By Emma Okereke.
At the beginning, it was small and literally speaking not very visible. Yet it is remarkably very important. It could be likened to the biblical mustard seed. Probably the smallest of all seeds, at maturity it has grown into a very tall, gigantic and glorious tree that provides shelter and shade to both animals and human beings. It is called the Douglas House and it domiciles in Owerri, the Capital of Imo State, Nigeria.
If in a casual conversation, in Imo State, someone says: “I’m coming from Douglas House” or “We have a meeting at Douglas House, today at 4.00pm.” Everybody that lives in Imo, or has had very reasonable interaction with the people and government of Imo State would understand it to mean that, he was just coming from the Government House or that they would be having a meeting at the Government House at 4.00pm that day, respectively.
That of course is the interpretation. It is not subject to any other interpretation, and the history, metamorphosis and contemporary business of this place justifies it. Douglas (Government) House Owerri: the old, the present and beyond is therefore, in a nutshell, the metamorphosis, or better still the transformation of Douglas House from a humble beginning to its present state of the art edifice.
Historically, the Government House in Owerri, also known as Douglas House, became the seat of government in February 3, 1976, about 38 years ago, upon the creation of Imo State, and upon the assumption of office in Owerri by the pioneer military governor, then Navy Commander Ndubuisi Kanu. It was on this day that the place that used to be known as Douglas House became the seat of the new state.
Since then, all succeeding governments and administrations of the state had lived within the precincts of government House. They have also had their office within Douglas House. In other words, Douglas House, more or less has been the seat of government of the state since February 3, 1976. So the political history of Imo State started with and is equal to Douglas House. I am sure that the first bill (Edict) was signed in that place and by extension one can rightly guess and say that the first meal that the administrator ate was also at this place. So there is every justification to call the Government House, Douglas House.
A short history at this point has become patently necessary. It is called Douglas House because the most important District Officer (DO) in charge of Owerri was called Douglas and he lived there. He lived in a bungalow called Government House. And that bungalow was where his successors, either as District Officers, Divisional Officers, Residents, Administrators or Governors, as their names and nomenclature continued to change from time to time.
As said earlier it was a small bungalow built during the colonial period with the architecture that was prominent at that time. History shows that the materials for its building were imported into the country from Britain and Sierra Leone and ferried to Owerri through the river to Oguta Lake. From Oguta people now carried these materials on their head to Owerri and the site of the building.
As already indicated in this write up many officers lived in it and continued expanding and amending it. It was however, during the military regime that it was modified into a story building. Unfortunately, it was razed down by fire at the time Chief Achike Udenwa lived there as Governor. Consequent upon this development, it was now finally pulled down and replaced with the present Governor’s lodge under Chief Udenwa.
There was also another structure of colonial architecture within the large premises of Government House. It was called the Presidential Lodge and accommodated Chief Achike Udenwa and his family when the Douglas House was razed by fire. This Lodge accommodated most of the visiting presidents to the State. This House which also accommodated, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and his family, at a time, also suffered the same fate of fire disaster during Chief Ohakim’s administration. The new administration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha is now erecting a new edifice in its place.
Simply put, from colonial period to the present day, all succeeding administrations in Imo had lived on the same site – Douglas House – which was inherited by the military administrators and now passed on to the civilians. It is interesting to note that there were also other guest houses and accommodations for some government House staff before the new dispensation. These structures rusty as they were did not give dignity and honour to a place such as Government House. They looked like glorified poultry houses hence there were plans to move the Douglas House to the New Owerri Layout.
Perhaps, it is very important to state at this point that it is not one building alone that constitutes Government House.
Indeed it is a complex of buildings including the Governor’s Lodge (Residence) Governor’s Office, Deputy Governor’s Office, Office of the Governor’s Wife, Office of the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Multi-Purpose Hall, and The Executive Council Chambers, as well as, guest houses .
It is also pertinent to note, as stated earlier that there have been plans to move Government House to the New Owerri but all such plans, except that of Chief Sam Mbakwe’s administration remained in the pipeline. Ear marked and not eye marked.
But in the past three years, Imo State Government House has changed tremendously to the delight of Imo people and visitors to the place. This is because there is a new vision for it. The Rescue Mission of Owelle Rochas Okorocha has rescinded the former decision to relocate it. This is why there had been all kinds of expansions and modifications.
Many who had not been in Imo in the past three years will hardly believe that what they are seeing at Douglas House is not a happen stance in the dreamland. From the Bank Road Round-about one gets the feeling of the new thing and vision. The spirit of enterprise of the Igbo man is showcased there by the sculptured palm wine tapper, just as the names of the 27 Local Governments on the art work symbolize its unity and strength. A newly dualized road with state of the art light fittings leads into the Government House. On both sides are functional waterfall fountains. If you are used to using the state Library to note when you get to the entrance, sorry it is no more. A new building – Imo Souvenirs is there and a large car park, to service the Government House chapel – an ecumenical centre – nearing completion is on your left before you meet the first security check point – uniquely in a house form. Then on your left is another check point to the Government House proper. Here the security personnel welcome you. You are also welcomed by the sight of several smiling buildings, all in white colours and light green roofs. If your visit is official and you are cleared by the security and protocol you could be chauffeur-driven to the office of the Governor or the Chief Sam Mbakwe expanded Exco hall in a special motorized vehicle. You could also be taken to other points of your visit through covered terraces that serve as inter connectivity to all the offices.
The point being highlighted here is that there is a new Chief Sam Mbakwe Multi-purpose Hall with state of the art furniture and ICT gargets, Modernized Exco chambers, New Twin officers for the Deputy Governor and the wife of the Governor, New presidential lodge nearing Completion, new banquet Hall and the new Odenigbo duplexes for guests. Every essential office has been provided and every staff is accommodated. There are also new gardens, new fountains and the special Obiri – front office for social-cultural meetings for the Governor. Indeed there are no more makeshift rusty buildings in and around it. Old structures have passed away; all other things now have been made new.
Of special note is the fact that this place is the hub of all activities in Imo. The buck stops at the Governor’s office. Activities at this place start as early as 5.am and continue till as late as 3.am.
Many of my respondents commend the decision to expand and modernize the Douglas House. Mr. Chris Nwokocha Chairman correspondents’ chapel, Imo NUJ says “It is a good beginning and a better attempt to own a place we can proudly call the seat of government. Godsent, an unemployed graduate agrees but notes that any governor would usually give it his own character.
Another major contributor who does not want his name in print speaks on future development of the place. He would want the Police Headquarters and the Judiciary relocated, so that there will be ample space for further development and proper security.
In the meantime Mr. Nwokocha is not happy that Douglas House lacks sports facilities. “People and kids live there and should play football etc. for their physical fitness and good health, Government House is a community and should be treated same way”, he reasoned. And I agree.
Douglas House has acquired a history, an image and culture overtime, I can also say a spirit of its own. It is somehow like where the “offor” (Equity and Justice) resides. It is the people’s place. Here in Imo it has been properly constituted. It is where politics – good or bad had always emanated. Above all it is a place where history is continually unfolding. For tourists it is a must place to visit. Yes a destination point. It deserves this level of attention that this administration has accorded it in terms of infrastructural upliftment etc and I commend the governor for giving Imo a befitting Douglas or Government House.