Ebonyi@25: Govt To Observe Low Key Independence Celebration

  

---As Umahi  Slates November, December For Commissioning of  Completed Projects 

BY AMUCHE AGBO, ABAKALIKI 

Ebonyi State Governor Engr. David  Umahi has announced the decision of his administration to observe a low-key 61st anniversary celebration  of Nigeria's Independence and 25 years memorial of the creation of Ebonyi State.

Governor Umahi announced this on Thursday while briefing newsmen in his office at Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

The Governor clarified that the reason for the low-key celebration was to save the meagre resources  that would have been expended in the celebration for the continued  transformation of the State.

He insisted that contrary to speculations, Ebonyi State would not be observing any sit at home as the State was on a fast lane to catch up with it's contemporaries in the development index of the Country.

Governor Umahi advised all those orchestrating the calls for sit at home to realize that the situation is counterproductive to the economic development of the South East region.

"Even the initial peaceful agitations that was devoid of venom and hate speeches have been hijacked by people who have ulterior motives and that's why there are no more cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers in South East. All of them now claim to be IPOB and IPOB is doing everything possible to extricate their names but it is a mission impossible, so they have to think twice that if they had good intentions it has been destroyed and all criminals are now into the activities.

"Even when they say Mondays are no more sit at home, the criminals will say no that it must continue to be sit at home and during these Mondays they are killing our people, burning vehicles and so on, so who is in charge and what are they fighting for?

Governor Umahi condemned in strong terms the recent murder of Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband of the late Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Dora Akunyili by unknown gunmen recently, describing it as an act of inhumanity.

" I want to say that we condemn in totality the insecurity in South East orchestrated by our own people that is tagged unknown gunmen and I appeal that on-behalf of the Governors that these should come to a stop; we are very mobile people, restricting our movement is to destroy.

 "So this is my opinion about the sit at home, all flags must be flying very well, infact it should fly higher tomorrow and we believe in in one equitable, fair and just Nigeria. The Igbo man will fare better in a united Nigeria where there is Justice, fairness, equity and love and I think our Nation Nigeria is coming to that point where whatever is our differences between the various regions would be discussed."

On the 61st anniversary of Nigeria's nationhood, Governor Umahi commended present and former leaders for their efforts to preserve the unity and dignity of the Nation.

" While we thank profusely the founding fathers of our Nation, we pay special tributes to the vision, courage and boundless energies of our founding Fathers who created the roadmap towards the statehood that was granted to us on October 1, 1996 by the former Head of State General Sani Abacha; may his soul find repose in the Lord, Amen."

The Governor paid glowing tributes to Ebonyi founding Fathers and previous Leaders for paving the way for statehood and laying solid foundation for it's eventual transformation.

"As we commend efforts of our founding fathers, we thank immensely our past Leaders especially the Governors under military administration of Navy Captain Walter Feghabor and AIG Semion Oduoye late and democratically elected administrations of His Excellency Dr. Sam Egwu CON and His Excellency Chief Martin Nwancho Elechi, MFR, CON for their accomplishments that laid the foundation for the progress we have made in the last six years and for this, we have great testimonies to share as we mark our silver jubilee.

" We can say of a truth that the silver jubilee of Ebonyi State is coming at a time tremendous efforts have been made to attain the State of the dreams and aspirations of our founding fathers."

Governor Umahi while giving account of his stewardship within the last six years said his administration has worked hard to build solid infrastructure such as flyovers, light tunnels, King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, the International Airport, the Shopping Mall, the Ecumenical Centre among others for the future greatness of Ebonyi State as the Salt of the Nation.

"Conscious of the the promise we made to our people by our Divine Mandate administration, we have worked hard to translate our promises in life-changing projects and programmes for the future of our State including enduring infrastructure for economic development, access to first class education, affordable Health Care services, Agricultural revolution, efficient and effective public service and Human Capital Development that will transform our economy and bequeath to posterity a greater Ebonyi State."

He expressed the determination of his administration to complete all ongoing projects and lay enduring legacies in the sands of time.

"We are focused on building an economy driven by private sector not by any Government, we are deepening the tenets of democracy and the rule of law, we are leading by example in our fight against corruption, we are restructuring the public service to ensure good governance.

"We are committed to the goal of National integration; we are committed to restoring our time-honoured value of hardwork, honesty, decency, generosity, dignity of labour, transparency and accountability. I commit myself to these tasks together with all those who are working with me.

"We have beaten the record as the State with the highest number of flyovers after Abuja and Lagos, we have activated commercial activities through the construction of the Margaret Umahi International Market, the Auto Spare parts Market, building materials market and many other markets within the metropolis and satellite town."

The Governor however announced plans to set aside the month of November and December this year for commissioning of all completed projects and dedicate same to God for his guidance and protection.

" Between now and January 1, 2022, we shall be recruiting about 5000 Civil Servants and also empower 3000 of our people. At this juncture, let me inform our Stakeholders and indeed all Ebonyians that we have the intention to dedicate the month of November and December 2021 for the commissioning of our projects and to have our Stakeholders and prominent Nigerians visit some of our completed and ongoing projects, we shall also celebrate God's kindness upon the State to mark the silver jubilee of Ebonyi State, it promises to be awesome" he added