SUSTAINING SUPPORT FOR A PERFORMING GOVERNOR – Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu TO DO MORE.
Henri Frederic Amiel, a Swiss Writer posited in one of his works that ” great men are real men: in them nature has succeeded “.
An English poet and critic Mathew Arnold asserted, quote ” greatness is a spiritual condition worthy to excite love, interest and admiration and the outward proof of possessing greatness “.
Without doubt, the suppositions of these great philosopher agree with the accomplishments of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu who has put in place concrete structures that have not only given the state needed face lift but intended to completely transform and reposition the state for the good of all.
Indeed, Governor Ikpeazu mounted the saddle with mission to remodel and redefine governance and like biblical Nehemiah, Dr. Ikpeazu came with the divine mandate of putting Abia in the world map of commerce and economic bliss. Consider the latest efforts at improving secuirty and enhancing the aesthetics of Umuahia, the state capital, the Governor after inspecting the progress of work at the new relief market, Amuzukwu a few days ago, revealed that arrangements have been concluded to move traders who sell perishable goods at the popular Isi- Gate Umuahia to the relief market.
He further restated that those who sell non- perishable goods would be moved to Ubani – Ibeku Ultra Modern Market and this was cheered by the traders. In the words of the Governor while addressing the traders :”My love for you traders informed my insistence that you should not be relocated until the construction of an alternative market is completed”. Surely, the administration of Dr. Ikpeazu is keen to redesign and beautify the Isi-Gate area into a befitting city centre.
Another laudable project of the Dr. Ikpeazu administration designed to enhance secuirty, improve night life and economic activities especially in the two major cities of Aba and Umuahia is the ” Light Must Glow Initiative ” for which the Governor constituted a committee.
Gladly, that committee led by former Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Aham Uko has satisfactorily concluded its assignment as attested to by Governor Ikpeazu and a drive round the capital city today will collaborate that assertion.
In the Agricultural Sector, Abia has made significant improvement. Today, farmers experience higher yields owing to government interventions in the form of loans, farm implements, supplying of high yielding and disease resistant seedlings, tenera palm seedling and improved rice seedling. In addition, efforts are being made to construct rural roads leading to farmland and ease transportation of farm produce from rural to urban centre.
Afterall, it was Adam Smith who posited that :” No society can surely be flourishing and happy of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable”.
Also, the narrative in entrepreneurship and skills acquisition changed. The campaign for made in Aba products speak directly of the people’s commitment and hard work. The manufacturers of shoes and other leather works now proudly label on their products made in Aba. The efforts of Governor Ikpeazu cannot be over emphasized. For indeed as a French philosopher and writer, Voltaire Francis Marie puts it: ” work keeps us from three great evils , boredom, vice and need”.
Furthermore, a lot has been done in the area of road construction and reconstruction. For example, Faulks Road, Umule Road, Tonimas Road, Etche Road, Ukaegbu Road, Omoba Road, Aba Owerri Road have aided the distribution of made in Aba products to neighbouring states.
In education, Abia State has maintained its leading position in both internal and external examinations. No fewer than three hundred and fifty new buildings and model schools across the three senatorial zones have been added to the existing classroom blocks by the present administration. In addition, the grading of Abia State University and Polytechnic has improved greatly through expositions, research and committed leadership. Also, enrolment into primary and secondary schools has increased over time with Abia ranked as one of the states with the least out of school children in Nigeria by the Bureau of Statistics.
In industrialization, many moribund industries like Golden Guinea Breweries and Glass Industry Aba have been revived. Of course, this would not have been possible but for the intervention of government and provision of enabling environment. That also accounts for why many business owners such as car plants, automated shoe factories, smart cities, fabricated planted to mention but a few have made Abia their new investment home.
The health sector has also received due attention by the Ikpeazu -led administration as our health institutions are getting rebranded with technological improvement in health care services with more qualified health personnel and large quantity of health equipment some of which are a result of intervention of government through NGO’s from different countries. More Health Centres and General Hospitals have also been builtand equippedto cater for the health needsof Ndi -Abia.
Sports have taken a new dimension and turn for the better with improvement in sporting facilities. We now have more teams playing in our premier division than most states in the Federation, Enyimba football club has become a household name in African football with many national and international laurels to its credit.
Indeed, the prospects are high and better days are ahead for Abia. For instance, the Enyimba Economic City is said to be the largest single Economic plan embarked upon by any state in Africa which has scaled through all paper works. It has attracted investment in billions towards its development and its projected to provide more than six hundred thousands jobs.
In all, what more can a people expect of their Governor than the continuation of the good works already started. Let all and sundry sustain the already existing support for the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to do more in the remaining part of his second term.
Umuahia – Nigeria
August 29, 2019.
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