President-General of Orlu Town Community Government Council (CGC), Imo State, Festus Anuole, shares his experience in administering the autonomous community in this encounter with Editor, Politics/Features, EMEKA ALEX DURU.
In 2012, when shortly after his election, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha unfolded his Community Government Council (CGC) initiative, critics easily dismissed the exercise as a move to put up structures for his re-election in 2015. The governor had remarkably brandished the programme as an attempt to bring governance to the doorsteps of the people. He had, at many occasions, argued that the existing local government arrangement had not actually impacted on the grassroots, stressing that with the CGC initiative which he christened the fourth tier of government, the people would be carried along on issues concerning them.
Okorocha’s explanations did not register much impact, especially among the elite who suspected him of tactically putting up a political structure from the local level. The suspicion further gained ground going by the body language of the governor which then indicated that he was perfecting moves to quit the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) through which he came to power in 2011. The argument was that with him leaving APGA, he needed a platform to actualise his second term ambition, hence the attempt to commence from the rural communities.
Okorocha eventually left APGA and secured his re-election in the April 11/25 governorship and state assembly poll on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
But the debate lingers on the very essence of the CGC initiative alongside the local government system. This is as some argue that not much is really going on in the system in terms of real development.
President General/Secretary of CGC, Orlu Autonomous Community, Festus Okwu Anuole, however disagrees, stressing that the initiative is in the best interest of the people. In an encounter with our reporter, he lauded the programme as one among the grassroots policies of Imo State government which he likened to the fabled Greek Village Republic Democracy.
“It is people-oriented. The governor always calls different groups and societies for meetings and dialogue at one time or another. His community government (Rochasmanism) is an attempt at bringing governance to the roots. It is more than grassroots policy,” he enthused.
Was it why he opted for a job that seems provincial, TheNiche inquired?
Anuole, who has master’s degrees in Economics and Accountancy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education/Economics, aside other certificates and fellowships, answered philosophically, stressing that what matters most for him is rendering service to the people. The job, he said, is a part-time engagement but offers him satisfaction as it gives him the opportunity to respond to a call to service. Service at that level, he added, would equally enable him monitor trends in the state before the next possible move.
“This is politics. You have to start from somewhere. You need to test your acceptance by the people at the grassroots. That is why the choice of president-general. Moreso I will use it to monitor trends, having been outside the state for long,” he explained.
Anuole told TheNiche that the exercise had been exciting but challenging. Leading a politically- and intellectually-conscious community as Orlu, he said, can be quite tasking. This is because he has to weigh each of his actions, knowing that the average indigene cannot be pulled by the nose. The interesting aspect of it, he added, is that with focused and transparent leadership, he has always had the best from the people.
“It has not been easy. Orlu Autonomous Community (Orlu Gedegwum) is the home of many successful businessmen and intellectuals. The toughest challenge you have in any administration is to contend with these groups of people. However, this is not much a challenge because I have had experience in interacting with the people even before my current office.
“My acquired experiences have made the work lighter for me. My belief in situational system type government is also an advantage. That is the combination of democracy with every other system of government based on the issues at hand. It has not been easy, but it is a good challenge and experience. It is good to serve your people. I love it,” he said.
He traced his leadership calling to his early days in his hometown, through to his time as student’s union official in Alvan Ikoku College of Education (now Alvan Ikoku University of Education), Owerri and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He had, after school, also functioned as the Orlu Town representative at the Imo State Towns Development Association (ISTDAL), Lagos, where, he said, he had more than 18 leadership roles accredited to him.
Anuole’s major concern is the legacy he would leave to his community.
“How do I unite our people and make them happy? How do I fight for our people and raise the name Orlu to a historical height?” he asked rhetorically.
His executive, he admitted, had incidentally, recorded some intrinsic feats, at least in making other citizens in Imo and environs understand that there is a community called Orlu Town in Orlu Local Government Area, Orlu Senatorial District of the state. This is the aboriginal Orlu Town – an ancient settlement that many mix up with the Government Station where local government secretariat is sited.
The PG quietly succeeded in resurrecting and sustaining this awareness through his position as the Executive Secretary of Orlu LGA President General/Secretaries’ Forum.
“This means that you cannot discuss community issues without Orlu Town being present,” he told our reporter.
Aside the intangible feat he had attained by this subtle diplomacy, Anuole and his team have also recorded concrete achievements within their relatively short time in office. Apart from ensuring lasting peace and unity among the people, the administration has actualised the perimeter fencing of Orlu Civic Centre, Ukpakakpu.
Orlu Girls Secondary School (Morning Star) is also being given a facelift. The administration has equally instituted and carried out a successful award ceremony within the short period of its existence.
“The essence of this is to encourage our people to work for our people,” Anuole explained, adding that his team has entered into mutual understanding for Imo State Polytechnic, Orlu campus, to employ qualified indigenes of the town for the use of the community’s land as site for the institution.
The Orlu Town PG who describes himself as versatile, motivational team-builder with strong analytical skill, sound judgement, hardworking and aptitude for forward planning, added that he respects every person (old and young) but fears nobody. He however paid glowing tributes to Governor Okorocha, who, he said, carries every community along in his development programmes.
Would the PG love to serve another term, given his agenda for his community? TheNiche asked. Anuole answered in the affirmative, adding however that it is not a do-or-die affair.
“I would like to go for a second tenure after the expiration of my term if my people vote me in. But if they do not, I will give my support to any one coming in,” he said.
His supporters and even opponents are agreed that even with the short time he has been in the saddle, Anuole has taken some bold initiatives that will place him on the positive side of history, if he does not derail.
