By Prince Eze Ugochukwu
Come 12 noon tomorrow the 24th of October 2023, Governor Hope Uzodimma will once again appear on a radio phone-in program which will be syndicated simultaneously across most radio stations in Imo State and beyond. The last in the series was held on the 4th of January 2023.
History recorded that another great hero took the same approach in times past. That was Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The fireside chats were a series of evening radio addresses given by Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States, between 1933 and 1944. On radio, he was able to quell rumors, counter conservative-dominated newspapers and explain his policies directly to the American people.
Although the chats were initially meant to garner Americans’ support for Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, they eventually became a source of hope and security for all Americans. The chats were influential in reformulating the American worldview from one of despair to one of hope during a time of multiple crises, including the Great Depression and World War II.
The interactive radio phone-in program by the governor does have some similarities to the "fireside chats" of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Both involve a leader directly communicating with the public through the radio, and both have the goal of building trust and confidence. In the case of Governor Uzodimma's program, the added element of interactivity allows for a two-way conversation, which can be even more effective at building relationships and understanding. It's a reminder that, even in the digital age, the power of the spoken word is still a valuable tool for leadership.
It was on Democracy Day, 12th June 2021 that Governor Hope Uzodimma held his first phone-in program on the radio in a direct no-holds barred question and answer session with Imo people from all works of life.
With that outing, Governor Uzodimma opened a brand new vista in his interface with Imo people. Coming then at the heat of insecurity and covid19 pandemic, Governor Uzodimma was able to give hope and encouragement to Imo people. Eventually he triumphed over all these impediments.
Uzodimma's radio phone-in programme; an initiative of the governor himself has emboldened participatory democracy in Imo State. Never before in the history of Imo State has a governor engaged directly with the people in an uncensored conversation.
For Uzodimma, the question and answer session was an avenue and an instrument of public education in the affairs of the state. Afterall, democracy and governance is of the people and for the people.
Governor Uzodimma has continued to showcase good leadership qualities, and his phone-in programs has allowed him to connect with the people on a personal level. Listeners can call in and have a direct conversation with him.This creates a sense of trust and connection that is difficult to achieve through other mediums, like social media or television.
With his phone-in radio interface, Governor Uzodimma is now bringing the people of Imo State together as a union unimpeded. Different classes of Imo people, from different backgrounds, with different problems and challenges now have direct communication with their beloved governor.
Questions will be answered, clarifications will be made, explanations will be given to assist the uninformed, and most importantly, empathy will be broadened where necessary as an act of good governance meant for the governed themselves.
For this edition of the radio chat, His Excellency will host a two-hour live phone-in programme with all private and public radio stations in the state even some from neighbouring states. This will also be streamed live online to give Imo people – including those in the diaspora – the opportunity to seek clarifications and ask questions on all aspects of governance of the state.
This is the Audacity of *"HOPE"*
*Prince Eze Ugochukwu is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Public Enlightenment.
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