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In no veil terms, in no proverbial cliches and in no diplomatic colourations, the incumbent Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has assiduously transmogrified the State at an a alarming level of growth, development and transformation such that the she has been returned to its glory days.
Tellingly, naysayers have become pacified because of Ikpeazu’s success rate, unrepentant critics are today speaking well about the administration’s vibrancy and most people at the borderline of the opposition political parties have left in droves to join the efficacious camp of the Governor.
Such has been the magnitude of the Governor’s achievements that awards, accolades and encomiums have become commonplace in the Governor’s award gallery.
Henry Kissinger, the former US secretary of State rightly warned that “those who abuse the high ideal of a nation for the benefits of provincial cubicles are as guilty as those who oppose the liberty of men”. And oblivious to Kissinger’s dictum the current administration has left no stone unturned in ensuring that all the 17 local government council areas have specific capital intensive projects going on within their area to allay avoidable agitation and unrest.
To set matters straight, the current Dr. Ikpeazu led administration upon assumption of office hinged its vision on five cardinal foundations: Agriculture, Education, Industry, SME development as well as oil and gas.
It is important to simultaneously emphasize the achievements of the current administration vis-a-vis the Stated vision. In accomplishing the above stated cardinal objectives of the current administration, the Governor, true to type, constituted a very transparent and competent team and equally left the door open for an obviously poisonous opposition to contribute their own quota (if they at all have any) for the resuscitation, revitalization and rebuilding of “God’s own State”.
Indeed, most of us in the know particularly the down trodden who have received enormous face-lift from the massive infrastructural and human capital development programmes orchestrated by our ubiquitous Governor are in better positions to speak for or against the current administration.
Just as the scripture clearly warned that “wisdom remains the principal thing”, our wise Governor decidedly listened and heard the voices of the poor, downtrodden, widows and orphans upon whose name a responsible government is accentuated. Their voices or even their silence would mean more to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Yet the current administration has been receptive to all and Sundry in a bid to provide the desired dividends of leadership to all.
Going ahead to hint some of the achievements of the present administration remains a desideratum necessary to possibly set Abia dissidents aright. In terms of infrastructure, an enabler to boosting the economy of the State, Abia is on a league of its own. Even doubting Thomases who never really believed on the competence and capacity of the Dr. Ikpeazu before 2015 gubernatorial elections in Abia have now pitched their tenths and remained supportive to the commendable path of progress Abia State is into today. In fact convincing an Abia who left the State 3 years ago that the level of road infrastructure witnessed in the State happened just within the space of 3 years irrespective of unnecessary and court litigations, remains a formidable task. From Ukaegbu road, through Ehere road and even Umuola road, Amuda Isugwu community road, Umuagu Ibeku/Umuda Isingwu erosion control site, Abariba Nkoro road, rebuilding of Faulks road, rebuilding of Portharcourt Road, building of the prototype overhead bridge in Aba, building a new dual lane of Aba road, Umauhia, reconstruction of Gorges road, Aba, St. Michaels road, saving Afara from erosion collapse, reconstruction of low cost housing estate road, Umuatako, Abiriba ring road, Ovom Road, MCC Samek, Agharandu road, Ibadan street, Ochefu road, Nkpa road. Building of Okonu Aku bridge, building of Ndiokereke-Ndioji bridge, building the road that leads to Ugwunagbo LGA such that has never happened before. The sight has been soul and spirit lifting. Who said there is no hope for Abia? Yet the list indeed remains endless.
Abia State looked into its comparative advantage in Agriculture and today, the State has gone into massive Palm plantation with over 4,000,000 tenera specie seedlings grown and sold across the state with a target of 7.5m seedlings before the end of 2020. The State has launched large mushroom production and training program that has started yielding fruits.
The Abia State Government is actively supporting rice farmers to further boost production and put more ‘Abia Rice’ in the market with the target of producing enough to feed all Abians before 2023.
Under the supervision of Dr. Ikpeazu, Abia have provided mechanized farming equipment across the State through leasing at affordable rates that is less than 50% of the previous cost.
Commercial production of cocoa and cashew has been boosted through deliberate investment by the government. The objective of the government is to ultimately establish processing plants for the primary products to further enhance benefits within the value chain for the cash crops.
On education, the present administration has not only reconstructed moribund educational structures but has also erected new buildings across the 17 local government council areas in the state. Yet the administration is not deficient on its bid to ensuring that the ultimate goal of scholarship is realized. No wonder Abia State students have remained on the forefront in external examinations like WAEC, NECO etc, for three years rolling.
Who would then argue that even the profession of our humble Governor has not reflected on the State, who himself also volunteers to teach at the department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, even as a sitting Governor? Humility indeed pays. Even with the synergy with federal government to feed from primary 1-3, in Abia all the primary school pupils (1-6) are offered balanced meals each morning from the State Government coffers to keep the brain very active particularly in the morning hours for maximum utilization. Time may not really permit us to marshal out the infrastructural revolution happening in our University, Polytechnic and Colleges of Education and Health.
As if these are not enough, SME, trade and investment remains one major area which has been so revived by the current administration such that several textbooks could be written in attempting to put these exploits into writing. Apart from championing the growth, expansion and development of local content production, the current administration has empowered Abia youths in skill acquisition and human capacity building more than any other democratic Government in our history. Little wonder a movement for the support of “Made in Aba” goods have been taken to high heavens even as the Governor exemplifies by wearing only “Made in Aba” products since his inauguration without succumbing to the cynosure of shopping in Dubai, China and USA. Whoever does that in Nigeria? Only a well meaning and visionary leader would.
Yet, the administration has remained unflinching in propelling the skills, talents, ingenuity and know-how of Abia youths to find expression within the international community whose multiplier effects could turn Abia State into the “China of Africa” as already being taunted.
Of a truth, only masochists and denigrators with exuberant taste for self violence will remain insidious against the continuation of these glory days already begun in Abia State by our eagle-eyed Governor.
Either way, Abia is out of the hands of gluttons and now in safe hands under Dr. Ikpeazu’s watch. It can only keep getting safer and better for the State.
Above all, 2019 is neither far nor near for a performing Governor and when push comes to shove, shall be urged by all as is already happening to contest and continue on this trajectory of growth, progress and transformation for the entire State.
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