“It is the responsibility of government at all levels to ensure the security of lives and property of citizens. Any government that fails in this direction has no business being in office. If elected lawmaker for Orlu state constituency, come 2023, I should be held responsible, while I, will hold the government accountable for every single security breach in Orlu. A situation where elected representatives who solicited and were given the peoples mandate, keep silent, fold their hands and watch as if nothing is happening while the people they claim to represent are unlawfully arrested, detained, decimated, killed, maimed and their properties burnt is an aberration that should not be accepted under any circumstance. The era of being evasive, unconcerned and alienated from the people in their hours of need are gone and should be rejected by the electorate who have the constitutional right to choose those who will lead and represent them with compassion and sincerity of purpose”.
Comrade Precious Nwadike Labour Party (LP) candidate for Orlu state constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, stated this when the executive of Orlu Local Government Area Students Association (OLGASA) Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Chapter paid him a courtesy visit in his Owerri office, yesterday.
Nwadike, a renowned human rights activist noted that the restiveness in Orlu LGA and environs as a result of neglect arising from poor leadership and representation by those who failed in their responsibilities to the people they claim to represent at different levels.
He recalled that after the 2011 general election which brought former Governor Rochas Okorocha to power, he, alongside other progressives sat down and articulated a blue print aimed at empowering the youths, “we did this because we knew that if the process of empowering the youths was not initiated then, there would definitely be a time that their bottled up emotions and resentment will overflow and manifest in the form of negative vices just like what is happening today. Don’t forget that an idle mind is devil’s workshop”.
“As a proactive measure to checkmate the prevailing disturbing situation, we advocated for the setting up of an “ Orlu Youth Activity Center” at Orlu where eminent and qualified resource persons would take up our youths in different skills, including hair dressing, baking, soap and cosmetics production, welding, etc. At the end of their training, they would be provided with start up capital with which to engage themselves usefully and meaningfully.
Continuing Nwadike said, “to this end, we made presentations to those in authority but, regrettable, they did not share our vision because, they either did not care or were unable to feel the pulse of the people, especially the youths and plan ahead. Leadership is all about vision and planning ahead to forestall unpleasant circumstances that will manifest if we fail to do the needful.
He stressed the need for youths to acquire skills in addition to their academic pursuits, adding that the days when graduates of tertiary institutions were offered employment opportunities on platters of gold are gone. Hence one needs to think of how to create employment for himself and others.
“Let me emphasize that I have never applied for a job since I graduated from the university, my tailoring outfit was already in existence then”.
“I am seeking election into the House of Assembly so that I will be in a better position to assist the younger ones harness their potentials. I also believe that we have to collectively do what is right to restore the lost glory of Orlu LGA, transform and reposition the area for the sake of our children yet unborn.
Nwadike who recalled the several leadership positions he has held right from his days at Orlu Memorial Secondary School where he was the Senior Prefect, to the Federal University of Technology, FUTO, Owerri where he was President, Orlu Students Association,ORLGASA FUTO Chapter and later National President of Orlu Students Association,NAORS. “While at FUTO, I facilitated the publication of the first Orlu Students Magazine, which was from all indications, an intellectual masterpiece. When leaders of the 12 local government areas in Orlu zone saw my leadership potentials, they facilitated my emergence as the National President of Orluzurume Youth Assembly (OYA), a position I held for 2 consecutive terms of three years each”.
“It is on record that I was the first National President of a youth body in the whole of South East that did not receive subvention from government that bought an official car. I was able to source funds with which I bought a Toyota Sienna official car which I handed over to my successor, Darlington Uzoahia, at the end of my tenure”.
The highpoint of the courtesy visit was the facility tour of Comrade Precious Nwadike’s business conglomerate which include the Owerri branch of his tailoring outfit which presently employs over 15 youths in addition to those working at the Aba, Abia State headquarters of the fashion outfit which has existed for several years”.
Earlier in his speech, the President of Orlu Local Government Students Association, (OLGASA) Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education AIFCE chapter, Comrade Amajuoyi Christogonus Ifeanyi, an indigene of Umuokwara Onumaku village, Oweme-ebeiri Orlu LGA, said, “we have taken note of your activities over time and have come to identify with you. We also wish to hear from you as regards the programme you have for us, our parents and the entire Orlu electorate that are in dire need of liberation from the pitiable plight that it is currently in. We are in touch and work in synergy with our branches in other tertiary institutions and would if convinced, collapse our structures into your campaign team”.
“We already know that you have the capacity to deliver and would speak out against the myriad of challenges confronting our people if given the opportunity to serve” Comrade Amajuoyi Ifeanyi was accompanied on the visit by the Vice President, Eguogu Chrisentia, from Ihioma in Orlu LGA, Ngerem Pascal who hails from Umudim, Umunna, Orlu and Kizito Chikwem, Secretary OLGASA, AIFCE Chapter, who hails from Umudioka Ancient kingdom in Orlu LGA.
