The common narrative that our legislators bear less responsibilities than their counterpart in the executive may not be entirely accurate. It depends on the representative.
The people of Nsukka/ Igboeze South are blessed with an unusual representative who is competently and accountably standing in for them. His activities have left many wondering if he is just a member of the Federal House of Representatives or had won another executive position in Abuja with vast and unlimited access to funds. Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu, the member representing the fortunate people of Nsukka/ Igboeze South Federal Constituency is simply a wonder- worker with a magic wand. He has proven beyond every grain of doubt that there is hardly a limit to what an honest and public-spirited law maker can achieve for his people.
To start narrating his activities from the time he assumed office in his present capacity would be to embark on an impossible task. One would end up producing a book with dreadful volume. The wisest thing to do is to focus on some of his recent strides which have left the people of his constituency exploding with applause and gratitude.
Opi High school is currently wearing a new look and bearing an entirely different name. A brief history of the school should be needful. The school was founded in 1977 as a Federal High College. It had a glorious and rich beginning. This could be discerned from the magnificent and imposing structures that make up the school. Looking at the structures and the vast expanse of land the school occupies, one is naturally made to wonder if it was intended to host a university or just a secondary school.
Sadly, this splendid institution was allowed to fall into total disrepair. Those imposing structures were dastardly vandalized. The science and intro-tech laboratories that were the chiefest pride of the school were mindlessly destroyed and pillaged. Discipline took flight from the school leaving behind lawlessness and perpetual chaos. The school became a phantom of its old self.
Dr Pat Asadu was greatly moved by the mouldering state of that great school. It was without much ado that he began plans for the restoration of its lost glory. This he has achieved by bringing the National Open University Study Centre to occupy some of the abandoned buildings. To woo the Open University , Dr Pat funded the rehabilitation of the dilapidated structures, spending tens of millions of his hard earned money in the process. The school that was an eyesore a year ago, now looks like an elite establishment. The old and crumbling buildings have been renovated into breathtaking structures with new buildings added to make it a tourist’s perfect delight.
The implication of this large-hearted gesture for Opi and Nsukka as a zone is multifaceted. First, the school has automatically become a University Secondary School .Previous stories of indiscipline and poor quality education now belong to the ash-heap of negative history. It would as well have very far reaching implications for the economy and overall development of the zone. People would be moving into the zone in droves by virtue of the University Study Centre . I need not tell you what such expected population increase would work on the commercial life of the people and how it would be a catalyst for rural development. By attracting and funding the National Open University Study Center in Opi, Dr Pat Asadu defied tradition and killed many birds with one stone.
Only a few uninterested persons have not heard of his Widow’s Support Scheme or of Pat Asadu’s Links(PAL). I call it the standard of empowerment. Through this program, hundreds of his constituents are trained in different arts and trades. Those who go through the necessary stages of skill acquisition are encouraged with the needed start up capital and tools to practice their skills. The link is non political and bespeaks the genuine interest of a good leader to liberate his people from the clutches of unemployment. In one year alone, more than five hundred people gained from this scheme. The link equally has a scholarship wing. Through its scholarship wing bright but indigent students from his constituency have been awarded scholarships to study in both Nigerian and foreign universities. He had with the same venture distributed vehicles, motor cycles, generators, sewing machines, cash handouts, mosquito nets, clothing materials, food items to mention but few. The most interesting thing is that most of these praise-worthy deeds were untrumpeted as Pat is a man who naturally has no penchant for publicity.
Ovoko Boys Secondary school may not have become a University Secondary School as is the case with Opi High School but now has a new and glittering look. The principal of the school, not unmindful of Dr. Pat’s willingness to always assist, alerted him with a graphic description of how dilapidated the school had become. This was caused by rain storms that repeatedly rocked the school . Dr. Pat Asadu was as usual bestirred into action before one said Jack Robinson. The roof-less and dangerously hanging structures of the school were upgraded to the standard of 21st century infrastructure. Visiting the school and taking a look at its new look, one would admit that only a good man could have done that.
Godfrey Okoyo University, the First Catholic University in Africa, is another place this wonder worker visited. The University became better for it. Dr. Pat personally alsphted and tarred a long road which links the University Campus to the state road. Authorities of the University were overwhelmed. The capital-intensive project was way beyond their wildest imagination. What gave them a greater reason to be taken aback was the startling fact Pat is a practicing Anglican. That interdenominational generosity didn’t resemble the attitude of a bigot. In a remarkable show of gratitude, Dr. Pat was awarded an honorary doctorate degree and the post graduate hall of the school renamed Rt. HON. DR. DR PAT ASADU BUILDING. His name is currently being emblazoned and immortalized in that great institution. Dr. Pat is not bogged down by any form of religious sentiment. He goes about focusing on humanity rather than creed. His kindness towards the Muslim communities in the two local governments he represents reveals this more. This attribute of his is essential in a leader in our clime which is notorious for religious tension.
A medical doctor by profession, Hon. Asadu understands more than many that health is wealth. It is his burning desire that his constituents stay wealthy by remaining healthy. Passionately pushing for this, Dr. Pat regularly organizes the popular free Medical and Surgical Missions around his constituency. In one year alone, thousands of patients benefited from these free health programs.
At the beginning of this work it was stated that details of Dr Asadu’s previous activities would be deliberately avoided.
Nevertheless, we cannot fail to point out his role and partnership with the incoming Local Government Chairmen for the two LGAs he represents in sponsoring the ongoing Gburugburu CONTINUITY Unity Football Tournament in his Constituency. It is a laudable project initiated to better the lot of local football stars. As the tournament is currently being played, scouts and talent -hunters are invited to look out for distinguished players. The outstandingly talented ones would be empowered to explore the world of football.
Dr. Pat Asadu is the last man in this world who would end with giving out fishes only. He takes great delight in making fishermen of people.
Asadu is like wine on the verge of full maturity in the legislative and representative business. He is a law maker of distinction whose advocacy and father-like representation we all must cling to and encourage at this crucial moment . Above all, it is high time we had experienced and strong voices in the National Assembly. The people of Benue state cannot purchase anything at the cost of David Mark. This is because they understand the unquantifiable gain of having an experienced and courageous hand on the saddle. Senator Ike Ekweremadu became a big iroko with the passage of time. Today Ike Ekweremadu is the Deputy Senate President and by consequence the highest ranking member of the opposition party in Nigeria. Let us not talk about the great honour of functioning as the speaker of ECOWAS parliament. We too can have our own David Mark, Ike Ekweremadu, Nicholas Mutu, Ahmed Lawan and so on.
Dr. Pat Asadu looks a chick that would grow into a hen. His spectacular performances and revered status on the floor of the house bear eloquent testimony. He is blessed with the largeness of heart and humanity of approach to stand in for the people.
It is our collective responsibility to rally round this great son of our land. We must preserve this intelligence. We must preserve this largeness of heart. We must preserve this perspicacity. May God almighty be blessed for giving us Dr. Pat Asadu.
Ride on the people’s Advocate.
We are solidly behind you.
Ezugwu Okike.
