₦airaland Forum

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A new Commissioner has been sworn-in into the Abia State executive council to man the Ministry of Transport. He is Chief Kingsley Imaga.

Swearing-in the new Commissioner, the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu charged the Commissioner not to give enemies of government the platform to launch attacks as transport is an enabler to drive the economic catalyst.



The Governor who disclosed that he would, in the next two weeks, launch Abia Taxi scheme named INAGA ABIA, expressed confidence that Chief Imaga would perform and congratulated him on his appointment.

Responding, the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Transport, Chief Imaga thanked the Governor for considering him worthy of the appointment and promised to discharge his duties effectively.

2019 ELECTION: ABIA TRADITIONAL RULERS ENDORSE IKPEAZU

All traditional rulers in Abia State have endorsed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for re-election in 2019. The traditional rulers from all autonomous communities in the state cited good Performance in office, Equity in Abia State, prevailing Peace and need to allow the governor continue his hope giving projects in the state for another 4 years.



Below is the communique endorsed on behalf of Ndi Eze Abia State by the Chairmen of all 17 LGAs Council of Ndi Eze and the Chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Eberechi Dick.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS AT A MEETING HELD AT ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS SECRETARIAT, MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS, OGURUBE LAYOUT, UMUAHIA ON FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER, 2018.



COMMUNIQUE
At a general meeting of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers held at Abia State Council of Traditional Ruler’s Secretariat, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogurube layout, Umuahia and presided over by His Eminence, Eze Dr. Eberechi Dick JP, Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers and attended by the Principal Officers and the seventeen Advisory Committee Chairmen and the entire Council on Friday 28thSeptember, 2018, the meeting reviewed the political situation in Abia State, the relative peace, harmony, developmental strides, the rotation of the Governorship seat among the three Senatorial zones, and the series of adoptions of Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhDfor the 2019 General Election including but not limited to the following:
1. The adoption of Governor Victor Okezie IkpeazuPhD by the two blocs that make up Abia State-Ukwana Ngwa bloc and Old Bende Bloc. Both have held rallies adopting him for the wonderful job he has done within the period under review despite distractions and court cases.


2. The entire Abia State Market Associations have equally adopted Governor Victor Okezie IkpeazuPhD as their sole candidate come 2019 General Election because of his love, affection and interest towards them.
3. The Abia State Landlords Association has equally thrown their weight behind the re-election of Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD come 2019, as a result of his humane disposition, benevolence and care towards them.
4. The Abia State Transport Association in conjunction with Okada Riders and Tricycle Operators has at the same time chosen Governor Victor Okezie IkpeazuPhD as their choice for 2019 election.
5. The Association of Nigerian Students, Abia State Chapter has unequivocally expressed their preference for Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD as the man of the moment.
6. The Civil/Public Servants of Abia State are singing the same song that Governor Victor OkezieIkpeazu PhD should be allowed to do his second term for meeting his statutory obligations towards them.


From the foregoing, and based on the wisdom of the founding fathers as enshrined in the Abia Charter of Equity in which Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia North governed Abia State between 1999-2007 (8 years), Chief T. A. Orji from Abia central governed Abia State between 2007 to 2015 (8 years). In the spirit of this equity, Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD should be allowed to do his eight ( years. His case should not be different because all equities are in his favour. More so, he has done excellently well.
Consequently, we the Traditional Rulers from all the Autonomous Communities of Abia State do hereby re-affirm the positions earlier taken by the above bodies, Associations, Unions and Interest Groups by adopting Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD as the sole candidate for the 2019 Governorship Election in the overall interest of peace, equity, harmony and peaceful co-existence among the people of God’s Own State.


We so unanimously agreed.

Signed:

1. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE L. A. WOGU
CHAIRMAN, ABA NORTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

2. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE V. U. ASONYE
CHAIRMAN, ABA SOUTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

3. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE LINUS MBAH NTOH
CHAIRMAN, AROCHUKWU TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

4. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE ENGR. PATRICK UDE
CHAIRMAN, BENDE TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

5. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE C. U. EJIRIKA
CHAIRMAN, IKWUANO TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

6. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE J. N. NWABEKE
CHAIRMAN, ISIALA NGWA NORTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

7. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE P. N. OKPANKU
CHAIRMAN, ISIALA NGWA SOUTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

8. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE EZO UKANDU
CHAIRMAN, ISUIKWUATO TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

9. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE F. M. IKPEAZU
CHAIRMAN, OBINGWA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL


10. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE K. K. OGBU (IV)
CHAIRMAN, OHAFIA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

11. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE M. C. MBAOGU
CHAIRMAN, OSISIOMA NGWA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

12. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE H. N. UGWUALA
CHAIRMAN, UGWUNAGBO TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

13. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE IKEAGWUCHI EKEKE
CHAIRMAN, UKWA EAST TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

14. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE G. C. UKANNA
CHAIRMAN, UKWA WEST TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

15. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE PST. PHILIP AJOMIWE
CHAIRMAN, UMUAHIA NORTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

16. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE G. C. ONWUKA
CHAIRMAN, UMUAHIA SOUTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

17. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE (PROF) S. I. NWANKWO
CHAIRMAN, UMUNNEOCHI TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

18. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE ELDER S. A. OKORIE
SECOND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, 
ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

19. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE G. C. CHIONYE (PhD.)
FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, 
ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

20​…………………………………………….........................................
HIS EMINENCE EZE (DR) EBERECHI N. DICK (JP)
CHAIRMAN, ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

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Okezie Ikpeazu: When Performance Justifies Equity and Deserves Continuity (1)

By Jude Ndukwe

“You need continuity. You need a commitment and continuity” – Jeff Fisher

As the 2019 general elections approach, Abia State is agog as different groups and communities in the stat jostle among themselves to host and celebrate one of their brightest stars, known to some as the “Scholar in Governance”, to others as the “Silent Achiever” and, yet, to some others, as the “Caterpillar Revolutionist” for his many sides rolled into the singular vision of making Abia great and prosperous.

Following his sterling performance which has elicited joy and restored the hope of Abians in a bright future having left footprints of quality projects and strategic policies in the sand of time, it is only natural, and fitting, for Abians of different affiliations to send out a clarion call to the governor, first in appreciation, and then to remind him that under no circumstance would they allow him to abandon them halfway having brought them thus far in the journey towards growth and evidential development, hence, the dominating calls for him to respect their wish of leading the State till 2023.

Just like the American, Jeff Fisher said, Abians know that the State is in need of an uncommon commitment to their welfare, the type being shown by their governor, and have committed to support him all the way. But then, who wouldn’t?

Right from the day he assumed office, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD, settled down to work immediately knowing full well that the expectations of the people were high and nothing short of excellent performance would satisfy their sweet souls and fill their gaping hope.

Ikpeazu therefore established critical areas of life which Abians needed urgent intervention in and set them as Development Pillars for his administration with the corresponding Enablers to achieve the set objectives.

Since no meaningful progress can be made in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, the governor embarked on a head-on collision course with criminals in the state with the aim of ridding Abia of all violent crimes that had given the State a bad name. Before now, Abia had been known as a state where armed robbers kidnappers, rapists, cultists, ritualists etc found comfort. Some of these criminals even committed crimes in other states and fled to Abia to escape from the long arms of the law and or to enjoy proceeds of their illicit activities. This did not only make Abians sleep with one eye, it also made them sleep with their hearts in their mouths.

With Okezie Ikpeazu, this is now a thing of the past. With the peace and security enjoyed in Abia today, it is very easy for naysayers to forget where we were before Ikpeazu came on board and where we are today after he successfully tackled those name-spoiling crimes in a novel but aggressive manner within a short time of coming to power.

He invested massively in the security architecture of the State, procuring a massive 35 number operational vehicles fitted with modern communications gadgets to further equip the security agencies in the state. The uncommon adroitness with which he has been able to introduce and sustain synergy among the several security agencies operating in the state is another loud testimony to his human management skills.

In an official release by the National Bureau of Statistics last year for violent crime rates recorded in the country in 2016, Abia State recorded the second least rate only after Katsina. When one considers that this feat was achieved in just one year of his coming to power, one would appreciate the more why Abians are stumbling over themselves to get him to go for a second term. Safety first, safety always!

Similarly, in a widely publicized and comprehensive report by the Vanguard newspapers on March 11, 2018, it was recorded that in the first ten weeks of 2018, 1,351 people were murdered in one violent crime or the other throughout the federation. Of this sad number, Abia was among the few states throughout the federation that recorded one death, while a state like Anambra already had 18 deaths from violent crimes at this short time.

Abia has however since taken firm position as the safest state in the country following recent violent deaths in the states competing with her for this most coveted and enviable status while Ikpeazu has maintained the now impregnable security of the state.

Despite his sterling performance in this sector, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu was not going to rest on his oars. On his return from Rwanda where he attended the 2018 Transform Africa Summit in May 2018, the governor immediately proceeded to hand over another set of brand new operational vehicles to the police in Umuahia, the state capital. To further boost the morale of the police as he continues to assist them in their duties, the governor promised to help them complete the building of their Zone 9 headquarters in Umuahia.

The safety, peace and security Abia is enjoying today are not accidental. They are the result of the continued commitment of the governor to the welfare of the people. That there are no political tensions in the state today is attributable to Ikpeazu’s very large heart that has tolerated with equanimity the continued bitter provocations of opposition elements. Abians are free and their rights respected to the letter by the governor no matter how belligerent and vitriolic the opposition has become against him in their desperate but futile attempts to distract him.

Abians cannot take for granted the fact that properties including radio stations and houses belonging to people of dissenting voices are being demolished with reckless abandon in other states thereby creating undue political tensions and giving root to crime and criminality, Ikpeazu has never and will never embark on such actions. (To be continued)

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT: Pinnick hails Enyimba, demands self-belief against Raja


Nigeria’s flagbearers, Enyimba Football Club must have unwavering self-belief when they take on Raja Casablanca of Morocco in the semi finals of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, says President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick.



Pinnick made this statement on Sunday while congratulating the People’s Elephant for their 5-1 defeat of Rayon Sports of Rwanda at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba which qualified the team for the semi finals of the competition on a 5-1 aggregate.

“I want to commend the players and members of the technical staff for their endeavour in this competition so far. I watched their match against CARA Brazzaville in the group phase and I know the players and technical crew have great ambition and can go all the way to the final and do Nigeria proud by winning the Cup.



“Their next opponents, Raja Casablanca, are a tough act. But Enyimba have the players and the technical team to plot victory and all they require is strong self-belief to conquer the Moroccans. I appeal to all Nigerian ball fans and football stakeholders to give the club necessary support to make us smile, as the only Nigerian club left in continental club competition this year.

“I want to specially praise the efforts of the chairman of the club, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, who is a ranking Member of the NFF Executive Committee. The man deserves honour as he has done so much for Nigerian Football. I recall he has been with the team for the past 20 years and led them to the two CAF Champions League titles they have won for Nigeria.”



Following a scoreless draw in Kigali a week earlier, the People’s Elephant started appropriately, as an alert Augustine Dimgba slotted into the visitors’ net after capitalizing on a defensive error in the 13th minute. But Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana equalized from a close range effort 12 minutes later and the visitors were hopeful.

Enyimba, winners of the CAF Champions League title in 2003 and 2004, regained control in the 29th minute as left back Utin Ikouwem finished brilliantly after picking up a loose ball, and two minutes after the re-start, Sunday Adetunji made it three for the homers.

Joseph Osadiaye, making up for earlier misses, scored the fourth in the 58th minute to take the People’s Elephant out of sight of the visitors. Not done yet, Enyimba kept the fire alive and Isiaka Oladuntoye scored the fifth goal in the 76th minute.

The Nigerians will host Raja Casablanca, first winners of the CAF Champions League title in 1999, in the first leg of their semi final fixture at the Enyimba International Stadium on Wednesday, 3rd October, with the return leg in Casablanca three weeks later.

#AbiaOnline

The OKEZUO ABIA campaign office for the reelection of the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has been opened and commissioned with the Directors and coordinators inaugurated.



Speaking at the campaign office at Mission Hill, Umuahia, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said that the OKEZUO ABIA ORGANIZATION has a lot to boost with while campaigning for 2019 elections. He informed that in 2018 alone, he has done several roads apart from other achievements.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu disclosed that by the expected 2018 dry season , the Aba road, Umuahia will be commissioned and extended to Ubakala. He said that he is seeking power to do good and bring development to Abia people and noted that his greatest achievement in the State is peace as Abia is now the most peaceful State in Nigeria.



According to the Governor, the plans and wishes of the opposition are to bring disunity among the stakeholders in Abia State but thanked God that in Abia today, there is peace among all the stakeholders including the Governor and his Deputy as well as himself and his predecessor . He urged the members of OKEZUO ABIA ORGANIZATION to carry every body along, assuring that victory is assured.



Earlier, the Director General OKEZUO ABIA ORGANIZATION, Elder John Nwangborogwu assured that the team is back to campaign for the State Governor, stressing that the organization has tangible evidence to campaign with.

He presented the Directors, Coordinators, Women leaders and others to Governor as well as a campaign vehicle presented to the organization by Hon. Ogele, member representing Isuikwuato State constituency in the House of Assembly.

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The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has congratulated Enyimba International FC of Aba for beating Rayon Sports FC of Rwanda in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition, at the Enyimba International FC stadium in Aba.

Governor Ikpeazu, who was at the Stadium to watch the People’s Elephant trounce Rayon 5-1, said he was impressed with the excellent performance of the players who he said showed determination to win the game from the beginning of the game.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu also commended the management team of the club, supporters and residents of Aba who came out en masse to cheer the team to victory.

The Governor enjoined Enyimba players to go all out and win the continental trophy as a way of appreciating the state government for providing a world class pitch for them as well as their ever loyal and supportive fans across the nation.

Governor Ikpeazu also promised to provide necessary support to the team as they play in the semi final stage of the competition as the only surviving Nigeria club side in CAF competition.

Enyinnaya Appolos
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

By Ferguson Chikwendu

The name Governor Ikpeazu is synonymous with the word “performance”. For the first time in a long while Abia state is witnessing first hand, a Governor that is intellectually functional, purpose driven, transparent, goal oriented; and above all, focused to a touch.



In just three years Abia State has shifted positively at various spectrum of landmark development, from once a onetime dilapidated State to a progressive status, conditioned by leadership transformation of Governor ikpeazu, political imperatives, economic and internal security objectives. All these points to one fact: the interest, yearnings of Abians is his driving force.



The necessity to partner with local and international firms/organisation to grow the economy of Abia State, thereby, creating an enabling environment for business to thrive cannot be overemphasised. This alone has a ‘positive multiplier effect’ in the state’s economy. Happily, the approach adopted by the Governor is all embracing, giving room for both small scale and big business to thrive in the State.



Prior to this time, Abia state was notoriously known by all and sundry as a land plagued with horrific leadership. The system at the time frowned strongly at growth in all sphere of the state. Accordingly, it lost respect in the eyes of foreign investors and sister states, to say the least.



However, the assuring leadership of Governor ikpeazu has transformed Abia State from a once ‘dead’ state to a shining star, and same is now constant as the Northern star. Abia state, as at this time, is blessed with a focused and determined leadership whose utmost concern is the well-being of her people.



We cannot at this time go back to our past: a past bedeviled by bad leadership; a past of bad roads; a past where nothing worked; a past where life was in shamble; and a past where the strength of character, right to be heard and the interests of the people mattered not.



To be fair, Governor Ikpeazu, within his short stay in Office, has ensured that Abia state stands for what it was truly created to be: a shining star amongst sister states. Abians as a people, are most industrious, determined and dexterous, hence the need to create the enabling environment for their entrepreneurial establishment to thrive becomes most imperative.



Again, Governor Ikpeazu has ensure that the political and economic condition in Abia state, which will secure and project the interest of the people is well preserved and protected. This, is not even a matter for debate. Creating a prosperous, sustainable economy goes hand in hand with building world-class communities has been the Governor's trademark. One cannot exist without the other. And this has been one of the many trademarks of Governor Ikpeazu’s led Administration.



Ever since Governor Ikpeazu assumed office, there has been a building of solid domestic base for genuine democratisation of political power, to enable every Abian expresses his-her economical, social and political might and views without any inhibitions.

The Governor Ikpeazu led Administration focuses on strengthening key industries, expanding trade, helping small businesses grow, providing training to a new generation of Abians, and providing access to funding too.



Happily, Governor Ikpeazu’s strategy focuses on targeted industries that can spur rapid growth in Abia state. It is of essence to state that small businesses drive Abia State’s economy. To help them succeed, the Ikpeazu’s Administration offers a range of programs designed to meet the specific needs of small businesses in the state, from education and technical assistance to disaster preparedness and recovery tools.



With his groundbreaking developmental strides, it is not in doubt that Governor Ikpeazu deserves a second term. And the good people are ever ready to vote him back to office to continue the good works he started.

Mr. Ferguson Chikwendu writes from Umuahia and can be reached via 07038272201.

Self Evident Truth

Governor Ikpeazu has not stopped rain from falling in Aba. The work he has done, so far, guarantees that shortly after the heaviest of rains surface water will be drained to waterside, the natural storm water collection point in the city.

He has not fixed all the more than 400 roads at Aba but surely he has fixed many and is still working on others.

Those who take and share pictures of yet to be reconstructed roads, during heavy rains, are merely supplying us with pictures to use as “before” when the “after” is completed. Fairness demands that when they post pictures of the roads yet to be done they should also post those already completed with gutters on both sides.

The task of positively changing the Aba and Abia narrative is a continuing one and Governor Ikpeazu will not take his foot off the pedal. He is self motivated to do the needful for our people.

If you suffer in the rain to take and post pictures that prove that not all roads in Abia State have been fixed in 3 years, the joke is on you.

Our position remains that Governor Ikpeazu has completed 67 road projects and he is currently working on 94 other road projects. As funding permits, more roads will be fixed for the use of our people.

Once the rains abate, Ikpeazu's caterpillars will return with full force to execute and complete more road projects in Aba and the rest of Abia State.

No ongoing project will be abandoned by Governor Ikpeazu’s administration. Much more will be added to the list of completed road projects in due course but the temptation to waste resources on road projects during the rains will be resisted.

Where necessary, the state ministry of works will execute palliative interventions to ease the pains of road users during this season.

On the basis of his acclaimed good performance in office, necessity to maintain equity in Abia State and demonstrated capacity to deliver hope to the people of our great state, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of PDP will smoothly be re-elected with a minimum of 70% of the votes cast by Abians in 2019 Governorship poll.

Enjoy a wonderful day.

-JOK

By Charles Ogbonnaya.

Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has made a passionate appeal to the federal government to release the Ecological funds accruing to the state to enable government attend to the problems of Erosion confronting the state.



Dr. Ikpeazu who made the appeal when he received a team from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs led by the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof Claudrie Omoleye Daramola at Government House,Umuahia, lamented that the magnitude of erosion menace in the state is beyond what the state can afford as the whole of Abia North is erosion prone especially with recently incident that completely cut off the Uturu - Akara Oguduase road in Isuikwuato local government area.



The governor represented by his deputy, sir ude Oko chukwu used the visit to appreciate the federal government for responding to issue affecting the state especially for coming to commission a project on erosion and flood control in okwe - obohia obibere in ikwuano local government area and pleaded that the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to visit and capture other areas of need in the state such as bad federal road network cutting across the state.

He assured the presidency that the state government would always collaborate and cooperate with federal government in the realization of its policies and programmes and thanked them for the visit.

By Charles Ogbonnaya.
Governor Dr okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state has assured that the state government would meet the criteria required for Abia participation in Effective Water and Sanitation Hygienic (E-Wash).

Speaking during a courtesy call by a United States Agency for International development (USAID), sponsor's of the programme, Dr Ikpeazu promised that his government would do everything to ensure that that Abia would be among the selected six pilot states in the country to benefit from the programme by meeting up with the necessary required input, political will and meeting the counterparts fund that would enable the donor agencies to actualise the programme.

He restated the importance of portable water in the life of human beings and assured that his administration would continue to accord top priority to provision of portable water in a clean environment in the state.

According to him, many ailments are avoidable if there were access to clean portable water in a clean environment.
Represented by his deputy, Sir Use Oko Chukwu, the governor regretted the prevalence of boreholes in our society which its source are questionable.

In his speech, the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Hon Chidiebere Nwoko said that the team came to see things in the state to evaluate the state's eligibility to participate in the scheme for an effective water sanitation and hygienic service delivery in the state.

Also Speaking, The General Manager, Abia state Water Board, Engr Leo Ogbonna said that the visit was a manifestation of the political will of the state government and its readiness to improve in the areas of water and environmental sectors.

Engr Ogbonna promised that the board would leave no stones unturned to ensure the selection of the state as one of the pilot states.

The leader of the team and Chief of Party, Dr Dennis Nwanza said that E-Wash, a joint Federal and States government four year programme was aimed at ascertaining how water are processed and professionally managed as water is crucial in the attainment of good health, tracing most diseases to poor water supply that are preventable and disclosed that there are great potentials in the state.

A football competition, tagged Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Nsulu victory football tournament has been flagged off in Umuomaiukwu, Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North local government.



The football tournament now on its second edition is been sponsored by the Vice- Chancellor, Abia state University, (ABSU), Prof Uche Ikonne and is expected to identify budding football talents who would be nurtured into becoming renowned footballers who will not only represent the state and the country in major football competitions or play in their international football clubs.



Flagging off the competition, the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu commended the sponsor for recognising the need for such football competition in Nsulu and initiated the competition.

Represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu stated that in a competition of this nature, there would be a winner but urged all the participating teams to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship of no winner, no loser but see themselves as winners and champions.

In his speech, the sponsor and V.C ( ABSU), Prof Ikonne said that he sponsored the competition to unify the people more who he said are feeling government presence in Nsulu irrespective of party affiliations.



He said that the competition would equally keep youths in the area fit and help identify budding talents that would be exposed to play high profile football anywhere in the world.

The teams drawn across all the villages in Nsulu are participating in the competition while lsiala Nsulu vs Umunna Nsulu teams played the opening match of the competition.

Today I received a delegation of traditional rulers from Abia State, led by His Royal Majesty, Dr. Isaac Ikonne, Enyi 1 of Aba. Our meeting provided an opportunity for me to reiterate our administration’s commitment to the development of the State, and especially the city of Aba.

Just last week, during my visit to China to attend the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation, I met with executives of one of the largest cotton and garment companies in the world, who will soon establish operations in Aba.

Both the Federal Government and the Abia State Government worked hard jointly on this project, to attract this very important investor. The proposed investment will create thousands of jobs for Aba’s vibrant and creative youths.

I am very excited about this project in Aba, and have directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to ensure the investment is actualised within the shortest possible time.

Ariaria Market is another priority of our administration. I recall visiting in 2015, as a presidential candidate, and being warmly received. But I also observed the lack of electricity and other basic infrastructure, in a market that is a major trading hub for West and Central Africa

When we assumed office, we issued a presidential mandate to the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the Rural Electrification Agency to energise Ariaria market, as part of our efforts to help unleash its full potential.

I’m pleased to note that in June 2018, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission granted an electricity generation licence as well as a distribution licence for Ariaria market. This will enable the generation and distribution of 9.5 Megawatts of electricity within the market.

The project is moving smoothly and I have been assured Ariaria market will be fully electrified soon. We are working closely with the State and Local Governments, Traditional Rulers, Market Associations and the community on this project to ensure completion by the end of the year

We only have one Nigeria. We must not and will not shy away from the responsibility we have to ensure that we hand over a better Nigeria to the next generation. We will continue to work hard to ensure the protection of the livelihoods of all hardworking and honest citizens.

©facebook /buhari


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6azcysXjvM

Following the directive of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu dispatching an inter-ministerial team to urgently visit the site of the gully erosion along Isuikwuato-Okigwe federal road, the state Ministry of Environment is set to commence remediation work at the site this weekend.



This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Aham Uko, in an interview with newsmen this evening in Umuahia.

According to him, “Our team of Engineers have conducted a thorough evaluation of the Isuikwuato site today and we hope to commence the remediation this weekend”.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, expressed appreciation to the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for his prompt response to the situation along the federal road that links Abia State to Imo and Ebonyi States.



In his words: “This administration is demonstrably focused on responding to the needs of the people of the state who graciously elected Dr Ikpeazu as their Governor and have supported him strongly. While we recognize that the primary responsibility of arresting the gully erosion is constitutionally that of the federal government, the state is ready to intervene to ensure that our people find safe passage way pending when help will come from relevant federal agencies.

“During the last Niger Delta Council held in the State, we took officials of the federal ministry of Niger Delta to that site and pleaded for urgent intervention to save the road from total collapse. Sadly, the gully has progressed very fast and we now have a situation where vehicles cannot pass through that road.



“As a responsible government, we cannot fold our hands and watch our people suffer while waiting for help from Abuja. We are set to undertake palliative work to remedy the situation while still pleading with the federal government to come to our aid by declaring that area and others threatened by rampaging gully erosion as ecological disaster zones with a view to deploying the resources of the country to deliver a permanent solution to the erosion menace at Isuikwuato and other locations in the state", he concluded.

Photo Credit: Abia State Ministry of Environment

The state of Isuikwuato-Okigwe federal road worries Abia State Government led by Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

This administration and others before it have repeatedly drawn the attention of the federal government to the bad state of the road and the threat posed to commuters, farmers and others by the ever expanding gully erosion, in the hope that the relevant agencies of the federal government will intervene to save our people from the trauma they face daily while using the road.

It is important to note that the scope of work required to fix that key stretch of road that connects our people to neighboring Imo and Ebonyi States, requires resources far above what the state government can muster currently.

We therefore call on relevant agencies of the federal government, including NDDC, Ministries of Environment and Works to immediately come to our rescue by performing their constitutional duty of care to the hardworking and peace loving people of Isuikwuato and Abia State through the declaration of the area and others in the state similarly threatened as ecological disaster zones requiring urgent critical intervention.

As a responsible government, we have made interventions to arrest the negative effects of rampaging gully erosions at Imenyi in Bende LGA, Abiriba roundabout in Ohafia LGA and Umuda Isingwu in Umuahia North LGA.

We are willing to work with the federal government and contribute in whatever way possible to tackle the challenge of gully erosion at Isuikwuato as well as other threats at Agu Eze Amaogudu Abiriba etc.

The state ministry of works is currently executing 3 road projects at Isuikwuato; Eluama Amilo Acha and Amino Otamkpa, Ovim-Acha and Ogboro-Amibo Acha roads, which are at various stages of completion.

Governor Ikpeazu has directed that an inter-ministerial committee, including works and environment, visit the area on Wednesday to assess what can be done by the state to ameliorate the problem posed by the rampaging gully.

We wish to call on other well meaning Abians with cords to the federal government to consider the dangers posed to the common people of the area by this natural disaster and lend their voices to the call for an immediate intervention rather than the political point some desperately seek to make.

While we continue to work hard to fix as many key roads as possible within the state, we have never laid claims to fixing all the roads requiring attention in the state within the past 3 years. Yet it is undeniable that we have completed work on 67 roads and are working at more than 94 other road project sites across the state.

As our resource base expectedly improve, we will certainly do much more while also ensuring that we meet other needs of our people who have continued to support the Ikpeazu administration through various means.

Thank you.

Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commissioner For Information, Abia State

#AbiaOnline

Ahead of the forthcoming PDP primary election the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his presidential campaign team have paid visit to the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu with a request for the PDP in the State to support him emerge as the presidential candidate and return Governor Ikpeazu to office in 2019 .



Receiving his guests in Government House Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu described the Senate President as a man that has all it takes to lead Nigeria. According to the Governor, Nigeria is more divided now than before and needs people like Senator Saraki at the helms of affair to bring about unity in the country.



He said that both the political leaders and stakeholders in Abia State are united and as there are no 'Abuja' or 'local' politicians, but all of them now speak in one voice, hence they would ensure they do the right thing to take PDP and Nigria to the promised land.

Earlier, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki appreciated the leadership style of Governor Ikpeazu and urged him to continue to deliver to Abians the dividends of democracy.



According to the Senate President, he came to Abia to seek support of the Governor and party men in making him emerge as the party flag bearer for the 2019 presidential election.

He said that Nigeria at present is suffering and needs good leadership. He condemned the lopsided appointments in the country and said if elected, he would ensure equitable distribution of power in line with the federal character.

The Senate president, who stated the need for restructuring of Nigeria equally said, he understands the problems of Nigeria and possesses the capacity to fix the problems of Nigeria.

Abia traders have vowed he must drive them to the "next Bus Stop".... Share, tell me what "Next Bus Stop" stand for and win a prize.

#AbiaOnline

Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu says his administration is not relenting on its pursuit for a quality and affordable education, noting that the policies already implemented are yielding profound and scalable results.

The Governor made the disclosure on Tuesday, during an interactive session with Corps members serving in Abia state. The event tagged: “ A Day with our Governor” held at the Micheal Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, was organized by the state government through the office of the Commissioner for Youth Development and Chairman NYSC Governing Board, Comrade Ike Anyatonwu.

Recall that the Governor in the past, has had similar interactive session with Students, teenagers, teachers etc.



Governor Ikpeazu while reeling out his achievements, said his administration has successfully reversed the enrolment from private schools to public schools as a result of a diligent and deliberate commitment towards the education sector.

“We have built 340 new classroom blocks and four (4) new Model Schools across the three senatorial zones. Abia is the only state in the federation providing food for primary one to six school pupils through our home-grown free school feeding program.

“Our top ranking in the West African School Certificate Examination is a product of diligent planning and deliberate commitment. Our efforts are yielding profound and scalable results,” he said.

The Governor further encouraged the corps members to maximize their service year and acquire additional skills. He also entertained questions and pledged to address concerns raised by corp members.

Earlier in his remarks, Comrade Anyatonwu commended the corps members for their noble role towards the development of the state. He noted that governor Ikpeazu’s administration rewards excellence, and will ensure that outstanding Corps members are duly acknowledged and rewarded accordingly as it is the custom of the present administration.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Ugoeze Ifeyinwa Uwasomba, NYSC state Cordinator Mrs Francisca Ifon and other top government officials graced the occasion.

DID YOU KNOW?

- That road accident death has drastically reduce in Abia State,

- That many Abians and residents in different critical medical emergencies have been saved,

- That in Abia, when in need of emergency medical attention you can save lives by just dialling and calling a number,

- That this service is100% free,

Did you know?

This is courtesy; Abia EMS (Emergency Medical Services Abia State), a brainchild of the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration.

#AbiaOnline
#LookAbia

#AbiaOnline
The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri archdiocese, the most Rev. Anthony Obinna has lauded Abia State Governor for identifying with the church. He equally extolled his efforts in delivering good governance in Abia State.



The respected servant of God was speaking while welcoming the Governor who was a guest at the 2018 Archdiocesan Day Celebration and ODENIGBO Lecture series organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri.



Most Rev. Anthony Obinna used the event to call on the south East Governors to unite themselves against and speak with one voice so as to stop attacks on the Igbo nation. He equally prayed God to bless the Governor and his administration.

In a speech, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu commended the Catholic Church for putting together the ODENIGBO annual lecture which aims at promoting the Igbo culture and ideals.



He promised to sponsor the 2019 edition of the programmes to ensure it is sustained and called for preservation of the Igbo culture, especially, its language so that it would not go into extinct. According to the Governor, the Igbo language needs to be taught to the children by the parents, emphasising that the church was doing well in that regard.

No wonder it is said that behind every successful man there is a strong and wise woman who makes a huge difference in his path to success. Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu carry on with your good work....

#AbiaOnline

Surviving Abia founding father Ezikpe cautions Abia politicians against truncating Abia charter of equity

One of the surviving founding fathers of Abia State, and the Chairman , Abia State Advisory Council, Ezeogo Dr. Anagha Ezikpe, has advised politicians in the state to respect Abia Charter of Equity.

The elder statesman who gave the advice while speaking during the 27th anniversary of the state’s creation held Monday at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, said the document would guarantee peace and stability in the state.

He noted that the founding fathers of the state in their wisdom agreed to enshrine in the Abia Charter of Equity, power rotation among the major political blocs in the state to ensure peace and stability.

Ezikpe who said he was the Secretary of the stakeholders forum that agreed on the charter added that it was their agreement also that the state House of Assembly would finally legislate on the document and pass it into law.

He expressed delight that in the spirit of the charter of equity, political power had rotated round all three senatorial districts in the state with Abia North taking the first shot followed by Abia Central and Abia South where it currently resides.

The octogenarian, therefore, appealed to politicians to allow Abia South complete its own turn of second term already enjoyed by other zones.

He cautioned that any attempt to truncate the power rotation arrangement could create ill feelings and ultimately affect the prevailing peace in Abia polity.

The Abia Advisory Council helmsman urged all political parties in the state to respect the zoning arrangement which he said had eliminated mutual suspicion among the zones.

Speaking at the event, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the state for their resilience and spirited efforts that culminated into the creation of the state.

He noted with delight that Abia had made some significant progress since its creation by the successive administrations in the state.

Ikpeazu promised to consolidate on the various gains recorded by his predecessors to take Abia to greater heights.

He particularly thanked his predecessor , Senator Theodore Orji who he described as the ” father of modern Abia” for his instrumentality in actualising power shift to Abia South in 2015 in the spirit of Abia Charter of Equity.

Ikpeazu said the action of the former Governor was the secret of the prevailing peace and stability in the Abia polity as all major zones in the state have taken a shot at the seat of power.

The Governor confessed that he had continued to enjoy the support of major stakeholders as well as the masses from all zones ever since he came on board.

Later in an interview, Senator Orji who was honoured with the award of ” Enyi Abia” ( The Abia Elephant ” in appreciation of his great contributions towards the development of the state, expressed delight for the honour done him.

He particularly noted with immense joy his being acknowledged as the ” Father of Equity”, saying he has no regrets in insisting that power should move to Abia South according to the creed of Abia charter of equity agreed upon by the founding fathers of the state.

The highly elated Orji said it was not enough to formulate policy , explaining that until such a policy is implemented it only remained a paper tiger.

Senator Orji said that the implementation of Abia Charter of Equity remained one of the enduring legacies of his administration, and urged the state House of Assembly to quickly enshrine the document into the law of the state.

He restated his position that Abia South should be allowed to complete its turn of eight years come 2019 by re-electing Gov. Ikpeazu for a second term in office.

Highlights of the event was the award of honour of ” Ihe Abia” ( Light of Abia), “Enyi Abia” ( Elephant of Abia), ” Oke Oji Abia ” ( Great Iroko), ” Ada Ugo Abia ” ( Eagle daughter of Abia), and ” Odo Abia” ( Abia prestige) to deserving sons and daughters of the state .

Some of the award recipients include: Late Head of State Gen. Johnson Aguiyi Isonsi; Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; Late Jaja Anucha Wachuku; Sir Bob Ogbuagu; Professor Mkpa Agu Mkpa, among others.

End

https://wawanewsglobal.com/…/surviving-abia-founding-fathe…/

BEING A GOODWILL MESSAGE TO ABIANS BY DR. OKEZIE IKPEAZU
GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 27TH ANNIVERSSARY OF THE CREATION OF ABIA STATE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018

My good people of Abia State.

It is my pleasure to address you all today on the occasion of the 2018 Abia Day Celebration which marks the 27th anniversary of the creation of our dear state.

From our humble beginnings, we are growing steadily in leaps and bounds and with each passing day, we are adding new blocks towards the building of the Abia of our dreams.

From the inception of our administration on May 29, 2015, we have remained conscious of the history of Abia State and our desired destination and all we have done since mounting the saddle of governance of this blessed state has been to inch further to the actualization of our collective aspirations.

On a day like this, I am glad to note that the fathers and elders of Abia State are more united than they have ever been. Virtually every known founding father of Abia State and elder has been involved in various programmes and activities of the Abia State Government unlike what was obtainable in the past where a section of our elders chose to stay away from activities in the state. I count it a feat worthy of acknowledgment for we can never discountenance the wisdom of the elders in building a great Abia State.

It is my utmost desire that this new lease of unity, oneness and togetherness will be sustained and improved upon so that together, we can build the Abia of our collective dreams.

I therefore pay special tribute to all our Founding fathers who have kept faith with our administration and honoured us whenever we invite them to a public function or whenever we have sought audience with them wherever they are. We do not joke with their counsel and prayers and we pray God to continue to preserve them for us.

We also pay special tribute to our dearly departed fathers and elders and pray God to continue to grant their souls sweet repose in his bossom.

Beloved Abians, my greatest joy today is the fact that we have raised the bar of governance in Abia State. Virtually every sector of the state’s socio political and economic sphere has taken quantum leaps from where we met them at the inception of our administration.

From Infrastructural revolution to Agricultural improvement, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise promotion to Educational advancement, sports development to improvement in Healthcare indices, human capital development to creation of new economic opportunities for our people, we give God the glory for the grace he has given us to impact every sector of Abia State.

Let me use this opportunity to invite us all to the official reopening of the rebranded Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, tomorrow, August 28, 2018. The stadium has been adjudged to have the best and most modern playing pitch in Nigeria. The dressing rooms and facilities have been re-built to international standard and football commentators all over are commending the work we have put in there. I use the Enyimba Stadium as a metaphor for our commitment to quality.

Our administration does not believe in palliatives and half-measures. We believe in doing it properly or not doing it at all. It is for this reason that all the 68 roads we have so far competed in Abia State, along with 108 ongoing ones, from the inception of our administration have come with drainages on both sides. It is our firm commitment that no road built during our tenure will collapse and require rebuilding and I am proud to note that all the roads which were hitherto failing every year prior to our coming into office have withstood 3 years of various elements and they are still standing strong.

Our commitment to excellence is unwavering. We will always ensure that Abia State get the best and we will never rest until we get to that excellent destination that motivated our founding fathers to work assiduously for the creation of Abia State.

Let me at this juncture assure our workers and Abians in general that we have set machinery in place to tackle observed gaps in regular salary payment in some of our parastatals, teachers and pensioners. Our focused and painstaking effort has already ensured that primary school teachers in the state have joined workers in our ministries, Departments and Agencies in being up to date with salaries. We are hopeful that with measures we have put in place, affected workers in our parastatals will soon join the MDAs and primary school teachers in being up to date while pensioners will see further improvements in the payment of their outstandings.

Last week, I held a Town Hall Meeting with Primary School Teachers in Abia State where they confirmed to me that all their salary backlogs have been cleared and that their salaries are now up to date. Recall that I had set up a committee to ensure the clearance of all outstanding salaries by December 2018 and I wish to give the assurance that we will not go back on our word.

Ndi Abia Ndi nwem, I am glad to announce to you that our strategy for the rapid socio-economic renaissance of Abia State has started yielding bountiful fruits. I had undertaken economic missions to market the attractiveness of Abia State for business and investment and those we went to woo have started responding positively. In June this year, in Beijing, China, we signed a Multi-Billion Dollar Memorandum of Understanding for the investment of the Ruyi Group, a global conglomerate, in the Enyimba Economic City and adjoining existing businesses. This investment will see to the establishment of a world-class garment factory as well as commercial roll out of independent power systems to support rapid industrialization of the Abia South Senatorial zone of the state.

I was equally in Argentina sometime last year to understudy their Agricultural Processing technology. Today, we have secured the commitment of funding partners to commit millions of Dollars into the establishment of a Cassava Processing plant with a pilot at Umuahia.

Other investments in the Abia North Senatorial Zone are nearing fruition and I will announce them once we have secured firm commitments.

These investments are in tandem with our strategic development plan which saw us designate Abia South Senatorial Zone as our Industrial Belt, Abia North Senatorial Zone as our Agricultural Belt and Abia Central Senatorial Zone as our Agro-Processing and Administrative Belt. We are firmly on course and we will get there.

Let me use this opportunity to reaffirm that our administration, and indeed the generality of our people, believes in the supremacy, authority and ultimate will of God almighty. Our founding fathers rightfully named Abia State God’s Own State and whatever we do, we will continue to uphold the supremacy of God as our ultimate guide and helper.

Dear Abians, the 2019 general elections are upon us. The only guarantee you have of choosing those who govern you is the Permanent Voters Card.
I therefore use this opportunity to implore us all to go and get our voters card so that we can participate fully in the elections early next year and elect the leaders of our choice.

In the same vein, as politicians begin to traverse the length and breadth of Abia State canvassing for votes, I urge everyone to bear in mind that this is God’s own State and we must do everything possible not to bring the name of this State to disrepute. Let us all conduct our activities decorously and peacefully and remember that at the end of it all, we are all brothers and sisters.

Permit me at this juncture to pay special tribute to all Abians wherever they are who in their various corners, unnoticed and unheralded, are making the State proud in various fields of endeavour. We may not see you, we may not single you out for commendation but I commit you all to the God who sees in secret and rewards in the open. May your endeavours be blessed.

It is yet morning on creation day. We have come very far but we still have ways to go and I have no doubt that we are on the right path. What we have put on ground today gives me hope that surely, our tomorrow shall be better than our today.

I congratulate you all on this anniversary and my prayer is that the good Lord will continue to bless you and bless Abia State.

I thank you all and I say happy 27th Anniversary.

BEING A GOODWILL MESSAGE TO ABIANS BY DR. OKEZIE IKPEAZU
GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 27TH ANNIVERSSARY OF THE CREATION OF ABIA STATE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018

My good people of Abia State.

It is my pleasure to address you all today on the occasion of the 2018 Abia Day Celebration which marks the 27th anniversary of the creation of our dear state.

From our humble beginnings, we are growing steadily in leaps and bounds and with each passing day, we are adding new blocks towards the building of the Abia of our dreams.

From the inception of our administration on May 29, 2015, we have remained conscious of the history of Abia State and our desired destination and all we have done since mounting the saddle of governance of this blessed state has been to inch further to the actualization of our collective aspirations.

On a day like this, I am glad to note that the fathers and elders of Abia State are more united than they have ever been. Virtually every known founding father of Abia State and elder has been involved in various programmes and activities of the Abia State Government unlike what was obtainable in the past where a section of our elders chose to stay away from activities in the state. I count it a feat worthy of acknowledgment for we can never discountenance the wisdom of the elders in building a great Abia State.

It is my utmost desire that this new lease of unity, oneness and togetherness will be sustained and improved upon so that together, we can build the Abia of our collective dreams.

I therefore pay special tribute to all our Founding fathers who have kept faith with our administration and honoured us whenever we invite them to a public function or whenever we have sought audience with them wherever they are. We do not joke with their counsel and prayers and we pray God to continue to preserve them for us.

We also pay special tribute to our dearly departed fathers and elders and pray God to continue to grant their souls sweet repose in his bossom.

Beloved Abians, my greatest joy today is the fact that we have raised the bar of governance in Abia State. Virtually every sector of the state’s socio political and economic sphere has taken quantum leaps from where we met them at the inception of our administration.

From Infrastructural revolution to Agricultural improvement, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise promotion to Educational advancement, sports development to improvement in Healthcare indices, human capital development to creation of new economic opportunities for our people, we give God the glory for the grace he has given us to impact every sector of Abia State.

Let me use this opportunity to invite us all to the official reopening of the rebranded Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, tomorrow, August 28, 2018. The stadium has been adjudged to have the best and most modern playing pitch in Nigeria. The dressing rooms and facilities have been re-built to international standard and football commentators all over are commending the work we have put in there. I use the Enyimba Stadium as a metaphor for our commitment to quality.

Our administration does not believe in palliatives and half-measures. We believe in doing it properly or not doing it at all. It is for this reason that all the 68 roads we have so far competed in Abia State, along with 108 ongoing ones, from the inception of our administration have come with drainages on both sides. It is our firm commitment that no road built during our tenure will collapse and require rebuilding and I am proud to note that all the roads which were hitherto failing every year prior to our coming into office have withstood 3 years of various elements and they are still standing strong.

Our commitment to excellence is unwavering. We will always ensure that Abia State get the best and we will never rest until we get to that excellent destination that motivated our founding fathers to work assiduously for the creation of Abia State.

Let me at this juncture assure our workers and Abians in general that we have set machinery in place to tackle observed gaps in regular salary payment in some of our parastatals, teachers and pensioners. Our focused and painstaking effort has already ensured that primary school teachers in the state have joined workers in our ministries, Departments and Agencies in being up to date with salaries. We are hopeful that with measures we have put in place, affected workers in our parastatals will soon join the MDAs and primary school teachers in being up to date while pensioners will see further improvements in the payment of their outstandings.

Last week, I held a Town Hall Meeting with Primary School Teachers in Abia State where they confirmed to me that all their salary backlogs have been cleared and that their salaries are now up to date. Recall that I had set up a committee to ensure the clearance of all outstanding salaries by December 2018 and I wish to give the assurance that we will not go back on our word.

Ndi Abia Ndi nwem, I am glad to announce to you that our strategy for the rapid socio-economic renaissance of Abia State has started yielding bountiful fruits. I had undertaken economic missions to market the attractiveness of Abia State for business and investment and those we went to woo have started responding positively. In June this year, in Beijing, China, we signed a Multi-Billion Dollar Memorandum of Understanding for the investment of the Ruyi Group, a global conglomerate, in the Enyimba Economic City and adjoining existing businesses. This investment will see to the establishment of a world-class garment factory as well as commercial roll out of independent power systems to support rapid industrialization of the Abia South Senatorial zone of the state.

I was equally in Argentina sometime last year to understudy their Agricultural Processing technology. Today, we have secured the commitment of funding partners to commit millions of Dollars into the establishment of a Cassava Processing plant with a pilot at Umuahia.

Other investments in the Abia North Senatorial Zone are nearing fruition and I will announce them once we have secured firm commitments.

These investments are in tandem with our strategic development plan which saw us designate Abia South Senatorial Zone as our Industrial Belt, Abia North Senatorial Zone as our Agricultural Belt and Abia Central Senatorial Zone as our Agro-Processing and Administrative Belt. We are firmly on course and we will get there.

Let me use this opportunity to reaffirm that our administration, and indeed the generality of our people, believes in the supremacy, authority and ultimate will of God almighty. Our founding fathers rightfully named Abia State God’s Own State and whatever we do, we will continue to uphold the supremacy of God as our ultimate guide and helper.

Dear Abians, the 2019 general elections are upon us. The only guarantee you have of choosing those who govern you is the Permanent Voters Card.
I therefore use this opportunity to implore us all to go and get our voters card so that we can participate fully in the elections early next year and elect the leaders of our choice.

In the same vein, as politicians begin to traverse the length and breadth of Abia State canvassing for votes, I urge everyone to bear in mind that this is God’s own State and we must do everything possible not to bring the name of this State to disrepute. Let us all conduct our activities decorously and peacefully and remember that at the end of it all, we are all brothers and sisters.

Permit me at this juncture to pay special tribute to all Abians wherever they are who in their various corners, unnoticed and unheralded, are making the State proud in various fields of endeavour. We may not see you, we may not single you out for commendation but I commit you all to the God who sees in secret and rewards in the open. May your endeavours be blessed.

It is yet morning on creation day. We have come very far but we still have ways to go and I have no doubt that we are on the right path. What we have put on ground today gives me hope that surely, our tomorrow shall be better than our today.

I congratulate you all on this anniversary and my prayer is that the good Lord will continue to bless you and bless Abia State.

I thank you all and I say happy 27th Anniversary.

C/o All Ngwa Cultural Hall
Behind Old Post Office Aba
Abia State

RIGHT OF REPLY

My Dear Dr. Alex Otti,

This Is Not Your Time (Ogechi Ka Nma)

I have read the ‘non-political’ open letter you addressed to your governor, His Excellency, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, ostensibly designed as your kick-off campaign strategy. I would like to praise your ingenuity in contriving a talking point, having failed to find any other straw to clutch on. Permit me therefore to publicly share my thoughts on you and your singular fixation, even as you continue to admire Government House from the fence.

Let me begin by acknowledging the beauty of the opposition in deepening the democratic process. Democracy can only come full circle through the dialectics of logically confronting issues which may seem to be opposed. It was on this basis I teamed up with you and other well-meaning Abians to oppose the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015. But unlike me, you belonged to the PDP and also hob-nobbed with the party’s leadership in Abia.

Prior to the time you decamped (about 4 months to elections) you were an integral part of the madding crowd cheering the PDP as the largest party in Africa. In your bid to brow-beat other governorship aspirants of the party, it is on record that you regaled your audience with tales of your intimate relationship with the then governor of the state. You only took up the gauntlet when your repeated attempts to buy your way through was cordially rebuffed, and it dawned on you that your running ambition was on head-on collision with the party in Abia. Thereafter you began to excoriate the PDP, as your warm-up strategy for migration to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the APGA.

And this brings me to the internecine warfare presently raging between you and Sir Chinkwe Udensi for the control of the APGA bridge-head in Abia. I’ve often had cause to ruminate over your political trajectory and the sober lessons derivable therefrom. We all know how you bared your financial fangs, brushing aside every other contender queuing ahead of you on the APGA platform and commandeering the governorship ticket to yourself in 2015. The Talmud has it that ambition is ruthless, and you left no one in doubt of your Machiavellian antics which sent Mr. Udensi home sulking.


But what do we see today? How come you’ve lost whatever is left of APGA to Mr. Udensi? All your senatorial candidates in 2015 are now pitching tent with your rival, and I hear they are not even on talking terms with you… in spite of all you did for them, in spite of your money. This reminds me of the words of Martin Luther King Jr. in the book I gave you: “money devoid of love is like salt devoid of savor,… good for nothing. True neighborliness requires personal concern. The Good Samaritan (in the Bible) came down from his high horse and used his own hands to bind up the wounds on the body of the robbed man” I could write a whole book on this, and you know what I mean. Based on personal experience, I will not be surprised if Mr. Udensi defeats you at the primaries. Secret balloting is a matter of the heart.

Going through your letter, my attention was drawn to how you quoted copiously from the Quran. I’m told you belong to the same Christian denomination as your governor, i.e. the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the issue in focus was an internal Abia matter. So, who were you trying to ingratiate yourself with? Put differently, have you ever heard of a Muslim faithful writing a fellow Muslim and resorting to quotes from the Bible? So what are you not telling us?

Permit me therefore, to inform those who may not know that you have literarily forced APGA into an alliance with the APC, and will in due time adopt the incumbent president for a second term. With Anambra election over, and with Governor Okorocha squarely in charge at Imo, the only compensation for which APGA is trading off its image and reputation is Abia where you hope to rely on the APC’s federal might to re-enact the ‘Ekiti scenario’.

Is it by accident that you are the only politician from Abia who has been dodging endorsing or commending the State House of Assembly for enacting a law prohibiting open grazing in the state? Is it by accident that the presidency would come to commission projects in Abia and tell the whole world that the project was made possible by you (a member of another political party), and even assure us that more goodies would come our way through you? Is it by accident that you are the only columnist of Thisday Newspaper that has not taken a definite stand on the insincerity and gross violations of our constitution by the APC-led federal government? All the South East governors have just raised their voice in unison against the continued malnourishment of their region by the Buhari administration.

Now that you are fronting for the APC having arm-twisted APGA into a weird alliance, you must be prepared to shoulder the burden of leadership and explain to our people what they stand to gain from an APC-led federal government that is unabashedly opposed to the integration of Ndigbo into the epicenter of our national life.

It is not enough to tergiversate, you should go the whole hog and broach the news of how you would tango with the python (egwu eke) and go scot-free. Yours therefore seems to be a good case of the proverbial cockroach wanting to rule over the chicken, and then proceeding to hire the fox as a bodyguard.

You will agree with me that the name of the one thread linking all your efforts to occupy Government House, Umuahia is desperation. Right from the day you conceived of that still born child, you’ve been going through the labour pangs of delivering your egocentric child. You‘ve had to change nativity…, you’ve had to change residence…, you’ve had to change dialect…, you’ve had to change political party…, you’ve had to change chieftaincy titles… and you’ve had to change even your voting location… And you may probably be on course towards more fundamental changes. To a discerning mind, you are no longer the Alex Otti that took Abia by storm.

After a hard and dispassionate look at all your efforts so far, it seems to me most certain that you are primarily driven by your aversion to an Ngwaman contributing his leadership quota to the development of a state in which he too is a stakeholder. And you’d like to prance around as the man who ‘single handedly put a stop to that’.
Yet the truth which you know but continues to shrug off is the fact that you are swimming against the tide. Abia’s foundation is rooted in brotherly love and nurtured by the principles of reciprocal concession. It may not be codified as law, but the beauty of the dog play lies in the humility of the one falling for the other. You alluded to this when you told us that your father in-law at Mbaise on learning that you were contesting against Ngwa people recommended you to a psychiatrist. And I was also told that the elders at Amuvi (Arochukwu) cautioned you against precipitating ‘Ngwa-Haram’. There was also the wise counsel from Abia Guardians of Equity. The list could go on.

My point of departure with you was on moral grounds. There was no moral coefficient in our continued condemnation of a hardworking governor who was relentlessly fighting hard to redeem the time lost in the past, just because we wanted to take his place. It doesn’t jell in my conscience. None of us who opposed the emergence of Dr. Ikpeazu in 2015 ever believed that what we see today could be possible. A roll call of those who have left you and rejoined the PDP in Abia just because of the governor’s performance perception should be enough to get you thinking.

It’s been a long letter and I would like to cut it short, for the time being. One of the Oriental philosophers harped on the need to travel well, rather than focusing on arrival. But to a desperate man there is nothing like God’s time, there is no morality, and there is no advice to the contrary. The only fixation is the end. And herein lies the misery of not allowing our heartbeats to synchronize with God’s own rhythm and tempo. You’ve made yourself a foxhole for every aggrieved Ukwa/Ngwa man, while at the same time functioning as the leaking bucket for those of us with critical self-appraisal, and a sense of history. The trouble with men of bloated ego is that they invariably fail to come to terms with reality and only end up bitter, blaming others to soothe the same ego.

As a Christian and as an Ngwaman, my advice to you and to those who always seek to upstage the apple-carte is recorded in Mathew chapter 7 verse 12: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you’. Those who minimize the importance of involving the God of justice in their affairs and aspirations often end up writing their own epitaphs as words of caution for others to learn from. The thrills of cliffhanging and rabble rousing may endure for a while. But in the end what matters most is whether we are leaving behind a respected name, the very legacy for which your late father is still adored even in grave. Unfortunately, virtue is not hereditary.

Let me therefore end this letter by publicly reiterating what I had earlier told you. There is a tide in the affairs of men… I do not think this is your time. It’s just my opinion, my candid opinion though.

Yours sincerely,

_______________
Moses Ayo Orji
An Ngwaman and a former ally of Dr. Alex Otti

*Copied from Page 42 of Thisday Newspaper of Monday, August 27, 2018.

ABIA DAY CELEBRATIONS: GOVERNOR IKPEAZU REWARDS BEST PERFORMERS IN WAEC, SAYS NO RANCOUR IN ABIA POLITY.



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Abia Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has used the occasion of the 2018 Abia Day celebration to present a cash reward of one million naira each to three Abia students from the three zones of the State for best performance in WAEC results.

In his speech at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. The Governor said his administration has not relented in fixing all sectors of the economy including education and informed that Abia State has not only sustained the school feeding programme beyond primary three but employed more than one thousand persons as cooks in addition to renovating many schools.

He said the essence of the 27th anniversary celebration was to reflect on the journey so far and chart a new course for the future of Abia and thanked the founding fathers of the State for their labour in creating Abia. The Governor said he was happy that there is no rancour among political stakeholders in the State as he and his predecessor as well as other stakeholders are enjoying peace in the State.

Dr. Ikpeazu congratulated Chief T. A Orji and other recipients of awards on the honour given to them and called on them to sustain their efforts in developing the State.

Speaking earlier, Ezeogo (Dr.) Anagha Ezeikpe , the chairman Abia State Advisory Council called on all to embrace the Abia charter of equity and the 'Onye Aghala nwanne ya' philosophy, which preaches unity and equitable distribution of governorship position in the State, maintaining that the charter of equity was enunciated to ensure equitable distribution of political power in the State.

REOPENING OF ENYIMBA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM; ABIA TO CLOCK RAPID INTERNAL GENERATED REVENUE GROWTH


Ubani Newman Ubani

Every people oriented and responsible government has a defined leadership direction with set out initiatives articulating with targeted objectives. Hence, such government is only measured by its instrumental value, ability to developing strategies to bring together or coordinate the various efforts that will engender economy growth.

Contrary to many reports and views making the rounds, the Enyimba International Stadium rebuilding project was not envisioned towards mere restoration of the Enyimba football glory days but also, to emplace a revenue generation engine-house that will clock rapid economy growth in the State.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; an administrative genius, being very much aware of the huge revenue accruable through football due to the ever surging public interest and fans accompanying the game, has once again fulfilled one of his major campaign promises by completing a project that will turn around and skyrocket the fortunes of God's Own State.

The revitalization and reopening of the Enyimba International Stadium is one of the greatest achievements of the Governor Ikpeazu-led administration. For now, many may not conceive the numerous revenue mechanisms the stadium presents, but in a very near future, Abians will look back and thank God for giving them Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D as Governor, especially in this crucial period of economy down turn.

It was celebrations galore in Aba as thousands of people gathered to witness the official reopening of the newly renovated Enyimba International Stadium by Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

The reopening of the stadium featured novelty match between ex-Super Eagles and ex-Emyimba FC players, in which the ex-Emyimba FC players won their ex-Super Eagles counterpart with one goal to zero.

Speaking to journalists, the elated Governor expressed joy over the thousands of Enyimba fans who thronged the event and said that the essence of governance is to deliver good infrastructure to the people.

The Governor also assured that the Umuahia stadium would be given a face lift as done to the Enyimba stadium, noting that the continuous regressing of the stadium was not the best.

Thus, the gains of Governor Ikpeazu's evidence-based leadership is no more in doubt and the only way Abians and residents will continue enjoying more of such leadership gains is to vote Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu again come 2019.

SUPPORT A GOVERNOR AT WORK!

UNU,
27/08/2018.

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AVOID DESTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, PRAY FOR THE GOVERNOR AND SUPPORT HIM
- Venerable Ibeabuchi tells Abians

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An interdenominational Church service has been held in commemorations of the 27th anniversary of the creation Abia State.

In his speech, at St. Anglican Cathedral, Eket Street, Umuahia, the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu thanked God for his mercies to the State so far. According to him, the State has succeeded in driving away idolatry in the State and assured the Anglican Church that he would ensure the Trinity College road in Umuahia is completed.



Earlier, in a sermon, Venerable Geoffrey Ibeabuchi called on all Abia people to contribute to the success and development of Abia State urging the leaders to lead by example. He encouraged the Abia citizenry to pray for the Governor and avoid destructive criticism but support the Governor to succeed in office.



He spoke on the topic "I know the plans I have for you" and said the Lord has good plans for Abia, maintaining that if the plans must be fulfilled, Abia must move ahead, there is need to forsake sin and trust God.

LEADERSHIP SUCCESS IN ABIA STATE

By Jude Ndukwe

Let me state it from the outset that this piece is a direct response to the one written by one Chinedu O. Nwosu which he mischievously titled “Leadership Failure in Abia State”. Ordinarily, seeing that the piece was full of falsehood and deliberate manipulation of facts, it was easy to see that it was a hatchet job done primarily to revive the drowning political career of a former governor of Abia state in the person of Orji Uzor Kalu and mislead the good people of the state in the process, one would not have responded to it but for the sake of putting the records straight with fact and figures.

While the writer labored so hard but in vain to denigrate the current governor of the state, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and his immediate predecessor, Senator T.A. Orji, he attempted to pull the wool over the face of Abians by his beatification of Orji Uzor Kalu, a man whose antecedents and eight years as governor was nothing but an unfortunate waste to the state.

It would seem that when God said in the Book of Prophet Joel 2:25 that “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm…” he was referring to Abia and her days Orji Uzor Kalu held sway as governor. God being a faithful God whose “word will never return to him void without it performing that which he has sent it” started the restoration process the moment he gave Senator T.A. Orji the uncommon courage to cut himself free from Kalu who was bent on continuing his days of locust, cankerworm, caterpillar and palmerworm invasion of the state by proxy through the amiable senator and immediate past governor.

That freedom for himself and for Abians from the stranglehold of a brutish godfather was the first phase of Abia State’s freedom and restoration.

One wonders why anyone who claims to love the people would embark on a task to canonize a man, a former governor in Orji Uzor Kalu, who is currently facing corruption charges in the court as slapped on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly embezzling the humongous sum of N7.6bn of the state resources, an amount that was even higher than the entire federal allocation of N7.06bn to the state for the entire year 2000 during which he was governor. In other places, Kalu would have been treated with the utmost disdain he deserves for throwing the state into the wreck which she is only managing to smart out from following such an alleged audacious stealing.

That Chinedu said that Abia State “is very backward” in terms of infrastructural development is not only false but also sinister, it is, yet, understandable because he was obviously writing from what he was used to in the hey days of his hero when the few wishy-washy road projects Orji Uzor kalu constructed always got washed away by the very first rains. Is it not an indictment on Kalu if anyone says that Abia State is backward in terms of infrastructural development? If that is the case, where then are the infrastructure and projects which Chinedu glowingly credited to Kalu, a disaster in governance.

Like God promised his people in the Book of Prophet Joel, the reign of the locust has since gone and today, Abians have been restored. With 67 solid verifiable road projects completed in the state and 82 others at their different stages of completion, the education sector receiving an unprecedented turn around that has seen Abia students come 1st in WASC for three consecutive years since Ikpeazu came to office despite the stiff competition among states, aggressive diversification of the state economy through agriculture that has also seen to the successful distribution of a whopping 2 million high yielding tenera palm species among other impactful agricultural operations, the revolution in the health sector where the Dial-a-Doc Telehealth initiative, which is the first in Nigeria, allows Abians to have access to highly professional medical attention from the comfort of their homes just by dialing some dedicated numbers etc, all within just 36 months of Ikpeazu being in office, Abia State is surely on the rise again and on the path of irreversible progress.

One would not have known the global shame which Orji Uzor Kalu had brought to Abia State through sports as the Enyimba International stadium despite having hosted high profile competitive international matches involving our darling Enyimba of Aba, had been without even a single toilet. The stench that oozed from the stadium as a result of the indiscriminate disposal of human waste during matches was enough to cause an own goal for a team. The dressing rooms were in shambles and masqueraded with rickety furniture while the pitch was not only patchy but also muddy and easily turned to an Olympic-sized swimming pool on rainy days.

But today, the story is different as Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has provided world class toilet facilities, renewed the dressing rooms, and laid the latest pitch technology of hybrid grass on the stadium. While work is still going on in other areas of the now-world class facility, ex-international players, sports analysts including those of the highly reputable DSTV, journalists, fans, supporters and those who have seen the stadium attest to the fact that it is now one of the best in the country while the pitch is unequivocally adjudged the very best one can find anywhere in Nigeria, all thanks to the governor.

On security, it is both sad and unfortunate that some people find it so easy to manipulate facts for their own selfish ends. When the federal government sends “Operation Python Dance” to Abia State, you see the Chinedus of this world crying their voices hoarse and shouting, blaming the federal government for sending the python dance to the southeast when the region which includes Abia is at peace and has no security challenges. But when they want to justify their pay from political opponents desperate for power, they immediately change their tune and claim that the state is insecure. Too much double-speak from a set of people.

In a release by the National Bureau of statistics last year for 2016, it was recorded that Katsina, Abia and Zamfara recorded the lowest crime rate in the country with 0.10 per cent, 0.29 per cent and 0.38 per cent respectively for 2016, and that is because Dr Ikpeazu quickly settled down and tackled headlong the wave of crime that bedeviled the state. For a state that used to be tagged as a den of robbers and kidnappers to be rated as one of the three states in the entire federation with the lowest crime rate just only a year after Ikpeazu took power shows the kind of work he did in ensuring that Abia is safe not only for her citizens but also for residents and investors.

Little wonder his “Proudly Made in Aba” campaign has attracted accolades from all corners of the world to the extent that foreign investors are now rushing to Abia to take advantage of the conducive business environment being created by the governor. Recently, the Ruyi Group of China signed a multimillion-dollar investment agreement with the state for the new Enyimba Economic City and the whopping sum of $1.3m dollars has already been committed to the projects by one of the partners for the design and other preliminary works of the emerging humongous city that is modeled after the tourist and business city of Dubai and spans a land mass of 9,800ha across three local governments of Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo, with the federal government carried along.

It is therefore not a surprise that reputable institutions with unblemished records of credibility have singled out the governor and given him awards thus: Vanguard Newspaper Governor of the Year 2017; Authority Daily Newspaper Governor of the Year 2017; Verbatim Magazine Governor of the Year 2017; even the presidency which is controlled by the the APC which Orji Uzor Kalu belongs to could not resist the temptation and also most recently gave Dr Ikpeazu an award for being the Most friendly MSME Governor.

The above are all verifiable facts and figures. Those who attempt to tarnish the image of the governor and his good works will always run away with their tails between their legs because Dr Okezie Ikpeazu towers far and above all of them put together when it comes to concrete evidence of performance enumerated in facts and figures. And this is just the beginning for NdiAbia!

That, is leadership success!

---jrndukwe@yahoo.co.uk; Twitter: @stjudendukwe

Crawling through an EFCC check point, covered under APC flag, will the turban title of Dan Baiwan (slave) of Daura save him?

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It's only one size, and for him alone...

#AbiaOnline

In 2014 when Dr Okezie Ikpeazu declared his intention to run for the gubernatorial election in Abia State, some naysayers didn’t give him any chance at the polls. But like a determined fighter, Ikpeazu knew how to choose his fight and achieve his goals, he went to town preaching his message to all segments of the society, but he focused on the real people, the youths, the elderly, the downtrodden while also appealing to the sensibilities of the elites. He had charm and gusto, his deep knowledge and expressed wisdom was not just electrifying but also infectious. He marshaled out his dream for a new Abia that will run on 5 development pillars and 5 enablers. By the last count after a repeat rerun, Okezie Ikpeazu Ph.D. the common son of an ordinary schoolteacher was announced the Governor elect.

Right from the onset, like he started, the Governor began a gradually but deliberate effort to rewrite the history of the state. Prior to his coming Aba was an eyesore in terms of road infrastructure, today, by taking the bull by the horn some impassable roads have been demystified. Who eve knew that Ukwu Mango, Ifeobara pond, Omni Drive, the trio of Ehere, Ukaegbu, Umuola and several other Aba roads could survive one round of rainy season. He came with a homegrown strategy – rigid-cement-pavement technology, the once Aba road reputed for demystifying rehabilitation efforts has bent under the Ikpeazu ingenuity. Governor Ikpeazu caterpillar revolution across the state under the current economic downturn shocked naysayers who never gave him any chance, they thought he had nothing offer the state.

Another area Governor Ikpeazu has blazed the trail is in the area of the famous Made-in Aba Campaign. Prior to his election and from time immemorial Aba has been reputed as the hub of leather and garment production, in fact Aba is known as the commercial nerve centre of the east. But at no time had anybody taken the crafts of Aba to the height the Governor took it to. Granted Senator Abaribe began the made in Aba exhibitions in Abuja, but the gusto, the style and flavour Governor Ikpeazu brought to the campaign, immediately skyrocketed it to the moon. Made in Aba has become a global slogan. When he began with branding and marketing, many a people including some team members reasoned that was a wrong strategy, I remember some friends reaching me to criticize our thought process. Alas, the man with the Midas touch knew what he wanted to achieve. Today, the campaign has resolved many of the issues bedeviling Aba entrepreneurs, light is coming, access to finance is here, market share has increased-the orders are coming in droves, investors are flooding the place, the Enyimba Economic City – the big picture is the answer, he is resolving the infrastructural challenge, Aba entrepreneurs have never had it this good. The sales are on the increase, today, Aba shoe makers and dress makers are proud to put the inscription “proudly made in Aba’ on their products. What an achievement!

The complete rewriting of the history of the Enyimba Stadium is another milestone that has set Ikpeazu apart from others. In this same state and just recently, Enyimba Football Club used to be the darling club winning all kinds of laurels back to back, even with all the money that came from those victories, who knew the stadium had no single toilet facility, not conducive dressing room, the pitch was nothing to write home about, yet they remained the lead team in Nigeria. When the history maker came to town he insisted that the place needed his touch, on Sunday history will be made as the former eagle’s players file out in a novelty match to celebrate the newly remodeled Enyimba Stadium reputed as the best in Nigeria today.

“Agu Ole k’a madu ga egbu akpo ya ogbu agu”

the resounding endorsements across the state for Governor Ikpeazu, is as a result of his very peculiar approach to leaving his signature on the sands of time in a very special way.

©Chinenye Nwaogu