By Martin Opara
There is no doubt that Distinguished Senator Godwin Ifeanyi Araraume, who represented Imo North senatorial district between 1999 and 2007 made giant strides and recorded monumental achievements that impacted and still impact on the lives of Imo people, till date.
Senator, a successful business man who, hails from Isiebu, Isiala Mbano L.G.A was chairman, southern senators’ forum, chairman, senate committee on power and steel, and vice chairman senate committee on NDDC, during his 8 year tenure.
He used these positions to attract federal presence to the state, address the needs of the people, improve the welfare of his constituents and Imo State indigenes generally.
It is on record that he attracted the power stations at Ohaji and Alaoji in Imo and Abia States respectively, in his capacity as chairman, senate committee on power and steel. He also facilitated the inclusion of Imo and Abia States in the NDDC bill and contributed immensely towards ensuring that the commission’s headquarters is located in Port Harcourt, instead of Yenogoa as presented by the presidency.
He, in line with his passion and commitment for the development of Okigwe zone and Imo State, was instrumental to the siting of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) station in Okigwe, and a power switch over at Anara, in Isiala Mbano LGA.
Senator Araraume facilitated the rehabilitation of the Ihiala-Orlu Anara-Umuelemai-Aba Branch-Umuahia Road, when Chief Tony Anemih was Minister of Works, aside using his wide network of contacts to secure employment for numerous qualified sons and daughters of Imo State in different state and federal establishments.
Araraume, a devout Catholic and Knight of St. John International (KSJI), who left office in 2007, has since then, not relented in contributing to the political, infrastructural and socio-economic development of Okigwe zone and beyond.
Aside playing prominent roles in the emergence of Senators S.N. Anyanwu and Ben Uwajumogu, has in his capacity as a business man, ensured the construction of rural link roads, single handedly built a police station with residential quarters in his community, Isiebu, in addition to St. Andrew’s Catholic Parish, parsonage and other facilities, drilled boreholes and provided electricity for many communities in the zone.
Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s passion for the provision of people-oriented projects and amenities aimed at turning around the fortunes of the people and ensure their improved welfare is unrivalled. This is attested to by his numerous land mark achievements that will continue to speak for him, inspite of ill conceived gossips and campaigns of calumny by detractors and fifth columnists who are jealous, scared and intimidated by the maverick politician’s established profile as a go-getter.
