• 3 govs, others storm Ebonyi community for Umahi, Works Minister
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The biggest event in Ebonyi State during the Easter season was a civic reception for the Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, by Okposi Okwu Autonomous Community in Ohaozara Local Government. The celebration was somewhat akin to a prophet being honoured in his own town.
The occasion attracted the movers and shakers of society from far and near. Residents of Okposi Okwu, Ohaozara and indeed, indigenes of the state as well as Umahi’s political associates trooped out in their numbers leading to a complete gridlock that lasted for hours in and around Government Secondary School field, Okposi Okwu, venue of the event.
Among those who graced the occasion were Governors Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), while his Anambra State counterpart, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government. Also in attendance were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, ex-governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi, Deputy National Chairman, APC (South), Emma Eneukwu among others.
It was Umahi’s day of glory. Anyim who chaired the event, said when he was invited to play the role, he never knew it would attract a large turnout of crowd which according to him, was of high quality. He opined that Umahi had made the state proud in different capacities he served the state and the nation.
The former Senate President described the Minister as a visionary and transformative leader who has made much impacts in Ebonyi and Nigeria in general. He commended the people of the community for showing gratitude to the minister for all he has done for them by organizing the civic reception.
President General, Okposi Okwu Development Union (OODU), Chief John Osi, said the event was unprecedented. He noted that it was the first time the community was staging a grand civic reception in honour of anyone since the colonial era.
According to Osi, Umahi made indelible marks in the community and succeeded as Governor of Ebonyi State which made the people of the area to appreciate him through the civic reception: “The grand civic reception we are witnessing today is our window’s might to thank and honour him for his large doses of love, goodwill, and unprecedented infrastructural development projects he had invested on our community and in the quality of the lives of all our people.”
He listed some of the projects Umahi executed in the community as Uburu-Okposi Express Road, Onuoga Market-Odugo Market-Court Area Road, Obodoma-Akanu-Uburu Road, Ivuezizo-Amachara Road and others too numerous to mention.
The governors also praised Umahi for being a great performer in public service. Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun said Umahi was about the best Minister of Works the country ever produced. He stated that the celebrant had made the country proud and commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing him as minster of works.
Governor Mbah said: “Umahi is known to ndi Enugu. He accords respect, dignity and honour to anyone that comes across him irrespective of party affiliation.” He noted that the minister intervened in the bridge which collapsed around the New Artisan Market along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway. He noted that the bridge project was almost completed, and also cited the Enugu/Onitsha Expressway project that is ongoing among other projects in South East:
“Umahi is leaving indelible foot print in the infrastructural development. He exhibits enviable work ethics which is inspiring me. He is a leading light and true patriot of Ndigbo.”
Elechi recollected: “Umahi was first known to me in 2007 and was brought to me by Professor Chigozie Ogbu who was also my deputy like him. I made him acting Chairman of our party. It was the way he performed that made me to say that he will no longer be the acting Chairman but a substantive Chairman.
“It was the way he served as party chairman that made me to tell him to be my deputy from where he became governor of our dear state and now as a minister. We share in his praises because he is our product.”
Governor Nwifuru urged South East to show appreciation to President Tinubu for all he has done for the zone including the Minister of Works position which he described as very lofty.
Umahi urged South East to support Tinubu’s second term. He said the greatest honour the people of the zone will do for the President, was to continue to support him.
There was the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Ezi Nwanne 1 (Good Brother) of Okposi Okwu on Umahi at the event.