Ebonyi: Umahi Lays Foundation for Memorable Christmas And New Year

By Monica Ada C. Eze

Positive shock that awaits those coming back home this season: They
will encounter the amazing revolution taking place in Ebonyi. They
will be shocked that the flyovers they see in other big cities in
Nigeria are now very visible in our state. They will be shocked that
most of the headquarters of our local government areas are now fully
electrified, even as street lights are now part of life in Ebonyi
State. They will be shocked by the beauty and peace in the state as
the governor has ensured that no criminal activity is witnessed during
this season. They will be shocked by the quality of roundabouts in the
state. They will not help but admire the classy and new-look
Government House Gate is now wearing. They will be shocked by the
quality of roads that litter all our local government areas. They will
be shocked that their elders and parents are well-taken care of by the
government of Ebonyi State. They will be so shocked that going back to
these other towns may no longer be a wise decision.”

Let me start this treatise on how Ebonyians are remembered so
specially during this season by quoting Kamil Ali, who stated: “As we
enter the Season of Goodwill – Feel the warm glow in your heart by
lighting up a smile on someone’s face.” And according to Engr. Dave
Umahi the indefatigable Governor of Ebonyi State, “Love is in the air
as we celebrate the Prince of love and peace embodied in the
personality of Christ Jesus”

Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State, South-East of
Nigeria, was a very successful businessman before he ventured into
politics and has all the good things to make one comfortable, but his
desire to make a difference in the politics of his state influenced
him to contest the highest political office in the state and, as God
would have it, he succeeded through what is commonly defined in Ebonyi
as divine mandate. He is popularly known by his chieftaincy title,
Akubaraaoha (wealth that touches the lives of the multitude), because
of his benevolence and philanthropy through which he has awarded
thousands of scholarship to indigent students of Ebonyi State and
alleviated others in other ventures.

Based on this, it looks as if Brian Tracy was foreseeing what is
currently happening in Ebonyi State through the incumbent governor,
Engr. Umahi, when he stated: “Successful people are always looking for
opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking,
‘What’s in it for me?’” To strengthen the position of Tracy, John
Bunyan on the other hand stated: “You have not lived today, until you
have done something for someone who can never repay you.” All these
leader’s positions tally with Engr Dave Umahi’s vision and mission for
Ebonyi State when he stated, “Our mission is to enhance the welfare of
our people, and empower all Ebonyians to be self-reliant, through the
compassionate delivery of transparent and God-fearing governance,
based on integrity and dignity.”

Aim
This article is not aimed at writing generally about the philanthropic
acts of Governor Umahi because doing that is to write a book but,
rather, this attempt is to expose to the entire world recent
benevolence acts of the governor towards Ebonyi people; in making
their Christmas and New Year celebrations not only memorable, but
events they will live to remember for a long time.

Peace in Ebonyi
The governor, in his principle that if there is no peace meaningful
development will not only be elusive but developments earlier achieved
will be destroyed, have reiterated that trouble-makers should look for
other states to relocate.

Setting the pace in sustaining peace in Ebonyi, thereby making the
state conducive for a peaceful celebration, Chief Umahi, said he would
deal decisive with any individual or group of persons that attempt to
re-ignite the Ezza-Ezillo crisis that has claimed more than 200 lives,
and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

The governor’s statement is coming on the heels of alleged security
report that some youths in the area were perfecting plans to organise
a rally to remember their brothers and sisters who lost their lives in
the unfortunate incident.

The governor said that he is still committed to ensure that the peace
accord signed by Ezilo and Ezza-Ezilo people, which brought to an end
the protracted communal clash, is not violated by any individual no
matter how highly placed.

The governor stated this at a thanksgiving service organised by the
Ebonyi State Government, to appreciate God for his benevolence on the
people, at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki, on 19thDecember,
2016.

His words: “I stand on the altar of God to say that anybody that wants
to ignite crisis in Ezza-Ezillo, I will crush the person. I have
directed that the people that organised or wanted to organise a rally
in honour of their brothers and sisters in the unfortunate incident
should be made available to me. They will spend the Christmas in cell.
I must be emphatic, there is nothing to remember.”

Governor Umahi said the thanksgiving was to appreciate God for the
settlement of the crisis and the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in
the state, pointing out that it was responsible for the level of
infrastructural and social development so far recorded by his
administration.