*URASHI RIVER DREDGING* – It Is A Project That I’ve Already Established The Commercial Justification And Viability Profile”
~His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Governor Uzodimma provides insights into the need for access to the sea for Imo State.
*Excerpts*.
“Since after the civil war, it is the belief of many, particularly maritime operators, that Imo State is landlocked.
“But by share coincidence and our knowledge of the geography of the South East, we were able to discover that between Urashi River to the Sea, is less than 93 nautical miles – And it is a project, (through Federal project), that if it is done, Imo State will benefit up to 95% of all the accruable benefits.
“Only today, we’ve signed the Memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Navy, Imo State Government and Geo-Marine Services, leading a consortium of companies to open up that access to the sea.
“It is not about weather we are building a seaport. It is not about whether it is necessary. It is more than ever necessary. I have a compelling need to have big vessels come straight into Imo State.
“It is the duty of the Nigerian Ports Authority to authorise or approve the construction of seaports, but it is the duty of the government both at the national or sub-national level to guarantee security for the citizens.
“I must at this juncture thank Mr. President, Mohammadu Buhari. When I got to him, he approved the establishment of a naval base in Oguta, and today, the Naval Base is fully established and commissioned.
“And when this Urashi River is opened up to the sea, the naval patrol vessels, other security agencies, will be able to ensure regular patrols of the creeks and the channel. If that happens, there will be no crude oil theft, there will be no kidnapping in that area, banditry will become a thing of the past, and the immediate environment which is Imo State will be boosted and our internally generated revenue will be enhanced.
“It is a project that I have already established the commercial justification and viability profile”.
~ Hope Uzodimma, speaking while presenting vehicles to the Leadership of the State and Local Government Traditional Rulers in Imo State.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDS OF HISTORY – Governor Hope Uzodimma and his Shared Prosperity Agenda.
*Compiled by the Office of the Governor, Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment*
At critical junctures in history, major event(s) or factor(s) converge to disrupt the existing political, social or economic balance.
The emergence of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma as the Governor of Imo State came at a critical juncture in Imo State history.
It came at a time when politics became most fractured. At a time the world was recovering from a depressed economy and a bitter COVID 19 memory that killed thousands all over the world. Not forgetting the insecurity occasioned by the unknown gunmen and politically contrived killings.
Always regarded as a man of the people with a large and forgiving heart, it is fitting that Hope Uzodimma emerged during a divisive time like now.
For close to a decade, Imo State witnessed stagnation and lack of growth in critical sectors most especially, lack of adequate infrastructures and due process in governance.
At the time Uzodimma came, it was either that Imo State continue with the nosedive or make a turn for the better.
And Governor Hope Uzodimma choosed the option of making Imo State better.
It was a daunting task not only because the decay was enourmous but also due to dwindling resources and the presence of a political class hell bent on demarketing Imo State both locally, nationally and internationally. They made it plain that there will be no peace as long as Uzodimma remain Governor.
The Uzodimma administration was anchored on the Shared Prosperity Agenda which stood on the tripod of reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery.
1. RECOVERY:
Imo State witnessed what was regarded as a “rape” of its assets. Stolen resources included physical assets and non physical assets.
In fulfilment of the recovery agenda, Governor Uzodimma, the following were accomplished.
[A] The Eastern Palm University worth over 40 billion naira was recovered from former Governor Rochas Okorocha and his family. The University is now owned by the Imo State Government following the approval and issuance of certificate of ownership by the National Universities Commission.
[B] The Imo State Standard Shoe Company previously foreclosed by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria ( AMCON) was equally recovered after the settlement of the 1.5 billion naira indebtedness to AMCON.
[C] Following the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Land and Related Matters, Governor Uzodimma in implementing the report handed over more than 2,000 plots of land to the original owners. Institutions such as the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education was given back the Alvan Quarters. Tje Magistrate Court quarters was recovered. So also many properties belonging to institutions. The designated new Government House Layout was returned to government.
[D] The famous Eke Ukwu Owerri market which is the ancestral market of Owerri people was recovered.
[E] The Imo State Rubber Plantations which were clandestinely ceded to private operators is now back into the hands of the government. The Rubber Estates are located in Emeabiam in Owerri West Local Government Area, Umuokanne Agriculture Rubber Estate and the Obiti Rubber Plantation both in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area.
[F] Also recovered were a number of markets scattered in different parts of the state; built with state resources but handed over to the cronies of the previous administration.
*REHABILITATION* is another agenda on the tripod. Here again, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma delivered on the following:-
[i] The rehabilitation of 305 Health Centres in the 305 electoral wards in Imo State.
[ii] The rehabilitation of the abandoned Adapalm Plantation which occupies an area of 4,310 hectares of oil palm. Presently a new Public, Private Partnership management is in place with the state, and host communities holding shares in the company. The money spinning venture now produces about 120 tons of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) monthly.
[iii] The Acharaubo Farm Estate at Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area is back to live. Established by the government of Late Chief Sam Mbakwe, this livestock farm is now in operation with the Imo State Government partnering with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA)
[iv] The Otamiri water scheme which served the Owerri Capital Territory is now supplying potable, hygienic water to the public. With the support of World Bank and USAID, the company won the 2022 Word Bank Utility of the Future Award as an acknowledgement of the successes recorded.
[v] The Eluama Water Scheme in Orlu local government area, and Ekenguru water scheme in Aboh Mbaise LGA has been rehabilitated.
In the area of *RECONSTRUCTION*, what President Mohammadu Buhari described as infrastructural revolution is taking place under Governor Hope Uzodimma. More than 1000 kilometres of road in both the urban and rural areas has so far witnessed reconstruction. The 2022 budget allocated 74.64% to capital expenditure. The 35 kilometres Owerri-Orlu dual carriageway and the 46 kilometres Owerri -Okigwe road was delivered as intercity road. The dualization of the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road, another 46 kilometres is ongoing. Also under construction is the Orlu-Akokwa-Arondizogu-Uga road leading to Anambra State measuring 37 kilometres.
For Owerri capital territory, the following are some of the completed urban roads.
1. Oparanozie Street 2. Amaigbo Street 3. Edede Street. 4. Ring roads in Aladinma Housing Estate. 5. Lake Nwaebere Street, 6. Olokoro Street, 7. Umuahia Street 8. Okeikpe Street 9. Arugo Street 10. Egbema Street 11. Ngwa Street. 12. Douglas Road. 13. JP Ajaelu Street, 14. Thomas Moore Street 15. Gozie Nwachukwu Street 16. Archdeacon Dennis Road, Aladinma 17. Assumpta / Ibari Ogwa / Portharcourt road. 18. Federal Secretariat Road (now Muhammadu Buhari Dual carriageway Drive) 19. Dick Tiger Road 20. Akachi Road (now Evan Enwerem Way). (cause) 21. Relief Market road 22. Imo University Teaching Hospital Road, Orlu 23. Market Road, opp IMSU gate. 24. Egbeada Bypass Road (dual carriageway) 25. The Sam Mbakwe road. 26. The House of Assembly back gate road. 27. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua road. 28. The Deputy Speakers Lodge avenue.
*And many others*.
The rural areas of Imo State are not left out. The Imo State Government is constructing 153 kilometres of rural roads at five kilometres per each local government area in the first phase of the program.
[vi] The famous Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri is fully reconstructed both the main complex, the indoors sports centre, the handball court. An Olympic sized swimming pool is now nearing completion.
[vii] The Imo State House of Assembly main complex is not totally reconstructed and commissioned by President Mohammadu Buhari.
In the area of *Intangible Assets* accomplishments, the government of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has added tremendous value.
The Alvan Ikoku College of Education has been elavated to a Federal University of Education.
The Federal Medical Centre Owerri is now upgraded to Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology Owerri.
The optimization of revenue processes through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is another policy that has grown the internally generated revenue of the state.
The adoption of the SEFTAS open budget system has led to World Bank awards and financial grants.
Under Governor Hope Uzodimma, over thirty Bills were passed and signed into law between January 2020 till date. Some of these laws are listed below.
1. Imo State Revenue Administration (Amendment) Law No. 1 of 2020 2. Imo State Administratration of Criminal Justice Law No. 2 of 2020 3. Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (Amendment) Law No. 3 of 2020 4. COVID-19 and other Dangerous Infectious Diseases Prevention and Eradication Law No. 4 of 2020 5. Imo State Waste Management Agency Law No. 5 of 2020 6. Imo State Land Use Charge Law No. 6 of 2020 7. Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Studies Aboh/Okpala (Establishment) (Amendment) Law No. 7 of 2020 8. IMO State Governor’s Pension and Privileges (Repeal) Law No. 8 of 2020 9. Oil (Licensing and Control) Law No. 9 of 2020 10. Imo State of Nigeria Traditional Rulers Autonomous Communities and Allied Matters (Amendment) Law No. 10 of 2020 11. Imo State Polytechnic (Amendment) Law No. 11 of 2020 12. 2020 Imo State of Nigeria Appropriation (Review) Law No. 12. of 2020 13. Imo State Bureau for the Co-ordination of Donor Assisted Projects (Establishment) Law No. 13 of 2020 14. Imo State Micro, Small and Medium Scale Industries Development Agency Law No. 14 of 2020 15. 2021 Imo State of Nigeria Appropriation Law No. 15 of 2020 16. Imo State Administratration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law No. 16 of 2020 17. Imo State Waste Management Agency (Amendment) Law No. 17 of 2020 18. Imo State Bureau for the Co-ordination of Donor Assisted Projects (Establishment) (Amendment) Law No. 18 of 2020 19. Imo State Micro, Small and Medium Scale Industries Development Agency (Establishment) (Amendment) Law No. 19 of 2020 20. Kingsley Ozuomba (K. O) Mbadiwe University (Establishment) Law No. 1 of 2021 21. Imo Security Organization (IMSO) Law No. 2 of 2021 22. Imo State Land Administratration and Geographical Information Service (Establishment) Law No. 3 of 2021 23. Imo State Audit Law No. 5 of 2021. 24. Imo State Dept Management (Establishment) law No. 6 of 2021. 25. Imo State Markets Development Authority (Amendment) law No. 7, 2021. 26. Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law No. 8, 2021. 27. Imo State Supplementary Appropriation Law No. 9. 2021 28. Imo State Local Government Development Areas Administration (Amendment) law No. 10 of 2021 29. Imo State of Nigeria Appropriation law No. 11 of 2021
Governor Uzodimma has masterful partnered with *International Development Agencies*.
In 2022, Imo became one of the beneficiaries of the Special Agro Industrial processing project. This is a $160-million agric programme of the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural etc. The project is a mega cluster-based infrastructure venture to aggregate farmers, processors and retailers to connect agricultural production to the market.
According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the AfDB President, who was once Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, “the special agro-industrial processing zones will be game-changers for agriculture in Nigeria.
Also the Imo State Industrial and Innovation park is slated for take off. The multi billion naira project will be situated at the Ibigwe Oil field, in Ohaji-Egbema LGA. Already Waltersmith Petrolman Limited, an oil and gas production company in the area has committed to the success of the project.
Also attracted from the federal government is a new naval base located at Oguta. The base is now performing their maritime security duties along the water ways of Imo State.
In the area of Health, more than 300 medical students has been graduated by the Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, after a decade of non accreditation. The Teaching Hospital is now equiped with, Digital X-ray machines, Mammogram machine, Ambulance, Dialysis machines, Molecular Biology and Chemical Pathology Laboratory equipment (for COVID-19 and other viral disease tests) and Anastetic machines.
The Imo State Specialist Hospital Umuguma in Owerri is now fully functional and performing complicated operations like spinal and brain injury surgeries.
For healthcare service delivery, the Governor procured 10 mobile clinics for intervention at the primary level.
Workers in Imo State both the state and local government civil servants are free beneficiaries of the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme. A new Ministry of Health Insurance was established to drive the agenda.
Imo State became the first state in Nigeria to create a Ministry of Digital Economy and E-government. The Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026 is the State Government’s policy document formulated to harness ICT potential to provide new solutions to developmental challenges and foster economic growth, competitiveness, enhance access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion.
A NEW ULTRA MODERN MARKET FOR OWERRI CAPITAL CITY.
From the ashes of the destroyed Eke Ukwu Owerri market rises a brand new modern market ready for commissioning sson.
The new market layout includes:- Retail Shops-1,728 units. Specialized Shops – 340 units. Warehouse – 72 units. Cold Room-12 units. Open Stalls/Lockup Shops 240 units. Banks – 4 units.Fire Station. Police Post.Public Toilets Water TankATM Gallery. Security Post – 7 units. Incinerator. Multi Level Car Park And Open Stalls.
*IMO AIRPORT* – We Are Installing Night Landing Facilities At Imo Airport ~ Governor Hope Uzodimma
No night flights has ever landed at the Imo Airport since its maiden flight. Governor Hope Uzodimma has now decided to bring night flights into Owerri. The thinking of the Governor is captured herein when he explained his vision as follows, –
“When we have night landing facilities, our brothers and sisters who are coming home from outside the country during this Christmas period will land in Owerri at night.
“Very soon harmattan will start and local flights are only allowed at night. And those who must come back will land in Port Harcourt or land in other neighbouring States, and then begin to come by road to Imo State.
“When we have facilities for night flight and navigation, they will fly straight into Owerri and if there is need for them to sleep overnight before going to the villages, they will patronize our own hotels.
“We are talking about the impact of our growth plan and economic recovery. Its like building a house. We must set out the plan, set out the pillars…We must design what is implementable, and that is what we are doing”
There is renewed buoyancy everywhere, thanks to the Governor who has demonstrated a commendable level of seriousness with impactful governance that is visible to everybody.
Compiled by Prince Eze Ugochukwu. Office of the Governor, Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment.
*A NEW YEAR BEST WISHES TO THE “Man in the Arena”*
By: Prince Eze Ugochukwu
The slogan “Press On” will adequately describe a new year wish to the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma.
As someone who is daily faced with situations that requires courage, wisdom, skill, and tenacity, Governor Hope Uzodimma is “the man in the arena” and needs to “Press On” with determination in other to overcome.
From the beginning of his tenure as the Imo State Governor, Uzodimma has shown focused and admirable determination and persistence in tackling the challenges facing the state.
This reminds us of the encouraging words of Calvin Coolidge (1933) when he said that, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent”. So Governor Uzodimma needs to press on to accomplish the laudable policies and programs of his administration.
People of good conscience will join in wishing Governor Hope Uzodimma a fantastic new year. He deserves it. He has led from the front. He has tackled daunting infrastructural challenges, empowered the people, provided enough security, and most importantly restored confidence in government through prudent management and allocation of scarce resources.
When we say, to whom much has been given, much is expected, we make bold to state unequivocally that Governor Uzodimma has risen to the positive expectations of his people despite the contrived insecurity targeted at derailing his administration. Sometimes, all you need is patience and wisdom to overcome the obstacles people place in your way.
Despite the mis-speak of cynics, those who trade on misinformation and rumours in order to deepen divisions, the Governor has redefined governance in Imo State through value additions. We now have new universities, new teaching hospitals, a functional civil service and youths receiving digital technology trainings in order to face the future.
It was Theodore Roosevelt, former President of the United States, who in a speech titled, Citizenship in a Republic delivered at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, on April 23, 1910, warned the educated elite not to use their education only to sneer at, or criticize those who actually do the work.
He described them as weak, and that they deserve the contempt of their fellow citizens. “The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer,” he said. “A cynical habit of thought and speech, a readiness to criticize work which the critic himself never tries to perform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life’s realities—all these are marks, not … of superiority but of weakness.”
Imo State is full of such weak, unhealthy men who pontificate on a daily basis without going into the arena to do the hard work or solve the problem in practical terms. But they sneer, jeer, and twist the facts on ground while posing as pseudo-intellectuals.
According to Roosevelt, “There are many men who feel a kind of twisted pride in cynicism; there are many who confine themselves to criticism of the way others do what they themselves dare not even attempt”.
Governor Uzodimma met a decayed Imo State. Everything was comatose. No intercity roads, the Teaching Hospital was dead. Medical students could not graduate for over a decade. Public and private properties were stolen from legitimate owners. He set to work and turned things around through his noble and lofty efforts.
Yet, as Roosevelt posited, “There is no more unhealthy being, no man less worthy of respect, than he who either really holds, or feigns to hold, an attitude of sneering disbelief toward all that is great and lofty”.
As the new year of the Lord 2023 unfolds, we are encouraged by this inspirational and impassioned message by Roosevelt:-
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma remains the same – a friendly personality with a deep spiritual side, willing to give his all to give Imo State the much-needed push into a modern, model state, and what has come to the fore is the wide support that he has received over the last couple of years.
May the new year bring new vision, new mission and new thinking to everyone.
Happy new year to His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Happy new year to all sons and daughters of goodwill and good conscience of Imo State.
Let us march triumphantly into the new year.
Eze Ugochukwu is the Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Public Enlightenment.
*THE NEW IMO ABATTOIR Under Construction By Governor Hope Uzodimma*
For decades, Imo State, especially the Owerri Capital City and its environs lacked a modern slaughterhouse where butchers can use hygienic methods in carrying out their meat processing operations.
His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma is desirous of bequeathing modern slaughter facilities which awaits roofing at Naze, in Owerri North Local Government Area.
The idea is to provide a location where hygienic slaughtering of animals with proper waste management, and compliance with environmental laws, can be obtained so as to ensure supply of safe and hygienic meat to the consumers with minimum manual handling.
▪ The resultant waste materials are to be suitably handled to remove any potential danger or meatborne infectious diseases reaching the public or contaminating the environment.
The Abattoir has the capacity to handle the slaughter and processing of more than 40 cows and 100 goats per day.
▪ The new abattoir has provisions for:
• Portable water with boreholes. • Electric power supply plus independent power. • Sewage. • 24 ( nos) Store rooms for sales outlet. • 3 ( nos) Cow slabs. • 3 (nos) Goat slabs. • 3 ( nos) Treatment rooms, including cutting room, refrigeration room, supply of hot and cold water under pressure. • Veterinary inspection room, and disinfection facilities. • 2 (nos) Lairage for cows and goats. • A truck park. • Administive block.
The Imo State Commissioner for Livestock Production, Dr. Anthony Mgbeahuruike, disclosed that the roofing of the new abattoir will be fully completed within a month.
Dr. Mgbeahuruike commended Governor Uzodimma for providing the facility, which he described as all encompassing and all embracing in livestock processing.
*ANOTHER CORPORATE BREAKTHROUGH BY GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA* – As Coca Cola Approves Funding For Digital Skills Training Of Imo State Youths.
*Corporate Imo Impact Partnership (CIIP) ends 2022 on a high note!*
We are happy to announce that The Coca Cola Foundation (TCCF) has approved a significant grant to the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE) to implement a “Youth Digital Training and Employment Project” (YDTEP) in Nigeria.
CSAAE will implement YDTEP in partnership with the Imo State Government, given the State’s significant investment in youth digital skills, through the Imo Corporate Impact Network, a voluntary private sector forum initiated and led by the Chief Economic Adviser to Imo State Government, Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, to help facilitate sustainable development in Imo State.
YDTEP will train up to 200,000 youths (ages 18-35) in digital skills and link them to digital jobs over the course of two years beginning from January 2023.
_CSAAE and Coca-Cola are voluntary members of CIIP._
*To learn more about or join CIIP, please contact the Chief Economic Adviser at: kenneth.amaeshi@imostate.gov.ng*
“We Have A Clear Development Vision For Imo State – Imo State is irreversibly marching on well laid out roadmap towards industrialisation and economic growth” ~ GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA
[Address Delivered By Governor Hope Uzodimma on the occasion of the Launching Of The Imo State Industrial Policy]
Excerpts:
“Today’s event, – The launching of the Imo Industrial Policy is a step in our determination to put Imo State firmly on the road to economic growth and prosperity.
“Only yesterday we flagged off the Hope Green Revolution. That project is an economic stimulus plan that buys into the investment opportunities presented by the climate change, – in line with the Paris agreement to promote enterprises and investments in Imo State. That singular initiative has already guaranteed a foreign direct investment of monies in excess of 10 billion United States dollars to Imo State.
“This is why I feel not just delighted by this launch, but also excited because it further underscores that Imo State is irreversibly marching on well laid out roadmap towards industrialisation and economic growth.
“As I pointed out yesterday, the fact that our State is the first sub- National in sub-saharan Africa to establish a Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government, is a strong indication of our clear development vision for the state.
“Part of what the Imo Industrial Policy is set out to achieve is to identify all the economic potentials in the state, where we have comparative advantages, and to clearly outline how, with proper tutelage and incentives, these potentials can be harnessed into growing enterprises, which will in turn manifest into countless small and medium enterprises.
“In other words, the Imo Industrial Policy should serve as our strategic masterplan to stimulate the growth and development of all sectors of the economy in Imo State – To identify and prioritise the low-hanging fruits for immediate harvesting.
“I am also glad that the Industrial Policy has been distilled from the input made by stakeholders at a meeting convened by the government for this purpose a short while ago. There was a public hearing where the business men and women in Imo State contributed, and their inputs processed and co-opted into what finally became our Industrial Policy.
“This being so, I have no doubt that the policy must have taken full cognisance of the different sectors of the economy where our state has comparative advantages. In addition the policy will also reflect the priority industrial needs of our people.
“To this end, the Imo State Industrial Policy has been carefully articulated to offer fresh pragmatic and actionable insights into the state’s thinking and approach to industrialisation.The ultimate ambition, is to place Imo State on the part of long-term economic renaissance.
“The emphasis therefore, is that this Industrial Policy is a long-term sustainable initiative which will outlive this administration.
“This inauguration is a clear statement by the Government and people of Imo State of their resolve to unravel the mysteries behind the uncommon security breaches in the State.
“Everyone in the State was a witness to the savagery and cannibalistic brutality which defined the regime of violence and criminality that enveloped the state for months in recent past.
“It was clear from the ruthless efficiency of these daredevil security breaches that they were coordinated and sponsored. Imo people are eager to know – HOW and WHY these unusual security breaches occurred and how they can be prevented in the future.
“This is why I have inaugurated this seven-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry to get to the root of the matter and come up with answers to the nagging questions and also make justifiable recommendations on going forward.
“Careful scrutiny of names of the Chairman and members of the Commission shows that government choosed each of them on individual merit and salutary antecedents.
“Your proven integrity in your various professions is a pointer that you will apply yourselves diligently to this call to duty and deliver creditably.
“Since peace returned to the state, some will be tempted to believe that we ought not to bother with causative roots of the crisis. But to do so would amount to treating a very serious issue with levity.
“No responsible government will simply sweep under the carpet an unusual and monumental insecurity situation that led to loss of lives and properties and just move on. This will be the height of insincerity to the feelings and frustrations of our people who were and still are clearly rattled by such unusual reign of beastly criminality.
“You have to know where the rain started beating you from before being able to curtail it. To this end, the task before your commission is to get to the very roots of what caused the massive insecurity we witnessed.
“Let me reiterate that the Government and people of Imo State want to know why the security breaches occurred. They also want to know those behind it. And if it was sponsored – We want you to unmask the sponsors too.
“Your Commission should also determine the extent of damage caused by the insecurity to the state and to individuals as well.
“Given the clinical precision of their operations, it was obvious to all and saundry that it was a well orchestrated action and well focused attacks on the instrumentality of state authority, the economy and the psyche of the people.
“It is regrettable that apart from the avoidable loss of lives, the state lost billions of naira to the security crisis. Indeed the trauma suffered by the citizens as a result of the action of the perpetrators cannot be quantified in monetary terms. It will take a long time for our people to recover from the physical and emotional assault they suffered from the incessant bombardment of violence by a band of criminal gangs”
~ Governor Hope Uzodimma speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Security breaches in Imo State.
▪To Understand is a skill that leads to hard, tangible results.
▪Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. ~Theodore Roosevelt
It must never be taken for granted that the best leader is that leader who listens and feels for the people. Who is aware of the happennings in the polity, whether it is grumbling or applause.
Things becomes easier, the atmosphere becomes less tense, when the person in-charge gains the ability to relate, connect, listen and bond with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives.
Having your eyes and ears to the ground, understanding the needs of others, being aware of their feelings and their thinking is a competency which can make a big difference when it comes to leadership.
However, this does not mean that a leader must agree with others point of view, but it means that a leader is most willing to understand and appreciate others point of view.
The protection of the wellbeign of the citizenry is at the core of leadership.This means that leadership is ultimately about others; to inspire, direct, mentor and impact on the people.
When a leader listens and cares about the people, he connects and understands their interest, fears and peculiarities and forges a strong bond with them.
When a leader puts his ear on the ground, he gains further insights, on what is happenning within the populace. It’s important to remember that the story we tell in our minds is different from the story playing in the minds of others. It is only through listening intently to others that you can begin to understand these differences. When you listen you learn, and when you learn you gain insight.
People feel differently and react differently. It’s not always easy to understand why someone feel or think the way they do. People often react in ways that are surprising, and it may leave you clueless about how to respond.
The duty of a leader is not to respond but to listen and understand without passing judgment or making assumptions.
When it comes to building teams and earning trust, you have to take an interest in people, to show you care. You have to show curiosity by asking questions about their challenges, their families, and their aspirations. When you do, you build empathy—and you increase your people’s love in return.
The job of a leader is to get everyone to understand and believe that each one has something powerful to contribute, and that their contribution is vital to the overall success. The more diverse the effort, the better. A huge part of leadership lies in communicating a vision, a purpose, a shared ideal. Earning the trust of the people does not come from money or coercion; it comes from a shared commitment and purpose.
By listenning to the people, a leader is enabled to know if the people he is trying to reach are actually reached. It allows you to predict the effect your decisions and actions will have on the people and helps to strategize accordingly. With this, a leader will inspire followers and elicit loyalty.
When the people don’t trust you, then you are not a leader; you are just a boss. Being aware of what the people are saying is one of the most important components for building trust with them. When you show that you are aware of your peoples’ feelings and appreciate those feelings, even when you don’t agree with them, it builds trust.
And as a result, the people will have faith that the leader will at least take their feelings into consideration in decision making thereby strengthening their relationship, increasing collaboration and engendering trust.
Prince Eze Ugochukwu writes from Abuja. FCT, Nigeria.
The Need To Periodically Engage And Manage Our Political Stakeholders~Prince Eze Ugochukwu.
Prince Eze Ugochukwu
~Who Are Our Stakeholders ??
Political Stakeholders are persons or groups with an interest or a stake in the governmenance or public affairs of a people.
They are those concerned with the interests of a people.
In this category can be found, politicians, business merchants, intellectuals, traditional rulers, town union presidents, leadership of faith based organizations, trade unions, student bodies, gender based organizations, media groups especially social media, and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) etc.
These are the people and organizations who can affect or is affected by the accomplishments of government policies, programs and objectives”.
Governments are neither self-sufficient nor isolated from its external environment, rather governments develop and engage relationships with their environments in order to get the critical inputs for their governance processes.
It is important and critical for government to identify and assess their stakeholders as well as their salience (measurement of power and influence) in order to devise proper strategies for dealing with them.
In order to create a balance and inclusiveness, governments must identify the role of stakeholders, what it needs from them and identify how important each stakeholder can be in the service delivery process.
In every society, there are persons and organizations who can, one way or the other influence decisions about how services are to be delivered; who conduct performance appraisal of government actions, who control critical assets including manpower, technical skills etc. Such persons and groups can make or mar a government.
Local populations and habitations are by their geography quite remote from the centre of decision making. Often they feel neglected, isolated, disconnected, disillusioned, and detached from governmental affairs. Such situations breed problems for government as the very foundation of governance itself becomes weak and ineffectual.
Therefore, those at the helms of governance need to critically and periodically interface with stakeholders in order to create a symbiotic, close and long-term interaction and relationship.
~Prince Eze Ugochukwu, writes from Abuja. FCT, Nigeria.
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