By Ingram Osigwe
Clearly, His Excellency, Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State believes in quality rather than quantity. This obviously accounts for the reason he has put in place an assemblage of cerebral, committed and competent hands to assist him in the gargantuan task of pulling the state out of the doldrums.
Hon. Chukwudi Mayor Eze, Barrister Chijioke Nzekwe and Barrister Felix Emeka Ebiliekwe represent some of the best hands the governor has so far hired.
While Nzekwe and Ebiliekwe are joining the Ihedioha cabinet as Commissioners, Eze is coming as Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
However, the common denominator here is that their appointments are fitting. They were made on the nick of time. For a man who is primed to offer selfless service to his people, His Excellency has the presence of mind to realize that he needed egg heads to oil the wheel of governance in Imo by the way of diligence, transparency and hard work.
Yes, Eze, Ebiliekwe and Nzekwe are strong and reliable shoulders Ihedioha can count on any day.
Besides, there is no doubt that the trio will be bringing their wealth of experiences to bear on their jobs. They possess fecundity of refreshing ideas and the temperament for uncanny challenges.
Eze, for example, is coming into the Ihedioha administration with a robust legislative experience having represented the Orlu/Orsu/Oru East federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
His versatile knowledge of governance is also an added advantage. Before he berthed in the House of Representatives, Eze was a one time Chairman of Orlu Local Government Area, a position on which crest he later rose to become the Deputy National Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
His local government administration background, therefore, casts Eze as a round peg in a round hole as regards his new appointment.
Eze’s new position is as fitting as the man occupying it. As a former local government Chairman, Eze will no doubt unleash his experience on the local government system in Imo.
His background both as a former local government administrator and former federal lawmaker makes his new job as Special Adviser to the governor on local government and Chieftaincy affairs flowery.
Certainly, Eze will be advising the governor on local government administration and other matters concerning that tier of government as it affects Imo state from the standpoint of strength and experience.
What this translates to is that, with Eze in the Imo state cabinet, Governor Ihedioha is assured of quality and workable advice.
Having himself aspired to serve the people of Imo as governor, Eze knows the yearnings of Imo. Eze’s vision and passion for Imo are in tandem with Ihedioha’s.
The expectation, therefore, is that both leaders, together with other Imolites, including Nzekwe and Ebiliekwe, who have elated to sacrifice personal comforts and put political differences aside to serve the people of Imo state, will successfully birth the Imo state of our dream.