH (URHOBOTODAY)-No doubt, politics is of varied dimensions. The motivation and idiosyncrasy driving one, surely, determines what such an individual make of politics. Politics doesn’t make people; the players make it what it would be in a given era.
Political Leadership generally is an esteemed position of service demanding high standard of discipline and integrity. It demands self-sacrifice, self-denial. It requires a vision and a mission in service.
To Chief Ferguson Onwo, politics is all about service to God and humanity. It doesn’t matter the timing or the interest at stake, politics to him is about putting smiles on the faces of people and making them see reasons to want to see tomorrow. In fact, Chief Onwo is like an Octopus whose many limbs have been touching various communities and spreading kindness and warmth.
Political consultation is simply a process undertaken by an aspirant for the purpose of informing relevant stakeholders of his/her intention to seek an electoral office. It simply means that the aspirant realizes the fact that the people are the actual bosses who reserve the right to hire and fire. When an aspirant embarks on consultation, it is a reaffirmation of his strong belief in the electoral process and also a resolve to seek wise counsel from those he seeks to represent.
Prior to the commencement of his political consultation, Chief Onwo; a humane and thorough breaded politician displayed his large heart of philanthropy when he organized a free medical program in conjunction with POKA Foundation for all the communities in Isoko South constituency II. This was shortly before the 2013 Yuletide season was ushered in. His goal was to ensure that his people enjoy the Yuletide celebration in good health.
During this program, medical experts sufficiently equipped with modern facilities were flown in from India to attend to various health challenges confronting people in the area. Ranging from diagnosis to treatments, the people witnessed genuine care propelled by a continually spiked zeal to soften their burdens.
For several days that the program lasted, designated centers witnessed large turnout of people being faced by one medical challenge or the other, who queued patiently to be attended to by the expatriates. Markets were closed, shops locked and farmlands abandoned. The gains of the program cannot be quantified even in monetary terms. Both the aged and young prayed fervently for God to bless the man whose singular effort will elongate their years and make them celebrate the festivity in perfect health.
The restoration of power supply to Umeh community after singlehandedly paying accumulated electricity bills of the community amounting to over half a million Naira, is equally one act that will forever speak volume of Ferguson Onwo’s unwavering sagacity for solving problems being faced by those around him; a man whose donation to charity and community development is rising in tandem with his political influence.
As he embarked on his consultative visits, his message has been very simple and direct. He will restore all that was lost and redefine legislative governance in His constituency. Unlike all that Isoko South has routinely seen over the years, Ferguson Onwo didn’t just make promises ahead of his inauguration as a state legislator, he, during the visits asked community to mention one pressing demands that he can solve for them immediately. At Umeh, the people appealed to him to intervene in their community hall building project.
In aa rare display of philanthropic gesture, Chief Onwo promised immediately to help complete the project with personal funds. This is in addition to the scholarships he gave to some students in the community. As at today, the project is at an advanced stage and will hopefully be completed soon.
At Ovriri-Olomoro, the community after receiving Chief Onwo in a carnival-like manner, pledged to work assiduously to ensure that he emerge victorious at the poll. They however informed him of their most pressing immediate need which is money for the counterpart funding of a gigantic water project with an agency of the World Bank.
Chief Onwo made the sum of five hundred thousand naira each available to Ovriri-Olomoro and Iwride communities to enable them pay their own part of the counterpart funding for the projects
When the consultation train landed in Ekiagbodo-Olomoro, the people were more than excited after hearing the good news this train has brought to sister communities. Of course, they made a demand which was attended to in a matter of weeks; the community’s electricity transformer that has been bad for months thereby denying the inhabitants access to power for fixed.
“Just as our preparation for Abame festival intensified, I have been inundated with good news from my people of the beautiful things you have been doing. Absolutely everybody that has visited me have one good story to tell about you. I pray that you keep it up and be assured of our support”. These were the words of Chief Godspower Okpohro the Oletu-Ekpa of Igbide Kingdom when the consultation train visited his palace.
The reception that greeted Chief Onwo’s visit to Igbide was unprecedented. The President-General, Dr. D.S Edegware and all his executives were on hand to receive him. Speaking at the event, Chief Onwo remarked: “Igbide as an oil producing community shouldn’t remain the way it is. I want you people to know the kind of passion I have for Igbide. My second home is Igbide and those who are conversant with history will attest to the fact that Igbide and Olomoro have very close historical ties”, he said
Continuing, “Whatever is due to Igbide and of which she was denied for the past eight years will be restored within a year of my representation. Our people shall have a cause to feel governance at its best. Be assured that the best is yet to come”, he concluded.
On the immediate good news he has for the community, Chief Onwo upon demands made by the community executives promised to foot the bills for the interlocking and landscaping of the premises of the community Hall. Reports from Igbide as at today has it that work has reached an advanced stage.
Uzere community also got her own share of the politician’s goodwill as he immediately ordered his team of engineers to commence total renovation and general overhauling of the town Hall. A brand new Siena space Bus and several motorcycles have also been delivered to the community courtesy of Chief Onwo.
At Erowa community, a brand new digital viewing centre was erected upon demand by the community while the palace of the Monarch of Enwe was well tarred. Okpolo got a brand new electricity transformer.
Aside the manifolds of donations to communities, Chief Onwo has within the last 12 months bought and donated over 20 cars including SUVs to people in Isoko South. Over 10 motorcycles have also been dolled out. Presenting some motorcycles to beneficiaries recently at Olomoro, Hon. Ferguson clearly stated that Motorcycles should not be called empowerment as his intention of giving them out was to aid the beneficiary’s movement from place to place.
“Please do not see this as an empowerment. We will not “empower” our people to become Okada men and women. We will give you a better means of survival. You can see that the motorcycles are few compared to the vehicles I have given out. This is just to assist you in going about your normal businesses without the usual hindrance associated with hiring Okada or vehicles”.
In human capital development, Hon. Ferguson’s high rating is incontestable. Apart from numerous people he has helped to get employment within state and federal parastatals and establishments, Hon. Ferguson as at today has over 70 students in his scholarship program. For those who couldn’t get admitted into conventional institutions, he has as well sponsored many to professional schools while many learnt different trades.
A total of 10 persons have been enrolled at Akpos Marine School of Engineering at the cost of 300,000 per applicant.
Another 10 persons were as well enrolled at Kellylink for 400,000 per applicant. The fees for all of these persons have been paid and other logistics sufficiently provided.
Ferguson Onwo’s approach to charity and community building never waivers. He has over the years grown to become a shining example in this modern political era. His activities have unearthed a surprising disparity between him and others. To him, the society is made better by the collective actions of privileged individuals and government towards the ordinary man.

Comrade Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel is media consultant to Hon. Chief F.A Onwo