From Magnus Eze, Enugu
•The new pavilion
Encomiums were poured on the former Governor of Old Anambra State and one of the fathers of Enugu State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, as Enugu South Local Government Council recently named a magnificent pavilion after the elder statesman.
The project was unveiled by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who extolled the pioneering efforts of Nwobodo in the development of the state.
Represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, the governor expressed happiness as he inaugurated the mega project at Uwani, headquarters of the council area.
•Ossai cutting the tape
He applauded the council boss, Chimezie Nkwuo, saying the state government was proud of him for his commitment to service to humanity service.
On Nkwuo’s leadership prowess, he said that it takes a good leader to notice or even remember another good leader.
“That the project is dedicated to Dr. Jim Nwobodo is a unique philosophical and welcome idea from the council boss. Dr. Jim Nwobodo was and still is a great leader of our time and should be remembered, while his leadership legacy should be emulated for anyone that wants to leave positive marks in the sands of time.
“By successfully erecting this mega pavilion, you have proven to be a great leader whose legacy would be remembered, just like you deemed it fit to remember Dr. Jim Nwododo. You have displayed political responsibility and dedication to the people of Enugu South,” the governor said.
He thanked the people of Enugu South for their support to his administration even as he urged them to intensify it to gain more democratic dividends.
Declaring the ceremony open, general overseer of Beautiful Gate Assembly, Enugu, Bishop Ugo Welms, committed the programme into the hands of God and prayed that He continues to strengthen the council chairman in order to discharge his duties diligently on the path of righteousness. He also prayed for his progress and sustenance in the politics.
In their respective speeches, Nwobodo’s wife, Patricia, who stood in for her spouse the Commissioner for Rural Development, Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Okey Ogbodo; leader of Enugu South Traditional Rulers’ Forum, Daniel Nnamani; the chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu South Chapter, Emma Ugwu; and others, all joyously commended the council boss and attested that he has broken the jinx in the council with the successful completion of such great edifice.
During one of his lively speeches, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, who also served as master of ceremonies at the programme, said the project was a huge achievement by the chairman in just his first tenure in office.
The commissioner noted that the project was one of its kind in all the 17 LGAs of Enugu State. He thanked Nkwuo and his team for a job well done, while urging indigenes of Enugu South to keep their supportive flag high for the politician as he has provend his ability to do more, if massively supported.
In his opening remarks, Nkwuo appreciated God for granting him the enablement to complete the pavilion and for blessing the state with Governor Mbah and his tireless team.
He described the innovative/infrastructural development dispensation currently in the state as second to none.
Nkwuo also praised his dependable team, starting from the vice, Dr. Sandra Onyia, his amiable wife, Adaeze Nkwuo, stakeholders, political appointees, Council of Igwe and Traditional Rulers, party members, women leaders, church leaders, and the public. He said that their presence made the project inauguration colourful.
“It has been the grace of God and our collective prayers answered that I joyfully present to you, the good people of Enugu South, this evidence of my administration in the political space of our time. Thank you for your unalloyed support and I will continue to work for you to ensure that this wind of development in Mbah’s administration penetrates every nook and cranny of this local government,” he said.