Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has assured the people of the state that his administration will continue to overcome challenges and keep the state moving in the right direction of sustainable growth and prosperity.
Governor Ikpeazu who stated this during the grand finale of the 29th-anniversary celebration of the creation of the State and award presentation to medics at the frontline of the fight against Covid-19 in the state, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, expressed appreciation to God for the relative peace and political stability in the state saying that “Abia State is a work in progress as no single administration can do all that is needed for her people”.
He disclosed that his administration has all together worked on 200 roads and that before the end of his administration in 2023, he would ensure the completion of the new Government House, JAAC Secretariat as well as deliver on a new airport. He informed that a committee to midwife the airport project has already been constituted saying that his administration has constructed 359 new classroom blocks in the State and is set to add another 150 this year along with the already established 4 model schools. He expressed joy over the appreciable progress made in education, SME, agriculture and industrialization among others.
Governor Ikpeazu assured that the new Enyimba Automated Shoe Factory will commence full operations this year and congratulated the awardees whom he described as worthy recipients on behalf of all those who continue to make sacrifices to fight the virus in the state. He further lauded their commitment, love And devotion to their duties.
He assured the people of the State that even with the challenges posed by the outbreak of Covid-19 which created massive economic shocks across the globe, his administration would continue to apply prudence in ensuring that available resources are managed for the good of Abia people and residents while seeking creative means to improve the financial capabilities of the State.
Congratulating recipients of the award, Governor Ikpeazu said that the awards were given to them as representatives of other hardworking Abians and lauded their commitment and love for the State. He said with the inauguration of the Board of Automated Shoe Factories in the State, Abia shoes would compete favourably with others in the global market.
Governor Ikpeazu thanked God for the sociopolitical stability in the State and appreciated the Deputy Governor, the Speaker, the Chief Judge and other key office holders for being partners in the wheel of progress of the State. He also paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the State who worked tirelessly to ensure the actualization of the creation of Abia State and wished the entire people of the State, a happy 29th anniversary.
Earlier, the Chairman, Abia State Advisory Council, Ezeogo (Dr) Anagha Ezikpe, represented by the Deputy Chairman, Administration, of the Council, Sir Chikezie Wachukwu, requested that the Charter of Equity be enacted into law by the State House of Assembly to enhance equitable sharing of political power in the State. He commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for coming up with the Abia Anthem which reflects the mind of Abia people and called on all to maintain unity in the State.
In a lecture titled “Covid-19: Awareness Impact And Citizens’ Response In Abia State”, a Consultant Public Health Physician at ABSUTH, Dr Carol Iwuoha, maintained that Covid-19 is real and recommended that all should adhere to the protocols established in the fight against the virus, present themselves voluntarily for testing, avoid self-medication, disregard misleading information about Covid-19 among others.
She commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for strategies adopted in creating awareness through which majority of Abia residents are now aware of the pandemic. She equally hailed Governor Ikpeazu for bracing up to the challenges of Covid-19 by providing testing equipment and training of managers of the novel disease, distributing palliatives to various Abia groups among others, and called on all to identify their responsibilities as well as act accordingly.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, the Medical Director, FMC, Umuahia, Dr Azubuike Onyebuchi thanked Governor Ikpeazu for the award and assured that the awards would spur them to do more in the battle against Covid-19 disease in the State.
The awardees were; Dr Stanley Okerulu, Dr Ijeoma Nduka, Lady Peace Nwaogwugwu, Dr Azubuike Onyebuchi, Nurse Lilian Anyanwu
Nurse Kemi Olowoniyi, Comrade Chidi Aligwe, Ijeoma Akaghara, Dr Franklyn Alozie, Mrs Oluchi Adighogu, Uche Ugochi Confidence, Dr. (Mrs) Carol Iwuoha and Dr Suzzy Nwanyioma.
The event which featured the cutting of the State’s anniversary cake and presentation of awards to 13 deserving individuals for their selfless services to the State attracted the presence of the wife of the State Governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu and his wife, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, Chief Judge of Abia State, Hon. Justice Onuoha Kalu Ogwe, member representing Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chief Uko Nkole, the SSG, Barr. Chris Ezem, Commissioners, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr ACB Agbazuere, the Head of Service, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Sir Don Ubani, Heads of Security and para-military agencies in the State, T. C Chairmen, Traditional Rulers, members of the clergy among other dignitaries
