It is often said that when a child of promise is born somewhere on the globe, another great son with incredible potentials is also given birth to in another community where the stage has been divinely set for him to do exploits to the glory of God’s name.

Such is the story of Rt. Hon. U.S.A Igwesi, a Prince that have never had his head bloated by his Blue Blood, whose birthday is being celebrated today, the 18th day of June, 2024. The fact remains that Prince U.S.A Igwesi – the Great IKEMBA ENUGU means a lot of things to a lot of people. Throughout his educational career from the primary, to the secondary and to tertiary levels, he soared above the eagles and stood out amongst his peers as a collosus.

As a community leader who has contributed immensely to the wellbeing of humanity, he was bestowed with the title "IKEMBA ENUGU" in 2002 by the then Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, who authorised the oldest man from Obuoffia to perform the rite as Omuoha-Obuoffia Awkunanaw community had no traditional ruler as at that time. The epoch event was witnessed by Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, the entire State Executive Council, Members of Enugu State House of Assembly and other notable personalities.

Politically, Rt. Hon. Prince U.S.A Igwesi has distinguished himself as a Master Strategists and Game Changer. It was Maya Angelou who succinctly posited that one’s mission in life should not merely be to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.

These words on marble have been translated to existential reality by the indefatigable U.S.A. Igwesi. As a former leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, he exemplified the true meaning of quality representation to the good people of Enugu South Urban Constituency, through very insightful motions and high impact bills which he sponsored in the hallowed chambers as a two time elected member of the State Assembly (first, in 1997, but the House was not inaugurated due to the death of the then Head of State, Late Sani Abacha, secondly in 1999). He was the defunct NRC Flag-bearer for the then Enugu South Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives in the year 1991 and thereafter continued his meteoric rise in politics by overwhelmingly winning the election that took him to the Green Chambers as member of the 5th National Assembly representing the good people of Nkanu East and Nkanu West Federal Constituency.

Rt. Hon. Prince U.S.A Igwesi had at various times been called upon to superintend vital functions at both National and State levels. He served as the Chairman, APD, at the Governing Board of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE. He was a former Head of the Media and Publicity Department at Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme (ENADEP) – a World Bank Project and also held the same portfolio at the Enugu State Flour Mills Limited, Emene.

It is an incontrovertible fact that IKEMBA U.S.A Igwesi, the man who saw tomorrow, remained an indispensable stakeholder that saw to the emergence of the present political order in Enugu State. As the convener of the Two Million Man March for Barr. Peter Mbah, he mobilized ndi Enugu to rally support for the actualization of the present political engineering in Enugu State, and when it appeared that victory seemed to hang in the air, the Master Strategist again convened the OCCUPY INEC FOR PETER MBAH.

Ikemba was the Founder of Peter Mbah Grassroot Canvassers Support Group and was later appointed Director of Support Groups Coordinating Committee, Enugu State PDP Campaign Council. Of course, such feats are not unexpected of a man who has held sway as an astute member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

It is therefore little wonder that eminent friends and associates of the Great IKEMBA ENUGU Rt Honourable Prince U.S.A Igwesi have gathered under the umbrella of IKEMBA GUYS Association (Inc.) to give honour to who honour is due by organizing a befitting Birthday Celebration for the political Icon and Game Changer who has not only distinguished himself in service to the Coal City people but at the state and National levels, but has also mentored men and women who are today movers and shakers in the society.

As we join the IKEMBA GUYS both at home and in the Diaspora in celebrating a worthy leader today, the 18th day of June, 2024, we pray God to grant the Obuoffia Awkunanaw born Political Heavyweight, Rt. Hon. Prince U.S.A Igwesi to continue in good health, and the capacity to continue to do good to all manner of men.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THE GREAT IKEMBA U.S.A IGWESI

Chukwudi Owube, a public affairs analyst writes from Enugu.