The task to rebuild the South East
By Elliot Uko
Four months after the elections and one month into the new administration, it has become necessary to remind our leaders and our people of the great need to double up commitment to the task ahead.
It’s no news that our region is at the bottom of the ladder politically. It needs no saying that our zone craves and actually needs altruistic and proactive leadership. It is also obvious that lack of these brought us to where we are today.
Isn’t it about time we square up to reality and begin a new journey towards positive political growth, prosperity, infrastructure development and economic boom?
Leadership is usually hard and complex. A new beginning is necessary. A new template is desirable. A template anchored on commitment to true federalism and devolution of powers to the federating units; a new tomorrow built on sincere leadership.
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Fifty three years after we lost a war, our region mistreated and marginalised, the younger generation expects sober and sacrificial leadership now.
What with the powerful message passed by the agitators!
South East leaders need to sit up now and redirect our tomorrow by correcting the mistakes of yesteryears.
The key is to work together as a team. In that regard Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma and and his Anambra counterpart, Charles Soludo must show leadership by bringing the new guys in Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi on board a stronger South East Governors forum. Not the kind where former governors Rochas Okorocha and Willie Obiano serially avoided meetings.
The two-pronged agenda should be pursuing the restructuring of Nigeria and pressing for core infrastructure development such as boosting power supply, sea port in the region, railway services, especially East/West rail link, cargo dry Port, Export processing centre, functional International Airport with Cargo wing, etc.
The anger in the soul of the younger generation should be enough to warn current leaders that the masses are angry and disappointed and that all is not well.
The culture of leaders placing personal interest over group interest hasn’t helped the region since 1970. Leaders placing their individual political ascendancy over and above the welfare of the people, brought us where we are today.
Does anyone really want to be reminded that we must change and mend our ways for the good of the land? For how long will the South East remain laughing stock in the land?
In that regard, Governor Peter Mba of Enugu is hereby reminded that over-confidence usually leads to avoidable errors. He should quietly firstly engage with the agitators in order to earn their confidence and trust and then get Mondays working again.
Governor Nwifuru of Ebonyi should know that without stamping his feet on the ground and asserting his authority, he’ll not succeed.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia should not burn enormous goodwill he is enjoying today by embarking on a fruitless unhelpful war with his predecessor. He should leave the last administration alone and transform Abia.
He should face the enormous challenges facing Abians and really make a difference in the life of the long-suffering masses of Abia, instead of dissipating energy fighting the immediate past administration. The distractions may cost him the peace, tranquility and support he needs to succeed.
Uzodinma of Imo should kindly ask himself: “What do my people want? Am I working in line with the hopes and aspirations of my people?” The answer he gets, will lead him to the truth.
Anambra’s Soludo has just learnt that leadership is not academic, and semantics is distant from reality. We advise him to seek group interest and work towards a united South East.
For the avoidance of doubt whatsoever, our people desire a restructured Nigeria built on true federalism and devolution of powers. Our people want infrastructural development that will grow the economy of the region. They also know that without our leaders working together, Ala Igbo will not make meaningful progress. Sacrifices must be made to salvage ala Igbo.
Finally, we challenge our elders, senior clerics, traditional rulers and opinion leaders to ask themselves, “Where, how, when and why did we lose the trust and respect of the younger generation? How do we regain their trust and respect? Answers will be found only when and if we sincerely interrogate the past.
Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, is the Deputy Secretary, Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT).
