Ikpeazu bags IPAC’s excellence award

Ikpeazu bags IPAC’s/sd

Ikpeazu bags IPAC’s excellence award

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

For conducting local government election and improving industrialisation in the state, the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), yesterday appreciated Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, with an Award of Excellence.

Speaking while giving the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Ude Chukwu, IPAC’s National Chairman, Muhammad Nalado, commended the decision of the governor to conduct the election, adding that IPAC gave him the award for also industrialising the state.

Speaking on his behalf, Chukwu said the award means so much to the state, assuring that it will spur the government of the state to do more, just as he noted that despite facing fund crisis and other challenges, the state was happy to conduct  the election.

“I will thank God for such honour accorded the state. We are grateful that within the last couple of months, it has been harvest of one award after another. It is always interesting when you discover that people  are appreciative of the little contributions we are making both in governance and outside governance.

“For us in Abia State, what happened today is a wonderful development and a good thing. The award will certainly motivate us to do more of what people recognised that we are doing.

“We conducted local government election because we believe in democracy and we also believe that any democracy that does not get to the grassroots is no democracy. We have three tiers of government and for the fact that the National Assembly passed the local government autonomy, we strongly believe it will go along way to strengthen democracy.

“Despite pressures, lack of funds and the fact that we know that it is not too convenient and left for some people they would like to continue with the transition chairmen, we did conduct the election. The international committee has appreciated it,” he noted.

His statement read:”Irrespective of the protracted legal battles, Governor Ikpeazu has gone ahead to distinguish himself as a great reformer, administrator, humanist, development enthusiast etc. Under his watch in the past 26 months as the chief servant of Abia, the state has witnessed massive socio-economic, political and infrastructural development.

“It is on record that over 45 brand new roads and  bridges have been constructed or reconstructed. There is massive agricultural revolution in the state, creating thousands of jobs for the youths and providing food and wealth for the people. The results of the students of Abia in national and international examinations have continued to show the impact of his touch in the education sector, within the period under review, Abia has become a safe haven for local and foreign investors.

“This governor who was recently crowned the father of made-in-Nigeria goods by Business Day Newspapers due to his campaign for the promotion of Made-in-Aba goods which has gained currency nationally. Today, the Aba business community is all in unison that this has remained their best time doing business in the capital of MSME in Nigeria.

“Governor Ikpeazu has elevated transparency and accountability, humility and simplicity in governance,   after the disbursement of the bailout funds, ICPC wrote the governor a strongly worded commendation letter for the transparent administration of the funds. His simplicity and openness has made him accessible to all and sundry in Abia, that he is dubbed “The people’s governor”.

“Even at a time of economic recession, Governor Ikpeazu was able to ensure the conduct of local government elections, thereby, strengthening the foundations of democratic governance in Abia. Ikpeazu has continued to maintain political harmony and social cohesion in the state. Under this quintessential leader, the Onwa Abia, Ikpeazu Ph.d, Abia has continued to remain a reference point for good governance.”