buchibabe:

Omo eko its okorocha not "sha"

dabrake: as if PDP wouldn't have done worse . . .
PDP, your days are numbered

Super1759: am not sure that HE gave the instruction for schools and offices to close for his celebration, maybe the workforce did that to celebrate with him.

LocalChamp: Wasteful celebration
Posted by: Editorial Posted date: October 12, 2012 In: Editorial

Why is it that many governors in Nigeria often lose a sense of limit and prudence? The lavish 50th birthday celebration of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State last weekend has brought this question to the fore once again. According to reports, the celebration of Governor Okorocha’s day climaxed last Monday with a grand ceremony which had in attendance, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe and former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd). Also present to felicitate with Okorocha were five fellow governors: Peter Obi of Anambra State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and Shehu Shema of Katsina, among other dignitaries from across the country.
Though I am not in support of closure of schools and market places for just for a mere birthday part. I also want whoever that published this article to know that aside from being a Governor Rochas made his billions many years back.
Nothing wrong with these invitations. What was reprehensible was that Governor Okorocha seemed to need the attention of the entire state riveted to his show, so he had the state shut down. Thus, government offices, schools and markets in the state were closed last Monday and teachers, students and the civil servants were directed to report at the Heroes Square, venue of the grand finale of activities marking the governor’s birthday.

We wonder what point the governor, an elected state official wanted to prove by celebrating his 50th birthday, which is a private affair, in such elaborate and wasteful manner. [b]Getting a prime minister and all the dignitaries to attend must have cost a lot of money. Who is paying for all this? [/b]Then the hidden costs of closing down the business of the entire state for a whole day may never be accurately quantified, but the losses are surely enormous in terms of man hours and lost opportunities.

In fact, in celebrating his birthday, the governor failed to attend an official duty in Enugu last Sunday where governors and leaders of the Southeast met to take a crucial decision. As reported, Governor Okorocha was absent because “he was celebrating his birthday.” When did personal matters take precedence over official affairs of state for an elected officer?

It is disturbing that as this elaborate ceremony was going on, workers in the state had not received their salary for September, one week into another month. Imo is a very impoverished state with hardly any industry or large viable enterprise. Indeed, there is nothing that can be described as a viable economy beyond government business. The major source of sustenance is the monthly federal allocation. Basic infrastructure is weak if not non-existent; schools are dilapidated, no potable water and healthcare facilities are inadequate. Imo State is also one of the states ravaged by flood, with thousands of the citizens displaced and are now at the mercy of the weather.

We dare say that a state like this requires a sober and serious leadership that can harness the available resources, re-orientate the people and build systems and institutions that can engender a viable economy. On the contrary, we have observed over time that the governor who was voted to office on a groundswell of the people’s goodwill and high expectations is given to arbitrariness, flamboyance and wastefulness. We had cause to caution on this page a few months ago when he released a list of multitudinous appointees with many bearing frivolous and laughable titles.

Again, we advise that with about one and half years of his tenure gone, he does not have the luxury of time. He must brace up to the serious business of governance in a highly deprived environment. Quality leadership is driven by good personal examples. A lavish and disruptive birthday party doesn’t speak well.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/editorial/wasteful-celebration-2/

_babyshaQ: Nigerians complain about everything whether right or wrong. Do you expect him to be depressed because of floods in some parts of the state?. Fifty years no b small tin. We should be grateful to God if we live up to 50. Besides it was more of a double celebration. Stop complaining when the people on public holiday aren't. Last time I checkd nigerians love public holidays more than any other race on earth. RO is still the best governor n Nigeria

18chuchu: Please, before we kill and murder the Governor to the cross, can we first of all, ask ourselves this simple question. 'With whose money and resources was this great party thrown with'?
This is an already made governor, who has acquired all it takes to be be a man before assumption of this political position, so the so called party leaders shouldn't envy him or make disgusting comments for people to listen to, or start changing their supportive minds towards the God-sent Governor.

_babyshaQ: Nigerians complain about everything whether right or wrong. Do you expect him to be depressed because of floods in some parts of the state?. Fifty years no b small tin. We should be grateful to God if we live up to 50. Besides it was more of a double celebration. Stop complaining when the people on public holiday aren't. Last time I checkd nigerians love public holidays more than any other race on earth. RO is still the best governor in Nigeria

Olodostein: This is uncalled for Gov Rochas. However, the opposition parties would likely do the same, if not worse if given the chance.

Just like a monkey tell another monkey say him too like Banana....

Silly season in politics...

Super1759: am not sure that HE gave the instruction for schools and offices to close for his celebration, maybe the workforce did that to celebrate with him.

hacklilc: We shouldn't be so fast in concluding about what's is happening over there. Most of us reside in Lagos. We need someone over there to tell us the fact if he closed down schools, market etc