The Ebonyi Founding Fathers’ Forum has commended Governor David Umahi for the continued infrastructural transformation of the State.
The Founding Fathers made the commendation when they paid a Christmas homage to the Governor at his Umunaga Uburu Country home on Tuesday.
They noted with satisfaction the level of development orchestrated by the Divine Mandate administration in the State, noting that they were happy their struggle did not become in vain after all.
“We note with happiness, the transformation of Abakaliki Capital City from Rural Capital to one of the fastest growing State Capital in the Country with the most modern road network, street lights and decorative lights with flyovers.
“Indeed, Ebonyi State has become the Dubai of Nigeria, Courtesy of the Governor and his administration. We also note the ongoing Ebonyi Airport Project, the completed King David University of Medical Sciences, the first of its kind in Nigeria, the Ultra-Modern New Exco-Chambers, the new Governor’s Lodge, the most modern shopping mall in the South East and the ongoing construction of Abakaliki Ring Road, among others.”
The Chairman of the Forum, Chief Francis Orji said Ebonyians had cause to celebrate the silver jubilee of its creation in pomp’s and pageantry owing to mammoth transformation within the period under review.
“Indeed, Ebonyians have cause to be joyful in celebrating the Silver Jubilee of Ebonyi State creation judging from where we were in 1996 and where we are today, 25 years after, in terms of economic, education, social and infrastructural development of the state which is unprecedented.”
Chief Orji applauded Governor Umahi for the manner he has been handling issues of insecurity across South East Zone with expertise.
“We appreciate our Governor on the way and manner he has handled and is still handling the insecurity challenges not only the South East Region but also in Ebonyi State, especially his handling of inter and intra community clashes within the state.”
The Forum which appreciated the Governor for several health interventions for their member assured him of their continued support at all times.
“We the Founding Fathers are happy and assure His Excellency, the Governor of the State, of our continued support, we are also here to thank you on what you have been doing for the Founding Fathers both in taking care of their health needs as well as in other areas of needs. Firstly, we are grateful to you sir for providing the financial requirements needed for the surgery at an Abuja hospital including other incidental expenses of our chairman, Chief Sir Francis OJi, which lasted for 3 months including the period of his recuperation.
“Secondly, His Excellency, provided the fund for the late Chief Egwu Chima for his treatment at the hospital at Abuja and at his death you assisted in no small measure for the burial expenses.
“Recently, one of the Founding Father, Chief Rogers Okpani was involved in a fatal accident in which 3 persons died which he sustained brain injury as a result of the accident. We wrote to His Excellency for financial assistance to enable him undergo brain surgery at AE-FUTH, Abakaliki. A request Your Excellency expediously attended to and approved the release of N1,000,000 to Chief Okpani. Today Chief Okpani is hale and hearty and our Chairman, chief Sir Francis Orji is here with us today who will never knew would be able to walk again. For these and others, numerous to mention here we say thanks to His Excellency. This is onerous task of taking Ebonyi State to the next higher level of development.”
Responding, Governor David Umahi assured of his continued care for members of the Forum but counseled them to desist from partisan politics to enable them discharge their advisory role to Government at all times.
He assured of his determination to complete all ongoing projects latest by June next year as a way of preparing Ebonyi State for greater things to come.
“It is something to be grateful of that in life, your father comes to celebrate with you, it is an undiserved honour from God Almighty and I want to thank God that you people are alive to see what you fought for, at least you can now beat your chest and say yes, we have reasons we fought for the creation of the State.
“I want to say that what is said of EBSU is not true, EBSU progress under me remains one of the best in the whole Nigeria, the mark of Ebonyi State University under me is 105 marks.
“No matter what we use our mouth to say, the Nigerian society knows that Ebonyi State is making tremendous success in all their endeavours and I am conscious, I am on camera and you need to verify.”
“What I have decided now is to do a visitation panel to that University, the University has the potential to become the best first five Universities in the Country and that is the target we have set.”
The Governor while hosting the Rachel Umahi Women for Akubaruoha assured of his readiness to uplift Ebonyi State to an unconquerable status.
He encouraged the group to continue to support him and his family for greater service to God and humanity.
Governor Umahi also announced plans to further strengthen the Ebonyi State University Abakaliki for effective delivery of the goods and for self sustainability.
The President of Rachel Umahi Women for Akubaruoha, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu said they were in Uburu to commend the Governor for the uncommon transformation of the State and called on him to make himself available to salvage Nigeria as President during the 2023 General election.
Governor Umahi also played host to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, led by Reverend Father Abraham Nwali, the Nigeria Legion, the Praying Widows, the Ebonyi State Council of Traditional Rulers and the King David University of Medical Sciences Uburu led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Jesse Uneke.
Other callers to the home town of Governor Umahi included the Umuanum Village Uburu led by Chief Godwin Akpandu, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNIZIK, State Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation, NUT, Ebonyi State, IPAC Ebonyi State, Poultry Farmers Ebonyi State as well as Muslim women Ebonyi State led by Maryanne Abubakar.
