v Urge him to show example
By Martin Opara
Orluzurumee Youth Assembly (OYA), the apex umbrella body of youths in the twelve local government areas of Orlu zone, has commended former Governor Rochas Okorocha for suggesting that legislators and members of the executive cut down their salaries and allowances by 70%, as part of measures to pacify aggrieved Nigerian, youths who have been protesting against societal ills.
The youths, in a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Obinna Nnajiuba (Agbaogidi) said their attention has been drawn to reports in some national newspapers, where the former governor, now Senator representing Imo West Senatorial district in the upper chamber of the national assembly, was quoted as suggesting that legislators and members of the executive cut down their salaries and allowances by seventy percent, as part of measures to pacify aggrieved Nigerian youths protesting against societal ills and systemic dysfunction.
The youths who expressed surprise at Okorocha’s new found love and concern for the people, advised him “to lead the way by drawing a program of action in this regard and communicate same to Orlu youths who were subjected to unprecedented deprivation, poverty, emotional and psychological torture during his 8 year tenure as governor of Imo State, as wanton destruction of people’s buildings, homes, offices, roads, etc, and forceful acquisition of peoples lands for private use worsened their plight and contributed greatly to the woes of the Orlu electorate”.
Continuing the release said, “much as the youths appreciate Okorocha for thinking home for the first time since he became Senator representing the zone, his purported kind gesture should not be part of his characteristic gimmicks aimed at hoodwinking the youths because that era is gone”. “We take exception to politicians making frivolous promises and playing to the gallery to attract cheap national recognition. The youths have been taken for granted for so long and have decided to take their collective destiny in their hands by holding those in power accountable to the people”.
They expressed confidence that a holistic implementation of Senator Okorocha’s noble idea, “which is part of the long expected restitution, will, aside calming the frayed nerves of angry youths, engender lasting peace and development in the zone”.
The apex socio-cultural organization of Orlu youths, recalled with dismay, that Senator Okorocha, as governor of Imo State for 8 years, frittered energy and resources on the construction of white elephant projects that contributed nothing towards alleviating the suffering of the people. “Besides, he took delight in initiating anti people programs and policies and construction of sub standard roads and other infrastructure that have dilapidated, worsened and made the road network in the entire Orlu zone unmotorable with attendant suffering and increase in poverty index”.
