Comr. Mike Commends Uzodimma, Urges Oil Companies to Prioritise Host Community Development in Imo
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
Oil and gas companies operating in Imo State have been urged to make meaningful investments in the development of their host communities, particularly in the oil-producing Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency.
The call was made Comr. Christian Mike Onyekachi, FINCSD; during a media chat with members of the Niger Delta Journalists Association (NDJA) held on Monday, July 13, 2026.
The interactive session, chaired by the Association's Chairman, Dr. Austin Okoro of Standard Times Newspaper, focused on governance, development, youth empowerment, the role of the media, and the socio-economic realities of the oil-rich federal constituency.
Speaking during the discussion, Mike commended the administration of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for what he described as remarkable achievements in governance, while expressing concern over what he called the failure of multinational oil companies operating in the state to deliver tangible benefits to their host communities.
"It is very unfortunate that Imo State has over seven oil companies operating, including the Anoh Gas Plant. All of them are located in Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency, but they have failed to provide visible employment opportunities for the youth and meaningful development in the host communities," he said.
The community development advocate noted that while the state government has continued to execute projects across different sectors, the same level of commitment has not been demonstrated by companies benefiting from the state's natural resources.
Mike, who is a leading realtor, Fellow of the Institute of Negotiators, Community and Social Development Expert, praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for what he described as transformational leadership.
"Everybody can attest to the fact that our governor has performed. His performance indices are there for everyone to see in infrastructure, health, education, party unity, social well-being of the people, payment of salaries as and when due—name them. Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON, has not disappointed the people of Imo State, and I commend him greatly," he stated.
He argued that despite the enormous economic value generated from oil and gas exploration in the state, many communities hosting these facilities continue to face severe infrastructural deficits and widespread unemployment.
"Unfortunately, the oil companies in the state have not replicated this leadership as socially responsible corporate bodies. Imo State has about seven oil companies, the highest gas deposit in Africa with the Anoh Gas Plant, Water Smith, Adax, Splat, and one of the biggest flow stations with Sterling Global Resources. Yet the host communities wallow in abject poverty. There is no youth employment, no hospitals, no roads. In fact, there is little or no implementation of their corporate social responsibility to the host communities. This is very sad," he remarked.
He therefore called on all oil and gas firms operating in Imo State to urgently review their corporate social responsibility programmes.
"I am using this opportunity to call on all the various oil companies in Imo State to declare an emergency on youth unemployment and the provision of social amenities in their host communities," Mike added.
The President and Founder of the Mike and Joy Empowerment Foundation also spoke on the political situation in Imo State and the country, reaffirming his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite losing the party's ticket for the Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency House of Representatives election.
According to him, internal democracy within the APC should be respected, stressing that he remains loyal to the party and its leadership.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reforms, acknowledging that while some policies have imposed short-term hardship on Nigerians, they were designed to secure long-term national prosperity.
"I am a party man and believe that the party is supreme. My intention for running for the Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency is to bring positive changes in the system. This is not to play down the roles and efforts of all those that have represented the Federal Constituency in the past. Each of them has contributed their best within their capabilities and the political circumstances they found themselves.
"I think I am younger, energetic, have the resources, connect with the people through my years of political participation, especially among the grassroots and the youth. I believed it would be fair and equitable for the party leadership to consider me for the ticket, but the leadership of the party thought otherwise.
"So, I have already congratulated him, believing in the wisdom and decisions of the party and, importantly, will do everything within my best to support him to win. Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency is for APC. We have a candidate already, and that is Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu. My supporters and I will support him because we believe so much in the party and our governor," he said.
Mike further expressed optimism about the APC's chances in the next general elections, stating that the administration of President Tinubu would continue to earn public confidence as the impact of ongoing reforms becomes more evident.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient with the Federal Government, insisting that many of the current economic policies were aimed at building a stronger and more sustainable economy.
On media development, Mike underscored the importance of journalism in promoting accountability, transparency and democratic governance.
He said his engagement with the Niger Delta Journalists Association was motivated by a desire to establish a long-term partnership that would promote development across the oil-producing communities.
"I am delighted to have you here for this breakfast meeting. I ought to have called you people before the primaries, but I was careful not to politicise the meeting. Journalists are the spirit and livewire of every society.
"I want the Niger Delta Journalists Association to be a voice of reason for the constituency and Imo State at large by calling leaders to accountability, raising the right debates for social change, development and the dissemination of accurate information for public knowledge.
"On this note, I want to partner with you for the good of our people. This is not for politics but for development. Beyond politics, we have always done our best in uplifting the masses.
"As the CEO of Mike and Joy Empowerment Foundation, a non-profit organisation, we have been empowering people across Imo State. During Imo @50, we rolled out several empowerment programmes in our Federal Constituency and across the state, ranging from entrepreneurship support, educational grants, healthcare interventions and business grants.
"We are doing this in line with the Shared Prosperity Government of Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, which Governor Hope Uzodimma coordinates nationally. Therefore, I want to partner with the Niger Delta Journalists Association for development and empowerment so long as it serves humanity," he concluded.
Responding, the Chairman of the Niger Delta Journalists Association, Dr. Austin Okoro, appreciated Mike for engaging with members of the association and reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to ethical journalism.
He assured that the association would continue to uphold professionalism, promote factual reporting and contribute to constructive public discourse, particularly on issues affecting the oil-producing communities of Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta and Oru-West Federal Constituency.
Other media practitioners present at the breakfast meeting included:
Mr. Zeph Anene Onyirima – Horn Newspaper
Chief Vitalis Iwueze – Arrow Newspaper
Mr. JohnKennedy Uzoma – Nigerian Tribune
Pastor Emeka Nwulu – News Page
Mr. Williams Odunze – Daily Post
Hon. John Uchenwoke-Ekperechi – Inside Agwa News.
