~ My mother, my guide.
This stallion and amazon of a woman, mother, grandmother and destiny helper to many, including me, is 78 years on earth today through the mercy and grace of God Almighty.
Born into the aristocratic EJIOGU family of Egbu- Owerri, to Mr. Nathan Okeoma and Madam Amelia. Her father, Pa Nathan Ejiogu, was a foremost educationist, serving as the first Nigerian Chief Inspector of Education of Eastern Nigeria, now the present Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebony, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. He was a Consultant to UNESCO and Ford Foundation and erstwhile Chairman, Public Service Commission in the old East Central State, present South East geopolitical zone. He founded Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, which has now become a University of Education. He equally founded the Institute of Education in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN amongst other educational institutions like Ejiogu Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School Egbu and others who have all named one important gigantic building in their institutions after NATHAN OKEOMA EJIOGU.
Auntie K, Nda Kema, Nda Mafor, Igolo or Iron Lady as we fondly or radically call her, took after her father’s educational career. She attended the famous Queens College Lagos, Advanced Teacher’s Training College, ATTC Owerri, later Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Queens College of the City University of New York, USA for her BA and Master’s Degrees and obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She also holds a Diploma in Broadcasting from BBC London, United Kingdom. As a teacher, she taught at Queen’s School, Enugu, Girls High School Awkunanaw, Enugu, Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu and left public service as a Principal Producer at the Anambra Broadcasting Corporation.
She later developed rabid interest in politics and joined the Dr, Chuba Okadigbo informal School of thought and worked unrelentlesly and unrepentantly for Dr. Alex Ekwueme before, during and after the Jos Presidential primary election of The Peoples Democatic Party (PDP) in 1998, that brought in Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo as candidate of PDP, when many politician deserted Ekwueme after it became obvious that Gen. Obasanjo was going to become the PDP Presidential candidate.
It was this unbridled, singular steadfastness and loyalty to a cause, even at defeat and finally coupled with her dedication to the transition workshops and programmes that earned her great admiration from Gen. Obasanjo who immediately he became the President in 1999 appointed her the Minister of Transport that was heavily lobbied for at the time by political heavy weights. She was to become the first female minister of Transport in the history of Nigeria. Obasanjo realized a year later that this direct and intentional lady who radically restructured and revolutionised the Ministry of Transport would be relied upon to clean up the Aviation sector to support his programmes of attracting foreign direct investments, debt forgiveness and improving Nigeria’s international image. She was therefore re-assigned to become yet again, the first female Minister of Aviation. It was after these appointments that President Obasanjo realized that she was the younger sister to the wife of his bossom friend Ajie Ukpabi Asika, Chinyere and daughter of a family he admired and respected so much before and after the civil war. He was a young friend to Okeoma Ejiogu during his early days in the military. The rest is now history.
However, the sterling and consistent attributes unknown to many about Kema Chikwe is that she is highly an emotional person but politically suave and highly strategic despite her stoic and engaging tough stand on contemporary issues. She is however quick to admit superior logics going forward. Nda Kema is a consumate team player but only where honesty and unity of good purpose is the destination bedrock.
Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe is a politician to the core. She was mentored by Chief Maria Egu, a renowned pragmatic and influential politician from Ngor Okpala, Hajia Laila Dogonyaro and other notable women figures in Nigeria during her tutelage. She was the only woman that donated money for the registration of PDP at a meeting held at the then Nicon Noga Hotel, Abuja where she and Elizabeth Umeham were the only women present among men of timber and caliber.
Thereafter, and in recognition of her dexterity for honesty, hardwork and result oriented spirit with a permanent disdain for stealing of public or government funds, President Obasanjo appointed her the first and only female Chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board JAMB. President Yaradua also appointed her as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and Iceland.
Amb. Dr Kema Chikwe was a strong part of the intervention team that extricated Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, then the deputy Governor of Bayelsa state from being part of the impeachment of his boss Governor Alamesiya after his saga in UK which culminated in his taking over as Governor of the State. The ladder to Vice- President and later President was spiritually laid by this intervention. Austin Cosmas, ‘Papa” Jonathan’s Portharcourt friend was the in errand loop during his moment of crisis.
No wonder President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience in appreciation of her intervention, fiercely supported her to win the position of National Woman Leader of PDP.
Amb. Dr, Mrs. Kema Chikwe who recently bowed out from active partisan politics without BLEMISH, now radiates as an elder stateswoman
who, again passionately runs the WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (WLI), mentoring and training young women in leadership. WLI, a leading learning leadership hub is fully accredited by the Federal ministry of Education with many international partnership and affiliations.
Correspondingly, Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe shared her successes and opportunities to facilitate many power contacts, employment and appointments of numerous people from Imo State and nationally of which I was a beneficiary in 2005 when she single handedly nominated me into the PDP State Caretaker Executive Committee and was later elected as the substantive 1st State Vice- Chairman and Chairman, Owerri Senatorial Zone. This ultimately placed me on the ladder of my political milestones to the glory of God. I will always remain eternally grateful to God through her role. Other notable benefiaries include but not limited to Prof Fabian Osuji and Mrs Chinwe Obaji who became ministers as a result of her direct recommendation, influence. Other strategic and influential interventions for people like Late Eze Lucky Ajoku as GM/CEO Nigerian Clearing and forwarding Agency, Barr CJ Ihemedu as Secretary- General of Nigerian Dock workers Union, Capt Henry Omeogu as Director of Operations FAAN, Engr Nnamdi Udoh who thereafter became the MD/CEO of NAMA, Dr Anuforo of NIMIET just to mention a few. Numerous young men and women of IMO origin got employments into parasitatals of the Ministries of Transport and Aviation including JAMB and NECO many of who are now in the management cadre in those places.
As an Ambassador Dr, Mrs Kema Chikwe legitimately brought over 50 persons abroad to study, work or do business and ensured that all were given instant residence permit that normally take years to obtain.
At the home front, she was politically involved in the rise of many successful politicians today and the list includes but not limited to His Excellencies, Ohakim, Uzodinma, Okorocha, Ihedioha, Capt. Emma Ihenacho, Ochudo Agbaso, Sir Jude Ejiogu, Eze Duruiheoma, Senators Ararume, Nzeribe, Eze Ajoku, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Sen. Chris Anyanwu, Austin Cosmas, Chief, Tony Chukwu, Dr, Tony Chukwueke, Chief Marcellenous Nlemigbo, Honourables Obichere, Juliet Akano, Nnaemeka Maduagwu, Ray Emeaña, Clinton Amadi, Ernest Ibejiako, Woman Leader Josephine Nnoaham, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyeriri, Chief Olisa Metu, Uche Ekwunife, Chief Asika, Ugochi Nnana Okoro, and many too numerous to mention here for lack of space.
Nda Kema, @ 87 you have lived and conquered success. You have conquered envy. You have conquered poverty of mind and above all you have conquered the devil and blessed with a fine gentleman, Nze Herbert Onyegbula Onyeya Chikwe, the Odum and Regent of Umuakuru, Emekuku as your husband and beautiful children and grandchildren.
My prayer for you is that as you age gracefully and happily into the 8th floor, I command my most High and faithful God to direct your footsteps and grant you robust health and presence of mind to continue to serve Him and humanity through your kindness, in the name of the father, and of the son and of the holy spirit Amen 🙏.
Your son and brother.
Willie Amadi✨
Ukwa Achiaka & Omeudo
Owere.
Daura, Sunday, 12th January 2025.
