I enjoyed Owerri

I missed Owerri. So, the 18th edition of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) provided me a much-needed escape from Abuja which residents have become traumatised by threats of terror attacks, especially after the successful execution of the violent attack on Nigeria Correctional Services outpost at Kuje. That was followed up quickly with a busted terror activity at Bwari. Those two events helped push up the pressure on residents when the embassy of the United States of America raised the alarm over planned terror attacks. Though Nigerian security authorities had asked Nigerians to discountenance the alerts, the invasion, and arrest of some persons at an estate off the airport road, pumped up adrenalin in people’s body systems, increased blood pressure, and made many people want to run away from the federal capital.

But, where is safer than a nation’s capital city? For this reason, I looked forward to being in Owerri. And, I was in the mood for unrestrained fun when I arrived. I graduated from Holy Ghost College way back. So, I know many ‘Appian ways’ that traversed the beautiful town though some have been converted to major motorways and others, consumed by estates and plazas. I was in high spirits and the mood was right. When a room was assigned to me at the formerly prestigious Imo Concorde Hotel, I knew I only needed the room to rest my body at night. The rest of the day would be spent exploring the streets. But, I was taken aback that Imo Concorde Hotel is nothing near what it used to be. It is a shadow of itself. Actually, it is further proof that government cannot run a profitable business venture. However, it is heartening that the incumbent state government has re-engaged the management company that gave life to the hotel before the 2007 power transition. But, this is not about Imo Concorde Hotel though I believe that it remains a classic legacy of the progressivism of the Mbakwe era which ought to be recovered, rehabilitated, and restored to profitability.

I missed out on the Gala Night with Governor Hope Uzodimma. Reason? I was away enjoying the streets and roadside ‘joints’ while listening to what the people were saying about their state and the governor. It was a mixed bag. Many people I interacted with gave kudos to Governor Uzodimma for his efforts in infrastructure re-development and security. For instance, I trekked the distance from the Fire Service roundabout to the Relief Market junction to beat traffic created by the reconstruction of the Owerri-Umuahia road. As expected, people felt the pain of the closure of one side of the road for reconstruction but they told themselves that the end justified the means. The reconstruction of the road is now the cause of nightmarish traffic that stretched beyond Egbu. But the people are happier that someday soon, the expressway which was hitherto crater-ridden will be at its standard best again.

However, from my interactions with people, and eavesdropping on some conversations at some ‘joints’, it is obvious that people and businesses are now feeling the negative impact of insecurity and the weekly sit-at-home. Several people wondered, openly, why their fellow citizens decided to bring harm and pain to themselves and others. “The aspect of it that I have not been able to understand is killing people even after they have paid the ransom”, a man at one of the ‘joints’ said while I listened. There was no one to explain the reason to him. “Why not take the money and spare their lives; at least, they can still make money if they are alive”, he continued. It was not for me to explain these things to anyone. But from the way people discussed it, it was obvious that they were as disturbed with the negative development.

I visited a very popular hangout spot in New Owerri. It was deserted. Before now, it was the number one spot for entertainment and leisure in the city. But, it was deserted. I met with the proprietor who said to me “my brother, nothing is happening here anymore. We still have food but it is just a couple of people that still come around to eat”. I could see him rue the impact of insecurity on his erstwhile flourishing business. But, he said to me “we will soon bounce back. I am working on getting everything back again. In the next few weeks, we will bounce back”. Owerri is the hospitality hub of the southeast. Before now people thronged the city for leisure. Businesses benefitted from that. More hotels were built with an attendant increase in the chain including transportation, food, and beverages. But outlaws came disturbing.

Of particular interest to me also is the fact that none of the persons I encountered blamed the state government for the problem. The problem, they said, was the hijack and criminalisation of what ought to be a peaceful expression of dissent, and discontent, over the marginalisation of the Igbo nation. That criminalisation, it is believed, led to the growth of kidnapping for ransom by non-state actors who hid under the banner of liberation to inflict pain on the people by unwittingly scaring away tourists and businesses from Owerri and other towns in Imo state. The implication is the rise in the unemployment rate, increased poverty, a dearth of investments, and a lower quality of life.

Certainly, this is not a reality brought upon that people by the state government. It is rather a reality forced on the people by their fellow citizens who see the destruction of others’ life and property as a show of strength against the state. However, the fact is that Imo state is gradually, and steadily, returning to its lively past. Successfully hosting the All Editors Conference meant that more than 300 journalists were in Owerri during the period and they moved around without armed Police guards. Before this, the state had hosted the Chief of Army Staff Conference and also, the Inspector General of Police Conference which brought a horde of Army and Police top brass to Owerri.  These prove that the state government’s investments in security are paying off. They need to be sustained.

The people must also appreciate the fact that government cannot force peace on people who are unwilling to embrace it. The return of peace to Imo means that businesses will flourish and public confidence in both the political and social systems will blossom. The people must appreciate that criminality never birthed any positive developments.