Emeka Ihedioha
Chukwuemeka Nkem Ihedioha | |
|---|---|
| File:Ihedioha in 2014.jpg Ihedioha in 2014 | |
| Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria | |
| In office June 2011 – June 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Hon Usman Bayero Nafada |
| Succeeded by | Hon Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun |
| Chief Whip of the House of Representatives of Nigeria | |
| In office November 2007 – June 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Hon Bethel Amadi |
| Succeeded by | Hon Ishaka Mohammed Bawa |
| Member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria | |
| In office June 2003 – June 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Hon. Greg Egu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 March 1965 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria |
| Political party | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
| Spouse | Ebere Ihedioha |
| Children | 4 (Emeka, Ezinwa, Nkem, Kamsi) |
| Residence(s) | Imo, Abuja |
| Occupation | Chartered Politician |
| Profession | Politics |
Chukwuemeka Ihedioha (born on March 24, 1965) is a Nigerian politician. He is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member and represented the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State. He is also the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria.[1]
Early life and education
Chukwuemeka Ihedioha was born on March 24, 1965 at Mbutu Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area in Imo State, South-East Nigeria.
He attended Town School Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, and completed same at SDA Primary School Abule Oja, Yaba Lagos in 1976. He had his secondary education at St. Ephraim's Secondary School, Owerrinta in present day Abia State. He then proceeded to the University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.SC) degree in Food Science and Technology, in 1988.[2]
Versatile, intelligent and knowledge-driven, Ihedioha took his search for knowledge to different parts of the globe, certifying and specialising in several fields of endeavours that have made him a rounded professional, administrator and consummate politician of towering repute. Among others, he undertook an Executive Certificate Course in financial Management from the Stanford University, and a Leadership Certificate Course from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, both world-renown, prestigious Ivy League institutions in the United States of America (USA).
Not satisfied with these academic feats, Ihedioha delved into practical post-graduate training as a communications and public relations specialist. As a communication expert par excellence, he worked with various top-rate organizations and consultancy firms before responding full-time to the call of is natural love and vocation, which is politics. And in this field of public service, he has built a rich background of experience from various high caliber positions that afforded him opportunity to serve his fatherland.
Political career
In 1992, he was appointed Press Officer to then Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Iyorchia Ayu. Barely a year later he was appointed as Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Senate President of that era. Following military incursion in the polity in November 1993, Ihedioha returned to his communications practice as Chief Executive Officer of First Page Communications. He became the Director of Publicity of the newly formed People's Democratic Movement (PDM), the famous purveyor of the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998.
He was named as Special Assistant to the Presidential Adviser on Utilities (July 1999), as Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the President of Senate (November 1999), and as Special Assistant on Political Matters to the Vice President (September 2001). He won a seat into the House of Representative as a member representing Aboh-Mbasie-Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State in 2003.[3]
He was the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of the federal Republic of Nigeria from 2011 to 2015.[4]
Legislative activities
Between 2003 and 2007, he served as Chairman, House committee on Marine Transport. Ihedioha is credited with the passage of two key legislatons which allowed for increased participation of Nigerians in that sector of the economy. These laws are:
- The International Convention for the Safety at Sea(Ratification and Enforcement)Act 2004
- The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Ratification and Enforcement)Act 2005
- The United Nations Convention on Carriage of Goods by Sea(Ratification and Enforcement)Act 2005
- The International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for the Compensation of Oil Pollution Damage 1979 as amended(Ratification and Enforcement)Act 2006
- The International Convention on the Civil Liabilities for Oil Pollution Damage(Ratification and Enforcement)Act 2006.[5]
He re-contested and won back his seat in 2007, and served as Chairman House committee on Cooperation an Integration in Africa and was later elected Chief Whip of the House, a position he held till the expiration of that term.
Awards and recognition
Ihedioha is a Knight of the order of St. Christopher of the Anglican Communion. He was conferred with Diocesan Merit Award by the Diocese of Mbaise, Anglican Communion and is a recipient of several chieftaincy titles.
A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping, he was awarded the Most Outstanding Maritime Legislator by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria; Distinguished Service Award from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and recently as One of Nigeria'50 Most Outstanding Legislators (1999–2009).
Personal life
A committed family man, Ihedioha, Nigeria's former number six citizen in the protocol list is married and blessed with four children.
References
- ^ "Senators & Representatives - National Assembly | Federal Republic of Nigeria". Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- ^ "profile - Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha". Retrieved 2018-04-20.
- ^ "Imo Governorship Race: Appeal Court Orders Ararume, Ihedioha Back to High Court". Thisday live. February 28, 2015.
- ^ "deputy speaker Emeka Ihedioha". Retrieved 2018-04-20.
- ^ "profile - Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha". Retrieved 2018-04-20.