BY FRANCIS EDE
The name Honorable Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga (Okaome) has some compelling attractive nuances to it, an everlasting popularity and genuine love of the people established and sustained by his undisputable track records of achievements both in and out of office and his unquenchable appetite to make life more meaningful for the common man.
Unquestionably, a man of rare abilities, consummate skills, character and Competence, a lively, impressive and excitable nature and exquisite charm that grip the masses in an almost frenzy appeal.
Hon Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga has integrity, principle and honour with requisite depth and intellectual rigor, vast erudition and magnificent self composure.
A truly brilliant, humble and unassuming personality and a wise leader, Hon Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga had his tutoring under Dr. Joe Nwodo, arguably one of the most fascinating and brilliant politicians that ever graced our political terrain, and who in turn was a great disciple of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria, and a firm believer in Nnamdi Azikiwe's political philosophy of social regeneration, economic determinism and mental emancipation.
In the 2023 general election in Nigeria, Hon Chijioke Edeoga was the Governorship Candidate of Labour Party and he led other candidates of the same party in other categories of elective positions in that election to a most impressive result that any opposition party has ever recorded in elections in the state and the best result that Labour Party got across the states of Nigeria in that general elections. It was an electrifying and tusnami-like result against an incumbent government and party in Enugu State then.
On the current election cycle he has been given ticket to contest for the position of Member of House of Representative, Enugu East/ Isi -Uzo Constituency, National Assembly on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 general election in Nigeria.
Hon. Chijioke Edeoga has had a checkered political and professional career but a glorious one all the same and still counting and he leaves a trail of achievements, landmarks and waymarks wherever he he goes.
Such laudable imprints could be found in both his elective and appointed positions, either as Deputy Press Secretary to Ex Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo of Enugu State or as former Chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA, or as former Member representing Isi-Uzo/ Enugu East Federal Constituency, House of Representatives or Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Legislative Matters or as Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters and Presidential Liaison Officer to the Senate.
Even in his most recent appointments as Commissioner For Local Government Matters Enugu State and Commissioner For Environment and Mineral Resources Enugu State from where he resigned to pursue his quest for the 2023 Governorship position of Enugu State on the platform of Labour Party, truth is that he has always remained focused and committed to the general well being of the people he serve while demonstrating absolute loyalty to the appointing or electing authorities.
As Commissioner For Environment and Mineral Resources, Enugu State, Hon Chijioke Edeoga had the well-being of the staff of the ministry and all the agencies under him as a matter of priority and repositioned the ministry for greater heights, with an internal revenue generation capacity that is only second to that of Internal Revenue Board of Enugu State. This has enabled Enugu State to be counted among the few states in the country whose internal revenue base adequately augment its share of Federal allocation. This has also in turn helped the government he served
to provide democracy dividend to the people of Enugu State.
If what Hon Chijioke Edeoga did with the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Enugu State was brilliant, what he did with Ministry of Local Government Matters was wonderful and revolutionary. Before his coming to that Ministry, some Local Government Areas in the state were owing their staff arrears of salaries ranging from 2 to 15 months and of course staff morale were at it's lowest ebb. But he ensured the payment of the backlog of arrears of those salaries ranging from 2 to 15 months with the approval of the then Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
He also ensured the payment of arrears of leave allowances owed LG workers ranging from 2 to 5 years, payment of pension arrears to retirees (4 months arrears), commencement of payment of gratuities to LG retirees after 16 years of non-payment.
He also presented a Memo to the Exco that approved the release of the 2014 promotion of Local Government employees in Enugu State and the authority to carry out promotion exercise for 2016. He got approval for the implementation of 2006 scheme of service for LG workers in the state making it possible for LG workers to progress to GL.16 as Directors for all the Departments, and the conduct of audit/biometric capturing of LG workers geared towards prompt and regular payment of salaries amongst many others.
While serving as a Member of House of Representatives, National Assembly, Hon Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga brought DSTV to Enugu State, it was the first in Eastern Nigeria, brought the Zonal Office of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to Enugu.
He also used his good offices to get jobs for a lot of persons from Enugu State and Nigeria at large in all the Federal Government Agencies and Establishments under the Federal Ministry of Information which was under his oversight as the then Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Information. He was the first person from Enugu State to be chairman of such Committee, and it was his Sterling performance and popularity that made that office attractive to those who came to National Assembly from Enugu State after him.
And nearer home, the electricity project in Umualor community was his initiative for the first time in history of the town as part of his constituency project, the impact of which has remained unmistakeably huge even unto this day.
Suffice it to say that the first draft of the Freedom of Information Bill which has since been passed into law was made under his Chairmanship of this same House of Representatives Committee on Information.
Hon Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga was also Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on States and Local Governments and records of his elaborate commitment to the issue of devolution of powers among the three tiers of government is adequately captured in the Chronicles of the National Assembly of Nigeria.
While his great addition of value to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan has been given great ovation by the former President of Nigeria himself in a commendation letter that he wrote to Hon Chijioke Edeoga at the end of his government in 2015.
Hon Chijioke Edeoga'sp impressive performance as the then Chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA has since been noted as a roadmap and a condensed renaissance for the people of that Local Government Area, earning him as it were, another letter of commendation from the then Provost of Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Dr Nnadozie.
Chesterfield was right is saying that the difference between a gentle man and his reverse, is namely, that both preform the same offices of life, but each in his own several and widely different ways.
But from all intents and purposes, Hon Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga (Okaome) has been performing his own offices in the most acceptable manner and form and with great charm and pleasure.
Born to the family Mr Jonathan and Jemimah Edeoga on October 20, 1964 at St. Mary's hospital, Ngwo in Enugu State. His parents were teachers. Hon Chijioke Edeoga who showed a strong intellectual prowess, flair and deep curiosity for knowledge from the very beginning attended the following schools and obtained the following certificates;
(A) ESUT Business school 2019 - 2019
(B) University of London, UK. 2013
(C) Nigeria Law School, Abuja, 2006 - 2007
(D) University of Buckingham, UK. 2003 - 2005
(E) University of Nigeria, Nsukka 1982 - 1986
(F) Adada Secondary School, Nsukka 1976 - 1981
(G) Union Primary School/EOCS, Eha -Amufu 1971 - 1976
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
A. M.Sc of Public Administration 2019
B. Master of Laws, LL.M Public International Law 2013
C. Barrister -at-Law ( BL. Hons) 2007
D. Bachelor of Law (LLB. Hons). 2005
E. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) English 1986
F. West African School Certificate (WASC). 1981
G. First School Leaving Certificate (FLSC) 1976
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
A. Publisher, Enugu LGA Monthly News Magazine
B. Member Editorial Board of the Daily Trust Newspaper 2005
C. Special Correspondent, The Post Express, Lagos 1996 - 1997
D. Assistant Editor, The Champion Newspaper 1995 - 1996
E. Special Correspondent, The Classic Magazine, Lagos 1992 - 1994
F. Press Officer, Government House, Enugu 1992 - 1994
G. Features Editor, The New Outlook, Enugu 1990 - 1991
H. Staff Writer, Star Printing & Publishing Company, Enugu 1989 - 1990
I. Tutor, Girls Arabic Secondary School, Birniwa, Jigawa State 1987 - 1989
HOBBIES;
Reading, Writing, Tennis, Walking, Badminton
CLUB;
IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
Enugu Sports Club, Enugu.
Hon Chijioke Edeoga who was the Enugu State Governorship Candidate of Labour Party in 2023 general election is from Eha-Amufu in Isi -Uzo LGA, Enugu State. He is married to Mrs Nkechi Edeoga and they have four children.
