From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
The duo of Hon Joel Ezeani, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election and his counterpart, Hon Eloka Ike of the same party for Nnewi North Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly have revealed their resolve to introduce new things and ensure quality representation.
The candidates told journalists during the opening event of Afia-Olu Nnewi (new yam) festival 2023 that their representation would not be business as usual where the constituents would be denied the democracy dividends expected from their representatives.
Hon Ezeani on his part declared that he would prioritise the empowerment of his constituents to ensure that every youth was gainfully employed so that there would be no room for any youth to roam the streets as a result of unemployment.
He promised bountiful constituency projects that would benefit all categories of people in the Constituency he represented.
Ezeani insisted that he must ensure that transparency and accountability would be his watchword.
For Hon Eloka Ike, Nnewi residents both indigenes and non-indigenes would begin to count their blessings as soon as he stepped into the Anambra State House of Assembly. He re-affirmed his determination to maintain his slogan of “Ifediche” (something different) coming to Nnewi North as a result of quality representation which he said he had already programmed to outshine in his legislative functions.
He noted that the kind of representation he intended to bring to Nnewi would border on the basic needs in the industrial community including capacity building, skills acquisition and accountability through town hall meetings.
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Hon Eloka said he would ensure that the voice of his people would be heard on issues that concerned them and would not allow their own share of the democracy dividends to elude them.
Ezeani and Ike in their separate speeches paid allegiance to the traditional ruler of the Nnewi community, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III and the three Obi’s of Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi, saying that they would not fail them as their lawmakers.
In his remarks, the President-General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi (Nnewi town union), Dr Mmaduka Atuenyi said that this year’s Afia-Olu cultural festival was specifically packaged to showcase the people’s cultural heritage to the world.
Dr Atuenyi said this was through the special traditional wrestling, other events including the award of Di Ji, cultural displays as well as the performance of dance troupes.
He said: “Umunnem, these are avenues created to encourage our youths to be useful and productive instead of idling away. It may interest you to know that our prize-giving strategy has rekindled the resilience and competitive nature in olu ugbo ( farming) amongst our youths as we promise to do even more in putting smiles on the faces of these illustrious sons and daughters of ours.
“As we celebrate, may I use this opportunity to call for caution to all masquerades to stick to the rules of engagement in order to maintain peace and decorum throughout the festivities which will end on Saturday, ” Dr Atuenyi warned.
He said that the security men on the ground would not hesitate to treat any individual or masquerade as a criminal if found wanting.
Earlier, Igwe Orizu III had commended the organisers of this year’s event. He preached love for one another among his subjects.
Some of the dignitaries included the Hon Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Anambra State, Don Onyenji who represented Governor Charles Soludo.