Pix 1: Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere listening to the Managing Director of ISOPADEC , Dr. Henry Okafor as he makes explanations during a tour of the site for International Marine University in Osemotor-Elu Igbo recently.
Pix2: Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere being welcome by HRH, Eze Francis Ihejiamatu Okafor when he arrived Osemotor-Elu Igbo for inspection of the site of proposed International Marine University and level of work done recently.
Uche Onwuchekwa
Atmosphere in Osemotor-Elu-Igbo naturally looks peaceful. Women and children are either seen working in their farms or paddling their canoe on the lake engaging in their traditional vocation of farming and fishing. Beyond farming and fishing, Osemotor has a rich history of Commerce during the time of colonial masters and after the attainment of Independence.
The story is different in the present day Osemotor as it has become a shadow of itself. Emergence and intervention of Rescue Mission Government led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has in no little way rekindled the dashed hope of the people.
This may explain the fanfare and warm welcome that greeted the arrival of the convoy of the number two citizen Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere. People of Osemotor could only betray their mind by the joy the displayed when Prince Eze Madumere paid an unscheduled visit to Osemotor-Elu Igbo with one mission in mind, which was to tour over 150 stretched hectares of proposed site for International Marine University.
It will be recalled that when Governor Okorocha promised to liaise Korean Marine University and other relevant agencies to build Marine University in 2013 in Oguta following its natural endowment of aquatic features, it was received with accolades and words of encouragement.
The government making real her promise expedited action and with Osemotor-Elu Igbo buying into this life changing project when they willingly donated their land to kick-start the project.
Knowing that its decision was a right step in the right direction, Owelle Rochas Okorocha wasted no time in performing the Foundation Laying ceremony. True to his word, through the Imo State Oil Producing headed by Hon. Dr. Henry Okafor some work has been done. One could see the administrative block, which has reached the first slab stage. The foundations of the two massive hostels, with each having one hundred rooms, have been completed. However, other structures are at one stage or the other.
Given the import of Marine studies, like Madumere observes that; it is an area that affects the very existence of human beings. . He opined that researches in that area affects the people’s socio-economic and political life given the import of marine life, water as a source of transportation and how best to preserve the living things in water, which are of immense economic importance.
He also said that given the historical importance of the lake and its uniting features to other parts of the country, he said it is strategic and therefore the establishment of the University along the riverine area will definitely make a potent investment.
Marine University will definitely bring about desired investment in the area of shipping management, Port Management, Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration, Maritime Law and Policy and of course training in other more technical area like Ship building, maintenance and recycling of ships.
Going on memory lane, Dr. Henry Okafor, the Managing Director said Osemotor was never the original name of the place but called Elu-Igbo. He narrated that the Elu-Igbo used to be a hub for Igbos from various parts of the old Eastern region. He said it had mini port where Liverpool and other western companies lifted farm produce and other raw materials to trans-load to a bigger ship for transportation to the Europe and other parts of the globe. He revealed that it was the activities around the area with high traffic of vehicular movements. And since Elu-Igbo, which is at the bank of the Lake became a park of sort for transporters; hence people started calling it Osemotor, which means Motor Park. He said ever since people have preferred to call their place Osemotor rather than Elu-Igbo – its original name.
Hon. Henry recalled that between Obasanjo and Jonathan’s administration, efforts to resuscitate the Port at Elu-Igbo was abandoned for political reason while the Naval Base is yet to get off ground. He therefore used to opportunity to appeal to the Governor of Imo State through his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere to remind President Buhari of the import of the two major establishments in the area, which he said will to a large extent yield economic dividends to both the State and Federal Government.
Speaking further, he said if the proposed International Marine University is completed, it will be the First of its kind in Africa; he therefore commended Governor for embarking on such a legacy project, which will forever in the heart of the people.
He thanked Imo State Deputy Governor for taking time with the Permanent Secretaries of the relevant Ministries for a proper stock taking for necessary action. We had Mr. George Eche from the Ministry of Works and Transport. We had Dr. Ekeanyanwu and Mr. Okoro from Ministries of Tertiary Education and Housing respectively.
Receiving Prince Eze Madumere, HRH, Eze Francis Ihejiamatu Okafor, showered encomium on Prince Eze Madumere for being epitome of humility and exemplary leadership. He however observed that he is so happy that his coming was unsolicited by the people, which shows government’s interest in the development of their uplace.
* Onwuchekwa is the Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Imo State on Media.