Rochas Okorocha; The Man And His Mandate!

For some days now, we were recipients of the much acclaimed, generally well deserved, received and respected news that Owelle Rochas Okorocha will be helming the government of Imo State proceeding May 29, 2011.

a news that we as political-writers and good governance fans have clamoured for, for some time now. Many fans quickly, sometimes rashly, jump the guns and immediately swish and swoon in opinions in quite turbulent and fervent manners as to whom needs to be cast as the ‘MAN OF MOMENT ‘ when it comes to Imo politics, to don this new cape…but before we do this…there are many factors that one need consider so that we gather a coherent, viscous his candidacy to bridge the gap between a peoples’ chosen aspirer and a political party anointed contestant; so that an incandescent choice is made that suits the polity, governance…the leadership that source sustainable achievement were drawn from the central government… to enhance Imo people and of course, true to the faith and lore of the die-hard fans; as well as the franchise under question.

Now I postulate that maybe we won’t be given the plain, ‘Native-pie’ tale Imo governance that we know of for so many years is fragile heartbeat of the Nri people. Why? Well, Rochas Anayo Okorocha is one of my favorite figures when it comes to charity, and I admire a lot of his works, and I contribute a lot of Rochas foundation rumblings to him, as his “Ultimate’s” retooling and modern “grace” depiction, spun in a new-era, is echoed in the man-of-the-people, where like his philanthropic ideas came to stay.

Remigius Anayo Okorocha popularly noted as Rochas Okorocha is basically of hardworking mind in an initiative to act and police his labour to yield outstanding returns. He was a school teacher at his father’s commercial college inside Barkin Ladi, Jos striving to evade economic challenges, counter democratic regime and simply…rescind the bloodthirsty human harm that so many villains promise. He was bent to remain the Orlu improvement union president in Jos but declined.

Starting with fond memories of a fascinating childhood in Barkin Ladi, Jos, and this Rochas Okorocha offers a very personal and engaging account of the long and distinguished career of one of Ogboko’s most prominent politician. Drawn from his voluminous personal diaries, The Man from Ogboko focuses on a lifelong commitment to the work of his people; giving to the church, mosque and the charities. It is a remarkable journey that took him from Ogboko inside Ideato to Barkin Ladi, Jos, Owerri, from the presidency Abuja and now to Douglas House Owerri. Owelle Okorocha has served Nigerian society as a president; Nigeria Red Cross Society, President/Founder, Rochas Foundation Inc , President, Rochas Group of Companies Limited, Pro Chancellor, African Business School, Former Federal Commissioner; Federal Character Commission, Former Member, National Constitutional Conference, Former Chairman, Board of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Former Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations , Former Presidential Aspirant, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The victory of owelle Rochas Okorocha as the next governor of Imo state is an inspired choice. As the first Ideato-man (and not the first Orlu-man) to head the douglas house made a point of steering clear of tokenism.”I am immensely proud as an Imolite to serve,” he said after his 1999 defunct race. “I am also immensely proud as a member of National Constitutional Conference to be selected.”Doubtless he will make the same point about his new role if asked.

But it is significant that he is just the second Orlu indigene, after Chief Achike Udenwa, to be elected Imo governor and equally significant that he earned his stripes at the head an organization with a reputation for successfully blending the best of Orlu and Okigwe and Owerri in the service of the Imo people. He is ideally placed to serve as a unifying figure – one of the key roles of a people-governor.

Despite topping a recent poll organized by the Imo people Movement in the Diaspora, his election to succeed Gov.Ikedi Ohakim at the end of May, 2011 comes out of left field. Pre-announcement speculation centred on former president Olusegun Obasanjo and PDP chieftain Tony Anenih, whose Ohakim felt were dependable.

At the age of 49, Owelle Rochas Okorocha will bring youthful energy, an “unshakeable belief in Imo people” and a reputation for quiet competence to his new role. In a 38-year-career in the Nigerian polity – an institution noted for inter-service rivalry – the only blot on his record was the Ohakim-campaign spit-fire.

Shortly after the late president Umaru Yar’Adua, the former president, was elected amidst the PDP primaries in 2006; Owelle Okorocha as a fantasist who seconded in the party-vote; had invented large chunks of his background into people’s welfare and well-being, failed to acknowledge he had delivered “some very good results” for the nation.

In many respects his appeal is similar to that of John Kennedy of the United States. Like the governor, he is a self-made man.He joined the business environment on a whim as a 17-year-old and rose rapidly through the ranks, serving two years in the elite polity, serving with presidential advisers in Abuja, commanding a truce monitoring group in the presidency and jointly commanding academicians, before becoming a participating member of Nigerian policy-makers.

The position as the governor-elect for Imo State is largely ceremonial. It is the lot of governors to become patrons of dozens of organizations, sign endless documents, open new buildings, host big gatherings and represent Nigerian city overseas.

But the governor-elect is deemed to perform an important constitutional role. He should appoints competent commissioners, and task-oriented personal Advisers, shun praise -singers, face the Imo people’s task and bring smiles to the faces of every Imolite as a pay-back on voting him as the head of the Imo state government . For that reason the two governors (from Orlu zone) elected since Imo people and Nigeria at large opted to switch to a democratic (electoral) system have all been tested.

And again, election of a non-incumbent to the governor-position is both a vote of confidence in the systems that have been introduced since the electoral system changed for one-man, one-vote and Owelle Rochas Okorocha as an individual. It is well-placed.