By Emmanuel Unegbu
It was the Holy Book which states that when the righteous are in authority, people will rejoice. This has been evident in Imo state where the negative forces that held power in the state have been overthrown with the emergence of the people’s Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
It has been joy and gladness in the lives of Imo indigenes both home and in diasporas. Imo state has once again begun to realize real service-oriented leadership. The resources of Imo state are once more used to better the lives of Imolites. It is no longer business as usual as was the case in the past administrations. It is no longer governance in the media and pages of newspapers as witnessed in the past.
One can rightly argue that all the indigenes and residents of Imo state have felt the blessings of good leadership emanating from Governor Owelle Rocha Okorocha. No wonder Imo brethren in the United States of America are proud to celebrate their state again and Governor in september 2013 in far away Houston, Texas. The event which is being organized by Prince Noel Productions and other good people of Imo state will be hosted by the Mayor of Houston, Annise Parker. Sons and daughters of Imo state are eagerly waiting to celebrate their state again as models for others to follow and as symbols of hope that all hope is not lost in our country Nigeria.
The kind of governance His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is providing is worthy of emulation. His decentralization of power in which he carved the 4th tier government which is made up of volunteers who render free services to the state should be adopted by other leaders as a model for good governance. These volunteers are working within the vision of the Governor to transform Imo state and create a future for the younger generation. The Governor has shown that when an honest man is in leadership that the good people of Imo state as seen in these volunteers will be all out to work selflessly for the good of Imolites. With Owelle Rochas in power, the era of ‘come and chop’ enthroned by the past administrations have been shut down and buried. The lieutenants he has chosen to work with are accomplished and respected individuals who have love for and are interested in what they can do for the state and not what the state can do for them.
His Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere, for example, left the luxuries of the United States of America to return and serve in Imo state. As chief of staff to the Governor and now Deputy Governor , Prince Eze Madumere, has rightly turned that office from being a kitchen cabinet of the governor as was in the past administrations, to a service-oriented office in tune with the Rescue Mission of the present Governor. The Commissioners for Information, Mr Chinedu Offor and Special assistants on Media, are honourable men who are not ‘milling’ out lies and deceits to the citizens as was in the past. One can now believe in the information coming from the leadership of the state and be confident that the Governor is also getting correct information about the citizens of the state. The Chief of Staff to the Governor Sir Jude Ejiogu who once headed IGR and Local Government Service Commision, proved his reliability and commitment to the service of Imo State Government. Sir Jude Ejiogu made both offices once again functional in collecting remitting internal generated revenue to the coffers of the state instead of private pockets as was in the past. This money has become very useful in provision of good governance in the state. The men and many others in His Excellency’s cabinet are either people attracted back home by Owelle or people who were educated and trained in the United States and UK whom the Governor has brought in to assist in his Rescue Mission agenda in Imo state.
The Imo day USA 2013 will be a time to celebrate and display the rich cultural heritage of Imo State. As One of the organisers, I am a US-based entertainment Czar and psychologist from Imo state who was educated in Universities of Houston, Texas Southern University as well as Urbaniana Universtas Roma and who is the CEO of Prince Noel Productions USA; I hereby state that the day will among other things showcase the huge investment opportunities in Imo state as well as serve as a morale booster to the youths and Ndigbo that all hope is not lost in our country Nigeria. The interaction with the Governor will give the good people of Imo state resident in the USA an opportunity to dialogue and get a first hand insight into the vision and mission which Owelle Rochas Okorocha has and is vigorously pursuing in Imo state.
It will also give room for all others who have good intentions for different Zones and Local Governments in Imo State to come up with their Good plan and assessment. Among all will be lectures on Investment possibilities in Imo State, The Culture and people of Imo State, Music Performances by Imo indigenous Artists all over the USA like Kelly Hansome, Meca & Menty Oleforo (Mecmen) , Ken-Z and Others.
The Ideato Masquerades will show up LIVE , Bongo Musicians will be present. As well we will have Imo Indigenous Celebrities like, Vitalis Ndubisi, Genevieve Nnaji, Uche Ogbuagu, Kanayo O Kanayo, Osita Iheme, Victor Osuagwu and others
This kind of leadership presently in Imo state assures Ndigbo as a whole that we have someone who when the time calls, can represent us altruistically and effectively in any national and international assignments; and we can be very sure that he will make us proud.
With a worthy government in power, we are looking forward to a worthy celebration come August 2003.
Prince Emmanuel Unegbu , an event producer, IT expert and writer is based in HOUSTON , USA.
