Ogbuagu, Asugha proffering solution to the communication gap between Okorocha’s government and the people
Just one year gone out of a four-year government, and Imo is better. How much more the completion of the administration? Does this not worth to be celebrated? Should Imolites not pop champagne for they have seen the roadmap to the vision of one man with one intention to rescue? Of course, the government has led a foundation to what their vision would entail, regarding to the numerous people oriented programmes that could be seen.
The people of Imo could boldly admit that they now have a leader and not a ruler. Before I pinpoint on the headline, I would first laud the presenters, initiators and sponsors of the radio programme on IBC (Orient 94.4 F.M) known as, “Wetin Una Think,” anchored by the SA/Chief Comedian on Entertainment, Uche Ogbuagu and the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Affairs, Lisa Asugha. Personally, I must say that they are part of the success of this administration.
The appointments of the duo weren't waste of Imo resources, as they have shown the need for the creation of both offices. Through that radio programme, the people have been able to communicate well with the government of Governor Anayo Rochas Okorocha and his policies.
No wonder the government of Governor Okorocha recognizes them as professionals, as they have been able to keep the people informed about the plans and policies of the government, which have been prepared and executed according to public wants and desires. This very important task Uche Ogbuagu and Lisa Asugha are taking should be commended. Going by this, it proves beyond doubt that the rescue mission agenda of the present government is a listening government, which the people of Imo State desire most.
That radio programme alone signals that the people are valued, their interests are being represented and that their dreams are the government's passion. It also shows that the most important thing to the government is the masses as they are the people who decide the programmes for the State. Keeping good relationship with the people is very necessary for this government, and I think that radio programme represents it.
Even in a company, before launching a product in the market a survey is done and according to the needs and wants of the people, the product is designed, structured and calibrated. The price of the commodity is also decided by taking in account general public opinion and obviously general market strategies and combinations. Also on the part of the radio programme, and with the level of listeners who calls in to contribute I think opinions rendered by people should serve as a guide to the government policies.
However, it is obvious that the governor loves accommodating men and women of great potentials. I remember the short interview granted by a Nollywood star, Patience Ozokwo over the converting of the fallowed Oguta Lake and resort into a movie village, “you know the governor is liberal, he does not want to know if you are from Hausa or Yoruba, but if he sees you have the potentials to turn around the State he will accommodate you”. How else are we going to assess the appointments of Uche Ogbuagu, Kanu Nwankwo, Nkeiru Silvanus and few others? Does it mean that Governor Okorocha appointed them for his personal services? No. Simply that he has discovered that these are people who could challenge the status quo with him, bringing back the lost glory of Imo State and making his administration a success, he accommodated them.
Also with positive results, the Special Assistant to the governor on Entertainment/Chief Comedian, Uche Ogbuagu has personally designed programmes that are turning around and promoting the cause of the showbiz practitioners in the State. Imo entertainers could easily boost of having a lifetime insurance health scheme. How about the newly built Bongo square?
For Nwankwo Kanu, the sports sector seems to have been rescued with the much number of sport tournaments going on in the State. Imo youths are now better assured that there is hope making good use of their God-given talents.
Similarly, there is an on-going project that is aimed at re-invigorating the hope of thousands of Imo youths, who are languishing in abject penury and joblessness. It is another well oriented programme that would be of immense benefit to the Imo youths, because they are like a stream that if not directed to its course it meanders and swallows its tail. That is why behind it, an NGO is been established under the auspices of the Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Lisa Asugha to guide and also provide opportunities for them where they can learn new skills and other entrepreneurs.
It is now clear that the radio programme have breached the communication gap between the people and the government, which in the past gave room for the destructive speculations of the governor's intentions. No matter when such programme was left in the hands of the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barr. Obinna Duruji, the vision behind its establishment was totally murdered by him. It is never a surprise package that the commissioner handles questions from people with harsh feedbacks; even at times acts as a newspaper tiger. It is very important that the government should read their errors now and correct them, than ending up being disgraced or described as an autocratic and arrogant administration. Ask Ohakim how far!
Over what could be described as total torpor that is what the office of the Information commissioner is. Earlier, assume the Ministry wasn't bemused, the controversy that trailed the relocation of the Imo State University to the governor's country home, Ogboko in Ideato South, the OCDA fee of N500, 000 per land, brewing disquiet over an alleged policy of government to charge water borehole owners N100, 000 per anum in spite of the fact that most public taps have run dry or even the episode that is presently eating into the conscience and fabric of the state between the Imo state government and the Amawom community in Owerri over government's plans to take-over the ancestral land of the community located at the Area K part of the World Bank Housing Estate, Owerri that would not have gone that far.
One the issue of 4-tier government, if not for the ideas designed by the SSA on Public Affairs to enlighten and sensitize the public, it would have continued to be a sponsored journey of flying in editors of some national dailies from Lagos and Abuja to Imo State by the Ministry of Information and Strategy. Today, Imolites are made to understand that the community government council would comprise the traditional ruler of the community, a president-general, a youth leader, a woman leader, and a community liaison officer, all of who would be elected by the communities themselves under option A4, and they would also preside for the government and the people. The aim of the community government council, according to Asugha in one of the radio programmes, is to bring about evenly spread development in the rural areas of the state; whereby attracting unprecedented development to communities in the state, making Imo the most developed state in the country.
Too many issues need to be ratified, but some appointees seem not to see the hand writing on the wall. Does it mean they can't see? No, the problem remains that the captain of the rescue mission ship does not want to know that recycling of politicians in Imo destroys the good plan of whosoever that is on power. What does it take to know them, or have we not listened to them talking?
How about the release made when the relocation of Imo State University to Ogboko came to limelight? So interesting, they also gave that unthinking and unfortunate clannish inference that several governors in other states of the country relocated state universities to their home and as such, it was the prerogative of Governor Okorocha to do same if he so wishes. To the disappointment of all, Governor Okorocha while addressing Imo people explained that the issue was totally different. That is why if you hear a mad man talking you should wait a minute to hear what makes people think he is mad.
Since the current administration has been able to gain the interest and trust of the people, they shouldn't turn it down. Why it seems to be hard to handle Nigerians at the Federal Level is simply because the people have lost hope on those they elected. And now, election is at the corner again and opposition is rising with propagandas to kill the people oriented programmes and policies initiated by the present administration making it sound as if they are coming to rescue the people from the rescuer. I must continue to say that in Imo, public goodwill is everything and the governor should first rescue his communication and information sector before it ruins him and his administration down.
Alozie Austin is a publicist/media consultant working with Fun-Code Media Consulting Owerri, Imo State. 08037534509