By Declan Emelumba
In journalism, it is often said that a single picture conveys a message more succinctly than a thousand words. This simply means that seeing things first hand demonstrates reality more effectively than words, which can only attempt to capture the imagination.
During one of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s meetings with major stakeholders in Imo State, the national chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, emphasised this point. According to him, 90 per cent of those who criticise Uzodimma have not visited Imo State in the last five years to witness firsthand the scale of development, particularly in road construction. He said it took just one day of driving through the Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads for him to become a convert.
This sentiment may have influenced the decision of some senators, House of Representatives members, and the board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to rename Senator Hope Uzodimma the ‘Road Master’, after spending 48 hours in Imo State recently.
The NDDC leadership had relocated to Imo State for the official unveiling of the agency’s 25th-anniversary logo and the commissioning of a 7.5-kilometre road connecting Nwangele and Isiala Mbano local government areas. They were joined by members of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the NDDC, as well as the Minister of Regional Affairs, Engr. Momoh. As they drove around the state, they were visibly impressed by the quality and extent of the road network.
It remains unclear where and how the decision to confer the ‘Road Master’ title on Governor Uzodimma was reached. However, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Hon Boma Iyaye, revealed the moment it happened. As chairman of the planning committee, he began his remarks by addressing Uzodimma as the “performing governor of Imo State” before calling him the ‘Road Master’ – a declaration that was met with thunderous applause.
From that moment, speaker after speaker referred to the governor as the ‘Road Master’, evidently impressed by the solid roads they had driven on in both urban centres and rural areas. Iyaye noted that the enthusiastic applause was proof of the governor’s popularity. His views were echoed by the project consultant, who remarked that Uzodimma’s road projects had elevated Imo State to an unprecedented level.
Both the chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Honourable Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, reinforced the governor’s new title by applauding his extensive road infrastructure projects across the state.
Senator Ekpeyong underscored the point by translating the name Uzodimma into English – “the road is good” – and commended the governor for living up to it. He said the Senate would continue supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s developmental initiatives for the Niger Delta, adding that Uzodimma had successfully replicated the Renewed Hope Agenda in Imo State.
Hon Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, said her committee was highly impressed with both the quality and quantity of roads delivered under Uzodimma’s administration. She was particularly pleased with his collaboration with the NDDC to ensure Imo communities benefited from the agency’s intervention.
That partnership, according to NDDC managing director/CEO, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is exactly what the Niger Delta needs. He urged other governors in the region to follow Uzodimma’s example.
“Before now, many people were afraid to visit Imo State. But today, with improved lighting and road infrastructure, we are witnessing a transformation. We encourage other states to propose similar partnership ideas so we can develop the Niger Delta,” Ogbuku said.
He also described Uzodimma as a ‘perfect gift’ to Imo people, noting that even President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda counted on the governor’s leadership. As chairman of the NDDC Advisory Board, Uzodimma had demonstrated exemplary leadership through his support for the commission and his administration’s massive infrastructure projects. Ogbuku pledged continued partnership with the governor for the development of the state.
Chairman of the NDDC board, Chief Chiedu Ebie, echoed similar sentiments, describing Uzodimma as the commission’s greatest supporter.
“Your Excellency, you are our greatest supporter, and we are happy with what you have done in your state,” he declared.
Imo people appear to share this sentiment. Former Speaker of the State Assembly, Barr. Geoffrey Dikeocha, admitted that many had changed their views on Uzodimma after witnessing the scale of development, particularly in road construction.
“At first, we didn’t like you, but the more you work, the more we like you. So keep on working,” Dikeocha urged the governor.
While Dikeocha is now convinced of Uzodimma’s impact, Nwanyanwu lamented that some still refuse to acknowledge it – whether due to bias or ignorance.
“There are people who have eyes but cannot see. My prayer is for God to open their eyes. The roads exist. They are not voodoo. Some people haven’t been home for five years. Let them come and see things for themselves. For me, I am satisfied,” he declared.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Congo, Barr Greg Mbadiwe, expressed similar satisfaction, adding that beyond roads, Uzodimma had positively impacted Imo people’s lives in many ways. His own family, he said, was particularly grateful to the governor for naming the recovered university after their late patriarch, Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe. He described Uzodimma’s performance over the last five years as something to be celebrated.
Just last week, leaders and stakeholders from Owerri Zone celebrated Uzodimma by passing a vote of confidence in him, citing his infrastructural and economic transformation of the state. They agreed that the level of development since Uzodimma assumed office was unprecedented in the state’s history. They also commended him for staying focused despite political distractions.
The leader of the delegation and former Interior Minister, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, particularly praised Uzodimma for constructing hundreds of roads across all 27 local government areas of the state.
As Governor, Hope Uzodimma, the ‘Road Master’, continues delivering democratic dividends – including the payment of gratuities and pensions – a respected statesman and former Imo governor, General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, has called for support for him.
“Like him or not, Imo today is far different from the Imo he met when he came on board. He has saved Imo from distress,” Nwachukwu stated.
It is little surprise, then, that the Vanguard newspaper group recently named Uzodimma ‘Infrastructure Governor of the Year’. The award, coming from a reputable national newspaper, is a rare recognition. There are already indications that prominent Imo sons and daughters will be present to celebrate with the governor when he is formally honoured in April in Lagos.
• Emelumba is the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Imo State.