ENUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his counterpart in Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu were both in celebrative mood yesterday as the duo marked the 31st anniversary of the creation of their states.
Speaking at the venue of the anniversary lecture by Prof. Dan O. Chukwu of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Governor Ugwuanyi expressed profound gratitude to the founding fathers of Enugu State for their vision, doggedness and tenacity towards the creation of the state.
Describing the founding fathers as “the true heroes”, the governor assured them that their sacrifices will not be in vain.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, Ugwuanyi congratulated the people of Enugu State on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the creation of the state.
Governor Ikpeazu who impressed on Abians the need to eschew bitterness and live in peace amongst one another during his state-wide broadcast, further noted that despite the challenges the state has faced over the years, the state under his watch has been able to record significant changes in all the sectors of the economy of the state.
This is even as he added that he has been able to lay the solid foundation upon which his successor in 2023 and other successive administrations in the state will build to make greater impacts in the lives of residents and Indigenes of the state.
“My beloved Abians, I call on you to ensure that even as we all participate in the ongoing electioneering process, we remember that we have no other place to call home than Abia State.
“We will not set our own home ablaze to spite our brethren. I therefore call on all political actors to have this at the back of their mind as they go about their political activities.
“Nobody’s ambition is worth the disruption of the peace of Abia State and we will work with security agencies to enforce that.
“While mentioning some of the modest achievements we have recorded in the course of our administration, I must not fail to acknowledge some of the challenges we have faced especially in the area of security and management of our payroll, wage-bill, pensions and other emoluments.
“I would like to assure Ndi Abia and all those affected by these challenges that we are working with all concerned to resolve the associated issues expeditiously.