Garlands to Prince Eze Madumere on his 100 days in office. The Bible in Luke 16 verse 10 says and I quote “He that is faithful in little things; shall be faithful in greater things”. This Bible allusion clearly sums up the man, Prince Eze Madumere’s odyssey. Before assuming office as the Imo Deputy Governor, His Excellency Prince Eze Madumere was the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha. Lest we forget too early, Chief Achike Udenwa for want of confidence found only his cousin Dr. Vincent Udokwu worthy of his trust to hold the office of Chief of Staff for him from 1999-2007. In 2007, Chief Ikedi Ohakim did not find anyone worthy of bestowing his confidence through out the entire state, hence he conscripted his own immediate younger brother, Emma Ohakim from his assignment as a corporate banker to become his Chief of Staff between 2007-2011. Why the so much importance in the office of Chief of Staff which does not have statutory powers, but became prominent in our political system only recently. The answer is simple. It is an office of trust and confidence. It is an office that metaphorically depicts the mind, conscience and desires of the Governor in motion. Little wonder no Governor toils with the choice of his Chief of Staff. However, when His Excellency Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha broke the dangerous jinx of appointing only blood relations as Chief of Staff by picking Prince Eze Madumere an Mbaitoli man to be his Chief of Staff, the Governor was convinced he had made the right decision. In picking a Chief of Staff, you need a confidant. You need a person who would help you articulate your vision to execution. You need a man who can keep records with eyes on details to guide you towards your areas of imperfection and limitations. You must be guided by the desire not to lose information before the appropriate time. You would need a person who can coordinate activities on home front while you are away in a manner you would have ordinarily done it if you were to do it personally. These qualities qualified Prince Eze Madumere and made Governor Rochas Okorocha reverse the dangerous precedence earlier set up by his predecessors. When by providence and happenstance Prince Eze Madumere was picked to assume the onerous task of deputizing the Imo Governor over and above the many who lobbied for the job, Governor Okorocha was going to be adjudged right once again going by the people’s verdict. Not a single person showed discontempt for his appointment as Imo Deputy Governor. Eze Madumere didn’t get the office by lobbying, because he was the least of persons who lobbied for the job in terms of their background, profile or record in public office. But like the saying “Who can say no when God have said Yes?”. It pleased the almighty God that this man from a humble beginning would today become the Imo No. 2 citizen. The story of Prince Eze Madumere has inspired me as a person. It showed that you can attain the heights of your aspirations with just God as your god-father. What this man enjoys today is not a product of God-fatherism but a product of long suffering, hard work, dedicated service, humility and determination. It remained amazing how one can become Imo No. 2 citizen without being nominated by a political bigwig or god-father. Prince Eze Madumere represents a paradigm shift. A new political direction in choosing political office holders in Imo State. It is not a coincidence therefore that the Man Prince Eze Madumere who turned Thursday 4th July, 2013 would be marking his hundred days in office as Imo No. 2 citizen, having been sworn in as Imo Deputy Governor on the 30th day of March, 2013. As Imo people roll out the drums to celebrate this great man who attained the summit of his political career by sheer divinity and providence, not many would understand the real message behind the celebration. We are celebrating a man who rose from grass to grace. The story of Prince Eze Madumere is not one that is based on an intimidating background or ancestral accomplishments. It is not the story of a genius with too many degrees, awards and profile. It is not a story of a Daniel who has come to judgment. The story of Prince Eze Madumere is simply a living legacy worthy to be bequeathed to the youths of our generation. What is this man’s charm that anybody who comes in contact with him would love him? What is it that endears this man to people? Prince Madumere’s enduring qualities are his humility, accessibility and gentle disposition to all class of persons. It is not an accident however that he is the youngest Imo Deputy Governor so far. I came to know Prince Eze Madumere recently, and I am amazed that my testimony and report about him agreed with the opinion of people who had known him far before I knew him. I have been involved in the media and commentaries on current affairs and contemporary issues for nearly a decade now. I have also been at the vanguard for good governance and accountability in leadership in Imo State for the period. All this period I have seen leaders who reveled in unmerited awards and praises. I have seen leaders who go about inducing awards. I hate sycophancy and praise singing and I am happy to report that Prince Eze Madumere falls far outside this category leaders. Since assuming office as Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has endeared himself in the hearts of Imolites. It is not a coincidence however that people love this man. My account about this man is an account of a person who has never been close to the Deputy Governor. It is an account of somebody who only got to know him recently. But I am glad to say that I am proud to know a Deputy Governor like Prince Eze Madumere. Someone may ask the qualification of Eze Madumere to the highly exalted office of the Imo Deputy Governor. I must reiterate here that Eze Madumere does not boast about his background or ingenuity. He does not boast of his riches, wealth or accomplishments. This man’s gift is his ability to use human and material resources towards achieving a set goal or objective. His qualification is his love and kind disposition to people. His strength is the verdict of people about him and not that which he goes about bandying his ego or accomplishments. Eze Madumere does not blow his trumpet. Anyone who has had an encounter with him leaves with a positive and favourable testimony of his gentle, kind and humane disposition. In this man, I have learnt the price of listening more and talking the less. In this man I saw a man who refused to be changed by the paraphernalia of political power and the ego that follows it. To Prince Eze Madumere, every human being has a unique gift or attribute which will benefit the state. To Eze Madumere, everyone is gifted in his own area and must be heard on issues relevance and interest. Unlike our many politicians, Prince Eze Madumere is not a political or zoning bigot. He treats all persons equally. This man does not have different set of rules for people of his zone or political party and another to those who are not. I have come to love this man even as a top critique of the Rochas Okorocha administration. Eze Madumere would rather invite you to come to his office in the Government House to pour out you feelings and views concerning areas you don’t agree with this government and where you want them to improve. Prince Madumere would not labour to induce you with money. He understands everyone’s calling and respects why every person shares the opinion they hold. All he does is to admonish you to see things from a different perspective by advancing facts to show that his government meant well for Imo State. I get amazed over the disposition of Prince Eze Madumere which is very rare in our peculiar political clime. There are few politicians who can tolerate criticisms, talk more extending invitation to critic of your government to a dinner or luncheon. This is the stuff Prince Eze Madumere is made of. A man of great charming personality. A friend of the poor and down-trodden, Eze Madumere chose to celebrate his birthday with the less privileged, when he moved friends and well wishers to the motherless babies homes and the prisons. He chose these rare places to highlight the goodness of God upon his life. He chose those venues to show that it was by the grace of God that he is presiding over affairs as Imo No. 2 citizen. Of course if it was the lot of another political God-father to chose, his name definitely would not have even appeared for mention, talk more consideration. He celebrated his birthday in a manner invoking the sense and thought, “If I can be Imo No. 2; you can be anything you dream”. What else can I ask of my Deputy Governor? What else can I pray for than for God to always give us leaders like Prince Eze Madumere. One who does not buy our hearts with money, but makes you realize that you are a part of the government. He demystifies political office and power associated with it. He made the government look so simple and human-friendly. No wonder everybody loves this man, Prince Eze Madumere. It is difficult to see a political office holder who is loved by his zone, youths, local government area, community, women and the media at the same time. Prince Eze Madumere is one such man. A quintessential man with distinguished and impeccable character. Prince Madumere does not delight in sharing motorcycle to people yet he is a philanthropist. He may not give you all the money, but he has time to listen to people’s problems. He may not break the bank like other politicians do, but he gives his assistance to whoever needed it and whenever he had course to so. He brings the youths around him and makes them feel a sense he is one of them. He associates with the poor and lowly placed in the society. No wonder everybody rallies round him. No one can doubt the fact that Prince Eze Madumere is adding value to the Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s Rescue Mission. What else can a state Governor pray for as a Deputy Governor? Someone whose life is everything about service, service, service and nothing more. Someone who understands the heartbeat of his master. Someone who stands in the gap for the Governor to even extend hands of fellowship to members of the opposition and critics of his very government. Someone who takes care of affairs while the Governor is away and discharges tasks in a manner the Governor becomes most satisfied. Someone who brings his ears down to feel the pulse of the masses and thereafter feed the Governor on areas he needed improvements. As Prince Eze Madumere marks his first hundred days as Imo Deputy Governor on Monday, 8th July, 2013, we are happy to be associated with this great man of distinguished repute. My generation is happy to be associated with you. You are an inspiration to this generation. Though we may differ in political believes and opinion, I am glad to know that there are still politicians of honour in our political clime that is frost with bitterness and acrimony. Hearty cheers to His Excellency, Prince Eze Madumere and may the Lord grant you more wisdom and knowledge as you pilot the affairs of the state.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 06:11:47 +0000
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