BY AKPODHOMA MIKE AJIRI
Hon. Leonard Okuweh Ogor is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives representing Isoko Federal Constituency. Born January 6, 1959, to the illustrious family of Mr. and Mrs. James Okuweh Ogor, Hon. Leo Ogor hails from Ozoro and Idheze in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State. He had his primary and secondary education at Roman Catholic Missionary School now Ekwerigbe Primary School and Notre Dame College, Ozoro.
As a young business man cum politician, He dedicated his precious time to his business without qualms. He was committed to hard work as an entrepreneur and never believed that one day he would be called upon to represent his people although he has often used his goodwill to sponsor several political aspirants before he finally ventured into politics. He believed that elective position belongs to God not man and so, he contested for the position of House of Representatives in 2003 when he was still doing his private business.
As a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives, he has been able to put smiles on the faces of his people that voted him into power within the time he has spent without altercation. He is a political leader that listens to the voice of his people. As a result, Isoko people believe that Ogor is a God- sent son to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.
Delta State belongs to the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon. Leo Ogor is a staunch card carrying member of the party. He is a political leader of thought in the National Assembly. He has never let his people down with the allocated constituency funds at his disposal. As a core lawmaker who understands the workings of the constitution and the House, he ensures he articulates his points at the floor of the Assembly to drive his points to the admiration of his people and Nigerians as a whole.
Apart from his level of vibrancy at the floor of the House, he has used his position in the Federal House of Representatives to influence visible projects to his constituency in record time. Prominent among them are the construction of Uzere-Aviara road which was duly approved by the Federal Executive Council; the construction of Oyede township road; and the construction of Ozoro township road.
The just concluded Enwhe bridge is also not left out, neither is the building of 18 classroom-blocks including a Science laboratory at Alaka Secondary School Ozoro. There is also the renovation of Eru Primary School Igbide; the provision of Health Centre across Isoko Federal Constituency; the building of classroom block at Umeh Secondary School as well as in Emede, Aviara, Irri and okpe-Isoko.
Others include provision of Street lights across Isoko Federal Constituency, building of ICT Centre at the Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro among other numerous projects he has attracted to the Isoko nation. Ogor who is regarded as a core developer of the Isoko nation believes that education is one of the legacies that a parent must give to his/her children.
As the years passes by, Ozoro community is proud of Ogor for toeing the exemplary path of a good politician and not a corrupt one. He is one politician in Nigeria that still associates himself with his old friends and neighbors unlike some high profile politicians who shove their old friends away given their new status in life.
At 56, Hon. Leo Ogor has achieved a lot, coupled with the fact that he is married to a good wife who gives him total spousal support and understands the nitty- gritty of the Isoko politics. She is fondly called ‘Lolo of the People”. Hon. Leo Ogor has greatly affected the Isoko people in a positive way that they felt another term is well-deserved and possible without him campaigning.
Hon. Leo Ogor married a visionary woman of substance. He is answerable to the people he represented. He is among the few Nigerian legislator that you can call and even without storing your cell phone number in his phonebook, will call you back when less busy. How many legislators can do that?
Hon. Leo Ogor believes in political servitude not some do or die mechanism which some other present-serving legislators are popularly known for.
Again, Ogor is one rare Nigerian legislator that knows where he started from without flexing muscles with anybody or exhibiting inferiority complex. He is a staunch Christian. Hon. Leo Ogor was one of the dignitaries that were called upon to celebrate with the grand patron of Isoko Development Union (I.D.U), Chief S. O. Akpotu who recently celebrated his 85th Birthday at Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. At the birthday bash, the celebrant eulogized the member representing Isoko Federal Constituency at the floor of the House for eloquence and rare oratory skill.
It is not how far you have lived on earth that matters but your affirmative contribution to the society that is what God records in heaven. Leo is a passionate politician with a transformation mindset. He has been able to prove his critics wrong that not only money bags politicians can win election but responsiveness to the demands of the people is a prerequisite for electoral success. His political sagacity and humility has since elevated his political career and his resolute mindset towards politics cannot be undervalued.
At 56, Hon. Leo Ogor is energetic enough to contest for another term in the Federal House of Representatives because Isoko people know that he has since fulfilled some of the political promises he made. Ogor is unbeatable to the core. He is not carried away by the political largesse but ready to fulfill his electoral promises. He is a man who respects the people’s mandate. He is a straight forward legislator in terms of political decisions and others. No wonder his political opponent who challenged him during the just concluded People’s Democratic Party primaries quickly gave him a warm handshake after he defeated them in a landslide victory which saw him pulling 97% of the total votes that he won abysmally.
He believes that power belongs to God not man. He has provided numerous employment opportunities for his constituents, given private scholarships to indigenes of Isoko especially the orphans. As a result of his kind gesture in putting smiles on the orphans’ faces, he was, on 25th December 2014, made the grand patron of Human Welfare for Empowerment and Development Initiative (HWEDI) where he celebrated his Christmas with the orphans in grand style.
Apart from his activities at the floor of the National Assembly, he always visits his constituents to know their plights and proffer solutions to it. He has empowered many Isoko youths and women with various empowerment and skills acquisition schemes among others. He is prudent with the constituency funds and lives above board. Hon. Leo Ogor is a humble politician who prefers to associate with his constituents like every other normal citizen.
Finally, Hon Leo Okweh Ogor the ‘oyibo Isoko’ as he is fondly called by his constituents back home, is a leader of leaders, a legislator of legislators, a mentor of mentors, a developer of developers, a philanthropist among philanthropists, a thinker among thinkers, a politician among politicians, an achiever among achievers. He is married to a God- sent woman who understands his political calling and blessed with God fearing children.
Once again, Happy Birthday Boss. You are such a great leader, a wonderful and visionary mentor who has impacted many lives positively. You are a joy to work with and I am lucky to have the opportunity to work with you.
You are not only a Boss but also my role model.
