In a bid to ensure that all hands are on deck for the development of Abia State, the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelama and Abia State Caucus in the National Assembly met yesterday at the Abia State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja to forge common front for the rapid development of the state.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Ikpeazu, who identified team spirit and unity as the basic tools for development, also said that the interest and development of Abia State is paramount for all Abians, and should placed above all other considerations including political affiliations.
The governor, who also used the occasion to host and honor Abia born minister of Industries trade and investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelama, at the Governor’s lodge Abuja noted that if Abia leaders, stakeholders and Elder statesmen work together, they will leave indelible footprints in the sands of time.
Governor Ikpeazu while commending the President, Mohammadu Buhari, for the appointment of Enelama as member representing Abia State in Federal Executive Council, described the minister as a detribalised and well grounded Abian who will represent the state well.
He added that so far the Honorable Minister has always ensured that the state does not lose out in what is due her and charged him not to relent.
The Governor also described the nomination of another Abian, Obinna Emeka Agbugba, as an Ambassador designate as a good omen for the state and expressed hope that he will also be a good ambassador of the state.
He thanked Abia Senators and members of the House of Representatives for their support to his administration and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in order to leave positive legacies for future generations and take Abia higher in all Areas.
In his comment, the immediate past governor of the state and the Senator representing Abia Central in the Senate, Senator T A Orji, commended Governor Ikpeazu for bringing all Abians to join him in the development of the state, assuring the Governor of the support of those at them at the National Assembly.
Senator Orji also described the appointment of Mr Enelama as that of “a round peg in a round hole” and urged him to cooperate with the governor and other Abia leaders including Stakeholders to enable him succeed.
Senator Orji, also urged the Minister to see his appointment as a call to service and assist in the area of job creation pointing out that unemployment, hunger and poverty are the basic problems of the people.
Responding, Enelama, who described Gov Okezie Ikpeazu as a visionary leader with a listening ear, promised to work with him to bring his visions to accomplishment.
Also in their seperate remarks, Elder statesmen Prof Ikechukwu Madubuike and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu charged the minister to avoid mismanagement of government funds and ensure its judicious use while he strives to achieve tangible things for the state. They enjoined him to always consult other Abians including civil servants, professionals and political leaders, assuring that they will not misguide him.
The speaker Abia state house of Assembly, Chief Martins Azubike, in his remarks thanked the governor for the forum which brought them together and prayed God to inspire the governor the more while giving him the wisdom and knowledge to steer the ship of Abia to an enviable height. Azubuike reminded the minister that Abia is the Japan of Africa hence the need for him to use his portfolio to bring in investors. He further stressed the need to sustain and add to the achievements of the past administration at state and federal levels.
Other dignitaries at the event include Ambassador designate, Emeka Agbugba, Senators from the State, members of House of Reps members, including Hon. Osy Prestige of APGA some members of the state executive council members among other distinguished Abians.
