It was a cold rainy day but the hall of the Ojez Bar and Restaurant, National Stadium, Lagos was filled to capacity. To casual observers, the event at the hall could pass for another 'owambe' party like the numerous ones that litter the streets of the state every other weekend. However, it was Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State doing the seemingly impossible – bringing Abia to Lagos!

The event, a meeting of all town union executives in Lagos with representatives of the state government, was held to intimate Abia citizens of the various projects embarked on since the present administration took over.

Shedding light on the purpose of the town hall meeting, James Okpara, the Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Public Relations, said the event was also to refute certain falsehoods that were being spread through the media.

Okpara added that the Lagos Town Hall meeting was not the first of such events, as one had been held in Cotonou. He disclosed that more of such meetings were being planned.

"It is said that our governor does not believe in noisemaking, which is true," he said. "Maybe people now took advantage of that and are writing falsehood in the papers. Roads that were done, they said they were not done; projects that were done, they said they weren't done.

"So the decision was taken that we cannot call every Abian in Lagos at the same time, but Abians, being Ibos, they believe a lot in town union meetings so when you meet with the executives of the town union, when they go to their respective town unions they will tell theirselves: this is what we have seen. It is not a question of stories; it is what they have seen with their eyes."

And the executives were not disappointed as slide after slide showed the different projects the state government had done since it assumed office. As the slides rolled, Kingsley Megwara, Orji’s Special Adviser on Diaspora, explained each.

Megwara said the government had built 255 health centres located in the three senatorial districts of Abia State, to enable the people enjoy healthcare services.

He added that federal roads that had been abandoned by the federal government were being rehabilitated by the state government to provide succour to its citizens who make use of the roads.

The slides showed the 6,000-capacity International Conference Center, which is an ongoing project; a diagnostic centre; the reconstructed Osisioma Roundabout and Motor Park; and some electricity projects the state invested in.

“The diagnostic centre the governor has brought to our state has made it possible for our brothers and sisters who would be travelling to India, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia to seek sophisticated healthcare. We’ve just brought in the machines and brought the doctors too,” Megwara said.

[b]Speaking further on the state of electricity in the state, the special adviser disclosed that the governor pumped N1.2 billion naira into PHCN to ensure steady supply of power in the state.

“What used to be a terrible power system in Abia State is now being corrected,” he said. “A lot of people thought it was PHCN but the Abia State Government put in N1.2 billion to assist PHCN. We’ve ensured steady power flow in Umuahia and its surrounding areas.”

At the end of the slideshow, room was given for questions, to which answers were provided by Chigozie Nwakodo, the Economic Adviser to Abia State governor. Giving further insight into the activities of the state government, Nwakodo explained that other areas where the Abia State government had invested include youth empowerment and education.

In a brief speech, the Economic Adviser said: “There are 5,000 youths from all local government areas of Abia State who are being paid a stipend of N15,000 a month to enable them learn a trade.

“Each local government has representation – the minimum is 300 in each local govt. Their basic stipend is N15,000 and then some of them are being assisted in skill acquisition centres in schools, universities, in learning a trade, agriculture, and in public works.
[/b]
“Currently, there’s a N1billion loan scheme that the state government has begun to process for the youths and women in agriculture. The purpose is that those who qualify and want to invest in agriculture would get part of this fund to develop farms and all kinds of agro-processing to empower them.”

Nwakodo encouraged all Abians to come to the state and invest in building industries and private companies to employ the teeming youths.

On education, Nwakodo explained that the state has a teacher-pupil ratio of 1 to 25. He however noted that the challenge the state is facing in its drive to make education available for all was that public school teachers do not show up for work. To counter this trend, the government has taken the bold step of returning schools that were previously owned by religious associations back to them.

At the end of the event, some of the attendees praised the governor for bringing Abia to Lagos. Speaking to Daily Times, a man who identified himself as Emeka Egbuchilem said the occasion was an eye opener to the activities of the governor.

“It is you members of the press that spread lies,” he said. “The last time I went to Abia was 2008. This occasion has shown that Governor Theodore Orji is an action governor.”
http://dailytimes.com.ng/

Ak, nwanne mu kedu ife i no nime thread eme?

chino24: Ak, nwanne mu kedu ife i no nime thread eme?

nwanne kedu ije?onwero much long time how is akwa?

ak47mann: nwanne kedu ije?onwero much long time how is akwa?

Nwanne mu, Awka is good. Kedu maka Europe? Dalu.

Our Mission Statement
Our Vision
Our Objectives
Our Values
Our worldwide contacts.

Mission Statement:

To ensure that leaders at all levels of government in Abia State deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

Vision:

To engage Abia indigenes and residents in enlightenment programmes that focus on qualities of good governance and service delivery by all levels of government.

Objectives:

1. To demand good governance from the leaders of Abia State by approved legal means and through regular and periodic town-hall meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, rallies, legal actions, investigative journalism and other acceptable pressure group gimmicks and methods.

2. To increase and sustain political education and public awareness of the activities and or failures of public office holders through the above-stated means.

3. To ensure adequate protection of the civil rights and freedom of Abia State citizens.

4. To serve as the alternative mouth piece of the citizens of Abia State.

5. To act as a catalyst for achieving enduring unity, peace and integration among component bodies of Abia State.

6. To encourage the state and local governments of Abia State to embark on serious and visible educational, health, agricultural and infrastructural developmental programmes.

7. To hold both the state and local governments accountable and responsible to the people of the state.

8. To fashion out and employ benchmarks for periodic assessment of the performance of elected and appointed leaders in Abia State.

9. To encourage and reward policies, achievements and excellence which positively impact the citizens or residents Abia State.



VALUES:

. Integrity

. Respect of rule of law

. Good leadership

. Equality

. Accountability

. Innovation.


Recognition:

The Abia Awakening is getting stronger by the day and millions of Abians are catching the vision worldwide.

The Abia Awakening (TAA) is committed to work with other organizations in the Diaspora and Abia state that are dedicated to good governance and the rule of law in Abia state.

We are committed to collaboration, transparency and volunteerism in the pursuit of our goals for a better Abia state.


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1. That TAA is owned by an individual:
Answer: No. TAA was initiated by some persons who came together for the purpose of demanding good leadership.

2. That TAA is being sponsored by Politicians or Groups of people.
Answer: False. TAA is sponsored by it members and has no plans for seeking sponsorship from any politicians other than its members.

3. That TAA is a Political Party:
Answer: Wrong Assumption: TAA is a non-partisan group that advocates for good governance of our Abia indigenes.

4. That TAA was initiated by hungry/political office holders for relevance:
Answer: No. Most initiators are young professionals in different endavours and are doing very well. Besides, they are fulfilled and need no political recognition from the government.

5. That TAA hates opposing views on its discussion:
Answer: No. TAA allows everyone to air their views on any issues being discussed as long as such does not abuse or insult any commentator.

6. That TAA will soon be bought over:
Answer: Wrong Perception. TAA is solid and most decisions are taken by a Board and not one person.

7. That TAA is anti government and particularly hates T.A. ORJI.
Answer: TAA is not anti-government and doesn’t hate T.A. Orji; rather, TAA only hates & abhors bad governance.

8. That TAA is a group for a particular zone:
Answer: This is erroneous view. TAA is not tribalistic. Infact, TAA is a group of Abians who have their state at heart and for the good of all Abians.

9. That TAA is autocratic in her operations:
Answer: TAA has basic Rules and Terms guiding comments and contributions on its wall; ignorance of them wont be an excuse for being penalized to ensure credibility of the group.

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