Penultimate Thursday, a book written in honour of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere entitled “Eze Madumere, A True Manifestation of a Loyal Servant, Tribute to a Worthy Servant,” was presented to the public in Owerri. CHIDIEBERE IWUOHA captures some of the comments by political and business leaders who graced the occasion
It was a day of glitz and glamour in Owerri, the capital of Imo state as tribute rented the literary and political space all for the state’s Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere. Speakers took turn to pour encomiums on him for his character of humility and loyalty in service, on the occasion of public presentation of a book in his honour. The author, Peter Clever Obi said he decided to go on the publishing expedition after carefully studying the man, Eze Madumere, his loyalty and humility in service. Expectedly, many personalities who graced the occasion are political figures from across the country and notable among them is the Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Ganduje:
While addressing the crowd that gathered at the book launch, Ganduje said he was confused when he got an invitation letter for the occasion because he was not sure whether it was against the Governor or in his favour. And that it was when he discovered that it was endorsed by him that he became courageous to fly into Imo State. He said there was no way he could refuse to attend the occasion because Okorocha was a bridge builder and a household name in the northern part of the country. He noted that his Rochas Foundation College was free of charge for the less privileged and intelligent children and that the college had contributed to the academic improvement of students in WAEC and NECO. He noted that the college was coming up in Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto , Kaduna etc. He made it clear that he was already being influenced by Rochanomics, being his supporter, but would not say it now until the appropriate time. Ganduje said anytime he heard about Deputy Governorship or loyalty he became nostalgic because he was Deputy Governor for eight years.
He said the book was about the loyalty of a prince from what he had seen and heard. He commended him for being a loyal deputy and knowing the Governor who in turn had confidence in him. He said he must have the capability to move the state forward and not only being loyal. And also be a defender of government. He advised him to sacrifice and tolerate, because there were a lot of hearsays and sycophancy which were deadlier in governance than HIV/AIDS. He added that if a road was to be cleared, the Deputy Governor would have to be in front of the Governor.
Hear him: “ But sycophants would say he is acting as Governor. Or that he is rubbing shoulders with him if they stay together. To tell you how controversial the position of Deputy is, God does not have Deputy. But as mortals we have.” He described the book as an eye opener and good for Imo people, adding that it was a revelation of things to come in Imo State.
Ganduje disclosed that he had seen a lot of structures in Owerri and that the city was on the verge of becoming a mega city. He said he felt honoured to come and present the book and promised that the contribution of his family and state would be communicated.
Chairman of the occasion, Adeniyi Williams(SAN): He described Prince Eze Madumere as a loyal and humble man and noted that these qualities endeared him to his principal, Governor Rochas Okorocha. He advised those who graced the book launch to try as much as possible to imbibe those characteristics.
Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, V.C., Nnamdi Azikiwe University( Book Reviewer 1):
He informed that the book started with volume 1, meaning that other volumes would come in future and that the first volume which was being presented was written in parts, with seven major divisions, made up of Madumere’s life , public service, service to humanity, dedication to the building of cardinal principals, experience in USA and private business in Lagos, as a humanitarian and philanthropist, donations to women and the less privileged, his chairmanship of Red Cross in the state, the Rescue Mission projects which he had been doing with the Governor, showcasing his loyalty to the Governor, his humility and dedication to service which resulted in the traditional titles of Ohamadike and Ogbuhuruzo. He also informed that the book “chronicles his support for promoting sports and talent hunt. He finally described Prince Eze Madumere as a freedom fighter as exemplified in the role he played before the 2011 Governorship election in the state where he fought for the freedom of the masses who needed liberation; consummate politician, philanthropist etc.
Prof. U.D. Anyanwu of Imo University (Book Reviewer 2):
He said that Madumere’s mandate had provided a platform for him to be at the ceremony to review the book, saying that “the book is what the Deputy Governor portrays”. He carefully divided the book into parts: Chapter One, the beginning which includes his education. Two, his struggles since 1998, his activities with Governor Okorocha. Three, service to God and humanity, reveals his support to the poor through philanthropy. Four, selected speeches. Said Chapters Four and Five dealt on compliments and showed his multifaceted talents as a rare gem in life. While Six is reward for hardwork. Said it showed the manifestation of all his characteristics. People also paid tributes and gave their remarks. He said that Chapter 7 focused on the Rescue Mission activities of the Governor. It was later concluded with a brief story on a testimony of all that happened; the contributions between the Deputy Governor and the Governor which transformed the state. He said that the Deputy Governor had shown he was a man of fate and that with his kind of dressing, the devil would not dare him as they stood for unity. And that for Madumere to allow a book to be written on his loyalty and service was a moment of history, adding that he was a good example in governance , remaining loyal to his boss. He observed that some deputies could be something else and could do anything to ridicule their bosses. This, the Governor noted while he was appointing him Deputy Governor in the first tenure as he described him as “My son in whom I am well pleased” and urged people to go for the book as it was a true manifestation of loyalty.
Governor Rochas Okorocha:
Appreciated the author of the book, Peter Clever Obi and the reviewers, Professors Ahaneku and Anyanwu for a job well done. But pointed out that if it was really to know who Madumere was, the author should have called him. He recalled that it was twenty two years ago in America that he met him and since then he had been following him. He described him as being very dedicated in every assignment given to him, adding that he had never seen him as Deputy Governor but a colleague just like those that worked with him.
According to the Governor, “ I sit before he arrives unlike protocol demands, because he relates very well. What is important to us is achieving the target which is results. That is why I can use the best brain whether in my party or not. He has been with me for a long time. When I ran for presidency he was my P.A. and body guard. During Governorship , he was there as S.A.and later became Chief of Staff. I remember when I ran in the ANPP presidential primary against Buhari, he worked out with me when I discovered that the late Okadigbo went and changed the guidelines. Against Yar’adua, I came second, he was there. When I ran for Senate and Governorship he was there. Others like him were Nyerere and Nonye Ragis Opara who remained with me. You become what you are because you deserved to be, not because you were. He never asks me to appoint somebody or ask for money. When he was appointed Deputy Governor, he was given an enclosed envelope to submit to the House of Assembly without knowing that his name was there. He was already leaving when they opened it and told him that his name was there. As long as he remains my son I know his capabilities. If I say sit down, he will sit and if I say move he will move. I know he will obey me. This is not the plant form to launch political war, for those of you who may misinterpret it. He is still my son whom I am well pleased. I have not written a book but it is my joy to see my son rise. I can look back and say, ‘This is the son of Rochas.’ I have many of them and I am optimistic that one of them will take over the mantle of leadership. I have not called you ‘prince’ before but since the author and the reviewers have called you ‘prince’ let me call you ‘.prince.’ You are a success story”.
Okorocha who made it clear that launching the book would not be out of place, dramatized his appreciation by calling on his commissioners and aides, members of the Imo State House of Assembly and the 27 Transition Committee Chairmen to assist him to donate to Madumere’s Foundation. The total amounting to N10 Million.
Prince Eze Madumere:
During his vote of thanks, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere who was being celebrated, thanked those who graced the occasion, especially Governor Okorocha and his wife, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha. He also thanked Governor Ganduje of Kano State and those Deputy Governors who represented their bosses from Oyo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia. He said he never knew the author until he decided to write the book. He recalled with nostalgia how he related with the parents of Governor Okorocha as though they were of the same family and praised the Governor for accepting him into their fold.
