In 2002, while our democracy was typically budding out, Nollywood award-winning movie Director/Producer — Teco Benson released a blockbuster film titled “The Senator”, which starred Hanks Anukwu who played the ingenious character of a young chap who cracked his own kernel to become a Senator of the Federal Republic. When it became obvious that the coast is cleared for a successful electioneering, he insisted that he must bag a Ph.D before delving into partisan politics. “Nigeria of the future will not accept half-baked educationists as its leaders” he argued.
As at the time the movie premiered in Cinemas, there was manifest hope among ordinary Nigerians on the prospects of our then nascent democracy. Teco Benson used the film to encourage our leaders to place a premium on education and knowledge, as essential criteria to qualify for political leadership. When President Umaru Yar’dua came in 2007 as the first degree holder to be Executive President of Nigeria, many believed that we are headed towards a culture of leveraging education in leadership. President Jonathan’s becoming the first Ph.D holder to assume the office validated this thought line. But then a certain Muhammed Buhari took the country by storm and destroyed all known conventions about the essence of formal education in national leadership. He arrived Aso Rock as President with no single evidence of formal education acquisition. His regime, expectedly led the nation into incomprehensible lock jam across all spheres.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Liberia, the most popular Presidential candidate George Weah (former World Best footballer) lost election in 2005 to Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a high-flying Economist, World Bank Consultant, and a charismatic academic, “because” in then President Obasanjo’s words, “he was a secondary school dropout,” and “Africa should stop giving power to uneducated persons”. This must have motivated Weah into launching back to school to close his educational gap.
And so it followed that after he failed to win the Liberian presidency in 2005, aged 39, he went back to school, obtained his SSCE in 2006, aged 40, his degree in 2011, aged 45, and masters in 2013, aged 47. He won election to the Liberian Senate in 2014, aged 48. And in 2017, he won the country’s Presidency aged 51. All these, within 12 years interval. When you make up your mind to succeed you must also be willing to act on your convictions. It’s never too late to start. Success is in taking one step at a time with the goal in focus.
About the time Teco Benson produced “The Senator”, Hon. Hillary Chinedu Onuh contested the Chairmanship of Udenu LGA, as a young Degree holder in Political Science from ESUTH. For some situations of the time, he didn’t become the Chairman, but went to assume many other laudable political positions at the State level.
Many would have thought that having tasted power and having been a successful Entrepreneur, Hon. Onuh would have been complacent about furthering his education, in order to enjoy his fulfilled life. But he placed education in front of all he does. While he was bent on attaining the zenith of his academic career, he still found time to advocate for more educational opportunities for the underprivileged Nsukka sons and daughters through his pet project — Adada Education Foundation (AEF).
Chinedu’s life story is one of ambition, hard work, and a commitment to societal development. From his early beginnings in Ozalla Ezimo, to his current achievement of earning a Ph.D in Peace and Development at ESUTH, Onu personified the values of perseverance, service, and personal growth. His journey reflects a mindful dedication to self-sufficiency, and public service.
Born on January 4, 1970, to Chief Linus Onu and a respected trader, little Chinedu grew up in an environment where industriousness and resilience were central values. His father, a successful businessman, and his mother, a Local prominent trader, provided him with a strong foundation in entrepreneurship. This early exposure to hard work and resourcefulness shaped his worldview, setting him on a path of financial independence and leadership. Throughout his life, he has embraced the principle that self-sustenance is key to success, refusing to rely on others for his livelihood, and instead cultivating his own enterprises.
His academic pursuit began at an early age when he distinguished himself in primary school with a Distinction in the First School Leaving Certificate Examination. He continued to excel at St. Theresa’s College in Nsukka, where he was not only an exemplary student but also a leader, serving as the Food Prefect. His passion for teaching led him to pursue the National Certificate of Education at Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, before later earning a degree in Political Science from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). Not one to settle for just one academic pursuit, Onuh then went on to complete a degree in Law, further cementing his commitment to personal and intellectual growth. His desire for continuous learning did not stop there — he later pursued a Master’s degree in Public Administration, completing a thesis that deepened his understanding of governance.
It was clear from early on that Chinedu’s academic endeavors were closely tied to his passion for service and leadership. His professional career has been marked by a series of impactful roles, from serving as a Councilor to heading Enugu State’s Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Public Utilities, and Environment. His tenure in these positions was marked by significant achievements, such as the creation of the policy that guides the Enugu State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ESAWAMA).
He sowed his royal oats beyond the State level when he served as a Trustee in the Board of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), where he advocated for the South East region to secure vital funding for educational institutions within the zone.
His approach to governance and public service reflects his unique ability to balance political ambition with a genuine desire to improve the lives of ordinary people. His exposure to political leadership began in his youth when he witnessed a visit from Jim Nwobodo the then Governor of old Anambra State, to his native town in early ’80s. This experience ignited a lifelong ambition to serve his community and the Nation. His political and public administration roles, including his time as the Chairman of the Governing Council at the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, proves this point
One of Chinedu’s rare defining characteristics is his entrepreneurial spirit. From an early age, he was involved in his father’s commercial transport business, learning the importance of self-reliance and financial management. Unlike many of his peers, he has never sought employment from any agency or individual, instead he built his own businesses and created job opportunities for others. He founded Ingrace Group of Companies; and while it flourished, he launched the Ingrace Foundation, through which he has touched the lives of countless individuals in his community.
His personal life is equally inspiring. His marriage to former Miss Candid, whom he married on his birthday, reflects his belief in the importance of love, commitment, and family. The couple has been blessed with four children.
Today, his dedication to peace and development has culminated in his attainment of a Ph.D in Peace and Development from his alma mater. His research in this field is a natural extension of his long-standing interest in public administration, governance, and community development. The Ph.D symbolizes his commitment to improving society, not just through his political and entrepreneurial efforts, but also through the promotion of peace and sustainable development.
Hillary Chinedu Onu’s life serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of others.
All hail Hon. Dr. Hillary Chinedu Onuh Ph.D — Agunecheibe II of Ezimo.
✍️Jude Eze.
