It did not only rain but poured. It was a ceaseless Celebration time and of Activities in Imo State.
And it came with a frenzy that enveloped the entire State.
Particularly those in Government and members of the ruling party,the All Progressive Congress,APC rolled out the Drums. And they have cause to jubilate.
The Economic atmosphere in the State changed with people hitting the markets for clothing materials and essentials for merriment.
Those in the Media also made quick businesses as spaces competed for Congulatory Advertorials for Governor Hope Uzodimma and his delectable wife,Chioma.
Many wished it spilled into months because of the boisterous and charged atmosphere, with the Governor spending weeks in the State, affording friends and Government appointees opportunities to have a close good time with the Boss.
Governor Uzodimma deserves all the pump and pageantry.
He should count himself one of rare humans blessed by God.
This Celebration started on November 11,last year as the Christmas approached.
That one was the anniversary of his second term election into office.
His first term triumph had come through the Courts.
But his reelection on November 11 2024,was by a landslide poll, claiming victory in Twenty Seven Local Governments in Imo State.
That was first of its kind in the history of Imo Governship elections.It is a record left for other attempting Governors-to- be to break. All records are meant to be broken.
And it will make a good Thesis for students of Political Science and History to study that Electoral outing.
Then came January 14,2025 which was the remembrance of the day Supreme Court declared Senator Uzodimma, Governor ahead Emeka Ihedioha(PDP),Uche Nwosu(AA) Ifeanyi Araraume) APGA in that Order,from Fourth position as the APC Candidate.
That now is history as the incumbent Governor has spent five years in office,and still counting.
After that particular event came yet the Governor's Birthday. That was followed by that of the Wife,Bar Chioma Uzodimma.
Then the date of his Tenth Year Marriage Anniversary.
There is no Man or Woman such heavy significant dates will pour in sequence time that will not celebrate even,at least one.
Therefore as Governor celebrated,Imo People also joined in the frenzy,with his admirers flooding in with show of love and gratitude.
This include those he had made, those he is about to make and others seeking favour from him.
This period of Celebrations which coincided with his Fifth Year Anniversary allows Imo people to also scrutinize and interogate his Government in the last five years.
The Governor also cleared the air on some begging questions bothering Imo people.
For sure,it will be economical with the truth to say Uzodimma has not done things since five years now.
He has and empirically depends from your stand and view with information available to you because 9 and 6 depends from which angle you see the object.
For me in the area of road Infrastructure, Uzodimma has done great.
The story on Imo Rehablitated Federal roads regarding funding is of no consequence as long as the roads are done,and solid and were attracted in Uzodimma's era.
I speak about the Owerri/Orlu, Owerri/Okigwe and Owerri/Umuahia Roads.
However,the Local roads in Imo are eye sore.
My LGA, Ngor Okpala is a shame. Even in dry season it is hellish to access one motorable road, except the Airport road named after President Tinubu.
Why the Government abandoned the RAMP roads initiated by the Emeka Ihedioha Administration that opened the rural Areas shocks me.
But one commendable fact about the Uzodimma Administration is that it hardy abandons Projects. Any construction job it faces,it accomplishes it before moving to another. So no "White Elephant Projets". And there may be none when he vacates office.
We have heard about the Health Insurance Scheme going on,but the poor people in the villages seem not to yet know what it is all about.
Therefore more enlightenment is needed. That is why Government has Information Officers in the LGAs. Get them busy with such Information dissimination Projects.
Imo Government has also built some beautiful Health Centers in Orlu Zone with ISOPADEC funds.
Imo Government needs to galvanize the masses, especially the roaming unemployed youths into Agricultural "Revolution"
This Government needs to show more combativeness towards food Security.
There is hunger in the land and luckily Imo has both the Human Resources(Masses) and Natural Resources(Land).
These days Agriculture Ministries have gone beyond Seminars and Workshops.
The Fields and Farms are the main things. People need to be mobilized to plant their own farms now before the rains set in.
The Security issue in the State has shifted from the Volatile period to the "Silent". Many crimes are being committed in the State but silently.
The Criminals now unlesah mayhem in the hinter lands by avoiding the superior fire power of the Security Personnel in the Cities with minimal strikes: mostly kidnappings.
Those concerned should change pattern also since these Hoodlums have adopted new methods to outwit Security Agents.
However,it has been tough for our SecurtiyAgents confronting these Criminals and should be commended for their resilience.
Imo is gradually losing her hitherto high Education status in the Southeast.This is gauged with recent JAMB and WAEC results.
Imo Government should look into reported sleaze in the Education Sector, starting from Primary to Secondary School Boards.
Teachers welfare is also important and should always be prioritized.
The many Higher Institutions attracted under the Uzodimma era is a good development but must be saved from Emotion and Sentiments in appointing their Top hierarchies.
The Local Government Areas should be utilized to touch the lives of the Grassroots.
With the humongous Millions of Naira going to the LGAs now,the expections are high from the rural people.
The story that State Governors give them only money for Salaries is an outdated jist. They better look for a fresh tale because the hungry and angry grass root masses are eargerly waiting for them.
The sorry situation of our beloved Heartland Football FC is worrisome.
The Club continues Wombling and Fumbling.
The Governor promised the Youths better days at the heat of his reelection Campaign and I am not too sure if that promise has been fulfilled yet.
For lack of space,I will continue next week.
But before then, I want to say it sounds incredible that through out these lengthy Celebration period Journalists in Imo State were not factored into the Government Celebration Protocol.
Journalists in the State are not seen as Stakeholders,yet they are doing alot in dissiminating Information about Imo Government to the Citizens across the globe.
Not even during Christmas were they remembered.
Newspaper Publishers in Imo are not only partners in Progress to all Governments in Imo State but contribute immensely to the Economy of Imo State through several people they employ.
Why they are always left out in the plans of Uzodimma's Government since five years now is unbelievable.
Well,it could still be revisited and amended.
Finally,the issue of Governor Uzodimma's frequent travels to Abuja had remained a concern to Imo people.
But he used this period of Celebrations to lay that matter to rest.
The Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji implored him to spend more time in Imo.
The Governor replied that it was not delibrate even as his travels to Abuja have attracted so many Projects to Imo.
He added that being Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Southeast Governors Forum, Nigeria Delta Governors Forum and other National Assignments means he would frequent Abuja,but without losing touch with his Office in Douglas House,Owerri.
See you next week.
0 Comments