“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present” – Abraham Lincoln.
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him” – 16th century Florentine statesman, Nicolo Machiavelli.
From all indications, the turning point in the journey of Imolites to have a state they can proudly call theirs is around the corner, with the governorship aspiration of Dr. Chima Amadi being the impetus long sought after by a people wearied by the consequences of ineffective leadership for several years now. It does not take a legion of men to deliver God’s people out of the land of Egypt; it takes only a Moses who is spiritually in alignment with the Almighty. So it is in the case of our dear state of Imo. The journey out of the spiritual Egypt that ndimo have been forced to dwell in since the days of former Governor Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory has actually begun. Dr. Chima Amadi is the Moses of our time in Imo today. Abraham Lincoln was right: the dogmas of the quiet past cannot suffice to resolve the problems of the present. Creativity is needed. That is why we need transformative leadership—leadership founded upon vision and creative ideas.
The problem of Imo State in particular, and Nigeria in general, over the years has been pampering the status quo and pretending to be leading the people. The deception is clear! Leadership is about movement, innovation, and change from the present state to a better future. But instead of leading us forward, our leaders have so far led us backwards to a darker state of affairs—because they are not leaders in the right sense of the word. Dr. Chima Amadi understands this. He is a man of immense capacity whose innovation-driven mind has produced a couple of hi-tech companies within and outside Nigeria. This is why he has promised to build a capitalist model of economy in Imo State where technology, creativity, and innovation drive the economy. The era of leadership without accompanying responsibility and results is about to be thrown into the basket of history. Looking at Imo State today in comparison to fifteen years ago, there is no change. Why? Because it is the same style of leadership that produces no significant result. Our leaders have proved Sir Francis Bacon right when he said, “He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils, for time is the greatest innovator.” The lack of creativity in the leadership of our dear state has brought us to our present state of confusion. With Dr. Amadi as the next Imo governor, the challenges facing the state today will surely be confronted with creative solutions. Lack of creativity in state leadership, if it continues, would most certainly plunge us into a quagmire from which we might not be able to extricate ourselves. Leadership at this time of our journey as a state should not be left in the hands of amateurs. It must be for champions. Champions don’t become champions in the ring; they are merely recognized there. Dr. Amadi is a proven and certified champion. He needs the ring to show forth the stuff God has endowed him with.
What more? Imo needs a paradigm shift in mindset. We need a new kind of leader who has conquered himself by overcoming greed, lust, ethnic sentiments, and all the allure of office. According to Buddha, “It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours and cannot be taken away.” This kind of leader must be one with a track record of integrity. Character is a very vital component of leadership. Dr. Chima Amadi is a man who cherishes his Christian values. His endeavors, past and present, are an open book for all to see. He imbibed Christian values and principles as an infant raised by a godly mother. According to James Macgregor Burns, “Without ethics, leadership is reduced to management and politics to mere techniques.” This lack of ethics in leadership is what Dr. Chima Amadi has come to restore in the governance of our dear state. Ethics go hand in glove with accountability and transparency in government business.
The aspiration of Dr. Chima Amadi to become the next Imo governor is not something for personal consumption. It is an aspiration inspired by a deep desire to turn the state around. All lovers of our dear state should key into this movement for the genuine transformation of Imo into a model, modern state driven by capitalist principles of competition, innovation, creativity, accountability, and transparency. The sorry condition of Imo State today calls for matters of personal aggrandizement to be set aside and, as patriotic citizens, to consider the overall interest of the state. Dr. Chima Amadi’s love for the indigent and struggling people of the state is unequaled. He is the best suited to be the next governor of Imo State. This can explain why he has already received several endorsements from groups and patriotic Imolites across the three zones of the state.
With former American president Thomas Jefferson, Imolites pray that “God grant that men of principle shall be our principal men.”
By Eze Amaeshi – 08068185335
