Ibelugum, the lion waiting to roar
Dr. Hillary Obioma Ibelugum is an accomplished man by all standard who started his life journey decades ago in his peaceful Ute-Okupe settlement.
A man with an incredible large heart whose acts of generosity has touched several within and without Delta State. He has been a source of happiness and fulfillment especially to the poor masses of the state who he has used his hard earned wealth to lift from poverty to prosperity. Ib…, is truly a lion waiting to roar and the people of Delta State are prepared to go anywhere he goes.
Born into the family of Mr. Gilbert Okafor and Mrs. Flora Adaubulu Ibegbulem, Hillary like any other other child of his age and era in Ute-Okpu in Ika North East Local Government Area started his quest for formal Western education at Okundaye Primary School, Boji-Boji, Owa.
He spent his early years with his parents in Boji-Boji, Owa. His Father, a studious and diligent school teacher, imparted on young Hilary the zest for learning and inquiry which remain to this day as strong elements of his personality.
Done with his elementary education, he naturally progressed to the famous Ika Grammar School, Agbor from where he obtained his West African School Certificate, (O-Level) in 1988 in flying colours.
In 1992, saw him Hilary proceeded to acquire higher education at the Delta State University, Abraka and graduated with a Second Class Lower division in Economics in 1997. His academic pursuits further took him to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where he earned an M.Sc in Economics in 2004, a degree he acquired in his early part of his Civil Service Career.
He had earlier in the year 2000, joined the Delta State Public Service as a young officer in the Delta State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency as Assistant Secretary. From this position, diligence, character, honesty earned him a recommendation for appointment as Personal Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources Development and later to the Honourable Commissioner for Health. These appointments lasted through the period of 2001-2006, and provided some political exposure to Hilary. Accordingly, he took a leave of absence and joined active politics in 2007.
He was Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State (2007 – 2011), Senior Legislative aide to the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District (2011-2015), and Principal Secretary to the Governor of Delta State (2015 – 2023). It is worth noting that his public service stewardship has been remarkable by virtue of his contributions to the overall performance of the departments and agencies he served in.
His leadership qualities were demonstrated in the various initiatives and tasks that he handled. As Principal Secretary, he demonstrated the ability to inspire and guide others, facilitate collaboration and group thinking and thereby contributing to informed decisions. Indeed, his leadership skills have not only contributed to his professional success but have also positively influenced the lives of those that worked with him.
Amidst the intense demands of his exacting Public Service Career, Hilary’s thirst for professional development lingered. He thus found the strength and space to enroll for a Doctorate Programme in Business Management in the Delta State University, Abraka. This was successfully concluded in 2023 and it brought to fullness his rich exploratory journey through the fields of Economics and Business Management which began with his Bachelors Programme in Economics in 1992. But he continues to study and is currently undertaking a Bachelors at Law Programme at Baze University, Abuja.
Community Service and Philanthropy
Beyond his impressive academic and professional applications and achievements, Hilary is also very prominent in philanthropy. Through the Hilary Ibegbulem Foundation, he is dedicating himself to supporting young people and the less privileged as well as contributing to the development of his hometown. His initiatives are focused on education, healthcare and community development. In addition to building and donating a town-hall to his community, he has sustained a tree-planting campaign throughout the community which reflects his passion for conservation and sustainable development.
But his healthcare and educational interventions are far more extensive and cover both his community and other persons elsewhere that may be in need of such support. Till date, the Foundation has funded over hundred high profile surgeries in various tertiary health institutions. This aside from his charitable and occasional interventions in hospitals to directly support needy patients. It also excludes the sponsorship of medical outreach programs in which well-appointed medical teams visit communities for definite periods to attend to sundry medical conditions free of all charges.
Moreover, the Foundation also provides a wide range of educational support schemes for youths and indigent students. His commitment to philanthropy and his strong business background make him a truly remarkable and inspiring personality. His ability to balance his workload with a deep commitment to giving back to society is a testament to his compassionate and empathetic nature.
Working as a principal secretary to the chief executive of Delta State, exposed him him to the dynamics of governance and philanthropy, two strong attributes that have thrown him up as one of the most qualified politician from Delta North to be trusted to take up any political challenge as 2027 approaches.
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