From: OKEY SAMPSON, Aba
A former deputy governor of Abia State under Chief T. A. Orji, comrade Chris Akomas, has said his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was working hard to ensure that it captures power in Abia in 2019. This was even as he said that despite the noise being made by the opposition of late, APC would still retain power at the centre.
Akomas, who spoke in Umuahia after he received the “Distinguished Manager” award from the Nigeria Institute of Management (chartered) southeast chapter, said the party was not leaving any stone unturned to win Abia state in the next election.
The award was in recognition of his contributions to the professional body.
The former deputy governor described the state as one that has the needed human and natural resources to manage her affairs efficiently but requires the government to prioritise the resources at its disposal in order to grow the economy of the state.
Akomas used the opportunity to call for an end to hate speeches from ethnic groups in the country, stressing that Nigeria can only grow and develop in an atmosphere that is devoid of rancour and intolerance.
He said that the award was a challenge for him to do more for the institute and the society at large, stressing that it was his desire that the youths would get exposed to leadership programmes if they must do well in any areas of choice.
The event which took place in Umuahia the State Capital attracted the presence of Emeritus Prof. Munzali Jibril, OFR, FNIM; President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Prof. Ogochukwu Tabugbo, BoT member of APC, Chief Sam Nkire, APC Abia Chapter chair, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, Hon. Acho Obioma, former Abia SSG, Ralph Egbu, APC State Secretary, Mr. Augustine, Senator Chris Adighije, former Abia PDP Party chairman and now APC chieftain, Tony Ukasoanya and traditional rulers from the state.
Others who received award alongside Akomas include Hon Sam Onuigbo, Uche Ihediuwa, Chief Raymond Alika, Joy Ikwuagwu and Navy Captain Abdulahi Amino, Commandant Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College, Owerrinta, Abia State.
Prof. Munzali Jibril charged business owners in the southeast to imbibe the act of social corporate responsibility which he said would aid any organization attain its missions.
He said with this, the best interest of the region would have been served at all times through the delivery of only projects best suited for the people without losing sight of the impact of such efforts on the economy and the environment.
In his address, Prof. Ogochukwu Tabugbo, the Southeast Zonal chairman said it was regrettable that despite the abundance natural and human resources available in the country, crimes amongst other social ills were on the increase and attributed them to unemployment.
Tabugbo who noted that happenings in the states of southeast are worrisome to any sound mind, thanked members and gussets for finding out time to come.
The APC State chairman, Donatus Nwankpa described the award as one that was well deserved, stating that Akomas was a man that has distinguished himself in both public and private life.
Nwankpa who stated that the APC family came to rejoice with “our own who deserved to be honoured and the honour having come from a group that do not collect bribe before bestowing any honour on individuals shows that Akomas is a man that has truly distinguished himself in places and positions that he had served before now. For me, Akomas is a leader that has the interest of the people under him at heart.”