By: Amb. Anthony Akalugo
MY MESSAGE TO NDI NJABA ON NIGERIA’S 63RD INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION
I wish to convey my warmest greetings to my people of Njaba on this auspicious occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd independence day celebration, October 1st, 2023.
The celebration is significant as it shows that our dear country has successfully clocked diamond jubilee and more and also it marks my one year plus, in office, as your servant, carrying on with God’s enablement.
Njaba LGA is a blessed land laced with productive human resources and natural endowment. I can say with pride that the past one year in office has afforded me an opportunity to understand our land the more and our people. We have reasoned together, shared together, played together and seen that we share a common bond and a common destiny.
It was a challenging time coming into office at a time when confidence has dived so low and people did not believe in each other again let alone believing in governance, a time when tension was in the air and breakdown of law and order was the order of the day, but with you and through you, we are on the rise again.
Security challenges became evident on assumption of office. For instance, It was so horrible such that two of our revered traditional rulers, HRH Eze Anayochukwu Earnest Anyanele Durueburuo, Obi II of Okwudor, and HRH Eze Samson Osunwa, Ohanyereugo I of Ihebinowerre, both of Okwudor Ancient Kingdom, were killed while in active service in the council headquarters. As a result, the headquarters was abandoned for over eight months without activities, it looked as if the spirit of death was hovering, but with you, normalcy has been restored. May their souls rest in peace, amen.
Other traditional rulers sustained various degrees of injuries during the heartless and senseless attack and were deformed as a result of gunshots. For instance His Royal Highness Eze Ukonu, Akpaka, and others had injuries that deformed them, thank God they are getting better.
Also within the same period, HRH Eze Edwin Azike of Atta lost his life in an indescribable circumstance. May his soul rest in peace, amen.
Our people lived in fears and the vigilante formation did not work with procedure and supervision and as such there was reign of lawlessness and death was flying in the air. Youths were daily bundled and carted away to cells and some lost their lives without evidence of involving in criminality. It was painful but God has kept you and I till today. On the directive of His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, we had to take a different approach on assumption of office.
Assuming office, the first thing I did was to confront the uncertainty that pervaded the land, tackled lawlessness, restored confidence of the people, reopened Local Government Council Headquarters for governance and brought back socioeconomic and sociopolitical life in the council area.
We invoked double pronged approach of kinetic and non-kinetic concept to tackle the debilitating insecurity and restored our land to peace.
In the kinetic approach, a process to present a single focal approach through all the security agencies was put in place. It made the security agencies to now assume responsibility for conscious preservation of lives and property and to be responsive responsibly. Working with engagement protocol became the order and we stopped indiscriminate harassment and maiming. Chased away criminals that hijacked our land.
We looked into Engagement procedure and fine-tuned it for effective security operation and today, you and I are witnesses to the yield, thank you and thank God.
The good news is that there is a coordinated kinetic security approach and therefore innocent citizens are protected. Kidnapping and harassment ceased and people can freely return home without fears, this is your victory.
On non-kinetic approach, I engaged in human relations strengthening. I am happy that men, women and youth of Njaba have once again breathed a sigh of relief. Being accessible, visible, offering listening ears and intervening in issues and initiatives have all contributed to restoring peace and tranquility.
I’m aware that we are operating in a harsh economy and hunger is palpable. It therefore became necessary to give support and create subtle liquidity for the people, no doubt the joy that is spreading is significant. If our brothers and sisters can eat, then other things will be meaningful and love gradually returned to people who lost hope, you are winning the battle, congrats, ndi Njaba.
On the aspect of infrastructure, plans are on the way and discussion is on course to engage in various infrastructural interventions. We are not unmindful of the quality roads His Excellency Sen Hope Uzodimma has done cutting across Njaba, that’s is Orlu Owerri road. The road linking Awomamma to Okwudor was halted because of kidnapping of the contractor but arrangement for its completion has resumed. Other rural interventions are on course, details are available.
We are mindful of the need and doing all that are necessary to see the necessary approvals and releases for massive infrastructural development of Njaba to enable us achieve what will be great for our people. We continue to present the needs of Njaba at the relevant quarters and continue to hope for better days.
Various parliative provisions and strategic interventions coming to Njaba have seen intentional commitment to ensure that Njaba is not shortchanged. We continue to do our bit to bring good dividends of democracy to our people.
In all aspects of governance, such as Education, Agriculture, medical and health, etc., we are doing the needful to see how to move Njaba forward and to make our people to experience the benefits of effective governance. Details of such efforts are available.
In the next six weeks, the month of November, we shall be going to the polls to elect the governor that will lead us for the next four years. From my knowledge and understanding, His Excellency, Sen Hope Uzodimma, is the right choice, the best option for Imo people. Supporting him means supporting sustainable good governance. It means that we finally win our battle against agents of desperation who stop at nothing to pursue their selfish intent.
It means that we want more quality infrastructure, better service condition for civil servants, employment of 10,000 teachers or more, reviving quality public schools, construction of sea port and opening of Imo State to the maritime economy, and lots more. We are excited with the 15,000 youths that acquired digital skillup that will provide them skills to conquer and have Dominion in the world. The 3rd cohort is about to commence and with His Excellency Sen Hope Uzodimma on the saddle, we shall achieve more.
I’m not just asking that he wins in Njaba, but that the victory should be massive. We need to cast our vote for His Excellency Sen Hope Uzodimma and for APC. Good governance should continue and we need to remain connected to the centre and relevant in Nigerian political architecture.
Politically, our people are more politically aware now more than ever and it is a good omen. I enjoin you to support the winning team for better prospects and better deliveries.
Where we are able to recognize that Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma is our brother, friend and associate, that his success is our success, we need to give him block votes to achieve his eight years tenure in Douglas House, with the hope for better benefits.
The sense of leadership we have fostered at the grassroots is amazing. We now have effective governance architecture with the Ndi Eze, PGs, women, youth, the church and in the political party, with everyone being conscious of why Njaba must be United in purpose and concern. Let’s continue in that spirit and eschew all forms of rancour and bickering. With unity and love, we shall achieve more.
As we celebrate the 63rd independence anniversary and as it also aligns with my one year in office, serving Njaba and our dear state, I urge you to be more supportive, encouraged and zealous to engage in more beneficial drills for the good of our people. I’m ready to do more, doing that to leave a legacy of good, to give sense of direction to our people and sense of hope and purpose to our youths and people. Let us together with one voice and in one Accord, build Njaba of our dream.
I will continue to open my door wide to receive all and to reason with us for a better way to lead Njaba and will be delighted to hold a beneficial partnership with you, your organisations and other strategic concerns for the good of Njaba. Should you have any offshore or onshore opportunity that will impact positively on Njaba, please come forward for necessary discussion, we need it for development.
Every step towards greatness of Njaba will be given relevant consideration and accelerated approval.
Njaba remains our heritage and our pride, we take it to the next level and consolidate the dreams of the founding fathers.
May God bless you as you mark 63rd independence anniversary of Nigeria and as we think home for Njaba and Imo State.
Happy new month of October and more wins.
Long Live FRN
Long Live Imo State
Long Live Njaba LGA
Thanks and Regards,
Signed
Hon. Chief Vitalis Ugochukwu Obi , Etiokwe Njaba
Sole Administrator Njaba Local Government Area, Imo State.
