Unarguably, Senator Athan Nneji Achonu has become very visible in the state nay Nigeria before making forays into partisan politics. He is a serial investor who has given gainful jobs to hundreds of people in the various fields of human endeavour.

His pro-people and pro-poor nature largely informed his coming up with this innovation named AKU RUO ULO.

This mantra is not a political kite but a calculated strategy to encourage our people who have the where withal to THINK HOME & INVEST HOME, because there is no place like home. No state or polity can achieve meaningful socio-economic progress if the government is left alone to do everything without input from her citizenry.

Simply put, AKU RUO ULO is Senator Achonu’s way of stimulating the private sector contributions to the overall development of the state. Numo Farms, a multi-million naira Agro Business and Numo Micro Finance Bank he established in Ehime Mbano, his nativity, is a typical demonstration of this innovation. Hundreds of people have been lifted out of poverty through these investments.

Senator Achonu believes that if the government creates the conducive environment and directions, the citizenry will hook into good policies which will provide the much-needed socio-political attainment. Insecurity, youth restiveness and poverty will be reduced to its nearest minimum if we embrace this mantra in the South-East. This innovation is already at work in our sister state, Anambra. Large industrial concerns such as the Innoson Motors Ltd, Ibeto Petro Chemical Industries, Cutix Cables, Coscharis Farms providing the largest and most modern Cattle Ranch and Rice Farms in West Africa among numerous others is an “AKU RUO ULO” at play. This innovation is the centre piece of his Manifesto which will soon be unveiled to the public.

This is an indicator that the Labour Party flag bearer will run a human centered approach to governance. People driven, participatory, integrated, need based and doable development paradigm. Imo State has a wealth of natural resources, Crude Oil, largest Gas Reserve in Nigeria, Arable land, good topography and highly educated citizenry. Senator Achonu is aware of all these and therefore, will work with our very best irrespective of political leanings in order to ensure we leverage on it. It is the American Billionaire Waren Buffet, who once said: “Life is not about the value we seek. It is the value we stand for”. Senator Athan Achonu, Ikemba, Okigwe, has the consuming passion to lift the poor from the ground zero to greatness. A great philanthropist who does not grandstand.

Within the first year in office will ensure that the Dee Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport is fully functional, new industrial zone created with its attendant housing facilities put in place. Surely, this will attract private investments by our people. With the Onitsha seaport already completed and large vessels coming in, no other auspicious time to bring development back to our demography than now.

Finally, to our opponents and teeming Imolites our principal’s approach to electioneering and campaigns will be new vista to electoral conduct in the state. Issues based and decorous.

•Emeka Ogaraku writes from Owerri, Imo State.

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