Senator Athan Nnejilenanim, Achonu
Senator Athan Achonu is the Governorship candidate of the labour Party in Imo State. His story is the average Nigerian story – strong Igbo family Christian values, a middle-class upbringing, civil war tragedy, struggles, resilience, hard work, and the unyielding conviction to overcome every challenge that life brings.
His, is a story of strength and growth that comes through courage, persistent effort, pertinacious resistance to failure and blessed life lived in service to others.
Born in 1959 to the family of chief (Sir) T.E.O Achonu, MFR; and Nneoma (lady) Martha Achonu of blessed memory. He is the 6th child out of the 8 children. His late father, Chief T. E. O. Achonu was a family man, community leader, educationist of repute, politician and a nationalist who played key roles in the political and socioeconomic development of old Mbano Division where he served as Chairman.
He was responsible for some of the policies and projects that helped shape education and political developments in old Mbano & Okigwe area.
His early education was at Madonna High School, Etiti, Imo State and Government College Umuahia, Abia State. He proceeded to John Cabot University, Rome Italy where he had a short study but with a strong desire to create wealth ventured into business.
Senator Athan Achonu is better described as an ‘Ideas Distillery’ and smart entrepreneur saw the need to provide solutions to life’s complex challenges, hence his early entry into business providing solutions with maximum return on investments.
His first major breakthrough as a young man came from initial investments into distributing counterfeit money detecting machines to banks to checkmate fraudsters pumping counterfeit notes into Nigerian banks. Amongst his successful companies which he built from scratch and took to enviable peak include: Nejach Engineering Limited, Numo Farms Limited, Okebaram Resources Limited. He is also the Chairman Numan Numo Microfinance Bank, a fully capitalized Microfinance Bank.
Legislative Experience
Sen. Athan Achonu is an advocate of freedom of speech, fair competition and equal opportunity. He has pursued this ever since as an individual and as a member of the National Assembly. On June 9th 2015 he was inaugurated as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 8th National Assembly. However, in December 2015, the Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital upturned his election at the instance of the appeal by Accord party that the party’s (Accord) logo was not included in the ballot papers used for the 2015 national Assembly election.
National Assembly/Sponsored Bills
In his short stay in the National Assembly (6 months), Senator Achonu representing Imo North initiated several bills including:
Though his stay in the National Assembly was short-lived as a result of court processes, he ensured that intervention and constituency projects for Imo North Constituency were delivered to the deserving constituents. The process was the most transparent in the history of Imo North Senatorial Zone.
Aku Ruo Ulo Initiative
The Aku ruo ulo Movement as inspired by Senator Achonu and is built on 7 Key Focal Areas- Security, Infrastructure, Education, Agriculture/Tourism, Manufacturing, Employment, and Excellence in Leadership. He believes Igbos should come home and invest and for the past 20 years he has been championing Aku ruo ulo, encouraging Igbos to come develop the South East.
In line with his Aku Ruo Ulo vision, he set up several businesses in the South East including Numo Farms, a sprawling massive agricultural/tourism business with huge capacity to employ 2000 youths and more.
Senator Achonu, being a man of peace understands the nexus between security, investments and community development. He is emphatic with his vision on Local Government Autonomy. He believes LGA autonomy will help restore democracy, development, peace and security in the South East.
He has shown and continues to show leadership towards resolving the insecurity bedeviling the South East, especially in Imo State. Recently, as a support towards the fight against insecurity in the South East, he got approval from the Inspector General Of Police (IG) to repair 10 Police Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) He paid Innoson Motors to repair the APC carriers with his personal funds. He continues to help in the fight against insecurity and restoration of peace in Imo State.
Senator Athan Nneji Achonu lives a life of giving, philanthropy and shared humanity. He uses his God-given privileges to assist the less privileged, contributed immensely to several community and church building projects, as well as educational scholarships for many students in Okigwe zone.
Ikemba is truly a man en-graced by God. Though with one arm (which he lost after the civil war), he believes the scriptures that says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
He is married to his lovely wife and blessed with four beautiful children.
