Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe’s administration (1979-1983) stands as one of the most impactful and visionary periods in the history of Imo State. His dedication to industrial development remains unmatched, and the scope of his achievements still resonates decades later, despite the neglect that followed.
Aside from the Imo newspapers and Imo concorde hotel which is being rebuilt by the current governor Senator Uzodinma, no governor since then has made a concerted effort to revive other key industries established by Sam Mbakwe, such as the Resin Paint Industry in Aboh Mbaise, the Imo Modern Poultry Farm in Obowo, the Paper Packaging Industry in Owere Ebiri Orlu, the Aluminum Smelter Plant in Inyishi, and the Power Plant at Amaraku, which was eventually sold off by a succeeding military government. These once-thriving corporations, which were cornerstones of Imo’s economic growth, have been left to decay under successive administrations.
One of his most prominent achievements was the Amaraku Power Station, the first state-owned and independent electricity generating station in Nigeria. This plant was meant to supply power to drive the state’s industrial growth, but it was sold off by subsequent administrations, and today, Imo suffers from chronic power shortages.
Mbakwe also established the Aluminum Extrusion Industry in Inyishi, which was designed to support the construction industry with locally produced aluminum materials. Another major project was the Resin and Paint Manufacturing Plant in Aboh Mbaise, which had the potential to generate significant revenue for the state but was later abandoned.
Among his agricultural ventures, the Avutu Poultry Farm in Obowo was once the largest poultry farm in West Africa. It provided employment and a steady supply of poultry products, contributing to both the local and regional economy. Sadly, like most of Mbakwe’s projects, the poultry farm was neglected after his tenure, and its operations have largely ceased.
Mbakwe’s foresight also extended to education, with the establishment of Imo State University and the Imo Polytechnic, which were intended to create a highly skilled workforce that could sustain the state’s growing industries. Additionally, he laid the foundation for Imo Tiles Industry in Nsu, aimed at capitalizing on local raw materials like clay and kaolin.
Despite financial constraints and federal government neglect, Mbakwe’s ability to mobilize resources, including communal contributions for the Imo Airport, showed his capacity for creative governance. His administration also constructed durable roads, such as the only motorable road in Owerri’s industrial layout, which still stands today.
In stark contrast, successive governors have failed to build on his foundation. Rather than continuing Mbakwe’s legacy of industrialization and self-reliance, they have turned to political patronage, focusing on personal enrichment and neglecting the state’s infrastructure and industries. Today, Imo’s industries are in decay, and governance has become synonymous with mediocrity.
The contrast between Mbakwe’s era and the present is clear: while Mbakwe empowered the people through job creation and industrial growth, today’s governors have largely empowered political thugs and sycophants. The result is a stagnated economy, decaying infrastructure, and a state that relies on handouts rather than self-sufficiency.
After Mbakwe, the quality of leadership in Imo State took a nosedive. Today, the state’s resources are channeled toward personal political ambitions. Governors now seem more interested in securing positions in Abuja than in building Imo. State funds are used to advance their careers, and their attention is focused on securing favor from political kingmakers, leaving governance by the wayside.
Imo State never had it so good as during Mbakwe’s time, and it is imperative to remember this golden era to advocate for a return to visionary leadership.
As we reflect on Mbakwe’s leadership, it becomes clear that his vision was not just for his tenure but for the future of Imo State. He saw a state where industries flourished, where power was locally generated, where young people were educated and employed, and where agriculture provided food and wealth. That future is still possible, but it requires leaders who are willing to build for the future, not just for themselves.
Imo State’s industrial and economic stagnation is a direct result of the abandonment of Mbakwe’s legacy. The people of Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi, once beneficiaries of Mbakwe’s far-reaching policies, are now left to fend for themselves, betrayed by leaders who lack vision and competence.
Mbakwe’s tenure was a brief but shining example of what is possible when leadership is focused on the common good, not personal gain. His achievements should serve as both a reminder and a rallying cry. Imo State has the potential to rise again, but it will take leaders with the same level of commitment, vision, and courage that Mbakwe had.
Sam Mbakwe remains the benchmark against which all other governors of Imo State are measured, and rightly so. He built industries, provided electricity, empowered local talent, and ran a profitable state-owned business. Today, we are left with leaders who empower political thugs and use state resources for personal advancement. The industrial projects that Mbakwe started, which should have been the foundation for sustained economic growth, have been allowed to crumble.
It’s time for Imo State to remember its past and demand a return to the values and vision that Mbakwe represented. Without that, the state will continue its slow descent into economic irrelevance, forever mourning the lost opportunity that Sam Mbakwe gave them.
We can only hope that one day, another leader with Mbakwe’s drive and commitment will rise and give Imo State the future it truly deserves. Until then, we remember Sam Mbakwe and the golden era that might have been.
By Duruebube Hon. Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
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