Gov Nwifuru salutes Elechi at 83

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi state has today in a solemn manner honoured the former governor, Chief Martin Elechi in his 83 years birthday anniversary in Abakaliki. The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Dr. Peter Chukwu, while observing Mass service at the cathedral described the celebrant as a product of the missionary who had equally reciprocated the gesture in many ways while in office as the governor of the state.

Bishop Chukwu said that the former Governor, Chief Elechi received his education from the missionaries, and applauded him for allowing himself to be used by God and thanked the present governor for according his grand-successor with such recognition. He further addressed the octogenarian as a blacksmith of words whose speeches are always pregnant with meanings and appealed to other political leaders to toe his footsteps by embarking on long lasting legacies.

According to him, "The celebrant is known for his punctuality at all times and he did listen to his followers during his tenures, though we are not canonizing him rather to thank God for his sake. Bishop Chukwu further suggested for the completion of Oferekpe Water Scheme and other abandoned laudable projects in the state to enable the citizenry have access to water.

"Chief Elechi did a lot in many schools, constructed 32 unity bridges that connect the rural to the urban and the Water Scheme, if completed, there will be abundance water in the state. "The projects should not be abandoned going by the enormous resources already committed in the scheme and I am advising the leaders to always leave that they will be remembered for even after leaving their offices. Speaking, the state governor, Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru prayed God to provide the celebrant with the strength to face the challenges associated with old age and other tasks in his remaining years on earth and added that without the struggle of Chief Elechi for the state creation that he would not have been in power. "I can recall what I was before 2007, when I came in an encounter with Chief Elechi and what I am today, without him, I would not have been here as a governor and one interesting thing in him is that he is not thrilled by what others are doing and always proactive. Reacting, the celebrant, Chief Martin Elechi thanked the people through the governor for giving him the treatment which ordinarily he would not have given to himself. The former governor lamented on how Oferekpe Water Scheme completed by his administration was destroyed by the successive government. He explained that the project was completed and test-run by the Federal government, "we were also producing new pipes for its reticulation but after my tenure, I wept on the day that I saw how earth moving equipment was removing the same pipes from Vanco to SPerea in Deo junction which we had laid supplying water from Oferekpe to Abakaliki by the subsequent administration for the reason best known to them". he explained Meanwhile, in an interview, the former federal minister of power and steel, Chief Godwin Ogbaga congratulated the erstwhile governor, Chief Martin Elechi and prayed God for good health on the celebrant while enjoined leaders to emulate the leadership ingenuity of chief Elechi.