DARING TO LEAD CHANGE IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

A COLLECTION OF SPEECHES
BY
IKEDI OHAKIM
GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE OF NIGERIA

© Ikedi Ohakim 2009

All right reserved
Published by Office of the Governor, Government House, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
All right reserved under International Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

ISBN: 978-978-901-550-4

Cover concept:  Ikedi Ohakim
Cover photography: TY Ohakim
Cover design: Obi Uchendu

Editing: Pini Jason Onyegbadue
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Printed in Great Britain by the MPG Books Group, Bodmin and King’s Lynn

Preface……………………………………………………………………………………………………vi
Acknowledgment ……………………………………………………………………………………viii
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………………………………ix

PART ONE- Pointing to the Future
Chapter 1- Leadership Imperative of Changes as the Catalyst for a Secure Future……...…2
Chapter 2- The Opportunity to Think Anew …………………………………………………………………22
Chapter 3- Forging a Great Future …………………………………………………………………………..….31
Chapter 4- Dare To Be Who We Are ………………………………………………………………….........….41
Chapter 5- Because We Are Ndigbo……………………………………………………………..............…..49
Chapter 6- One Voice, One Purpose …………………………………………………………………..........…63
Chapter 7- New Attitude, new Dedication Towards Our Nation…………………..........……….74
Chapter 8- You Are The Master of Your Fate………………………………………………...........………80
Chapter 9-Greening the Nation for Sustainable Environment:
The Imo State Example………………………………………………………........................……………...85
Chapter 10- The Power Behind Every Powerful Man ……………………..…………………………….89
Chapter 11- A Rural Revolution in Imo ………………………………………….…………………………….94
Chapter 12- Investing In Industrial Parks:
A Nigeria Industrial Development Strategy……………………………………………………….....…….100
Chapter 13- Your Job Is Not Done Yet………………….………………………….…………...........………108
Chapter 14- Democracy and the Rule of Law: Defining the New Face of Nigeria..........….118
Chapter 15- Christianity and the African Identity ………...........................................….139
Chapter 16- The State of Africa Union: Realizing the Dream …………..........................….146

PART TWO- Steering A Steady Course
Chapter 17- Sustaining the New Face of Imo ………………………………………................……….156
Chapter 18- Re-Tuning the Government……………………………………..........................……..178
Chapter 19- The People First …………………………………………………………….....................…….185
Chapter 20- Embracing Change For Survival ……………………………..........................…....191
Chapter 21- A Reflection for the Future …………………………………............................……....194
Chapter 22- Honour to Six Top Guns ………………………………………….......................………...199
Chapter 23- Celebrating a Sacred Responsibility……………….................................………..203
Chapter 24- Reforming Our Land Management ………………...........................................206
Chapter 25- The Enemy Failed, We Prevailed …………………….........................................210
Chapter 26- For A Forward- Looking Civil Services……………………………………...................218
Chapter 27- The Majesty of Justice …………………………………………….................................221
Chapter 28- Ours is Service-Driven Governance ……………........................................….228
Chapter 29- A Dream Comes To Pass……………………………..............................................233
Chapter 30- What We Are Asking For Is Equity………………………...............................…..236
Chapter 31-Joy to the World, Joy to Imo people…………………........................................240
Chapter 32-Faith in God, Courage in your Pursuit ……….............................................242
Chapter 33-Drum Majors for Peace ……………………………...........................................… 247
Chapter34- Succour to Our Heroes ……………………………............................................…250
Chapter 35- I Came To Do the Right Thing…………………………………...............................252
Chapter 36- Committed To a Healthy Citizenry…………...........................................…260
Chapter 37- Salute To The Eagle on the Iroko………....................................................263
Chapter 38 – Putting Our Youths to Meaningful Vocations……...................................267
Chapter 39 – A Journey of Self Re-Discovery ………....................................................271
Chapter 40- Weekly Community Sports Programme:
Imo State Experience.............................................................................................274
Chapter 41- The Dawn of Igbo Culture Renaissance...................................................281
Chapter 42- A New Culture of Investment ...............................................................284
Chapter43- Meeting the Millennium Development Goals..........................................288
Chapter44- Seeking the Face of God........................................................................292
Chapter 45- To God be the Glory.............................................................................294
Chapter 46- Solid Minerals: The key to Future Survival ..........................................296
Chapter 47- We Are Not Looking Back....................................................................300
Chapter 48- Time for a Change Of Heart.................................................................303
Chapter 49- We can Change Things........................................................................308
Chapter 50- Creating a Future for the Youths..........................................................315
Chapter 51- Power Must Return to the people...........................................................319
Chapter 52- Laws to Elevate Our State ...................................................................332
Chapter 53- Towards A People –Oriented Public Service...........................................327
Chapter 54- Preserving The People’s Legacy............................................................329
Chapter 55- Justice for the Masses..........................................................................332
Chapter 56- Creating Economic Opportunities for Our People...................................335
Chapter57- Youth Empowerment and Beauty Pageant............................................339
Chapter 58- Church and State in Divine Partnership..............................................344
Chapter 59- All Hands on Deck..............................................................................355
Chapter 60- Budget of Reality...............................................................................389
Index..................................................................................................................389

Governor Ikedi Ohakim is one leader who brought every aspect of his training to public office. Imo was the State where political pundits were proved wrong. Political pundits expected a conflagration soon after Ohakim’s swearing-in on 29 May 2007. This expectation was rooted in the Nigerian politics of intolerance, excessive politicking at the expense of development, the rule of godfathers and belligerent opposition.

Governor Ohakim was elected on the platform of the Progressive People Alliance, PPA, which had one member in a 27 member State House of Assembly dominated by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In the ordinary Nigeria politics of crude power show, the stage was set for endless crisis, at least in the minds of many.  But two years down the line, Imo State remained the most politically peaceful in the Federation, thanks, to Ohakim’s managerial acumen brought to leadership. He we able to focus the Executive and Legislature on the main job of service to Imo people, irrespective of political party affiliation...

My appreciation goes first and for most to God Almighty, who mandated me, through the good of Imo State, to offer my services to Imo State and Nigeria. My gratitude and love to my wife, children and the entire Ohakim family who have stood by me through the most challenging times. I cannot thanks the people of Imo State enough for their forbearance and fortitude as we work tirelessly on the vision of the New Face of Imo. I owe immense gratitude to members of the 164-man New Face of Imo Transition Committee who diligently carved a pathway for this government.
My gratitude also goes to all the members of the Expanded Executive Council of Imo State for their bravery in the face of daunting challenges, to chairman and members of Council of Traditional Rulers as well as chairman and members of Imo Elders’ Council for providing wise counsel, and to my legal team throughout the challenging period of the Tribunals. To everybody who has contributed to the success of this administration, I say God bless you all.

IKEDI OHAKIM
Owerri, May 2009.

Notwithstanding the challenges of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic there is encouraging evidence that the country’s new crop of leaders are determined to make a difference.

One of such is Ikedi Ohakim, the ebullient and dynamic Governor of Imo State of Nigeria. Governor Ikedi Ohakim dubbed the “Napoleon” of the East by the media, catapulted Imo State out of near obscurity and like the consummate marketer he is, re-branded the New Face of Imo and made it a pacesetter in environment and rural development, among others.

Leadership Nigeria, like the nation itself, is still an evolving phenomenon. It helps when a leader can capture the attention of the public with charisma and oratory; two qualities Ohakim has effectively deployed in office.

In this volume, pushing limits, he has eloquently articulated the raison d’être of his policies and elucidated on the philosophy of the New Face of Imo. He had also tried to match his oratory with impressive achievements within his 20 months in office.

The volume of his major speeches not only gives insight into the secret of his success, especially in political re-engineering in a state where majority of members of the legislature belong to a different party, it also challenges  the politics of our nation to rise above partisanship. Pushing the Limits, I believe, will enrich the politics of our nation and serve as a beacon of light for leadership in Nigeria. I commend the author and recommend this book to anyone interested in the politics of Nigeria. 

SENATOR (DR.) DAVID A.B. MARK, GCON
President of the Senate Federal Republic of Nigeria