Aguata LGA: A beacon of transformation under Dr Chibueze Ofobuike
By Eke Chike Chidebelu:
Since creation, Aguata Local Government Area has witnessed several leaderships of the council until the present young, energetic, visionary and pragmatic Mayor, Dr. Chibueze Lawrence Ofobuike came on board.
Ofobuike has followed dedicatedly and faithfully the footsteps of the amiable Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuemeka Soludo, and this has really manifested in the numerous achievements recorded by his administration in the local government area.
Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike is a passionate community builder who has to his credit several years of involvement in community service, both in his town, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area and beyond.
On August 2, 2022, Dr. Ofobuike was inaugurated by the hard working, indefatigable Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, to serve as the Transition Committee Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area. Upon assumption of office, he assembled a team of think tank and together developed the #AGreaterAguata Initiative, drawing inspiration from the People’s Manifesto of Mr Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo. The #AGreaterAguata Initiative focuses on six core areas viz; Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, Youth Empowerment, Sports Development and Social Infrastructure. A new chapter of growth, unity and progress was recorded and written every day and continued until September 28th, 2024, when Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike was elected as the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area in a resounding landslide victory.
Known for his visionary leadership as a former Transition Chairman, his election reflected the people’s endorsement of his passion-driven governance model. Focusing again on the #AGreaterAguata initiative, Dr Ofobuike and his team have been able to achieve a lot including Education.
He invested in Brilliance. An educationist at heart, Dr Ofobuike has revolutionized education in Aguata. The Aguata Best Student Challenge offered top-performing students all-expense-paid trips to Lagos in 2023, Ghana in 2024, South Africa in 2025 and London, United Kingdom in 2026, all for academic exposure. His Push A Kid project delivers school supplies to pupils in underserved primary schools, enhancing both appearance and academic motivation. The Mayor’s passion also saw the renovation of the Nkpologwu Library, now a hub attracting book donations from well-meaning citizens. Students were also given a rare opportunity to meet the renowned Physics professor, Prof. P.N. Okeke, further deepening Aguata’s academic focus.
From textbook distribution to infrastructural upgrades at Nwannebo Primary School, Ekwulobia, the message is clear: education is the bedrock of Aguata’s future. At the 2024 South-East Educators Conference held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, the Mayor sponsored numerous teachers from different schools in the local government to be impacted through the event. He has continued to support different schools though the provision of educational materials such as white boards, tables and chairs, books, etc, and has provided numerous students with financial supports to enable them take part in both WAEC and JAMB examinations.
Prior to the 2024 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, the Mayor set up two ICT centres for the Aguata JAMB Preparatory Programme whereby interested students were given opportunities to test themselves through JAMB mock examinations. Indigent students were also provided with funds for the purchase of JAMB forms.
Remarkably, all the students of Community Secondary School, Aguluezechukwu, were given free JAMB forms courtesy of the Mayor. In the bid to raise leadership awareness in schools, the Mayor took the Senior Prefects of all the secondary schools in Aguata LGA to a three days leadership training tour in Enugu, Enugu State. Held from January 24 – 27, 2024, the training featured presentations from successful leaders and career experts assembled from different parts of Nigeria. Succinctly put, numerous young people in Aguata LGA have begun to show interest in education due to the interventions of the Aguata LGA Mayor. In Healthcare which includes Wellness as a culture, the administration has championed health-conscious living through activities like “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo,” which encourages weekly community workouts. A major highlight was the Aguata Young Women Summit, where Mayor Ofobuike’s wife, Dr. Chikosoro Ofobuike, led free medical checkups for attendees. Partnerships with individuals and NGOs have also brought health outreach to the doorsteps of the people.
To supplement the tremendous work being done by the Governor of Anambra State on healthcare, the Mayor has hosted the Aguata LGA Health Week as well as a massive project tagged Surviving Major Non-Communicable Diseases in Aguata (Diabetes and Hypertension) where the Mayor not only provided the needed sensitization and awareness on the issues concerning the two killer diseases but distributed numerous wheel chairs and clutches (for amputated diabetic patients), sphygmamometre, sugar level testing kits, routine drugs, etc. Dr. Ofobuike equally hosted the first ever Neuro health exhibition in Anambra State, where selected schools displayed tremendous Neuro health activities with the best school winning the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Naira among other consolation prizes. The exercise contributed immensely to raising the awareness of Neuro issues in the entire local government area.
Of course focusing on Agriculture and making sure there is food security now and for the future, in response to rising food prices, the LGA distributed improved cassava stems and maize seedlings to farmers across Aguata. This gesture, supported by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, aims to improve food security and boost productivity at the grassroots. Aside contributing to local food production, the Mayor has executed numerous capacity building trainings on different agricultural engagements. The Mayor sponsored twenty (20) Aguata young farmers for a three-day agricultural training programme at Songhai Farm, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin which is an international recognized centre of excellence in agricultural training with specialized facilities and expertise not readily available locally. This training is aimed at building the capacity of these young farmers in modern, integrated, and sustainable agricultural practices, Agricultural transformation and food security.
Understanding the power of sports to unite and uplift, Mayor Ofobuike established the Aguata Football Academy (AFA), nurturing U-13, U-15, and U-17 talents. The academy made history by hosting the Nigerian U-17 national team and remains active in scouting programs and friendlies. In a bold step for inclusivity, Aguata became the first LGA in Anambra to host a Paralympics competition, creating space for people with disabilities to shine. Remarkably, the Mayor constructed a standard mini stadium located at Umuchu. The stadium can be simply described as a work of art and probably the first to be built by a Chairman of a local government in Anambra State! Also the construction of Spectators Stand and Football Arena at Community Secondary School, Akpo is another sports development project by Dr. Ofobuike The Aguata Marathon is another flagship sporting programme of the Aguata Local Government Area Council. With huge success in the last two editions (2023 and 2024), the Marathon has received endorsement by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as one of the best organized in South-East Nigeria.
Recognizing the crucial role of youths in nation-building, this administration has invested in youth development programs. Dr. Ofobuike built and equipped the Aguata Digital Hub, and has trained over 1,000 young people on skills acquisition especially on CCTV and Solar Installations. Most of the already trained youths were empowered with start-up-tool boxes. The phenomenal Aguata Youths Arise (AYA) held every quarter of the year as proved to be a formidable platform that inspires and empowers young people in the local government. The Mayor also organized the Aguata Business Leadership Summit 1st and 2nd edition, an empowerment program aimed at empowering youths, women and entrepreneurs with leadership skills, business knowledge and practical tools for sustainable livelihood and economic development. Over 200 beneficiaries were supported with their kind of business tools.
On women empowerment, about 300 petty market women across the major markets in Aguata Local Government Area were empowered with N50,000 each to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day together with free medical outreach to every woman in the market, when in Infrastructural development, under Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike’s leadership, the Aguata Local Government Administration has prioritized infrastructure development to boost productivity, attract investments, and improve connectivity.
Inspired by Governor Soludo’s Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) model, Mayor Ofobuike has launched and supported several community-driven projects. They include Road Construction: A 4.2 km road in Ezinifite funded by philanthropist Chief Tony Obele; Executed palliative works on internal roads within the local government such as Igboukwu-Ora-eri Road; Ekwulobia, Isuofia, Umuchu roads etc. He has also worked assiduously on Erosion in the LGA which includes Erosion control efforts in Nkono (Ekwulobia) and Umueze (Uga).
Primary Health Center Upgrades to Obiuno Health Facility, Igbo-Ukwu is visible for all to see. There is the Reconstruction of Ajam General Hospital, Ezinifite; Renovations at the Local Government Secretariat including Renovation of the Mayor’s Office Complex, Local Government Conference Hall, Legislative Building and Landscaping, now a befitting headquarters for effective governance, total Renovation and equipment of Aguata Traditional Rulers Council Building. All these offices were well renovated and equipped with modern facilities.
He also provided office furniture of numerous tables and chairs at the reconstructed burnt administrative blocks and other offices within the Council.
On School Reconstruction, the Mayor embarked on Renovation of Nwannebo Primary School, Ekwulobia, to bridge the infrastructural gap in schools.
He built a toilet/urinary facility at Community Primary School Ora-eri, and on community Projects, there was the construction of a litter bay in Uga to promote a cleaner environment. He equally embarked on effective waste evacuation and management within communities in the local government and desilting of drainages. Construction of Modern Library: He built a modern community Library at Nkpologwu and equipped to full capacity with a computer section and also Constructed a Modern Library at Igboukwu.
On provision of water for his people, the erudite administrator has provided Solar Powered Boreholes in several communities: Drilling of Solar Powered Borehole with Stacheon at ASCON Hall Amesi; Drilling of solar powered borehole and reticulation at Nkwo Market, Umuchu; and Drilling of Solar Powered Borehole at Ezinifite. Market Construction, he Constructed a Market at Nkwo Umuchu, constructed open shops at Nkwo market Aguluezechukwu. There was also the Reconstruction of Ikenga Market, construction of Abattoirs, open shops and convenience at Oye Market, Achina.
On Sanitation he ensured the Disilting of drainages across all parts of Aguata Local Government Area, Provision of receptacles for proper waste disposal, and Provision of Sanitation Vehicle for indigenous security personnels. In Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, Aguata has not just found a leader but a legacy in motion.
Yes, History will remember this era as the turning point of true transformation. A standard has been set, one that will challenge and inspire generations to come. The people spoke through their needs, and leadership responded with results.
Indeed, Aguata is on the rise! A New Aguata is Here. In Aguata Impossibility is Nothing!
