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Tag: Wabara

  • Wabara wins Abia South APC senatorial ticket

    Former bank chief executive Sir Marc Wabara has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Abia South Senatorial Zone.  Wabara’s name was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after he was declared winner of the primary by the party.

    There was jubilation in Abia South as INEC released the list of senatorial candidates, following the expiration of deadline for the submission of names of senatorial candidates and Wabara’s name made the list.

    A socio-cultural group, Abia Action Youths for Progress (AAYP) has lauded the APC chieftain for his victory at the just concluded party primary. In a statement by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Omenihu, urged Wabara to work hard to emerge victorious at the polls, urging all party faithfuls to close ranks for the battle ahead.

    Wabara had while declaring his intention to run, pledged to “proceed with faith, boldness, courage and decisiveness in the Red Chamber”. He added: “My skills and experience will be deployed to serve our Abia South Senatorial District, Abia State and Nigeria with the fear of God. If elected, I pledge to make a difference through a holistic transformation especially of Abia South. So, help me God.”

    His candidacy received a major boost following his endorsement by the Abia South APC Caucus.

    A recipient of the 2004 Zik Prize Award for Leadership in Banking, Wabara has also received several other honours, including the title of “Enyi Abia” bestowed on him by the Abia State Government in recognition of his empowerment programmes for indigenes.

    He holds an MBA from the Adelphi University, New York, graduating with distinction. He consults widely for financial services, oil and gas and real estate sectors.

  • No faction in Abia APC, says Wabara

    Former Managing Director of the defunct Hallmark Bank Chief Marc Wabara has said there is no faction in Abia All Progressives Congress (APC) as being rumoured.

    Wabara, an APC aspirant for Abia South in the 2019 election, addressed party leaders from the six local governments in the zone.

    According to him, APC in the state is one under the leadership of former governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Donatus Nwamkpa as chairman.

    Wabara said the APC in Abia prays that an Ukwa/Ngwa man be allowed to complete the second tenure governorship of the zone, stressing that the same was expected for the senatorial seat where he said the Ngwa should allow an Ukwa man to go in the spirit of equity.

    “APC believes that an Ukwa/Ngwa man should be given the opportunity to complete the governorship term of Ukwa/Ngwa and our old Bende brothers agreed to that.

    “In Abia south, it is also the thinking in the party that the Ngwa should go for the governorship seat and Ukwa man for the senate. Since this is the case, no Ngwa man should vie for the senate in the interest of equity”.

    On the alleged rigging of elections by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former banker said: “The Pharaoh that does not know Joseph is now on the throne. PDP can’t repeat its action of  2015, it will no longer be in a position to effect the electoral malpractices it did in the last election”.

  • Wabara, Kalu, others grace church’s 150th anniversary

    Wabara, Kalu, others grace church’s 150th anniversary

    Ohambele in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State has a lot to celebrate. It has produced successful people in business and politics, one stand-out scion being former Senate President Hon Adolphus Wabara.

    One sore area, though, is its forbidding roads, the Aba-Azumini probably the most worrisome. In fact, commuters have been bickering with the contractor handling the federal road project.

    But on April 23, not even the road could discourage dignitaries who turned up in the ancient kingdom to mark the 150th anniversary of Ohambele’s other icon, the St. Paul’s Anglican Church of Ukwa Diocese. Former governor of the state Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu led the way, and with him were Hon. Donatus Nwankpa (APC State chairman), Comrade Chris Akomas (former Abia Deputy Governor) Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Chief Nyerere Ayim (APC Abia governorship candidate in 2015), Hon. Sam Nkire (APC BoT member), Mascott Uzor Kalu (former Abia Chief of Staff), and Chief Marshal Wokocha of Modum Associates Limited, among others. They joined the members of the Ohambele Archdeaconry of St. Paul’s to celebrate its 150 years of existence.

    The church, founded in 1865 by early missionaries and European traders, has retained its aesthetics and continued to play its role: winning souls. The church has produced sons and daughters who are ordained priests in both Anglican Church, Methodist and other churches.

    The event lasted for three days with a rally on April 21 and free medical care the following day, closing on Sunday 23 with a thanksgiving and fund-raise.

    The event was also used to honour about 37 persons, including Sir Adolphus Wabara, his brother and former CEO of Hallmark Bank, Marcus Wabara, the oldest lay reader of the church, and Chief Monday Nnah, among others, who have contributed to the growth of the church and the propagation of gospel in the community.

    In his homily, the Bishop of Ukwa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Kelechi Eze eulogised early missionaries for bringing Christianity to Ukwa, describing it as a courageous act. Eze urged Christians to imbibe the spirit of giving without murmuring. The Bishop also thanked the Ohambele people for allowing the early missionaries to settle in their midst, from where the gospel spread to other parts of Ukwa land and beyond.

    Chairman of the occasion, Rt. Hon. Adolphus Wabara thanked the priests and authorities of Anglican Church for keeping the history of the church, adding that so many communities in Abia State are yet to enjoy the gains of Christianity which the Ohambele people are enjoying.

    The chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Sir Marcus Wabara said the significance of the day lay in thanking God for using the land of Ohambele to take the gospel of salvation to other communities.

    Wabara said, “We rejoice in this reminder of our privilege and historic status as the first Ndoki community to embrace Christianity. From time immemorial and ever before the establishment of the pax Britannica, our great Ohambele Kingdom has confronted and overcome untold conflicts, difficulties and hardships.

    “Without fail, Almighty God has encouraged, reinforced, and strengthened our people. No wonder, then, that the Most High God occupies a special place in our kingdom, in our homes and in our hearts.”

    In an interview, the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu who was the special guest of honour said that it gladdened his heart that he was alive to see a church with such a great historical background attaining 150 years of life.

    Kalu, who described Marcus Wabara as a friend, said he also came with the APC family in the state to join the Anglican Communion in Ukwa and the country at large and the Wabaras to celebrate the day.

    The APC chairman, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa recalled that most schools and hospitals which were established by early missionaries helped in the intellectual grooming and physical development of Nigerians such as Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chinua Achebe, among others, who benefitted from their teachings and services.

    Nwankpa called on the people of Ohambele to ensure that the legacies handed over to them by their forefathers were guarded jealously.

  • Wabara: I ‘ll make difference in Abia

    Wabara: I ‘ll make difference in Abia

    Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship Sir Marc Wabara has promised to take the state to a greater height, if elected as the governor.

    The aspirant, who has obtained the ‘Expression of Interest’ and ‘Governorship Nomination’ forms from the party secretariat, Abuja.

    Accompanied by youths, women and other party faithful, Wabara was received by party leaders, including the Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Chief Okey Nnaedozie, the Political Adviser to the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Chris Iroegbu, and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Bashir Maidugu.

    Nnaedozie congratulated Wabara for his decision to vie for the governorship and assured him of a level-playing ground at the primaries. He said the party will organise a transparent and acceptable shadow poll.

    Wabara described himself as a founding member of the party, saying that his loyalty has not been in doubt. He said he is conversant  with the manifesto of the party and the Transformation Agenda of the  Jonathan Administration.”

    He said: “Having consulted widely, I have come to the conclusion that there is no better time than now to place my exposure and experience to the benefit of Abians, to serve my people with humility, transparency and with the fear of God. I am firmly resolved to replicate the Transformation Agenda in Abia State for the benefit of Abians.”

    Wabara said that he had been favoured by God in his banking career and the private sector, where he had reached the peak.

    He said: “This is the time to give back to my people in appreciation of God’s infinite mercies.”

    On his policy thrust, the management expert promised a transparent leadership, the judicious utilisation of funds and the proper co-ordination between the state and local councils for optimal development.

    He said: “Considering the need for us to sustain the efforts of past and present leaders particularly in our state, I felt that the time has come for me to contribute my own quota in the public sector. Consequently, I will use my private sector exposure and experience to ensure that our people continue to enjoy the best that democratic governance can offer. I believe I have the requisite credentials, competence, experience, maturity and integrity. I have also been a manager of men and materials.”

    Wabara added: “While I was the chief executive of the bank, I used my position to create jobs. We also financed many projects that positively impacted the lives of our people. I believe that my emergence will sustain the peace and tranquility that we enjoy in Abia State today.

    “I see myself as a bridge builder. Though I am from Abia South by birth, I am linked to Abia North by marriage. Also, the people of Abia Central Senatorial District were extremely kind to me during the civil disturbances when they accorded me excellent hospitality. If elected, I will be a governor for all Abians irrespective of where they come from. My mission as governor is to use the talents that God has blessed me with to uplift the quality of life of our people.

    “Specifically, Abia is a state that has one of the most important factors of production – human capital. The state has a very vibrant youth population that is highly educated and with capacity for hard work. We will work with highly educated individuals and seasoned technocrats in delivering democracy dividends to our people.