The President-General of the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has warned the Imo State incoming governor, Emeka Ihedioha to avoid those he called “419ers and sycophants” if he wants to succeed.
Nwodo said Ihedioha would make a difference if he avoid such people during his tenure.
He issued the advice yesterday in Owerri, during the Ahiajoku Lecture held at Imo Trade and Investment Centre.
Nwodo said: “To make a difference, you must be different. You cannot continue with the old ways and be different.
“You must develop the will to be tenacious, unbendable and resolute in your convictions. You must be selfless. Avoid sycophants, political jobbers and 419ers.
“It is my profound advice that you must make the common man, the poor village fellow as your guage for growth and prosperity. In all you set out to do, you must consistently ask yourself ‘how does it benefit the common man?
“Imo State is the most educated state in Igboland, so I hardly need to canvass here the need to democratise education. But I need to challenge you to change the emphasis to education leveraging on technology.
“On infrastructure, aim at the ones that promote growth not conspicuous consumption. On roads, open your hinterlands and markets so that mobility of goods and services can promote production. Internationalise Owerri Airport even if it means taking a franchise from the Federal Government and inviting foreign partners.”
