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Tag: Okorocha

  • Re: Okorocha, Chris Anyanwu flex muscles over 2015

    Re: Okorocha, Chris Anyanwu flex muscles over 2015

    I  write in direct response to two of your publications on the face-off between Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Senator Chris Anyanwu who represents Imo East Senatorial district (Owerri zone) at the Senate. The first was the opinion piece written by Jide Oluwajuyitan on January 3, while the second was the features article in The Nation Politics of your January 7 edition, written by Okodili Ndili.

    In the January 7 piece titled “Okorocha, Anyanwu flex muscles over 2015”, Okodile got the facts obfuscated, leaving the innocent reader with a confused impression of what happened that fateful day of December 26, 2012 and the real issues at stake.

    Without attempting to rehash the accounts of the incident, it is necessary to state clearly that contrary to the writer’s statement that “the convoys of the two eminent politicians nearly collided in Owerri, the state capital…”, what happened was an unwarranted excessive show of power by the governor and his men. Senator Anyanwu and her “convoy” of three cars had pulled off the road to make way for the rampaging convoy of the governor coming behind them. Instead of passing, the governor’s men blocked their way, swooped on them and unleashed raw, brutish violence on her men.

    Again, Okodile quoted the governor’s spokesman, Ebere Uzoukwa. as saying that “the senator’s vehicle suddenly rammed into the governor’s car, close to the staff car….” The question to ask here is “how could Senator Anyanwu’s car, which was ahead of the governor’s car ram into it?” Could it have suddenly made a backward movement?” He equally reported Uzoukwa as having said that Senator Anyanwu ordered her security orderlies to open fire on the governor’s convoy. How conceivable is it, that an individual with only three security escorts would give such an order in the face of over 50 better armed security personnel in the governor’s convoy. Such a person must be on a suicidal mission, especially after having the temerity, as Okodile reported, to slap the governor’s ADC; but definitely not Chris Anyanwu.

    Okodile also passed a very wrong impression when he stated in his own words that “Okorocha in his New Year message has forgiven the erring senator”. This implies that the writer himself is telling the reading public that Senator Anyanwu was in error. He thereafter quoted Okorocha’s spokesman asking “her to apologise for her wrongs”. This is a clear case of turning the truth on its head. Here is a classical example of an individual’s fundamental human rights being grossly abused by the very same person who is supposed to protect him. Instead of the aggressor swallowing his empty pride to apologise, he is demanding apology from the oppressed. Yes, Governor Okorocha owes Senator Chris Anyanwu an apology, and he knows it.

    Unfortunately, most of the reportage published so far on the incident interpret it as flexing muscles over 2015 race for the governor’s seat in Imo State. Chris Anyanwu is perceived as having gubernatorial ambition, while Okorocha wants to hold on to the coveted seat or go for the presidency. But can anybody say that Anyanwu has declared that intention to him or her, or at any forum? Yet, is the right to run for an office not her constitutional right? Assuming she comes to say “I want to run for the governorship seat in Imo State”, should she be killed for it? Should her rights be grossly abused by the governor? Should she be harassed and intimidated so that she chickens out? What gives Rocha Okorocha or anybody else more right to contest than Chris Anyanwu? Is she not eminently qualified for that position, going by her education, capability, experience and her position as a distinguished two-term senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Yet Anyanwu has not declared any interest so far. If anything, she is pre-occupied with how to deliver to the people of Owerri Zone, who took extra-ordinary steps to get her re-elected in the face of overwhelming odds. Knowing her passion for uplifting the living standards of her people and put smiles on their faces, she would rather devote good time now, delivering on this, than focusing on 2015, which is still two clear years ahead.

    My guess is that she will not let herself to be distracted. She will continue to work hard to satisfy her conscience and the people she represents and if in the end she decides, and the people decide too, that the next step in her record of service is to run for governorship, why not?

    So why should gross violation of human rights by Governor Okorocha be seen from the prism of her so-called 2015 ambition. What does 2015 have to do with breaking the head of Anyanwu’s driver and injuring others in her team? Yet, Okodili described this deliberate brutality as resulting from an accident. His words: “one of the senator’s drivers was injured in the accident”. What gross misinformation is this?

    Equally in his own analysis titled “Imo’s Battle of Convoys”, Oluwajuyitan wrote without having all the facts at his disposal. True enough, Senator Anyanwu visited the governor earlier that day on a courtesy call, but not in the manner Oluwajuyitan presented. According to him the Senator visited Okorocha “with a convoy of cars probably bought, fueled and driven by public officials at the expense of the tax payers”. Haba! Dr. Oluwajuyitan, this is a very unfair assessment of Chris Anyanwu, who I believe you should know to some reasonable extent; at least that she is a woman of means enough to afford and maintain three cars in her entourage: one for her escorts, another for herself and a back-up, in a state and country where insecurity is quite high.

    I also think it was most uncharitable of you to describe Chris Anyanwu as a “warlord”, when all she did was to make way for the all-powerful governor, who didn’t consider her human enough to ply the same route with him. You also overdid it by grouping Senator Anyanwu in the class of overpaid legislators and undisciplined governors who unleash corruption on our nation. Accepted, there are corrupt politicians in our system, but there are also very good politicians in Nigeria, who are doing their best for the society. It is definitely on overstatement to brand all of them in the negative.

    Chris Anyanwu is indeed one of the new breed politicians who are out to serve. Just check out her records since she entered politics and you will discover a hard working, passionate woman who takes her job very seriously; she would rather leave the job than not deliver on her mandate. I think such persons should be encouraged, rather than being harassed, intimidated and lampooned.

    Onuoha, is Special Assistant to Senator Chris Anyanwu.

  • Okorocha’s N500m ‘Xmas gift to security agents stirs controversy

    The  N500million Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha gave security agents for the last Christmas has caused a controversy among civil society groups and other stakeholders.

    They have described the governor’s action as a “misuse” of public funds.

    Okorocha, during an expanded security meeting with security chiefs and traditional rulers late last year at the Ahajioku Centre, distributed N500 million as Christmas gift.

    The governor said this was to motivate security personnel, including the police, the Army, the State Security Service (SSS) and other paramilitary agencies.

    The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) condemned the cash gift.

    It stressed that the security agencies, especially the police and the SSS, would have been better off if the “largesse” was spent on providing security gadgets for the poorly equipped officers.

    CLO National Acting President, Comrade Uche Durueke, noted that the N10,000 per security agent would not have any direct consequence on the deteriorating security situation in the state.

    He said N500 million, if judiciously applied, would go a long way to reposition security and fight crime rather than misappropriate it for vain political glory.

    Durueke said: “We want to know the source of the money. If it is the security vote, we will also question it, if that is the best way it should be spent. We cannot continue to blame the security men when we have not done our own bid by providing them with the necessary equipment to work. So, the largesse won’t in any way assist in the fight against crime.”

    The Southeast Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) Uzor A. Uzor, described it as a “subtle bribe” intended to becloud the reasoning of the people and make it appear as if the state was fighting insecurity, especially kidnapping.

    Uzor said: “In our last investigation, Imo State had the second highest rate of kidnapping in the Southeast. As we speak, the police do not have the equipment to track down kidnappers but still depend on crude ways of intelligence gathering. But the governor has N500 million to splash on security agencies as Christmas gift. It is uncalled for and should be investigated.”

    Uzor also frowned at the flagrant display of wealth by public office holders.

    But the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, described the gift as the governor’s way of appreciating the efforts of the security agents.

    The governor’s spokesman noted that the security agents have worked hard to secure the state in the last one year.

    According to him, the government has done more than the previous administration in the fight against crime.

    Uzoukwa said: “Governor Okorocha, on assumption of office, bought 100 Hilux vans for security operatives in the state. He has continued to support them to tackle crime through various interventions.”

     

  • Aliyu, a stabilising factor in Nigerian politics, says Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, yesterday said that the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, is a stablising factor in the politics of Nigeria.

    X-raying the leadership qualities of Aliyu at the reception of the wedding ceremony of his two daughters-Dr. Jamila and Dr. Farida in Minna, Okorocha concluded that ‘’he (Aliyu) is a man that can stabilise Nigeria.”

    ‘’We are all here because of one man, Governor Aliyu. He is a man who can stabilise Nigeria and who is always working for the unity and progress of this country,’’ Okorocha told the large gathering at the reception chaired by the Vice- President, Architect Namadi Sambo.

    The Imo State helmsman added that the large presence of governors and members of the National Assembly and their families is a testimony to the type of person the governor is.

    Okorocha challenged all Nigerians to work and ensure the unity of the country so that ‘’we can build a country that we will all be proud of.”

    Speaking in the same vein, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, in a brief remark also described Aliyu as ‘’a man of the people.”

    ‘’Like Governor Okorocha said, the large attendance of people at this ceremony is a clear testimony of the kind of person Governor Aliyu is. He is a pillar in the society. This explains why so many people from different walks of life are under this roof for the reception of his daughters’ wedding,’’ Tambuwal cstated.

    Vice-President Sambo, who was the father of the day, also joined others in praying to God to reward the families with good children.

    Earlier, the Chief Imam of Minna, Alhaji Abu Fari, joined by other Islamic clerics conducted the fathia after receiving the N100,000 naira dowry for each of the two brides from the grooms’ families.

    Prominent Nigerians from all walks of life, among them the Senate President, David Mark, former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, state governors, legislators from national and states assemblies, politicians and captains of industry graced the wedding ceremony.

     

  • How Okorocha escaped death in convoy clash

    How Okorocha escaped death in convoy clash

    More facts emerged Friday on how the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, narrowly escaped death in the clash involving his convoy and that of the Senator representing Owerri Senatorial zone, Chris Anyanwu, along the ever busy Owerri/Umuahia road on Tuesday.

    Recounting the ordeal, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, said the governor escaped death by the whiskers after the furious Senator ordered her Navy security personnel to open fire on the vehicle conveying the governor.

    He added Okorocha was quickly shielded by his security men, who whisked him away to safety.

    Contrary to claims that the Okorocha ordered his security details to attack the Senator’s convoy, Uzoukwa, narrated that Anyanwu knew the implications of forcing out the governor’s convoy out of the road but went ahead to commit the security breach that could have ended on a bloody note if not for the governor’s peaceful disposition.

    According to him, danger was averted because the governor who was visibly shocked by the Senator’s show of “recklessness,” remained calm, while she continued to rain abuses on the governor after slapping his Aide Camp and Chief Security Officer with her shoe.

     

  • Imo council chiefs: probe Okorocha for N13.5b bond

    The reinstated chairmen of the 27 local governments of Imo State have urged anti-graft agencies to probe Governor Rochas Okorocha for alleged misappropriation of the N13.5billion bond.

    In separate petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the council chiefs accused the governor of mismanaging the money, which was allegedly handed over by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim.

    They addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja under the aegis of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Besides, the chairmen urged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and security agencies to disarm and disband the Imo Security Network, a private armed gang, which they alleged was allegedly terrorising the residents.

    The Secretary of the group, Enyinnaya Onuegbu said: ”Since June 2011, the Joint Accounts Committee in Imo State has not functioned and all statutory allocations due to the local governments, totalling over N80billion, has been misappropriated by the governor.

    “Governor Okorocha has also used the allocations due to local governments in the state as a collateral to borrow over N45billion from Zenith Bank Plc and another N28billon from Diamond Bank Plc. These borrowings are clearly illegal. State governments are not allowed to borrow more than 50per cent of their previous year’s allocation. Here again, Governor Okorocha is showing his contempt for the rule of law. By his own admission, he has committed Imo State to contractual obligations worth over N400billion. Yet, there are no documents for these contracts.”

    Onuegbu alleged that Okorocha’s first step towards dictatorship was the destruction of democratic institutions in Imo State.

    Advising the governor to stop ridiculing the Judiciary, the council chairmen urged the AGF to make Okorocha obey the Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated them after they were sacked.

    They listed the commissioners in Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), the Jusicial Service Commission, the chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers and the sacked 10,000 civil servants as those who have won judgments or obtained injunctions against the governor.

    Onuoegbu said: “To allow the governor to get away with sundry illegalities and serial disobedience of the courts is to encourage anarchy.”

    The embattled Chairman of Ngo-Okpalla Local Government also accused Okorocha of selling off the equipment the Ohakim administration bought for Imo Roads Maintenance Agency (IROMA).

    He said: “IROMA, which was established by law, acquired assets worth over N12 billion for the councils for the maintenance of roads and other facilities. Each of the 27 councils had a brand new grader, an excavator, a tipper, a Hilux operational vehicle, 100 motorcycles and other working tools…”

     

  • Ohakim urges Okorocha to account for N13b

    Former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim yesterday criticised Governor Rochas Okorocha for abandoning the controversial N13billion Oguta Wonder Lake project.

    The project is among those the Okorocha administration is probing.

    But Ohakim told an audience yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, that he left N13billion for the completion of the project.

    He wondered why the government has abandoned the project.

    Ohakim spoke at the launch of two books written by his former aide, ethelbert Okere, entitled: Democracy by Military Tank and No Trace of Zakki.

    The former governor said he conceived the Oguta Lake project to develop the area and create jobs for the residents.

    He said: “We embarked on the project to develop that area so that Imo would become a tourist state. We were able to raise N18billion from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). We were among the first states to go to the Stock Exchange and raise that kind of money.

    “After renovating the Oguta Motel, we left N13.3billion so that the project could go on. It is sad that when I went there few days ago the whole place covered with weeds. The N13.3billion… I do not know what has happened to it.”

    The Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation, Mr Sam Omatseye, reviewed Democracy by Military Tank.

    He was represented by the Group Political Editor of the paper, Mr Bolade Omonijo.

    Omatseye described the book as a story of how Ohakim allowed Okorocha to take the victory of the 2011 election, even though the former governor knew that he won and Okorocha knew that he did not win.

    He said: “It is a story of how Ohakim won the governorship election in 2011 and how he conceded with his own signature that Rochas Okorocha won, even though Ohakim knew that he won and Rochas knows that he did not win.”

    The award-winning columnist described the book as “a story of family, of friends, of money exchanging hands, of love gone sour, of fear stalking in the day and night, of unexpected loyalties and disloyalties”.

    He added: “It is the story of lies and truth where sometimes it is hard to determine where one begins and the other ends. That was why, despite the gravity of the subject, Okere must have savoured some moments while unveiling his prose about the traumatic few months in the history of Imo State.”

  • Okorocha promises to expose Ohakim’s activities

    Okorocha promises to expose Ohakim’s activities

    THOSE calling for the probe of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State have won the first leg of their battle.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha has agreed to expose and investigate fraud by the administration of his predecessor.

    The governor yesterday bowed to the sustained pressure from groups and some residents who have been demanding the probe of Ohakim administration.

    He told a group of tricycle operators, mechanics, transporters and artisans that his government would publicise the activities of the former governor within 14 days.

    The group, under the auspices of Joint Action Group (JAG) had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum for Ohakim’s probe at the House of Assembly Complex, Owerri, the state capital.

    Okorocha said: “Let me inform you that the decision of the present administration is to bring justice to bear following your protest over the activities of the past administration.

    “Nobody has negotiated to cover the activities of ex-governor Ohakim within the four years he governed the state. Rather, it may interest you to know that the panel set up to look into the activities of the former governor has just presented its report.

    “Within the remaining 14 days of your ultimatum, we shall make Ohakim’s activities in Government House known to the public.”

    To Okorocha it is “worrisome that Ohakim implemented only three projects, which he alleged were uncompleted and 87 kilometer of roads which were also uncompleted in four years.

    He assured that his administration would ensure the recovery of the funds allegedly misappropriated by the former governor.

    His words: “I want to thank you for your patience so far. Honestly, I agree with you that it is worrisome that Ohakim did only three uncompleted projects in four years and 87 kilometres of uncompleted road projects. So, the money must be somewhere and if that money is recovered, it will help to make heathcare services free in addition to free education programme.”

    He urged members of the group to be law-abiding as the security agencies and other relevant authorities would not shy away from ensuring that the former governor faces the full wrath of the law.

    Speaking for the group, Mrs. Ngozi Amadi, expressed disappointed that the government has not taken a position on the former governor after it issued a 21-day ultimatum last week.

    She said: “Your Excellency, instead of arresting and trying Ohakim, we have his men still gallivanting and threatening fire and brimstone. Our leadership have been receiving threatening calls but never will that derail our call for justice.

    “If this is democracy, then we have every right to call our leaders and ask for what is reasonably attainable. It is true that we commend your revolutionary feat in transforming our state; we surely will not rest on our oars until those who looted our treasury are brought to book.”

    Mrs. Amadi accused the former governor of squandering public funds on non-existent Oak Refinery, Midwest Airline, Dredging of Nwaorie River and Oguta Lake Resort.

    She described as disturbing that Ohakim has not been arrested for prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) after claiming that he sunk N25.7 billion into the presidential election campaign of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Students to sue Okorocha over free education

    The National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS) may sue Governor Rochas Okorocha for allegedly deceiving them with his administration’s free education programme.

    Rising from its meeting at the weekend in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the Senate of the association, led by its President, Comrade Celestine Uzoma, said what the governor is giving them is an educational aid and not free education.

    The students said Okorocha deceived the world when he announced at the Hero’s Square in Owerri, the state capital, that he had issued cheques to traditional rulers for indigenous students to collect under the free education programme.

    They added that the announcement was false.

    The students said: “If education was free, why are students paying N50,000 acceptance fee and an additional N20,000, which accompanies the so-called free education cheque?

    “There is nothing like free education in the state. The governor is dodging the bursary allowance as a state under the Niger Delta development Commission (NDDC). If he is offering free education, he should redefine it and also involve students’ leaders before implementation. This is because it affects us.”

     

  • Okorocha’s, Imo Speaker’s row deepens

    The reported rift between the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Hou-se of Assembly Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu has worsened.

    It was learnt that the leadership the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is bent on changing the Speaker.

    It was learnt that the governor is angry with the Speaker for caving in to pressure and swearing in a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, as the member representing Oguta Constituency in the Assembly.

    Okorocha, a source, who spoke in confidence said, has started shopping for a replacement for the Speaker.

    The Nation gathered that the rosy relationship between the Governor and the Speaker took a plunge immediately Dibiagwu was sworn in last month after the lawmakers returned from their controversial South African trip.

    Dibiagwu had received the Certificate of Returns from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but was disallowed from being sworn in on two occasions by the Speaker.

    Another source close to theAssembly said Okorocha wanted Uwajumogu to frustrate the swearing-in but was disappointed when the Speaker bowed to pressure and swore in Dibiagwu.

    This, it was learnt, caused the strained relation between the governor and the Speaker.

    Uwajumogu was said to be responding to a court order, which directed that Dibiagwu be sworn in.

    The Speaker was said to be wary of a case between Okorocha and the 27 local government chairmen in the state. The Appeal Court reversed the verdict of a lower court in favour of the sacked council chairmen in the matter.

    It was also learnt that the Speaker wanted to avoid the PDP, his former party, which reportedly has a pending case in court against his defection to APGA.

    The source said: “PDP has instituted a case against the Speaker and other members, who won election on the platform of the party but defected to APGA.

    “The Constitution of Nigeria is against any candidate defecting to another party after winning an election on the platform of another party. Though the court process is slow now, but those of them who defected to APGA will lose their seats very soon.”

     

  • My life experience shaped my leadership style —Okorocha

    My life experience shaped my leadership style —Okorocha

    The leadership style of Governor Rochas Okorocha and his love for philanthropy have been subjects of controversy over the years. But the governor, who celebrated his 50th birthday last Monday, October 8, 2012, told Sam Egburonu, shortly after the grand birthday ceremonies and the 10th anniversary of Rochas Okorocha Foundation Colleges, that his actions are shaped by the bitter experiences he had as a child from a poor family. He told his passionate story:

     

    I was born into a home that is relatively poor from all the definitions of poverty. So, I understand from the onset that I have a task ahead of me and the name of the game is survival. I have to work extra hard to make both ends meet by combining my education with street trading business. So, I didn’t have a straight school experience. While growing up I was involved in street trading business at one point in time or the other. Honestly, there has never been a dull moment in my life. In fact, I engaged in too many things just for the sole purpose of survival.

    I broke even in two stages. The first one was at a very tender age of my life when I was selling used clothes. Then, I was in secondary school. I can say I broke even because I was able to buy a bus. I was able to buy a bus in secondary school and I bought television set in primary school as small as I was from the sale of oranges, coconuts and used clothes. What I do is that if I sell, I post some of the profits and at the end of the year, I buy something with it. So, it has been a worthwhile experience but where I would say I made the first one million dollars, was as a commission agent from the sale of used equipment in Bauchi State where Balfour Beatty was constructing the Balanga Dam. When the company was winding up, I was one of the agents that sold used equipment and I made N1.1 million when it was equivalent to $1 million dollars. I would say that was what saw me through my first break even. And I put the entire money into the business of used cars, then later graduated to the sale of new cars to what they called ‘Rochas Motors” but what made me really rich was top real estate business.

    I was able to cross over from the sale of used clothes, oranges to used cars, new cars, real estate and so on because I don’t miss opportunity in life. When I was selling oranges, I was able to save some money from the sale of oranges. Take for instance, when you sell a bag of orange you use the money to buy four bags of oranges and if you sell another four bags you can now buy 12 bags of oranges. That was how I was able to buy television set in primary school.

    In secondary school, I started selling Okrika (used clothes). I was virtually going to all the village markets in Plateau State and I am very popular in those markets even today. For any market I go to, I found out that all my goods are sold and some people thought it’s a gift from God. So, I have this power of conviction, to convince my customers to buy things from me. One whiteman once told me that I can sell ice to Eskimos.

    I have done the investigation really and it was quite an interesting part of my life because the stages of development were quite sequential. At the age of nine I bought a television set, at the age of 14 I bought a bus, at the age of 19/20 I became head of a commercial school, at the age 22/23 I became a proprietor of a school and I went into cement business (BBC) in Gboko, Benue State. And at the age of 24 plus, I got married, at the age of 29 I became a member of National Constitutional Conference. I became a member of Federal Character Commission thereafter, then I went to contest for governor which failed and shortly after that I ran for presidency. I became a presidential adviser and I ran for presidency again. You see, I moved on and on in life with hard work and challenges.

    Today at 50, I have told the world during the celebrations that I am no longer a boy. I say so because at 50, you should be able to take responsibilities for whatever action you take in life and there is this notion by elders that young ones never grow. In the Nigerian context or in Igbo land, some would say ‘Obi is a boy’, Eze goes to school but Eze must one day be a graduate and Obi must one day stop being a boy.

    I am emphasizing it because I suffered that all my life; this small boy, why would he want to be governor? This small boy, why would he want to be president? He is over ambitious! So, I am no longer a small boy now. I am now qualified to do any business in Nigeria or run for any office in the Federal Republic and I am qualified to take decisions that can affect my people positively.

     

    Plane crashes:

    I had been involved in two plane crashes. One, I narrowly escaped, which was the Belview airline that I was about to board and later turned back because I was feeling dizzy and I was not feeling very good. I was very sick instantly and I was wondering if I was going to make the flight. I hope I was not going to run into problems either fainting in the plane; it has never happened to me before. That was how I got out of that plane. The one of Nigerian Airways was a messy one because we saw the plane crash. It landed and caught into flames in the bush and many people died.

    That was in Kaduna and it was a big experience. We boarded the plane and I took the second row of the seat. The plane was too full that the air hostess had to give up her seat to use the captain’s cockpit seat. And one lady came in and in the attempt for the air hostess to give her a seat, she said she was not going to go and she worked back. Then I said to myself if something happens to this plane then this girl will say she knows God more than myself. And it was during the period Saro-Wiwa (Ken) was hanged in Port Harcourt Prison. I saw it on the news that Saro-Wiwa had just been hanged and I felt very bad. Because anything about death is really worrisome to me and somehow I prayed that God should be with the plane.

    But few minutes after, the plane had problems and smokes were coming out of the aircraft everywhere and some people knew there was danger. The captain didn’t say anything to us but all we heard was the noise from the cockpit and we knew there was confusion and we found ourselves hitting the ground at an unusual speed almost at the end of the one way. There was smoke from all parts of the aircraft and people were dying and I noticed that those who were with me forgot to remove their seat belts and had all turned their heads to death. So, I was hypnotised somehow; I didn’t know what was happening and the doors refused to open for the few that were alive to come out. At a point I heard a voice say ‘Jesus Christ’ and my faith was rekindled and I remembered that I had seat belt on and I removed my seat belt. I went to the door and hit the door, miraculously that door opened and I cannot take the credit because I know that it was God’s doing. So, I was the first actually to open the door but instead of me going down I felt I could render help so I started throwing people that are still living out of the door. But there was this young lady who looked at the depth of the aircraft and could not jump and she held the two doors so I had to hit her to create space for others. It was a messy situation. Eventually, a feeling came to my mind. There was this chemistry teacher that I had, who taught us about the combustibility of gas especially the oxygen used by the plane. So, I remembered and I said to myself ‘this might be serious,’ so, I jumped out and when I jumped out the fire service brigade vehicle that was rushing to save lives, in an attempt to reverse, crushed two persons lying down already who were still alive and they died. When the fire got to the fuel tank the aircraft blew up and what we saw was blood and smoke.

    There are some other ugly experiences that I have had. I had been involved in car crash severally and I had my leg almost amputated for car crashes, so, it has been life from challenges and progress.

    So, for me, life is nothing; life is meaningless. The only thing that makes it worthwhile is what you are able to do for others. My happiness is what I am able to do for other people not in what I have because life is really worthless if you look at it deeply. So, what I celebrated actually was what God has used me to do for the poor people because if I achieved nothing at 50, it’s not worth celebrating.

    This is why I believe that in Imo State, there is no going back on the issue of education and if it means making further sacrifice to make sure education is free for primary, secondary and university, we have to do it. It’s not a convenient thing to do. That means that for everything that I have to do, even the fuelling of vehicles in the Government House, I have to be careful. This is also true of the food that I eat, the water that I drink and so on. Everyday I do that, I remember I have responsibility to offer free education to people. So, with education Imo will be transformed. Infrastructurally, Imo has to be repackaged to make it so beautiful that the foreigners can look at it and want to partner the state. So, what I am doing now is repackaging the entire state such that people can be happy with it.

    So, when I leave here, I want people to remember me as the one that came and impacted on the world and the society. I want to change the world for better, I don’t want to leave the world the way I met it. So for me the world must be better and that is why I said Imo must be better. Let me start with Imo first, Imo must be better and must leave a mark that will be an envy of the whole world. That is my joy.

    It’s no longer in the primitive accumulation of wealth. I am not excited about cars, I am not excited about houses, I am not excited about champaign and drinks. Those for me are old fashion; they are old model. The new model is impacting on the life of others because I thank God Almighty that I lack none of this. So, I am not excited by houses any more, neither am I excited by cars. I am not excited by big living. I am not excited by being called a millionaire. Those things don’t excite me any more.

    I am not excited by being observed by protocol as number one citizen or a man who must take a front seat any time. I am not excited at all. What excites me now is to see the poor people have a smile, kindly reach out to have a handshake with them. Can I embrace them? That is my joy and especially children because I weep for our children if you don’t have future. I have passed through the situation where my nation could not help me, my state could help me, my local government would not help me. My parents did a little they did but they couldn’t help me that much other than birth. So, the Nigerian nation rarely provided scholarship and virtually everything, I had to struggle to do. I would not want our children to go through what some of us have gone through. My nation owes me a duty of care, my state holds me a duty of care, my local government owes me a duty of care, my community owes me a duty of care for as long as I surrendered my power to their leadership. But we are not getting that, that is why I don’t want the future generation to go through what some of us have gone through. If you say I am a citizen, citizenship means that you can claim some rights but we couldn’t get it. So, I want a situation where our children who are coming should not go to war like we went to. Let children not suffer what their parents suffered. It’s only a foolish man that allows his children to go through the pains he went through.