Governor Rochas Okorocha on Monday said he was leaving behind a viable and secured Imo State to the governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha.
A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, said Okorocha spoke when he received the new Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze Yusuf Tukura.
According to the statement, the governor was quoted as saying that he was going to the Senate to agitate for free education policy for all Nigerian students.
It said that the free education policy would afford the children of the poor to have access to education.
The statement quoted Okorocha as saying, “I also want to use the opportunity in the Senate to rebuild the political bridge that has linked the South East with the rest of Nigerians.
The political bridge is somehow faulty and it is dutifully incumbent on me to rebuild this bridge so that Igbo will play a recognised role in the politics of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I am going to the Senate to promote the cause of ordinary Nigerians. These are some of the things I am going to the Senate to do. Otherwise, I have no business there.
“We have enjoyed a very good working relationship with all the past Army Commanders and we are hopeful it will continue. Imo is a peaceful state. It was made peaceful through the efforts of the rescue mission government, in partnership with other security agencies in the state.
“The transformation you have seen in Imo State eight years down the line is as a result of sacrifice. A leader who does not make sacrifice has no business with leadership.
“What you are seeing in Imo is a product of sacrifice. Sacrifice of self, sacrifice of comfort and personality, denial of yourself who you are, that you might serve your people well.
“I will advise you Brigadier-General to set a target for yourself on what you want to achieve in Imo State as the commander in the state.
“You have brought us message of peace and so we want you to maintain peace and tranquility. You should serve Imo people as your own home.
“Today, you are in Igboland as a Brigade Commander; so, you are automatically an Igbo man now. It is the attitude that will guarantee peace in Nigeria.”
PUNCH
