AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY ATTORNEY AT - LAW, DIG.AZUBUKO JOEL UDAH(RTD)
His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the Executive Governor of Abia State,
His Excellency , Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, the Deputy Governor of Abia State,
Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Chief Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Honourable Member Representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency,
Honourable House Members,
Honourable Commissioners,
The Chairman Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Sir Linus N. Mba, KSS, KSM,
The President of All Ngwa Cultural Organization,
The Clergy,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with a heart full of gratitude to GOD that I welcome you All to this epoch-making and historic grand reception for His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
Today we are gathered as a people united by origin and descent to celebrate a worthy son of Abia State and a Governor par excellence for his outstanding and uncommon achievements within the shortest period of time in office and also to unanimously pass a vote of confidence on him and his Administration.
The Old Bende people are peace loving, industrious, accommodating, hospitable and supporters of that which is good and worthy. We are known to support good leaders irrespective of their race and origin as we are given to peaceful co-existence.
I have walked the corridors of power, served this nation with honour in the Security Architecture of Nigeria, and I have watched states rise and stumble through the lenses of leadership; Yet, few moments in my life have inspired as much genuine pride and hope as what we are witnessing in ABIA State under the remarkable Stewardship of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
For decades, ABIA, our GOD’S Own State stood at crossroads of potential and paralysis— rich in History, Culture and Industrious people, yet weighed down by Infrastructural Neglect, Systemic decay and Governance that often lacked Vision.
Citizens of Abia Waited, prayed and hoped for a Leader who would not merely occupy office, but a leader who would activate PURPOSE.
Your Excellency, your performances and results so far achieved speak volumes of both your person and your leadership prowess. In your time, Abians are witnessing the emergence of the New Abia [a slogan and watchword of your regime] and the Old Bende people can attest to these feats you have so far achieved as they are spread across the nooks and crannies of the state.
Going by the above, the Old Bende Community acknowledges, with profound gratitude, your transformational and transparent leadership, which culminated in the progressive developments being witnessed in diverse sectors of the Abia economy, especially in such areas as education, prompt payment of workers’ salaries, health, security, digital ecosystem and infrastructural developments.
All these are testaments to your passion and unwavering commitments to the development of Abia State as evident in the following:
1.The reconstructed Umuahia -Arochukwu link Road, now Professor Joe Irukwu Way (renamed after one of our illustrious sons).
2.The six-lane PortHarcourt Road, which was recently commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, ably represented by the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi.
3.The newly reconstructed Ossa Road now Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard has given a new look to our God's own Abia state Capital City.
4.The Newly remodeled Dr. Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
5.The new International Stadium project at Umuahia.
6.The recent acquisition of a stake in EEDC to promote and ensure steady power supply in Abia State.
7.The ongoing digital tech training of 850 Abia youths to the Abia digital ecosystem to position Abia State among the digital hubs in Nigeria.
8.The Abia International Airport project at Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa.
For all the above and more not mentioned, we duff our hats 🎩 for you and wish to encourage Your Excellency to continually sustain the tempo of your developmental strides and never allow any untoward distractions hinder your transformational efforts.
Your vision of the New Abia must be sustained. Keep working and never relent.
Sincerely, your Excellency, your unmatched and unrivalled developmental impacts in Abia State has earned you second term in office and may I state categorically here that the good people of Old Bende are solidly behind you. More so because you have shown yourself unmistakably a true Son and true leader of All three Senatorial Zones of Abia State.
Let me on behalf of the entire Old Bende People appeal and make the following Requests for Your Excellency’s Consideration.
Due to the agrarian nature of our people, many link Roads require inclusion for consideration as the roads when constructed will be pivotal in enhancing Movement of people as well as Massive Agricultural produce thus boosting economic development of Abia North and Abia Central Zones. It would also provide access and ease of movement for both the people and agricultural produce while also opening up easy access to and from neighbouring Ebonyi State.
a)Construction of Bende-Ozuitem-Igbere-Amaokwe Item-Okai Item- Akaeze Road;
b)Reconstruction of Alayi-Item-Nkporo Road.
c)Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem-Umuahia direct link;And Umuhu to Isiegbu Ozuitem Road;
d)Umuchieze-Uturu-Eziama -Lokpaukwu Road in Umunneochi; And Eke Isuochi;
Eke Isuochi-express road Geriki cattle Market Umuchieze in Umunneochi;
e)Elu-Amuke-Okon-Afikpo Road in Ohafia LGA;
f)Umuokogbue-Afornta - Elu Ama Road in Isuikwuato.
g)Within Aba metropolis, we appeal for you to give attention to the following Roads:
i)St Paul's-Umuka-Nwigwe Road;
ii)Egbelu street,Umungasi off Aba Owerri road (opposite Umungasi Market).
In conclusion, your Excellency, we are very honored by your presence.
Today Ndi Old Bende, our Ukwa la Ngwa kits & Kin as well as other Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas & others tribes residents here in Aba Ngwa have trooped out en mass to receive you as a mark of our whole hearted acceptance of our dear Governor; And to reaffirm our undivided support to your leadership. JIDÉ KA IJI;
CHIRI GAWA N’IHU!.
Thank you once again for honouring our invitation. May GOD grant you, your entourage and All that came here to appreciate & honour you journey mercies back home.
Long Live Old Bende Progressive Union (OBPU),
Long Live Old Bende,
Long Live Abia State,
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
DIG. AZUBUKO JOEL UDAH, ESQ, mni (RTD)
CHAIRMAN
OLD BENDE PROGRESSIVE UNION (OBPU) ABIA SOUTH ZONE
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