By Samson Ugwu
Every man is an embodiment of thought-patern, mindset, insight and imagination which reflect in his words and actions. The mindset of a man is one of the factors that determines his altitude and achievements.
Similarly the mindset of a political leader also determines the impact he will make in his administration. It is against this backdrop that I was inspired to inform electorates about the leadership mindset and track records of the PDP Chairmanship Candidate of Enugu East LGA, Hon. Pst. Beloved Dan Anike in order for the masses to make wise decision on election day, come 21st September 2024.
The great leadership icon was born on 16th January 1974 to the family of Elder Thomas Anike Ikpa of Umuchiene family, Umuchigbo, Iji Nike, Enugu.
In his quest to broaden his intellectual horizon and as an education enthusiast, Beloved Dan Anike passed through several institutions of learning such as Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Lagos Business School and Lunds University, Sweden.
He is a holder of two Engineering degrees, a master’s degree in project management and other professional certifications.
He has demonstrated visionary leadership as the former President Student Union Government UNIZIK, Chairman Umuchigbo Community, Enugu State Commissioner of Transport and member Enugu State Universal Basic Education.
My first physical encounter with his visionary leadership was on 17th September 2020.
It was a day I set my foot inside Umuchigbo Community High School to capture the official commissioning of an ICT centre sponsored by former member House of Representatives, Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji.
The school has many block of classrooms, high population of students, standard football field and enough space for future development.
In the course of our discussion, I was briefed by indigene of the community on how Beloved Dan Anike secured the large expanse of lands against all odds and conquered many challenges to establish the school under his watch as the community leader.
Beloved Dan succeeded in translating his vision of establishing a citadel of learning that will make generational positive impact, into a reality.
The story behind the establishment of Umuchigbo Community High School, is a proof that Beloved Dan Anike is a leader that believes in the words of Nelson Mandela that education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.
Under his watch as the Chairman Umuchigbo Board of Trustees, he also launched a Youth Empowerment Trust Fund on 1st October 2007, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Charles Emehelu and charged with the responsibility to support education at all levels, eliminate toutism and build great people for greater future.
The Trust Fund made positive impact through disbursement of annual bursary award and provision of financial grants to entrepreneurs. The outcome was massive enrollment of many youths of the community into higher institutions.
In a related development, on 9th October 2008, he organized Umuchigbo Youth Empowerment Program with the theme Ositadimma at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu. He disbursed busary awards and enlightened the youths on the importance of education and self development.
The Beloved Dan Anike that I know is also a philanthropist and passionate about touching the lives of people in the society. I witnessed the act of his humanitarian gestures during the 10th anniversary of Ositadimma Foundation held on 26th July, 2018 at Enugu East Local Government Headquarters. The event was a celebration of ten years of consistent education bursary award and charity outreach to widows, physically challenged people and many indigent people.
The Foundation is a platform he is using to give back to the society.
It is worthy to note that Ositadimma Foundation has empowered many youths and produced many graduates.
The Beloved Dan I know is resilient. He does not allow adversity or challenges to shape his future. He sees failure as temporal defeat. He believes that every adversity, every failure, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. He has strong faith in the biblical admonition of Habakuk 2:3-4 which says; “for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
He demonstrated his resilient spirit within his 25 years of seeking for elective position. He had contested for House of Assembly, Local Government Chairman, House of Representatives, and Governorship position. Though all his efforts proved abortive but he did not give up. He did not allow disappointment or failure to win election deter him from aspiring to serve humanity. He remained focused and determined to actualize his goals.
The Beloved Dan that I know made some statements during his consultation tour for governorship seat that reinforced my conviction in his visionary leadership capacity. While addressing Enugu State PDP Executive Officers, he said; “We anchored our campaign policy trust on consolidation of the past gains and bridging the gaps for the future to establish a nexus for our generation and cast our footprints for the overall development of our dear people.”
He also noted that he had enunciated a 4-point agenda; social services, affordable housing, social amenities and social security.
Moreover, while delivering his acceptance speech on 14th August 2024 after emerging as the PDP Chairmanship Candidate, he affairmed that it is good to build great works, but it is far better to build great people because great people will in turn build greater works.
I am optimistic that he will translate the aforementioned statements into reality if voted into office as Council Chairman Enugu East LGA.
Beloved Dan that I know will consolidate the good governance of Hon. Livinus Nze Anike, immediate past Executive Chairman of Enugu East LGA. He will widen the arc of dividends of democracy in the council area.
The political atmosphere in Enugu East LGA is already charged with the mantra of “dawn of a new era” and “imagine the possibilities” in line with the vision of Beloved Dan. I know he will not disappoint the electorates because he has a proven track record of integrity, competence, vision, capacity, selfless service, uncommon determination, tenacity and administrative prowess.
In light of the foregoing, I want to call on the people of Enugu East LGA to give him maximum support because he will make Enugu East great through his transformation agenda in alignment with Gov. Peter Mbah’s innovative leadership.
21st September, local government election day will indeed mark a new beginning in Enugu East LGA. Therefore let us vote wisely by voting for PDP.
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