SEN.DR.CHRIS NWABUEZE NGIGE, MD, OON, KSJ
Sen.Dr.Chris Nwabueze Ngige, MD, OON,KSJ is the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a gallant and refined politician and a medical doctor par excellence.
He is a graduate of Medicine from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1979; he holds Bachelor of Medical and Bachelor of Surgery. He bagged a Diploma in Hospital Management, Pakistan National Public Administration (NIPA) Institute of Peshawar, Pakistan in 1990 and also a fellow of Pakistan Institute of Health Administrators.
Before he delved into politics, he had served as a Medical Director in different hospitals, from 1998 to 2003; he had been a Medical Director at Chriserve Clinics,Lagos,and Pinkine Laboratories Limited, Lagos.
In addition, from 1996-1998,Ngige served as Deputy Director of Hospital Services, Federal Medical Centres/Teaching Hospitals, Federal Ministry of Health Headquarters, Abuja. He also served as Minister’s representative, Ministerial Task Force Committee on completion of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH),Ituku-Ozala,Enugu. Bayero University Teaching Hospital(BUKTH),Kano,Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital(ABUTH),Zaria and also served as an adhoc lecturer on Budget, Contract Procedures to Administrative Staff College of Nigeria(ASCON),Badagry,Chief Medical Directors Course(1996).
As a Medical Director,Ngige was a Consultant and Assistant Director for Federal Medical Centres, Federal Ministry of Health,Abuja,Consultant-in-charge,Federal Government Staff Clinics in the states and the Presidency,Abuja, Physician in-charge,Federal Staff Clinics/Hospital 1004 Victoria Island,Lagos,Physician in-charge State House/Federal Government Special Guest House, Lagos, Physician in-charge, Federal Government Clinic, National Theatre,Tafawa,Square,Lagos,Physician to the Senate President,Medical Officer,National Assembly Clinic 1004 Victoria Island,Lagos and NYSC Medical Officer, National Assembly Clinic 1004,Victoria Island. Ngige retired from the Federal Civil Service as Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Health in 1999. He was also the World Grand President, University of Nigeria, College of Medicine Alumni Association (UNCOMA), March 2008-March 2014.
Ngige later turned to politics, becoming a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 1999,he was Assistant National Secretary and Zonal Secretary of PDP in the South-East of the region of the country. In 2003, he contested for Governorship seat in Anambra on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which brought him into power as the Executive Governor of Anambra State. During his rule as the governor of Anambra State from May 2003-March 2006,he was a member of the National Council of State, National Economic Council, member Nigeria Police Council and also exercised Executive functions in the Ministry of lands,Survey and Urban Planning, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
Dr.Ngige could succinctly be described as the proverbial ‘cat with nine lives’ because of the political turmoil that characterised his tenure as the Governor of Anambra State which he was undaunted and undeterred, despite his travail he prevailed and delivered dividends of democracy to his people.
This is a man that has come a long way in politics, despite his political travail,through thick and thin, he was able to weather the storm, he executed projects that have direct bearing on the lives of his people most especially rural infrastructure including road constructions in his state. For the record, Ngige will go down in history as one of the best governors in the eastern part of Nigeria that embarked on massive road projects which stimulated range of road constructions in the east of the Niger. He remains a reference point in Nigeria’s political arena because of the avalanche of achievements recorded during his tenure as the Governor of Anambra State.Ngige is remembered in Nigeria’s political circles as the governor who defied and refused to do the biddings of his political god-father Chris Uba and survived unsuccessful attempts to have him removed from office.
Ngige held leadership positions in different capacities which include: World Grand President, University of Nigeria, College of Medicine Alumni Association(UNCOMA),March 2008-March 2014,Secretary All Progressive Congress(APC) 1st National Convention Committee 2014. He also served as Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN)National Convention Committee 2014,member National Executive Committee(NEC) PDP from 2002-2006,Assistant National Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) 2000-2003,Assstant Zonal Secretary(South-East)PDP,Nov.1999-2002,Protem Zonal Publicity Secretary,PDP,South-East,1998,Foundation Member,PDP,National level,1998,President General,Alor People’s Convention,1996-1999,Member, Vision 2010 Sub-Committee on Health, 1995,Co-Convener Nkpoko Igbo: Pre-Constitutional Conference in Enugu,1995,member, Ohaeneze Council of Elders and Member Strategic Committee,1992-1997,President,Aka Ikenga,1992 to 1997,an Igbo Think-Tank group of Professionals in Banking, Commerce and Politics, Member, Nigeria G-15 –Economic Cooperation Council 1990,(Special Federal government Delegation to understudy Indonesia and Malaysia Economic growth Experience in Agriculture, Health and Technology),Chairman,Alor Development Union, Lagos branch,1990-1994 and Foundation sole Administrator.
His populist programmes, sterling qualities, doggedness and determination to serve his people endeared the Anambrans from the Anambra Central Senatorial District to elect him as Senator on the platform of the hitherto Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) now All Progressive Congress(APC)to represent them in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly from 2011-2015.
During his sojourn at the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly, he served as the Vice Chairman,Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy; he was also a member, Senate Committee on Public Affairs,Health,Trade &Investment, CapitalMarket, Science&Technology and Constitutional Amendment.
Ngige was first appointed Minister of Labour and Employment in November 11, 2015, by President Muhammadu Buhari. He is a member of the Federal Executive Council, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sen.Dr.Ngige is a stalwart of the All Peoples Congress (APC), and a detribalized Nigerian, He is the:-
.Dike-di-oha-nma of Okwuabala, Orlu LGA,Imo State,
.OgbuhereUzo1 of Isseke Ancient Kingdom,Ihiala LGA,Anambra State
. Aka-Ekpuchi-Onwa of Igbere,OhafiaLGA,Abia State,
.Chinagorom of Aba Kingdom,
.Onwanetiliora and Okaaome of Alor,Idemili South LGA,Anambra State,
.Okaaomee of Okpanam,Delta State.
.Okaaomee of Ituku,Enugu State.
Sen.Dr.Ngige has also been recognised by the under listed organisations for his exemplary leadership qualities, selfless service to humanity, developing his state,extraordinary courage, outstanding dedicated service and for excellence in public service delivery.
.Major Donor (MD), Rotary International, 2013
.Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International, 2011
.Achievement Award: ‘’For developing Anambra State significantly during his tenure as Governor ’’ by ASA-USA and ASA-Miami, 6th Annual ASA-USA Convention, Saturday. October 20, 2007, Miami Florida, USA.
.Honorary Citizen Award and City Key Recipient, Miami Garden Florida,USA,October 10, 2007.
.President’s Choice/Special Performance Award: ‘’For EXCELLENCE as Governor of Anambra State’’,Anambra State Association(ASA)USA,2006.Award of recognition: ‘’For showing extraordinary courage while in office as Governor of Anambra State of ’’, World Igbo Congress (WIC), 2006, Boston, USA.
.Achievement Award: In recognition of His Pace-setting record in Transforming Anambra State’’, by .Anambra State(Nig) Association Inc,Washington Metroplolis,USA,September 23,2006.
.Award of OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE in Governance of Anambra, Anambra State Association of Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter Inco. 2006.
.Community Service Award: ‘’Exemplary Leadership’’Anambra State Progressive Union Newyork Inc., USA, 2006.
.Value Leadership Award, NDI Anambra in Boston,USA,2006.
.Performance Award: ‘’For Exemplary and Courageous Leadership in Anambra State of Nigeria, 2003-2006’’, Anambra State Association of Southern California,USA,June 3,2006.
.Grateful Appreciation/Recognition Award: For his Outstanding and Dedicated Service to Anambra State of Nigeria’’, Anambra State Women Association of Southern California, USA, 2006.
.Knight of St. John International (KSJI), Catholic Church, 2005-date.
.Kwame Nkrumah African Leadership Award for Excellence in Public Service Delivery in Government as Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria, Accra Ghana, 2004.
.Excellence in Leadership Award Winner, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA),Anambra State,2003.
.Prestigious/Meritorious Service Award, 1999,Rotary of Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, 1999.
Sen.Dr.Ngige is married to Roseline Ngige,and they are blessed with children. He holds the Nigerian National Honour of the Officer of the Niger (OON).