By Chidimma Okwara,
In a grand ceremony celebrating democratic excellence and impactful leadership, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has been honored with the prestigious “Best Performing Senator of the Year” award at the Democracy Heroes Award Africa 2025. The recognition, presented during the event held in Abuja, solidifies Senator Nwoko’s standing as one of the most proactive and results-driven legislators in the 10th National Assembly.
The Merit Behind the Honour
The Democracy Heroes Award Africa is renowned for its rigorous selection process, which evaluates public officeholders on tangible contributions to governance. Senator Nwoko emerged victorious from a highly competitive category, which featured several prominent serving senators. The organizers, Face of Democracy Nigeria (FDN) Projects, assessed nominees based on their legislative efforts, the relevance of people-oriented bills and motions sponsored, and visible community impact within their constituencies.
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Senator Nwoko’s legislative scorecard highlights a deep commitment to national reform and grassroots upliftment, positioning him as a standout performer. His sponsorship of over 30 strategic bills within his tenure has covered diverse areas, including:
Social Security: Bills aimed at establishing a comprehensive social security framework for vulnerable citizens.
Youth Empowerment: Legislation focusing on skill development, technology integration, and youth innovation.
Democratic Reform: Notably, the push for the Diaspora Voting Bill, aimed at granting voting rights to Nigerians abroad.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Senator Nwoko expressed profound gratitude to the voters and organizers, but reserved his dedication for a historic figure: Sir Dennis Osadebay, Nigeria’s second Senate President and the first Premier of the defunct Midwestern Region.
Senator Nwoko traced the significance of the award back to Sir Osadebay’s visionary ideals, particularly his role in championing the idea of an Anioma State. Nwoko stated that his legislative pursuit is a continuation of this decades-old agenda, which seeks to address the systemic marginalization and ensure equitable representation for the Anioma people (the Igbo-speaking part of Delta State).
“This is one award that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I want to dedicate it to a very special man… What he started many years ago—the creation of Anioma State—is what I am trying to achieve today,” Nwoko remarked, underscoring his primary goal in the Senate.
Beyond the National Assembly floor, Senator Nwoko emphasized that the driving philosophy of his public service is patriotism and integrity, stating that politics should be an avenue for genuine service rather than personal enrichment.
His non-legislative efforts across the nine Local Government Areas of Delta North have included the establishment of ICT centers, deployment of solar streetlights, provision of access roads, and organizing extensive medical and empowerment programs. These initiatives, coupled with his global advocacy efforts like the Malaria Eradication Project, paint a picture of a representative focused on holistic development.
The award serves as a powerful validation of Senator Nwoko’s multifaceted approach to representation, recognizing his effectiveness both in shaping national discourse through legislation and in delivering tangible benefits to his constituents. His tenure continues to set a high benchmark for purposeful leadership in the Nigerian senate.
