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The way I see it: Into the future

There is hope in the air in spite of what seems like herculean challenges. It is a season of reflection; A reflection on the state of development in Ikeduru because it is time for Ikeduru to move beyond stereotypes to achieve sustained development , economically, socio culturally, infrastructural development and indeed in every sector.
This periodical was created to not only inspire all sons and daughters of Ikeduru to think of ways to raise the status of Ikeduru to new levels of development. For the past fifty years, Ikeduru which was previously part of the Mbaitoli-Ikeduru Local Government Area; has experienced a pathetic level of development. So near to a State capital territory and yet so depressed economically.
For some years, economic and infrastructural planners of Imo State and the Owerri Capital Territory seem to minimize the strategic location of Ikeduru as a gateway to the State capital. Federal presence and Installations in Ikeduru is at its best description very minimal if at all present except for few policemen and soldiers who have also occupied one of the Developmental centres as their camp.
The theme of this periodical which was not for any selfish reasons was initiated as the cover boldly says: 'FOR THE LOVE OF IKEDURU'. The theme was appropriately chosen for reasons that will be explained later in this piece.
Family friends who visit often wonder why the area is very depressed economically in spite of its proximity to Owerri, the capital of Imo State. The roads are in deplorable conditions, the schools have remained largely unmaintained, the governance structure at the community, town and Local Government levels poor and needs strengthening and improvements. A recent visit to the Headquarters of the Local Government Council brought tears to the eyes of the writer because of the deplorable condition of the secretariat and supporting structures for the various departments.
But then this periodical was not initiated and designed to bring out the woes that astride the fifteen towns that constitute Ikeduru , but to also say to the people of Ikeduru, “We can do better”. It is not a question of 'where were they all this time?' nor to apportion blames but to say to all sons and daughters of the land that now is the time to 'put all hands on the deck' and take Ikeduru to the next level.
Why are our people scared to invest in Ikeduru? So that they would not be 'eliminated' by bad minded people? Why then do our sons and daughters spend millions of Naira and thousands of their hard earned foreign currencies to build houses in Ikeduru that will be locked up and largely remain uninhabited except at Christmas and other festive seasons? Or returned to at funeral and memorial services for the dead?
Most towns in Ikeduru are only about thirty minutes from Owerri but our electricity supply is at its best very poor and when available, weak and unable to sustain any domestic or industrial equipment. The water supplies in various communities are still very poor . The telecommunications networks and services very poor and some networks like GLO are non- existent in the area.
Taking a look at our markets which for centuries have been the centre of our economic, social and cultural activities, have remained largely the same except for a few open and lock up shacks that have been added by private individuals. Management of these markets to sustain growth and economic activities are poor.
Ikeduru can comfortably sustain herself in food security with food produced in Ikeduru. The agricultural sector needs to be developed to its full capacity and which can employ or engage our youths who would want to leave home in search of nonexistent greener pastures in some city. We have the resource persons to do that and don't need to wait for United Nations or some Organization from Europe and America to initiate the process for us.
Recently, I experienced the death of two close family members and a friend who live in Ikeduru whose deaths I believe were avoidable. One died due to excessive blood loss from bleeding from a wound on the leg that could not be contained. This death could have been avoided if there was a medical facility and emergency service that could have responded to the emergency situation quickly.
Industrial development in Ikeduru has remained very poor. It very well seems that except some small scale baking enterprises, only the Aluminum Extrusion Industries in Inyishi which disposes its effluents into the Mba stream is the only Industry of note that has survived. Small-Medium scale production has declined considerably.
This brings one to ask why are the Asians who own the Aluminum Extrusion able to thrive in an economically depressed area doing millions of Naira worth of business annually able to survive and thrive with after several years of purchase of that investment from the Imo State Government without quitting while the so called 'sons of the soil' cannot do efficiently and effectively.
It is sad that in the Twenty first century, there are no public or even school libraries in Ikeduru. The hospitality and entertainment industries are in a poor state so that all roads lead to Owerri for any meaningful activity in this area.
But then with this deplorable state, can we go beyond this and achieve sustained development? The answer is YES!!!! I believe we can. Because with God nothing is impossible. We can achieve it not by our power neither by our might but by trusting in God implicitly and committing our plans through whom nothing is impossible.
This is then a rallying call to all sons and daughters of Ikeduru and those who have their root in Ikeduru wherever they may be in the world, to join in making Ikeduru a place of peace, crime free and a place where businesses can be located, grown and developed to a global enterprise. A place where civil servants, irrespective of cadre who work in Owerri and nearby areas and businessmen and women including those from Aluminum Industries in Inyishi can comfortably live in and rear their children. I believe with all my heart that we can do it.
My thoughts go back to 1983, the year my grand mother of blessed memory Catherine Ihuchi Ukonu passed on. A few months before she passed, I had visited home from University and had gone to visit my grand parents in company of my classmate Nwabueze Emeronye from Inyishi.
My grand mother despite her ailing health, prepared a dish for us and after we had enjoyed, I informed my grandparents that I will be spending the night in Owerri. My grandparents were very disappointed and regrettably that was the last moment I shared with both my grandparents.