DR. IBENAKU ONOH: THE INNOVATIVE LEADER ENUGU-NORTH YEARN FOR.

For the generation of Enugu State born in the 1990s and 2000s, we look into the history books, mostly for icons of the political leadership of Enugu.

We hear from our teachers, parents and elder ones the tales of how leaders of the past. Of course, there have been flashes of brilliance from time to time – the cases of Chief C.C Onoh, former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and Governor Sullivan I. Chime, who governed Enugu State from 1999 to 2015, come to mind.

 

Enugu Local Government election 2024 is around the corner, and a young man from Ngwo, Enugu-North Local Government Area, Ibenaku Onoh, whose exploits in the legal world we had heard of, stepped into the political space launching his bid for the Chairmanship of Enugu-North.

Local Government Chairmanship seat is one of the most demanding political offices to run for in Enugu State; it is commonly said that it is tougher to run for the Chairmanship than to make a play for Lion Building.

To some extent, we agree with this premise. So when Dr. Ibenaku Onoh, also known by his initials, 'Ibe Nwa Onoh', was declared PDP Chairmanship candidate of Enugu-North, many of us actually saw it coming.

 

In his 40s, he had already cemented his position as a Managing Partner of H.I Onoh & Co. A law firm he co founded in 2016 and then a Member, Representing the People of Enugu-North in the Enugu State House of Assembly, winning several national and international awards as a young promising legislator. 

While in State House of Assembly, he awakened the consciousness of Enugu-North people and raised them to a new mind, and also inspired a new generation of young people into politics. Every young person was inspired by his brilliance, articulation, content, message, and personality. 

 

Indeed, Dr. Ibenaku Onoh is the inspiring next-generation leader we should be proud of. 'Tomorrow is Here' message is universal. It is a message to accommodate everyone and holds promise for a brighter future. It continues to resonate in the hearts of Ndi Enugu, especially the youth, even after elections. 

The most endearing quality Ibe has, in our viewpoint as young people, is his humility and love for humanity. Many politicians come along, and their disposition toward the youth is to use and dump us.

 

They only talk about us and seek to use us only as thugs and social media fighters. Ibe is different. He did care about the young ones.

This young promising lawyer was born in 1987 and had his Nursery and primary Schools at Chiazo Nursery and primary School, Enugu where he wrote his common entrance in 1998. He further attended Federal Government College, Enugu, before proceeding to Holborn College London where he obtained foundation certificate in law.

Ibe got his LL.B at the prestigious Brunel University, West London in 2006 and in 2010 he obtain his LL.M at the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London).

He however proceeded to the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science and studied international relations at a post graduate Diploma level and graduated in 2011 with a post Graduate Diploma certificate in international relations. In 2011 he came back to Nigeria and participated in the one year compulsory National Youth Service, NYSC in 2011. He attended Nigerian Law School in 2012 and graduated in 2013.

In 2015, he was employed in the Legal Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja. 

Barr. Onoh's zeal and passion for the legal profession, made him resigned at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2017 to concentrate on the practice of law and also focus on obtaining his PhD.

The youth of Enugu-North see in Dr. Onoh the champion we have always been yearning for, and we are grateful to him for taking that bold step into politics. Certainly, Enugu-North will never be the same again because we have experienced his remarkable brilliance.