PERFORMANCE RATING OF GOV. YAHAYA BELLO AND GOV. HOPE UZODINMA. BY HENRY OSONDU CHUKWUMA NNOROM

All-Progressives Congress is a political party in Nigeria, they have indeed been in power for seven (7) years or so. I would like to describe key observations about the APC from my vantage point. The political party without mentioning names was formed and shaped by people with political science degrees, Union leaders, Military personnel, men and women who understand the very essence of Building with strong Cornerstone. The very ethos of the political party represents everything I am. I will go further and say this, it is not possible to cook soup without leaving a part of you in the soup; hence, it is safe to imply that, the All-Progressives Congress has very strong roots that were built on the foundations of strength, wisdom, and Courage.

The foundation of leadership was built on service to Mankind, I know not one leader and yes, even the bad ones that have not tried to help their communities, state, or country in any way where the difference lies is in execution, delivery, and human perception. If this statement holds, then, one can safely say that all leaders are good. If all leaders are good and caring, why do the people complain when they think one state Governor is not performing to performance standards?

They outplayed in their collective heads. So, I will use two leaders, Governor Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello of Kogi state and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state.

My point remains this, who or what has set performance standards for governors in Nigeria? And what administrative benchmark is used to judge performance? 

KOGI STATE:

Kogi state has Mineral resources including coal, limestone, iron, crude oil, and tin. The state is home to the largest iron and steel industry in Nigeria known as Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and one of the largest cement factories in Africa, the Obajana Cement Factory.

By my count, the state has had at least four Governors since the 1999 and it is fair to say that, each had a fair amount of progressive development for the state but, never in the history of Kogi state have they had a leader such as Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello; a man who took the laissez-faire approach to governance in Kogi state, caused by many years of Governance without a strong and implementable vision. According to the ethos of leadership, Governor Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello of Kogi state differentiates himself from the pack. I will say that, he is a man with a vision, an individual who is centrally connected to the plight of the people is not only fit for local leadership but national leadership, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has consistently shown that he understands that leadership is a privilege and has used his influence to affect the trajectories of the entire people of Kogi state positively.

We put him on a scale using the following Metrics: Public trust, conscientiousness, Public project execution, and Agriculture.

PUBLIC TRUST:
 
We can safely assume that public trust is the foundation of democratic governance. The idea of power belongs to the people means, true power is not in the hands of one leader but the authority which a leader exerts is enabled by the people. Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello is the peoples Governor. let’s use the result of the last election as announced by INEC; if the conference of public trust is by the election results, it is safe to say that the people of Kogi state overwhelmingly gave their trust to the Governor to further gauge his performance in the public trust arena.

The COVID-19 Pandemic came like a thief in the night, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and his team moved into swift action and organized various sensitization workshops, seminars, and community outreach programs geared at ensuring that Kogi state citizens are safe from the pandemic. As evidenced by the numerous awards the able governor won from both national and international organizations, it is safe that our able Governor got the trust of his people. He ensured that synergy was brought amongst the three major ethnic groups, eliminating discrimination as referenced in his inaugural speech that, he will weld the people together.

Governor Bello beefed up this unity policy by initiating the EBIGO policy. It is an acronym from the names of the major ethnic groups in the state: Ebira, Igala, and Okun. 

Conscientiousness:  Is the personality trait of being careful and diligent in one’s duties, conscientiousness implies a desire to do a task well, and to take obligations to others seriously. Conscientious people tend to be efficient and organized, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has shown the world that he not only possesses the traits of self-discipline but he has also consistently acted in the best interest of the people of Kogi state been the first Governor to appoint his chief of staff from a different ethnic group to show the world that, instead of ethnicity quality, lieutenants are drafted into his cabinet to ensure that the state has the best governance; a dream the forefathers of the state envisaged.

PUBLIC PROJECT EXECUTION:

Kogi state has never witnessed massive infrastructural development like the one witnessed under the administration of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, his second term effect was felt in less than 24 months. For instance, the confluence university in Osara is completed and in session, Central reference hospital, General Hospitals located at Lokoja, Idah and Yagba local government areas. Classic renovation and overhauling of the specialist hospital Lokoja, massive road construction across the three senatorial districts, Ganaja flyover, the first of its kind in the state.

It is on record that no administration in the history of the State has done anything close to what Governor Yahaya Bello has done in Kogi State. From roads to electricity and water, he has sparked a revolution never heard of in the history of Kogi State. He concentrated on fixing roads in the rural areas and for the first time, the rural people felt the impact of good governance. Thus, the massive and giant strides of his Excellency Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello brought the media war between his administration and media houses to a halt, due to this and other giant strides accomplished by the amiable governor of Kogi state, the state is proclaimed as the most peaceful in the country to both commuters and populace of the state. A situation where the Inspector General of Police awarded Governor Bello with an award of the best Governor on security, he recently commended some vigilante leaders for rescuing some kidnapped victims.

AGRICULTURE:

Yahaya Bello’s administration’s goal and drive to improve the state’s economy reduced unemployment, eradicated poverty and food security invested massively in the agricultural sector which earned his excellency commendation from the World Bank. Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello knows fully well that he has two major Rivers and streams that transgressed through the 21 Local Governments that initiated the Kogi agricultural initiative fishponds that built 500 fish ponds and handed them to over 1000 youths to own and operate.

Admittedly, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has demonstrated the quality of a leader that strongly believes in providing a conducive environment for its teeming populace for economic prosperity. The idea of establishing integrated farm settlements for beneficiaries of the appeals is to develop a commodity-based cluster formation model with an associated business investment plan leading to the economic empowerment and livelihood improvement of the participants. The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, constructed N4 billion rice mill with the capacity to produce 50 tons of rice per day, an average of 1000 bags per day which has about 500 fish ponds adjudged the best in northern Nigeria.
 
Currently, the farm settlements are in the three senatorial districts of the state with about 4000 direct and indirect beneficiaries. The benefits of the project include an increase in internally generated revenue, job creation and value addition to the common staple crops in the state among others.
 
IMO STATE:

The state has several natural resources including crude oil, natural gas, lead, Calcium Carbonate, solar and wind power, zinc. Profitable flora including iroko, mahogany, obeche, bamboo, rubber tree, and oil palm. Also, white clay, fine sand and limestone are found in the state.

Just like Kogi state, Imo state has had her own share of visionless leaders. It will not be fair to mention Imo state without Samuel Mbakwe; It is agreed by both newborn babies that Samuel Mbakwe was the man who saw tomorrow.

A true definition of a transformation leader is a leadership approach that causes a change in individuals and social systems. In essence, those who have mastered the art of tending the flames of greatness hence fanning the flame till it becomes as bright as the sun. Transformational leaders understand what it takes to get it done, they create valuable and positive change in the followers with the end goal of developing followers into leaders. Examining, Hope Uzodinma of Imo state you will see he is not too far off from the definition of a transformational leader. We in the union know what a grievance is, it is our preferred method of challenging any ruling, decree, or in some cases unjust act using established lawful methods to air out our feelings. I have much respect for any man or woman who writes a grievance and sees within the case where Management failed to cross a T or dot an I. No true labour man in Nigeria will say that Hope Uzodinma had not been favorable to them. From the time he was in the senate aviation committee to his time as a Governor, Governor Hope Uzodinma has constantly meted out help and favor to my fellow labour men and women even to families of those fallen in the struggle. Using the medium to say thank you for being a friend to Labour.

PUBLIC TRUST:  

Governor Hope Uzodinma has this one in the bag. Hope Uzodinma has been active in this community since the Second Nigerian Republic with posts such as, Imo State youth leader, a member of a party’s National Caucus, Senator and Governor. Gaining the trustworthiness of the Igbo community is probably one of the most difficult things any individual can master. But it is exactly what Governor Hope Uzodinma has done in his Imo west constituency.

In Igbo land, public trust is probably the most important metric for measuring a man, the degree of trust in any Igbo community is directly correlated to the degree of community development you have engaged in. It is safe to say Governor Hope Uzodinma cares about Commerce as he commissioned a solar-powered borehole in Nkwo Orji market in Owerri North LGA, Imo state. In addition to this amazing feat, which not only ensures that the market has a constant water supply to the market.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will continue to have a significant impact on the way we live for at least the next few years until the scale-up of production and administration of an effective vaccine. Governor Hope Uzodinma’s preparation and action during the pandemic were stellar, he set up a 9-man Committee on Prevention of Coronavirus disease in Imo State. The committee was headed by a well-respected Professor Maurice Iwu as Chairman. In addition, he instructed that all local governments in the state to do the same, he provided 28 state-of-the-art ambulances to fortify the state in readiness for any emergency. It is safe to assume that Governor Hope Uzodinma has the confidence of the public regardless of what the critics may say.
 
CONSCIENTIOUSNESS:

I will introduce the principles of Kaizen which means improvement. Governor Hope Uzodinma understands that for Imo state to attain the level of greatness Dede Sam Mbakwe envisioned, we must continue to improve all projects in Imo state. Governor Hope Uzodinma has shown that he understands the principles of continuity in government. Hence, moved by the state government to tear down poorly constructed projects and make room for properly constructed ones. Some people may say he is putting paint on already executed projects but, could what he is doing fall in line with the very tenets of kaizen? Let’s also say this, since Dede Sam Mbakwe, no other Governor has remembered to build upon the success of his predecessor, a governor from a different political party is adopting projects, policies, and programmers of his predecessor. If by definition, conscientiousness is doing one’s work or duty well and thoroughly we boldly give a ten over ten to Governor Hope Uzodinma.

PUBLIC PROJECT EXECUTION:

As a Governor, it is my opinion that is too soon to write a report card on the achievements of Governor hope Uzodinma, I will also say this, you can see a star from the earth. The able Governor will outshine any Governor Imo state has had in her history. Governor Hope Uzodinma has made provisions to review all the road contracts and indeed all contracts awarded by his predecessor in Imo state. He approved all the contracts and asked contractors to go back to sites, this is in line with who the man is as a person. A person who understands governance and how development works.

Projects such as the Naze-Poly Nekede road, Balloon Technology Drainage Tunnel at Dock Tiger, Amakohia Egbeada bypass, and the New Government House Executive Chambers are all examples of the deployments of the principles of Kaizen. Let’s not forget that Gov Hope Uzodinma constantly Inspects ongoing Projects in Owerri and other areas of the Imo state from a managerial standpoint, it becomes important to make sure that contractors comply with guidelines set forth in the Contracts. Let’s not forget the sad truth about Imo state saboteurs, it will do us a collective Good to understand that, regardless of party affiliation or so-called ethnic loyalty, the goal is to move Nigeria as a whole to become self-sustainable in all areas of the economy in accordance with The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 which lays out a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

The goal is the prosperity of man as a specie hence, we as people should give the Governor a chance to show what he is made off. We will not rate him at this point. it is simply too soon. 

AGRICULTURE:

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed confidence that soon food security and food sufficiency will be a reality; particularly in Imo State and Nigeria in general. Some of the major agricultural achievements so far recorded by Governor Hope Uzodinma are rehabilitation of Adapalm, the planting of 400,000 oil palms seedlings, the revitalization of Imo Rubber Estates at Emeabiam and Obitti in Owerri West and Ohaji Egbema LGAs respectively, as well as the preparedness of the State towards the establishment of a University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences geared towards making Imo youths accept agriculture as art and alternative source of economic sustainability.

The State Government has pursued agricultural programs with a great commitment that has resulted in the revitalization of most ailing industries owned by the State which include Imo State Adapalm, Small-Holders Oil Palm Management Unit, Songhai Farm, Imo Rubber Estate among others. In addition, he said “yam farmers through their national association and other cooperative groups would be supported with 20,000 cuttings and 10,000 foundation seeds of yam in addition to 1,500 bundles of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and 5,000 kilograms of groundnut seeds”.

According to him, “the seeds and seedlings, nuts, vines, and other inputs are given to farmers free”. These programmers clearly portray Governor Hope Uzodinma’s commitment towards eradicating poverty, unemployment and generating revenue for the state and the nation in general.

Conclusively the APC CHANGE Agenda championed by our amiable and caring President in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari has clearly shown to the whole world that Nigeria is on the true path to economic prosperity and with the support and impact of progressive Governors like Yahaya Bello, Hope Uzodinma and co. Nigeria is just a stone throw away from economic prosperity.

By: Henry Osondu Chukwuma Nnorom