THE JOURNEY SO FAR: The Man Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga (BM; Bch, Msc, PhD, F-CIDA) “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them” – William Shakespeare HIS... LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO promote and facilitate development through responsive and vibrant legislation in areas of health, justice, child/human trafficking, education, youths and women empowerment and physical infrastructural development within and outside Oju 1 State constituency. TO provide a purposeful and integrity driven leadership within and outside Oju 1 State Constituency. TO support policies that will enhance good governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to Oju 1 State Constituency and the entire Benue State. CORE VALUES Unity Integrity Transparency Quality representation Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah, Joseph Adoga is a quintessential medical and intellectual icon, a philanthropist and politician of no mean standing, a man whose name and personality ripples through the entire length and breadth of his constituency and beyond. His philanthropic personality is second to none. Indeed, he is the Senior Advocate of the Needy- the Joseph of our time. Undoubtedly, this larger than life man of great humility, conviviality, humor, hard work, honor, integrity and patriotism has made great waves, far surpassing his considerable size, within these shores and beyond. Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah, Joseph Adoga was born on the 4th day of April, 1965 in Ameka-Owo in Oju LGA of Benue State. He began his early educational career at the L. G. E. A. Primary School, Ameka-Owo from 1972 to 1977 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. Thereafter, he enrolled at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Ito where he had his Junior Secondary School Education. In 1979, he was transferred to the prestigious Mt. St. Michael’s Secondary School, Aliade where he graduated in 1982 with Distinctions in O’ Level GCE. He later got admission to study Medicine and Surgery in University of Jos Medical School in 1982 and graduated with flying colours in 1988 with Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. He bagged his Masters Degree in Human Anatomy in 2009 and his Doctorate Degree in Human Anatomy in 2012 from the University of Jos. He performed a year Internship with General Hospital Pankshin, Plateau State in 1988 to 1989 after which he proceeded to do his National Youth Service Corps as a Health Officer at the Health Department of Isi-Uzo LGA of the then Anambra State between 1989-1990. He worked briefly with Chimelu Hospital Obollo-Afor, and Hope Hospital Ogbudu-Aba all in Enugu State, Nigeria. Instead of going the way of his other colleagues who practiced in the public sector, he opted for private practice in his community. In 1992, he established Holy Cross Hospital in Oju L. G. A. of Benue State, where he still serves as the Chief Medical Director. The Holy Cross Hospital offers employment to well over thirty (30) Nigerians and it provides medical services to the people of Benue, Ebonyi, Cross-River States and even beyond. Thereafter, in 2002, he was appointed the Medical Superintendent of General Hospital Nassarawa in Nassarawa State where he served in that capacity till 2005 when he resigned to become a Lecturer and Acting Head of Department of Human Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi in 2005. He served as a member of the Governing Council of College of Health Technology, Ebenta, Oju L. G. A., Benue State. His hobbies include traveling, listening to music and reading books. He has traveled to the following countries: USA, France, South Africa, UAE, India, Ghana, Kenya. He is an amiable, humble and a devoted Christian. He is married with five children. PUBLICATIONS As an academician he has several publications among which are: · Perinatal Mortality of JUTH Jos- A Retrospective Study · Modern Artificial Reproductive Technology- Methods and Ethical Considerations. · Effect of Hypercholesterolemia on Corpuscular Count and Appendix of New Zealand Rabbit. MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES Dr. Onah is a member of several professional bodies such as: 1. Full Member, Medical and Dental council of Nigeria. 2. General and Private Medical Practitioners Association of Nigeria. 3. Nigeria Medical Association. 4. Anatomical Society of Nigeria. 5. Anatomical Society of West Africa. 6. Neuroscience Society of Nigeria. 7. Committee of Ambassadors of Assemblies of God Nigeria. 8. Commandant, International Chaplaincy Intercorps. 9. Fellow of Civilian Institute of Democratic Admin (F-CIDA) Ghana. 10. Ambassador of the Kingdom, General Council, Assemblies of God Nigeria. 11. Ambassador of Peace, Universal Peace Federation. PHILANTHROPY Hon. Amb. Dr. Joseph Adoga Onah is a renowned philanthropist in Igedeland and beyond. His philanthropy predates his political adventure. His zeal to alleviate poverty within and outside his community informed his reason for establishing two Non-Governmental Organizations and a private hospital. His NGO, Charity foundation caters for the widows and protects the rights of the women. While Cheerful Hearts Foundation (now renamed Egbede Youths Foundation) caters for youths especially the less privileged, gifted children and youths. This NGO also offers scholarship schemes, medical and social services to HIV/AIDS patients, orphans etc. Other services include; fight against child and women trafficking in Igedeland and its environs. AWARDS Hon. Amb. Onah Adoga is a man of many awards. For his philanthropy, he has been decorated and also honored with several chieftaincy and meritorious awards. Amongst them are: • Honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration by the State of Colorado, Western Pacific University, USA. • Award of Excellent by Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Benue State Chapter Igede National Youths Council Award (INYC) • National Award of Assemblies of God Nigeria, Igede District • Women in Colleges of Education Award of “Hope of the Hopeless” • NYSC (Benue State) Award of Friend of the Youth Corp Member. • Rotaract Club Makurdi Award of Rural Medical Practitioner of the Year 2010 • Achijuka 1 of Iyeche, Iyeche Development Association, Abuja Chapter. • National Council of Igede Women Society • Agba Star Award by Ukpa Progressive Union, Lagos • Honorary Award for Diligence and Statesmanship (Igede National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kaduna Branch) 2014 • National Association of Benue Corpers (Best Performing House Member on Constituency Development and Service to Humanity from Zone ‘C’ Batch ‘C’) 2013 • State Law Maker of the Year Award (North Central, Nigeria) by Lead Times Publications, 2013. • National Union of Benue State students (NUBESS), University of Ibadan Chapter’s Award of Excellence in recognition of his Meritorious Achievement in African Politics, 2014. • Ambassador of Peace (2014) Award by Universal Peace Federation. POLITICAL CAREER In 1996, he began his political career. He was made the flag bearer of United Nigerian Congress Party (UNCP) where he contested against his eldest blood brother, Hon. Onah David who then was the flag bearer of CNC, for the post of Oju Local Government Council Chairman. Though he was the popular candidate and was loved by the youths; he lost to his brother, whom was supported by Igede Elders largely due to the fear of voting youths into such a high office then. Thereafter, in 1997, he became Caucus Chairman of UNCP in Oju Local Government Area and Secretary, Joint Caucus of Oju/Obi Local Government Areas. After the proscription of all political parties following Abacha’s demise and the formation of new political parties, he was made the Zone ‘C’ Chairman of APP (All People’s Party) in 1998 where he played an active role in all the elections conducted then. For his firm believe in true democracy and the entrenchment of rule of law in our body politics, he and others were arrested during the 1998 Local Government Council elections on the allegations that they aided and abetted the razing down of Oju Local Government INEC office. However, they were all freed for lack of evidences. Due to the pressure of politics and its adverse effect on his medical practice then, Hon. Dr. Onah Joseph went on a sabbatical leave. Though on sabbatical leave, yet he continued to play a pivotal role in Owo clan as he has already endeared himself to their heart through his philanthropic act. However in 2011, after the judgment of Appeal Court re-instated the Oju II State Constituency, out of immense pressure he broke his sabbatical leave vow and indicated his intention to contest the Benue State House of Assembly seat for Oju 1 Constituency under PDP, as the popular opinion then favored Zone ‘A’. But, due to political maneuverings and permutations of PDP he was denied the ticket, as there was no vacancy then, according to party elders who were hell-bent on returning the then incumbent. Nevertheless, as fate could have it he contested and won the election under the party platform of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into Oju I State Constituency of the Benue State House of Assembly. Although his victory was widely heralded and adjudged as free and fair by many, it was still hotly challenged at both the Election Tribunal and Appeal Court by Hon. Frank Igbe of the PDP. Nonetheless, he won at both courts. LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS: House Standing Committee As a tradition, the State House of Assembly operates under various Standing Committees for efficiency and effectiveness. Though as a fresher in the House he was appointed into various Standing Committees because of his active participation in debates on the floor of the House. The Committees include: • Chairman, House Standing Committee on Public Petitions, Bills Review and Appraisals. • Member, House Standing Committee on Education. • Member, House Standing Committee on Women Affairs. • Member, House Standing Committee on Youths and Sports. • Chairman, House Ad hoc Committee on Flood Management in Benue State, 2013. • Member, Ad hoc Committee on Screening of present (2014) set of Commissioners in Benue State. Motions and Bills Sponsored He has robustly sponsored and co-sponsored several motions and bills in the Benue State House of Assembly. Oversight Functions He has led and or participated in several committee oversight functions to different government ministries, departments and Local Government Areas. HUMAN AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah Adoga Joseph’s political believe is that a leader should leave an office better than he meets it. Therefore, he had carried out several humanitarian services and infrastructural projects in and outside Oju 1 State Constituency. Some of these projects include: 1. Presentation of an Annual Scholarship to students in Primary, Post-primary and Tertiary institutions. 2. He embarked on a ‘Thank-You’ tour of all the six Council Wards in his constituency to show appreciation for their overwhelming support which led to his victory in the 2011 election. This action is the first of its kind in Igede. 3. Annual constituency Briefings. 4. Periodic free medical programs organized for the entire Oju and Obi Local Government Areas. 5. He is using his NGO (Egbede Youths Foundation) and in collaboration with other international NGOs to help curb child and human trafficking and prostitution in Igedeland and assist widows, orphans, less privileged and HIV/Aids patients. 6. Drilling and installation of two motorized bore-holes, one situated along General Hospital Road and another at Methodist Church Nigeria, Ikachi-Ukpa, all in Oju Local Government Area. Sinking of eight hand pump bore-holes. 7. Reconstruction of box culvert at Ubwo stream in Ochodu-Ukpa. 8. Construction of box culvert at Odugbo stream in Ohuhu-Owo. 9. Construction of box culvert at Ogbeche stream in Ameka-Owo. 10. Construction of box culvert at Ukpila oligwu stream in Ameka, Owo Council Ward. 11. Construction of Awowo box culvert at Amumu Road in Otunche, Iyeche Council Ward. 12. Grading of Ojegbe-Otunche-Ohuhu-Ameka road. 13. Grading of Ibilla-Illache-Adum-Owo road. 14. Donation and instillation of a 500KVA transformer to Ihiejwo Market Community. 15. Donation of a modern giant canoe for use by Oripwa and Oye communities across Onwu River in Oboru-Oye Council Ward. 16. Donations of generating sets, church musical instruments, renovation of churches and schools. 17. Donations of modern school drums to pupils of LGEA Primary School Ameka-Owo. 18. Donation of twenty-five (25) plastic chairs to Igede National Youth Council (INYC). 19. Payment of office/centre rent for the Igede National Youth Council (INYC). 20. Donation of plastic chairs to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Oju Chapter. 21. Donation of relief materials to Obi LG during the 2013 communal crisis between Ojanteli and Obi communities. 22. Grading of about 30 roads and/or streets within and outside Oju metropolis. For the avoidance of doubt, some of the roads and/or streets are: • Ajine Okpabi road, along Adiya Hotel. • Ichakobe Primary School Road. • Oda Street • Old Union Bank road. • Main Market-Okpodom-Ega road • Agbike Street • Elijah Odike –Jehovah Witness road • Hon. Agi D.O Street • Chief John Enyi Street • Chief Morgan Okwoche Street • Hon. Ogbiloko Sunday Street • Hon. Ulaka I. Ulaka Street • Okpeyika Street • Oga Egbe-New Market close • Old Makurdi road (Oju-Ogengen road) • Filling of Obwu Box Culvert at Ochodu-Ukpa • Mike Otutu Street • Jonah Onda Street, Barracks • Mike Idia-Stephen Okita Ring Road, Barracks • MCN –Anywugbo road • Nigeria Police Quarters Street, Barracks • Andy Olima Street • Hon. Godwin Owulo Street • Dr. Ogbudu Close • Chief Uko Ogakwu Street. • Ejugwu Shopping Center Close • Hon. Edwin Ochelle street • Genesis Agbenyi street • Rev. Dr. Ikoni John street • Catch Them Young Nursery and Primary School Street. 23. Facilitate the employment of several Igede Sons and Daughters into Civil Service of Benue State. POLITICAL IDEOLOGY Hon. Dr. Adoga believes in true democracy and rule of law. He firmly believes political office is service to the people, as such; every political public holder should leave an office better than he meets it. He also, believes it is only a leadership hinged on humanistic posture as well as corporate social responsibility that would propel his constituency and indeed the Igede Nation to the needed citadel of development. No doubt, in all these, the Joseph of our time has done creditably well. APPEAL No gainsaying, given Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the opportunity again; he can only add more indelible strides of human and infrastructural development on the sands of history of Igede Nation. Written by: Hon. Onu, Moses Onu mosesonu@googlemail 07068095463, 08122981176 PA, Media and Special Duties, To Hon. Amb. Dr. Adoga Joseph Onah, Oju 1 Constituency, Benue State House of Assembly ©2014
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 10:15:27 +0000
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