High Chief Kennedy Zanders, the owner of Imo State’s first private radio station, Zanders FM Owerri, has thrown his weight behind the state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, over his efforts to deliver good governance in the state, especially in road infrastructure.
The Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area-born respected broadcast media icon, entrepreneur, and community leader made this known at the Zanders FM corporate headquarters in Owerri while receiving the executive committee of the Owerri Zone Media Practitioners Association (OZOMPA).
He noted that the governor has significantly transformed road infrastructure in the state while also working hard to revitalize and rebuild other sectors of the economy. High Chief Zanders also lauded the governor for his vision and courage in charting a new political dawn for the state through the Imo Charter of Equity, even as he praised his consistency in advocating and pushing for the implementation of the policy.
According to him, the groundbreaking idea, if realized, would cement the governor’s good governance legacy, while ushering in a new era of equitable and inclusive power sharing among Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe Zones, thereby promoting stability, unity, peace, and sustainable economic growth and development in the state.
He also spoke with clarity on the issue of the zone that should take over from Governor Uzodinma in line with the policy. According to him, Owerri Zone deserves the slot, having remained on the back seat in the occupation of the state’s seat of power for far too long.
The nationally acclaimed broadcast media consultant and innovator, who has contributed immensely to the growth and development of Imo’s broadcast and media sector generally, however, pointed out that while all odds, including the governor himself, appear to be in the zone’s favour, the greater task of making the dream come true rests on the shoulders of the people of the zone.
He, therefore, called on the zone to demonstrate that it is ready and deserving of succeeding the governor by working together and speaking with one voice.
High Chief Zanders, who took his visitors down memory lane on his trajectory in broadcast media, informed them that his technical skills and innovative spirit inspired him to study broadcasting. He pointed out that he received a national award and automatic employment as a youth corps member because of his innovations.
He highlighted that he returned home to use his skills to contribute to the development of the state, stressing that he has largely fulfilled that vision, having not only established the first-ever private radio station in the state but also contributed to making broadcast journalism in the state what it is today through the provision of technical support that led to the establishment of many radio stations.
The legendary media icon informed his visitors that, in line with his vision to leave an enduring legacy in the Imo media landscape, he has established an investigative journalism academy and created several digital technology tools that would enhance investigative and ethical journalism.
He stated that journalists and security personnel in the state would be trained at the training centre, which would be opened soon, on the use of innovative technological devices, which he boasted would revolutionize journalism and security in the state and enhance their work. He noted that the use of these devices would promote excellence, efficiency, ethical journalism, and safety.
He expressed gratitude to OZOMPA for remembering and honouring him for his contributions to the development of broadcast journalism, the Imo media sector, and the economy of the state. He further applauded them for forming the group, as well as the vision that necessitated its formation, promising to actively partner with them to realize the aims and objectives of the association.
In his earlier remarks, Comrade Chinedu Opara, the Chairman of the Owerri Zone Media Practitioners Association (OZOMPA), informed their host that the visit was part of an ongoing initiative by the group to visit and honour Imo media owners and managers of Owerri Zone extraction for their sacrifices and enormous contributions to the growth of the industry and the state’s economy.
He further stated that they also wanted to use the opportunity to formally inform him of the existence of the body, as well as seek his support towards the actualization of the objectives that gave birth to it.
