Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has declared that at 31, there is good reason to thank God for His blessings to the State for which he remains eternally grateful.
Ikpeazu spoke during a special Thanksgiving service to mark the 31st anniversary of the creation of Abia State, which held at the St. Stephen’s Anglican Cathedral, Umuahia.
He appreciated God for the prevailing peace and security in the State, and described peace and security as his greatest achievements in the last seven years of his administration. He said the government could not have succeeded in this area without the sustained prayers of the Church and urged it not to relent.
The called on all Abians to identify with the effort to rebuild Abia, adding that rebuilding of the State must involve all Abians. According to him, just as the biblical Nehemiah, he will not be distracted from the assignment of rebuilding Abia State.
He used the opportunity to inform Abians that by December, he would be commissioning the Garment Factory in Aba, which , when added to ENASCO, would make it two industries his administration will be delivering to the State. The governor also he would be remembered as the governor that provided Abia with a 30 Year Long Term Development Plan, Osisioma Interchange, Master Plan for Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia among other projects, when he leaves office.
Earlier in his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, said if Abia must be good, everyone must watch and pray as well as be committed to bringing transformation and positive change.
The Bishop, who spoke on the topic “Watchman Over The Land” and took his text from Ezekiel 33 verse 7, described everyone as a watchman in his office or community and challenged all to be responsive.
While pointing out that Abia has remained the most peaceful State in spite of all challenges, Bishop Ibeabuchi thanked God for His faithfulness to Abia State in the last 31 years and prayed God to bless Abia State and its leaders.
The event featured prayers for the governor, Abia State government and the nation as a whole.
Present at the event included wife of the governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu; the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu; members of the State House of Assembly; Deputy governorship candidate of PDP, Barr. Okey Igwe; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem; the Head of Service, Sir Onyii Wamah; commissioners, PDP State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere,;Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe, LGA chairmen, Chairman of Abia State Advisory Council, Sir Chikezie Wachuku; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, PDP chieftains, Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Sir Hrm Eze Joseph Nwabeke; The Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede and other Service commanders, members of the clergy, among other dignitaries.
– Media Report