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.

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. Getting a prime minister and all the dignitaries to attend must have cost a lot of money. Who is paying for all this? 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/

iMO state has got it wrong again by electing a 419 and a talkative governor, he has not done any project since he entered imo govt house. Instead he has been busy gallivanting all over the globe with the meager resource of pauperized imo people.

The high-lighted is worth noting..

What a state..!!

17 months rule of Rochas is far better than the 12years of PDP govts. Go get handiwork!

Sadly, that is your perspective.

Super1759: this poster should get a life and stop scooping rubbish to the public. Rochas has been a man of the people before he became governor. His fame and wealth has existed without any looth of the goverment funds.so why throwing unnecessary dust. If the state decided to celebrate their gov's 50 years. For God'sake! Let it be. Single handedly,he can afford to throw an international party without imo state money.are you the one running his foundation for him? Do you know how many lives this man had touched?
Why won't people celebrate him? If you are seeing it wrong,let people not celebrate you in your older age after your achievementsD

you have said it all! Hater would always be around to pass negative remarks about Owelle! So what if he decides to close the whole state down? What's your business? Is he using your money to celebrate his birthday? Some people are so jobless to the extent they come online and type rubbish! NONSENSE!!