IMOLITES,
IT’S ANOTHER MAY 29!
The last time I checked, there wasn’t
any sane mind in Nigeria as a whole, and Imo in particular, that was yet to
realize the essence of May 29 in the country’s democratic setting. It suffices
to assert that every dick and harry in this country is apparently not unaware
what the above day represents.
For
some of us who are yet unaware, it is on this day, in 1999 precisely, that the
then military rulers in Nigeria thought it wise to voluntarily hand over power
to prospective civilian leaders, thereby allowing democracy to ubiquitously be
in charge. And, the democracy in question is marking its eighteen years of
uninterrupted existence today being 29th of May 2017. This
signifies, if I’m not mistaken, that democracy has come to stay in the
acclaimed giant of Africa. It’s therefore needless to state that such scenario
arguably calls for a thunderous celebration.
For those who may be doubtful about why we
celebrate a day of this kind, it is worth noting that there is no any other
system of leadership anywhere in the world that can be equated with the
democratic system. In other words, democratic pattern of leadership is
unparalleled or unequalled. It is unequalled because it is the only system of
government that allows freedom of speech from the citizenry regardless of the
circumstance; it is the only system that gives the people the opportunity to
elect whomsoever they would like to be at the helm of affairs; it is the only
system that grants room for protest if need be.
So, having pointed out those unique features
of democracy, who then would counter the need for the celebration? Having
stated that democracy is the only form of leadership that can allow the people
at all levels to freely air their views, who would then say that it does not
worth celebrating? I tell you solemnly that it is only he who doesn’t know what
it means for the governed to tender a free speech that would criticize
democracy; hence, only an ingrate can say boldly that democracy is worthless. Read
my lips. Let’s ride on!
As we celebrate, I want to be more
concerned on how much the aforesaid system has fared so far in Imo State,
particularly since the emergence of the Rescue Mission Administration led by
Governor Rochas Okorocha. Let’s commence from the beginning. We may have
forgotten in haste but it would be nice, and wise too, for us to recall that
Gov. Okorocha emerged as the governor of the Eastern Heartland via a popular
mandate instituted by the masses, thus the victory was occasioned by his
popularity as at the time in question.
Having
acknowledged how he came into power, as well as owing to his extreme passion
for education, he without much ado declared free education from nursery through
primary to secondary level. As if that wasn’t enough, he further extended the
laudable gesture to all the tertiary institutions of learning owned by the
state. It is noteworthy that our teeming children are till date enjoying the
free education in their various citadels of learning.
Similarly, the governor’s passion for good
health among the people necessitated the establishment of the Ochiedike
Diagnostic Centre, Owerri coupled with the Imo Foundation. It was equally same
passion that informed the ongoing construction of Health centres in each of the
twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas in the state, though I have often
times criticized the emergence of this very project which I see as unnecessary.
In the area of infrastructure and
security, the record is unprecedented, thus speaks volumes. This is the only
government that single-handedly constructed first to fifth inland roads to ease
traffic congestion that was continually faced by commuters. Prior to the
creation of the said roads, the various areas utilized for the construction
were all bushes. Before the emergence of this government, security threats were
obviously unbecoming and on the rampage. But now, Imolites can sleep with their
both eyes closed contrary to what it used to be in the past, though the recent reemergence of insecurity along the Douglas
Road is yearning for urgent and frank attention from the apt authorities.
Inter
alia, the Rescue Mission Government has succeeded in crippling the
god-fatherism syndrome that was formerly the order of the day in Imo State. Before
now, the man in charge, rather than paying attention to the needful, would
prefer to continue paying royalty or homage to a few political juggernauts he
believed played a key role in bringing him into power. Throwing such ugly
custom to the waste-bin where it rightly belongs simply indicates that the ‘share
the money’ pattern is dead and buried in the state. The said phenomenon indeed
took the state’s democratic affairs aback. Thank God it now belongs to the
history book.
However, it’s worthy of note that this
administration, likewise any other form of leadership, has erred in one way or
the other. The lingering vacuum being witnessed in our various LGAs, as
occasioned by inability to conduct Local Government election in the state,
remains one of the major areas the revered Gov. Okorocha – led government has
derailed. In the same vein, the ongoing faceoff existing between the government
and the retirees is also an anomaly that is speaking badly of the government. The
point is that, these individuals known as ‘senior citizens’ are old, thus their
intelligence ought not to be played on.
All
in all, the current administration has done well from my overall observation
and assessment. If I’m asked to grade its leadership style and accomplishments,
I would allocate seventy-five percent (75%) to it. We all are aware that the
aforementioned percentage stands for distinction. Although the government has
done well, it is wise for it to use an event like this to reexamine its existing
policies towards changing the porous ones. A porous policy is simply not unlike
a bad tyre; it can never move an inch unless it is changed.
So, as I sincerely and immensely
congratulate the governor on this great and remarkable occasion, I enjoin his
Excellency to endeavour to address the lapses created thus far; so that in the
long run, we shall all have no reason not to celebrate him and his entire team.
Imolites, on their part, are also
required to live up to the expectations at all times. Hence, as we celebrate as well as look forward
to receiving the goodies that are yet to arrive, we ought to equally note that
it takes two to tango. Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director,Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri
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Twitter: @mediambassador
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