By brady chijioke nwosu
WHEN an American historian and philosopher, Mary Ritter Beard, said, “the results of philanthropy are always beyond calculation” she had in mind the like of Chief Osita Izunaso, former senator representing Imo West Senatorial Zone (Orlu zone), Imo State In a clime, where the mantra has been:
I, me, myself and my family, which had tended towards crass and primitive accumulation of wealth, Chief Izunaso, has separated himself from this group.
From his private rank, not as a politician, he has always been on the side of the masses, the less privileged and the wretched. Obviously, the success of any individual depends on what he is giving out and not taking in.
In this vein, his activities centred on their wellbeing, and in return, these people have engraved his name in their hearts; and that is why, when it matters most, they are ready to lay their lives for him. As one of the ways of giving back to the people, eleven years, ago, he set up a foundation, Kpakpando Foundation, a non-governmental organisation he founded to continue to render assistance to the poor in an organized manner.
Through this foundation, lives have been restored to many, who had thought that the end has come. This foundation has put smiles on the faces of people, who hitherto had forgotten how to smile and equally put a new song in the mouths of many. Generally, it has touched lives. Many who had the zeal to advance their academic, but were hampered by their indigent background, have now acquired different levels of certificate through scholarships from Kpakpando Foundation. Poor traders have been provided with funds and equipment to improve their business, widows and orphans equally benefitted, and they are all contributing towards a better Nigerian society.
As he turned 50 to join the golden club, the highlight of the celebration, to a large extent, is the reflection of the journey so far for the foundation and how to take it a higher notch to touch more people. In his chequered political career, Chief Izunaso, has stood out among his contemporaries.
He was a member of House of Representatives, where he served as chairman, House Committee on Housing between 2003 and 2007.
While in the Senate, he was also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas. It was during his tenure as the Senate Committee Chairman on Gas that the issue of gas flaring in Nigeria got national and international attention and was addressed.
He also used the opportunity to sensitize Nigerians on the abundance of gas in Nigeria, and the need to draw up a comprehensive gas policy.
Of course, his committee led the way by enacting the requisite legislative framework, which till today has remained the bedrock on which our gas master plan was designed. When APC was founded , he became the National Organising Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He made sure a world class convention was enthroned. He instituted rallies, primaries and screenings that have reduced to the lowest decimal boulevard of frictions and litigations among interesting aspirants . Senator Izunaso is a dude enthralling with many instincts of sorts and he has upgraded himself in different endeavors.
As a business man, he also excelled within and outside Nigeria with several employees. He also made a mark in the journalism arena about twenty five years ago when he worked with the Satellite newspapers as the Abuja Bureau Chief and Editor.
Senator Izunaso, a blossom friend of the underprivileged, will in the years ahead continue to assist the destitute through his outfit and as he continues to roll, into the future either flip sides be decisive. Happy Birthday.
Nwosu writes from Lagos