Hope Uzodinma
Soaring in the Storm of History
When the announcement was made of Senator Hope Uzodinma emerging as the governor of Imo state, many jubilated in and around the state. To some, this was surprising as they kept wondering why the victory at the Supreme Court would elicit so much joy and gladness.
Looking back now, the widespread happiness has not only been justified for a start but has also succeeded in rekindling Hope for the Heartland state in Nigeria.
In this piece, a special look is taken at the strides of the governor within the shortest possible time – his first 100 days in office.
When he came into the government, not only did he shock many persons by announcing that he will continue with projects left by his predecessor, as against the norm in Africa, he also emphatically said his interest is in development of the state and ensuring he gives the citizens and residents of the state, the best they deserve.
APPOINTMENTS
His apppointments also went a long way in showing that he is ready for business, not only that, he also went on to appoint the first female Acting chief judge in the state, Justice Ijeoma Agugua.
The governor assembled a team of capable men to help him achieve his programme for Imolites.
They are listed below:
C.O.C Akaolisa Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr Declan Emelumba is the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, ; Dr (Mrs) Damaris Osunkwo ( Commissioner for Health); Dr Iyke Njoku (Commissioner for Environment); Prof. B. T. O. Ikegwuoha —, (Commissioner for Education) ;Mr Francis Dibiagwu ( Commissioner for Special Duties) ; Mr Doris Akubuo ( Commissioner for Tourism and Creative Arts); Mr Daniel Oguh (Commissioner for Youths and Social Development); Mr Noble Atulegwu ( Commissioner for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition); Mr. Christopher Osuala( Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning); Mr Lambert Orisakwe ( Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources);
Mrs Obiageri Ajoku — (Commissioner for Livestock Development); Mrs Nkechi Ugwu – (Commissioner for Gender and Vulnerable Group); Mr Simeon Ibegbulem (Commissioner for Special Projects); Mr Kingsley Ononuju ( Commissioner for Commerce and Industry); Mr Enyinnaya Onuegbu (Commissioner for Lands); (Mr Rex Anunobi Commissioner in charge of Transport); Mr Raph Nwosu (Commissioner for Works); Mr Fabian Ihekwueme (Commissioner for Foreign/International Affairs); Mr Tony Umezuruike (Ministry of Public Utilities); Mr Iyke Umeh ( , Ministry of Technology Development); Dr Elias Martins Emedom (Ministry of Social Welfare and Sanitation); Love Ineh ( Commissioner for Housing).
We also have in the inner cabinet, Nnamdi Anyaechie as chief of staff; Chief Comas Iwu, Secretary to the State Government and Oguike Nwachukwu, chief press secretary and media adviser, among many others.
Since their apppointment, the commissioners have made immediate impact in the state, supporting the quest of Senator Hope Uzodinma for a better Imo. This was easy given their pedigree and proven track record. The appointment also showed gender sensitivity and love for youths, with over 90% of the appointments as Youths and Women.
CITIZENS ACCEPTANCE/WELFARE PROVISION
In a trip to various communities in Owerri, Orlu and other parts of the state, not only did they praise him, they also extolled his interest in prioritizing the welfare of the people in the state.
Senator Hope Uzodinma, did not just premise his administration on HOPE or on reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery for fun, he has begun proving why he chose to do this.
Workers in Imo state receive their salaries on 25th of every month, an unprecedented feat. He also gave official vehicles to senior Civil servants in the state.
Visits to project zones showed the fast pace at which projects are going on, leaving one impressed at such leadership with astute understanding of the immediate needs of the state. The pace at which work is going shows that in no distant time, Imo will become Nigeria’s most sought after Tourism Hub.
The health sector has also witnessed tremendous improvement under his watch, with the focus on wellbeing of the people.
CREATION OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS STATE MINISTRY
For a governor that sees governance not just as a local issue, the decision of Senator Hope Uzodinma to appoint a commissioner for Foreign and International Affairs does not just show his insights but understanding that there are sons and daughters of the states including international organizations and critical stakeholders who operate outside the confines of the country but remain very key to the development of the state. It is noteworthy that Imo state has vibrant sons and daughters in the Diaspora who love to identify with their roots and invest in Imo state, so it is a big decision for the governor to decide to have a commission for that purpose. This will remain one of the highpoints of the administration with yields from time to come and even immediately.
The appointment of Dr. Fabian Ihekweme as the commissioner for the
new ministry also shows the intention of the governor for internationalizing the leadership in Imo state and making the state fulfil its potentials including in the area of Tourism.
This Ministry will remain key to determining how much investment will flow into Imo state.
COVID-19
For any administration, protection and security of its citizens is a core responsibility. That is why the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic by the governor has shown huge proactiveness, difference in leadership and having the people at heart.
To achieve a prompt response to Covid-19, a nine-man committee on Prevention of Coronavirus disease in the state was set-up.
Professor of Pharmacognosy, Maurice Iwu, was made the Chairman of the high profiling committee. Also at the local government areas and ward levels, 28 state-of-the-art ambulances were provided to fortify the state in readiness for any emergency.
The government has also provided six well-equipped isolation centres at Okigwe General Hospital, Aboh Mbaise General Hospital, Orlu General Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Owerri, General Hospital Umuguma and the Ultra-Modern Well-being Centre, Owerri; as well as an operational Test and Treatment Centre for Corona virus in Owerri metropolis, with a molecular laboratory to test all viruses.
This includes COVID-19 and Ebola.
The commendation on this has been very huge and this is largely because Imo state does not even have an active case of Covid-19 yet!
With all this in place, the tourism potentials in the state will receive a boost as we would now have more confidence of people to visit the state and also make investments.
As the governor marks 100 days in office, there are clearly positive pointers that many more exploits will come in the months and years within his administration in Imo state. These are poised to be the best times to be in Imo or to be an Imolite.
While many more expected, the state is definitely on the right track.
Boniface Ihiasota is the Publisher of Excel Magazine International a USA based Internati onal media Expert
He wrote in from Owerri, Imo State
