Transformation is dependent on Hardwork, Individuals, Organizations, Corporate bodies, work hard in order to change the narrative. Transformation is change, the process of becoming different. How it is may not be how it is supposed to be, there is therefore the need to address the status quo.
Following newspaper report on Trumpeta newspaper of Tuesday, 21 November 2023, assuming that the Honourable Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development, Emeka Okoronkwo has erred in the running of the affairs of the Ministry is false and could be considered as the hand work of elements who do not mean well for Imo State Government.
The Government of Imo State under Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma is a fair and transparent Government that uses sincere people to run the affairs of the State.
Any finger against the Honourable Commissioner Okoronkwo is a finger against the State Government. the false publication against Okoronkwo was sponsored by set of unscrupulous and disgruntled elements who do not want the success of the State.
Imo State Ministry of Sports under predecessive Governments was comatose and without official dignity. It regained strength under the successive government of Senator Hope Uzodinma, using Okoronkwo as an agent of social change.
The enemies of Imo State Government should understand the various achievements of the Government using experts as Honourable Commissioners. It is therefore crucial to highlight the positive contributions of the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Okoronkwo, for both immediate and future references. The Ministry under his control, is having a facelift since assumption of duty,
Okoronkwo has transformed the Ministry of Sports in Imo State into a more appreciable standard, through the help of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Looking at the above paragraph, a curious mind must ask: how has Okoronkwo transformed sports activities in the State? Without doubt, he has ensured that the maiden edition of South East Women Football Association (SEWA) should be held at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. The super Heartland FC is back to the State, the Heartland Football club has won the Nigerian League competition held in Asaba, Delta State capital. Heartland FC is back to where they belong, Heartland FC has remained unbeaten in the whole season, Heartland FC has returned to premiership, Nigeria National League (NNL) ready to flourish as governor Uzodinma has provided necessary incentives to ensure NPL returns.
However, there are other transformations under Okoronkwo as the Commissioner for Sports: National Volleyball has commenced in Imo State at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Okoronkwo hosted the volleyball 1 and 2 league barely six months in office, Heartland FC has qualified for the super 8 play off ahead of the last league match, selected to be a part of the DSTV super 8 competition coming up soon, female team. Heartland Queens retained the NWFC status and will feature next season, Heartland male and female team also won the Imo FA Cup tournament and participated in the federation cup, Imo State has secured hosting right to the volleyball league 1 and 2 competitors which will kick off soon.
Because of the excellent contributions of the Honourable Commissioner Okoronkwo, the leader of Amalgamated union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) Imo State chapter, Comrade Grand Master Kuba Cassu has commenced governor Uzodinma for his youth/sports friendly policies and programmes that have repositioned sports development in the state. He gave this commendation during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner.
Interestingly, Okoronkwo being a Commissioner who does not only sit down in the office, but goes out to attend to functions and activities outside his office, has represented the governor of the State, Hope Uzodinma in NYSC Batch B stream 1 2023 NYSC corps members in the State, charged them to be duty conscious and not engaging themselves in anti-social behavious. According to him, cultism, prostitution, armed robbery, kidnapping are acts inimical to progress. Advised them to be law-abiding in their various places of primary assignment.
According to Larry Brown, “You have to do something in your life that is honourable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself”.
Okoronkwo, being a vibrant sports commissioner who believes in field work, was at Stephen Keshi International Stadium as he was set to cheer up Heartland FC of Owerri to victory against sporting Lagos FC in the final group stage game of the Nigerian National League (NNL).
No wonder, according to Billie Jean, “Champions keep playing until they get it right”.
Okoronkwo has showcased brevity in sports development in the State. In the words of Marv Levy, Persistence can change failure into extra-ordinary achievement. Okoronkwo’s continuous efforts have led to success. According to Knute Rockue, “one man practicising sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it”.
Enemies of Imo State government should abstain from seeing the negative and rather, see the positive, for it is the way forward. Okoronkwo has transformed the Imo Sports Ministry for successive Commissioners.
