SENATOR LIYEL IMOKE; ONE‎ YEAR AFTER AS GOVERNOR OF CRS BY RICHARD ROMANUS

Today the 29th of May 2016, makes it exactly one year, a man who till date,holds the record of being the youngest ever Senator in Nigeria, Senator Liyel Imoke left Office as Governor of Cross River State after a successful and meritorious tenure of eight years.

For me and maybe many others, his tenure is one that cannot be forgotten in a hurry because he was a man whose administration centred round the people and their wellbeing especially the rural dwellers.

From the hills of Obanliku to the rainforest of Bakassi, the former Governor Imoke led administration ensured that not even a community is left out in his rural development drive. Under him, it was a case of, if they don't have electricity, they should have an accessible Road, if they don't have a good health facility, they should atleast have a source of good drinking water if they can't  have all this in a community.

Border Communities were not left out as his administration also made sure that such communities, most of whom are located in very difficult terrains are carried along through the provisions of adequate security and other infrastructural amenities  just to give them a sense of belonging.

As a youth, I cannot forget in a hurry that immediately Senator Liyel Imoke took office eight years ago, he created the ministry of youths and sports development, office of the Special Assistant, youth matters and personal Assistant on Student Matters. Today, one can confidently state that, it is courtesy of the good foundation he laid for my generation that we now have youths as Commissioners and Special Advisers in the present administration.

His administration also created the Micro-Finance enterprise Development Agency  (MEDA) an agency that was deliberately created to mould the future Dangotes,Otedolas and Adenugas of this world through the provisions of loans facilities and business advise nobody can get for free anywhere in the world. Furthermore, his love and passion for the youths led to the establishment of the bridge foundation. A foundation he founded for the sole aim of providing proper mentoring and counselling for the tomorrow of our dream.

If anybody remember how our elections were turned to war fronts and how brothers became sworn enemies because of elections some few years ago before Imoke came on board, we will remain eternally grateful to this man for the peace and tranquillity he brought to bare in our politics.

It takes a man of courage to cause all public office holders to swear to an oath denouncing cultism. This was one of the few courageous actions Senator Liyel Imoke while in office towards stamping out all cult related activities in the state. The result eight years after, is audible to the deaf and visible to the blind as they say.

The eight years he was in power, was exactly the same time his colleagues in Taraba, Niger, Ondo and Enugu States were having running battles with their deputies and their various  state's House of Assemblies but for him in the state, it was eight  years of loyalty, trust, friendship and brotherhood with his deputy and eight years of robust and cordial working relationship with the State House of Assembly. 

Apart from the the last People's Democratic Party (PDP) primaries which many believed was a superiority tussle between the 'Abuja politicians' and the 'The home boys' and was also predicted to be a winner takes it all contest which turned out to be so, Political observers still hold the belief that the good leadership of the Cross River State PDP under Senator Imoke still kept the party intact as seen in the outcome of the 2015 elections. How he managed to arrive at Senator Ben Ayade who today is the incumbent Governor in the midst of over twenty qualified aspirants without rancour remains a mirage to many.

Love him or hate him, Senator Liyel Imoke sure has a place in the history of our dear state as one Governor, who came,saw and conquered.

One year after, we can only thank you your Excellency,for handing over to no other person but Senator Prof Ben Ayade who is already working wonders in Cross River State in just one year in office.

Richard Romanus is a public affairs Commentator from Oderegha in Obubra LGA, CRS

Liyel My man.