Delta State Governor.
The kind support and leadership of His Excellency, the promise keeper and Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who has initiated and executed a lot of projects in my constituency, like the Emevor-Orogun road phase one, the State College of Health Technology, Ovrode, the Grant scheme by the State Ministry of Humanitarian Support Services, and Girl-Child, among other human and capital development programmes and projects, which are improving the lives of our people, I say thank you sir.
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Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko
Jonathan Ajiroghene Oyibo Ukodhiko a frontline engineer, businessman, investor, philanthropist, and politician was born on the 25th of March, 1975 in his hometown, Erawha-Owhe in Isoko North Local Government of the present-day Delta State.
After attending Ezadhe primary school in Erawha-Owhe and James Welch Grammar School, both in Isoko North, he proceeded to Federal Polytechnic, Idah in 1990 for his national Diploma (N.D) in foundry engineering before nestling at the famous University of Benin in Edo State for his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Production Engineering in 1998.
A tested and highly certified engineer, Ukodhiko began his working career at Adadril Nigeria Ltd, and later, went on to work at the International Oil Field Services Ltd where he gained significant experience in oil and gas and construction industry.
In 2005, he founded and incorporated Joeny Intergrity Nig Ltd which later grow to Joeny Holdings Limited as a group of Companies which majors in the oil and gas conglomerate majoring in drilling, workover operations, well testing, wireline, and testing, and power projects,constructions,manufacturing and amongst other engineering engagements. Joeny Holdings has over 6 subsidiary companies with a presence in over 5 foreign countries in the world. Ukodhiko once sat on the boards of many bluechip companies where he has controlling stakes and shares.
Engineer Jonathan Ukodhiko is a member of many professional bodies in Nigeria and overseas. Being an engineer, he is a member of the highly regarded Nigerian Society of Engineers ( MNSE), and he’s a Certified Engineer of the Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN).
Hon. Ukodhiko has ventured into the murky waters of politics with the lofty aspiration to serve his people of Isoko nation and humanity at large. In recognition of his capacity to deliver good governance to Delta State, the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa found worthy of appointment as Commissioner in charge of the State ministry of power. Before then, Ukodhiko has been a frontline member and foremost financier of the Peoples Democratic Party in Isokonation and Delta State at large serving in various campaign committees both at the LGA and State levels.
Earlier this year in February, he was voted into office as the member representing Isoko North and Isoko South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives where he has been giving quality legislative representation.
Jonathan Ukodhiko has been a great humanitarian and generous philanthropist. He founded and runs a foundation, the UJA FAMILY Foundation which has been providing humanitarian succor to the less privileged households in the society, and giving educational aids and support to indigent students.
Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko is a devout Christian and a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). A highly anointed man of God, and gifted teacher of the gospel, Ukodhiko has pastored many branch parishes of the RCCG in Rivers State, many of which God used him to built. He has been an avid supporter of many Christian organizations, religious and worthy causes in the country.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
MOTIONS:
I have so far presented two motions on the floor of the House:
1.Motion on the Urgent Need to Compel Oil and Gas Companies to Stop Gas Flaring and Convert Same to Provide 24-Hours Electricity to Isoko Communities and Environs. The motion has since been referred to the compliance committee for review to ensure that the relevant Federal Government Agencies comply with the directive of the House of Representatives.
2.Motion on the Urgent Need to Rehabilitate Failed Sections of the East-West Road Beginning from Delta State through Bayelsa to Rivers State to make it motorable. The Federal Government is currently working on the road resulting from this motion.
HOUSE COMMITTEES’ MEMBERSHIP
Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology.
Member of the House Committee on Local Content, Host Communities, Water Resources, Financial Crimes, Nutrition and Food Security, Interior, Small and Medium Enterprises, Power, Ethics and Privileges, FCT, Port and Harbour, Tetfund and Other Services, North-East Development Commission, and Urban Development and Regional Planning.
My membership in these committees has created and will continue to create openings for job opportunities for qualified constituents.
CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS
INHERITTED PROJECTS:
Two of the first sets of projects we executed after our inauguration were projects I inherited from my immediate predecessor, Rt. Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor, a former Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives.
INHERITE a. Specialised Empowerment Programme in Agric Business (Fish Farming, Hatchery, Smoking, and Marketing) for Youths and Women. This project was executed by New Balance Corporate Services Ltd in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre (NPC). 120 youths were the actual number of beneficiaries from the agency involved. However, I personally sponsored an additional 30 beneficiaries, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 150.
Also Inherited was the Supply of Standing Fans. This project was executed by Phefa Construction Company Ltd in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre. Eight (8) constituents were selected per ward based on ward leadership nominations. A total of 192 constituents from the various wards in Isoko North and South benefited from the project.
PROJECTS LOBBIED FOR BY ME
NEMA INTERVENTION:
I fostered the supply of relief assistance to persons affected by flood disasters in our constituency through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Items such as beans, rice, garri, noodles, mosquito nets, blankets, cement, and zinc were equitably and publicly distributed to constituents by NEMA personnel in a space I offered at my country home as the distribution centre, while ward leaders, in their wisdom, nominated project beneficiaries.
2024 APPROPRIATION ACT (BUDGET):
In the 2024 budget, Isoko North and South Federal Constituency got capital projects of N200m; Zonal Intervention Project (ZIP) of N113m; and N40m for constituency outreach. These are all statutory projects.
Also, through persistent lobbying and personal efforts, I was able to secure an additional N160m project at the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), and N80m project at the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
BREAKDOWN OF N200M CAPITAL PROJECT
1. N40m for solar-powered streetlights in Eniagbedhi, Isoko North Local Government Area.
Project Status: Completed.
2. N30m for solar-powered streetlights in Owodokpokpo, Isoko South Local Government Area.
Project Status: Project awaiting award.
3. N50m for the supply of medical equipment for selected Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. The proposed communities were identified after a needs assessment which was conducted through Key Informant Interviews and social media inquiry.
Project Status: Awaiting Award.
4. N20m for the supply of school desks to selected government-owned schools in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. The proposed schools were selected after a needs assessment which was conducted through Key Informant Interview and social media inquiry.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
5. N60m skill acquisition training and empowerment for women in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. Selection process in view.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
OTHER PROJECTS
6.N85m for the Construction of an Empowerment Multipurpose Hall using NBRRI Technology.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
7.N75m for Stabilised Interlocking Blocks in the Construction of 4 Classrooms and a Staff Room using NBRRI Technology.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
8.N80m for Skill Acquisition Training and Empowerment for Petty Traders in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency. Selection process in view.
Project Status: Awaiting award.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. CONSTITUENCY AIDES: I appointed eight legislative aides to man and run my constituency office in Oleh,.
2. EMPOWERMENT: A total of 70 (seventy) constituents are beneficiaries of monthly stipends and salaries of varying amounts.
3. REVOLVING FINANCIAL SCHEME: To ameliorate the hardship faced by some of our aged constituents, I instituted a revolving monthly financial scheme of N5,000 for 450 aged constituents and persons living with disabilities. The scheme will run through my political tenure.
4. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: As part of my effort to ensure our youths are gainfully employed, three (3) of our constituents were employed in the Delta State Ministry of Education as teachers at the State Secondary Schools. Also, three (3) constituents were employed by a leading oil and gas company as Graduate trainees through the Rep. Ukodhiko Graduate Platform. Currently, I am pushing for two constituents each to be employed in the ongoing Fire Service and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) recruitment exercises. Those for the NPF recruitment have already been shortlisted.
5. 2023 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: I distributed 1,200 bags of 50kg rice, 400 Cartons of Noodles, 100 bags of beans, and 300 bags of salt to constituents in December 2023 as part of my Christmas celebration gifts to constituents.
6. JAMB ENROLLMENT: I sponsored 400 students in the just-concluded 2024 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination (JAMB).
7. JAMB FREE CBT TRAINING: I also sponsored free JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT) training for candidates who sat for the 2024 JAMB examination.
8. EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS:
In honour of my campaign promises, I have awarded full tuition scholarships to 10 students from Isoko North and South Federal Constituency whose scores were the highest in the just concluded 2024 JAMB Examination. The selection process has been completed.
DONATIONS
Apart from my regular payment of school fees, house rents, hospital bills, marital and funeral supports, I have made innumerable donations and given financial assistance to religious bodies, social and cultural organisations, professional associations, and students’ associations, among others.
The above-mentioned are some of the interventions that the frailty of memories and records could allow for me to list at this time in one year. There are obviously magnitudes of spontaneous and unrecorded interventions that I have done and am still doing in line with the M,O.R.E Agenda of His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori (JP) Governor of Delta State and a promise i made to the good people of Isoko North and South Constituency.