Those who measure professional success by wealth will certainly not understand why Senator Mao Ohuabunwa’s name has become an endorsement of value, but those who know about his inspiring personality and commitment to professionalism and relationships are all in agreement that he remains one of the most resourceful politicians of our time, who has been focused on becoming a man of value rather than a man of wealth and his journey to politics begins in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where he was born though a native of Atani, Arochukwu in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State. He had his early education at Oro Evo School and Enitona High School in Port Harcourt.
Mao’s academic brilliance and leadership quality started manifesting while he was in secondary school. He was a House Captain of Anna House as well as the President of both the Debating Club and the Students’ Christian Movement. He was also a good athlete and represented his school at various competitions. With his higher education at the College of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt where he acquired a Higher National Diploma in Applied Microbiology, the visionary lawmaker later bagged a Bachelor of Technology degree in the same discipline at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. Determined and focused, he went further to update his knowledge by acquiring a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration, and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management both from the Enugu State University of Technology.
Whenever asked what influenced his career choice, the resourceful Senator with social conscience replies thus,
“My career choice was borne out of my desire to use science to tackle the diseases that affect the human race and the people in my environment. In fact as a secondary school student, I desired to study either Medicine or Pharmacy, but did not do well in physics in my final exams. This made me enroll for microbiology degree because of the close relationship to both Medicine and Pharmacy, and I must say that I really enjoyed my work as a microbiologist during those years that I practiced. However it was my desire to fully equip myself for public office that made me to study both Public Administration and Human Resource Management”.
Eloquent and intelligent, Senator Mao did his compulsory youth service in the then Gongola State where he rendered service as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Yola. Renowned for his commitment to achievement of set goals, he was retained by the institution, but the dynamic professional could only stay in the academic world for a short period before he left to set up and manage the first private diagnostic laboratory centre in Yola known as St. Maunn Medical Laboratories Ltd.
He later established Manlab Equipment Limited which functioned as the importation and distribution arm of his business. Apart from being a landmark business venture in Yola, these firms launched the now Senator into the world of scientific entrepreneurship and philanthropy. He did not just establish professional Diagnostic Laboratories; he also donated science equipment and furniture to many parts of the nation. Apart from his commitment to making a success of his business, the hardworking professional who had also worked at the medical laboratories of the General Hospital, Port Harcourt and at Shell Petroleum Development Company Laboratory Department, served as the Public Relations Officer of Gongola State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and was also the first PRO of the Anglican Communion, Yola Diocese.
Explaining what inspired him to become a politician, he said:
“Apart from the fact that I have always been an eloquent speaker and a crowd-puller, the experience I had in Yola exposed me to a lot of things about life and other cultures, and throughout my stay in the northern part of the country, I was able to effectively collaborate with the people there while I continued to be in touch with my people in Arochukwu. So I can say that the desire to use my experience and exposure for the common good of my people and those of other ethnicity influenced my decision to become a politician”.
Truly, he has been able to make a mark on the political landscape of his constituency in particular and in Nigeria. Pitching his camp with the UNCP in 1997, he contested for and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1998, but the electoral process was truncated. However, his passion for public service made him to contest for the same position as a member of the PDP in 1999 which he also won. Responsive and dedicated, he became the Deputy House Leader of the lower chamber and was also elected leader of the South East caucus in the National Assembly.
During his stay in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007, the dynamic lawmaker who was one of the strong voices in the parliament sponsored many bills which were passed into laws(such as: state one or two of such bills). Respected by his peers for his sincerity and commitment to nation – building, he was nominated into the ECOWAS Parliament where he served as the Sub regional parliament from 2001 to 2007.
As a man who values equity and justice, Mao left the lower chamber after serving his Ohafia-Arochukwu constituency meritoriously in 2007, only to be elected again eight years after to serve Abia-North constituency in the Senate. A utilitarian politician to the core, Mao believes in the saying that “the only worthwhile achievements of man are those which are socially useful to the greatest number of citizens”.He has continued to combine experience with skills and wisdom in the Upper Chamber thus showing the world that it is possible to transform individual professional success into an impactful political career.
On how he has been able to achieve this successful transition, the Distinguished Senator said:
“As a politician, one should be able to accommodate people of diverse views and of different social classes. The height I have attained in politics today is a reflection of the way I have been relating to my people and their belief in me, even when they know that I am not perfect. These qualities are what have been helping me till date.”
A member of the Nigeria Institute of Management, Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Marketing and Member of the Institute of Personnel Management, Senator Ohuabunwa believes that the Nigerian professionals and the political class must be patriotic in their professions and in public decision-making for the nation to become better. In his words:
“Our professionals have to continue to prove their competence both in Nigeria and abroad and I know that with the provision of a better environment, those who are practicing in Nigeria can perform better, even outside their professional areas including politics. However, there is the need for us to be more patriotic and play our roles in different capacities to contribute to the development of this country”.
Senator Mao also believes that Nigerian professionals should not leave politics for the political class alone; but must all collaborate to that the best decision that would cater for our common good can be made because Nigeria is our common project. As a Senator, he serves in not less than 12 committees and is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases.
As one of the outstanding professionals in the National Assembly, this distinguished Senator who represents Abia North Senatorial District has been able to lay a good professional foundation for himself on which his impactful political career is built. He is a resourceful lawmaker who has continued to use his expertise, long accumulated wisdom in legislative politics, eloquence and great networking abilities to serve his constituency, Abia State and the Nation.
He is a Christian and a Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC); married to his beautiful wife Lady Barrister Nimi Mao Ohuabunwa and they are blessed with children. He is a holder of many traditional titles.
Article from www.senatormaoohuabunwa.com.