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As Imo State marks 40th anniversary – Part 1

By Luke Onyekakeyah
17 May 2016   |   3:19 am
What today is called Imo State was a large farmstead within the geographical circuit of the defunct Eastern Region that was split into three states by the Yakubu Gowon military ...

Owerri_imo-(1)

What today is called Imo State was a large farmstead within the geographical circuit of the defunct Eastern Region that was split into three states by the Yakubu Gowon military government at the onset of the Nigerian civil war in 1967. The indigenous Igbo populations that occupied Imo land were mostly farmers who cultivated variety of subsistence and cash crops among which was palm produce, one of Nigeria’s major export crops at independence. Forty years later, Imo has grown from being a large farmstead to one city state.

At the beginning, there were few motorable roads across the length and breadth of Imo State. The only tarred roads passing through Owerri, the state capital then, were colonial roads which included the Owerri-Umuahia road; Owerri-Aba road; Owerri-Port Harcourt road via Elele; Owerri-Okigwe road and Owerri-Onitsha road. As if by design, all the roads radiated from Owerri, which then was the biggest suburban centre in the region. The iconic Maria Assumpta Cathedral, arguably, was the only prominent edifice bestriding the Onitsha and Elele roads at the popular Control Roundabout. Electricity was a fairy tale seen only in Owerri. There was no airport, no telephone; the Alvan Ikoku College of Education was the only tertiary institution in the entire Imo State. The creation of Imo State was more like an assignment to the people to go and develop the area.

Without exaggeration, Imo has come a long way. At inception, Imo State had virtually nothing to reckon with in terms of infrastructure. It was, therefore, a major challenge, indeed, a daunting task for the people and the leadership to create something out of nothing. That challenge seems to have enamoured the spirit of the people to roll their sleeves and get down working. The 40th anniversary of Imo State provides an opportunity to highlight some key development strides that have been recorded in the state.

The developments that now define Imo State did not start from the outset. To be specific, Imo State was created on February 3, 1976 by General Murtala Muhammed. By August 27, 1991, Abia State was carved out of Imo State. Since its creation, 14 leaders have presided over the affairs of Imo State either as military administrators or civilian governors. Of the 14, only five were actually civilian governors while 10 were military. It is needless to list all the names that have presided over Imo State.

Suffice it to say that whereas the military administrators presided over the state affairs largely on as it is basis, without making any significant impact, virtually, all the developments that have been recorded in Imo State were at the instance of the civilian governors. This happened over a period of roughly 23 years out of 40. That is to say, 17 years in the existence of Imo State were wasted. The four civilian governors in question were Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe (Sam Mbakwe) October 1, 1979 –December , 1983; Evan Enwerem, January 1992 – November 1993; Achike Udenwa, May 29 , 1999 –May 29, 2007; Ikedi Ohakim, May 29 , 2007 –May 29, 2011; and the incumbent Owelle Rochas Okorocha, May 29, 2011 – till date.

The developments in Imo today came mostly under two governors, namely: Sam Mbakwe and Owelle Rochas Okorocha. This judgment is based on verifiable evidence of infrastructural developments brought by the two governors in different parts of Imo State. The other civilian governors may have accomplished something but such developments were skewed in one part of the state with nothing to show for the other parts.

For example, while Evan Enwerem re-established the new Imo State University (IMSU) at Owerri after the original IMSU, established by Sam Mbakwe at Uturu Okigwe, was ceded to Abia State in I991, Achike Udenwa concentrated his effort only in Orlu, his home senatorial zone, leaving other parts of the state blank. It was Achike Udenwa who opened the floodgate of development in Orlu zone. His most striking achievement was the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Imo State University in Orlu. This and other infrastructure developments he initiated in Orlu remain the legacies of his eight-year administration. He could have done more for the state but for his parochial mindset.

Now, coming back to Sam Mbakwe, popularly called the “Crying Governor” because of his penchant to ask for more for Imo State from the Federal Government, this was the man who could be described as the father of modern Imo State. Mbakwe presided over the old Imo State comprising the present Imo and Abia states. The transformation of Imo State actually began with him. When Mbakwe assumed office in 1979, Douglas was the only road passing through the centre of Owerri. The road was dilapidated and there were still mud houses with thatched roofs on both sides of Douglas.

Mbakwe did not waste time to get to work as soon as he assumed office. With practically nothing on ground to build on, Mbakwe started from the scratch to put things in place. His first assignment was to give Owerri a facelift. Douglas road was rehabilitated and made passable. This was followed with the opening of Wetheral road, serving as a ring road, to reduce traffic on Douglas, which was the only arterial road in Owerri.

The iconic Mbakwe then embarked on the construction of Imo Concorde Hotel (a five-star hotel) and the Imo Airport. Mbakwe fought a battle with the federal authorities who initially opposed the construction of the airport and refused to give support. Undaunted and determined to make a mark, Mbakwe persisted on the airport project without federal assistance. Instead, contributions came from Imo people who gave their full support to the project.

Just within one term in office, Mbakwe’s accomplished what most governors could not do in eight years. His legacies included rural roads development in all the local governments of Imo State; one cottage industry in every local government area and above all the establishment of the Imo State University (IMSU).

Besides, the first ever independent power project – the Amaraku Power Plant – sold by the succeeding military administration, was built by Mbakwe. Mbakwe’s foresight was uncommon. He set Imo State on the path of incomparable socio-economic development before the administration was sacked in December 1983, just at the onset of his second term in office.

2 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Udenwa opened a floodgate of development in Orlu zone, but you couldn’t name one, except IMSUTH. And because you believed he opened a floodgate in Orlu zone, you branded him parochial. eeeeeee–diot of Guardian. You chased Udenwa from pillar to post with your useless articles of refuse disposal in Owerr – dunghill man. You still chase him about. Now Okoro is actig gov of Owerri

    • Author’s gravatar

      I know how much you PDP cultists hate this man because he has stopped you from wasting Imo state funds, using developmental funds to carry prostitutes at Concorde hotel. Thank God he continues with his good works without listening to evil people like you. You all benefit from his developmental projects but you are not happy because you prefer to waste the money on alcohol, drugs and women. Let the Almighty judge all of us