Fides Media Living the Faith
By Jude Atupulazi
A special summit has been held in honour of the immediate past Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development Partners, Mr Mark Okoye, in Awka, Anambra State.
The event which was held last Tuesday, was organized by youth groups under the leadership of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
The state chairman of NYCN, Comrade Obidinma Morgan, in a speech during the event, disclosed that ‘Anambra youth groups, having observed the commendable achievements of Hon Okoye in the state public sector for the past ten years, decided to appreciate and honour him.’
The spiritual father of the day cum guest speaker Rev Fr Maximus Muojeke, in his lecture, titled, ”Youth participation in government – the example of Mark Okoye”, testified that the former Commissioner had proved himself a rare breed in politics, stating that he initiated many things that helped the state government in recording huge success in the past administrations.
The Anambra State coordinators of “Not too Young to Run”, Hon Nonso Orakwe; Chike Okonkwo; Ify Aronu; Chuks Egbue and others in their testimonies, described Hon Okoye as an epitome of professionalism, as well as a strategist who displayed a high level of competence in the various capacities he served in government, adding that his humility, simplicity and dedication to duty were second to none.
Anambra Youth Groups, in a unanimous voice vote, called on the former Commissioner to consider contesting for the seat of Federal House of Assembly in the next general election in order to favourably represent the people of Njikoka, Aniocha and Dunukofia Federal Constituency. They further enjoined Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s Administration to run a youth inclusive government, noting that the youth who served in the past administrations performed creditably well.
Hon. Okoye, while appreciating the youth groups for recognizing his accomplishments, said he was happy he succeeded in making a great impact in the public sector, starting from age 25 when he was appointed SSA to former Governor Peter Obi.
While indicating his readiness to serve in other higher levels of governance if given the opportunity and the mandate, he charged youth to always embrace the politics of value, productivity and performance, which, he said, was not just rewarding but capable of transforming the state and the entire nation. He also promised to mull over their request.
It will be recalled that Hon Mark Okoye started his journey into the public sector at the very young age of 25. At the age of 30 he was found worthy to be a commissioner. Within the past ten years, he has worked for five former governors, including Mr Peter Obi, Chief Willie Obiano, Godwin Obaseki, Donald Duke and the current governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.