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Enugu 2023: Odengene, the Technocrat Enugu needs as Governor [Viewpoint] 

By Comrade Chukwuebuka Onah

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The evolving trend in Enugu is for tested technocrats to adorn the garb of politics after serving humanity in different capacities. When technocrats enter governance, they do so via two means; either by getting appointed by a government that wants to benefit from their technical expertise or by getting fully involved in the electoral process and getting elected.

Either of both ways, the technocrat in government is of the conviction that he or she has something to contribute to governance and improve the quality of life of the people. This is the case with the personality known as Capt. Evarest Nnaji (Odengene).

When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was elected President in 1999, he tried to satisfy the politicians who helped him to ascend the exalted office of President. So, he appointed old political war horses as ministers to work with him. He made little or no progress. It was as if the country was in a very deep slumber from which it would never wake up. Then during one of his trips abroad, Obasanjo lamented how docile his government turned out to be. His foreign host advised him to engage tested technocrats and activists who are hungry for change and development to work with the politicians and see how the nation would become transformed in no time. Obasanjo had to wait till after the 2003 elections that earned him a second term in office as President.

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After winning that election Obasanjo went on to recruit new hands who are tested technocrats and activists to work with the politicians. It was that period that saw the likes of Dr. Ngọzi Okonjo-Iweala, Mrs.Oby Ezekwesili, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Prof. Charles Soludo, and a host of others becoming ministers, thereby influencing government policies for good. In a very short time, Okonjo-Iweala got debt relief for Nigeria. The privatization programme that put Nigeria on the path of development took off. These guys brought remarkable competence and depth of character into public office. Nigeria started working again.

However, just like the Babangida period, Obasanjo was not sincere and soon the government was derailed and distracted by his third term ambition and many of these technocrats and activists became disillusioned. But Nigerians will remember that the country became a place of hope between 2004 and 2007 when these men and women were ministers. They had the drive, ideas and enthusiasm to take the country to greater heights.

As Enugu prepare for the next elections, come 2023, many are anxious about the character and competence of the individuals who will run the state and the different states from 2023 till 2027. The anxiety is very high because of the reality that development is eluding Enugu. We are now very much aware that the State Government alone cannot develop Enugu. All the 17 LGs need good hands to run them from 2023 till 2027. This is where the anxiety comes from. For how long shall we remain in the wilderness of underdevelopment? For how long shall we grope and not reach our destination as a developed state?

Capt. Nnaji, is ever conscious of his hard earned reputations and would embark on measures that will stop mindless corruption in Enugu state. This will enable him have enough resources for development. Odengene as a technocrat also have the leadership skills and managerial acumen to manage resources. He is a turn-around expert who usually inspire development wherever he works.

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There is no doubt that Enugu state under His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is making enormous progress that is quite visible and appreciated. But we need to accelerate the pace. That is why we should make a case for the enthronement of technocrats like Odengene who have what it takes to develop Enugu states as governor come 2023.

I felt a sense of great relief when Capt. Evarest Nnaji, the world acclaimed developed business expert, entered the governorship race. Odengene has the requisite leadership skills, management acumen and urbane and cosmopolitan temperament to run a multi-cultural state such as Enugu.

He has served the world, and Nigeria as a business man. He has what it takes to initiate people-centred development. He understands Enugu’s problems and he knows what it takes to get society out of the woods. As a development thinker he was instrumental to bringing development by doing justice in his Local Government, Nkanu East. For some years now he has been keenly involved with Ndi Enugu, especially at the grassroots and champions the need for the industrialisation of the state through roads and what have you. He is expected to deploy his vast national and international connections to attract investors to Enugu state and make it a hub of development by entrenching peace and security, infrastructure and human capital development. He has promised to eradicate unemployment and further work to take the state to the realm of developed entities. Surely, Enugu State needs this man so that we will not be left behind.

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‘Enugu no dey carry last!’

Enugu needs a technocrat like Odengene!