Okorocha inaugurates 135-member advisory council

Gibson Achonu, Owerri

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has inaugurated a 135-member Elders Advisory Council.

The elders were chosen from each of the 27 local government areas of the state.

The council’s chairman is Dr. Edwin Onyewuchi while Mr. Pat Abii is the secretary.

While inaugurating the members of the council at the Government House, Owerri, on Tuesday, Okorocha said the elders would advise and provide constructive criticisms to the government.

The Imo governor said the government had taken the time to select the members of the council in order to ensure that none of them was in politics.

He said, “The Elders Advisory Council must be independent. Members would always advise the government.  It would equally offer the government constructive criticisms from time to time.  That is why we have made the council to be independent. We had also taken time in the choice of the members of the council to ensure that they are not in partisan politics and do not have any strong affiliation with any of the political parties or politician.  The essence is to ensure credibility in what they set out to do.”

He said, “This is in line with our belief that elders are those who understand the past and have a clear view of the future. They are people who are in custody of history and what must be done to correct the mistakes of the past to bring improvements to the future.”

“Members of the council are not less than 70 years of age, who must have retired. The council comprises people of integrity, who would not be afraid to say the truth no mater whose ox is gored.”

While addressing the elders, Okorocha said to whom much is given, much was expected.

He also advised them to bridge the gap between the government and the people.

“You should also restore the fallen integrity of the elders in the state by being brave and truthful in the discharge of your duties,” the governor said.

Responding on behalf of the council, Onyewuchi thanked the governor for acknowledging the roles and importance of elders in a democratic setting and assured him that they would leave no stone unturned to achieve the lofty goals for which the council was constituted.

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