If permitted, this writer stands bold to say, elegance, intelligence and fame runs in the bloodstream of the Elumelus.
Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, is a man worthy of note, who has been described by many as a proactive, focused, courageous, uncompromising and determined personality.
Having carved a niche for himself as a politician, philanthropist and business mogul, Ndudi Elumelu exudes a sense of urgency for a better Nigerian society and his major legislative interest is human development and the prudent utilization of national human and material resources to promote welfare of Nigerian citizens, particularly in the power, Health, water, and other vital infrastructural sectors.
Once asked, Elumelu said “My driving objective is to contribute to nation building based on peaceful co-existence and sustainable progress in Nigeria that will leave a lasting legacy in the sands of time”.
Though, it is difficult to ignore his role as the Minority leader in the 9th Assembly, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu in the Federal House of Representatives is standing tall among his peers at the lower chambers in Abuja.
As a Principal Officer and Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has made impactful contributions by sponsoring several Motions and Bills for the improvement of quality of life of his immediate constituency and people of Nigerian in general.
He has successfully made his presence at the Green chambers a hot chase for contemporaries, having sponsored the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, Maritime University Establishment Bill and the Repeal and Enactment Bill of the National Health Insurance Act all in 2019. These are brilliant bills that have affected the Nation’s existence.
In 2019, a five-day entrepreneurship training programme for entrepreneurs of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State was announced by the Lawmaker.
The programme on Monday 16th September, 2019 with 200 participants drawn from the four local government areas within the Federal Constituency.
The training programme was organized and handled by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), a reputable entrepreneurship development training organization, after which successful participants were granted loan facilities.
Born in Jos, Plateau State on February 23, 1965 to the Christian family of Dominic and Susan Elumelu of Onicha-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Elumelu is a third term member of the House of Representatives, who has diligently and efficiently represented the interest of his constituency. He was elected a Member, House of Representatives in 2007 and served in the Sixth Assembly. Considering his outstanding performance, he was re-elected into the House of Representatives by his people in 2011 and in 2015 he contested for the governorship of Delta State. He is back in the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives, as the Minority leader of the House, under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Democratic Party.
A staunch devotee to the ethos of his party, Hon. Elumelu has served as Secretary, PDP Fund Raising/Building Committee for the new Delta State PDP Secretariat, 2009-2011.
In 2007, Hon. Elumelu made history in the House of Representatives when he became the Chairman of Grade A Committee namely (House Committee on Power) as a first time Member of the House. This feat is yet to be repeated by any Legislator up till date.
He later Chaired the House Committee on Health and also a Member of the following committees: (1) information, (2) Climate change (3) Interior, (4) Water Resources (5) Science and Technology (6) National Security and Public Safety. He Chaired the House Committee on Power between 2007 and 2010.
Young Ndudi obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) at the Lagos State School of Arts and Science (1985-1986) and proceeded to Yaba College of Technology where he obtained his ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Business Administration in 1989.
He then proceeded to Edo State University, Ekpoma, where he obtained his B.Sc. (Hons) in Accounting in 1993. He later took a Master Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the same University in 2000.
The same year, he obtained the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria (CPA) and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (ACIB) in 2003. He undertook the course of Strategic Leadership Programme (SLP) from the University of Oxford in 2004, capping it up in 2005 with a certified in Leadership Best Practice (LBP) Course from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, Post-Graduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership (2008/2009) from Oxford University, Oxford and Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from Galilee Institute, Israel in 2017.
Hon. Elumelu is an Associate Member, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria (ICPAN), Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Insurance Brokers of Nigeria (NCRIB), Member Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and Member, Institute of Directors of Nigeria, Nigeria EO1246 (IOD).
His other activities include: Board Member, Governing Council NCRIB (Finance Committee) from December 2003-2009, Member NCRIB Secretariat Development Committee from March 2002 to date; Member, PDP Monitoring Team for State Congress in Edo State, November 2003; Member Publicity Committee, PDP National Convention, December 2003; Chairman, Finance Committee for Local Government Election, PDP Aniocha North LGA, Delta State, March 2004; Member, Building Committee of Redeemed Christian Church of God (Praise Sanctuary), Ikoyi, Lagos, 2003 and Member, Ikoyi Club, 1988 (E954).
Hon. Elumelu was Executive Vice Chairman, TransGlobal Insurance Brokers Limited and later rose to become the Chairman/Chief Executive TransGlobal Investment Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos. He was at various times Head, Credit & Marketing, Inter Capital Limited, Lagos, Acting Head, General Trade & Commerce, Head, Treasury/Credit & Marketing, Ikeja Branch and Credit Analyst (Corporate Banking) at Head Office of Gulf Bank of Nigeria Limited, Victoria Island and Lagos.
In the course of his career, Hon. Elumelu attended the following courses: Banking induction (GBN), July 1995, Marketing of Financial Services (GBN), July 1995; Functional Credit Courses (GBN), August 1995; Banking Operations Course (GBN), August 1995; Credit Analysis Workshop (GBN), October 1995; Credit Analysis Course by H. Pierson Associates Limited, August 1996; The Role of Accountants in Developing Economy in Democracy 2000; Insurance Brokers Certification Course by CIIN, 2001; The Role of the Director in Corporate Governance (LOGS) February 2001; Lagos Business School, Lagos- Strategies for Service Excellence 2001; Company Directors Course (LBS/IOD), November, 2003
A ardent scribe and beautiful writer, he has to his credit publications such as: The Chronicles, Causes, Effects and Panacea of Bank Distress in Nigeria (MBA Thesis) and Accounting under Inflationary Conditions: Implications for Financial Reporting in Nigeria (B.Sc) Project.
Apart from his credible and unparalleled sojourn in the world of politics, which is known to many, he is also an amiable philanthropist with an avowed commitment to improving the conditions of humanity especially the poor, underprivileged and widows. His youths’ and women empowerment programmes have torched lives in virtually all the wards in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency and beyond.
Reports have it that he single-handedly built and handed over a magnificent Church edifice for his community in Onicha-Uku that has become a centre of attraction and excellence for the Christian community.
It is also worthy to note that Elumelu is the recipient of several chieftaincy titles, honours and awards, while his long-term hobbies include Reading, playing Lawn tennis, table tennis, meeting people and socializing.
Ndudi possesses such traits and values as trusted, humble, empathetic, grateful, contemplative, inspirational befitting of any leader.
He has brought out the best in people, personified wise discernment, pursued worthy goals and a higher purpose. He strove for mastery, has a generative spirit, and is loved and respected by many, within and outside his constituency.
In our hearts, we all know what we would like our lifetime to be, and if we genuinely contemplate them, we can measure how close we are to being the person we aspire to be, and how close we are to “standing to our full height.” Truly, Ndudi has lived close to what he attains as a Politician, Philanthropist and a Business strategist.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial board of TheScript Newspaper
