{"id":19194,"date":"2026-06-21T06:58:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T06:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/?p=19194"},"modified":"2026-06-21T06:58:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T06:58:46","slug":"mind-you-charity-is-not-governance-ifeanyi-nwokedi-tells-supporters-of-imo-lawmaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/mind-you-charity-is-not-governance-ifeanyi-nwokedi-tells-supporters-of-imo-lawmaker\/","title":{"rendered":"“Mind you! Charity is not governance,\u201d Ifeanyi Nwokedi tells supporters of Imo lawmaker."},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span> 24<\/span> Views<\/span><\/div>

Amiyi Akah born Akalite high profile stakeholder, Chief Ifeanyi Nwokedi (the Ntakasi 1 n’ Amiyi Aka) has urged supporters and followers of the member representing Njaba State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Ozioma Bennett Ebonine, to recognize the distinction between charity and representatiion. Nwokedi’s remarks followed the circulation of a report card by the lawmaker, which was shared about two weeks ago in several WhatsApp groups in Njaba LGA, including Umuaka Times Institute (UTI), for proper public assessment.\u00a0 In a 3-minute, 47-second voice note that generated discussion among constituents, Nwokedi questioned why many people find it difficult to differentiate between acts of charity and the constitutional responsibilities of elected public officials.<\/p>\n

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Umuaka Times correspondents in the United States last week, the US-based Njaba indigene acknowledged Ebonine’s humanitarian efforts but emphasized that such activities should not be mistaken for effective representation. “Chief Ozioma Bennett Ebonine is a man of good heart who does not like to see the poor suffer. He has done a lot of charity works to assist poor and vulnerable people likewise other great men and women of Njaba who are into charity. Some have built roads. But that is charity, and charity is different from governance and representative,” Nwokedi said.
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

According to him, activities such as donating food, money, school supplies, paying hospital bills, awarding scholarships, and distributing motorcycles, sewing machines, or cash gifts are commendable acts of generosity.<\/p>\n

“These actions can be helpful, but they are usually discretionary and often benefit selected individuals rather than the entire community,” Nwokedi stated.<\/p>\n

Explaining the concept of governance, Nwokedi said elected officials are entrusted with responsibilities that extend beyond personal philanthropy. “Governance is the official responsibility of elected leaders. It involves using public authority and public resources to improve the welfare of all citizens through policies, laws, oversight, and public services,” he explained.<\/p>\n

He noted that the primary duties of a member of the State House of Assembly include making and debating laws, representing constituents’ interests, scrutinizing government agencies and ministries, participating in budget deliberations, advocating for constituency projects, and holding the executive arm accountable for public spending.<\/p>\n

The end of discussion segment of the interview was when Chief Nwokedi clearly stated; “A politician can spend a lot of money on charity and still perform poorly in governance.”<\/p>\n

To further illustrate his position, Nwokedi, popularly known as “Ntakasi,” drew comparisons between charitable acts and governance outcomes: “Giving 100 people bags of rice is charity, while ensuring a community has a functioning primary healthcare centre is governance. Paying school fees for 20 students is charity; improving funding, staffing and infrastructure for public schools is governance. Giving cash to unemployed youths is charity, while supporting policies and programs that create jobs and improve economic opportunities is governance.”<\/p>\n

When asked how constituents should evaluate the performance of a legislator, Nwokedi responded with a series of questions.<\/p>\n

“What laws has the member sponsored or supported? How has the member represented community concerns in the Assembly? Has the member influenced budget allocations for local needs? Has the member pushed for roads, schools, healthcare facilities, water supply, electricity, or other public services? Has the member monitored government projects to ensure they are completed properly? Does the member regularly engage constituents and report on legislative activities?”<\/p>\n

According to findings by Umuaka Times, the phrase “dividends of democracy” generally refers to public benefits citizens receive from democratic governance, including improved roads, quality healthcare, better education, security, access to clean water, economic opportunities, and transparent government. The publication noted that while charitable interventions by elected officials may provide immediate relief to residents, citizens are justified in assessing their representatives based on legislative performance, advocacy, oversight functions, and their ability to attract development projects and public services.<\/p>\n

Although members of a State House of Assembly do not directly execute projects such as roads, schools, or hospitals, a responsibility largely reserved for the executive arm of government they are expected to influence development through legislation, budget advocacy, oversight, and political engagement.<\/p>\n

Constituents commonly expect legislators to pursue improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic development, and social services. These may include road rehabilitation, rural electrification, water projects, school renovation, healthcare upgrades, vocational training programs, youth empowerment initiatives, and support for vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Charity is not governance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The US based Chief also highlighted the importance of less visible legislative achievements, including sponsoring beneficial laws, ensuring fair budget allocations, monitoring government projects, and raising constituency concerns on the floor of the Assembly. He advised residents of Njaba to ask critical questions when evaluating their representatives at all levels.<\/p>\n

“Instead of asking only, ‘What gifts has he distributed?’ Consider asking: What motions has he moved on issues affecting our community? What bills has he sponsored or supported? What projects were included in state budgets because of his efforts? Which government agencies has he engaged on our behalf? What completed public projects can be linked to his advocacy? Has he held regular town hall meetings and reported back to constituents?”<\/p>\n

Nwokedi concluded that a legislator’s performance should be measured primarily by representation, legislation, oversight, and the public projects and services secured for his constituents.<\/p>\n

“Charity can be a positive addition, but it is not a substitute for effective representation and development. It is time we try another person who can adequately represent us very well and that person is Hon. Obinna\u00a0 Orgazi of NDC.,” he stated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

24 ViewsAmiyi Akah born Akalite high profile stakeholder, Chief Ifeanyi Nwokedi (the Ntakasi 1 n’…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19196,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[1152,1153],"yoast_head":"\n"Mind you! Charity is not governance,\u201d Ifeanyi Nwokedi tells supporters of Imo lawmaker. -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umuakatimes.com\/topnews\/mind-you-charity-is-not-governance-ifeanyi-nwokedi-tells-supporters-of-imo-lawmaker\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\""Mind you! 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