From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Workers in the Abia State government employ sacked by the administration of former Governor Theodore Orji, under the aegis of Abia Disengaged Non Indigene Workers (ADNIW), have held thanksgiving service, to thank God for the emergence of Dr Alex Otti as governor and for keeping them alive over the years.
Speaking during the service, Rev Chidi Nwokoro of the Calvary Life Mission, Aba, Abia State thanked God for the lives of the sacked workers and for the victory of Otti at the polls.
Rev Nwokoro admonished the sack workers to continue believing in what the Almighty God who had been sustaining them over the years irrespective of their debilitating experiences, can do.
“You should continue believing in Almighty God who has sustained some of you irrespective of disheartening experiences and neglect you have suffered over the years.”
While appealing to Governor Otti to be a rescue agent by paying the sacked workers their entitlements, the cleric added that that will make every Igbo man and Nigerian feel free where ever they find themselves in the country.
“I appeal to the present Abia government piloted by Dr Alex Chioma Otti to change the wrong impression and hate created by Chief TA Orji administration by being a rescue agent.”
Rev Nwokoro said it was sad that a good number of the sacked workers have died as a result of hardship, and prayed God to give their relations the fortitude to fear the loss.
The leader of the group, Mrs Fidelia Ihejirika thanked God for His mercies and divine protection since 2011 they were disengaged from Abia state public service with ignominy.
Narrating their ordeals since 2011, Mrs. Ihejirika informed that over 70 of them have died as a result of hunger and curable sicknesses.
Ihejirika, while thanking God for Otti’s victory at the polls and courts, expressed optimism that the Governor will not allow their sufferings to continue.