The Michael Okpara Leadership Lecture 2024 has come and gone. It was hugely successful and not a few of the attendees left the lecture hall without probing thoughts for a better tomorrow.
However, I think the organisers deserve some plaudits for bringing Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, into the mix. I don’t know whether it was happenstance or intentional but all I know is that it was great listening to Uzodinma as he delivered his lecture.
Uzodinma spoke so much about statesmanship and the qualities of a good leader. He talked so much about Michael Okpara, how he excelled and why. He threw a challenge to Nigeria’s leaders to perform likewise.
However, it would make more practical sense if Uzodinma did not bother about other leaders but began with himself; others would then cite him as the model, instead of the long-gone Okpara.
Uzodinma chanced on Douglas House through a self-confessed bizarre Ben Johnson Avenue, which has remained untraceable on the map of Nigeria’s democratic journey. While we’re still searching for this route, brigandage of sorts was let loose on the hapless Imo State on November 11 last year and when people returned from the bushes where they ran for refuge, they were told that Uzodinma had won re-election.
Re-election without an election? Hmmm. Anyway, that’s by the way.
The Supreme Court, which initially propounded and endorsed a Guinness World Record mathematical theory by which the fourth, Uzodinma, became the first has again affirmed this ‘re-election,’ not minding the excess figures well and above accredited voters.
Uzodimma, who spoke on the topic, Service Above Self: Lessons from the Leadership Philosophy of Dr. Michael Okpara, noted that Okpara was able to make the Eastern Region’s economy the fastest growing in Africa.
“Perhaps, if only our political leaders of today could emulate the leadership virtues of Dr. Michael Okpara , our country would be better and more prosperous,” he submitted.
He noted that those virtues were characterised by selfless service, integrity, vision and inclusivity, which brought about rapid growth in the region. He expressed optimism that Nigeria would attain its full potential when the citizens display unparalleled patriotism, as demonstrated by the late Premier of the Eastern Region.
He said Okpara’s legacies will continue to “inspire not just our generation but generations to come.”
Uzodinma’s lamentation that Okpara was not being honoured by Nigerians was self-indictment. Indeed, “Okpara remains a hero in Nigeria, who has not been properly recognised and honoured.” Uzodinma would do well to celebrate the great man’s heroics by replicating Okpara’s philosophy in the governance of Imo State.
Uzodinma urged Nigerians to concentrate more on rendering selfless service rather than pursuing personal aggrandisement. However, I am not so sure if the organisers of the lecture were right in bestowing Uzodimma the Premier’s Grand Prize, Gold Plaque Category. The prize would have been more deserving if he is later found to have put into effect his preachment. Giving him the prize because he came to recite a script from his speechwriter is akin to putting the cart before the horse.
Nevertheless, I think the greatest gain of the Michael Okpara Leadership Lectures for 2024 is bringing Uzodinma to the spotlight so that he can begin to effectuate his self-preachment at the lecture.
Uzodinma has been accused of failing in all indices of governance. He has performed very poorly in terms of security, economy, education, infrastructure, mention it, Imo State is lagging behind.
Uzodinma has failed to connect with the people, who see his government as rudderless and insensitive.
The poor security situation in Imo State has remained intractable and the serene Eastern Heartland has been reduced to an abattoir under his administration. Many have fled their homes in fright, even as many communities have been completely razed down and rendered desolate. Several Imolites have equally been killed by unknown gunmen whom many also believe are known.
Some say Uzodinma’s alleged tactless and tasteless disposition, and being overly ambitious to be the major power-broker East of the Niger, has not helped his cause.
There are no signs of infrastructural development in the almost four years of his administration despite alleged misappropriation of the local government funds and the 13% derivation funds from oil.
During electioneering last year, Uzodinma talked about his agreement with the European Union and Canada to employ 4,000 Imo youths, a very cheap lie that blew in his face. We have not heard anything about the lofty plan since then. Did he send them or not? We also have not seen or heard anything about the oil and gas companies he promised to establish in the state.
I don’t want to join those who say that Uzodinma made this year’s lecture farcical. Rather, I believe it exposed Uzodinma and that it is not too late for Uzodinma to bring what he has preached to bear in his administration. Knowing the problems and how they could be solved is halfway done. Imo people are very forgiving and accommodating and would gladly garland him, if he could emulate the leadership virtues of Dr. Michael Okpara and make Imo State better and more prosperous, as he posited.
Let’s stop boxing the air. Let’s stop talking to them minus us. We know what ails the land, as Uzodinma has shown. Let’s begin the therapy and do away with cheap talk. Let’s separate facts from farce.