Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has said that the State owes a lot of gratitude to its late first civilian Governor, Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, noting that the former Governor made huge sacrifices which the people cannot repay.
Governor Uzodimma spoke at the weekend while being conferred with the Beacon of Hope for Good Governance award by the family of late Chief Mbakwe at the Rockview Hotel Owerri.
The award, according to a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, was conferred on Governor Uzodimma by late Chief Mbakwe’s heir apparent, Engr Alex Mbakwe, under the platform of Chief Sam Mbakwe Leadership Award 2023.
This is the first time that such an award is being conferred on either a sitting or former Governor of Imo State.
Receiving the award, Governor Uzodimma expressed gratitude to the family of the late sage for the honour and noted that Chief Mbakwe led a sacrificial life for Imo State and the Igbos, and that the love he showed to the people cannot be measured.
He said late Chief Mbakwe was almost living in penury when he left office because he was completely engrossed in the activities that would lead to the good of the people.
The Governor said that he is not surprised that many years after the passing of late Chief Mbakwe, he still remains a reference point for everything good to be copied by those in positions of authority who crave for good governance in public service.
He said he will forever cherish the honour done him by the late Chief Mbakwe’s family.
Earlier in his welcome address, Engr. Alex Mbakwe appreciated all the dignitaries who came to grace the occasion and took time to revisit some of the qualities that distinguished his father from his peers.
The Chairman of the event, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe, who is also the Pro Chancellor of Ben Uwajimogu College of Education, Ihitte Uboma, said in his remarks that late Chief Mbakwe loved Imo State so much and that there is a nexus between his love for Imo and the love Governor Uzodimma has also shown to the people.
He described the award given to the Governor as fitting and appropriate.
In the same vein, the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. COC Akaolisa, a student of the Faculty of Law, Imo State University which Mbakwe established in 1981, and the former Speaker of Imo State and Secretary General of Imo State Council of Elders, Rt Hon. Maxwell Duru, could not agree less that Governor Uzodimma shares a lot in common with the late Chief Mbakwe.
The award was preceded by a lecture delivered by an accomplished scholar and former Director at National Universities Commission, Prof Engr. Val Ikechukwu of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The theme of the lecture was: The Challenge of Leadership in Imo State: Lessons from Sam Mbakwe Model.
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, former INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, former Ambassador, Chief Greg Mbadiwe and other dignitaries graced the occasion.
Former Imo State First Lady and the late former Governor’s widow, Mrs. Victoria Mbakwe, though absent was the Chief Host.
In another development, Governor Uzodimma, while addressing the leadership of Ezuruezu Mbaise and other political and business leaders from the area who came to parley with him at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Chamber on Thursday night, assured the Mbaise Nation that he will not disappoint their reasonable expectations if they massively cast their ballot for him in the November 11 governorship election.
Governor Uzodimma, who reaffirmed his love for the people said: “I have no issues with Mbaise Nation. I will not have any issue and that cannot happen,” Governor Uzodimma told the leaders.
He reminded the Ezuruezu leadership that they have a responsibility to help the entire Mbaise Nation from their vantage positions, urging the body’s executive to take a second look at the notion that Ezuruezu is apolitical.
“If you are really interested in helping your people you must play politics. Ezuruezu must help the people by using what they have to get what they need. We can’t pretend about it. We will work together,” Governor Uzodimma told them.
The Governor reminded the Mbaise leaders of the need to be united, saying, “leadership is better if you are united. We have a responsibility to work as brothers and sisters. Form a formidable front and take advantage of your strength.”
Governor Uzodimma challenged his guests to throw their weight behind his re-election agenda and the Charter of Equity with their bloc votes on November 11, noting that the bargaining power that lies in their bloc votes for his re-election can speak volumes.
“If you vote for me, I will not disappoint you,” Governor Uzodimma assured.
On the complaints by Ezuruezu leadership about poor state of roads infrastructure in Mbaise Nation, the Governor promised that his administration is determined to fix all bad roads in Imo State. “I have sufficient information why Imo State must work and by the grace of God, Imo State must work.”
The Governor regretted that most of the local contractors he engaged to work on the rural roads in Mbaise and other parts of Imo State reneged on their promise and assured that efforts are in top gear to redress the situation. He also promised to find out the reason for the stoppage of an ongoing NDDC road project in Mbaise.
Earlier in his remarks, the President General of Ezuruezu Mbaise, Surveyor Joe Anosike thanked the Governor for granting them audience, and for all he has done for the Mbaise Nation in particular and Imo State in general since assumption of office.
He told the Governor that though the body is apolitical, most of the members are ardent supporters of his administration who are working so hard to ensure his victory at the polls on November 11.
While thanking the Governor for intervening on the Owerri-Mbaise-Obowo-Umuahia road, Anosike urged him to come to the aid of the people living on the corridor of Aba branch to Ngor Okpala, saying that the road which traverses five local government areas in Imo State needs his immediate attention, having broken down completely.
Other areas where Ezuruezu leadership sought the intervention of the Governor include the College of Midwifery, Aboh Mbaise, the return of the Imo State University Campus to Mbaise as originally conceived, the local roads in the area, among others.
He assured the Governor of their willingness to partner with him in the interest of the people and the State.
Senator Chris Anyanwu in her opening remarks, reminded the Governor that the Mbaise people are very proud of his achievements and have come not just to express it but to tell him that they are behind him on his re-election.
Sen Anyanwu noted that the parley with the leadership of Ezuruezu Mbaise and others was necessary to reaffirm the love they share with the Governor whom she noted, has so many friends in Mbaise. She said Mbaise Nation believes in the Charter of Equity and will work for its realisation.
Other key leaders from Mbaise who spoke: former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chief Mrs. Ada Okwuonu, Chief S. Alozie (SAN) and former Permanent Secretary FCT, High Chief John Chukwu, all expressed the commitment of the Mbaise Nation to supporting the government of Governor Uzodimma and to work for his re-election.
They all aligned themselves with the demands made of the Governor by the Ezuruezu leadership, including conceding power to Owerri zone after his second tenure, and more importantly, to look the direction of Mbaise Nation where they said he will not have problems with highly qualified persons to succeed him.
Among those who joined in the parley with the Governor are the Chairman of ABC Transport, Mr. Frank Nneji, People’s Democratic Party chieftain in Ahiazu Mbaise, Dr. Sha Azu Okorie, former Ezuruezu Mbaise President General, Barr. CY. Anyanwu, former Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon Godfrey Dikeocha, Chief Tony Onu, Chief Christaugunus Okoro, to name but a few.
Chairman of Ezinihitte Mbaise Council of Traditional rulers, HRH, Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha and his colleague for Aboh Mbaise, HRH Eze Marxillinus Nwaturuocha were also in attendance.
Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, Chief Political Adviser/Head of Political Bureau to the Governor, Barr Enyinnaya Onuegbu and other top government officials witnessed the meeting.
