Ogbiji N. Ogbiji|14 October 2015|7:23pm
The choice of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River State, sending the State's party chairman of the party as a ministerial nominee is well thought out, looking at his pedigree and charismatic nature. Pastor Usani is a man who believes in the truth and stands for what he believes no matter the hurdles and obstacles that comes his way.
Pastor Usani Uguru Usani is a delightful humanist, religious leader, seasoned politician, erudite scholar, a realist to a fault and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, whose life has been centered on adding value to humanity.
Born in Nko, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, he had his secondary education at the prestigious St. Bernard Secondary School, Iyamoyong in Obubra local government where he was top of his class. A school that nurtured him and brought out the best in him. Where he got the ideals and true virtues of being a man of faith and strong belief in whatever he stands for. On completion of his Secondary education, he proceeded to the University of Jos, Plateau State where he studied Geography and Regional Planning. His love for education saw him traveling to United Kingdom where he obtained his masters degree. His experience in England, broaden his scope about life and the realities of the world and prepared him for bigger task ahead.
He is a man who is always conscious about the realities around him. Due to his astute nature, he was appointed Commissioner for Youths/Sport, then Commissioner for Agriculture by the then military administration of Col. Umaru Farouk. As Commissioner for Agriculture, he worked so hard sanitizing the Agriculture Ministry, this was the period he discovered the fertilizer scam, of a few persons who tried to dupe the State by putting in sand in fertilizer bags and supplying to the State.
He contested the Governorship of Cross River State three times without giving up. He contested in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Not resting on his oars, Pastor Usani continued to stand in the opposition against the ruling PDP in Cross River State, criticizing the ills of the rutheless PDP and her members in the State.
Pastor Usani, contested the APC State Party Chairman and won leading the party in leaps and bounds. A party whose membership he has consolidated. He has remained strong regardless of the many petitions and allegations against him, he has kept his head high, showing love to mankind, impacting on the lives of many a people, his kind gesture has fetched him plaudits among his peers and those he has served and worked with. His selfless service to humanity has also earned him numerous awards and recommendations.
It can be recalled that prior to the ministerial nomination, there was a 3 days fasting by his party members because of his love and goodwill, because of what he believes in and stands for. His party men and women fasted for him to be nominated because he is a man of charismatic leadership qualities. They fasted for him, because he shares in the ideals and change of President Muhammadu Buhari. He is a man who is sincere and straight forward, a man who has a great disposition and the fear and wisdom of God. He is a man who believes in hard work and stands by the truth without looking back or favoring a section of his party men and women.
Pastor Usani, is a grass root politician, he is not a sell out. It was his believe and consistency that earned him the Ministerial nomination. He is a man that can carry along other party members unlike Donald Duke and Kanu Agabi who want to reap where they did not sow.
By his appointment as Minister, it is expected that he will carry along key party men in his government. Especially young men and women who stood by him in thick and thin.
It is in the spirit of togetherness and love for our great party the APC, that I call on all party men to forget their grievances and support the new National Leader of Cross River State Politics, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani in order to strengthen our party and build structures that will capture the State come 2019.
It can also be recalled that before and after elections, the APC had always been characterized by hate and acrimony because of the absence of a leader in the State. But with the emergence of Pastor Usani as Minister, it is expected all party supporters will queue behind him as the new leader of the party in the State in order to move the State forward.
Pastor Usani, means well for our party, it is on this note that I call on all APC members to throw their weight behind him if we must achieve our aims and objectives of removing Cross River State from poverty and stagnation.
Pastor Usani is married to a wife and the union is blessed with 5 Children.
Ogbiji Nyiam Ogbiji
Is an APC Chieftain in Cross River State
