BY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.

The former deputy governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has called on the citizenry to approach the milestones recorded by the state at 50 with cautious optimism, legacy preservation, inclusivity, unity of purpose, and sober reflection.

This is even as he urged the people to deliberately work assiduously towards the sustainability of our common heritage and legacy, believing that at the end of the day, there will be light at the other side of the tunnel.

Prince Madumere made this known while addressing Journalists in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

The American-trained technocrat urged the people to develop the spirit of resilience, optimism, reflect on the way forward, create a holistic methodology, and chart the road map for the sustainable development of the legacies left behind by the founding fathers of the state.

Prince Madumere said, “At 50, we have come a long way and weathered the storm as a people with a common heritage and collective interest. This is the time to engage in deep, reflective, and thought-provoking contemplation on the journey so far. We have to ask critical questions and proffer solutions with respect to where we are, plans for the future, and our expectations at the end of the day.

“I fervently believe that answers to these questions will catapult us to the next level of socio-cultural and socio-economic development. If we marshal out our economic blueprint and work tirelessly for the actualization of our collective dreams and aspirations. This is the time to give Almighty God the glory for preservation, positive impacts, and developmental strides, as instituted by former governor of the State, Dr. Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory.”

The Imo governorship hopeful stressed that the challenges confronting the state are surmountable through basic planning, commitment, and articulation of our needs assessment.

Prince Madumere, a philanthropist, stressed that the Golden Jubilee celebration presents an opportunity to honour the vision, mission, sacrifices, and foresight of our founding fathers, whose devotion, commitment, and focus entrenched the foundation for the then prosperous economic base mainstreamed by factories, industries, agriculture, and a strategic investment portfolio.

He said, “Imo State used to be the economic hub of the Southeast region, during the reign of Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory. The state was also a classical representation of industrial and agricultural production across the region. I remembered ventures such as the Standard Shoes industry, Avutu Poultry, Adapalm Plantation Estate, Imo Rubber Estate, and Nsu Ceramic Industry vividly. All these provided thousands of jobs, strengthened local value chains, and positioned the state as an emerging industrial hub.”

The Business Magnet, however, expressed astonishment that most of these industries and establishments have gone moribund and with little hope of resuscitation. According to him, their collapse symbolizes more than abandoned infrastructure.

“These comatose projects represent lost opportunities, weak capacity, and many years of policy somersault, thereby denying the teeming youths the opportunity of gainful job placements.”

Prince Madumere, a pragmatic entrepreneur, revealed that the state’s predicament, requires a thoroughbred technocrat, with the acumen and dexterity, and vast experience in managing human and capital resources to navigate the ship in the right direction.

While indicating that with vast experience and exposure in the corporate world, he has the capacity and capability to reposition the state on the path of peace, tranquility progress, accountability, and sustainable growth, through the “Journey of Grace” platform, as “a new Imo is possible”.

“This Golden Jubilee should serve as a reawakening trajectory, turning point, clarion call, recommitment to serve, rebuild Imo State on the solid foundation laid by the founding fathers, anchored on vision, purposeful leadership, peace, transparency, productivity, industrialization, and coupled with inclusivity”.