Leo Ogor: Celebrating An Icon @ 58
TODAY, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor, turns 58. Born on January 6, 1959, to the family of Okuweh of Idheze and Ozoro Kingdom in present day Isoko South and Isoko North Local Government Areas of Delta State, he remains a man of strong will, imposing purpose and simple sentiments. His character and politics have continued to please the people. He is genial, witty, unassuming, and endowed with a charm that atones for his errors. Simple and unpretentious in appearance and attire, he has steadily established a reputation for political sanctity and love for our country, Nigeria and its people.
Ogor started his early education at RCM Primary School, Ozoro and Notre Dame College, Ozoro. He had a brief stint at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos in 1980 before travelling abroad to study at Emile Wolf College of Accountancy, London where he obtained the AIB qualification between 1981-1983 and the Chartered Institute of Administration where he obtained the ACIA professional qualification. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration of Nigeria, Hon. Leo Ogor has attended Negotiation Strategy Course at the Cambridge University, London in 2012.
Due to his penchant for more knowledge, Ogor recently completed an International Executive Master of Business Administration (IEMBA) specializing in (Strategic & Project Management) from the Paris Graduate School of Management (PGSM) in France.
Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives to represent Isoko Federal Constituency in 2003, Ogor was a successful business man and was Chairman of Trinap Manufacturing Company, Peanard Manufacturing Company and Peanard Pharmaceuticals Limited.
His leadership capabilities became evident when he was elected Deputy House Leader in 2011. Since joining the House of Representatives in 2003, the man Rt. Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor has never looked backed from delivering democratic dividends to the people of Isoko Federal Constituency whom he represents at the green chambers. He has since become a leading voice in the National Assembly amidst his achievements as a fantastic lawmaker and leader of the PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives.
His services to our country and contributions to our democracy are innumerable. He has combined the ingenuity of a legislator per excellence with humility and genuine feelings and thoughts for the less privileged and downtrodden in the society.
Hon Leo Ogor, popularly referred to as the “General” by his colleagues and followers because of his exploits in the green chambers has had a glittering 14 years political career in the House of Representatives, where against all odds, he was elected Deputy Majority Leader in the 7th Assembly and now as Minority Leader in the 8th Assembly.
As an apostle of the Leo Ogor political ideology, I can testify to his devotion to excellence, commitment, simplicity and integrity. These qualities will continue to be a source of inspiration to all of us whose lives he has touched in various important ways. At 58, despite all his achievements in life, Hon Leo Ogor is not yet a fulfilled man as his dream of putting smiles on the faces of the people is yet to be fulfilled.
Hon. Leo Ogor has been Chairman of several Adhoc Committees of the House including the Pentascope Investigative Panel, Malabu Oil Block Sale, Single Windows System, BOFIA Amendment Act Committee, Adhoc Committee on the poor services of GSM service operators in the Country, Chairman Adhoc Committee on Rice Import Quota and Duty Payments and many others. Between 2003-2015, Ogor sponsored 16 Bills and over 60 motions and has made quality contributions to other motions at plenary and Committee sittings.
In August 2013, Rt Hon. Leo Ogor was honored as House of Reps Member of the Year by the Delta Role Model Awards and also in October of same year he was recognized by the Niger Delta Achievers Merit Awards as Legislator of the year. In May 2014, Hon Leo Ogor was again recognized for Excellence in Grassroots Empowerment as well as the African Child Prize for Legislation at an impressive ceremony held at the Ladi Kwali Hall Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja. He was also chosen among Our Heroes of Democracy by Newswatch Communications Plc.
“Oyibo Isoko” as he is fondly called back home, has several projects to his credit. The development of the Isoko Nation has remained the cardinal point of his representation and he has been religiously committed to the cause of development of the Isoko Nation and other parts of the State.
A patriotic Nigerian whose love for the nation is uncompromising, he has been a leading voice in the national discuss. In this era of political defections, Hon. Leo Ogor has remained a die-hard, patriotic and loyal party man, an embodiment of party loyalty and an epitome of integrity. He has remained one of the rallying points for his party the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, providing credible opposition to the ruling All Progressive Congress APC at the Federal while also providing massive support for the PDP led government in his home state of Delta.
As a beneficiary of his benevolence, I am proud and privileged to be associated with him and will continue to be inspired by his numerous acts and deeds.
A devout family man, Hon Leo Ogor is happily married to his beloved wife, Mrs. Peace Oghenekaro Ogor and their union is blessed with beautiful children who are doing exploits in their various disciplines.
As the “General” clocks 58, one cannot but celebrate him, his achievements and pray to God to continue to guide him. On behalf of my family, I join his numerous supporters and well wishers in celebrating a life of active service to humanity as he celebrate his glorious 58th birthday. It is my prayer that God will continue to grant him good health and peace of mind and above all favour to do more exploits as he continues in the service of our fatherland.
Nelson Egware, is Special Assistant, Media to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa
