Saturday the 22nd of February 2014 will be a symbolic day in Imo State for its citizen following the planned first ever visit of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the state since his assumption of office.
Although the visit of the president unlike such visits in the past is not to commission any project in the state be it Federal, State or Local Government Project.
Rather, President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit is to welcome some of the former members of his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) like former Governor and Minister Chief Achike Udenwa, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Senator Mrs Christ N.D Anyanwu among many others back to the party.
This of course is coming at the heels of the 2015 general elections and politicking which is being currently climaxed with defections from one political party to the other.
However, while we are gladdened with the visit of Mr. President to the state, it is also important to point out that the masses would have been happier and more appreciative if the president’s visit to the state is to commission one project or the other. Be it state or federal government executed project.
Granted the fact that the federal minister for Foreign Affairs Professor Mrs Viola Onwuliri few days ago recalled out some federal government sponsored projects in the state, but it would have been more colourful should the president visit the state to commission any.
Still put, it would have made more sence if the president’s visit is to commission one of the state governments project in the state after which he can go for his rally.
While we are by no means trying to query or rubbish the intention of the presidents first ever visit to the state in three years, it is important for Nigerians to put their priorities right.
It is therefore important that we remind Imo State Chapter of PDP and indeed President Goodluck Jonathan that it is on record that he has not commissioned any project in Imo State since he assumed office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Though not yet late, one believes that after coming to Imo State to welcome some political decampees back to PDP, that he will come back to the state as soon as possible to commission one project or the other.
Whether the state is being governed by an APC or APGA Governor is in material because commissioning of projects in the state is in the interest of the masses who of course voted massively for him in 2011.
It is therefore our expectation that our politicians should start early to address such fundamental and critical issues and the time is now.
Hope Uzodinma: Your Road Is Good
It is said that when a people embark on a journey through a good road, there is every tendency that they will still embark on any other given journey through the same road. Conversely, if a community feels proud of their beloveth son in his first outing, the community will have no doubt to continue to be proud of that same son.
There is something in a name no doubt! When the search for a worthy person to go the Senate was initiated in 2011, so many people were considered but at the end of the day, the search berthed at the country home of Chief Hope Uzodinma, (ONWA) a well seasoned businessman cum-politician. Quickly, Hope set up a formidable political machinery that eventually not only grabbed the PDP ticket, but also won the Imo West (Orlu Zone) senatorial district election in April 2011.
33 months down the line, Senator Hope Uzodinma has not only lived up to expectations, but has proven to the people of Orlu zone in particular, and Imo State at large that indeed his road is good”. Let me open the minds of the reading public.
The fact of the matter remains that Orlu Senatorial zone has witnessed an unprecedented torrential rain of Federal Government projects in all the twelve (12) Local Government areas and beyond, since Senator Hope Uzodinma began his legislative journey 33 months ago. He facilitated the construction of roads in the zone, facilitation of rural electrification projects, promotion and establishment of various Human capacity projects, sinking of bore-holes/total rehabilitation of many water scheme projects in the zone etc.
If we call him an OGBUAGU, we should not be mistaken. Senator Hope Uzodinma has not only facilitated the gainful employment of numerous unemployed youths from the zone, he has also alleviated poverty by empowering well over 1000 indigent women and youths through setting up of women empowerment programmes and skills acquisitions centres.
Continuing with his score card, it is pertinent to note that Senator Hope Uzodinma has sponsored many motions and bills at the floor of the Senate amongst which are: (1) Inland Security bills (2) Restrictive Practice and Monopoly Prohibition Trade bill (3) Fly Nigeria bill (4) Erosion control commission establishment bill (5) Federal Character Act (Amendment) bill.
He also sponsored motions on: (1) Dana and Allied Airline plane crash (2) Violation of Aviation laws and practice (3) Rehabilitation of River Niger Bridge and construction of the second Niger Bridge (4) Unemployment data and creation of job centres in the country etc.
Hope Uzodinma did not stop at Orlu Senatorial zone alone as he expanded his desire in extending his provision of legislative representation beyond his senatorial zone (as the Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation) thus making a case for the actualization of the SAM MBAKWE AIRPORT as the International Cargo Airport it was originally designed to be. With the rehabilitation of the airport almost completed, the next phase will see the airport fully turned into an international cargo airport courtesy of this same man (HOPE). Above all, he is also a strong crusader of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s transformation agenda.
By all intents and purposes, distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma has paid his legislative duties to the people of Orlu Senatorial Zone through his human oriented representation. What more can we say other than “UZODINMA AGA YA UGBORO ABUO”. Therefore, the Hope we have in Hope Uzodinma have been accomplished. Hope Uzodinma, your road is good, we are strongly behind you and our God given President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR). Carry go!
Coordinator Imp Initiative (orlu Zone) Reporting
