By Newman Ubani
The name Aba is synonymous with business, entrepreneurship, trade and commerce, can-do spirit of the Igbo man, craftsmanship and hard work. Right from the time of King Jaja of Opobo and other pathfinders in business, Aba was known as the commercial hub centre of the Igbo man, housing many entrepreneurs. Aba as a home for all was and is still being occupied by people from different states, not just Abians.
Over the years, the popular Enyimba city has been struggling to survive with no will power to do so until the emergence of the Abia incumbent Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the real ‘Nwa Aba’ who knows, and understands the problems and challenges of Aba people.
A Committed Aba man and Governor of the State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has within his first tenure, turned round the fortunes of Aba people.
Governor Ikpeazu looked beyond his election litigations that lasted three years, which made him the only Governor in Nigeria that was dragged to the Supreme court for three consecutive times within the first three years of his administration. His resolve to fix Aba, the Enyimba city remained inexorable.
From infrastructural revolution to facilitation of several skill acquisition/capacity building programmes, boosting the psyche and morale of the Aba artisans through the promotion of the ‘Made in Aba’ products as well as providing enabling environment for business to thrive in Aba and Abia State entirely, the administration of Governor Ikpeazu has achieved greatly. The Governor has changed the narrative and has impacted several lives. He has made Aba to become the envy of all, having transformed it from an economic nerve centre to SME capital of Nigeria, which was confirmed by the Federal government of Nigeria.
Also, the reconstruction of the Enyimba International Football Club Stadium has restored the ambiance and excitement of football matches in Aba, the Enyimba City.
Of course, this was possible following the untiring efforts of the Governor which is aimed at making Abia great.
On assumption of office, Governor Ikpeazu kicked off from Aba and started fixing the dilapidated roads in the ancient commercial city. Governor Ikpeazu, on several occasions affirmed that the essence of more concentration in Aba was because of his belief that if Aba is fixed, all other parts of the State is equally fixed. The reason behind this is that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accrual Aba will realise when fixed, is capable of making Abia’s economy independent and also tackle all other Abia infrastructural needs and challenges.
So far, we have seen avalanche of evidence that the Governor is out to make Aba rise again. The road infrastructure which tops as the most important thing has been greatly achieved, as key roads in Aba’, such as Brass/Faulks/Ariaria/Ukwu-Mango road and the adjourning roads, MCC/Samec, Ochefu, Umuola, Umule, Umuatako, Ukaegbu roads also, Portharcourt road is under construction and other roads not mentioned here. Efforts are on to equally complete the first ever flyover in Aba. The automated shoe-making machines procured by the Governor has arrived Aba, while the factory is being put in place for soon to be commenced automated shoe production.
In his New Year message to the good people of Abia State, the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu assured the speedy completion of the projects his administration has embarked on. According to him, the budget he presented for the 2019 fiscal year is for consolidation of his achievements in the first tenure in office.
As we approach 2019 election day, we are prone to understand that the Governor is very much in a hurry to ensure Aba, the Enyimba city is fully revived as it should be. Hence, the need to support the Governor achieve this lofty dream of his is eminent.
Together, Abians should get ready to return Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the Governor in this 2019 elections. Aba is gradually returning to its original status and glory. OVI will do more in his second term!
#MyIkpeazuSuccessStory
#Abia4Ikpeazu
#AbiaOnline
#VoteIkpeazuAgian
Comments are closed.