“You are working tirelessly for your people” – Ohuhu community leaders commend Onuigbo for facilitating Federal Secretariat

Community, women and youth Leaders from Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North have thanked Former Member that represented Ikwuano/ Umuahia North/ Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo for making the federal Secretariat project at Ekeoba, Ohuhu a reality.

Speaker after Speaker, from the representatives of the two Royal Fathers to women and youths from the two units of the clan (Okaiuga and Umuhu) during a historic visit at the Umuahia residence of the former Rep Member, delivered messages of appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for directing the commencement of the federal Secretariat project as well as Chief Onuigbo who is now the South East Representative on the Board of North East Development Commission for attracting and persistently working for take-off of the project.

In their speeches, High Chief Onyekachi Ogbuja representing Eze Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna and Chief Ebenezer Okechukwu for Eze Charles Ngwuli described Chief Onuigbo’s efforts in realizing the final commencement of the project as legendary and appealed to him not to relent in ensuring its timely completion.

Chief Ebenezer Okechukwu in particular had this to say.
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Expressing their feelings, Mrs Chioma Josephine Orisa and Mrs Nwakanma Anayochi described Rep Onuigbo as a Leader whose interest is on the development of society and appealed to him to end the protection of the host Community’s rights and privileges.
Baring his mind a Youth Leader, Comrade Chikezie Uchechukwu noted the project would yield job opportunities and called on Chief Onuigbo to ensure that Youths from the area benefit from such.

In his introductory remarks, a renowned social Critic and Politician, Chief Chinedum Obilor pointed out that the visit has no political colouration but a way of appreciating one who worked and is still working tirelessly for the good of his people.

Responding to the out pours of emotions, Chief Onuigbo thanked the people of Ohuhu for the gesture and assured that he will not relent in pursuing projects for the public good as he appreciated President Tinubu for his approval for the proper take off of the project, pointing out that it has once again shown the President’s desire to correct and address the obvious marginalization of the South East Zone in the country.

The member NEDC also commended Governor Alex Otti for providing the conducive atmosphere for the hitch free commencement of the project as well as the then Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola for his role.

See full statement by Onuigbo:

SPEECH BY SOUTH EAST REPRESENTATIVE ON THE GOVERNING BOARD, NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND FORMER THAT REPRESENTED IKWUANO /UMUAHIA NORTH/ UMUAHIA SOUTH FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, HON. CHIEF SAM ONUIGBO ON THE OCCASION OF THANK YOU/SOLIDARITY VISIT BY OHUHU COMMUNITY.

I see today as one of the days in my political career that can never be easily wished away. I’m in this mood because it is quite rare in this clime to remember past Leaders who made positive contributions to the development of society.

Your reason for visiting me today is borne out of your desires to recognize my little but relevant steps taken to bring infrastructural development by my asking for and getting the required approval for the construction of a brand new Federal Secretariat in your community while I represented the good people of great Ikwuano/ Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency.

This historic journey could be traced to the concerns I raised as a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Housing on the 23rd October 2019 regarding the absence of a Federal Secretariat in Abia State when the then Minister of Works and Housing, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN appeared before it during a committee sitting. Being provoked by this irritating situation which has been bothering me, I sought an explanation to why Abia was denied this all-important share despite the fact that most states younger than her already had theirs.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it was in the course of explaining the situation that, His Excellency , Babatunde Raji Fashola stunned me and other Committee Members with the information that a parcel of land earlier donated by the State government for the project was encroached upon and challenged me to make Abia State Government to provide an alternative location, vowing to realize it.

I urgently pursued this through a letter dated 23/10/2019 and visits to the then Governor, His Excellency Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who secured the current site at Ekeoba but could not conclude the issue of title documents and payment of compensation to the land owners.

Being resolute and resilient in ensuring that my State and particularly, my Constituency enjoys this dividend, I continued pursuing it even as I left office leading to my consultations with the incumbent Governor, Dr Alex Otti on the 20th of June, 2023, (less than a month after he assumed office) who has graciously concluded the rites of compensation and the issuance of the title documents.
Indeed, I kept moving and lobbying relevant offices connected with the implementation of the project, and I’m grateful that today equipment is being mounted and moved to the site. What a glorious news.

I sincerely wish at this stage to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his approval for the proper take off of the project. This has once again shown his desire to correct and address the obvious marginalization of the South East Zone in the country. I also want to use this opportunity to thank Governor Alex Otti for providing the conducive atmosphere for the hitch free commencement of the project. I also thank the then Minister of Works and Housing by keeping to his promise of helping Abia State to get a brand new Federal Secretariat.

I cannot end my speech without wholeheartedly appreciating the Traditional Ruler of the host community, His Royal Highness, Eze Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna, the people of Ekeoba and the entire Ohuhu clan for their patriotism which has resulted in a conducive environment for the take-off of the project. At this juncture, I call on all of you to do everything within your strength to protect the project and also encourage the contractors to complete the project on time.

Let me once again thank you for remembering to acknowledge my meagre efforts. I assure you that whether in or out of government, I will continue to dedicate my life to the service of the people.

Before now, all the nooks and crannies of this great Constituency have witnessed my imprints through the provision of several infrastructures.

Let me sound it clear, from Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene road to Ubakala – Umunwanwa – Udo – Achingali road, I will keep lobbying and pressurizing relevant authorities until they are achieved.

May God bless all of us.