By Chuks Nwokeji
Democracy Day is a special day mapped out by Federal Government of Nigeria to celebrate the return of the country to civil rule, it started during the era of former President Olusegun Mathew Obasanjo, who slated it to be on May 29th, the day he was sworn in as elected president of Nigeria, with other elected governors and National Assembly members. When President Mohammadu Buhari, came into power, he changed it from May 29th to June 12th
The change in date was to Honour Late MKO Abiola, who won the acclaimed freest and fairest election in Nigeria, he was supposed to assume office on June 12 but then military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida aborted it.
Looking at Nigeria civil rule right from 1999 till date, truly; is a work in progress, impacts have been made, achievements recorded, we may not have been where we desired to be, but obviously we have moved out from where we used to be.
Nigerians have been receiving dividends of democracy right from the year 1999 when it returned to civil rule till date, starting from the federal, state and local government levels.
When the performing Governor of Imo State, His Excellence, Distinguished, Senator Hope Uzodimma, conducted local government election, through the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, some local government chairmen came into office and hit the ground running with a blueprint, while some came into office and started with theory, analysis, hypotheses, experimentations and probability of actions.
Some local government chairmen hit the ground running with transformational and productive leadership strategy, their certainty of action truly proved that Productivity is what happens when responsibility meets preparation.
Efforts and productive impacts with undeniable proofs in public domain revealed that, the Executive Chairman of Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area, Hon Prince Obioha Ndukwe, was among some LG Chairmen who hit the ground running with undeniable efforts and impacts both friends and foes cannot deny.
When Hon. Prince Obioha Ndukwe was sworn in as Executive Chairman of Ihitte Uboma, there was no tentative assumption from him, no experimentation, in order to clear confusion and empirical consequences. He landed fully prepared with a well outlined visionary agenda and hit the ground running with unparalleled diligence and focused- driven action,today his result-oriented action has proven that indeed; there is a clear difference between activity and productivity, that clear difference is proven achievement.
Following the foot steps of 3R, Agenda of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery, of Governor Hope Uzodimma, he embarked on massive reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery of infrastructures within and outside the premises of the LGA.today dividends of democracy is an indispensable reality in Ihitte Uboma LGA.
One unique thing the chairman did when he took over the mantle of leadership is total evacuation of the repulsive and mountainous dump around Isinweke Market,which has stayed for almost two decades.
The refuse dump was an open threat to health of Ihitte Uboma people with obvious outbreak of epidemics and other diseases.
By so doing, he proved his commitment to protect the health of the people and preserve environmental sanity for the well being of the people. The evacuated refuse dump stopped the health hazards of ravaging epidemics the
treaders in the market and the near by communities experienced from time to time.
In the area of insecurity, he did not leave any stone unturned in proving that protection of lives and property are paramount to him. With timely action, he embarked on rehabilitation of buildings and quickly provided one as a police station to enhance protection of lives and property. Recall there was no police office in Ihitte Uboma LGA before his arrival, it was burnt by Unknown Gunmen, but he has provided a temporary police station inside the council headquarters.
This security conscious LGA Chair, mounted CCTV Surveillance Cameras at the entrance of some major roads, markets and other public buildings.He paid JAMB registration fees for all Ihitte Uboma indigenes who sat for the exam,
including transport fees to their various centers with a firm promise of scholarships to outstanding ones.
Within a short time, the LGA under him became a serene environment, where people now freely and peacefully go about their normal business.
Looking at the activities of Hon. Obioha Ndukwe, it won't be wrong to describe him as a workaholic leader, any right thinking person and unbiased observer can agree with me that Ihitte Uboma LGA Boss has displayed unparalleled commitment to duty.
The bore hole he met on ground was at the lowest level of deterioration, there was no availability of portable drinking water. Before now, people were buying and selling a gallon of water at N100, he quickly fixed the Borehole and converted it into a solar powered borehole, water is now free and the people are happy.
He renovated the LGA office structure of the Health Department. Before the renovation, it was a glorified poultry house, so dilapidated, so irritating with abandoned leaking roof, a classic opposite of what office structure of a Health Department of a council headquarters should be. Is on record that their vaccines were always soaked with water whenever it rains.
The roof of Ihitte Uboma LGA Health Department, was leaking without apology, he renovated it without procrastination. He provided transformer, carried out many welfare services to give help to the helpless, he started the construction new class room room
blocks to give shelter to children who are studying under the mango tree and other dividends of democracy too numerous to mention.
Dividends of democracy is the beauty of democratic rule, this is seen in provision and promotion of economic development and growth, attracting investment, fostering growth, protection of individual rights and freedom, ensuring respect and protection of citizens' rights,prioritizing citizens' welfare and improved governance.
It also include; encouraging diversity and inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives, promoting social cohesion, creating free and fair atmosphere for citizens to have a voice in decision-making processes, promoting rule of law, ensuring justice, equality, and fairness.
Mechanisms for promoting democratic rule are seen in the activities of Ihitte/
Ihitte Uboma LGA chairman with accountability, transparency, he allows the indigenes participate in decision-making processes in the LGA, increased trust in government, better governance, promotion of good governance and responsible decision-making.
The beauty of democracy lies in provision of dividends of democracy like Hon.Prince Obioha Ndukwe has always done without it, Democratic rule in Ihitte Uboma LGA will be a mockery of reality.
Those who provide dividends of democracy deserve commendation, the Executive Chairman of Ihitte Uboma LGA,have proven to be among the elected leaders who make dividends of democracy a reality with quality service delivery that is strategically and productively touching lives and transforming the entire Ihitte Uboma LGA
Chuks Nwokeji; Chairman,NUJ, Guild (NUJGNR) of Newspaper Reporters, IMO State.