By Emmanuel Enebeli
Hon. Ochor Christopher Ochor, doyen of Delta politics nay Ndokwa nation, an administrator par excellence, and advocate of good governance, was born 52 years ago to the family of Chief Ochor Anamali of Umutu in Ukwuani Local Government Area.
His eventful sojourn to greatness responsibly began as a growing child in the sleepy community of Umutu. In other words, the daring and arduous way of life of his people obviously became a source of inspiration to him in his resolve to influence a drastic change in Ndokwa nation using the medium of western education.
EDUCATION
Being a child of destiny, Hon. Ochor’s quest for western education was fertilized when he became a pupil of Ogbelume Primary School, Umutu and thereafter, switched over to St. Joseph Primary School Benin City in the old Bendel state, between 1969 and 1973.
Having completed his primary school education, he proceeded to the then prestigious Immaculate Conception College, (ICC), Benin City in 1974, where he obtained his West African School Certificate, WASC.
Fired by his unquenchable drive for knowledge, Hon. Ochor took a shot at tertiary education at the then St. Thomas Teacher Training College, Igbuzo, where he obtained a teacher Training Certificate (TTC). His further quest for higher education was realized at the then College of Education, Abraka, where he obtained a National Certificate of Education (NCE), in 1985.
Hon. Ochor’s pursuit for university education came to fruition when he got admission to study Agricultural Science at then Bendel State University, Abraka, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science in 1991.
WORK EXPERIENCE
As an intelligent and enterprising young student, Hon. Ochor had a stint with paid employment at Emeni Primary School, Obiaruku, while his career in the public service started in Ondo state, where he taught at Gbulige Grammar School, Ile-oluji, under the Ondo state Teaching Services Commission.
As an adventurous young man, Hon. Ochor later joined the private sector between 1995 and 1997, where he worked as Personnel manager, as well as General Manager at Zakus Limited and Dedora Farms, both in Lagos.
POLITICAL CAREER
Steered by destiny, and influenced by the political razzmatazz in the country, which further awakened his consciousness to drive socio-economic development in his community, Hon. Ochor returned to Delta state from Lagos in 1997, sharpened his political skills, and joined the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) which eventually became a framework for the birth of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, of which he prominently featured as a member.
Hon. Ochor’s political career could be described as rosy in every sense of the word, and largely influenced by his urbane, pragmatic and adept knowledge of the political contours of Delta state and Nigeria at large. Little wonder, his holistic knowledge of the political trend in the country evidently placed him above his contemporaries over time, a development that earned him several political appointments, which includes:
Special Assistant to the Government of Chief James Onanefe Ibori,
In 2007, his burning desire to serve his people propelled him to contest for the Delta State House of Assembly seat under Ukwuani Constituency and was successfully elected, but his tenure was short lived following a controversial judgment at the Appeal Court in Benin City. During his brief stay in the house, his brilliance in legislative matters was well acknowledged as he emerged Chairman, House Committee on Works.
Despite the unfortunate development, Hon. Ochor was not deterred as his political career soared to greater heights following his appointment as Special Duties Commissioner, Government House.
Suffice to note that his appointment by former Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan as the Transition Committee Chairman of Ukwuani LGA may not be unconnected with his rare display of prudence in management of resources anchored on excellent administrative mechanism. This was evident in the rating of Ukwuani local government council as the best in terms of management of the Federal Government Sponsored SURE-P programme.
In his match to attaining the peak of his political career, Hon. Ochor, known for his meekness, humbleness and knack for excellence in virtually everything he does, caught the attention of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who appointed him as Executive Director on the Board of the Delta State oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC).
In a nutshell, Hon. Ochor has continuously demonstrated that our politics is not bankrupt of progressive ideas as his humane and amiable disposition in his style of politicking, has attracted a large constituent of political followership among youths, women and fellow politicians.
Hon. Ochor He is a man with an outstanding and admirable leadership quality.
He is a detribalized Nigerian, who is very receptive to ideas, and suggestions.
Awards
He has many awards in his kitty from different bodies and organizations, which include:
Award of Excellence by the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Study, Kuru, 2014
Award of the Best and Most outstanding Chairman, Delta State (from the House of Representatives House Committee on State and Local Government, in 2013).
An award and recognition, as one of the best performing chairmen in Nigeria, 2013, by the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
Award of Excellence by the Umuebu Community, Ukwuani LGA
The Omenorah 1 (By Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Obiaruku chapter, 2013)
There were also awards from media organizations and many other community based associations.
Hon. Ochor is happily married to Anna Ochor.
POLITICAL FOLLOWERSHIP
Because of his humane and amiable nature, Hon Ochor Chris Ochor has attracted a wide base of popular political followership among youths, women and fellow politicians.
• He is a man with an outstanding and admirable leadership quality
• He is open, accommodating and a detribalized Nigerian, who is very receptive to ideas, suggestions and visitors.
