Okorocha finalises plans to unveil statue of Liberia’s president — despite outrage over Zuma

Three weeks after he faced criticisms over a statue he erected in honour of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo state, is set to unveil the statue of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia.

Like Zuma, Sirleaf is expected to pay a two-day working visit to the south-eastern state.

https://twitter.com/GovernorRochas/status/927972083027578880

Zuma’s 30-feet statue was said to have cost N520 million. It is not clear how much Imo government spent on the artwork of the first female president in Africa.

In the heat of the attacks over Zuma’s craft, Okorocha had hinted that he would erect more of such monument.

“And in case these “Galatians” do not know not all we need to do to attract good things or investments to Imo is erecting statues, then, we have no option than to erect as many of such structures as possible,” he had said in a statement which Sam Onwuemeodo, his chief press secretary, issued on his behalf.

“We owe no one apology. Rochas made a promise to open the doors of Imo to the rest of the world, for good and he is doing that and we cannot be deterred by these enemies of our people.”

Sirleaf is billed to arrive the state on November 9.

Her statue is at Freedom Square on Wetheral Road in Owerri, capital of the state, where that of Zuma is.