Obi Gburugburu and Chairman, Okigwe Global Elders Forum, HRM Eze (Dr)Oliver Ohanweh, JP, has expressed optimism that Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State is determined to bequeath to the State, legacies for which succeeding generations of Imo people will eternally remain grateful to his administration. The monarch stated this during an interactive session with newsmen in Owerri.
According to Eze Ohanweh, who is the traditional ruler of Isiama Kingdom in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, the infrastructural developments and other socioeconomic achievements of the Uzodinma administration, speak volumes and portrays Governor Uzodinma as a trail blazer in leadership and administration. He cited the ANOH Gas Plant facilitated by the present State government as the first of its kind in Africa. ” The ANOH Gas Plant located in Assah, Ohaji/Egbema local government area is the largest gas plant in Africa and produces 850 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. This plant, which is a joint venture project between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Seplat Energy Plc, is strategic for national gas distribution and seeks to harness Nigeria’s vast reserves to accelerate economic development, reduce gas flaring, and boost cleaner energy use for Imo people and Nigerians,” Ohanweh stated.
He posited that as a “strategic thinker,” Governor Uzodinma, in his foresightedness, is resolved to champion socioeconomic and industrial revolution never witnessed in Imo before. He argued that it can only take a selfless administrator with a people-orientated blueprint for governance to set “our State on the path of socioeconomic and infrastructural development as Governor Uzodinma is doing”
The monarch also made reference to the flyover road project at Assumpta Cathedral roundabout, describing the project “as exceptionally beautiful and of high quality as well as the first of its kind in the State.” He pointed out that the flyover project will decongest traffic, faciltate commerce, and welcome visitors to the aesthetic, hospitable, and friendly nature of Imo State.
“There is also massive constructions going-on on the Owerri/Port Harcourt road by the construction giants, Crenburg Construction Company – the completed Owerri/Orlu Road,Owerri/Okigwe/Enugu Express Road, Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia Express Road and numerous other internal roads either being constructed or rehabilitated across the 27 local government areas. – all of which are completed or ongoing. There are also about 57 new Health Care Centres to boost and cater to the health care needs of our rural dwellers. Similarly, more teachers are being recruited to boost the educational development of the State just as Imo today has the highest number of State-owned universities and other tertiary institutions,” Eze Ohanweh said, pointing out that all these things “were made possible by the governor because he appreciates the fact that health is wealth and that an educated society, is equally a wealthy society.”
According to him,when critics of the emergence of Senator Uzodinma as governor of Imo State in 2020 were expressing scepticism on his ability to successfully navigate through the murky waters of politics and governance usually associated with Imo State, he had reminded the critics then, that considering Uzodinma’s doggedness, foresight and administrative acumen, he was firmly confident in the governor’s unparalleled capacity to excel. “Challenges and booby traps were set for the governor at the inception of his administration. For over five years, politically contrived insecurity was foisted on our State in a bid to discredit his administration, during which there was a deliberately orchestrated prison break at Owerri prisons – just to wickedly tarnish the governor’s image and portray him as a weakling. All these were politically orchestrated so that a State of Emergency(SoE) could be declared in Imo and remove him as governor. But, I rose up and said no. I fought against such a wicked plot, and today, Imo people are enjoying the administrative wisdom, sagacity, and ingenuity of Governor Uzodinma,” the monarch enthused.
He further noted that the governor’s prudent management of the State’s economy has occasioned a massive boost in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)profile of Imo. The governor’s frugal nature and commitment to financial accountability is highly commendable, he averred, noting that “till date, there is no record of monetary borrowings by his administration anywhere. Instead of borrowing, he is even reducing the State’s indebtedness occasioned by borrowings from his predecessors.”
The traditional ruler of Isiama Kingdom also paid glowing tributes to the governor for annually sponsoring both Christian and Muslim pilgrims to the Holy lands. “Last year,he sponsored 1000 pilgrims to Israel and Mecca, respectively. This year again,he is sponsoring another 1000 pilgrims. I have never seen a detribalized governor like Governor Uzodinma who believes in the unity and harmonious coexistence of Nigerians as one people,” he averred, pointing out that “as a member of the Imo State Council of Elders, I intend sponsoring a motion that the Council should honour the governor with a Nobel Prize for Excellence in Leadership and Administration. This, I hope, would motivate future governors in the State to always try and excel as well as live above board while in office.”
Eze Ohanweh, however, appealed to Governor Uzodinma to ensure that Okigwe geopolitical zone is redeemed from its unenviable status as the least developed zone in Imo State. “As Chairman of Okigwe Global Elders Forum, it is incumbent upon me to draw His Excellency’s attention to the pathetic state of Okigwe zone – politically, economically and infrastructurally. We are obviously marginalized in all sectors,which is now compounded by the menace of the resurgence of insecurity. I am appealing to our governor not to forget Okigwe zone. In fact, he should declare a State of Emergency on security in Okigwe zone. He has the capacity to put an end to this wahala so that our people can rest while businesses pick up again in the zone. He did it in other parts of the State and can replicate the same in Okigwe zone. I trust the governor’s capabilities,” the monarch stressed.
On the 2027 Imo governorship debacle, Eze Ohanweh pointed out that Okigwe zone has seasoned, tested and trusted administrators with proven capacity to sustain the laudable legacies of Governor Uzodinma when he must have left office by 2028. In his words – “Okigwe zone is ready to take over the mantle of governance after His Excellency’s very impactful exit from office by 2028. All Okigwe zone require is His Excellency’s endorsement and we will present to Imo people our best material for the job. It will be anti-progress if someone who does not understand the body language of the governor is allowed to succeed him. Such a person will obviously be a time bomb waiting to explode and set Imo backwards again.”
Eze Ohanweh expressed the hope that by the time the incumbent governor leaves office, Imo people will have every reason to assess the administration’s programmes for the people of the State with pride. He assured Imo people that the governor means well and pleaded for their continued support for his administration in the overall interest of the State.
