By Israel Mbam

ALBERT Einstein posited that the value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive. Another philosopher says that a strong man is he who went, saw and conquered amidst obvious odds and impeding hindrances. The processes that led to the emergence of Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi as PDP standard flag bearer and winner of the 2015 governorship election in Ebonyi State were clear indications that he is a divine leader sent by God to develop all spheres of the young and fast growing State.

Going by records of accomplishment of past leaders of the state from 1996 until date, one can look into the future and see an Ebonyi State that is not just springing up with unprecedented development in all aspect, but a state that is the best among her equals. Accolades must go to the visionary leadership of Apostle Engr. David Nweze Umahi for his enormous potentials and Divine leadership ordination demonstrated sine his assumption office as Governor of the state.

From this prognostication, one can boldly say that Ebonyi State is actually living up to its billings as a child born out of fervent pray to God. A child that craws when it should crawl, walk when it should walk, run when it should run, and presently flying when others are still walking. The State is one of the few states whose creation were achieved with pains, tears and heard struggle of the founding fathers.  In her own case, Ebonyi leads the pack when one reason that while others got their states on a platter of gold after few years of struggle, the struggle for the creation of Ebonyi state lasted for over 39 years before its realization.

It is therefore worthy to appreciate the fact that Ebonyi State has accelerated her social, economic and human development at a pace unprecedented and unrecorded in the annals of other States of the federation, courtesy of a man who has a clear vision and who came to leadership as a rare gift to Ebonyi state. The unique Governor, Apostle (Engr.) David Umahi whose emergence as Governor was through Divine Mandate, has severally affirmed that his actions and policies would be divinely guided to enable him and his team achieve the desired developmental dreams of the state’s founding fathers.

In his inaugural speech, the Governor declared that his rising to the leadership of the state was purely the will of God. Hence, all his actions, programs and policies would reflect his Covenant with God. In line with this, Governor Umahi has remained focused in delivering quality leadership and projects to Ebonyians.

In recognition of the fact that Government exists for continuity, Governor Umahi, being a man of God with high test, Apostle David Umahi imbibed a high sense of quality, adequate maintenance culture and ensured the continuity of every laudable policy and program of past administration. The Umahi led government in Ebonyi State has not only consolidated on projects and policies of past administrations in the state, but also rebranded and improved on most of them acceptable international standard.

The development-oriented governor on his first term inauguration on 29th May 2015 stated his priority areas, though not exhaustive as success on its own throws up new challenges to include: Education, Security, Capital City Development, Health, Agriculture and Food Production. Others are Infrastructural Development, Mineral Resources Development, Youth and Women Employment, Welfare of people, Peace building and Civil Service reforms.

Four years after, the Governor delivered beyond the promise he made to the people. He has performed above the achievements of most Governors in their first and second term.  In area of Job creation and empowerment, the Governor who was concerned at the high level of poverty and unemployment in the state, ushered in a pro-entrepreneurial policy as a veritable tool for poverty eradication and job creation.

From the program, over 2500 women and youth selected from all the electoral wards in Ebonyi State were given Two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250,000) each to start up business. Others were trained on different skills and many are currently benefiting from Agricultural loans among other empowerment and human resource development programs of Akubaroha Government.

In keeping to his vision of making Abakaliki the best state capital in Nigeria, Governor Umahi has transformed Abakaliki Capital City from hitherto status of a dirty environment and outlook to a befitting state capital competing with other major cities in the country. The network of urban roads in Abakaliki has made the street roads comparable to other notable streets in the world.

Apart from the urban roads, Engr. Umahi has taken his aggressive road construction to all parts of the state. The street light project has not only beautified the city at night but has helped improve business activities in Abakaliki. Interestingly the Governor has extended the streetlights and electricity supply to all the Local Government Areas of the State.

The first three ever flyovers in the state were all completed within two years to the extent that Ebonyians are today giving a standing ovation to Governor Umahi in appreciation of his foresight, hard work and determination to make Ebonyi a world class state.

The engagement of over 300 youths as Technical Assistance and Senior Technical Assistance is the first of its kind in the country. The peoples ‘Messiah’ has also done well in area of industry and in attraction of investors for the development of solid minerals and industries in the state. The Ecumenical centre, International shopping mall, International market and the new government House projects are other projects that have further placed the governor above his equals.

In area of workers’ salaries and welfare, while other states are struggling to pay their workers, Umahi has continued to maintain cordial relationship and regular payment of workers’ salaries as promised and has recently increased workers’ salaries by five percent, including the yearly payment of thirteenth month salary and purchase of buses that take workers to and fro their work places in the state.

Transformation in Agriculture and food production is another area the able Governor has done creditably well through robust programs and policies wherein he gave grants to farmers, encouraged Civil and Public Servants into Agriculture, procured and distributed improved seedling, fertilizer, insecticide and the introduction of mechanized agriculture in partnership with serious investors who are helping to boast the state economy through agriculture, solid mineral development among other areas.
Governor Umahi has within his first four years in office touched all sectors of Ebonyi State, which reminds us of the statement by former Ghanaian Leader, Kwame Nkrumah who once told Ghanaian Countrymen that the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility and yet it is a noble and glorious challenge. A challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to fight and to work. Courage to achieve the highest excellences and the fullest greatness of man. The above assertion might be the driving-force and propellant strength of Governor Umahi in Ebonyi State.

For sure, leadership entails having the courage to do what had not been done before, and that is what Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi is doing in Ebonyi State under his divine mandate administration. Ebonyians must understand that development is a process which is a progressive change in the way of life, and which demands patient, sacrifice and understanding, hence the need to give Governor Umahi all the supports he needs in his transformation efforts in the state.

The solidarity should also be extended to his functionaries and the ever charming wife, Chief Mrs. Rachael Ogonnaya Umahi who has taken the welfare of less privileged, widows, the poor and the sick as priority through her family succor and upliftment program.

In the face of financial difficulties, the divine mandate, passionate, God loving and peoples’ Governor, Engr. Chief David Umahi has remained focused in his efforts to change the face of Ebonyi State through human and infrastructural developments. There is therefore a clarion call for Ebonyi people to align with the developmental strides of this workaholic and people friendly Governor to enable him continue with the good works he is doing in Ebony state for the next four years.


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