-Extols Uzodinma’s 6 Years of Governance
-Applauds ANIM State Agitation Efforts
A distinguished traditional ruler of Imo extraction, HRH Eze John Nwosu, Eze Idinoba Ojiudo of Isiokwu-Ihioma in Orlu, Imo State, has praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for his remarkable achievements in steering the state towards progress within his six years as the Executive Governor of Imo State.
The erudite monarch further extolled the Governor for his profound impact on the political, geo-political, cultural, and educational landscape of Imo State, with particular emphasis on the Orlu region, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to fostering growth and development.
He made this appreciation speech tagged ‘6TH ANNIVERSARY APPRECIATION TO GOVERNOR UZODIMMA over the weekend, where he ‘ stated that, as a seasoned participant and astute observer of Orlu’s developmental trajectory since 1986, drawing from his tenure as inaugural Secretary of the Orlu Zonal Education Board during the Sam Mbakwe era and former Chairman/Administrator of the old Orlu LGA under General Babagida’s regime, Governor Uzodimma has exemplified exceptional governance.
Eze Nwosu, drawing parallels between Orlu’s past and present, recounted his pivotal roles in the zone’s development as Administrator of several Local Government Areas, Commissioner representing Orlu in the Civil Service Commission, and Commissioner for ISOPADEC. As founding Chairman of Orlu Resource Persons Development Council, he lamented the erstwhile “unfair treatment” of Orlu, which he argued belied its external reputation.
Eze Nwosu vividly recounted a poignant episode, recalling the dismay of late Military Governor, Amadi Ikwechegh, during his inaugural tour of old Imo State. Commencing his familiarization tour in Orlu Municipal, Ikwechegh, upon alighting at the Council Headquarters, queried the stark contrast between Orlu’s reputation and its dilapidated infrastructure. The monarch recalled Ikwechegh’s evident disillusionment upon surveying the unbefitting colonial-era High Court building, prompting the former Governor to dub Orlu a ‘one-street city’.
The illustrious monarch, recipient of multiple awards, and former Federal Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, Ekiti, Delta, and Osun States, as well as erstwhile Chairman of the Orlu Council of Elders, conveyed profound appreciation to Governor Hope Uzodimma. He noted with euphoria that Orlu, long mired in stagnation, has under Uzodimma’s stewardship begun to witness transformative progress, aptly describing the Governor’s impact as a ‘Midas touch’, however maintaining that Orlu is still a salutary work in progress.
Emphasizing on his decision to publicly laud Governor Hope Uzodimma, Eze Nwosu, a trailblazing alumnus of the University of Ibadan and a visionary traditional ruler, highlighted two pivotal projects emblematic of the Governor’s developmental zeal: the universities at Ogboko and Omuma, situated in Ideato South and Oru East, respectively, within the Orlu zone, which he deemed harbingers of progress.
The unassuming monarch, an exemplar of philanthropy, extolled Governor Hope Uzodimma’s tenure as a defining era of developmental milestones, borne of unwavering resolve. He hailed the Governor as a stalwart son of fortitude, who has dauntlessly confronted the erstwhile malaise, succinctly captured in the aphorism: “all other cities have developed, except Okigwe and Orlu” – aptly rendered in Igbo as “OBODO NILE EMEPECHALA OFOZIE OKIGWE NA ORLU”. Citing tangible progress, he referenced the Owerri-Orlu-Akokwa and Orlu-Mgbidi roads, whilst entreating the Governor to address the long-neglected Orlu-Amaifeke-Ihioma-Ihiala road, which the monarch poignantly described as ‘jinxed’, beseeching redemption.
The monarch, whose astute leadership and sagacity have established him as a primus inter pares, unequivocally declared that his commendation of Governor Hope Uzodimma was not mere exaggeration, but a sincere accolade borne of palpable achievements. He affirmed that his public endorsement stemmed from evident accomplishments, rendering it an incontrovertible expression of patriotic appreciation. He extended benevolent wishes to the Governor, as he pursues further developmental milestones, particularly the envisaged ANIM State initiative.
However, Eze Nwosu acknowledged the nascent efforts of former Governor Achike Udenwa, crediting the Amaifeke-born leader with commendable initiatives, notably the Orlu International market and Orlu stadium constructions. However, he lamented that subsequent administrations’ inertia stunted these burgeoning prospects. The monarch expressed jubilation at Governor Hope Uzodimma’s transformative impact, asserting that history must recognize his pivotal role in Orlu’s resurgence. Describing Orlu as ‘born-again’, Eze Nwosu hailed the Governor’s achievements as a watershed moment.
