Can anything good come from Okigwe? A coined out axiom from the popular biblical question about the messiah, Jesus and which led many to exclaim in amazement at the birth of the savior and they asked if anything good could come from Nazareth.
Hon. Miriam Odinaka Onuoha is one outstanding female politician from the popular Okigwe town who became the first female federal law maker from the town. She has earned the reputation of a respected and trusted politician in Imo state since her election in 2019 representing Okigwe North Federal Constituency at the National Assembly of the federal republic of Nigeria.
Onuoha is a native of Umunachi Osu-Ama in Insiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. She started her childhood education at Central School Umunachi Osu-Ama and then Tilley Gyado College Makurdi in Benue State. She attended Aquinas Model Secondary School Osu-Ama and that was where she got her senior secondary certificate. She proceeded to study at the University of Lagos and graduated with a degree in Estate Management. She went to the University of Auja and graduated with a master’s degree in Environmental Planning and Protection.
Before she got into the Federal House of Representatives, Onuoha served as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State on International Development Cooperation and also a board member of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).
Obinna Onwubuariri of the PDP was declared winner for the 2019 election, but the national assembly election petition tribunal in Owerri in September 2019, sacked Obinna Onwubuariri, and ordered a fresh election for January 2020. She won re-election after an election petition tribunal sitting in August 2020 upheld her victory in the January 2020 elections and emerged the only returning female lawmaker from the south east geopolitical zones of Nigeria at the time. Upon her inauguration, she was made the chairman of the committee on Disabilities and Special Needs.
While she served in the 9th House of Representatives she successfully sponsored many impactful motions and bills, one of which was the establishment of Federal College of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Sciences, Isiala Mbano LGA, Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Senate for concurrence and subsequently, presidential assent. The lawmaker was a member of State Implementation Committee (SURE- P) Community Services, Women and Youth Employment Scheme: a task which earned her the name – MAMA SURE P. Okigwe. These bills are currently at the Senate for concurrence and subsequently, presidential assent.
The lawmaker was a member of State Implementation Committee (SURE- P) Community Services, Women and Youth Employment Scheme: a task which earned her the name – MAMA SURE P.
The lawmaker, who returned to the House after her first term which began in 2019, made the declared her interest to contest for the speakership position in the 10th House of Representatives and urged all her male colleagues in the race to step down for her, noting that it was time a woman presided over the House.
Hon. Onuoha presented a 7-point agenda to implement if the elected speaker of the House to include: Digitization of activities of the Rules and Business Committee to improve effective record management without conflicts; “Introduction of periodic strategic Executive-Legislature dialogue for effective intervention by the National Assembly; and creation of opportunities for the National Assembly and stakeholders’ engagement to provide access for public participation in the law-making process and also to improve legislative policy action to promote the interest of Women and vulnerable groups.
She continues to pursue equity in the green chamber and advocates for greater inclusion of women in governance through her motions and community programmes.
by Esther Agwu, Aug-Oct 2023.