27/07/2024
Hon Dr Blessing Nwagba : The birthday of a trailblazing achiever
By Rowland Alozie
On this beautiful day several years ago, God blessed humanity through the family of the late Ven. Joseph Ukomadu Ufomba of Mbutu Umuojioma Ogbu in Osisioma Ngwa LGA, with a daughter with the potential for greatness, and she was christened Blessing. Married to Pharmacist Israel Nwagba of blessed memory of the famous Nwagba family of Osusu Aba, the story of Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba is one replete with resilience, steadfastness and triumph. Her history is that of sagacity, intrepidness and valiance. Dame Blessing Nwagba’s trajectory is stocked with extraordinary zeal, zest and exceptional feats.
From her beautiful beginnings and beyond, Dame Blessing Nwagba has left no one in doubt about her inherent abilities to succeed, even in areas where the chances of success seem slim. She has left no one in doubt that with determination and a clear sense of direction, daunting tasks are not insurmountable. Hence, she is not afraid of threading tough and difficult paths. Dame Blessing Nwagba has proved that feminism is not weakness, but strength.
Over the past three decades, Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba has carved a niche for herself, not just in politics, but also in education, administration and other endeavours. In education, she has excelled with effortless grace. From her days at Federal Government Girls' College, Odogbolu, to her journeys through the prestigious Universities of Lagos and Port Harcourt where she crowned her academic career with a PhD, Hon Dame Blessing has distinguished herself most creditably.
In politics, she has maintained unparalleled accomplishments. From being a supervisory councilor to being first woman vice-chairman of a local government area in Abia State, and to her being a two-term member of the Abia State House of Assembly, to mention but a few, Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba has remained a trailblazing achiever. It is on record that only a few women have either matched or surpassed her records in Abia politics.
A woman of virtues and varlour, Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba bowed out of the Abia State House of Assembly with her head held very high after serving two terms as the member representing Aba North State Constituency in the 5th and 6th Abia State House of Assembly. It is on record that Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba remains the only woman elected to the State House of Assembly from 2015 to date.
Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba, PhD, will be remembered for her numerous contributions in the House, ranging from her bills, motions and general contributions in the House, to her roles as the chairman of numerous strategic committees. Her legacies in the Abia legislature remain indelible to date. Some of the Bills she sponsored that was passed into Law include:
Abia State Identification of Blood group and Genotype Law
Abia State Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Installation Law
Abia State Institutional Support for Disability Law. She leveraged her reach and contacts to attract some of the Federal Government Intervention programs like Trader Moni, GEEP to her constituents. Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba chaired so many committees in the state House of Assembly which include the following:
Chairman House Committee on Commerce and Industry
Chairman House Committee on Health
Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs.
She was a very vibrant member of the House, known for always moving motions for Matters of Urgent Public Importance which earned her a sobriquet ‘Madam Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ in the State House of Assembly.
As a successful woman is known also by her achievements in her family, Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba also infused the spirit of hard work, perseverance and excellence in her children. She is blessed by God with four children, 3 sons and a daughter who are all engineers, and have also distinguished themselves in their various callings. Amongst her children is Engr. Uzoma Nwagba, who is the MD/CEO Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).
Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba is a strong advocate for the inclusion of women in leadership positions, as she believes that performance in offices has nothing to do with gender. She is the coordinator of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (Nilowv) in Abia State and has been involved in the mentorship of young female politicians in the country.
In the last general election, Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba, PhD, was the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Abia South Senatorial District. She also ran for governorship in the 2019 election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, making her the first woman politician in Abia State to give the menfolk a run for their money. In 2009, she was appointed to the management board of University College Hospital, Ibadan, which she served till 2011.
Hon Dr Blessing Nwagba is a Knight of the Anglican Communion and a recipient of many awards and chieftaincy titles including ODO ABIA, the second highest award given to individuals who have distinguished themselves in Abia State.
If posterity has a special place reserved for women who have distinguished themselves, there is no doubt that Hon Blessing Nwagba would occupy a choice space. If society has an honours list for women who have dedicated themselves to selfless service to society, Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba will inevitably be mentioned.
Happy birthday, Hon Dame Blessing Nwagba, PhD. May the Almighty God keep strengthening you. May His grace, peace, mercy and love keep abiding with you.
