Fifty-years gone already. The nostalgia may not count much, the celebrations that align with Golden anniversaries may not be a thing to be done with pride in Imo State circumstances, nothing Golden dotted around the state at fifty now!
Golden isn’t what to celebrate without flaunting the mileage of stunning achievements. People don’t just celebrate age and year, such can be marked, but to roll out red carpet, beat the drums, sound the trumpet and wear dance shoes, resplendently dressed in a gorgeous manner, the boy must be “Odogwu”, showing “doings” in a breathtaking manner.
Can such be said of my beloved state? I was home during the early days of January. Imo State is gradually coming up. The pace may not be as expected, but there are movements here and there, not overwhelming and substantial to make an “Owambe”, “Ofala”, and “Ngabashi” out of it.
February 3rd remains very key in the life of any Imolite. A day that dawned what is today known as Imo State, the Eastern Heartbeat of Nigeria, graced and blessed with the rarity of both human and natural resources.
Looking back , what exactly comes out from our eyes? Tears of course, but one wonders if it is tears of joy or pains and regret.
When the baton was handed over to Commander G.Ndubuisi on that day 3rd of February 1976 to start what would be a relay race, hopes were high, expectations huge. He ran from 1976 – 1977, what mileage did he cover and what position did he maintain among other states in the race before handing over to Commodore Adekunle lawal who took off and ran from 1977- 1978?
Colonel Sunday Adenihu came into the track and sprinted from 1978 to 1979. Each of these Administrators ran briefly though, looking back, was it a good run for them or one marked with falls, slips and slow pace?
One would possibly excuse their wide gaps, lacklustre and seemingly inexcusable inefficiencies, considering the circumstances under which they served— military junta
What about those who served under a democratic dispensation? The gaps of the military rule would have been sufficiently closed with gold and diamond if many of them were as visionary, productive and creatively prudent with state resources like Alex Otti of Abia State.
Before the coming on board of Governor Alex, productive governance was seen as rocket science.
He came and demystified it, creating a measurable standard for measuring good governance, politely exposing the rot, waste, and corruption of politicians and the possibility of doing great achievements with available resources, however lean.
With Sam Mbakwe as the first democratically elected governor, another round of relay races began. He was branded a weeping governor. He wept for money not to be stashed for generations unborn, waste on frivolous, insane cravings and feminine cleavages and artificial back views. He wept for money to make Imo better. He raced like an “Odogwu with doings ” and left monuments behind which space may not allow me to chronicle.
Nothing endures forever. He exited, though through a coup, but his legacy endures till tommorow.
I wouldn’t waste my time bemoaning the years eaten by the cankerworm of fraudulent use of state resources by the previous governors. Looking back and realising what Imo would have become at 50 if half of its resources for fifty years were not in private pockets but deployed effectively for infrastructural development and good governance, I weep profusely for Imo State.
Yesterday is gone, today seems hopeful, with the remaining few years before Senator Hope Uzodimma hands over baton, what can he possibly restore from the years eaten by locust and cankerworm? Or would he still follow the path of his predecessors? Only time would tell.
Imo State at 50 years is a celebration of past activities; very historic.
What tomorrow holds for Imo State should be our optimum concern. The milk is spilled already, our collective responsibility is to clean the mess and guard against future occurrences.
Imo State at 50 is a thing to thank God, for life and possibly plead for God’s mercy for all those that recklessly plundered her, poached her and made her a shadow of what she was designed to be. Beyond this, we have nothing substantial to celebrate.
Her years of youthfulness messed up, her unassailable opportunities to greatness dwarfed by consistent mindless depletion of her resources on frivolities by our politicians
The idea and initial construction of the airport started under Chief Sam Mbakwe, in 1983 when many states were busy building motor parks. A crying governor in an opposition state, with a vision dilating couldn’t but push it out.
Funded largely by generous contributions from indigenes of Imo State and Igbo communities worldwide, making it one of the first community-financed airport projects in West Africa.
He birthed the vision, pushed it with passion to an appreciable level before his exit. Completed by other administrations and commissioned by Navy Captain James N.J. Aneke, the military administrator from 1993 to 1996 with support from the Nigerian federal government.
Chief Sam had passion for the state, his vision was classic and his sense of managing funds to achieve milestones very legendary.
One would ask what were the legacies and positive impacts of Brigadier Ike Nwachukwu, Major General Allison Madueke, Rear Admiral Amadi Ikwechegh, Colonel Uchendu Obiegbu, Evan Enwerem, Lt. Col. Tanko Zubairu, Navy Captain Ezenwa, Navy Captain Fasanya, Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim, Rochas Okorocha, Emeka Ihedioha and presently Sen. Hope Uzodimma?
50 years gone! Sulking and whining on what was not done and how the greater part of the 50years was mishandled by politicians whose consciences were swallowed by corruption and the vision for good leadership warped, wouldn’t help anyone.
The next 50 years and how to make it very productive should be our collective project. There should be a clear roadmap guiding us into the next 50 years of Imo State, and a deliberate decision to make it happen. Who gets into the track, who handles the baton and how skillful they should be in the act of sprinting.
Never again would we allow ducks get into the track, wobbling instead of sprinting. Only those with depth and capacity to cruise with creative leadership should be allowed into the track, not those that would dance around, clicking classes of exotic champagne, while the state gets drowned in the stinking ponds of corruption and gross mismanagement of state funds.
Happy fifty years, my dude, Imo State. You were born with Golden spoon but life happened to you.
At fifty, neither do you look what you have nor reflect the very destiny you had at creation. Though it has been delayed for fifty years, it won’t be denied. “Osita diwa mma”
This would only be possible when as citizens, we hold our politicians accountable no matter whose ox is gored. Until this is done, going through this vicious circle of wasted years becomes inevitable.
Dr.Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com
07068420002
