BY CHIDI NKWOPARA
Twenty seven youths from the 27 local council areas of Imo State were recently sponsored to South Africa by Governor Ikedi Ohakim to witness the first ever World Cup tournament to hold on African soil. The 25-year old Miss Chinaza Cathrine Obinna, a native of Umugakwo Eziama, Ngor Okpala local government area, was among the lucky ones. Here in this exclusive interview, Miss Obinna narrated how she was selected, her experience in South Africa and gratitude to the Governor.
How did you get the chance to travel to South Africa?

I got the chance through a transparent raffle draw. There was a form which was rolled out by Imo State Government. All interested persons filled it through the internet and the comfort of our homes. After this exercise, government set up a task force to implement the project. This body then scheduled Sunday, May 16, 2010, for the draws. The successful youths were chosen through the raffle draw.

Chinaza Cathrine Obinna,

How much did you pay to win the ticket?

I did not pay anybody and honestly, none of us paid a dime to anybody to win the ticket to travel to South Africa. It was free of charge.

Who picked your travel bills?

It was the Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim. Our Governor prepared our passports and all travel documents. We did not pass through any hassle in getting all the necessary things done, including our visas.

What was your experience like in South Africa?

Our sojourn in South Africa was very nice, indeed enjoyable. In fact, we enjoyed our stay in that country. I believe our Governor tried as much as he could to make sure that we were treated fine.

Did you visit places of interest?

We visited so many places of interest. We visited the Nigerian High Commissioner’s Office, Desmond Tutu’s house, Nelson Mandela’s house and the cemetery where all those who died fighting against the apartheid regime. We were told that the memorial ceremonies of these fallen heroes and heroines are celebrated yearly on June 16, in pomp and pageantry in South Africa.

Were there other things you experienced?

Yes, there were. Their freezing weather was very harsh to those of us who were first timers to such weather condition.

The Nigerian weather is hot and theirs is very chilly. It was so bad that we had to botch some of our programmed tours. We could not even go out with ease to buy something to eat. Honestly, their weather was biting. Again, it was suicidal to request for cold drinks and we did not ask for the drinks to be boiled either (laughs).

Did you see heaps of refuse anywhere in South Africa?

We did not see anything like that. Even in the car, we were sternly warned by our guides that anybody found to be littering the streets would face appropriate sanctions. I believe that is what our Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, is trying to do by introducing Clean and Green Initiative.

The sad thing is that our people here hate to adhere to instructions and that is why in some places here in Owerri and other cities in Nigeria, filth is found littered here and there. You do not see such things in South Africa because over there they make sure that everybody adheres to the rule despite the person’s status in society.

What promise are you making the state?

When Governor Ohakim addressed us in South Africa, he told us that he is now our daddy, adding that we should address him as such. So, our daddy has so many good things which he packaged for Imo State, especially the youths. I believe him that he has a lot of things lined up for Imo youths.

There are so many things he taught us there which we never knew before and will not forget in a hurry. I believe these were some of things he had in mind in bringing us to South Africa, as well as establish them in Imo State. I have no doubt that our dear Governor has fine tuned plans to bring a lot of the development programmes we saw in South Africa to Imo State.

Such thing will lead to moral, physical and economic development. If the youth adhere to what he is doing, the Governor will do more the ones he has already done. He has nice packages that will transform Imo into a place like South Africa.

In your view, is Governor Ohakim serious about his promises?

Yes, I can confidently say so now. When we visited the Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa, Gen. Buba Marwa, he made mention of other Nigerian governors who came to South Africa with their friends. But Imo State Governor did something different. Instead of travelling with his fellow big men, he chose to take youths along.

I count myself lucky because I have never touched a plane before in my life not to talk of flying in it. Today, I have not only flown in a plane but have used for over a five-hour trip. We spent five hours and 13 minutes to fly from Lagos to South Africa. This is my first experience, an experience I will never forget in a hurry.

Gen. Marwa mentioned so many good he had been hearing about Governor Ohakim. He was impressed with what the Governor is doing in Imo State. He had a doubt that Imo will be ahead of other states. He also urged us to be committed to God and loyal to the state government because it will favour mostly the youths.

What do you want to tell the Governor?

I want to use this opportunity to thank  , the Governor of Imo State, for his kindness. He has tried so much. It is great that he picked 27 youths in a most transparent manner and moved them to South Africa.

He gave an opportunity to experience so many good things in our lives. He has also made some promises to us.