… A TRUISM ASSESSMENT OF A PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP.
By Nwamkpa Modestus (KSM)
Governance is like a relay race where you run a distance and hand over the baton to another person to continue the race. Governance also can be likened to a pregnancy whose gestation period is known from conception. Power or governance exposes the character, world view, sagacity and personal egocentric deposition of the holder of power. Nothing exposes the real character of a person than power or governance.
Prior to January 15, 2020 when God Almighty in his infinite mercy manifested his love for Imo state and the Eagle landed here, Imo state was looking like a malnourished child occasioned by years of starvation of good governance and unprecedented pilfering of the resources, lands and properties of the state particularly from May 29, 2011 to May 29,2019.
Although, in-between that time and the coming in power of Governor Uzodimma, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha held sway like John the Baptist who waited for the birth of the real Messiah. Unfortunately, that temporary government could not do much as it had its eyes parmanently gazed on the possibility of a re-run election knowing fully well that it came in through a default. There was nothing visible really to show for the short lived government.
When Governor Uzodimma took over, alot of landmines were laid on his way which ordinarily would have frustrated a lilly livered person but because Sen Uzodimma had already prepared himself even for the worst situation, he braced up the challenge and immediately asserted himself. He met a completely zero finance in the purse of the state and had no Kobo to take off. He was not handed over any note, the economy of the country was in shambles up till now as a result of the outbreak of the deadly Covid- 19 and he equally met a decayed infrastructure and piles of debts bequeathed to him by his predecessors among other challenges.
They say that the strength of a rubber band is only known when stretched. Governor Uzodimma quickly displayed the real man in him. He started addressing the terribly bad roads within and outside Owerri capital city. He responded to the cries of Imo people over bad road which got to Haven.
At the last count, Chukwuma Nwoha road, MCC, Relief Market, Oparanozie, Federal Secretariat, Aba road, PH road, Orlu road, World bank, Okigwe road, back of Nekede Zoo, Douglas road, Nekede/Ihiagwa road, Okwudo/ Awo omamma, IMSUTH Orlu etc got his immediate attention at least to save Imo people from witnessing a horrifying experience the passed through during the eight year of Okorocha’s tenure year in, year out. To the glory of God, the issue of bad roads network has been adequately attended to and Imo people are happy now.
On Civil Service, the Governor met a dysfunctional system riddled with strong institutional corruption, low morale, nepotism, arbitrary employment racketeering and strong cabal of corruption syndicate. He instantly rolled off his sleeves and went into war and combated the system. The result so far is encouraging.
He came with both the Carrot and the stick. Permanent Secretaries were given official Cars while free Buses were provided for civil servants to boast productivity. The Governor also introduced a novel idea in order to curb cortuption- Automation system. Water and light were restored at the state secretariat after over ten years.
Education sector was not left out. The Governor got approval for the first ever Imo state University of Agricultural Science Umuagwo, IMSUTH Orlu and Imo state University Owerri received and are still reviving serious attention.
Youths were trained in different vocational skills and very soon, the empowerment of the trained ones will begin. Already billions of naira have been earmarked for this purpose.
The Health sector is faring well. The Governor introduced health at your door step with the purchase of fully equiped Mobile Clinic and Ambulances in each of the 27 LGAs of the state to make healthcare assessible to the rural people.
The Governor got the passage of the bill establishing Imo state waste Management Agency and today, Imo state is relatively clean. The Agency is doing a great job in keeping Owerri capital city clean while such is replicated across the 27 LGAs of the state. This is the same with virtually all the sectors as there is no sector that Governor Uzodimma has not touched within his shirt stay in office.
So with all sense of pride, I can beat my chest and say that Governor has changed the narrative in Imo within 14 months. So far, so wonderfully well.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
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