MEET RIVERS EAST SENATOR-ELECT -ALLWELL ONYESOH

HIS POLITICAL LIFE JOURNEY

By Emeka Amaefula

The dogged journey to the top of his political career has never been an easy one with the death of his beloved father while he was to write First School Leaving Certificate examination, Chief Allwell Henacho Onyesoh is man so much gifted and endowment with brilliance and physical agility so much so that he began searching for life solutions for his people of Etche Ethnic nationality where he emerged an elected Chairman of Old Etche/Omuma Local Government Area under the platform of National Republican Convention-NRC.

With his highest performance in Common Entrance Examination Allwell Onyesoh was offered scholarship by a good spirited Etche born philanthropist who paid his entrance examination fee and the young Allwell Henacho Onyesoh didn’t disappoint his helper as he scored excellent mark which offered him further scholarship while in secondary school. At the end of his secondary education he came out in flying colours with Grade One in West African School Certificate Examination-WASC in 1978 at Baptist High School Port Harcourt Old Township. In 1982 he graduated from University of Jos with Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts. His doggedness earned him more academic attainment as he attended Buckingham University United Kingdom which he is having Bachelor’s Degree in Law now in view.

In the era where many people have given up hope in the pursuit for the people of Etche ethnic nationality to clinch the position of Rivers East Senatorial position, Chief Allwell Onyesoh being the peoples’ choice in 2023 General elections actualized this feat under Peoples Democratic Party-PDP. His popularity among the people of Rivers East senatorial where he had assisted many to occupy greater political offices made it easier for him to win the February 25th National Assembly election. His nickname Political Octopus has remained with him as he has successively predicted the outcome of every local or national election with clarity. As Senator Elect of the Federal Republic Chief Allwell Onyesoh is coming with wealth of experiences as a former Lecturer, administrator and a man whose grassroot connections has no equal in all ramifications. His political career started in his 20s while at the age of 33 when in the early 1980s he ventured into the murky waters of politics and he has never looked back as he was elected Etche Local Government Council Chairman under National Republican Convention NRC. Then Etche Local Government comprises of Etche and Omuma which are now separate LGAs.

And with the 1997 formation of new political parties under Military rulership of General Sani Abacha, young and ebullient Allwell Onyeso took the bull by the horn and contested for Etche Constituency 2 seat in the Old Rivers state House of Assembly which the then United Nigeria Congress Party-UNCP was his platform. With the demise of the Late General Sani Abacha and the coming of the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar which reignited political activities in 1998, Chief Allwell onyesoh alongside other Rivers state notable politicians such as Prince Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Honourable Kenneth Kobani and Rt. Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi all of who formed the nucleus of former Governor Peter Odili’s RESTORATION TEAM a political dynasty that still controls the affairs of Rivers state since 1999 to date and they all fused into Peoples Democratic Party-PDP. For the 1999 to 2007 administration of Dr. Peter Odili this Restoration team managed the affairs of Rivers state.

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Being part of the success story of the political life of Rivers state Chief Allwell Onyesoh was appointed Commissioner for Education during the first term tenure. As the Rivers State Commissioner for Education from May 1999 to May 2003, Allwell Onyesoh laid the foundation for the Rivers State free education programme that helped the children of the poor to attain and access primary and secondary education system. He initiated and implemented the Hipact Agreement programme between the Rivers State Government and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology on one part, and with a consortium of British Universities. He also implemented the increase of Rivers state Students’ bursary payment to students of tertiary institutions from N2,500 to N10,000.00. Chief Allwell Onyesoh Completed, furnished and opened the Rivers State Library at Kaduna Street, D/ Line, Port Harcourt. He initiated and started the State’s free school bus service programme. His administration Constructed, furnished and utilized the Modern Library at the State College of Education (now Ignatius Ajuru University of Education), Rumuolumeni, Rivers State. Again, he constructed and completed the Convocation Arena of the then Rivers State College of Education, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State. He Completed and furnished the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University) in 2002.

Not done with his streams of achievement as Education Commissioner he initiated the Rivers State College of Arts and Science internal roads project.He implemented the outstanding financial obligation for example is Hatiss 1 and 11, leave, bonuses, promotion arrears, etc. in the State tertiary institutions. As a good administrator he initiated measures that stopped lecturers’ constant industrial strike actions in the State tertiary institutions. For ease of Re-introduced vehicle/boat allocation to post-primary schools in the State.He improved the relationship between the Ministry of Education and the Education Trust Fund, thereby increasing the benefits accruing to the State from the funds. In the Labour relation, he initiated the now celebrated cordial relationship among the NUT, ANCOPPS, Classroom Teachers Association, PTA and the Ministry of Education. As Education Commissioner he initiated and started the opening of the JAMB Office in Rivers State in 2001. Chief Onyesoh Initiated the establishment of NECO Regional Headquarters in Port Harcourt in 2000. He initiated and implemented the first general renovation and equipping of Rivers State University of Science & Technology.

He initiated and carried out a major renovation of both State primary and secondary schools and the supply of laboratory equipment). He also enviably served as a member, of the Rivers State Committee on the Relocation of the Rivers State University of Science & Technology in 2008.

while in 2003 he was re-appointed as a Commissioner now as Commissioner for Sports during which he worked so hard to make Rivers state proud in the Sporting arena nationwide and internationally with Rivers state Government sponsored Football team winning laurels in African Confederation Tournament. Installed synthetic pitches at the Sharks Football Club pitch, Elekahia Stadium main pitch and two other training pitches in the Stadium (2006). During his period as Sports Commissioner Rivers State emerged 6th at the 2006 National Sports Festival Abeokuta and Dolphins Football Club (A state-owned team, now submerged with Sharks FC to be Rivers United) won the 2006 Challenge Cup. Dolphins Football Club also won Silver Medal (as finalists) at the 2005 CAF Confederation Cup. The same Dolphins Football Club emerged as double champions winning both the 2004 Coca-Cola / FA. Challenge Cup and Premier League Shields. As an administrator with impeccable wisdom Dolphins won the 2004 Charity Cup and Rivers State reached 9th position at the 2004 National Sports Festival, Abuja. Before then, Sharks Football Club won Silver Medal at the Coca-Cola/FA 2003 Challenge cup.

In the administration of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as Governor of Rivers state Chielf Allwell Onyesoh played vital roles as he was appointed Executive Chairman, Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board -RSSSS from July 2011 to May 2015. In fact, he was instrumental to changing the face of Teaching and administrative staff as he coordinated the investigation and fishing out of Ghost workers in Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board where the Salary Payroll system got transparent management under Chief Allwell Onyesoh.

He took a drastic drive to the teaching/learning capability of the staff and taking a futuristic view about the next generation of human capital needs of Rivers state he initiated, pushed and secured the approval of the then Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for the successful employment of 13,151 (thirteen thousand, one hundred and fifty-one) University graduate teachers into public schools across the State, an unprecedented feat that not only saved public schools from total collapse also served as a means of livelihood to so many families today in terms of job creation and sustainability of human capital development. In the same vein he never tolerated indolent attitudes among workers as he h

instilled discipline and restored work ethics among the academic non-teaching staff of the board.

It was during his period as executive Chairman of RSSSS that he ensured that there was amendment of the edict establishing the Rivers State Post Primary Schools Board to Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board by law No 5 of 2012, especially elongating the Board tenure from three (3) years to four (4) years.

With his experience as Sports commissioner during the administration of Sir, Dr. Peter Odili he made sure that school sports took pre-eminence which resulted to Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Okoboh, ABOLGA, Rivers State to have won 1st. position in the Shell Cup Competition for All Nigeria Secondary School Football Championship, both in Rivers State and at the Zonal level, and 3rd. position in the Federation, qualifying as one of the three teams to represent Nigeria in the United Arab Emirate UAE Youth Football Tournament in Dubai and Oman scheduled for 22nd to 29th September 2012. In that light of his administration Government Senior Secondary School, Elekahia Rivers State, won two trophies 1st. position in the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Rivers State Schools Debate during the 2012 Children’s Day celebration and 1st position in the 2012 COPA Coca-Cola U-16 Football Youth Championship Competition. Allwell Onyesh really brought innovations in RSSSS as he made provisions and installed ICT training programs and fast web access for staff members of the board for efficient work delivery thereby increased productivity in the state.

He was instrumental to the Initiation and undertook major renovation of both State primary and secondary schools and the supply of laboratory equipment). He also enviably served as a member, of the Rivers State Committee on the Relocation of the Rivers State University of Science & Technology in 2008 which had planned to move rivers State University of Science and Technology Now Rivers State University to Greater Port Harcourt zone. He was appointed Member, of Rivers State Committee on Land Acquisition of the Greater Port Harcourt City also in 2008. He was Chairman, Nigeria Swimming Federation in 2005. Chief Onyesoh became Secretary, Negotiation Committee for the purchase of Eagle Cement Football Club of Port Harcourt in 1999. He was Secretary, Rivers State Transition Committee on Agriculture. He was appointed Secretary, Rivers State School Children Bus Committee. He was a Member of Peace panel on chieftaincy dispute in some communities in Rivers State in 1996.

In recognition of his services to his people and the Rivers state he received the following AWARDS which were bestowed on him, first is the African Watch International Gold Award for Leadership and Good Governance in recognition of outstanding performance in public office in 2006. He received Shield of Honour by the Igbo-Aguruasa Patriotic Front (IPF) in 2006.

The 4th Estate of the realm also recognized him as Time News Magazine, Time News 2006 Developmental Achievements in Nigeria and Gold Award for his Contribution and Development of sports in Nigeria. The Ogbakor Etche Nation Distinguished Gold Award (2005) for his contributions to the development of Etche Kingdom in Rivers State and Nigeria. In 2005 he was awarded with Award for Youth Empowerment in Etche, Etche for Positive Development (EPD.) The Rivers State Union for Secondary School Media Club gave him a Merit Award in recognition of his immense contribution towards the empowerment of youths and the growth and upliftment of the union; again in 2005. In 2005 The All-stars International Football Club of Port Harcourt gave him a Merit Award as the most outstanding football personality – in 2005. The Onwu Community in Etche gave him a Merit Award as a Distinguished son of Etche Land – in 2005.

Subsequently, The Nigeria Referees Association gave him an Award for his contributions to the development of football and referees in Nigeria – in 2004.The National Union of Etche Students (NUES) gave him an Award for his immeasurable contributions towards academic development in Etche – 2004. The C.I.S Professional Soccer Academy Oyigbo gave him an Award for his moral and financial contributions to Sports development in the LGA. – 2003. The Kalongii Sports Club of Port Harcourt gave him an Award of Excellence for his contributions towards sports development – in 2003.The Etche selected Football Clubs Awarded him the Sports personality of the year – in 2003. The Umuanyagu Foundation gave him a Merit Award for his contribution towards the development of the Umuanyagu Community – in 2003.

The Nigeria Football Referees Association (NRA) gave him an Award for his outstanding leadership quality – in 2003. The Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) gave him an Honorary Life Membership Award – in 2002.The 2 Amphibious Brigade Nigeria Army gave him a Compliments and Appreciation Award – in 2002.

Having reached enviable status in South-South political terrain where he holds sway, he was bestowed with The Most Grass root Politician of 2017 in the country, by the City People Magazine Lagos. At this event he was renamed Octopus of South -South Politics

Prior to other recognition he honoured by The ANCOPPS (All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools) as they gave him an Appreciation Award for his Pragmatic approach to educational development in Rivers State – in 2001. The National Union of Etche Students (NUES) Awarded him as the best Commissioner ever from Etche LGA. – 2001.The NNSS Commandant gave him a Compliments and Appreciation Award for his contributions and development of education in Rivers State – 2001. He was Justice of Peace, Rivers State – 2001. Allwell Onyesoh was made Team Manager and Chairman of Under 45 Football Club of Port Harcourt in 1985. He was also admitted as a Member of Ex-Professionals Football Club of Port Harcourt – 2006.

With his overwhelming excellent interpersonal relationship across Rivers state and beyond he has been bestowed with traditional chieftaincy titles such as conferment of Eze Omenma 1 of Ozuzu, Etche Rivers State in 2004 and he took Ohamereze 1 of Omuma, Omuma LGA, River State in 2004. Across the border of Rivers state to Abia state he received traditional title of Enyioma 1 of Osisioma, Ngwa Abia State in 2003. He became the Ngatu 1 of Umuanyagu, Etche Rivers State in 2003 and Akaekpuchigh Onwa 1 of Odagwa, Etche Rivers State in 2002. More traditional titles came his way such as Omezurukwa 1 of Egbeke/Nwuba, Etche Rivers State – 2002.

Chief Allwell Onyesoh is a devoted Christian and an embodiment of self-respect and discipline with Intellectual sagacity, trust and faithfulness, humane disposition, capacity and the potential to stand for what is Just and equitable in the society irrespective of whose ox is gored.

He stands tall as one of the most respected and admired political leaders in Rivers State with an uncommon track record of service and performance which he will translate to the 10th National assembly as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come June, 2023.

Interestingly, Chief Allwell Heacho Onyesoh aka The Political OCTOPUS will do well as a SENATOR and an asset to the incoming Senate of the 10th National Assembly. For the moment he is so much loved by Rivers East Senatorial District as he wears amiable personality with heart made of gold and having soft spot for helping citizens and children of the vulnerable segment of the populace in Rivers East senatorial Districts.