By Nathaniel Ikyur
Just a day after I arrived Abuja last week, my friend, Hon Vambeh Emmanuel called me and asked: “Oga Nath where are you?” “I arrived Abuja just yesterday,” I replied and added a jocular line. “Well, I am in Jos with Honourable, please speak with him.” Then Hon Terseer Ugbor, the smooth talking member of the House of Representatives for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency took over at the other end. I had not met him one and one but we spoke with so much familiarity. Hon. Ugbor and Vambeh were in Jos for the burial of Lt. Gen Jeremiah Useni, former Minister of the FCT.
It was to keep with an appointment with the federal lawmaker that I boarded a Toyota coaster bus to the city center and enjoyed free news bulletins from unsubscribed news makers.
Vambeh had told the Kwande/Ushongo Federal lawmaker about my book; “Aper Aku:The Rise of Minority Politics in Nigeria” and encouraged him to buy. Without so much protocol, Ugbor, tall, chocolate coloured, calm and smooth speaking legislator quickly joined us in the living room downstairs. With an outstretched hand, he welcomed me to his Gwarinpa residence. We discussed national and Benue politics with it’s implications on our collective unity, economy and sundry.
After he picked up the number of copies of my book on the first civilian Governor of Benue State that he wanted, we went on to discuss various political plans and developments.
Ugbor studied Sociology in the University but veered into an area that’s actually off his field: environment with speciality in Waste management. He has developed the blueprint for the country on recycling which is why he has authored two books on the subject. He has also represented Nigeria at various international platforms, showcasing his expertise in the field. (See copies attached here) With his calm disposition and candour, Ugbor has a way of easily demobilizing your wall of defence to drive home his point. No wonder, he has had a favourable disposition with the leadership of the House of Representatives giving his vast experience and commitment to his legislative duties. It is not surprising how he has been able to keep his federal Constituency on the front burner despite the heavy dosage of challenges either from the home government or the killer herdsmen terrorizing his constituents everyday.
Listening to Hon Ugbor means you’ve surrendered yourself to be disarmed. And he does it so well and with ease, coupled with his calmness and understanding of the issues. One, he’s articulate and knowledgeable with enough statistical data to convince you and to show you how things ought to be done so that the people can benefit. Indeed, Kwande didn’t make a mistake here.
By the time he rounded up lecturing me on various political issues and his pivotal role as well as exploits in the various shades of recycling in Nigeria, I was almost jumping into the streets to start up from where I stopped when I was the Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Public Utilities, Environment and Sanitation. It is an area not tapped from our environment here. And it’s worth exploring.
As you can see, we didn’t stop at exchanging our intellectual imprint to one another. We also had dinner.
For sure, Representative Terseer Ugbor is a round peg in the round Kwande political hole. He is leveraging on his exposure and bringing to his constituents, the real impact of democratic dividends. Remember, you too should own a copy of these books.
Ikyur is a journalist and writes for
MEETING WITH HON TERSEER UGBOR
Just a day after I arrived Abuja last week, my friend, Hon Vambeh Emmanuel called me and asked: “Oga Nath where are you?” “I arrived Abuja just yesterday,” I replied and added a jocular line. “Well, I am in Jos with Honourable, please speak with him.” Then Hon Terseer Ugbor, the smooth talking member of the House of Representatives for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency took over at the other end. I had not met him one and one but we spoke with so much familiarity. Hon. Ugbor and Vambeh were in Jos for the burial of Lt. Gen Jeremiah Useni, former Minister of the FCT.
It was to keep with an appointment with the federal lawmaker that I boarded a Toyota coaster bus to the city center and enjoyed free news bulletins from unsubscribed news makers.
Vambeh had told the Kwande/Ushongo Federal lawmaker about my book; “Aper Aku:The Rise of Minority Politics in Nigeria” and encouraged him to buy. Without so much protocol, Ugbor, tall, chocolate coloured, calm and smooth speaking legislator quickly joined us in the living room downstairs. With an outstretched hand, he welcomed me to his Gwarinpa residence. We discussed national and Benue politics with it’s implications on our collective unity, economy and sundry.
After he picked up the number of copies of my book on the first civilian Governor of Benue State that he wanted, we went on to discuss various political plans and developments.
Ugbor studied Sociology in the University but veered into an area that’s actually off his field: environment with speciality in Waste management. He has developed the blueprint for the country on recycling which is why he has authored two books on the subject. He has also represented Nigeria at various international platforms, showcasing his expertise in the field. (See copies attached here) With his calm disposition and candour, Ugbor has a way of easily demobilizing your wall of defence to drive home his point. No wonder, he has had a favourable disposition with the leadership of the House of Representatives giving his vast experience and commitment to his legislative duties. It is not surprising how he has been able to keep his federal Constituency on the front burner despite the heavy dosage of challenges either from the home government or the killer herdsmen terrorizing his constituents everyday.
Listening to Hon Ugbor means you’ve surrendered yourself to be disarmed. And he does it so well and with ease, coupled with his calmness and understanding of the issues. One, he’s articulate and knowledgeable with enough statistical data to convince you and to show you how things ought to be done so that the people can benefit. Indeed, Kwande didn’t make a mistake here.
By the time he rounded up lecturing me on various political issues and his pivotal role as well as exploits in the various shades of recycling in Nigeria, I was almost jumping into the streets to start up from where I stopped when I was the Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Public Utilities, Environment and Sanitation. It is an area not tapped from our environment here. And it’s worth exploring.
As you can see, we didn’t stop at exchanging our intellectual imprint to one another. We also had dinner.
For sure, Representative Terseer Ugbor is a round peg in the round Kwande political hole. He is leveraging on his exposure and bringing to his constituents, the real impact of democratic dividends. Remember, you too should own a copy of these books.
Ikyur is a journalist and writes for #thenewsroom
