Okorocha tasks Igbo on leadership

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE
LAGOS — Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has charged Igbos to assume leadership roles, saying cries of states not doing well could be traceable to absence of leadership.
This came as security operatives attached to the governor damaged the camera of Vanguard’s photojournalist, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, while stopping him from taking shots of the governor.
Okorocha, who spoke at an interactive meeting with the Igbo community in Lagos, said the challenge facing the country was that of leadership.
He said:  “Today, states are crying of not doing well because of absence of leadership. There is cry all over the nation because of leadership problem. Seek ye first leadership and every other thing in government will be added unto you.”
He pointed out that with the right leadership, things will go well for Nigeria, explaining that if a football team was not doing well, the coach needed to be fired for a better coach to come in and help the team win its matches.
“So Ndigbo, we must rise to the issue of leadership. Blessed are the Igbos among generations of Nigeria, rise up and take your rightful place on the surface of earth. I think it is high time we start a new song.
“The old song of marginalization, the most persecuted, the most hated, should be an old song, let us sing a new song,” the governor added.
In defining an Igboman, Okorocha said that an they are special creature from God, who was not created the same time others were created; but was created particularly on a Sunday, when God was at rest. God took his time to create an Igboman.
“Because of the envy of who an Igboman is, when it comes to relationship with creation, that has attracted what we think is hatred. It is not hatred but simply because God has given you a position. And if you cease to be an Igboman today, you will no longer be hated,” he said.
He called on Ndigbo to ensure that flood and Boko Haram victims were not left uncared for, noting that anyone could have been a victim.
The governor used the opportunity to raise money for the affected flood and Boko Haram victims.
Meanwhile, a woman, (name withheld) told the governor that she was still paying school fee for her son , a student of  Imo State University (IMSU), despite the wide spread news that education was free in the state.
Okorocha, in his reaction, pointed out education in Imo State and advised the woman to stop giving his son school fees.
Culled: Vanguard