By EDISON Okereke
The remains of the former chairman of Ehime Mbano Local Government, High Chief Mrs May Amaka Agbiogwu, (Ezinne), were, last Saturday, laid to rest in her country-home, Umueze Umunumo in the council area. She was aged 62.
The commendation Mass took place at St Charles Catholic Church Parish.
Her deputy in the council then, and now member representing the area in the State House of Assembly, Hon Bernard Ozoemenam was spotted at the burial.
It could be noted that the late woman was in the race for the contest for the 2023 House of Assembly election for the Local Government, but surprisingly backed out at the last minute.
The late Ezinne Agbiogwu had an interesting adventurous political career which culminated in her victory as chairman of the council.
In 1997, in the late Gen. Sanni Abacha military regime (Transition Programme) Ezinne was reported to have clinched the ticket for the House of Assembly on the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP).
The election was however aborted following the death of Abacha.
In the December of 1998, Ezinne was elected chairman of Ehime Mbano Local Government which she piloted for 365 days.
Her administration was credited with the erection of the Umuezeala Sports Stadium in the council headquarters, empowerment of indigent widows and youths, renovating and equipping of the health centres in the eleven wards, construction of roads and culverts in the LGA, among other projects.
In 2003, she was elected the Woman Leader of ANPP in Imo State.
For about six years, her rising political profile suffered a setback, when she was incarcerated on what the family says was a trumped up charge, following her acquittal by a court of law.
“From 2004 to 2010, Ezinne was framed up for a crime she did not commit, because of how her strength in the political landscape, her ambition, sagacity, political poise, kind heart, love for her people, and the common man –most of all –her refusal to squander and share local government’s resources with backstabbing individuals she helped attain political relevance, who wanted her out of the way.
“However, on the 4th of October 2010, High Chief Mrs Amaka May Agbiogwu through her counsel, Chief Anthony Mogboh SAN, was discharged and acquitted on all counts by a court of competent jurisdiction, presided over by Justice Goddy Añunihu,” the family stated.
When she was freed, she resumed her political activities and business.
From 2011 to 2013, she was the Woman Leader of APGA; ditto in the same position between 2013 and 2016, even as she held other political portfolios.
Her family described her as a philanthropist who gave out scholarships to many indigent youths, and empowered widows, and provided succour for the physically challenged.
The late woman like every other human must have had her own shortcomings but beyond her family’s description of her benevolence, it is on record, at a point in her chairmanship of the council, Ezinne was synonymous with doling money out to the indigent whenever she visited any locality in the Local Government Area. Many converged at such advertised places in advance with the hope of having a share of her kindness.
“Her love for the downtrodden was unprecedented,” the family stated.
Born on December 11, 1962 into the family of the late Engr Michael and Mrs Phoebe Igboko of Arochukwu in Abia State, the late Ezinne was the second daughter and fourth child in a family of seven children.
After her primary education at Amuvi Arochukwu in 1976, she proceeded to Regina Girls’ Secondary School, Nnewi (1981) and later to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education Religion.
She got married to High Chief Hilary Agbiogwu now a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and their marriage was blessed with children.
She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and a host of other relations.
