Cosmas Odoemena
From a state known for intellectualism, industry and progress Imo State has become a state of buffoonery, mal-administration, and executive rascality. This has to change!
As the gubernatorial elections draw near Imo people should know they can't afford to experiment. They can't also allow a party that has disappointed to remain in power.
Having gone through all the credentials and manifestos of those who want to govern Imo State only one candidate seems to mean business. He is Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives.
After he lost to the incumbent in the last election, overtures were made to him to defect from his party the People's Democratic Party, PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC where he could become the next governor after the incumbent finishes his tenure. But unlike other flirtatious politicians he remained loyal to his party. He loaths a godfather whose insatiable appetite will undermine the progress of Imo.
His manifesto reads like a Marshall Plan to save Imo. Ihedioha seems prepared. Indeed he has deep understanding of the problems of Imo and how to tackle them.
According to him in his declaration of October 8, 2014, to stand for the last election he harped on “Inclusive growth strategy”. Every Imo person should feel the impact of government. That remains the thrust of his government.
Ihedioha believes that education is key to development. He will adopt the World Bank's Early Childhood Education Enhancement Project (ECEEP).
Basic healthcare services and check-up will be provided through the schools. He wants children below 5 years of age to have their vision, hearing, and cognition tested to make sure that any problems identified, are treated or managed as early as possible, so that it doesn't disrupt their education along the way.
He will also ensure that children 5 years and under are provided food for the first phase and will consider primary school children after.
On how these will be funded he says a major part will be by "International development partners and private Corporations as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility." He has already started his discussions with them.
Still on education, bright young graduates will be recruited by giving them attractive incentives so that they can find teaching a lucrative and noble career.
He will also re-train graduates from other non-education sectors by offering an accelerated training in partnership with Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Federal Institute of Education. For example a geology graduate can be trained to teach geography.
He intends bringing in retired professionals who will be trained, and re-packaged to go into the classroom in crucial subject areas especially in the sciences, mathematics and English.
He will place emphasis on Technical Education and Vocational Education.
On tertiary education he notes that under the present administration only students in Imo State-owned Tertiary Institutions (Imo State University, Polytechnic Umuagwo and College of Health Sciences Amaigbo) have access to the "pseudo Free Education." His government will offer free education to Imo State students irrespective of where they school.
As a legislator, he initiated the implementation of innovative schemes and channels to create employment and wealth in the State. He did about 140 infrastructural projects which created more than 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities for Imo people.
He said he will work to create jobs through collaboration with the private sector and giving them the enabling environment to thrive.
There will be creation of 274, 500 Imo employers of labour in 135 manufacturing activities, localized in 27 Local Governments in Imo (5 per LGA).
He will empower 15 youths from each of the 305 Wards for specific training that will be equal to 4, 575 entrepreneurial skills every year.
He will revisit the 10,000 jobs created by the past PDP Government, but terminated by the current APC administration.
In his capacity as Chairman House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, they successfully amended the Constitution to provide Free Primary Health and Free Maternal Health Care Services as a Constitutional Right of every Nigerian citizen.
He also presided over the passage of the new National Health Act.
His main objective is the provision of quality healthcare services in the state.
Also, in his capacity as Chairman, House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, they successfully engineered a constitutional amendment to put power generation, transmission and distribution on the Concurrent List, and so allowing state governments to be part of it.
It's no news that Imo State has one of the worst electric supply in the country. The only grid network in the state comprises the 132kV substation at Egbu Owerri and associated lines.
But through his efforts, 3 more 132kV substations located strategically at Okigwe, Aboh-Mbaise, and Ideato with its transmission lines covering the 3 senatorial zones in Imo are under construction and are at completion stages. When they are completed, in addition to a 330kV substation at Egbu light will improve.
Infrastructure and quality roads will be built and not what he calls "China roads" seen around Imo.
There is no coroners court in Imo. Ihedioha intends establishing one.
There also will be a law to introduce e-filing of cases in court, to remove delays seen with manual filing of cases in court. The court system will be computerized.
Women will be given roles to play in Ihedioha's government as 35 percent of appointments will be reserved for them.
The physically challenged will not be left out as he will offer affirmative action to physically challenged persons in Imo State.
He will also establish a school for the blind as Imo blind students presently go to Abia state.
As one from Imo, one of the things that still hurts me today is how this present administration handles sports, especially the way it allowed the state's football club Heartland Football Club which until then never tasted relegation to be relegated. Ihedioha wants to fund the club well and partner with the private sector for the development of other football clubs in Imo State.
The culture and heritage of Imo people will be promoted nationally and internationally.
He will also promote the use of Igbo language with the "Su o Igbo". This will see the language being spoken in schools and for conducting government business.
Some might still ask if Ihedioha gets the mandate can he walk the talk. Can he be held accountable?
And to these is his slogan: "My Word, My Bond!"
Dr Cosmas Odoemena
Cosmas Odoemena
From a state known for intellectualism, industry and progress Imo State has become a state of buffoonery, mal-administration, and executive rascality. This has to change!
As the gubernatorial elections draw near Imo people should know they can't afford to experiment. They can't also allow a party that has disappointed to remain in power.
Having gone through all the credentials and manifestos of those who want to govern Imo State only one candidate seems to mean business. He is Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives.
After he lost to the incumbent in the last election, overtures were made to him to defect from his party the People's Democratic Party, PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC where he could become the next governor after the incumbent finishes his tenure. But unlike other flirtatious politicians he remained loyal to his party. He loaths a godfather whose insatiable appetite will undermine the progress of Imo.
His manifesto reads like a Marshall Plan to save Imo. Ihedioha seems prepared. Indeed he has deep understanding of the problems of Imo and how to tackle them.
According to him in his declaration of October 8, 2014, to stand for the last election he harped on “Inclusive growth strategy”. Every Imo person should feel the impact of government. That remains the thrust of his government.
Ihedioha believes that education is key to development. He will adopt the World Bank's Early Childhood Education Enhancement Project (ECEEP).
Basic healthcare services and check-up will be provided through the schools. He wants children below 5 years of age to have their vision, hearing, and cognition tested to make sure that any problems identified, are treated or managed as early as possible, so that it doesn't disrupt their education along the way.
He will also ensure that children 5 years and under are provided food for the first phase and will consider primary school children after.
On how these will be funded he says a major part will be by "International development partners and private Corporations as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility." He has already started his discussions with them.
Still on education, bright young graduates will be recruited by giving them attractive incentives so that they can find teaching a lucrative and noble career.
He will also re-train graduates from other non-education sectors by offering an accelerated training in partnership with Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Federal Institute of Education. For example a geology graduate can be trained to teach geography.
He intends bringing in retired professionals who will be trained, and re-packaged to go into the classroom in crucial subject areas especially in the sciences, mathematics and English.
He will place emphasis on Technical Education and Vocational Education.
On tertiary education he notes that under the present administration only students in Imo State-owned Tertiary Institutions (Imo State University, Polytechnic Umuagwo and College of Health Sciences Amaigbo) have access to the "pseudo Free Education." His government will offer free education to Imo State students irrespective of where they school.
As a legislator, he initiated the implementation of innovative schemes and channels to create employment and wealth in the State. He did about 140 infrastructural projects which created more than 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities for Imo people.
He said he will work to create jobs through collaboration with the private sector and giving them the enabling environment to thrive.
There will be creation of 274, 500 Imo employers of labour in 135 manufacturing activities, localized in 27 Local Governments in Imo (5 per LGA).
He will empower 15 youths from each of the 305 Wards for specific training that will be equal to 4, 575 entrepreneurial skills every year.
He will revisit the 10,000 jobs created by the past PDP Government, but terminated by the current APC administration.
In his capacity as Chairman House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, they successfully amended the Constitution to provide Free Primary Health and Free Maternal Health Care Services as a Constitutional Right of every Nigerian citizen.
He also presided over the passage of the new National Health Act.
His main objective is the provision of quality healthcare services in the state.
Also, in his capacity as Chairman, House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, they successfully engineered a constitutional amendment to put power generation, transmission and distribution on the Concurrent List, and so allowing state governments to be part of it.
It's no news that Imo State has one of the worst electric supply in the country. The only grid network in the state comprises the 132kV substation at Egbu Owerri and associated lines.
But through his efforts, 3 more 132kV substations located strategically at Okigwe, Aboh-Mbaise, and Ideato with its transmission lines covering the 3 senatorial zones in Imo are under construction and are at completion stages. When they are completed, in addition to a 330kV substation at Egbu light will improve.
Infrastructure and quality roads will be built and not what he calls "China roads" seen around Imo.
There is no coroners court in Imo. Ihedioha intends establishing one.
There also will be a law to introduce e-filing of cases in court, to remove delays seen with manual filing of cases in court. The court system will be computerized.
Women will be given roles to play in Ihedioha's government as 35 percent of appointments will be reserved for them.
The physically challenged will not be left out as he will offer affirmative action to physically challenged persons in Imo State.
He will also establish a school for the blind as Imo blind students presently go to Abia state.
As one from Imo, one of the things that still hurts me today is how this present administration handles sports, especially the way it allowed the state's football club Heartland Football Club which until then never tasted relegation to be relegated. Ihedioha wants to fund the club well and partner with the private sector for the development of other football clubs in Imo State.
The culture and heritage of Imo people will be promoted nationally and internationally.
He will also promote the use of Igbo language with the "Su o Igbo". This will see the language being spoken in schools and for conducting government business.
Some might still ask if Ihedioha gets the mandate can he walk the talk. Can he be held accountable?
And to these is his slogan: "My Word, My Bond!"
Dr Cosmas Odoemena
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