WHO WILL CARRY NZOGWU’S TOUCH: WHY AMBASSADOR SIMON EJIKE EZE IS MOST SUITED TO REPLACE HIM

From Diplomacy to Representation:
The death of late Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North, in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly created a vacancy that took the people of Enugu North off the ground.

Senator Okey Ezea had a larger-than-life personality that will be hard to find. Beyond that, he worked tirelessly to make the development of Nsukka his top priority. The fact remains that in death comes the end of all life’s quests.

Since nature would not normally allow a vacuum, it is inevitable that a replacement be found. May his great soul rest peacefully in the Lord. Amen.

In due consideration of the reality of the above incidence, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires that the seat be not left vacant

In making that choice, it is very important that care be taken to ensure that whoever is considered is tested, trusted, and has a burning desire for the development of the Nsukka Cultural Zone. That person must not only understand the peculiarities of the zone but must also be endowed with the requisite experience, strength of character and have the humanity of leadership.

In this light, we make bold to nominate no other but Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze, Ambassador Eze is a diplomat of national and international repute. For several decades, he traded the globe like a Colossus – relating with people of various nations and uniting them.

One thing we can’t deny (which sets him aside from the rest), is his examplery ability to continue to keep in touch with the downtrodden including making effort to understand their needs while still seeking to find solution to it. His desire, most especially to the overall development of Nsukka Cultural Zone is unequalled, to say the least. He understands poverty and feels the pain which it inflicts on the society. In spite of being a civil servant, whose income is measured, he has always been ready to cry with the oppressed and give his heart to the mourning. His appetite for the philosophy of “the greatest good to the greatest number” is limitless.

Again, it is worth noting here that before the emergence of the late Barr. Okey Ezea as a Senator, Nsukka was like a hen without her chicks due to political manipulations which was almost uncontrollable and which, as a result, ended up lading Nsukka with a great number of misfits.

It’s important that I warn that even as I put this note down, our people are still being manipulated because of the ‘eclipsing poverty level in our land. As can be seen, the politicians are taking advantage of our endless poverty. For example, at Otobo Umuezeogwui Ndioke in Ibagwa-Aka, during one of the party primaries, I saw our people fall on top of each other to pick a piece of bread brought by one of the candidates. This is what we are talking about. This is the crux of the matter. Be warned. “Fia isa nanya.”

Against this backdrop, and in the interest of fairness to the people of Igbo-Eze South-West whose candidate was, most unfortunately, snatched by the cold hands of death, I strongly urge Enugu North people to consider the amiable Ambassador Eze to complete late Senator Okey Ezea’s glorious mandate in the ill-fated tenure when the time comes.. This will enthrone equity, good conscience and peaceful political development in Enugu North. Apart from promoting equity and strengthened sense of belonging, it is only fair that the people of the area who have never produced a senator since the return to civil rule in 1999, be given the chance. “Nkanyi bu Nkanyi.” Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze is first of all a peaceful man, a good man, an ambassador extraordinary ,an accomplished diplomat and, and as Chinua Achebe noted, a man of the people. Think deeply before you make your choice or you will come back complaining. It has happened before. Let it not happen again.

BRIEF PROFILE OF AMB. SIMON EJIKE EZE
Education:
University of Nigeria Nsukka (B.Sc Political Science), 1984
CHRIST HIGH SCHOOL ABOR-UDI (West African School Certificate), 1978

Courses Attended :
Foreign Service Academy: 1988
Basic Officers Course: 1989
Senior Staff Course: 1991
Senior Staff Management Course: 2005

Positions Held:
Deputy Dir, Operations, 2017- 2019 Minister/Liaison Officer, Embassy of Nigeria, Lisbon, Portugal 2014 – 2017 Deputy Director, Operations, MFA, Nigeria 2013 – 2014
Deputy Director, Training, MFA, Nigeria 2011 – 2012
Minister/Head of Consular Section, Embassy of Nigeria, Havana, Cuba 2009 – 2010
Minister, Head of Consular Section, Nigerian High Commission, Accra, Ghana 2007 – 2009
Desk Officer, Europe, MFA, Nigeria: 1998 – 1999
Consular Officer, Consulate General of Nigeria, Berlin, Germany: -1991 – 1998
MFA, Inspectorate Directorate, Nigeria: 1989 – 1991
Training, MFA, Nigeria: 1987 – 1989
Presidential Villa, State House, Nigeria*
Senior Personal Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: 1999 – 2003
Officer-in-Charge, Presidential External Security/Protocol Unit: 2003 – 2007
Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government, NIGERIA*
Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Federation: 2012 – 2013
National Youth Service Corp
*Lecturer, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Orlu Campus: 1984 – 1985 +
High Chief Nkem Ossai (Odenammuo)