By Prince Ejeh Josh
Has anyone visited Nkanu West local government area in recent times? There is glamour on the faces of the people. There’s some sort of satisfaction with the new leadership of the council area.
The signs are there. They’re positive. They’re replica of good governance ushered in by the new administration. The workers are happy. Businesses are booming. Investment activities are expanding. A new city is cutting in. The system is perfectly being fixed. Things are working. Leadership by example. That’s what happens when young, energetic and responsible citizens are steering the wheel of leadership.
The people never regretted the choice of the council chairman. Hon. Uche Ejim came equipped for the job. He understands and masters the intricacies of leadership having undergone mentoring in administration, development and leadership. He wasn’t a greenhorn for the job. He has cut his teeth in the legislative arm of the council as a Leader and had worked as an Executive Assistant to the Governor. Although young in age but astute and dynamic in leadership orientation. Just 100 days in office, people can rate his administration with confidence and positive remarks.
He started his administration well, with a square peg in a square hole and a round peg in a round hole. Many of us can now live and work in Agbani and environs without security concerns. That’s unlike before he came to power. Insecurity was one of the many challenges bedeviling the council area. The reports were apprehensive and chilling. Nobody was safe. Nkanu West is the gateway to most communities in Nkanu East and Aninri local government areas, and we had to stay away from the villages and hinterlands for fear of insecurity.
However, with Ejim, the primary responsibility of every government; being the security and welfare of the people, was activated. Security was prioritized. There is a joint military and police patrol in the council area. Checkpoints were mounted. Security was beefed up. Local security network was given the required trainings and fortified assistance. Morale was high!
Security apartments were constructed. Prompt emoluments of neighborhood watch, and other security agencies are being defrayed. The council area was returned to its old glorious days. The people are now happy. Ejim has shown his dexterity in handling insecurity and assuring security. This is just 100 days in office, and the soul of the council has been redeemed. We owe him that thump up for his good works. But he has refused to make a noise about it.
That not enough, and living up to his pledge to identify with the masses and run an all-inclusive government, the administration of Ejim has commenced the payments of leave allowances and other entitlements being owed the workers over the years. Civil servants in the council area have found a new lease of life in the visionary chairman. What’s life without the payments of salaries and other benefits deserved by public workers? Ejim has proved that 100 days are enough to break the jinx and establish a new era of governance. It’s a paradigm shift from oratorical manipulation to fulfilment of electoral promises. Now the council workers’ purchase power has been boosted, they can smile home and feel fulfill being part of the government.
Interestingly, with the notorious era of the EEDC whimsically plunging many local government areas in darkness, Ejim’s Nkanu West has found a solution; solar power! The government is installing solar power at strategic places that would boost businessess. The success story has just begun. The secretariat and it’s environs are hopeful at night. The Augustine Nnamani Law School students will be grateful for this uncommon gesture. Night life is incredibly coming back to life in most towns in the council area. This means businesses will keep thriving. That’s a broken system being fixed by someone that appreciates governance techniques.
Within 100 days in office, basic and adult educations are making tremendous progress in the council area. The administration is boosting high of literacy level by encouraging willing adults who had no opportunity in their early days to enroll. The environment is made conducive by the innovation introduced by the government. This is driving a long-term plan that would give the council an edge in human capital growth and structural development. The re-engineering of the basic education system is more of a shift from rustic curriculum and infrastructure to science and technology driven smart education. This should be a positive recognition and must be encouraged.
Indeed, our social structure and role assignment have discriminated greatly against the physically challenged. But in Nkanu West, the story is reversing itself. An inclusive mechanism has been evolved to carry them along by empowering them and giving them strong voice and opportunities to make inputs in the decision-making process. Ejim is harnessing their potential to build able-bodied personalities even in their challenges with equal opportunities to compete and thrive in the society. Ejim has shown that physically challenged are not mentally challenged. They’re now doing exploits!
We have seen many more of the dividends of democracy being reaped in the government. We have seen the human relations techniques working well, and how the council area has improved from a den of insecurity to one of the best secure local governments in the state. Just 100 days, and things are now working for the good of the people. Ejim has, indeed, given back the people their government by ensuring the local government attends to the needs of the people. It’s a government of the grassroots; a government of the people.
In Ejim, there is resonation that the youths with the incredible leadership qualities have arrived, and they are changing the narratives. Let the good works continue and let others key into the pathway.
