Otti (left), with Mrs. Victoria Mbakwe, during the visit last weekend
Otti, first governor to visit me since my husband’s demise- Mbakwe’s widow
*I’m apostle of Mbakwe’s leadership style – Otti
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Mrs. Victoria Mbakwe, wife of the sage, Late Sam Mbakwe, a former Governor of Old Imo State, has said that Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, was the first sitting Governor to visit her in her Avutu-Obowo country home since the death of her husband.
Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe, born in 1929, was the first democratic Governor of Imo State, from October 1979 to December 3, 1983 when the federal civilian administration headed by President Alhaji Shehu Shagari, was overthrown by the military junta. Mbakwe died on January 5, 2004.
The 87-year old widow of the late popular Igbo politician on account of his accomplishments as Governor, while receiving Governor Alex Otti who came calling at the home town of the Mbakwes, remarked that the Abia Governor was the first to visit them in their home in the past 19 years when the head of their family passed on.
According to her, other governors have been visiting by proxy, adding that this was what made Otti’s presence in their home very important.
She commended the Governor for all that he was doing in Abia State, an indication that he would work like her late husband and advised the Governor to always make out time to go round to see things for himself like her late husband used to do. Mrs Victoria Mbakwe implored Abians to always support and pray for the Governor to succeed.
Earlier, Governor Otti, in his remarks, had described late Sam Mbakwe as a great and visionary leader, whose achievements in the old Imo State remain unequalled, noting that some of the roads Mbakwe built in Aba and other parts of the State were still standing till today.
The Governor, therefore, called on present and future leaders to emulate the leadership qualities of late Sam Mbakwe, who, he said, among other things, was in the habit of visiting many areas and project sites, saying that it was for the same reason that he (Otti) was always out to see things for himself.
He thanked God for keeping Mrs. Mbakwe active and in good health and prayed that she remains alive to offer pieces of advice to the younger generation.
First son of late Sam Mbakwe , Mr. Alex Mbakwe, had earlier received the Governor and his delegation on arrival and also conducted them round the compound, including the mausoleum of late Sam Mbakwe.
