Human Rights Legend

Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma can be said to be one of those gems who hit the ground running. From childhood, He was sure of what he wanted in life. It was clear from his earliest activities that he was cut out to be a Leader. And it later turned out to be that he indeed became a leader both in business and politics.

Born to the modest family of Chief Michael Uzodimma, Igwe of Ozuh Omuma popularly known as Chairman of Common Man and Ezinne Rose Uzodimma (Nee: Nneoha) on December 12, 1958 in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo state, Hope proved worthy of his name indeed as he sooner than later became the hope of his immediate community, peers and associates. He is married with Seven Children and a Grandson.

He obtained his West African School Certificate from Mgbidi Secondary School, Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State in 1982. From there he proceeded to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Imo state where he obtained Ordinary Diploma in Maritime Management Technology. He later bagged a Higher Diploma in the same field from FUTO. The Distinguished Senator also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Washington International University.

Before moving into full time politics, Sen. Uzodimma distinguished himself as an accomplished businessman. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited from 1999 till June 2011 when he became a Senator. He was also the Managing Director of SMIEC Chemical Engineering and Construction Company Limited between 1995 and 1999, Managing Director of De Hope Engineering Services Limited, 1990-1999. Between 1999 and 2011, Sen. Uzodimma was equally the Chairman of FILTIM HUZOD Oil and Gas Ltd. Indeed his business career and experience expanded across a matrix of empires that consequently prepared him for other challenges.

As early as 1993, Sen. Uzodimma’s political Leadership qualities had started manifesting. By that year he was appointed Chairman Imo State Marketing Board. He held the position till 1996. Between 1996 to 2002, Sen. Uzodimma was the president of Nigerian Amateur Wrestling Association of Nigeria, under the supervision of Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports.

A year after in 2003, he was appointed Chairman Nigerian Mass Literacy and Non Formal Education Commission. He held this position till 2007, when he contested for the Governorship Primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP.) He came second in that race and was set to win at a run off, which never held because of crisis in PDP that eventually led to the party not having a candidate in the governorship election of that year.

Sen. Uzodimma has been a long standing member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party he is a pioneer member and financier. Beyond the PDP, Uzodimma’s political activism started in the hay days of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) where he made a mark as the Youth Leader of the party. He was also a stalwart of the UNCP in the 90’s.

Before his election as Senator in 2011, Senator Uzodimma had always maintained that his mission was to find a platform that will avail him the opportunity to translate his private sector experience and achievements, spanning over 20 years, “to a public sector that appreciates hard work, competence and rewards same accordingly” His admirers are hoping that his election as Senator will avail him this platform.

What is certain is that the senate position has at least kick-started that platform. In just Three years in office, Senator Uzodimma has distinguished himself as a Legislator to watch. With Four bills, one has passed second reading, Ten motions and recognition by Thisday Newspapers as one of Ten (10) best Senators for the Legislative year 2011-2012, Sen. Uzodimma is certainly not a bench warmer Senator. He was voted and honoured as the best Senator from South East by the Senate Press Corp in 2017.

At the community level, Sen. Uzodimma has left an indelible mark. He constructed rural roads for his community, Omuma. His Hope Uzodimma Education Foundation has trained over 200 graduates with over 150 students still in different schools both within and outside Nigeria. He completed a rural electrification project for his Community also. For all these and more he has been accordingly recognised. He holds the chieftaincy title of Onwa of Omuma, Omekagu of Umuna in Orlu L.G.A., Omeihe Ukwu of Orlu, Onwa Ndigbo by South East Council of Traditional Rulers and many others.

A devout Catholic and a good Christian, Chief Uzodimma has equally received much recognition by the church. He was given an award of Excellence by the National Council of Catholic Women Organisation. The same award of Excellence was bestowed on him by the Anglican Communion, Orlu Dioceses. The Rotary Clubs of Festac, Lagos and Enugu also recognised him with different awards of Excellence. He is the grand patron of the Saint Vincent De Paul Catholic Diocese of Abuja. Sen. Uzodimma is also a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama Parish Abuja. He has presented both academic and religious papers at different fora and they include;

1.    The Church and the State as Partner in Nation Building (Being Paper presented at the  Orlu Catholic Priests Retreat in 2013) in Omuma, Oru East L.G.A. Imo State

2.    When the Righteous are in Authority (Being paper presented to the Anglican Synod of Orlu Diocese in 2012.

3.    Health Care Delivering in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects (Being Paper delivered at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN), Enugu Campus, in 2013).

Sen. Uzodimma is a member of Ikoyi club Lagos and the IBB Golf Club, Abuja. His hobbies include Golf, Football, Tennis and meeting people of diverse interest and background. To a very large extent, it can be said that Senator Uzodimma is an accomplished businessman and a politician with promise. The next few years will surely see him blossom in this direction. This has commenced positively through his activities as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs where he has recovered Hundreds of Billions for the Federal Government through his selfless oversight activities.