Autobiographies of great men are said to be written in three manuscripts: The book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their acts.
Major General Lincoln Keonyemere Jack Ogunewe (LKJ), stands firm and tall in the three manuscripts above. His records in the Nigerian military and United Nations are exemplary and laudable; his words are evergreen and his actions are printed in golden streaks that continue to shine in the sands of time.
It is undeniably to state that powerful and rare landmark achievements do not often emanate from those who desire and delight in taking advantage of other people’s labour. Or those who love to reap where they did not sow. They spring from genuine efforts of those who while the rest of mankind were asleep, toiled all through the night, leaving no stone unturned. They are people who, while their mates were playing around, were busy thinking through ideas and formulae that shall stand the test of time. Their sufferings and toils in turn give birth to our better and greater tomorrow. This tells the story of the life of the astute Gen Ogunewe.
The truth is that any country, including Nigeria, that aspires to greatness must not overlook the gift of its depth and quality of human resource. Such men are not extraordinary men or super humans, but men who do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Jack Ogunewe, is an epitome of these select few unique and yet peculiar and golden in character ready to offer themselves to society.
Maj Gen Lincoln Keonyemere Jack Ogunewe (MFR) is not your regular Nigerian politician. Yes, he is not part of the clan that promises to provide air-conditioning even in the desert as many Nigerian politicians are wont to do. But he is genuinely concerned about the declining quality of leadership in Imo State and the attendant hardship the ordinary people suffer as a result. Consequently, he is presenting himself as a Gubernatorial Aspirant in Imo State in the coming 2023 election under the platform of Labour Party.
Given his pedigree, it would seem as if he has no rival in the race.
Indeed, not many people know that Gen Lincoln Keonyemere Jack Ogunewe (Rtd) MFR, is one of the most decorated Nigerian soldiers from Imo State having served in the exalted capacity as Defence Adviser, Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations and Chief Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army. And because of his self-effacing and humble nature, it is certainly easier to recognize his deeds more than his face.
A prince from the Royal Ogunewe family in Akpodim, Imo State, this refined and revered Army General turned philanthropist cum politician par-excellence, has a humble mien and personality. Major General Lincoln Keonyemere Jack Ogunewe (Rtd) was born on 18 May 1963 to the family of Eze (Lt Col) David Sunday Ogunewe and Ugoeze Stella Lucy Ogunewe. He completed his primary school education in 1975 and secondary school education in 1980. He gained admission into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy in July 1980 as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned in December 1983 as a Second Lieutenant into the Corps of the Nigerian Army Engineers.
Major General Ogunewe has attended many military and civil courses in Nigeria, Ghana, Thailand, Israel, Pakistan and USA.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree (B.Eng) in Electrical Engineering from University of Nigeria Nsukka; a Master of Science Degree (M.Sc) in Defence and Strategic Studies from National Defence University Islamabad, Pakistan; Diploma in National and International Security from Harvard Kennedy School USA; Diploma National Security Studies from Galilee International Management Institute Israel;
Diploma in Construction Management from Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Makurdi, Nigeria; Diploma in Public Administration from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Accra, Ghana; and Diploma Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education from Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna Nigeria.
He completed his Junior Staff Course from Command and Staff College Jaji, Kaduna and was awarded passed junior staff course (psc), Senior Staff Course from Ghana Command and Staff College Accra and awarded passed senior staff course (psc) and National Defence Course from National Defence University and awarded national defence certificate (ndc).
Some of the other key courses attended by Maj Gen Ogunewe (Rtd) include:
Engineers Young Officers Course, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Makurdi, Makurdi Nigeria.
Engineer Officers Squadron Commanders Course, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Makurdi, Makurdi Nigeria.
Construction Management Course, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Makurdi, Makurdi Nigeria.
United Nations Training Assistance Team/Mission Training Cell Officers Course, Bangkok Thailand.
Development Diplomacy Programme Training Course on Regional and International Cooperation in the Field of Security and Peace Policy, Kofi Anan International Peace Keeping Training Centre Accra, Ghana.
Introduction to Policy Advocacy and Engagement Training for Civil Society Organizations in West Africa, West African Civil Society Institute, Accra , Ghana.
Network and Alliance Building Training for Civil Society Organizations in West Africa, West African Civil Society Institute, Accra Ghana.
Advanced Policy Advocacy and Engagement Training for Civil Society Organizations in West Africa, West African Civil Society Institute, Accra Ghana.
Major General Ogunewe held several Staff and Command appointments at Nigerian Army Regiment, Brigade and Division levels. He also served in various capacities at the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters. Among the key appointments were:
Commanding Officer, Army Headquarters Engineer Maintenance Regiment, Lagos.
Colonel Logistics, Headquarters Nigeran Army Engineers, Lagos.
Director of Records, Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary Lagos.
Commander, Engineer Construction Regiment, Ede Osun State.
Director Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency Abuja.
Defence Adviser, Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations New York.
Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters Abuja.
Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
As Defence Adviser, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Major General Ogunewe was elected as the Dean of the Military and Police Advisers Community (MPAC) to the United Nations, the first African to be so elected.
General Ogunewe is a highly decorated officer among which are Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR); Nigerian Army Research Medal (RN); Forces Services Star (FSS); Meritorious Service Star (MSS); Distinguished Service Star (DSS); General Staff Medal of Honour (GSMH) among others. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Major General Ogunewe is happily married and is blessed with 5 children. He enjoys travelling, reading and the study of nature.
Before his retirement and subsequent delving into politics, General Lincoln Ogunewe served in different capacities in the Nigerian Military and United Nations, as follows:
In 2017-2018, Ogunewe became Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation (CDSE) Defence Headquarters, Abuja (Nigeria).
Coordinated Monitoring and Evaluation activities including projects at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
(2015–2017) Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) Nigerian Army, Abuja (Nigeria).
Coordinated Army Headquarters (AHQ) plans and programmes and major aspects of equipment procurement on behalf of Nigerian Army (NA).
Responsible for all matters of Policy and Plans to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
(2012–2015) Defence Adviser, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York, USA.
Coordination of Nigeria’s Peacekeeping Missions and initiatives.
Adviser to the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and Chief of Defence Staff on Peace Support Operations and Engagements.
(2013-2014) Dean, Military and Police Advisers Community (MPAC) – United Nations Headquarters, New York USA.
Coordination of Military Police Advisers Community Meetings and Activities.
Liaison and Coordination with United Nations Secretariat.
Liaison and Coordination of Visits to United Nations Peacekeeping Mission Areas.
(2010–2012) Director Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency, Abuja (Nigeria).
Management and Administration of Defence Advisers and Attaches.
Coordination of Defence Advisers and Attaches’ training, conferences and visits.
(2009–2010) Commander, Engineer Construction Regiment, Ede (Osun State).
Command and Management of Engineer Construction Equipment, Resources and Manpower.
Design, Supervision and Construction of Civil and Electrical Strategic Army Projects.
(2009–2010) Deputy Director, Peacekeeping Operations, Department of Training and Operations Army Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.
Handles, Collates and oversees all Operational Matters for Nigerian Army Peace Support Operations Missions.
Coordinated and Liaised with Defence Headquarters, Service Headquarters, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations , Regional Organisations and other relevant Headquarters on Peace Support Operations.
(2008–2009) Deputy Director, Force Generation, Department of Army Operations, Nigerian Army, Abuja (Nigeria).
Supported coordination and operations for Peace Support Operations and Peace Keeping Training.
Oversight functions for Measurement.
Evaluations of units on PSO.
(2006–2008) Director of Records, Department of Military Secretary, Nigerian Army, Abuja (Nigeria)
Support to Human Resource Management.
Database Management for the Nigerian Army. (2005–2006) Colonel Logistics, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Engineers Nigerian Army, Lagos (Nigeria).
Providing oversight on procurement.
Engineering operational coordination.
Maintenance of engineering equipment.
(2004–2005) Commanding Officer, Army Headquarters Engineer Maintenance Group, Nigerian Army, Abuja (Nigeria).
Support to Maintenance of all Army Headquarters Assets.
(2000–2004) GSO1, Field Exercises, Nigerian Army, Abuja (Nigeria).
Liaised, coordinated, monitored and evaluated Army/Joint field exercises
(1999–2000) Staff Officer 1, Electrical/Mechanical Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers, Lagos (Nigeria).
Vetted and Oversaw all Electrical and Mechanical projects of the Nigerian Army
(1996–1998) Quartermaster General, Headquarters 44 Division Engineers, Enugu, Nigeria.
Advised and oversaw all logistics matters of the Division Engineers.
(1994 – 1996) Staff Officer 2 Technical, Headquarters 44 Division Engineers, Enugu, Nigeria.
Vetted and oversaw all Electrical/Mechanical projects of the Division
(1986–1988) Officer Commanding, Heavy Plant, Squadron 22 Support Engineer Regiment Ijebu Ode, Nigeria.
Design and Supervision of Civil Construction Projects.
Renovation and Maintenance of Barrack, Infrastructure, Utilities and Facilities.
(1984–1986) Troop Commander, 22 Support Engineer Regiment Ijebu Ode, Nigeria. Support to training of troops.
Supervision of civil engineering construction projects
EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
(2015) Senior Executives in National and International Security (Diploma) Harvard Kennedy School USA.
(2012) Advanced Policy Advocacy and Engagement Training for Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in West Africa, West African Civil Society Institute, Accra (Ghana).
(2012) Network and Alliance Building Training for Civil Society Organisations (CSO), West African Civil Society Institute, Accra (Ghana).
(2012) Introduction to Policy Advocacy and Engagement Training for Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in West Africa, West African Civil Society Institute, Accra (Ghana).
(2011) National Security (Diploma) Galilee International Management Institute, Israel.
(2010) Conflict Analysis Course (Online), The United Sates Institute of Peace.
(2009) Joint Campaign Planning (French) Course, Kofi Anan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, Accra, Ghana.
(2009) Seminar/Training Workshop on Democracy, Peace Building and Conflict Management for the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army College of Logistics, Lagos.
(2008) Masters of Science (M.Sc) Defence and Strategic studies National Defence University, Islamabad (Pakistan).
(2006) Training Workshop on Democracy, Peace building & Conflict Management for the Military, Nigerian Army College of Logistic, Lagos (Nigeria). (2006) Engineer Senior Officer’s Course (ESOCO), Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Makurdi.
(2005) Course on Management for Results, Pan–African University, Lagos, Nigeria.
(2004) Training on Modern Industrial Automation: Instrumentation, Control System & Telemetry, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Lagos, Nigeria.
(2004) Conflict Analysis Course (Online), The United Sates Institute of Peace.
(2002), United Nations Training Assistance Team/Mission Training Cell Officers Course (UNTAT/MTC), Bangkok Thailand.
(1998-1999) Senior Command and Staff Course (Major Level) Passed Staff Course (psc), Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Teshie, Ghana.
(1999) Law of Armed Conflict, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Teshie, Ghana.
(1999) Certificate in Public Administration, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
(1996) Construction Management Course, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi, Benue State.
(1996) Engineer Officers Squadron Commanders Course, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi.
(1988-1994) Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) Electrical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
(1994) Junior Command/Staff College (Captain Level) Passed Junior Staff Course (pjsc), Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna, Nigeria.
(1988) Range Management Advance Course, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji.
(1986) Range Management Course (Basic), Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji.
(1985) 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander’s Course, Nigerian Army school of Infantry, Jaji.
(1984) Engineers Young Officer’s Course, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi, Benue State.
(1980-83) Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria
(1976-80) Mbaise Secondary School, (MSS) Aboh-Mbaise, West African School Certificate (WASC).
(1975-76) Community Secondary School, Amuzi-Mbaise.
(1974-75) St Cyprian’s Primary School, Umuojima, Isiala Ngwa, Abia State, First School Leaving Certificate.
1970-74 Central School Akpodim (St. Mathias Primary School, Akpodim), Mbaise,
SOCIETIES & INSTITUTIONS:
Registered Engineer, The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE)
HONOURS & AWARDS
Member of Order of the Federal Republic (MFR.)
Research Medal (RM)
Forces Service Star (FSS)
Meritorious Service Star (MSS)
Distinguished Service Star (DSS)
General Staff Medal of Honour (GSMH)
Passed Junior Staff Course (pjsc)
Passed Staff College (psc)
National Defence Course (ndc)
General Ogunewe’s fitness and suitability for Imo State Governorship at a time of Insecurity
From the personality, career, professional and academic profile of General Ogunewe, we need not look elsewhere for Imo State Governor come 2023 election.
In terms of proper management and resolution of the daunting insecurity facing Imo State, General Ogunewe would not be found wanting or caught napping. He has the military intelligence, professional training and practice in peacekeeping, peace enforcement and conflict resolution. He will blend his military zest and practical experience in conflict management and resolution to calm every frayed nerves and youth restiveness in Imo State. This will bring Imo back to its usual peaceful and serene atmosphere.
We need a man who is not coming to experiment with security strategies, a man who is current and has a magic wand, who knows what to do with less confusing piece of advice.
Being a refined military General and a practical field conflict manager cum peace builder, he understands the strategies on how to nip any spiraling insecurity in the bud.
Intellectually, having prepared himself for governance from the myriads of courses he attended and number of certificates and degrees in intelligence, diplomacy, strategy, and engineering, General Ogunewe is poised to rebuild Imo State in terms of infrastructural development, and collaborative and participatory governance. Imo State will be inundated with signature projects and sagacious governance with General Ogunewe in the saddle.
He is not coming to learn on the job but coming to give what he has, showcasing his iconic pedigree as well as putting to practice what he has learned and has been practicing elsewhere. Imo will be better for it as the State cannot afford to miss this golden opportunity to tap from this bundle of talent and skills, and wealth of knowledge.
The choice of General Ogunewe as the next Governor of Imo State, is a choice for infrastructural, investment, tourism developments and a secure Imo State given his towering exposure to national and international contacts that will transform into massive development; investors’ haven; industrial park; employment opportunities for our teeming youths; wealth creation; poverty eradication; prosperity; balance and harmony; stability; and peaceful coexistence.
Proverbs 29;2 says: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people mourn.”
Culled from Reality International Magazine.
