Okewulonu Celebrates Ex-Governor Udenwa’s 78th Birthday …He’s an elder statesman, patriot, exemplary leader

Former Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Chris Okewulonu, has showered encomiums on the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Uzoma Udenwa on the occasion of his 78th birthday anniversary.

He noted that Udenwa’s legacies in Imo State as a former governor, which remain indelible, underscores “the importance of celebrating and acknowledging the remarkable milestones achieved in the life of a humane and exemplary leader like His Excellency, Chief Achike Udenwa.”

Okewulonu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri, described Chief Udenwa, who was Governor of Imo State between 1999 and 2007, as “an exemplary democrat, administrator and political leader of repute.” According to him, “during Udenwa’s tenure, Imo witnessed unprecedented industrial and infrastructural development that laid the foundation for the modern Imo State we see today.”

He recalled that the ultra-modern State Secretariat Complex, which ranks amongst the best in Nigeria today, was built by Chief Udenwa.

Chief Achike Udenwa

He said the Secretariat remains a monumental legacy of his administration. He opined that under Udenwa, the civil service was robust, efficient, and highly motivated, and workers’ morale was at its highest peak.

“Just as we have today, salaries then were paid as and when due, and workers were given pride of place in governance,” he stated

Okewulonu pointed out that though Chief Udenwa hails from Orlu zone, he ran an inclusive administration irrespective of anybody’s geopolitical zone. He did not see himself as Governor of Orlu zone, but as Governor of all Imo people, he posited.

Chief (Barr) Chris Okewulonu

In his words: “Governor Udenwa showed me love. He accommodated me like a father and had faith in my capabilities. First, he appointed me an Executive Assistant on Political Affairs and Assembly Liaison. Thereafter, he elevated me to an Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, and later, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Culture. Not yet done with me, he subsequently appointed me the Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SGI). I remain very grateful to him.”

Underscoring Udenwa’s uniqueness as an accommodating leader, Okewulonu stated that all the three zones in Imo State – Okigwe, Orlu, and Owerri – witnessed even infrastructural development. “Roads, hospitals, schools, and rural electrification projects were evenly distributed,” he explained.

More importantly, he said, Chief Udenwa united Imo people in love and peace. Imo under him was the most peaceful state in Nigeria then, a period many Imo people still refer to as the golden era of peace and tranquility, Okewulonu averred.

The former SGI stressed that Udenwa’s birthday anniversary is remarkable because the former governor’s legacies to this day, still speak volumes of his accomplishments as a former governor and stand as indelible footprints in the sands of time.” He remains an exemplary father-figure as far as Imo is concerned, he said.

Okewulonu further described Udenwa’s birthday anniversary as the celebration of an elder statesman, a patriot, and a distinguished national leader whose leadership idiosyncrasies remain positive reference points to emerging political leaders in Nigeria. “I bear firm testament to his leadership sagacity, humility, tolerance, and uncommon capacity to manage men and resources,” he asserted.

On behalf of his family, friends, and associates, Okewulonu “wished former Governor Udenwa a remarkable birthday anniversary, longevity in life, and God’s continued blessings and amazing grace.”