By Daniel ogalla
Deputy Speaker and member representing Ibaji State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, has expressed gratitude to God as well as appreciated her community for the recognition, honour and sustained support she continues to receive for her service.
Hon. Nwuchiola who holds the distinction of being the first woman from her constituency to be elected into the House and the first female Deputy Speaker in the state’s history, described the journey so far as both humbling and fulfilling.
Speaking at an event where she was once again honoured with a chieftaincy title by her community, Hon. Nwuchiola said the gesture was particularly meaningful because it came directly from the people she serves.
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She noted that the recognition was a sign that her modest efforts were being noticed and appreciated by her constituents.
Recalling how her political journey began, Hon. Nwuchiola said it was driven by a sincere desire to bring development to her people, particularly in areas such as education and infrastructure.
Shortly after her election, she convened a town hall meeting, the first of its kind in her constituency to listen directly to the people’s needs. From that engagement, it became clear that Ibaji’s most pressing challenges were poor road infrastructure and the collapse of the education sector.
She noted that many schools had either been destroyed or submerged by flood, forcing children to travel to neighbouring states to access education.
In response, she set up a committee to revitalize education in Ibaji. The committee, composed of traditional rulers, youth representatives, women leaders, and members of the development association, visited all 10 wards in the local government to assess the situation.
She disclosed that their findings led to the establishment and revival of several schools. Where there was once only one government-approved secondary school, Ibaji now has seven, thanks to her advocacy and intervention.
Beyond education, Hon. Nwuchiola has also focused on political empowerment within her constituency. She appointed 26 Special Assistants, two from each ward, whom she personally pays a monthly stipend.
According to her, the move helps bring governance closer to the grassroots, as the aides serve as her direct link to the communities. She emphasised the importance of accessibility and feedback, saying she stays informed about local developments through constant communication with her aides.
To support women and youth, she recently distributed fertilizers to widows and women groups across Ibaji, offering them some relief during the planting season. While the gesture may seem small, she believes such interventions provide a sense of hope and support to vulnerable groups.
On the legislative front, Hon. Nwuchiola has co-sponsored several significant bills, including one that led to the establishment of the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission.
She explained that since Ibaji is home to the oil that qualified Kogi as an oil-producing state, it was vital to push for a law that would ensure the development of oil-producing communities.
After studying similar commissions in other states like Delta, Imo, and Bayelsa, she drafted a proposal and worked closely with the former governor to see it passed into law. Today, the commission exists and is awaiting full implementation.
Addressing the ongoing issue of electricity in Ibaji, Hon. Nwuchiola, acknowledged the challenge, noting that previous efforts to connect the area to the national grid were hindered by the difficult terrain. Many poles that were installed were eventually destroyed by flooding. Despite these setbacks, she said plans are still in place to restore electricity to the area and improve the overall standard of living.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Hon. Nwuchiola attributed all her achievements to the grace of God. She reaffirmed her commitment to continue serving her people, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed. She promised not to relent in her efforts to bring lasting and meaningful development to Ibaji.
