Chima Amadi: A man of the people

By Chinyere Nnaemeka

Guiding, and influencing others towards a shared vision or goal, inspiring and motivating teams, fostering collaboration, making sound decisions, and providing support to people as leadership entails, are certain skills which cannot be actualized by random personalities. This is why under normal circumstances, before people are made leaders or envisaged to be qualified for leadership responsibilities, they must possess certain traits that distinguishes them from others.

Though in our society, this is not totally obtainable, especially in the political sphere, as aspirants who are not supposed to near the seat of power do so through diverse manipulative means, which have left the political arena with some administrators that are there for their own selfish gains, rather than to serve the people.

However, this will not deter rational minds from being forward looking to the day when the narratives will totally change for good, and the masses truly begin to enjoy the dividends of democracy as expected.

This is why in the spirit of the desired change, it has become pertinent to discuss a man who many believe, has what it takes to be encouraged and given the opportunity to pilot the affairs of Imo State come 2027. Even though this man in question has not really come out to declare his interest to contest for the governorship position in the State, but his admirers, people from diverse political affiliations who have been swayed by his pedigree, disposition, and actions towards advocacy for good governance, have thrown their weight behind him and beckoned on him to come advance the state to the next level of metamorphic growth.

The man in discourse is no other than Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi; a respected Nigerian scholar, researcher, advocate for good governance, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has made noteworthy advancements in the fields of Political Science, Economics, and Development Studies.

He is the Chairman of Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Julian-Matt Group; an ecosystem with a portfolio of business across Agro business, investment, construction, commodities export, aviation, mining, hospitality, entertainment and media. He also founded the Jude and Juliana Amadi Foundation through which he has engaged in several empowerment programmes.

Dr. Amadi who was Born in Kano State, Nigeria, completed his primary education at Dabo Primary School in Kano before proceeding to the Army Day Senior Secondary School in Kano and then completed his secondary school at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuekwune in Imo State.

He enrolled at the University of Ibadan, where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition, and graduated with honours. During his time at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Amadi demonstrated his leadership potential when he served as the Secretary General of the Students Union. This experience stimulated his passion for advocating transparency and good governance. He was also the president of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Youth Association, an off youth organization of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), where he was mentored by political sages like late Alhaji Abubakar Garba Koko, Prof Ango Abdulahi and late Mallam Lawal Kaita.

On completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Amadi bagged a Masters Degree in public health and a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition. Following his quest for more knowledge and his multidisciplinary interests, he pursued another degree in Politics and International Relations, graduating with a first class at the Lead City University in Ibadan.

He also obtained an M.Sc in Comparative Public Policy and Administration at London School of Economics and Political Science on a Chevening scholarship. Having acquired Quantitative and Qualitative analytical skills, Dr Amadi was offered a place as a doctoral fellow/ candidate at the Department of Politics and International studies of the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Amadi served as the Senior Programme’s Manager at Partners for Electoral Reform from June 2010 to October 2014, where he was responsible for implementing election operational plans, coordinating operations and observer teams during elections, and conducting training workshops for observer teams.

As the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), from October 2014 until he stepped down in 2019, Dr. Amadi provided strategic leadership and oversaw the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s programmes. His passion for advocacy and research is evident in his numerous publications and paper presentations which addressed critical issues such as elections in Nigeria, patronage and agency budget in presidential appointments, public institutions’ accountability, and the role of Nigeria in international economic relations.

Some of his notable publications include “2019 Elections in Nigeria: The Clear and Present Dangers,” where he highlighted the challenges of elections in Nigeria, and “Engaging With Public Institutions on Accountability Issues,”. These publications showcase Dr. Amadi’s expertise and insights into governance and transparency-related issues.

Through the Jude and Juliana Foundation, Dr. Amadi has been actively involved in philanthropic activities, empowering villagers from his community in Ngor Okpala and neighboring villages in Imo State, Nigeria. He has also supported Nigerian youths through scholarships and business capitals, demonstrating his commitment to community, and human capital development.

Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi, a.k.a Mazi Gburugburu, as he is popular addressed, has bagged numerous Awards and Honours.In 2016, he was recognized as a Chevening Scholar, a prestigious award that acknowledges outstanding individuals with leadership potential. He was also awarded the Jide Owoeye Prize for Foreign Policy Analysis in 2015 and was named the Best Graduating Student in International Relations in the same year. The New Telegraph also awarded him the Social Crusader of the Year in 2023.

These and more, are the antecedents of Dr Amadi which is why many notable personalities and politicians have collapsed into his organization; “The MAZI ORGANIZATION,” which advocates for good governance.

Considering the Imo Charter of Equity, Dr. Amadi is not only eligible following his chronicles, but also good to go as an illustration son from Owerri Zone.

Furthermore, Imo State needs breed of fresh politicians who are versatile in many spheres, command respect, and are influential so as to avoid looting of public funds and using them to acquire personal possessions. All these are embedded in Dr Chima Amadi, which is what has given rise to the Clarion Call on him to serve.