-
LAGOS Businessman, BEN ODUNZEH
Chief Ben Odunzeh, is a popular real estate player. He owns one of the best real estate firms in Lagos called EUC Homes. He is also Lagos based and has invested a lot in Lagos and Imo State. Chief Odunzeh has a big Chieftaincy title in Lagos. He was made Babalaje of Ibejuland a few years ago due to many of his investments and his benevolence in the state.
He also has several investments in his home state.
Chief Ben Odunzeh, has several friends who are highly influential in public life and government.
A few months back, news broke that he will be running for his state gubernatorial election against a major contender, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
Chief Odunzeh will be running under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and has been working in the last few months to dethrone the current governor.
A few months back, the National Leader of NNPP, Senator Kwankwaso, congratulated Chief Odunzeh for emerging the candidate of the party and assured him of his unflinching support.
Senator Kwankwaso, tasked the governorship candidate to uphold the vision of the NNPP, which is crested on a new Nigeria and replicate same in Imo State when he emerges the governor of his state.
Responding, the candidate praised the National Leader of the party for his unassuming leadership and efforts in consolidating the party and promised to make him and members of the party proud in the election.
Chief Odunze, expressed confidence that he will emerge victorious in the poll, stressing that he has no baggage and already thousands of youths are on the streets of Imo State canvassing support for his candidacy.
A few weeks back, he had a chat with City People’s ISAAC ABIMBADE, on his ambition and why he is most qualified for the job.
In this brief chat with City People, Chief Odunzeh has revealed major reasons why he wants to rule his state, Imo. “looking at our dear Imo State; it has really degenerated from what it used to be. I remember growing up as a child, we used to go to celebrate Christmas with my parents in Imo. It was like a religion. And things used to be very peaceful then. I remember when we used to drive there. I remember when we get to Imgbidi, you start perceiving the smell of palm kernel fruits and you will know you are in Imo but that’s not the popular culture anymore.”
“The security situation in Imo has degenerated and it has become a problem. Many of us who have invested there have all run away. As a matter of fact, so many people haven’t been to their villages in the last two-three years. You will gradually lose your origin when this occurs because you have children that are growing up and they are not able to identify with their roots.”
“So these are critical issues we must look into. You must have true leadership. The person who is saddled with governance must posses credible qualities that will make him acceptable by his people, that way he would be able to carry the generality of the people along. We must also empower the youths to tackle insecurity.
“The youths must be carried along. You must bring them out from where they are. You must listen to them and must be accessible.”
“The government in power today made one fundamental mistake by not embracing peace.
And there must be some steps to also take. (1) There must be some form of community policing. The community has to be carried along. This is to ensure that the whole communities are safe. 2, We must invest in security hardware. We must install CCTV cameras across the state, especially in the hidden areas. We must have call centres across the state.”
“We are going to engage in security professionals that will train and retain our men.”
He also spoke on the health sector of the state. He condemned the state health sector and also proffered solutions.
Chief Ben Odunzeh, was born into the family of Chief Austin Nwaoha Odunzeh, (the Akajaiku 1 of Eziachi) and Ezinne Victoria Chioma Odunzeh, in Eziachi Orlu LGA, Imo State Nigeria, on the 28th October, 1980, as a true Nigerian and a son of the soil in Igbo land.
Growing up as an intelligent infant, he was enrolled into Childville Nursery School Yaba, Lagos State where he received his early education between 1983 and 1985.
As the star in him kept increasing in brightness, it became necessary for him to receive a primary education.
This prompted him to go to Our Lady Of Apostles Primary School, Yaba Lagos State between 1986 and 1990 where he acquired his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC).
Chief Ben Odunzeh, had his secondary education at St. Johns College, Palm Groove, Lagos State between 1991 and 1996 where he acquired his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
After his secondary education, Chief Odunzeh, proceeded to the United States of America, USA at the start of the millennium for further studies and this saw him enrolling for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at the University of District of Columbia, Washington DC between 2005 and 2008 where he graduated.
