Imo International Seaport: Realizable signature project with a dream

 

By Ben AHANONU 

In the long and somehow checkered history of humanity on Earth, every great accomplishment started with a dream and when the Americans talk about "American Dream," it is about their desire to rule and subdue the world by mastering uncharted paths and creating something out of nothing through uncommon ingenuity. 

That was how the United States of America became the first country in the world, to conceive and manufacture "atomic bomb," though with dangerous consequences but efficient enough to end a raging Second World War that wanted to exterminate normal human existence on Earth as the defeated Nazis and their allies like fascist Italy and militarist Japan then wanted to enslave humanity.

It was the same "Dream," that landed the legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong on the Lunar surface.

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and Apollo 11 Lunar Module (LM) pilot Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to land on the Moon, and the next day they spent two and a half hours outside the Lunar Module Eagle spacecraft while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit in the Apollo Command Module, Columbia. When Armstrong first stepped onto the lunar surface, he made the historic comment:  "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." 

It was broadcast live to an estimated 530 million viewers worldwide. Apollo 11 was a major US victory in the space race, which fulfilled a national goal/dream proposed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy "of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth," before the end of that decade.

The same dream and determination to subdue the Earth, fuelled the Industrial Revolution and all the great inventions like electricity, automobile, airplane etc which modernized the world.

The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in Great Britain, continental Europe and the United States that occurred during the period from around 1760 to about 1820–1840.

When the first civilian Governor of old Imo State, comprising Imo, Abia and Southern part of Ebonyi), late Dee Sam Mbakwe, conceptualized the idea of an airport for Imo State in 1983 - many thought he was joking but as a great and visionary leader, he had his eyes focused on the strategic project - envisioned to address a yearning.

Through generous contributions of the people of old Imo State and throughout Igbo land, like Chief (Engr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, (Ahaejiagamba) - (who not only contributed money and joined the construction work proper with his Hardel and Enic Construction Company, but also floated Oriental Airlines to keep the airport busy), Prince Arthur Eze, Chief Sab Ejiofor, Chief Ilodibe, Mike Nkworji, OzoIgbondu etc the Imo Airport Dream was realized under Navy Captain James N. Aneke, who saw to its completion, commissioning and operational commencement on 15th July, 1994 during the military regime of  late General Sani Abacha and it became  the first state-owned airport in Nigeria and first airport built by the people without any support from the federal government.

I chose to engage in this historical inquisition in order to position the Imo Seaport Dream contextually and emphasize the efficacy of dreams.

According to Inc.Africa: "To be an effective leader, you need to think like a leader.  Problems are real and they warrant our attention, but they don't go away without solutions. Knowing things are not working is a good first step but nothing more. Great leaders understand that focusing on problems brings more problems but focusing on solutions opens up opportunities"

Without doubt, since Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma assumed the leadership of Imo State as Governor, he has been consistent with effective and productive leadership, deliberately focusing on solutions to the problems challenging Imo State.

Gov. Uzodimma, understands the diverse needs and strengths of Imo and has assembled a team of best brains from the State, to create and maintain success. 

Successful leaders like Gov. Uzodimma, tend to share habits of thought that set them apart. The reason is that positive thoughts grow into positive attitudes that in turn grow into positive outcomes, while negative thoughts do the same in the other direction. 

Successful leaders like Governor Uzodimma, understand this principle well and they express it in specific and highly disciplined ways.

Successful leaders like Gov  Uzodimma, understand that it is 'we' before 'I' and 'us' before 'me.'Their team, the people they lead, are at the forefront and more important.

As Imo State Government under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma intensifies efforts for the dredging and conversion of Orashi River into an international seaport - (which is a yearning), with all the necessary paraphernalia, there is also need to eliminate excessive complications - I mean those things that are unnecessary, while more attention should be given to the core issues. I believe that this approach will help the government of Imo State actualize the signature project quickly and effectively.

Indeed, Gov Uzodimma thinks big for Imo State and every well-meaning Imo citizen including the strong and skilled Diaspora should support him as he works towards the success of Imo Seaport project and other projects including the reconstruction of Imo International Conference Centre (IICC).

While some people do not have the discipline and patience to stay focused because of nonstop distraction of modern life,  successful leaders like Gov. Uzodimma, have the strength of purpose, patience and determination to see things through to completion.

Gov. Uzodimma has the  spirit of excellence that enables him give his all to Imo people, not because someone is looking over his  shoulder but because it is the right thing to do. 

That is what propels him to help people - yes, Gov. Uzodimma is truly helping Imo people with his "massive welfare-driven and people-oriented" style of governance - ask Imo workers, who are now paid promptly and automatedly. They are also enjoying free mass transit, free medicare, 13th-month salary and other packages including promotion and retraining. Ask traders in Imo State, who are enjoying the greatest support from government since the creation of the State. Ask journalists, who have the privilege of working with a media-friendly Governor and all attendant benefits including annual awards. Ask Imo youths, who are major beneficiaries of Governor Uzodimma's milk of human kindness with projects like "Skill-up Imo" and cash transfers.

While many like him are at least somewhat preoccupied with wanting recognition for their hard work, Gov. Uzodimma, as an  altruistic leader, is more concerned about giving recognition than receiving it and that makes him unique. 

As a driven leader, Uzodimma is preoccupied with what he will do to succeed as Governor and bring enduring prosperity to the state. He thinks like a successful leader, always looking for transformational opportunities to change the Imo narrative from glory to greater glory of economic prosperity and sustainable development.

Like late Chief Sam Ononuka Mbakwe, whose desire for more federal presence (in terms of projects being located in old Imo State) turned him into a "weeping Governor," literally, Uzodimma equally has such appetite for more coming to Imo State but with the different approach of constructive and strategic engagement with critical economic actors and decision-makers - federally and internationally - such ambition thus  informed the conceptualization of the Orashi International Seaport project, which has the potential of turning Imo into a major economic hub in the Southeast geopolitical Zone.

While some naysayers and political foes may be moving in the opposite direction regarding the Imo Seaport project, the determination and resolve of Governor Uzodimma to actualize the signature project is unshaken but all he needs is the support of peace-loving and development-conscious Imo people.

All he needs is a second term to enable him complete the Orashi International Seaport project and other people-oriented projects.

Let me add that Gov. Uzodimma is not the Governor of Orlu Zone but the Governor of entire Imo State without any iota of sectionalism or unproductive zonal inclinations and this is amply demonstrated by his all-inclusive and broad-based style of governance.

I therefore advise some desperate politicians trying to whip up zonal sentiments to desist from such unproductive and divisive posturing that is wrong and condemnable.

The zone from where a governor comes from is irrelevant so long as he or she is performing well and working for the good of entire Imo people.

Shall we because of the quest for zonal equity, enthrone mediocrity and incompetence in Imo State? Will Gov. Uzodimma and people from Orlu Zone govern Imo State forever? The answer is no.

There is time for everything under the Sun and very soon it will be time for a competent, tried, trusted and tested Owerri Zone person with the capacity to deliver good governance and economic prosperity to all Imo people to take over the mantle of leadership but Gov. Uzodimma must first finish his second term of four years as approved by God Almighty.

One thing certain is that we are all Igbo people united by one great and common ancestry hence we must see ourselves as one big family and great ethnic group, irrespective of geographical and administrative demarcations made to enhance development planning and not division.

Those in support say Aye! The Ayes have it!

God bless Imo State.

Prince Ben AHANONU is Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on CSDP.