25th May 1958 is symbolic to human society; on this day, Ebony State was blessed with a special breed – Chief Austin Umahi, who has grown into a giant reputed for his selfless nature in dealing with concerns of humanity and issues of public interest.
In a message of felicitation made available to media houses in commemoration of his birth anniversary, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze highlighted that Deacon Umahi who is the junior brother to His Excellency Senator Dave N. Umahi the Workaholic Minister of Works was born on the 25th May 1968 in Umunaga Uburu Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.
He enrolled in Umunaga UPE Primary School at the age of five where he got his first School Leaving Certificate in 1980 and proceeded to the Prestigious Government College Afikpo, where he obtained WAEC in 1984.
In 1992, this political colossus gained admission to study Accountancy at the University of Jos, where through his political participation and sagacity, he proved he was a born leader when the students unanimously elected him as the President of, the Abia State Students Association before the creation of Ebonyi State.
It is on record that he was the first President that attracted Scholarship allowance to Abia students schooling in the University. He was also the Liaison Students Officer at the University and graduated in 1996 with 2nd class upper in Accounting.
Umahi is a composite gentleman, an accomplished leader, a philanthropist per excellence, a nationalist and a humanist in all respects.
The indefatigable and irresistible Orator of Ebonyi State the erstwhile Commissioner for information, Chief Barr. Uchenna Orji opines on Deacon Umahi, “The celebration of the birthday of Deacon Austin Umahi at this auspicious period is remarkable as it is coming at this moment we are transiting in grand style to the next Divine Mandate administration of Consolidation and Continuity. Our people are eternally grateful to you for the loving care and solidarity we savoured from you all these years”
While to Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze-Elechi, the erstwhile Media Aide to Governor David Nweze UMAHI CON, “Deacon Austin Umahi is an enigma, exceptional/phenomenal Leader, Astute Administrator, a Trailblazer and Uncommon Philanthropist
This Lady of the Pen went further to state that Ebonyi State is blessed to have a man who belongs to the class of those whom one of the foremost Philosophers, John C. Maxwell had in mind when he stated, “A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”. In support of this assertion, Stephen Covey exposed that, ” Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out”.
The Ebonyi State-born emancipator in the spirit of these great Philosophers has stood against all odds to distinguish himself as one of the beacons of hope of our great nation Nigeria as he celebrates his 56 years of sojourn on this planet on this auspicious day of 25th May 2024
“I join the entire world to cling glasses in commemoration of the birth of a composite gentleman and personification of courage and philanthropy, erstwhile National Vice Chairman, South East of the Peoples Democratic Party and a respectable chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Austin Umahi.”
Chief Eze further highlighted that Deacon Umahi is a strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving ability, highly adaptable and well-experienced across diverse environments. From global, multi-party, multi-million pound projects to hands-on, low-budget challenges, he has a proven track record of getting the job done. He is an excellent communicator, effective at all levels and confident in resolving business, technical and political issues. The motivation, enthusiasm, technical expertise and team-building skills Austin brings to his projects have been pivotal to their successes.
As a closer watcher of the political evolution of this great mind, Eze said he can easily affirm that Deacon Austin Umahi is a celebrated icon, an enigma, a study of resoluteness, benevolence, audacity, resourcefulness, creativity; a symbol of unity, a visionary, egalitarian and, most importantly, a great patriot whose love for Nigeria and Nigerians is infectious. A bridge-builder, loyal to friendship; Austin is a force in the politics of South East of Nigeria.
More facts about Deacon Austin Umahi indicate that he is a true lover of God who took it upon himself to build one of the most sophisticated and equipped church auditoriums of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG in his hometown, Umuobuna, Uburu. He didn’t stop at this, he went further to embark upon the construction of a modern Pastor’s house.
Based on these factors mostly hinged on the refusal of PDP not to zone its presidential slot to the South East political zone of Nigeria, after serving the party at the zone so faithfully, Deacon Umahi who hitherto was the National Vice Chairman of PDP South East had to defect to APC to assist in linking the Zone back to the centre.
To Chief Eze, the appointment of Deacon Umahi as Ebonyi Campaign Director General was the precursor of the Landslide Victory that the Party and its Candidates in the State recorded in the just concluded elections.
“His appointment, coupled with the respect the APC has garnered within the ranks of the electorates from the transparency, fairness and justice that premiered at the primaries that produced the new Governor, Rt. Hon. Nwifuru, and others, which respected in all fairness, the interest of the founding fathers of the state for inclusivity and the common good, shattered the PDP and threw other opposition parties into the panic mood and signalled to them the imminent defeat which they eventually suffered at the polls.
A seasoned party man and a mobilizer and organizer of men who have carved a niche for himself in party administration, Chief Eze said Deacon Austin Umahi is a dogged fighter and goal-getter who confronts every task with an uncommon tenacity to produce results within time.
Recalling his sterling performance when he held sway as Deputy National Chairman of PDP South East, the party Chief hinted that Deacon Umahi took over the office after the PDP lost the 2015 presidential election which loss tore the party in shreds and left it in disarray coupled with the leadership crisis that engulfed within the rank of stakeholders.
Deacon Austin folded his sleeves and swung into action with a clear-cut mandate to reunite the party, especially in the southeast and recover all lost ground to the pride of all, he made giant strides and particularly restored the lost confidence in the party among the faithful. He re-engineered party administration and streamlined his strategies on the path of democracy and all-inclusiveness.
Eze went further to highlight that this no-nonsense political strategist, Chief Austin Umahi, who in this dispensation where people are ready to kill to be appointed by the Federal Government into any agency declined his appointment as the secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). It is unthinkable but he did it.
To demonstrate his level of selflessness to humanity he humbly relinquished his Senatorial ambition when he was the candidate to beat to pave way for the incumbent Senator representing the Southern Senatorial Zone of Ebonyi State.
To prove his prowess on issues of politicking the Ochiagha Ndigbo1 was recently appointed the Chairman the Chairman of Ebonyi State Screening committee for 2024 L.G.A.Chairmanship election.
This radical posture of Chief Umahi affirmed my understanding of why the Igbo Nation crowned him with the title of ONWA Ndi Igbo, meaning the Sun of the Igbos.
It is on record that Deacon Umahi has the singular honour to be conferred by HRH IGWE SIR DR H. I. EZE (JP) (EZE-AGU, EZECHUKWUDEBELU II OF IBAGWA-AKA KINGDOM) with one of the biggest Traditional title “ANYANWU NDIGBO ” meaning the “Sunshine of Igbo People”, amongst many other Awards of Merit too numerous to mention.
Wishing Deacon Umahi many more fruitful years ahead, Eze prayed to Almighty God to open up the heavens for his uplifting, unlimited Grace, favour & Mercy that breaks the yoke, mountains, silence & still storms this day & forever more… Amen.
Happy Birthday Ochi Agha
Happy Birthday Deacon Austin Umahi
Happy Birthday Anyanwu Ndigbo
Happy Birthday Ochi Agha Ndigbo
