OKOROCHA AND HIS INTRIGUING LEADERSHIP STYLE
The
last time I checked, if I wasn’t mistaken, Gov Rochas Okorocha remained one of
the most intriguingly quintessential leaders Nigeria ever had. Mind you;
something or someone that’s quintessential seems to represent the central
nature of something in a pure and concentrated form. So, when we say a
‘quintessential leader’, we’re definitely referring to a leader whose
leadership style or pattern represents the central nature of leadership in an
undiluted form.
The leader in question massively and popularly won the people’s mandate in the 2011 and 2015 Imo gubernatorial polls respectively. Unarguably, during the said elections, the masses willingly gave him their votes unconditionally. Only a dummy or myopic entity would disagree with this assertion. His unalloyed popularity prior to the former could be traced to his charitable nature surrounding the famous Rochas Foundation College situated across the federation.
Having been elected by the people in 2011, it seemed he thought it wise
not to let down the aforesaid group that made him the governor of the state. In
view of this, his paramount interest lied mainly on the need of the masses and
the downtrodden. Lest I forget; in line with the first paragraph, a true leader
is one who understands the actual yearning of the followers.
It was against this backdrop that he concluded on his extreme intention to make education free for the indigent people and the citizens at large. Going down the memory lane, we all could recall how the Imo people, particularly the indigent ones were making frantic and pitiable efforts towards ensuring that their wards’ tuition fees were paid; they were indeed making the said payment through their noses. In fact, there’s no gain laying emphasis on what the masses went through as regards education prior to that era. Thus, the rest is history.
Notwithstanding, the mistake the amiable governor made was extending the free education to the tertiary level without taking into cognizance the actual worth of the state’s purse as at then. What the astute education crusader would have done, rather than declaring thorough free education at the said level, was to subsidize the tuition fees of the affected students. One cogent fact we must realize is that everyone isn’t meant to acquire tertiary education; there are various reasonable and vital concernments such as craftsmanship and trading one can involve in without the knowledge of tertiary education, and he/she would be very more useful than most of those who address themselves as ‘graduates’ provided the person sticks to the needful.
Declaring free education at the tertiary level is equally not unlike
asking every dick and harry to come and study, and I tell you unequivocally
that such approach isn’t wholesome in any society that truly intends to grow
both socially and economically. The most important aspect of learning remains
the primary and secondary education, especially the former. Someone from my
home town Awo-Omamma in Oru East LGA who is presently of the blessed memory
became the Headmaster of a school with only First School Leaving Certificate.
Such history can be replicated by anyone who believes that with a sound primary
education, one can touch the heavens even without flying.
Another mistake made by his Excellency was the establishment of general hospitals in all the 27 local governments in the state, and this no doubt might not be unconnected to the undiluted compassion he has for the masses. The project was occasioned by his intention to make medical services get to the reach of the people at affordable bills; we can attest to this obvious fact by taking a painstaking study of the gigantic functional Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre situated at Owerri, which was established by the governor. The stride undoubtedly, was commendable but seemingly futuristic. We must always endeavour to face reality at all cost to enable us arrive at a meaningful point.
However, I must seize this opportunity to make us acknowledge that the
prime problem with the Nigeria’s health sector in its entirety, likewise the
education sector, isn’t insufficient hospitals; rather, insufficient equipped
hospitals or health centres, and Imo isn’t an exception. The state is already
blessed with various health points; at least at the moment virtually every
local government in the state possesses a functional general hospital. Suffice
it to say that, instead of setting up new ones, what the government ought to have
done was to thoroughly equip the existing ones as well as uplift effectiveness
and efficiency on the part of the health workers.
Hence, without mincing words, I suggest the relentless and listening
government ought to sell those hospitals whose constructions are ongoing to
interested buyers, and thereafter channel the proceeds appropriately. If I had
a personal relationship with the governor, I would have personally suggested
this measure to his Excellency without making it public; but nevertheless, the
gospel truth is that we must endeavour to state the fancy fact even if it
hurts. For the governor to adhere to this instruction he must be willing to
swallow his pride; thus, shouldn’t nurture a feeling that his enemies would
laugh at him or his leadership if he dare carries out such proposed measure. I tell
you plainly that everyone or leader is definitely bound to make mistakes
provided he’s mortal; in other words, what matters is the ability to turnaround
or make a U-turn having realized our mistakes.
In the same spirit; it was still due to the governor’s passion to take
governance to the people irrespective of their localities that made his
Excellency to inaugurate the ongoing Community Government Council (CGC). Though
the CGC, which is not wasting any of our funds, is apparently working or functional
but to me, its existence makes an infinitesimal difference when compared to the
impact of the Local Government Council on the people’s welfare. Believe me, if
the LGAs otherwise known as the ‘third tier government’ are properly taken care
of, good governance will surely get to the citizenry regardless of their
locations.
Before now, I’ve been campaigning or hammering on the compelling need
for the local government Chairmen to be resident in their respective
headquarters as well as the councilors residing at their various wards. Taking
Imo State as a case study, you would notice that most of the aforementioned elected
officers or appointees as it’s currently the case, are residents of the state’s
capital territory - Owerri; isn’t it an aberration? Even the CGC where the
Traditional Ruler of the affected community is meant to be the Chairman, you
would also observe similar phenomenon; it’s no longer news that most
traditional rulers aren’t residing in their various communities. In a nutshell,
we need to strengthen the local governments for effective representation. To
this end, several things including building befitting accommodation at the
headquarters for the Chairmen, among others need to be put in place.
Aside these, there are indeed other tremendous remarkable and genuine accomplishments of Gov Okorocha that indicate how much he cares about the people’s interests to include road network, prompt payment of workers’ salaries cum pensions and massive infrastructure; though owing to the ongoing economic morass, some of these efforts aren’t being sustained. Needless to say that currently, I strongly and sincerely feel for the governor. He’s a leader who wishes he could make everyone on the street glad, but it’s pertinent to note that actualizing such wonderful wish is ostensibly far-fetched.
If you’re discussing engagement of the youth in meaningful activities;
what about the Imo Civil Guard Corps, Imo Security Network and the Imo
Community Watch? Do you realize how many thousands of the Imo youth that are
meaningfully engaged in these outfits thereby keeping them away from our
various roads, specifically touting, which had been the case among the majority
of the said group? Even if they are being paid stipend, at least they are no
longer idle; mind you, idleness maims and kills too.
For the umpteenth time, owing to his compassion for the masses Gov
Owelle Rochas Okorocha can be wholeheartedly and unequivocally classified as an
intriguingly quintessential Nigeria’s leader. But I candidly advise his
Excellency to henceforth concentrate on rudimentary projects with a view to staying
clear from excesses that is tantamount to ridiculing the state’s funds which
are already wearing a pathetic physiognomy. Think about it!
Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor
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