By Grace Ofurum
A distinguished Nigerian scholar, entrepreneur, a philanthropist and the Executive Director of Center for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) , Dr. Matthew Chima Amadi (popularly known as Mazi Gburugburu, Okpata Ozuo-Oha), has urged the people of Imo State, particularly the youth, to take a stand against poor leadership to restore accountability and progress in governance.
Speaking at the official inauguration of The Mazi Organization (TMO) Owerri Bloc at the Government Technical College (GTC), Owerri, on Tuesday, Dr. Amadi emphasized the need for decisive action to promote good governance and meaningful development. He expressed optimism that such efforts would foster social growth and economic prosperity in a state endowed with abundant human and material resources.
Addressing a large crowd at the event, Amadi lamented the passivity of citizens, which he believes has emboldened corrupt leaders to plunder the state’s resources and mismanage its patrimony. He encouraged Imo people to assert their rights and hold leaders accountable, stressing that doing so would pave the way for peace, progress, and sustainable development.
“I represent a new way of doing things,” Dr. Amadi stated, decrying the decline of critical infrastructure such as education, healthcare, power, and other public institutions. He noted that these sectors are in disarray, leaving the populace to endure widespread poverty and hardship.
“We need to restore sanity in Imo State. Our people must rise and reclaim the state. The patrimony our forefathers left us—hotels, farm settlements, hospitals, schools, industries, and more—has been recklessly destroyed by today’s leaders, many of whom cannot even run their personal businesses effectively,” he said.
Dr. Amadi, while clarifying that he is not yet venturing into politics, urged coordinators of The Mazi Organization to engage with communities across the state to educate citizens on the group’s mission to address their needs and resist bad leadership for the benefit of Imo State.
In his earlier remarks, the Coordinator of The Mazi Organization, Comr. Obioma Onwuegbucha, described TMO as a movement committed to empowering communities and achieving political and developmental goals. He praised Dr. Amadi for his unwavering dedication to humanity, describing him as a blessing to society.
The event was graced by notable dignitaries, including Okenze Obinna, former members of the Imo State House of Assembly—Hon. Blyden Amajuruonwu (Ngor-Okpala Constituency), Hon. Crown Njoku (Ihitte-Uboma Constituency), and Hon. Uche Ogbuagu—among others.
