ABIA GOV TO SPECIAL ADVISERS, “LEAD PRO-GOVERNMENT NARRATIVES TO SUSTAIN PEACE, DEVELOPMENT”

The Executive Governor of Abia state Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD has urged his Special Advisers to seek to lead a narrative about the government’s agenda that others will follow, rather than allowing mischief makers to do so.

Gov Ikpeazu stated this when the Special Advisers, led by Hon Collins Nwakanma, paid a courtesy call to him at the Governor’s Office Lodge, where he referred to the team as “the shadow of the state executive council”.

He expressed his gratitude to the Advisers for their unwavering support and dedication.

The Governor noted that the Advisers are “a repository of knowledge,” particularly on his government’s programmes and policies, and so should be able to explain them well enough for others to follow.

The Governor, in reviewing some of his accomplishments over the last seven years, stated that although his administration developed over 700 school buildings and over 680 primary health care centres, as well as certain major projects such as the Osisioma flyover, his greatest legacy is the continued protection of Abians’ lives and property.

“Peace and security remain the basic stimulus upon which other socio-economic sectors thrive,” he says, adding that “people recognise the necessity of socio-political orderliness only when there is a visible violation of peace and security.”

Gov Ikpeazu emphasised his administration’s considerable accomplishments in all areas of the economy, announcing that Abians will soon witness a four-day simultaneous commissioning of some of the state’s iconic projects to commemorate his seventh year in office.

In the power sector, the Governor recalled his efforts to the realisation of the Geometrix power project, adding that he accompanied the visionary Professor Nnaji to a number of business engagements, both in Nigeria and abroad, all in an effort to help the project come to fruition.

On road infrastructure and ease of doing business, the Governor stated that his government has succeeded in connecting three main markets with accessible roads, stating that those major marketplaces may now be effortlessly connected through Omuma, Eziukwu, and Ngwa highways, respectively.

He admitted, “I was able to drive from one end of Eziukwu road to the other for the first time in almost 40 years. I didn’t think this administration would be able to achieve the feat it has thus far, especially in terms of road development in Aba”.

In terms of his successor, he stated that he will leave Abians a suitable successor who will be better than him. He stressed that, contrary to what his critics believe, he is seeking a successor who can stand their ground among other leaders, not an appendage or an extension of his government.

The chairman of the body of Advisers, Hon. Collins Nwakanma informed the Governor that the body had come to thank him for honouring his promise to re-appoint some of the Advisers following the mass disengagement of the Governor’s aides in December 2021, as well as to reaffirm their unwavering solidarity and loyalty to the Governor.

Nwakanma praised the Governor’s accomplishments and mastery of the science of politics, peace, and reconciliation, and stated that as the Governor’s foot soldiers, they are devoted to carrying out his orders.
“We are ready to go with you, work for you and fight your battles if need be. You can count on us”.

He praised the Governor for appointing Chief Okey Ahiwe as the new chief of staff, a smart and savvy administrator, and promised that the body would work with him hoping that his breadth of expertise will take everyone along.

The chairman used of the opportunity to emphasise some of the Advisers’ problems and appealed to the Governor to intervene.

Some top aides to the Governor, including the Secretary of the body of Advisers, Chief Mascot Imo Obike, Chief P. C. Mba, Lady Dimanochie, Elder Kennedy Onyema, Uche Onyeama, Engr Ifeanyi Okorie, Ubani Newman Ubani, and other Special Advisers, were present at the meeting.

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