It was Jamaican reggae singer, Bob Marley, who sang: “Who the cap fit, let them wear it.” This certainly rings true for an Abuja-based electro-mechanical engineer, Uzor Chinedu Joseph, who recently emerged president-general of Adu Achi community, in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
•Uzor
One may wonder why an urbane and successful engineer would accept the position of PG, which should ordinary be left for local politicians or someone either residing in the village or a town close to the village.
However, the people of Adu Achi community saw something unique in Uzor and insisted that he was the best qualified person to fit into the position. In fact, he is a man in whom his people are well pleased. No wonder he was a consensus candidate for the election that was conducted on May 17, 2024.
Prior to the election, Uzor had distinguished himself among his people by providing succor to many indigent indigenes of the community. During the COVID-19 era, he donated various food items and money to the women of the community to cushion the effects of the pandemic.
He also distributed motorcycles to some individuals in the community in addition to the ones he donated to the Neigbourhood Security Watch to facilitate their operations.
Uzor installed solar panels street lights to illuminate major streets in the community. His scholarship scheme remain a shield of hope, offering education opportunity to many indigent students both in secondary and tertiary institutions across the country.
These and many more are the reasons members of the community insisted he should come down from his comfort zone to provide leadership that will attract development and government presence to the community.
The mass return of indigenes of the community across the world during the election despite the high cost of transportation signified the general acceptance of Engr Uzor. Speaking after the election held at Community Primary School Adu Achi field, the state commissioner of rural development, local government and chieftaincy matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, described the election as unique and rancor-free, adding that the general acceptance of Uzor showed that he and his executives will receive adequate support from the community.
The commissioner, who was represented at the event by the director, Town Union, Mrs Quenndaline Odike, charged the new executives to reciprocate the support of the community by cultivating ideas that will bring development to the community.
It was another celebration galore at the palace of Igwe Sunday Orah Ezeabata 1, Ohabuenyi 11 during a thank you visit to the palace. The Igwe, who was visibly happy, thanked Uzor for accepting to serve the community in such capacity after more than two years without town union executive in the community.
The PG, in his response, assured the traditional ruler and the community of excellent leadership and representation alongside other executives.
Uzor was born to the family of Jonathan Uzoagbara in Adu Achi. He attended University of Nigeria Nsukka where he bagged a Bachelor Degree in Electronics Engineering. He also attended numerous certificate courses both home and abroad.
He belongs to many bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Council for Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria(COREN).
He is a fellow of Institute of Cooperate Organisation of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management and Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria, among others.
Uzor is the managing director and chief executive officer, JOEHEL Global Services Ltd and Wincotech Engineering Ltd.
He served as chairman, Adu Achi Town Union, before his election as the President General.