By Nwaokafor Chisom Sunny
The African Mahogany which is scientifically called khaya ivorensis or khaya grandifoliola, is mostly called “Osisi Orji” in Igbo land known for its significant importance as symbol of wealth in carving furnitures and strong doors for Big men in the society .
No wonder the then Governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji gave the then Commissioner for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Chief Israel Amanze, a state title “Oke Orji Abia”, meaning ” Abia’s Great African Mahogany ” for his personal sacrifice after he secured an approval that ensured the inclusion of Abia State in the Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP now called RAAMP), a Federal Government program, co-funded by the World Bank and other partners, to fix rural roads and connect Nigerian farmers to markets.
Nigerian Government then realized that over 50% of its rural road network was in poor condition due to lack of maintenance and most rural farmers could not move produce to markets, schools, or clinics, especially in rainy season, So in 2007 the Federal Government adopted the National Policy on Rural Travel and Transport, and launched RAMP to systematically invest in rural connectivity, which south Eastern states, like Imo and Enugu benefited and Abia was not included.
Hon. Chief Israel Amanze having been at the helm of affairs at the Abia state Rural Development Ministry as Commissioner with the approval of his Governor, worked tirelessly, even committed personal resources to achieve Abia’s inclusion in the project. While celebrating his braveness and commitment then Governor T.A Orji gave him the state tittle “Oke Orji Abia” and other administrations down to present administration of Governor Alex Otti have continued to benefit from RAMP.
The young Israel Amanze was born to the family of Elder Nicholas Onyeoguzora Amanze and late Celina Nwaevughilahia Amanze, of Mbutu Ngwa in Isialangwa South LGA of Abia State, he began his primary education at Community School Mbutu Ngwa in 1969, later joined St Ephrems Secondary School Owerrinta in 1974, the brilliant Israel Amanze gained admission with the University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN) to study Animal science in 1979 where he made one of the best results and in 1984 he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.
As a lover of education Hon. Chief Israel Amanze has continued to expand his knowledge in Agriculture by attending several courses, with some institutions of higher learning in Nigeria and international where he acquired a number of certificates, and he is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Business with the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU
During his days in the university of Nigeria Nsukka, Hon. Chief Israel Amanze was the General Secretary, National Association of Agricultural students NAAS, the Financial Secretary National Association of Imo State Students NAISS , The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Federation of Ngwa Students FNS
As a young graduate, he began his journey into the labour market by seeking employment with one of Nigeria’s oilpalm plantations in Ohaji/Egbema, South East region, called Adapalm Ltd. Rather than employment, he was given Local Purchase Order (LPO) to supply Fertilizers to the plantation. Upon completion of supply he was given a total of Four hundred and fifty naira (#450) as commission.
After many trials to secure secular job, Chief Amanze decided to expand his horizons by becoming self employed especially in Agriculture. With the LPO commission he registered a business name called Izybest Agricultural Agency and started prospecting for businesses . This company so registered has today metamorphosed to Izybest Group known today as Agro dealers, Fertilizer blenders building and civil engineering services contractors in Nigeria and beyond.
Hon. Chief Israel Amanze has made inputs in many areas of Agriculture; he created employments to many through the introduction of Green Garden egg farming to Farmers in Isiala Ngwa and beyond, rendered pest control services to the farmers and brought Umuikaa Junction to the limelight for marketing of Fertilizers and other Agro products.
Instead of marketing fertilizers at his home like other fertilizer entrepreneurs before him did, he introduced the commercialization of fertilizers to Nkwokpu Market which has grown today to become the largest fertilizer market in South East Nigeria, which today has high GDP ratio as a result of large turnover of sales.
This market has created lots of direct and indirect employments in Agribusiness and lots of revenue to Isiala Ngwa South local government area and brought other dealers into the business.
As a lover of education Hon. Chief Israel Amanze established the Isrealina Exam Services Center, where quality tutorials and preparation for exams helped shaped many to excel in several exams, he has continued to give scholarships to students in primary and secondary school in Abia. Through his connections and resources, Hon. Chief Israel Amanze has continued to facilitate the admission to many seeking higher learning in most Nigeria higher institutions.
In 1991, Hon. Chief Israel Amanze through Abia State health management Board, facilitated the supply of health equipments to Mbutu health Center.
As a result of his achievements within the private sector, most
administrations in Abia state have employed his services.
Then Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, appointed him Member Board of Directors of Abia Housing Corperation.
Later, Former Governor Theodore Orji appointed him member Transition committee and supervisory councilor for Agriculture in Isialangwa South LGA, he also served as Commissioner Abia State Ministry of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction where he embarked on developmental projects, brought reforms as well as attracting saveral projects to the state, including the Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP). During the second tenure of Governor T.A Orji he was appointed Special adviser on Agricultural Developments.
As a rare breed, former Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, employed his services and gave him appointment to serve as his special adviser on Agricultural Development and later Program Manager Abia State Agricultural Development Program (ADP) where he partnered with key research Institutes and international organisations to attract agricultural infrastructure including the integrated Solar dryer and others.
He also partnered extensively in training of extension workers, improve modern agricultural techniques, among other agricultural development programs.
As mark of his love for his community development, Chief Israel Amanze personally paid the counterpart fund to then ABCPRP, for the extension of electricity to nine (9) villages in Mbutu Ngwa, thereby bringing electricity closer to his people, he also facilitated the ABCPRP funded project for skill acquisition center in Mbutu.
Chief Israel Amanze for years has been involved in self sponsored grading and rehabilitation of Rural roads in Mbutu.
He later attracted the FADAMA project to take part in grading of Mbutu Ngwa roads.
In 1999, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered for the alignment of farmers along commodity lines and the constitution of farmers apex body. Hon. Chief Israel Amanze pioneered the move in Abia State by mobilizing farmers and as a result, he became the first Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria AFAN in Abia state, the position he held for many years before his political appointments. With this alignment commodity Associations like Maize, cassava growers, Cocoa growers Associations and others came into existence and were strengthened in Abia state.
Hon. Chief Israel Amanze served as the former acting National Secretary of All farmers association of Nigeria AFAN, and he is currently the Board of Trustees Secretary of Maize Association of Nigeria MAAN, Chairman IZYBEST GROUP
Chief Israel Amanze is the Board Chairman of Abia Frontline farmers organization Abia Grassroot Farmers Initiative also known as Abia Grassroots movement, the membership of this group runs in thousands all over the 17 LGAs of Abia state, For more than 10 years Hon. Chief Israel Amanze has continued to supply trailer loads of quality fertilizers to members of this Abia Grassroot movement across the 17 Local Governments of Abia State at a subsidized rate, demonstrating his philanthropic life.
He take tremendous interest interest in farmers training and welfare.
The Abia Grassroot movement under his leadership and as an organization with large number of registered voters has continued to show solidarity and support to Farmers friendly candidates, government officials at all levels of government in the State.
With the effort of this Agro dealer, Fertilizer blender, Farmers mobilizer, philanthropist, facilitator of farmers welfare, an agricultural guru and above all a committed public servant, his Local Government Area, Isialangwa South LGA won the best Farming Local Government in Abia state for many years.
For his roles in Community development Hon. Chief Israel Amanze received saveral Chieftaincy Tittle such as, Ihemba Mbutu by HRH Eze P.N Okpanku Of Mbutu Ancient Kingdom, Omere Oha Ndi Ngwa by HRH Eze Prof.B.O Dike of Osokwa Nvosi Community, Ebube Dike of Mbutu Ukwu by HRH Eze Gaius Ihejiamaizu, and his is Enyi of Ofeme Community in Umuahia
Aso In recognition of his fine works the University of Nigeria Nsuka Alumni Association, UNNAA, bestowed on him Agric and Rural Development Icon award, and the Nigerian Union of Journalist Abia State chapter, awarded him the Pillar of Agriculture among others.
As a grassroot Farmer and mobilizer, politician, Hon. Amanze toured the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia while he was in office as state AFAN Chairman, a Commissioner for Rural Development and poverty Alleviation and Special adviser of Agricultural Development, Program Manager Abia ADP, he has interacted and understands the plight of an average Abian who are predominantly farmers and has continued to galvanized and mobile for the right of the farmers through wards and local chapters of Abia Grassroots Movement and other platforms.
His constituency, the Abia Farmers and Abia Grassroot movement are calling for a louder voice, seeking for someone who understands their pain and needs to be at the political space, thereby harvesting for changes and connect Abia Farmers to the center.
Hon. Chief Israel Amanze is a kind of man whose conscience won’t let him rest while others suffer. With quiet strength and stubborn honesty, he carries the weight of his people not as a burden but as a calling, listens before he speaks, serves before he leads, and finds his purpose in the dust of village roads and the hopes of those no one else sees.
For Hon. Chief Israel Amanze, power is not a prize but a plow and tool to till justice into hard ground so others can harvest dignity,that is why he remain a rare breed to service
Having contributed immensely in public and private sectors, Indeed Hon. Chief Israel Amanze is “Abia’s Great African Mahogany” ” *Oke Orji Abia*
