An honour well deserved The Governor of Abia State and Chairman South East Governors Forum Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji will be conferred with the merit award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). National merit award is an honour set aside to reward distinguished sons and daughters of Nigeria who have contributed immensely in the development of the country. Therefore, this award to the Governor of Abia State and the new leader of the Igbo role Chief T.A Orji came at the right time. A time he is winding up his administration with legacy projects scattered all over the state and also uniting Ndi Igbo. His choice for the award did not come by chance but a product of commitment, hard work and painstaking achievement of a man whose avowed commitment to the development of the state nay the Country is mirrowed and appreciated. According to Booker T Washington “There are two way s of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up. Having understood that pushing down is retrogressive the Governor rebuilt and picked up the pieces of the ruined state he met when he assumed office in 2007 and today Abians have every cause to celebrate the developmental wind blowing in the state. Unlike some leaders who choose the easiest way of life which is to think without action, Ochendo as a technocrat chose the difficult part which is to act and put one’s thoughts into action by taking the bull by the horn to transform the State through the creation of an enabling environment for development to take off. Today Abians are rejoicing. To those of us who have been following steady achievements of Chief T.A Orji’ administration , this CON Award from his fatherland excites us, being the principal and most prestigious means of recognizing his outstanding contributions both at the grassroots and at national level. It has now dawned on all that, indeed, recognition at the highest echelon of power is not just for long service but basically a credit for outstanding service. At a time the society is fast becoming regressive and mediocrity is being encouraged, and even rewarded, T.A Orji is standing tall among his contemporaries. A great philosopher of old, Napoleon Hill said; “When your desires are strong enough, you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.” For those who might not have known, T.A Orji’ amazing turnaround in the economic development of the Abia State with the effervescence that is needed, gives away his messianic feature of purpose as well as real leadership in public life. Indeed, he has expressly become a giant figure beyond local politics. It is, therefore, appropriate identifying with the success of a man who is less glowing but is presently moving the center ground of politics of positive change. His rare entrepreneurial revolution is not concentrated on the elite alone; the common man is succeeding too. As a man who would want to govern people with good health, Chief T.A Orji made healthcare delivery his number one priority through the provision of healthcare facilities such as the building of health centres in all the 701 political wards in Abia State, three specialist and diagnostic centres with the state-of-the-art component in Aba and Umuahia. Building of dialysis and Ophthalmology centre for renal diseases, upgrading of Okeikpe and Arochukwu General hospitals, construction 100-bed hospitals in Arochukwu, Ohafia, Umuahia South, Osisioma and other local governments in the state. For him, good health is tantamount to wealth and for this reason, he has continuously said this “I will be happy if I am a governor of healthy people. It is only the healthy that can enjoy the dividends of democracy”. As security of life and property is paramount to the development of every country, the Governor stood and fought Kidnappers who between 2010 – 2011 made Abia State a self haven for the dastardly act and paralyzed economic activities in the state. Abia State is adjudged the best security state and prides the Governor as the best security Governor in Africa. By sheer dint of hard work, commitment and achievement, Governor Orji has proved himself a true leader by bringing all political gladiators in the state under one umbrella in throwing out an olive branch to them. The exiles returned home, the old fugitives returned and embraced their erstwhile foes. In one collective spirit and vision a new Abia is born. Abia under the leadership of Ochendo has been an oasis of sanity as it stands tall in the federation as a model state in terms of peace, social order and harmony born of the product of committed and pragmatic action. In the midst of the country’s violence, where bloodshed and organized crime make the headlines in newspapers everyday, Abia State has remained peaceful and a sort of haven where peace reigns and residents sleep with their eyes closed. Governor Orji has changed the mental orientation of Abian towards politics and power as he has returned power to the people as against what was obtainable in the past. The state under T.A Orji has witnessed massive infrastructural development from provision of office accommodation for Abia workers to housing such as the new ultra modern workers secretariat, ASUBEB building, JAAC office, new international conference centre, new court complexes in Aba and Umuahia, Isieke Housing Estate. The relocation of Old Timber Market and Old Umuahia Market to places more conducive has improved the ecstatic of the state capital. Orji’s approach to youth empowerment is second to none as he has empowered over 10 thousand youths in the State through his skills acquisition programme, provision of equipment to those trained in different entrepreneurial skills. In other to empower more youth to reduce violent crime in the State such as pipeline vandalization, kidnapping and armed robbery, and reduce the difficulty people experience in travelling Governor Orji has doll out over 500 vehicles for Abia youths which has helped to stem the tide of crime in the State. His agenda for the South East as the new leader and quintessential Igbo spokesperson has, indeed, set him on the pedestal for this honour which before now been occupied by some self styled volunteers. He has proved that the problem with Nigeria is not in our citizens but in those on the sit of power. His trajectory through the corridors of power has been exemplary. He is a seasoned administrator with clean record and has distinguished himself as a credible leader with pedigree. He has at present maintained his promise of entrenching equity, unity and peace in the State through power shift to the Ukwa-Ngwa people who have been marginalized and relegated in the scheme of things in the state. This again has proved him as a man who believes firmly in development without bounds.Having bagged this award he will be faced with the challenge of maintaining the political peace and order whrich he has entrenched as it is said that “to whom much is given much is expected”. Enyioko Chibuike, President of Abia Youth League is the guest columnist.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:06:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015