Enugu agog as Ugwuanyi commissions 5.4km road constructed by OAS Boss, Evarest Nnaji
...Ugwuanyi goes to the rural areas and fixes their roads without unnecessary publicity ~Nnaji
…Governor Ugwuanyi is an infrastructural catalyst ~Ogbuekwe
Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu
Chief Evarest Nnaji, Odengene, an indigene of Ishienu, Amagunze in Nkanu East local council area of Enugu State has put smiles on the faces of his people and 4 other connecting autonomous communities by the construction of a 5.4km asphalt road in Amagunze.
The philanthropist commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his passion and special interest in developing the long neglected rural areas in the state.
Nnaji, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Odengene Airshuttle Services (OAS), went on to describe Ugwuanyi as “a good man” who has demonstrated enormous commitment to the wellbeing of the rural dwellers through his administration’s rural development policy.
He made the commendations, when the Governor, among other stakeholders, inaugurated the road for use on Friday.
The event which began with a Holy Mass at The Holy Innocent Catholic Church, Amagunze, saw other dignitaries take turns to commend the Governor for being a humane, humble and project oriented governor. They equally applauded him for providing the enabling environment which made it possible for Capt. Nnaji and other good-spirited indigenes of the state to contribute to infrastructural development.
A section of the road
Addressing the crowd, the Special Adviser on Agriculture to the Governor, Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe, described Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as an infrastructural catalyst. He lauded Odengene’s efforts as an emulatable one.
“What we are witnessing here today is what I call infrastructural catalysis and Your Excellency, you are the infrastructural catalyst.
“Your conciliatory approach, open door policy to governance and throwing the door open to partnerships have contributed greatly to the success of your administration.
“Very recently, you have commissioned different projects in Akpugo, Ezeagu and Awgu and these projects stand as testaments of your nature as an infrastructural catalyst.
“Odengene, you are the infrastructural reagent that has hearkened to the call of His Excellency as a partner for the development of infrastructures in the state.
“By this project you undertook and completed, you are an example for all to emulate in the development of the state and I pray that God will replenish your pockets in a thousandfold”, he said.
Capt. Nnaji receiving Governor Ugwuanyi
Capt. Nnaji maintained that Gov. Ugwuanyi has connected the hinterlands, “where ordinarily nobody will think of tarred road”, with development projects, disclosing that it was because of the governor’s steadfastness and passion for the rural dwellers that spurred him to construct the road to support his administration’s grassroots development programmes.
He stressed that “government cannot provide road every place at the same time”, adding that the project was part of his Corporate Social Responsibility to his community and the state.
“Your Excellency, you are doing wonderful things in Enugu State. The other day, I went to Nsukka Township Stadium to see for myself a 5,000 capacity stadium built and completed by your administration. We know of the ongoing ESUT Teaching Hospital and College of Medicine project at Igbo-Eno. We know what that project will do for Enugu State and the healthcare of people and beyond, among other numerous infrastructural projects.
“What I want to tell our people is let’s support our government; we have a very sincere governor; somebody who is God’s man, who will not take you for granted.
“Your Excellency, thank you for your prayers and moral support. We will not take it for granted. We will continue to appreciate you sir”, he said.
Inaugurating the road, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed delight at the landmark event and joined the people of Amagunze and environs in celebrating “this community-spirited gentleman for the delivery of this high utility road”.
The governor urged all users of the road to own and protect the key infrastructural asset and observe road traffic safety protocol.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who noted that the road was the second privately funded project in the council area within the life of his administration, stated that the trend is most worthy of commendation as well as emulation by persons with the wherewithal.
He added that the continuing partnership between his administration and public-spirited individuals in infrastructure provisioning is a welcome development, saying: “Odengene, you evidently made a tough choice; a choice to improve the lives, living and livelihood of your people in preference to other competing personal needs.
“You have made indelible footprints on the sands of time. The verdict of history will be kind to you. Please accept our sincere commendations. I pray the almighty God to bless you, give you peace, good health, longevity and outstanding prosperity in Jesus Name, Amen”.
Earlier in their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Rt. Hon. Princess Peace Nnaji, the immediate past Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu (Rtd), the Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh and HRH Igwe .O. Nwatu commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for peace and good governance in Enugu State.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ferotex Construction Company Limited, the firm that constructed the road, Chief Festus Onu, expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for giving the company the opportunity to work in the state.
Chief Onu thanked Capt. Nnaji for awarding the job to the company and went further to thank the people of the community for their cooperation during the construction of the road, assuring that the road was delivered to standard according to the specification.
Dignitaries at the event included the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo; Bishop Emeritus of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Anthony Gbuji; former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Bishop Ralph Nwoye; Member representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji; Member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo; their Enugu East/Isi-Uzo counterpart, Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Steve Oruruo; the Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Chief Ikeje Asogwa; Chief Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo; Dr. Gabriel Ajah, Catholic Priests and Traditional Rulers.
Others were Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Chief Mike Onu, Prince Emeka Nwatu, Member representing Nkanu East Constituency, Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, former Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Anayo Edeh, among others.