The “Ministry of Happiness” created by Ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State in which he was derided is being replicated in far Russia as the far-eastern peninsula of Kamchatka plans to lift local mood with “Ministry of Happiness”. The governor of the vast, but remote and sparsely populated Kamchatka region, Vladimir Solodov who came into office on April 3, 2020; but was officially proclaimed Governor on September, 21 has proposed setting up a Ministry of Happiness to lift the mood on the wet and windy weather-beaten promontory.
Kamchatka, the size of the United Kingdom, with a population smaller than that of Malta, is snowbound for half the year, and has a climate ranging from subarctic in the south to polar in the north. Now, 38-year-old Governor Vladimir Solodov plans to get locals smiling, against the odds. The move forms part of wider reforms to government agencies on the peninsula.
Ex-Governor Okorocha created the Ministry of Happiness in Imo State to cater to issues relating to happiness of the citizens. According to Okorocha’s media aide, “Most people are unhappy because of ignorance. So the government of the day acting under requisite constitutional province, created that ministry of happiness and purpose fulfilment … This is all about promoting happiness in Imo”.
As the Senator representing Imo West, Okorocha has in July, 2019, called for creation of Federal Ministry of Happiness to curtail the rising rate of suicide.