Governor of Abia State, Dr.Okezie Ikpeazu was yesterday pronounced Governor of the year 2017 by the Editors of Verbatim Magazine, a fortnightly published in Abuja by former Editors of the defunct Newswatch magazine.
Governor Ikpeazu, according to a press release jointly signed by Tobs Agbaegbu and Ibrahim Modibbo, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and Chairman, Board of Editors of Editors respectively, will be officially decorated on Thursday, April 26,2018 at a glamorous award ceremony at Nicon Luxury hotel in Abuja.
Adducing reasons for the choice of Ikpeazu as Governor of the year, the management of verbatim magazine explained in the press release that Governor Ikpeazu’s choice was in recognition and appreciation of his developmental vision and life transforming achievements in Abia state, adding that ‘’ his three years in office has been remarkably eventful and largely successful’’.
While commending Ikpeazu for outstanding achievements, the management of Verbatim stated that ‘’Beyond exhibition of excellence in the core developmental objectives of his administration, Governor Ikpeazu also exhibited courage in initiating measures aimed at tackling the road network problem in Aba with the introduction of the novel technique in road construction in the state known as Rigid Pavement Technology which will not only ensure the durability of the roads but also save cost in the development of Aba, the industrial hub of South Eastern Nigeria’’.
They also praised Governor Ikpeazu for proposing the establishment of industrial Clusters in Aba which would involve more than 40,000 shoe makers in the town and also the establishment of vocational trade centres to take care of the various artisans across the state, pointing out that ‘’It is no wonder that the people of Abia State are already looking beyond Ikpeazu’s first term in office’’.
10 other prominent Nigerians who also won the hearts of verbatim magazine will be honoured with various awards at the Abuja event. These include the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and the Vice Chancellors of University of Nigeria Nsukka, (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU) and Imo State University (IMSU, Owerri.
Former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, now Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, House of Representative members, Nnanna Igbokwe and Jones Onyereri, as well as the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rita Maduagwu; Hannatu Adamu Fika, Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board(FGSHLB) and Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club, Emeka Inyama will also receive awards for excellence in service.