The Executive Governor of Imo State, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, today made a minor cabinet reshuffle which affected my new Ministry of Information, Tourism and Public Utilities. Cabinet reshuffle in government is usual as it makes the government stronger. People should please see this as such.
My Governor appointed me first as the Chairman of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation Radio/Television as a test of my managerial capability in September last year with Pastor Ralph Afuaku and Pastor Frank Onwumere as members. Within three Months, we reduced Government’s Monthly subvention to the Imo Broadcasting Corporation of Twenty six Million Naira to fifteen Million Naira, boosted the internally generated Revenue of the Station and transformed the Station, cleared all outstanding staff salaries, rebranded the face of the station. I received a lot of public commendations from my appreciative Governor. This achievement, made my Governor to appoint me as a commissioner of a new Ministry of Internal Resources and Pension Affairs purely based on merit.
Six Months after, I was redeployed to another new Ministry of Information, Tourism and Public Utilities. I accept Today’s cabinet reshuffle with happiness. Today, I shall be addressed as the former Chairman, Interim Management of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation; Former commissioner for Internal Resources and Pension Affairs and Former Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Public Utilities. I want to thank my Governor, His Excellency, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha for believing in me by giving me such sensitive positions. He went out of his way, not minding that I was one of his critics when I was the other way, not minding that I did not start the Rescue Mission journey with him and most importantly, not minding that I joined APC just three weeks to the Presidential election.
I thank my brother, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Prince Eze Madumere who brought me closer to Governor Okorocha. I could remember what my Governor asked me when we first met at his Spibat residence; “Ajumbe what can I give you to make you join me”, I answered, “Your Excellency, do not give me anything. My only request is that you win this election so that I will be in a ruling Party as I have not been in a ruling Party before” We sincerely put in our best and thank God we won. After our victory, I temporarily relocated to Abuja to use my national contacts to seek for a greener pasture without seeking or lobbying for any position in Imo State. Surprisingly, my Governor invited me and gave me these appointments which have today augmented my C.V. I am most grateful.
Having been close to Governor Okorocha, has changed my perception about him. I do advise him to give similar opportunities to those who criticize him. They will realize that about 90% of the information they have and give out to the public about Governor Rochas Okorocha is wrong. They were made out of jealousy or better put, “who is Rochas? Where does he come from?” We should begin now to re-orientate our minds and stop this spirit of ‘Pull-him-down’ syndrome’.
God bless all my friends in the media, supporters and the entire citizens and residence of Imo State and the general public for your support. Join Hands to build a better Imo State.
Dr. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe
Fmr. Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Public Utilities
