MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN: WHY CHIEF (ENGR) FIDELIS AHAMEFULE AKUCHIE. PhD, kSJI, MNSE, MIEEE, NPOM IS THE BEST CHOICE

 By Ben AHANONU 

For a long time, Mbaitoli Local Government Area (LGA)  has been in need of a good leader with what it takes to move the area to the next level of rapid socio-economic development.

Now, the Almighty God has answered that prayer by providing Engr Fidelis Ahamefule Akuchie, (Akaekpuchi onwa) as the person that  will deliver Mbaitoli LGA, from many years of neglect, bad administration and clueless leadership.

Fidelis Akuchie, who is the third and last son of late Mazi Athanetius Ukachukwu, the son of Pa Isaac Akuchie, son of Oparaeke, son of Eleshimanya, son of Duruawusaku, son of Lede of Onyeali, Ihitte Mbieri, grew up under the tutoring of his parents in Umulede kindred in Umuonyeali.

Fidelis Akuchie, knows Mbaitoli, he is one of you and will never disappoint.

He is a homegrown, honest and bonafide Mbaitoli son with incredible and intimidating leadership experience, garnered over the years as a seasoned technocrat. 

Fidelis Akuchie is coming to serve Mbaitoli without any criminal records or charges.

He is coming to serve Mbaitoli and not to rule.

Of course, he is a thoroughbred servant-leader, with empathy and love for Mbaitoli.

Engineer Fidelis Akuchie is accessible, meaning you can see him easily, talk and relate with him easily, because he is eager to learn new things everyday.

He is levelheaded, calm but focused, strong and determined.

As a seasoned technocrat, he knows where it is paining Mbaitoli right now, he knows the pressing needs, including the issue of bad roads and need to open Mbaitoli that is strategically located to more meaningful development.

Akuchie is a transparent problem solver. He doesn't run away from challenges and he is fully prepared to deal with those knotty issues that are holding back the development of Mbaitoli, if you give him the opportunity to serve.

Some people are natural-born leaders and so it is with Engineer Fidelis Akuchie, who is not like those Machiavellian types that use manipulation, lies, blackmail and force to gain power - such has been playing out lately in Mbaitoli.

Yes, we believe that leaders are made, not born but in another way, leadership is a skill that can be developed because good leaders are moulded through experience, continued study, intentional effort, and adaptation.

In preparation for good leadership roles that require continued study, Engineer Fidelis Akuchie, had his primary education at Umuodu Community School. His secondary school education was at Holy Ghost College Owerri where he made Grade one with aggregate 20. He proceeded to the famous Alvan Ikoku College of Education where he studied Mathematics/Physics and finished with Credits in NCE. He further studied Electrical-Electronics Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) with option in Power Systems Engineering and finished with second class lower division. Not done with educational attainment, he proceeded to study Electrical Engineering at Master’s level and earned an MEng from FUTO. Thereafter, he proceeded to Anambra State University (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University) Uli to study Electrical Power Engineering at PhD level. Engr Akuchie is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and a corporate member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

At end of his Engineering training, he was employed by the Ministry of Works and Transport as a pupil Engineer and rose to the rank of Chief Engineer. 

Some major projects executed while working in the Ministry include:

Extension of electricity to Asphalt Plant Aba

Extension of 33kv electricity supply to Imo Airport 

In collaboration with the International Airport Consultant, he designed the internal reticulation of electrical distribution in Imo Airport,

Installation of the Airfield lighting 

Design and supervision of the electrical installation of the Imo State Government House Asokoro, Abuja 

Transformer installation and distribution of electricity at Imo State Liaison Office, Abuja and electrical Consultancy to NDDC.

Engr Fidelis Akuchie was later transferred to the Ministry of Public Utilities and Rural Development as Acting Director where he rose to become the substantive Director in 2012.

This position exposed him to a high degree of human and material management and control. He was responsible for the formulation and implementation of government policies in Electricity and Energy. He also represented Imo State Government in strategic Federal Government programmes in Energy and Power including Egbema Power Projects and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in formulation and implementation of Tariff Regime and NDDC Quick Win Programme etc.

Fidelis Akuchie planned, sited, surveyed, designed and implemented many electricity projects in many communities in Imo State including the Imo International Modern Market Orlu, Imo State Secretariat Complex and Imo State Government House.

As a real grassroots man, Chief Fidelis Akuchie continues to play active roles in community service. For 15 years, he was the Secretary - General of Umuonyeali Central Union during which he vigorously pursued the approval of Umuonyeali Community Secondary School by government through the help of late Chief Frank Nwokoro, who was the then Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education. He ensured that the school took off smoothly by mobilising the people of Umuonyeali and with his contacts, attracted quality teachers as pioneer members of staff. He was a member of Umuonyeali Village Head-in-council, where many disputes were resolved. Because of the excellent role he played in the Ezinihitte Mbieri project, he was rewarded with a chieftaincy title of Akaekpuchi Onwa by HRH Eze Francis Elendu Agunwa, the Ezi Ihe I of Ezinihitte Mbieri. He was also at a point in time, member of Ezinihitte Elders' Council.

Engr Akuchie equally facilitated the donation and installation of transformers to the following communities: 1) Umudagu, (2) Umulede, (3) Umuakujuruaka, ( 4) Umuonyeali Industrial Market (5) Ezi Amaulu (6) donation of electric cables and accessories to Umuduru Mbieri through De William Okorie.

Chief Fidelis Akuchie facilitated the employment of fifteen persons from Mbaitoli by the  Imo State Civil Service particularly in the Ministry of Public Utilities and Ministry of Works. 

Engineer Fidelis Akuchie also known as Sir Fidelis is a devout Catholic, deeply religious and God-fearing.

He is a lay Reader( Lector) in the church and has served in various committees at different times in his home and residence parishes.

 Sir Akuchie was the District Commander, District 8, Owerri Grand Commandery Knights of St John International (KSJI). He is the present Captain of Guard, Bishop Unegbu Chapter of the Chauvelliers (BUCC) of KSJI. He built the Catholic youth secretariat of St Benignus Catholic Church Ihitte, Isi Mbieri. He also equipped the Man of Order and Discipline (MOD) of the same church with a set of parade band. 

Sir Fidelis Akuchie equally empowers indigent members of the church as his annual charity work for God. He is currently assisting in funding the training of a seminarian.

Engr Akuchie is also the Chief Executive of the following businesses:

1) Faaks Hotels Ltd, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

2)  Delaakson Nig Ltd - makers of Aquakasi Table Watet, Nikkis Tissue Paper and Jules shopping bags at Faaks Engineering Services (consultants Mechanical and Electrical Engineering).

The above submissions are verifiable. He is not coming to steal. He is not coming to loot because he is not a fraudster and will never be. He has a clean record and will make Mbaitoli become great.

Chief Akuchie is a good family man and happily married to Mrs Bibiana Akuchie - a God-fearing woman and director of nursing at Imo State Specialist Hospital. The marriage is blessed with six children.

Engr Fidelis Ahamefule Akuchie is humbly presenting himself for your consideration and support as the next Executive Chairman of Mbaitoli Local Government Area.

He has a clear vision for Mbaitoli. He is prepared, focused and will bring to bear his wealth of experience to the service of Mbaitoli.

As a respectful man filled with humility, he carries everyone along. He is patient, calm, contented, never greedy, peaceful and accommodating. 

In fact,  with Engineer Fidelis Akuchie as the executive Chairman, Mbaitoli will be a model of transformation, rapid socio-economic development and envy of other local government areas 

Nde Mbaitoli, the time is now. Let's give Engineer Fidelis Akuchie, the opportunity to serve you and rest assured that you will never be disappointed.

God bless Mbaitoli!