University Dons, Others Advocate Paradigm Shift For 2019

….As NAISS, Orluzurumee Students endorse Nwadike for Orlu Senate seat

As the race for 2019 general elections gathers momentum, a University don and Chairman of Orlu Elders Council, Prof. F.C. Dike (SAN) has called for paradigm shift and challenged the youths to wake up from their slumber.

He made the call during the fund raising luncheon organized by friends and the Orlu Project team for Comrade Precious Nwadike, the United Progressive Party (UPP) senatorial candidate for Orlu Zone, at Rockview Hotel Owerri, Imo State.

Prof. Dike lamented that the government has failed in providing job opportunities for the youths, hence the increasing involvement of youths in crimes and other vices, arising from idleness and lack of enabling environment to function and actualize their dreams.

According to him, if wealth was the parameter, for victory, former President of America, Barrack Obama would not have won the US election, and therefore urged Comrade Nwadike not to be intimidated by the financial muscle of his opponents.

He called for paradigm shift and challenged the youths to wake up from their slumber because according to him, “if you don’t say I am, nobody will say you are”.

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He commended Comrade Nwadike’s noble ambition and enjoined all to support him, “because he has what it takes and will certainly offer effective and quality representation, that will transform Orlu Zone”.

Chairman of the occasion, Chief (Sir) Ejike Uche (Dimkpasa) who is also Deputy National Chairman of UPP, described Nwadike as a courageous, visionary and proactive young man who is determined to contribute to the growth and development of the society.

He said his support for him is not partisan but based on his credibility and track record. Dimkpasa advised the youths to take their destiny in their hands and aspire to positions of leadership, stressing that it will not be business as usual in 2019.

Speaking in the same vein, another university don,  Prof. Protus Uzorma regretted that the youths have failed themselves by not making good use of their abilities and potentials.

According to him, “instead of our well educated, and more mentally equipped youths to take advantage of their endowments and aspire to leadership positions, they mortgage their vision and take all kinds of risks to ensure the emergence of less educated, visionless, purposeless and greedy old politicians as leaders with the hope of being made Personal Assistants (PAs) (SAs) etc.

Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe, a former two term legislator for Nkwerre state constituency, said he graced the occasion despite his tight schedule because of his love for and belief in Comrade Nwadike as the best option for Orlu senate in 2019.

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He described Nwadike as a respectful, reliable and fearless person who has the capacity to take Orlu to the next level of socio-economic, and infrastructural development.

The Co-Chief launcher, Hon. Steve Anugwom who is the state Organizing Secretary of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) described Comrade Nwadike as a friend, and political mentor who he is immensely indebted to. He said that the 2019 election will not be about political parties but about personalities and what they are known for.

In their separate speeches, President, National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS) Comrade Tochi Chibueze and Comrade Frank who spoke on behalf of Students, eulogized the virtues of Comrade Nwadike, who they described as a quintessential leader, role model and dogged fighter.

“We have implicit confidence in him and have resolved to key into his vision and mission to salvage Orlu Zone and fast track integrated and comprehensive development. His aspiration is our collective project. Aside this cash donation, we will mobilize support to ensure his emergence as the next Senator for Orlu Zone”.

Comrade Nwadike in his speech, thanked all for finding time to come. “I am moved and overwhelmed by what I have seen and heard here today. For students and youths to make cash donations in support of my ambition shows that I have tremendous support”.

He said that state of affairs in Imo, especially Orlu Zone makes his heart bleed, and regretted that most of the problems and challenges he encountered as a university student several years ago, that should have eased by now, are still prevalent. “Students are still subjected to the painful plight we experienced in our time”.

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He also thanked the fundraiser Organizing Committee chairman, Comrade Steve Uzoechi, South East bureau Chief of New Telegraph Newspaper, who is also Chairman Correspondent’s Chapel of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council and Prince Chidi Obi of the Obi royal dynasty of Ezedibia Emekuku as chairman and secretary respectively, and our Orlu Project team led by Engr Ibezim for doing a good job.

BigPen Online reports that Nwadike is squaring up in the race against Governor Rocha Okorocha of APC and the incumbent PDP House of Representatives member, Hon Jones Onyeriri, as well as against Senator Osita Izunaso of APGA. Izunaso has been in the Senate before for four years, House of Rep for four years and was the immidiate past National Organising Secretary of APC.