Who is Senator Gilbert Nnaji; Sneak Peek into His Qualities and Achievements

Senator (Prince) Gilbert Emeka Nnaji is reputed for his profound passion for community development, philanthropy, human capacity building and legacy projects.

He was a Senator of the Federal Republic between 2011 and 2019 where he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, spanning eight years. He was also a Member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2011, during which he served as Deputy Majority Leader at first term and Chairman of House Committee on Commerce, in the second session.

Born on July 18 1966, Gilbert Nnaji was a 3-term Chairman of Enugu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State, under both military and democratic regimes between 1996 and 2003.

A Christian and married with children, he had his primary and secondary educations respectively at Amorji-Nike Community School and Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw, both in Enugu, before obtaining a bachelor degree in Banking and Finance at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, Nnaji contributed immensely towards Communication Technology development and advancement in the country. Through his legislative interventions and in furtherance of his ideology that it is through qualitative technology education that Nigeria can attain a knowledge-based economy, he sponsored two critical legislations namely;

✓ Motion on Integration of ICT in the Secondary School Curricula

✓ Bill for an Act to Establish the Information and Communication Technology University of Nigeria

Also added to his numerous landmark investments in human capital development, Senator Gilbert Nnaji facilitated the government’s provision of classroom blocks and several other learning facilities including, hospitals, rural electrification, roads and water projects, community civic centres, toilet facilities as well as the implementation of other rural development programmes across the Enugu East Senatorial District and even beyond.

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He does not publicize the beneficiaries of his philanthropic ventures such as award of scholarships, employment generation or job placements and sundry socio-economic supports to many. But in the area of general human empowerment, Senator Gilbert Nnaji has these to his credit among others:

✓ All the tertiary schools in Enugu State, both private and public, have each a minimum of 2 ICT mega facilities, including the teaching hospitals.

✓ Of the 70 public secondary schools spread across Enugu-East Senatorial District, 46 have each a modern solar-powered computer laboratory for ICT knowledge and access.

✓ One thousand two hundred (1200) senior secondary-3 students selected from the whole public secondary schools within the Enugu-East Senatorial District had their tuition and WAEC fees off-set by him in 2013.

✓ 9 special ICT laboratories in the following locations; Enugu State College of Education, (Technical), Caritas University Amorji-Nike, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu (in addition to e-library), Divine Love Secondary School Trans-Ekulu, Federal Government College Enugu, Islamic Centre School Uwani, Command Secondary School Enugu, Mea-Mater Elizabeth High School Agbani, St. Leo de Great Secondary School, Enugu.

✓ 3 Rural Information Technology centres in Neke, Isi-Uzo LGA, Nchatancha-Akpuoga Nike Town Hall, Nkanu-East LGA and Agbom Community Hall, Onitsha-agu, Amagunze, Nkanu-East LGA.

✓ 3 world-class e-libraries one each at Godfrey Okoye University and University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

✓ 2 multipurpose e-Solution Centre each at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH and the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT Enugu.

✓ 1 ultra-modern Digital Communications Laboratory at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

✓ 6 ICT installation for free internet access code-named Wide Area Network one each at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Ebonyi State University Abakiliki, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.

✓ 2 e-learning technology education facilities one each at Girls Secondary School Obe in Nkanu-West LGA and Trans-Ekulu Girls Secondary School in Enugu-East LGA under the MTN Foundation Learning Facility Supply Project.

✓ Digital Bridge Institute which was to serve as the South-East Campus of the proposed first African ICT University along Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka Road.

✓ 3 units of 3-Classroom Blocks with VIP toilet and hand pump borehole in Community Primary School Amagu-Akegbe, Nkanu-West LGA.

✓ Modern classroom block and well-furnished Principal’s Office with VIP toilets located at the Comprehensive Secondary School Nkereffi in Nkanu-East LGA.

✓ Block of Three (3) Classrooms with VIP Toilet and Furniture at Community Secondary School Amagunze, Nkanu-East LGA.

✓ Block of Three (3) Classrooms with VIP Toilet and Furniture at Community Primary School Ihunekwagu Akpugo, Nkanu-West LGA.

✓ Block of Three (3) Classrooms with VIP Toilet and Furniture at Community Primary School Ibagwa-Nike, Enugu-East LGA.

✓ Block of Three (3) Classrooms with VIP Toilet and Furniture at Ogor Community Secondary School Ikem, Isiuzo LGA.

✓ Block of Three (3) Classrooms with VIP Toilet and Furniture at Holy Angels Comprehensive Secondary School Amechi-Uwani, Enugu-South LGA.

In appreciation of his tremendous contribution to the development of education, selfless service to humanity and competitive public service credentials, the Godfrey Okoye University in 2015, presented Senator Nnaji with the prestigious Honourary Doctorate Degree in Political Science.

Equally, he has over the years garnered numerous awards and recognitions from reputable organizations. Leading in this category are the Rotary Club of Enugu, District 9142 and the Knight of St. John International, Enugu.

Additional Projects Facilitated By Senator Gilbert Nnaji Include;

✓ Standard concrete bridge across Ojolowo River in Amafor-Ugbawka Community in Nkanu-East LGA (he personally funded it).

✓ Massive General Hospital in Ndiagu-Obuno-Akpugo which represents the very first and only federal government presence in that populated ward of seventeen villages.

✓ Model Health Centre at Isu Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo LGA.

✓ Cottage Hospital at Amodu Awkunanaw in Nkanu-West LGA.

✓ Cottage Hospital at Amagunze, Nkanu-East LGA.

✓ Cottage Hospital at Umuchigbo-Nike, Enugu-East LGA.

✓ Cottage Hospital at Agudene Mbu, Isiuzo LGA.

✓ Model Primary Health Care Centre at Neke, Isiuzo LGA.

✓ (3) motorized boreholes with reservoirs in Obodo Ikolo-Amurri of Nkanu-West LGA.

✓ 3 civic centres/multi-purpose halls at Agboogazi and Ugwogo-nike communities of Enugu-East Local Government areas and Oruku community of Nkanu-East Local Government Area.

✓ Roofing of a town hall at Ugbawka community of Nkanu-East LGA.

✓ 24-room toilet facility at Iva-Valley in Enugu-North to prevent communicable diseases.

✓ Attracted rural electrification projects to over 15 communities of Nkanu East and West local governments in this order; Ikono, Obobudo Ubahu , Akpa Ugbawka, Owachi Ubahu, Umuode Community, Isiogbo Nara/Obeagu Ndiaguede, Uzamogburu-Obeagu Ohani, Amechi Idodo- Obinagu, Ndiagu Ihuokpara, Amankanu, Eziama Amechi Idodo, Isigwe Ugbawka, communities all in Nkanu-East LGA, and Amede Village Ogonogoeji Ndiuno Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA.

✓ Rehabilitation of 2KM Road at Sabastine Avenue/ David Drive and Chukwuikpa Street, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu-East LGA.

✓ Rehabilitation of 2KM Road at Udi Siding/Bunker Road, Enugu-North LGA.

✓ Installation of 500KVA Transformer and extension of cable at Nkwo-Nara, Nkanu-East LGA.

✓ Construction of 7.5 MVA Injection Sub-station at Nike Lake Junction, Enugu-East LGA.

✓ Presentation of 500 KVA transformer to Enugu Timber Market (in addition to N2m).

✓ Presentation of 500 KVA transformer to Enugu Kenyatta Market.

✓ Presentation of 300 KVA transformer to Nkereffi Community, Nkanu-East LGA.

✓ Presentation of 300 KVA transformer to Nomeh Community, Nkanu-East LGA.

Official records show that Senator Gilbert Nnaji nominated the following roads which were captured in the budget though were not adequately funded by the federal government. They included;

• Obollo-Afor-Ikem-Eha-Amufu-Nkalagu Road (jointly with Senator Ayogu Eze but while Obollo-Afor-Ikem was done he still pushed and got Ikem-Eha-Amufu-Nkalagu listed again in the budget).

• Ozalla-Agbani-Akpugo-Amagunze-Ihuokpara-(jointly with Hon. Emeka Ujam, Gilbert Nnaji fought to get it captured again but work eventually commenced on the road when the two of them had left office because government is a continuum).

• Nenwe-Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road (jointly with the former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu and others).

• Odangene/Amangwu Road with 2 sides drainage system in Enugu-East LGA (completed).

• Ozalla-Agbani-Ugbawka-Nara-Nkereffi (for rehabilitation by FERMA).

It is however note-worthy that His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is deliberately committed to ensuring that no project attracted by the federal lawmakers is left unattended to in Enugu State, through his master stroke SPECIAL INTERVENTION ON FEDERAL ROADS. This played out when the Ugwuomu-Nkwubor-Emene Road that was facilitated by Gilbert Nnaji suffered a setback locally. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in partnership with the Godfrey Okoye University took it up and successfully delivered the project.

Then as part of his 2018 periodic Constituency Outreach and Economic Empowerment Programme aimed at providing poverty-alleviating packages and skills/vocational trainings for the less-priviledged men, women and youth as well as offer of scholarship for indigent students of Enugu-East Senatorial District and beyond, these items were distributed; 210 Tricycles, 120 Refrigerators, 100 Power generating sets, 2 nos of 500KVA Transformers, 5 nos of 300 KVA Transformers

Summary of Exclusive Legislative Activities of Senator Gilbert Nnaji in The 8th Senate

According to the National Assembly archives, Senator Gilbert Nnaji has the following to his credit; Postal Sector Reform Bill, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, Consumer Protection Council Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, Public Officers Protection Act (Repeal) Bill, Federal Character Commission (Est., etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, Bill for an Act to establish the Information and Communication Technologies University of Nigeria.

Others include the Motion on Recurring Collapse of Bailey Bridges Nationwide, in-which he prayed the Federal Roads Maintenance Authority (FERMA) to urgently re-construct the collapsed Bailey bridge across Ebenyi River at Ikem in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State as well as other collapsed Bailey bridges across the country”; the Motion on Reduction Of Fine Imposed By The Nigerian Communications Commission Over MTN Communications Nigeria Limited From N1.04 Trillion To N330 Billion in-which he queried the unilaterally reduction without the inputs of the stakeholders.

While contributing on the motion on The Gory Massacre of the People of Nimbo Community in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State, Senator Nnaji charged the Senate to come up with stringent measures to tackle the issue in the interest of the country.

And aside MDAs’ budgets and other reports he also presented and defended a petition on behalf of Mbulu-Owo/Owo Communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, against unwarranted invasion/displacement/threatened ejection by soldiers of 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu.

Gilbert Nnaji singlehandedly opposed the federal government’s proposed Communications Service Tax (CST) bill which provided for certain compulsory payments from communications consumers across the country.

During the period, when the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, erroneously listed the Ozalla-Agbani-Ugbawka-Nara-Nkereffi Road (which he had earlier nominated) among the completed projects by President Buhari, Senator Nnaji quickly faulted the claim and took it up with the agency. In the end, the road received the needed federal government attention as a result of his intervention.

More details are obtainable from the records of the Senate Committee on Communications with respect to Senator Nnaji’s activities as the chairman.

Senator (Prince) Gilbert Emeka Nnaji was also an active member of the Senate Committees on Federal Capital Territory, Customs and Excise, Land Transport, Independent National Electoral Commission, Security and National Intelligence, Petroleum (Downstream), Works, Capital Market, Banking and Financial Institutions.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Dun-Gee Hotels Limited, Senator (Prince) Gilbert Nnaji is presently in the hospitality business.

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