By Uzoma Isiakpu

Altruistic.  Modest.  Impactful.  Fulfilled.  Diligent.  Man of his word.  Blessed beyond measure.  Consummate administrator.  Compassionate.  Man of the people.  Father of equity. Integrity. 

God fearing.  Appropriately, these words, phrases and more, variously depict the actual person of His Excellency and Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Theodore Ahamaefula Orji.

Ochendo or Papa Ukwu as Chief T. A. Orji is popularly called by his numerous admirers, having sacrificially and meritoriously served Abia State in particular and Nigeria in general, at the height of his civil/public service and political careers is at present quietly by the grace of God, savouring his retirement in sound health.

Man of the people, Senator T. A. Orji is an exceptional politician.  He is not in the class of politicians described as “Man of many words,” by Anthony Howard Wilson, a British journalist, song writer and singer in his 1976 album – “I Like Your Style.” A man of his word, Chief T. A. Orji while campaigning for reelection into the Senate in 2019, categorically stated that he will bow out of politics to give way to younger politicians to contribute their quota to the development of the nation. 

True to type, the modest Senator kept to his promise.  He did not seek re-election at the expiration of his second term in the Upper Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly in 2023, but honourably exited the 9th Senate.  Today, the palatial Umuahia residence of Chief T. A. Orji has become a pilgrimage of sort, as new breed politicians across party lines throng his abode to tap from his weight of experience.

A consummate administrator, Chief T. A. Orji added credibility and stabilised the administration of his predecessor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.  The eventful two term governor of Abia State (2007 – 2015), Chief T. A. Orji satisfactorily acquitted himself in governance of the State.  Some edifices like the International Conference Centre (ICC),  the New Secretariat Complex, JAC building and the New Government House all show that the soft spoken former governor is a man with penchant for excellence.

Diligent, dedicated and a man of integrity,  Chief T. A. Orji on the creation of Abia State in 1991, variously served in the Government House, Bureau of Budget and Planning and Ministry of Agriculture.  By dint of hard work, he climbed to the apex of his career in the Civil Service as Permanent Secretary.  He also functioned as the Administrative Secretary of the National Electoral Body in Enugu State. 

First elected governor of Abia State in 2007 under the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and in 2011 on the ticket of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief T. A. Orji at the end of his tenure was persuaded to run for the Senate by his supporters who purchased the forms for him.  At the Senate, Chief T. A. Orji ranked as one of most effective and efficient Senators in the 8th and 9th Senate. He sponsored a legion bills and moved numerous motions of national importance.

Some of the bills sponsored by Chief T. A. Orji who in 2016 was adjudged the third most productive Senator include but not limited to the following: SB, a Bill for an Act to to provide for the Establishment of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Prevention, Biodiversity Bill 2016, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration), Portfolio Designation Bill 2015,  Deoxyribonucleic Acid (NDA) Bill, Nigerian Oil Research Development Agency Board Bill and National Emergency Bill 2016.

Outside legislation, the philanthropy of altruistic Senator T. A. Orji to his constituents was phenomenal and unmatched in the history of representation of Abia Central Senatorial District.  Abians in their numbers were operated of cataract and treated of other eye diseases at no cost at the Senator T. A. Orji Free Eye Surgery Centre, Umuahia.

Thousands of indigent undergraduates from the six local government areas that constitute Abia Central Senatorial District benefited from the scholarship scheme of Chief T. A. Orji.  The benevolence of the richly blessed Senator extended to empowerment, provision of employment, electricity transformers, solar powered water boreholes, class room blocks, town halls and many more democracy dividends.  Blessed beyond measure, Chief T. A. Orji has over the years has lived an impactful life and also impacting positively on the lives of others.

The heir of the dynasty of Warrant Chief Tom Ikoro Orji who built the first storey mansion in Umuahia town and the only son of his mother, Chief T. A. Orji came into being on planet earth on November 9, 1950 at Amaokwe Ugba, Ibeju, Umuahia North local government area.

He attended St. Michael Catholic Primary School, Umuahia and later. Santa Cruz Secondary School, Olokoro and completed at Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Imo State.  Brilliant T. A. Orji earned a Bachelor degree in English from the University of Ibadan in 1977.

After his Youth Service in 1978, young T. A. Orji enlisted into the Imo State Civil Service as an Administrative Officer.

Fulfilled, the septuagenarian will be 74 on Saturday, November 9, 2024. By divine superintendence,  Senator T. A. Orji is still strong and happily enjoying the company and comfort of the stunning wife of his youth, Chief Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji (Osinaulu) and grand children.

This is wishing Distinguished Senator T. A. Orji, recipient of the prestigious National Honours Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) long life in good health and peace of mind round about. Happy birthday and 74 hearty cheers to Chief T. A. Orji.

Uzoma Isiakpu is a Media/PR Consultant based in Umuahia.